The Alchemy of Kiddiwinks

Jenna Liut is the Chief Commercial Officer and Co-founder of Kiddiwinks, a plant-based prebiotic milk for kids. As a marketing and business development specialist, she has experience in food and agriculture systems, storytelling, consumer behavior, and early-stage startup operations. Before Kiddiwinks, Jenna hosted the Eating Matters podcast and was the VP of Product at Ambrosia, a startup fighting food waste. 

In this episode…

Plant-based milk has been sweeping the market over the past 5-10 years as more consumers develop dairy intolerances. However, options like almond and oat milk lack the vital nutrients present in cow's milk, and many children with dietary restrictions find the texture and taste unpleasant. How can you produce and market functional beverages for a niche audience?

After recognizing her own child's intolerance to milk protein, Jenna Liut partnered with research developers and nutrition experts to develop a tasty plant-based milk fortified with essential proteins, fibers, and vitamins. When launching and marketing a functional new product, customizing the messaging and packaging for your target audience is crucial, so Jenna created distinctive and lively designs tailored to kids. You must also remain consistent with your products to maintain their original benefits and characteristics, especially with a young consumer base. Throughout the process, you may attract consumers outside your initial scope, as Jenna discovered when teens and parents of young children began consuming her products.

In today's episode of the Brand Alchemist Podcast, Taja Dockendorf returns to interview Jenna Liut, the Chief Commercial Officer and Co-founder of Kiddiwinks, about building a functional brand for kids. Jenna explains the difference between traditional plant-based milk and Kiddiwinks' functional beverages, her long-term vision for the brand, and the lessons she's learned along her journey.