Kimmy Pace, a former technology consultant, turned her lifelong struggle with chronic dehydration and gut sensitivity into a mission after discovering Korean roasted barley tea in a novel. Realizing that most "better-for-you" drinks were too sugary or carbonated for her system, she began brewing her own at home. This gentle, grounding ritual became the foundation for a beverage brand designed for those seeking hydration without the digestive stress.

Afternoon Toast is a line of ready-to-drink, caffeine-free teas crafted from steeped ginger and roasted barley. With a unique nutty and toasty flavor profile, the brand offers a sugar-free, non-carbonated alternative that supports digestion and eases bloating through natural fiber. By prioritizing calm over carbonation, Kimmy is redefining functional hydration as a soothing, everyday ritual.

Inside the Episode:

• The story of how a fictional ritual involving Korean barley tea sparked a real-world solution for chronic health challenges.

• Why Afternoon Toast focuses on a non-carbonated, fiber-rich profile to support sensitive systems.

• The tactical steps Kimmy took to move from a home-brewed ritual to a commercial product, including how she vetted advisors and structured her pre-launch operations.

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This podcast episode was made possible by Glimpse — the AI-powered deduction management tool helping CPG brands recover lost revenue from invalid retail deductions. With in-house experts and custom-built AI, Glimpse saves founders time, money, and countless hours so they can focus on scaling. Try it free for 30 days at tryglimpse.com/trial.

Danielle Calabrese is a CPG powerhouse with over 16 years of experience scaling brands from zero to $40M and guiding more than 100 founders to collective sales of over $100M. Known for her "build smarter, not harder" philosophy, Danielle has secured dozens of SKUs with top-tier retailers and distributors, making her one of the industry's most sought-after advisors for navigating the complex journey from kitchen table to retail shelf.

As the creator of Launch Lab, Danielle has developed a 10-week, cohort-based program designed to take early-stage founders through a proven, step-by-step framework for a profitable launch. The program is deeply execution-focused, providing direct feedback on everything from margins and operations to go-to-market strategy. By combining real-time guidance with access to a private community of experts, Danielle ensures that first-time founders avoid costly mistakes and launch with the confidence of a seasoned industry veteran.

Inside the Episode:

• Danielle's "build smarter, not harder" approach to scaling brands and securing high-value retail partnerships.

• A look inside the 10-week roadmap that moves founders from an initial concept to a profitable, retail-ready business.

• How direct feedback and a peer network can accelerate growth and prevent the most common (and expensive) launch errors.

Register for Launch Lab!

This podcast episode was made possible by Glimpse — the AI-powered deduction management tool helping CPG brands recover lost revenue from invalid retail deductions. With in-house experts and custom-built AI, Glimpse saves founders time, money, and countless hours so they can focus on scaling. Try it free for 30 days at tryglimpse.com/trial.

Nicole Schlesinger traded her corporate NYC desk for butchery classes at the Institute of Culinary Education after realizing the jerky market was dominated by sugary, "candy-like" options. Obsessed with quality, she squeezed two oversized dehydrators into her tiny apartment to perfect small-batch, chef-driven recipes that prioritized premium meat and clean ingredients over the industry standard.

This experimentation led to the birth of Strip Jerky, a brand redefining the protein-packed snack with an artisanal, modern approach. By blending culinary integrity with bold flavor profiles, Nicole has transformed a nostalgic staple into a sophisticated experience for a new generation of snackers, proving that a high-growth brand can start with just a few test batches and a lot of hustle.

Inside the Episode:

• How Nicole transitioned from a NYC desk job to studying butchery to find her true calling in the culinary world.

• Why Strip Jerky rejects sugary fillers in favor of clean labels and chef-inspired flavor profiles.

• Nicole's journey of moving from small-batch testing to a growing brand while maintaining artisanal quality.

Stay tuned for the launch!

This podcast episode was made possible by Glimpse — the AI-powered deduction management tool helping CPG brands recover lost revenue from invalid retail deductions. With in-house experts and custom-built AI, Glimpse saves founders time, money, and countless hours so they can focus on scaling. Try it free for 30 days at tryglimpse.com/trial.