Shelf Talks
By Roberta Townes
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Category: Entrepreneurship
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Episodes: 150
Description
Shelf Talks is the go-to podcast for female founders, product-based entrepreneurs, and emerging brands who want to learn how to get their products into retail stores and thrive once they’re there.
Hosted by Roberta Townes, a seasoned retail buyer, each weekly episode features unfiltered conversations with founders who’ve landed on shelves at top retailers. You’ll learn exactly how they pitched to buyers, built retail partnerships, scaled wholesale distribution, and grew brand awareness all while navigating the real challenges of building a product-based business.
If you’re ready to turn your product into a retail success story, discover what retail buyers look for, and gain insider tips on wholesale strategy, retail readiness, and in-store growth, this is your podcast.
New episodes drop every week, subscribe to Shelf Talks and learn how to get your brand retail-ready and thriving on the shelf.
Also if you are looking for more knowledge, host Roberta Townes book 'Shelf Talk: A Step by Step guide to getting your Product in Retail Stores' is available on Amazon.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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How Sarela Herrada Built SIMPLi Into a Fast-Growing Retail Brand Through Regenerative Farming
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May 18, 2026 |
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Rapid Retail Questions with Carrie Sporer, Co-Founder of SWAIR Hair
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May 13, 2026 |
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From Personal Frustration to Retail Shelves: Carrie Sporer’s Story Behind SWAIR Hair
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May 10, 2026 |
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5 Things I'm Loving Right Now Founders are Doing to Drive Awareness, Traffic & Sales to Retail Stores
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May 05, 2026 |
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Rapid Retail Questions with Jillian Salinas, Founder of Beach City Coffee & Clara Sieg, Co-Founder of Loonen Water
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Apr 29, 2026 |
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Jillian Salinas of Beach City Coffee: How She Landed Whole Foods First and Scaled to Walmart & Kroger
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Apr 27, 2026 |
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How Clara Sieg Built Loonen Water Through Purity, Transparency & Retail Strategy
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Apr 20, 2026 |
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5 Biggest Mistakes Founders Make After Getting Into Retail (And How to Win on Shelf)
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Apr 13, 2026 |
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Rapid Retail Questions with Samantha Ong, Founder of Joeydolls
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Apr 08, 2026 |
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From Idea to Retail Shelves: How Samantha Ong Built Joeydolls with No Product Experience
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Apr 06, 2026 |
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5 Costly Mistakes That Are Blocking You From Getting In Front of Retail Buyers
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Mar 30, 2026 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Marisa Sergi, CEO of L'uva Bella Wines
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Mar 25, 2026 |
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From Family Business to Retail Powerhouse: How Marisa Sergi Scaled L’uva Bella Wines
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Mar 23, 2026 |
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How to Follow Up With Retail Buyers After a Trade Show
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Mar 16, 2026 |
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Rapid Retail Questions with Jing Gao, Founder of Fly By Jing
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Mar 11, 2026 |
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How Jing Gao Built Fly By Jing From Supper Clubs to 12,000 Retail Stores
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Mar 09, 2026 |
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MINI DIVE TRADE SHOWS: She Didn’t Just Blend In at Cosmoprof...She Built Authority
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Feb 27, 2026 |
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MINI DIVE TRADE SHOWS: She Went to Expo West Without Product...and Landed Retail On the Spot
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Feb 26, 2026 |
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MINI DIVE TRADE SHOWS: How to Use Trade Shows to Get Into Retail (Even With a 10x10 Booth)
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Feb 25, 2026 |
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MINI DIVE TRADE SHOWS: She Almost Didn’t Submit… Then Won Most Innovative Product at a Major Trade Show
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Feb 24, 2026 |
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MINI DIVE TRADE SHOWS: She spent $20K on Her First Expo West Booth (Big Mistake?)
