The Duck Pond Podcast | Tips for CPG Brands to Take Flight

Ep. 21 - We're Liquid Death For Everyday People - Jay Williams

Today we’re featuring Jay Williams, founder of Free Bird Water, a brand built around the simple but powerful idea of delivering clean, crisp spring water in tall 19.2 oz aluminum cans, sourced from the Blue Ridge Mountains and crafted for everyday Americans who work with their hands, hustle hard, and value authenticity over hype. Under Jay’s leadership, Free Bird has positioned itself as water “for the people”, no gimmicks, no wellness fluff, just real water for real life. We’ll dig into: * How Free Bird Water carved out its space in the beverage market, leaning into heritage, honest branding and a “blue-collar meets beverage” vibe. * The leap from a successful real-estate background to launching a spring-water brand , why Jay swapped boardrooms for bottling lines, and how that transition shaped Free Bird’s identity. * Key early decisions: choosing spring water from Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, designing tall-boy cans, opting for recyclable aluminum , and how those choices reflect purpose and practicality. * Scaling and distribution: hitting retail shelves across the Southeast, launching still and sparkling SKUs, and the operational grind behind rapid rollout. * Brand messaging, community-building, and positioning Free Bird not just as water, but as a lifestyle and a nod to “everyday heroes.” ✨ Learn how Free Bird Water is redefining what bottled water can mean, merging simplicity, purpose, and refreshment into a can that speaks to working people, honest values, and everyday hydration. 🔗 Free Bird Water Website → https://drinkfreebird.com/ [https://drinkfreebird.com/] Instagram → @drinkfreebird We’re a custom packaging manufacturer, and we believe packaging should tell a story, not just hold a product. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ [https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/] Website → www.pakingduck.com [http://www.pakingduck.com] #beverage #entrepreneurship #packaging

Ep. 20 - Chocolate So Healthy It Heals The Earth - Keith Bearden

Today we’re featuring Keith Bearden, CEO of Alter Eco, the chocolate and snack brand redefining indulgence by making sustainability, ethics, and delight inseparable. Under Keith’s leadership, Alter Eco champions regenerative agriculture, fair-trade sourcing, and compostable packaging, proving you can enjoy delicious, premium chocolate and snacks and help heal the planet. We’ll dig into: * How Alter Eco positions itself in the “ethical indulgence” space, marrying top-tier taste with deep commitment to soil, communities, and ecosystems. * The leap from legacy supply chains to regenerative sourcing: how Keith and the team support farmers to adopt agro-forestry, traceability and sustainable practices while maintaining chocolate quality. * The evolution of packaging and product , from compostable wrappers to clean-ingredient bars and granola, and how Alter Eco balances impact and shelf-ready scalability. * Navigating growth, supply-chain turbulence (like rising cacao prices and global import tariffs), and the ongoing commitment to maintain mission-driven standards while expanding reach. ✨ Learn how Alter Eco is redefining what indulgence can taste like, by proving that chocolate can be conscientious, delicious, planet-friendly, and socially responsible. 🔗 Alter Eco Website → https://www.alterecofoods.com/ [https://www.alterecofoods.com/] Instagram → @alterecofoods We’re a custom packaging manufacturer, and we believe packaging shouldn’t just hold a product, it should tell a story. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ [https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/] Website → www.pakingduck.com [http://www.pakingduck.com] #chocolate #sustainability #packaging #entrepreneurship

