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Isha Patel

Isha Patel

Isha Patel

Co-Founder & CEO, Kale

Co-Founder & CEO, Kale

Isha Patel is the co-founder and CEO of Kale. Through The Brand Buzz, Isha's monthly newsletter, Isha interviews the social and influencer leads behind brands like OLIPOP, Notion, Crumbl and Chili's about how they build online buzz. Before Kale, Isha was a product manager at LinkedIn, launching feed video, creative tools and Stories.

Isha Patel is the co-founder and CEO of Kale. Through The Brand Buzz, Isha's monthly newsletter, Isha interviews the social and influencer leads behind brands like OLIPOP, Notion, Crumbl and Chili's about how they build online buzz. Before Kale, Isha was a product manager at LinkedIn, launching feed video, creative tools and Stories.

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Articles

Articles

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Interview

Creators, Community & Customer Obsession

Few people know influencer marketing inside and out like Monica Caponigro (Khattar). She’s built programs at top agencies, scaled influencer strategy in-house at @Nordstrom (where she helped create their influencer “center of excellence”), and helped start a new agency Bobbie, which she now runs alongside Donetta Allen.

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Case Study

The Triple Dipper Takeover: Chili’s Comeback Story 🔥

From building a strategy rooted in community and UGC to scaling creator content through Kale, Jack breaks down how his team keeps the momentum going and customers showing up.

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Industry Trend

Legacy Brands, Modern Feeds: Inside the Social Strategy of Cinnabon & Carvel

How do legacy brands like Cinnabon and Carvel evolve with culture—without losing the nostalgia people love? I sat down with Hannah Gregus, Social Media Manager for both brands, to chat about how her team balances tradition with trend, the power of UGC, and what it really takes to run social for national names people feel deeply connected to. Whether you’re leading strategy for a heritage brand or just trying to keep up with the pace of TikTok, Hannah’s insights are full of practical takeaways.

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Interview

How Nuuly is Building Authentic Communities and Connections

Ever wonder how fashion brands really connect with their communities through influencer marketing? I got to chat with Lauren from Nuuly, who shared the inside scoop on how they’re making community and authenticity the focus of everything they do. From teaching elementary school to leading influencer efforts, Lauren’s been key in shaping Nuuly’s approach—putting UGC and community engagement at the heart of it all.

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Interview

From Beauty Blogger to Social Media & Influencer Director: Kristine’s Journey and Insights at RoC

Ever wonder how a beauty blogger transforms into leading social media & influencer teams for major beauty brands? I had the absolute privilege to sit down with Kristine Ayala, the Director of Social Media & Influencers at RoC Skincare. With over 13 years in the beauty and marketing industry, Kristine’s journey is truly fascinating. From her early days working at Sephora to starting a successful beauty blog, she has worked with top brands like L'OCCITANE Group (B Corp), Ouidad, Movado Group, Inc. Now, she's spearheading social media and influencer strategies at incredibly fast-growing beauty company RoC. Kristine shared her thoughts on how social media is changing, why being real matters in influencer marketing, and much more!

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Interview

Nailing TikTok Trends and SEO

I sat down with Megan Reid from LesserEvil Brand Snack Co., the mastermind behind THE better-for-you popcorn influencer and creator strategies. Megan manages everything from campaigns and brand collaborations to social giveaways. We talked about how to keep content genuine, the rise of UGC, and the growing importance of TikTok SEO. Whether you're a brand or a creator, you'll find plenty of useful insights and tips!

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Interview

Navigating the Beauty Industry: Insights from Brand Marketing Veteran Anna Vale

I recently sat down with Anna Vale, a seasoned expert in beauty marketing with 20+ years of experience. From her early days at Estée Lauder and Clinique to collaborating with industry giants like Space NK, TOM FORD BEAUTY, and Youth To The People, Anna has experienced and executed across many different lanes. In our conversation, Anna shared her insights on how brand marketing and PR in beauty has evolved, the significance of retail, the resurgence of OOH advertising, and how UGC bleeds the digital/physical shopping experience for GenZ & Gen Alpha.

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Interview

Crumbl's Secret to UGC Success

We sat down with Ashlee Rawlings, Crumbl's first Influencer Marketing Manager to dive into her insights on community building and user-generated content. From managing Influencer and PR at Trü Frü (a Mars brand) to transforming Crumbl's approach to user-generated content, Ashlee has seen it all. We got the inside scoop on her strategies and insights into managing a thriving and creative community.

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Interview

The CPG Playbook for TikTok & Instagram

Mikayla Barker Dishes on Influencer Strategies from Beyond Meat to Bachan's How do you get UGC that meets your goals AND sparks community creativity? Mikayla Barker has been exploring this question for some time. From managing all social media channels at Beyond Meat to now leading Social and Influencer Marketing at Bachan's, we caught up with her to get the scoop on her strategies and her take on the dynamic world of TikTok.

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Industry Trend

How to skyrocket app downloads with TikTok 📱🚀

Do influencers and creators only work for the beauty industry?

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Case Study

How OLIPOP absolutely crushes it on TikTok 🥤

Hey, it's me: Isha. As the co-founder of Kale, I get to spend my days with the coolest of brands. I love learning how brands hypothesize, experiment and scale new marketing strategies to build community, grow brand awareness and increase sales.

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