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Shelf Talks

Roberta Townes

104 episodes

1 day ago

Send us a text In this Shelf Talks Retail Readiness Round, Shizu Okusa, founder and CEO of Apothekary, shares quick but powerful insights every founder should know before stepping into retail. From managing working capital and understanding payment terms, to deeply researching buyers and their priorities, Shizu breaks down what it really takes to make a lasting impression and succeed once your products hit the shelf. Plus, she leaves us with the best piece of founder advice she lives by: “Don...

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Entrepreneurship

All content for Shelf Talks is the property of Roberta Townes and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Send us a text In this Shelf Talks Retail Readiness Round, Shizu Okusa, founder and CEO of Apothekary, shares quick but powerful insights every founder should know before stepping into retail. From managing working capital and understanding payment terms, to deeply researching buyers and their priorities, Shizu breaks down what it really takes to make a lasting impression and succeed once your products hit the shelf. Plus, she leaves us with the best piece of founder advice she lives by: “Don...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/104)

Shelf Talks

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Shizu Okusa, Founder & CEO of Apothekary

Send us a text In this Shelf Talks Retail Readiness Round, Shizu Okusa, founder and CEO of Apothekary, shares quick but powerful insights every founder should know before stepping into retail. From managing working capital and understanding payment terms, to deeply researching buyers and their priorities, Shizu breaks down what it really takes to make a lasting impression and succeed once your products hit the shelf. Plus, she leaves us with the best piece of founder advice she lives by: “Don...

6 days ago

3 minutes

Shelf Talks

How Apothekary’s Shizu Okusa Blends Eastern Traditions with Modern Retail Success

Send us a text In this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta Townes sits down with Shizu Okusa, founder and CEO of Apothekary, the plant-based pharmacy redefining modern wellness on retail shelves. Shizu shares how she went from working on Wall Street to building a multimillion-dollar wellness brand that blends ancient Eastern medicine with modern health practices. She opens up about her early days running a cold-pressed juice business, her bold pivots, and how Apothekary grew from DTC success...

1 week ago

43 minutes

Shelf Talks

Rapid Retail Questions with Lisa Curtis, Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods

Send us a text In this special bonus clip from Shelf Talks, Lisa Curtis — Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods — joins me for the Retail Readiness Round, where I ask her three quick questions every founder should be thinking about before hitting store shelves. From understanding margins and testing products before launch, to authentically bringing culturally rooted ingredients to the mainstream — Lisa shares honest insights and lessons learned from her journey growing Kuli Kuli into a nationa...

1 week ago

3 minutes

Shelf Talks

Lessons from a Superfood Founder: Staying True in a Trend-Driven Market with Lisa Curtis, Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods

Send us a text What would you do if you discovered a powerful ingredient no one had ever heard of and decided to bring it to U.S. shelves? In this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta Townes sits down with Lisa Curtis, founder and CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods, the pioneering superfood brand that introduced Moringa to the American market and is now sold in over 11,000 retail stores. Lisa shares how a life-changing experience in the Peace Corps sparked her idea for Kuli Kuli, how she went from farmer...

2 weeks ago

43 minutes

Shelf Talks

One Year of Shelf Talks Podcast! Reflecting on this Amazing Journey

Send us a text Shelf Talks is officially one year old! 🎉 In this special anniversary episode, host Roberta Townes reflects on the journey that started as a passion project to give female founders a voice—and has grown into a go-to destination for anyone dreaming of getting their product on retail shelves. After interviewing 41 incredible founders and industry experts, Roberta shares her biggest takeaways from the past year: 💡 Why the best founders are obsessed with solving real problems. 🛒 ...

