STAFF WRITER GRACE KENNEDY

1 TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND IN 3 SENTENCES. My I studied theater as an undergrad but pretty quickly transitioned to freelance writing post-grad. As I built up my freelance writing roster, I worked as a chef at a few restaurants and spent a year making sourdough bread at a bakery. Now I am full-time freelance and writing for Startup CPG, but I still love baking and cooking at home :)

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WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT (IN 5 WORDS OR FEWER)? Knowing my farmers & reading good books.

WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART OF BEING PART OF THE STARTUP CPG COMMUNITY?

I have been so inspired by all of the CPG founders I’ve interviewed for the Spotlight mag. They are some of the most hardworking and passionate people I’ve ever met. Also, trying all of the new CPG products I’ve discovered via startup CPG has been so fun — I even gifted my Dad a box of Lexington Bakes’ brownies for Christmas this year.

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FAVORITE SNEAK-INTO-THE-KITCHEN-IN-THE-MIDDLE-OF-THE-NIGHT SNACK? Popcorn with lots of nutritional yeast, olive oil, and salt.

5 A CPG BRAND YOU EAT/DRINK EVERY DAY?

Bjorn Qorn and Something & Nothing Yuzu Seltzer.

6 FAVORITE PODCAST OR REGULAR CLUBHOUSE TO TUNE INTO? On Being with Krista Tippett.

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MOST INTERESTING THING YOU'VE LEARNED ABOUT THE CPG INDUSTRY?

I recently wrote an article about alternative crowdfunding options for CPGers and learned SO much about the process — I had never even heard of equity crowdfunding before and was fascinated to learn about all of the different platforms founders can use that go beyond the familiar Kickstarter.

By Grace Kennedy