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Feb 23, 2026 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Toni Covington, Co-Founder of Oktane Energy
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Feb 18, 2026 |
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How Toni Covington, Co-Founder of Oktane Energy, Broke Into C-Stores and Hospitals
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Feb 16, 2026 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods
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Feb 11, 2026 |
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How Lifeway Foods Went from Immigrant Startup to National Retail Staple with Julie Smolyansky
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Feb 09, 2026 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Kim Brown, Founder & CEO of CocoXo
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Feb 04, 2026 |
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Pricing, Scaling & Trade Shows: Lessons from Kim Brown, Founder of CocoXo
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Feb 04, 2026 |
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Olivia Abrams Co-Founder of TiCK MiTT Talks Shark Tank
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Jan 22, 2026 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Tina Chamoun, Founder of Terranean Herbs
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Jan 21, 2026 |
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From Law to Lebanese Flavors: How Founder Tina Chamoun Scaled Terranean Herbs in Retail
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Jan 19, 2026 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Psyche Terry, Founder of Urban Hydration
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Jan 14, 2026 |
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Plant-Based Innovation, Retail Strategy & Impact: The Urban Hydration Story with Founder Psyche Terry
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Jan 12, 2026 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Billie Asmus, Creator & Founder of The Repaint Tray
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Jan 07, 2026 |
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From DIY Frustration to Retail Disruption: How Billie Asmus Created The Repaint Tray by Solving One Small Problem
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Jan 05, 2026 |
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FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK: Candice Wu, Co-Founder of Wonder Monday
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Dec 29, 2025 |
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SHELF BITES: How De Soi Won Retail in a Brand-New Category (with Scout Brisson, CEO of De Soi)
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Dec 22, 2025 |
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SHELF BITES: How Jessica Taylor of Ezra Coffee Launched in H-E-B: The Real Strategy Behind Getting on Shelf
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Dec 18, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Olivia Abrams, Co-Founder of TiCK MiTT
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Dec 17, 2025 |
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Olivia Abrams, Co-Founder of TiCK MiTT on Building a Brand, Shark Tank and Launching in Retail
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Dec 15, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Rachel Kane, Co-Founder of SprinkleBites
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Dec 09, 2025 |
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The Co-Founder Behind SprinkleBites: Rachel Kane on Creating a New Category
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Dec 08, 2025 |
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The 5 P’s of Retail Success: How to Get Your Product Retail-Ready in 2026
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Dec 01, 2025 |
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5 Retail Metrics Every Founder Should Track (Even if you Hate Numbers)
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Nov 17, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Maree Glading, Founder of evre. Skincare
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Nov 11, 2025 |
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How a Mom Turned a Skincare Gap Into a Shelf Worthy Brand: The Story of evre. with Founder Maree Glading
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Nov 10, 2025 |
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FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK: Aliett Buttelman, Co-Founder of Fazit Beauty
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Nov 03, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Shizu Okusa, Founder & CEO of Apothekary
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Oct 28, 2025 |
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How Apothekary’s Shizu Okusa Blends Eastern Traditions with Modern Retail Success
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Oct 27, 2025 |
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Rapid Retail Questions with Lisa Curtis, Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods
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Oct 21, 2025 |
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Lessons from a Superfood Founder: Staying True in a Trend-Driven Market with Lisa Curtis, Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods
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Oct 20, 2025 |
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One Year of Shelf Talks Podcast! Reflecting on this Amazing Journey
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Oct 14, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Denise Woodard, Founder and CEO of Partake Foods
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Oct 07, 2025 |
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Partake Foods Founder Denise Woodard on Raising $30M and Scaling Smart in Retail Stores
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Oct 06, 2025 |
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5 Competitive Shopping Tips That Can Make or Break Your Pitch
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Sep 30, 2025 |
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The Art of Continuity in Branding with Laura Viola Maccarone, Founder of Rizbee Studio
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Sep 22, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Jessica Taylor, Founder of Ezra Coffee
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Sep 16, 2025 |
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Jessica Taylor on Blending Coffee, History, and Heritage with her Brand Ezra Coffee Co.
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Sep 15, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Nina Lombardo and Anna Kotler, Co-Founders of O'ts Cookies
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Sep 09, 2025 |
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Nina Lombardo & Anna Kotler: Building O’ts Cookies Into a Shelf-Ready Brand
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Sep 08, 2025 |
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The Local Advantage: 10 Reasons Why Starting in Local Stores Builds Stronger Brands
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Sep 01, 2025 |
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10 Proven Ways to Get in Front of Retail Buyers (and Stay Top of Mind)
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Aug 25, 2025 |
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Pitch Perfect: 4 Keys to Winning over Retail Buyers
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Aug 19, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Caroline McGinley, Founder of La Gringuita Cookies
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Aug 13, 2025 |
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Frozen Dough & Sharpie Labels: How Caroline McGinley Took her Brand La Gringuita to Whole Foods
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Aug 11, 2025 |