2 weeks ago

11 minutes

Shelf Talks

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Denise Woodard, Founder and CEO of Partake Foods

Send us a text Hope you have enjoyed the full episode with Denise Woodard, Founder and CEO of Partake Foods and took away some learning about the readiness it takes to launch in retail stores. On this mini drop, here are 3 powerful questions I asked Jessica specifically about launching into retail stores - Enjoy! (and learn). Looking back, what’s one mistake you made in the retail journey that you’d warn other founders about?What does being “shelf-ready” mean to you now that you’ve scaled na...

3 weeks ago

2 minutes

Shelf Talks

Partake Foods Founder Denise Woodard on Raising $30M and Scaling Smart in Retail Stores

Send us a text Denise Woodard, founder and CEO of Partake Foods, turned her daughter’s food allergy diagnosis into one of the fastest-growing snack brands in the country. From selling cookies out of her car to landing in 18,000 stores nationwide including Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods, Denise shares her journey of grit, resilience, and building a mission-driven brand. In this episode of Shelf Talks, Denise opens up to host Roberta about: Denise's journey began with a personal mission to cr...

4 weeks ago

37 minutes

Shelf Talks

5 Competitive Shopping Tips That Can Make or Break Your Pitch

Send us a text Are you pitching your product to the wrong retailers? In this solo episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta Townes breaks down one of the most overlooked steps in preparing for retail success: competitive shopping. If you’re a founder with a product-based business struggling to figure out which retailers are the right fit for your brand, this episode is for you. Roberta shares insider tips on how to: Study the shelf to understand category layout and placementIdentify key players, p...

1 month ago

14 minutes

Shelf Talks

The Art of Continuity in Branding with Laura Viola Maccarone, Founder of Rizbee Studio

Send us a text Your packaging isn’t just a pretty box—it’s the first impression that determines whether buyers and consumers pick your product off the shelf. In this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta Townes sits down with Laura Maccarone, founder of Rizbee Studio, to unpack how packaging and visual branding directly connect to retail success. If you’re a founder of a product-based business who feels frustrated with figuring out why your product isn’t catching attention in stores, this conv...

1 month ago

38 minutes

Shelf Talks

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Jessica Taylor, Founder of Ezra Coffee

Send us a text Hope you have enjoyed the full episode with Jessica Taylor, Founder of Ezra Coffee and took away some learning about the readiness it takes to launch in retail stores. On this mini drop, here are 3 powerful questions I asked Jessica specifically about launching into retail stores - Enjoy! (and learn). What is a learning that you didn’t know until your products were actually on retail shelves?What advice would you give to other founders trying to secure their first retail deal?...

1 month ago

3 minutes

Shelf Talks

Jessica Taylor on Blending Coffee, History, and Heritage with her Brand Ezra Coffee Co.

Send us a text On this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta Townes sits down with Jessica Taylor, founder of Ezra Coffee, to share how she turned a pandemic idea into a fast-growing retail brand. Jessica reveals what it really takes to go from small-batch coffee experiments at home to winning shelf space at major retailers like H-E-B and Central Market. If you’re a female founder with a product-based business or dreaming about getting your brand into retail stores, this conversation is packed...

1 month ago

33 minutes

Shelf Talks

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Nina Lombardo and Anna Kotler, Co-Founders of O'ts Cookies

Send us a text Hope you have enjoyed the full episode with Nina Lombardo and Anna Kotler, co-founders of O'ts Cookies and took away some learning about the readiness it takes to launch in retail stores. On this mini drop, here are 3 powerful questions I asked Nina and Anna specifically about launching into retail stores - Enjoy! (and learn). What is a learning that you didn’t know until your products were actually on retail shelves?What advice would you give to other founders trying to secur...

1 month ago

4 minutes

Shelf Talks

Nina Lombardo & Anna Kotler: Building O’ts Cookies Into a Shelf-Ready Brand

Send us a text In this episode of Shelf Talks, I sit down with Anna Kotler and Nina Lombardo, the powerhouse duo behind O’ts Cookies—a brand bringing globally inspired flavors to the classic oatmeal cookie. We dive into how Nina’s background in packaging design and Anna’s experience in brand management came together to transform a farmers’ market favorite into a retail-ready product. From testing recipes in the kitchen for weeks, to navigating co-packers, distributors, and retail launches, An...

