Date Smarter’s founder, Grace Finerman, knows what it's like to be busy. As a former TV news anchor and reporter, she was constantly on the go and realized the need for food that was both healthy and delicious.

Grace took this realization and created Date Smarter, a brand that's breaking up with unhealthy snacks by proving that healthy eating doesn't have to mean giving up on flavor.

Inside the Episode:

• How Grace's background as a news reporter helped her launch and grow her business

• The inspiration behind Date Smarter's unique products, including their signature chocolate-covered date caramels

• Grace's strategy for creating a brand that's both healthy and indulgent

Shop here!

This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

Sri Kalapala is a snack lover turned founder with a background in healthcare technology, business strategy, and operations. Sri took his background and his passion for snacking to create Kailo, a brand proving that snacks should be both delicious and truly good for you.

Kailo is a protein bar crafted for those who value real ingredients — no fillers and no artificial additives.

Inside the Episode:

• How Sri's personal quest for a truly clean snack led to the creation of Kailo

• The inspiration behind Kailo's packaging, influenced by streetwear, music, and art, and how Sri wanted to use these elements to evoke emotion in his branding

• Kailo's commitment to using only real, whole ingredients and why it's so critical to their mission

Shop here!

This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!

Samantha Sherman's career started in the fast-paced world of fine dining. From working at an esteemed restaurant in Boston to managing a team for celebrity chef Mario Batali, she quickly found success. But after a decade in the industry, the pandemic prompted her to take a new, more personal path.

Samantha leaned into a passion for healthy living and wellness, enrolling in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. What began as a way to meet clients quickly evolved into The Hampton Grocer, a farm-to-front-door delivery service in her new hometown of Montauk. The business eventually grew into a thriving granola company with multiple flavors — all baked with love.

Inside the Episode:

• How Samantha started to get her granola into people's hands by putting her product out at local farmers markets, getting direct feedback from customers that helped her build the brand

• The pivotal moment of recognizing and embracing a product-market fit, shifting from a delivery service to a focused granola company based on customer demand

• The importance of strategic growth, scaling a beloved family recipe from small, nine-jar batches to a thriving CPG brand while maintaining quality and authenticity

Shop here!

This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds is the go-to platform built for creator-powered retail activations—connecting everyday creators with CPG brands to spark shelf-level awareness, drive in-store momentum, and generate authentic content in the markets that matter most. Learn more!