Founder Feature: Breanna and Jared Golestani of Kokada

In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Breanna and Jared Golestani, the co-founders of Kokada, to discuss their journey from a kitchen experiment during the pandemic to launching a nationally distributed brand. As a husband-and-wife duo, they share how their love for food (and each other) led to the creation of their delicious coconut-based spreads and snacks.

Breanna and Jared dive into the origins of Kokada, inspired by Breanna’s experiences playing volleyball for the Jamaican national team and her passion for creating a low-sugar, coconut-based treat. They recount their early days at farmers’ markets, their big break winning the NOSH Pitch Slam, and how they navigated funding, scaling, and building a supply chain—including working with international co-packers.

They also highlight their new product launch, Kokada Dunks, a better-for-you twist on nostalgic snack packs. They discuss retail strategy, the importance of in-store demos, balancing growth with sustainability, and lessons learned in securing financing without compromising their long-term vision.

Tune in now!

Listen in as they share about:
  • Origins & Inspiration for Kokada
  • Scaling & Expansion Strategy
  • Challenges in Supply Chain & Inventory Management
  • Marketing & Driving Sales in Retail
  • Funding & Financial Approach
  • New Product Launch: Kokada Dunks
  • Advice for Other Founders

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Creators and Guests

Founder Feature: Breanna and Jared Golestani of Kokada
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