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FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK: Heather Sloan & Enwei Li, Founders of Heali Medical
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Aug 05, 2025 |
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FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK: Jamika Martin, Founder of Rosen Skincare
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Jul 28, 2025 |
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Rapid Retail Questions with Scout Brisson, CEO of De Soi
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Jul 24, 2025 |
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Scaling Smart: Product, Pricing & Pivoting with Scout Brisson CEO of De Soi
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Jul 21, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Jess Berger, Founder of Bundle & Joy
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Jul 15, 2025 |
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Why Playing Small Doesn’t Serve You: Jess Berger on Betting Big in the Pet Industry with Bundle & Joy
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Jul 14, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Val Emanuel, Co-Founder of Rif Care
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Jul 08, 2025 |
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How Val Emanuel Co-Founded RIF Care and Disrupted Period Care with Hemp
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Jul 07, 2025 |
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FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK: How Brianna Arps built Moodeaux, a Perfume Brand Taking Up Space and Worth on Shelf
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Jun 30, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Maxi Heidenblut, Founder of Häppy Candy
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Jun 25, 2025 |
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From Pandemic Idea to Retail Success with Häppy Candy founder Maxi Heidenblut
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Jun 23, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Taylor Walker, Co-Founder of Spritzal Cookies
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Jun 17, 2025 |
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How Taylor Walker, Co-Founder of Spritzal Cookies, Baked a Brand from Family Recipe to Retail Shelves
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Jun 16, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Molly Blakeley, Founder of Molly Bz Gourmet Cookies
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Jun 10, 2025 |
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Cookies, Comebacks & Retail Wins with Molly Blakeley, Founder of Molly Bz Gourmet Cookies
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Jun 09, 2025 |
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FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK: Tania Sweis on Building a Clean Cookie Brand
|
Jun 02, 2025 |
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FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK: Rachel Klein and the Wellness Journey Behind Revival Food Co
|
May 27, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Candice Wu, Co-Founder of Wonder Monday
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May 20, 2025 |
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Dessert Disruptor: Candice Wu’s Shelf‑Savvy Lessons with her Brand Wonder Monday
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May 19, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Sarah Vilenskiy, Founder of Blossom Essentials
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May 13, 2025 |
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Shelf-Worthy Skincare: Sarah Vilenskiy’s Lessons in Launching and Scaling with Blossom Essentials
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May 12, 2025 |
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Press Worthy: Gloria Chou’s No-Fluff PR Tips for Founders
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May 05, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Sarah McNamara & Rochelle Jacobs, Co-Founders of Naturally Serious Skincare
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May 01, 2025 |
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Clean Beauty with a Conscience: Sarah McNamara & Rochelle Jacobs Retail Journey with Naturally Serious Skincare
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Apr 28, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Mika Shino, Founder of Issei Mochi Gummies
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Apr 23, 2025 |
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How Issei Mochi Gummies Found Its Sweet Spot in Retail with Founder Mika Shino
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Apr 22, 2025 |
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SHELF BITES: Navigating Trends and Inventory in a Social-First Market with Christina Kao, Co-Founder of Le Mini Macaron
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Apr 17, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Mehek Khera, Founder of Niramaya Foods
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Apr 15, 2025 |
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Feeding Wellness: How Mehek Khera Built a Brand Rooted in Tradition, Successfully Landing on the Shelves of Sprouts & Albertsons
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Apr 14, 2025 |
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SHELF BITES: Producing Inventory at Scale While Balancing New SKUs in Retail with Brianna Arps, Founder of Moodeaux
|
Apr 10, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Brittany Lo, Founder of Beia
|
Apr 08, 2025 |
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The Business of Beauty: Brittany Lo on Retail, Branding & Growth With her Premium Vegan Skincare Brand Beia
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Apr 07, 2025 |
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SHELF BITES: Stand Out & Sell - Differentiation & Consumer Education in Retail with Morgan Potts, Founder of Granarly
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Apr 02, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Keta Burke-Williams, Founder of Ourside Perfume
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Apr 01, 2025 |
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Inside Ourside: The Fragrance Brand Redefining Luxury & Clean Beauty with Founder Keta Burke-Williams
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Mar 31, 2025 |
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SHELF BITES: Navigating the Ups and Downs of Launching in Major Retail with Rachel Klein, Founder of Revival Food Co
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Mar 27, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Elina Wang, Co-Founder and CEO of ESW Beauty
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Mar 25, 2025 |
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How Elina Wang’s Life Pivot Led Her to Launch & Scale Her Beauty Brand ESW Beauty into Retail Stores
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Mar 24, 2025 |
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SHELF BITES: Finding People to Help Guide Your Retail Journey with Heather Sloan & Enwei Li, Founders of Heali
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Mar 19, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Ardean Miller, Founder of Mah Melanin
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Mar 18, 2025 |
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The Power of Representation: Ardean Miller, Founder of Mah Melanin’s Impact on Gift Wrap in Retail Stores
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Mar 17, 2025 |
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SHELF BITES: Cracking the Ulta Playbook -Shelf Space, Brokers & Marketing Strategies with Jamika Martin, Founder of Rosen Skincare
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Mar 12, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Jia Liao, Founder of Hotpot Queen
|
Mar 11, 2025 |