1 month ago

35 minutes

Shelf Talks

The Local Advantage: 10 Reasons Why Starting in Local Stores Builds Stronger Brands

Send us a text Should you launch straight into mass retail—or start smaller in your local market? If you’ve been frustrated and second-guessing where to begin, this episode of Shelf Talks is for you. Roberta breaks down 10 powerful reasons why starting local can set your brand up for long-term retail success. From lowering your risk and getting real-time customer feedback, to building community loyalty, testing promotions, and creating case studies that win over national buyers—this episode g...

2 months ago

18 minutes

Shelf Talks

10 Proven Ways to Get in Front of Retail Buyers (and Stay Top of Mind)

Send us a text In this special solo episode of Shelf Talks, I’m breaking down 10 proven ways to connect with retail buyers and stay top of mind—without feeling stuck, invisible, or ignored. As a retail buyer myself, I’ve seen what works (and what gets passed over). From leveraging LinkedIn the right way, to using trade shows, accelerator programs, awards, local stores, press, social media, and even TV, I’m sharing the insider strategies that founders on this very podcast have used to get thei...

2 months ago

21 minutes

Shelf Talks

Pitch Perfect: 4 Keys to Winning Over Retail Buyers

Send us a text In this solo episode of Shelf Talks, I breaks down the exact formula you need to craft a winning retail pitch. Whether you’re preparing for a virtual meeting or flying out to meet a buyer face-to-face, I reveal the four must-have elements every pitch needs—your brand story, curated product assortment, data that excites buyers, and a marketing plan that drives traffic to their stores. You’ll learn how to position your heavy-hitter SKUs, leverage exclusives to win shelf space, an...

2 months ago

19 minutes

Shelf Talks

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Caroline McGinley, Founder of La Gringuita Cookies

Send us a text Hope you have enjoyed the full episode with Caroline McGinley, Founder of La Gringuita Cookiesand took away some learning about the readiness it takes to launch in retail stores. On this mini drop, here are 3 powerful questions I asked Caroline specifically about launching into retail stores - Enjoy! (and learn). What is a learning that you didn’t know until your products were actually on retail shelves?What advice would you give to other founders trying to secure their first ...

2 months ago

3 minutes

Shelf Talks

Frozen Dough & Sharpie Labels: How Caroline McGinley Took her Brand La Gringuita to Whole Foods

Send us a text In this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta interviews Caroline McGinley, founder of La Gringuita, a cookie brand that started in her kitchen and has grown into a successful retail product. Caroline shares her journey from baking cookies in Uruguay to navigating the complexities of the U.S. market, including her experiences with Whole Foods and the challenges of scaling production. The conversation highlights the importance of customer feedback, innovative marketing strategies...

2 months ago

41 minutes

Shelf Talks

FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK: Heather Sloan & Enwei Li, Founders of Heali Medical

Send us a text In this FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK from Episode 13 - Roberta interviews Heather Sloan and Enwei Li, co-founders of Heali, a wellness company that innovates in the sports, beauty, skincare, and aging sectors. They discuss their backgrounds, the inception of Heali, the challenges faced during product development, and their unexpected success in retail. The conversation also covers their experience on Dragons' Den and the impact it had on their brand growth. In this conversation, H...

3 months ago

39 minutes

Shelf Talks

FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK: Jamika Martin, Founder of Rosen Skincare

Send us a text In this FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK from Episode 4 - Jamika Martin, founder of Rosen Skincare, discusses her journey from formulating her products in her college apartment to launching a successful skincare brand now in over 700 Ulta stores. Jamika shares insights on the challenges and learnings from starting her business, including the importance of customer feedback, the transition to direct-to-consumer sales, and her experience with the Target Accelerator program. The discussion als...

3 months ago

58 minutes