Ep. 19 - Creating The Chocolate That Gives You Wings - Adam Deremo

Today we’re featuring Adam Deremo, co-founder of AWAKE Chocolate, the brand that flipped the script on energy and indulgence by putting caffeine into chocolate. Instead of coffee or energy drinks, AWAKE delivers a pick-me-up in bite-size and bar-form chocolate , each bite packing roughly half a coffee’s brew: 50 mg caffeine, fair-trade, gluten-free, no artificial stuff. We’ll dig into: * How AWAKE positions itself in the “functional food / caffeinated treat” space, combining everyday energy with the simple pleasure of chocolate. * The leap from corporate CPG roots to startup chocolate-maker: what made Adam and his co-founders decide to build a “functional chocolate that tastes good.” * The evolution of formulation, taste testing, ingredient choices and packaging, how they balanced caffeine, flavor, quality and accessibility to build a product that people enjoy and trust. * Scaling a functional food brand: rapid growth, distribution, retail partnerships (including recent expansion into major retailers and even listings in big chains), investment rounds, and navigating the challenges that come with growth. ✨ Learn how AWAKE Chocolate is redefining what “energy” means, making it delicious, accessible, and a little more fun. 🔗 AWAKE Chocolate Website → https://awakechocolate.com/ [https://awakechocolate.com/] Instagram → @awakechocolate We’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ [https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/] Website → www.pakingduck.com [http://www.pakingduck.com] #chocolate #energy #entrepreneurship #packaging

Ep. 18 - "Creating a Brand During Covid Saved My Restaurants" - Michelle Valdez

Today we’re featuring Michelle Valdez-Wilton, founder of Date Better Snacks, the brand reinventing what a “better-for-you treat” can be, using Medjool dates stuffed with nut butter and enrobed in organic chocolate, all designed to give you that indulgent treat without the guilt. What started in her home kitchen during the COVID-era has blossomed into a fast-growing snack company now stocked in hundreds of stores across the U.S. and beyond. We’ll dig into: * How Date Better Snacks positions itself in the “clean-label, better-for-you treat” space, satisfying sweet cravings with whole foods instead of processed sugar bombs. * The leap from restaurant kitchens to packaged snacks: recipe testing, ingredient sourcing, packaging clean-label treats that still feel indulgent. * The ups and downs of scaling a food business, balancing handmade care with growth, navigating supply, manufacturing, and distributing in 700+ stores in under two years. * Marketing, storytelling, and how Date Better builds community, not just through flavor, but through authenticity, transparency, and a mission to make better snacking accessible. ✨ Learn how Date Better Snacks is redefining indulgence, proving treat foods can be clean, crave-worthy, and kind to body and soul. 🔗 Date Better Snacks Website → https://datebettersnacks.com/ [https://datebettersnacks.com/] Instagram → @datebettersnacks We’re a custom packaging manufacturer, and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ [https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/] Website → www.pakingduck.com [http://www.pakingduck.com] #snacks #entrepreneurship #packaging

Ep. 17 - Most Beauty Companies LIE With Skincare - Alda Hjaltalin

Today we’re featuring Alda Karen Hjaltalín, founder of SKINERGY, a brand redefining what wellness drinks can be by blending skincare, function and flavour in every sip. Alda turned her passion for wellness and ingredient innovation into a drink that delivers on skin, energy and purpose, all while preserving a great taste and strong identity. We’ll dig into: * How SKINERGY positions itself in the wellness and functional beverage market—skin-first, flavour-forward, emotionally resonant. * The leap from concept to launch: ingredient validation, formulation, packaging decisions and how Alda approached creating a drink that speaks to both beauty and beverage consumers. * The challenges of scaling a startup in the crowded wellness space: sourcing key actives, ensuring taste and stability, building distribution and maintaining brand authenticity. * Marketing, brand story and category strategy: how to go from consumer education to purchase, and what the future holds for skin-targeted drinks. ✨ Learn how SKINERGY is rewriting what it means to drink your skincare—making it tasty, effective and accessible. 🔗 SKINERGY Website → https://www.drinkskinergy.com/ [https://www.drinkskinergy.com/] Instagram → @drinkskinergy We’re a custom packaging manufacturer and we’re changing the landscape of packaging. Paking Duck: https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/ [https://www.instagram.com/paking.duck/] Website → www.pakingduck.com [http://www.pakingduck.com] #wellness #beverage #entrepreneurship #packaging