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The Secret Spicy Sauce to Getting on Shelves with Hotpot Queen’s founder, Jia Liao
|
Mar 10, 2025 |
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SHELF BITES: Winning Over Consumers, Getting Buyers to Say Yes, & Perfecting Your Product with Tania Sweis of Brune Kitchen
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Mar 05, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Sonia Smith Kang, Founder of Mixed Up Clothing
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Mar 04, 2025 |
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Blending Cultures while Building a Brand: The Mixed Up Clothing Story with Founder Sonia Smith-Kang
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Mar 03, 2025 |
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SHELF BITES: The Realities of Raising Capital as a Female Founder with Rebecca Alvarez-Story, Founder of Bloomi
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Feb 26, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Lori Peha Kezner, Co-Founder of Millie's Sipping Broth
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Feb 25, 2025 |
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Sip, Sell, Succeed: Lori Peha Kezner’s Path to Retail with Millie’s Sipping Broth
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Feb 24, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Mabel Frias, Co-Founder of Luna Magic
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Feb 18, 2025 |
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Mabel Frias on Building Luna Magic with Intention, Heart & Strategy - Plus an Early Look at her Upcoming Fragrance Venture
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Feb 17, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Katie Lefkowitz, Founder of Harken Sweets
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Feb 11, 2025 |
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Redefining Candy Aisles: How Katie Lefkowitz, Founder of Harken Sweets, positions her brand on shelf amongst Industry Titans
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Feb 10, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Camille Bell, Co-Founder of Poundcake
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Feb 04, 2025 |
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The Beauty of Resilience: Camille Bell’s Road to Retail Success Landing her in over 600 Ulta stores
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Feb 03, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Sarah Kaminski, Founder of Best Ever Granola
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Jan 28, 2025 |
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Community First: Sarah Kaminski on Leveraging Local Partnerships for Retail Success
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Jan 27, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Aliett Buttelman, Co-Founder of Fazit Beauty
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Jan 21, 2025 |
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Aliett Buttelman’s Blueprint for Turning Viral Moments into Retail Success with Fazit Beauty
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Jan 20, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Ashley Hunt-Poole, Founder of Mocktails for Mommy
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Jan 14, 2025 |
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Mix, Share, Succeed: Ashley Hunt-Poole’s Path from Mixing Mocktails on Social Media to her own brand Mocktails for Mommy on the shelves of Sam’s Club
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Jan 13, 2025 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Heather Sloan & Enwei Li, Founders of Heali Medical
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Dec 31, 2024 |
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From Dragons' Den to Retail Shelves: The Heali Medical Journey with Founders Heather Sloan & Enwei Li
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Dec 30, 2024 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Christina Kao, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Le Mini Macaron
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Dec 24, 2024 |
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Building a Global Brand: How Christina Kao Co-Founder of Le Mini Macaron Revolutionized DIY Gel Manicures
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Dec 23, 2024 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Alli Ball, Founder of Food Biz Wiz
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Dec 17, 2024 |
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Win on the Shelf: Food Biz Wiz founder Alli Ball’s Top 5 Moves to Maximize your Products Retail Store Sales
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Dec 16, 2024 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Yelitsa Jean-Charles, Founder of Healthy Roots Dolls
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Dec 11, 2024 |
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Yelitsa Jean-Charles, Founder of Healthy Roots Dolls on Storytelling, Product Design, & Retail Success
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Dec 09, 2024 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with April Showers, Founder & CEO of Afro Unicorn
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Dec 03, 2024 |
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The Licensing Playbook: April Showers on Afro Unicorn's Retail Breakthrough
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Dec 02, 2024 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Tania Sweis, Co-Founder and CEO of Brune Kitchen
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Nov 26, 2024 |
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Scaling Clean: Tania Sweis on Building a clean Cookie Brand and Embracing Unplanned Opportunities
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Nov 25, 2024 |
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Recap of the Amazing Female Founders Conversations and their Success Synergy
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Nov 18, 2024 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Brianna Arps, Founder of Moodeaux
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Nov 12, 2024 |
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The Fragrance of Resilience: How Brianna Arps built Moodeaux, a perfume brand taking up space and worth on shelf
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Nov 11, 2024 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Morgan Potts, Founder of Granarly
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Nov 05, 2024 |
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How a Dream One Night Changed Everything: Morgan Potts' Journey from Vision to Granarly on the Shelves of Whole Foods, Target, and Beyond
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Nov 04, 2024 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Jamika Martin, Founder of Rosen Skincare
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Oct 30, 2024 |
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From Formulating in her Apartment to 700 Ulta Shelves - Jamika Martin’s Journey with Rosen Skincare
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Oct 28, 2024 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Rachel Klein, Founder of Revival Food Co.
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Oct 22, 2024 |
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How a Personal Wellness Journey and Magical Delusion led Rachel Klein to start Revival Food Co.
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Oct 21, 2024 |
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Empowering Intimacy: Building the brand Bloomi with founder Rebecca Alvarez-Story
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Oct 14, 2024 |
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3 Rapid Retail Questions with Rebecca Alvarez-Story, Founder of Bloomi
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Oct 14, 2024 |
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Shelf Talks Trailer - Meet the Host
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Oct 13, 2024 |