Shelf Talks
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.
Episodes
In the Retail Readiness Round, Julie breaks down:
- What founders must stop doing when trying to scale in retail
- Why growing too fast can actually kill your brand on shelf
- The importance of repeat purchase, local velocity, and data
- What every founder should do before walking into a buyer meeting
- The mindset required to build a brand that lasts decades — not seasons
If you’re a product-based founder trying to get into re...
On this episode I’m sitting down with Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, a true retail powerhouse who took over a public company at just 27 years old and helped turn kefir into a nationally recognized category.
In this episode, Julie shares:
✨ How Lifeway grew from an immigrant family business to nationwide retail shelves
✨ The scrappy, unconventional strategies they used to get into stores without payin...
Getting into retail isn’t just about having a great product it’s about being retail ready before you ever sit across from a buyer.
In this Retail Readiness Round bonus episode of the Shelf Talks podcast, Roberta sits down with Kim Brown, founder of CocoExo, to break down the non-negotiables every product-based founder must have in place to win shelf space and stay there.
Kim shares real, practical insights on:
- Why in...
In this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta sits down with Kim Brown, founder of CocoXo Body Care Love, to break down what it really takes to build a product-based brand that’s ready for retail and stay on shelf.
Kim shares her journey from making body butters in her kitchen to landing in independent retailers, TJ Maxx, Macy’s, and retail channels, all without shortcuts. This conversation is packed with real-world ins...
What does it really take to walk into the Shark Tank — and walk out stronger as a founder?
In this episode clip from this week's full episode, Roberta sits down with Olivia Abrams, co-founder of TiCK MiTT, to unpack her unforgettable journey from building a mission-driven product to pitching on Shark Tank’s season finale and Mark Cuban’s final episode ever.
Olivia shares the behind-the-scenes reality of getting on...
In this Retail Readiness Round, Roberta sits down with Tina Chamoun, Founder of Terranean Herbs, to break down what it really takes to prepare for retail success.
Tina shares practical, buyer-focused advice for founders getting ready to pitch their first retail buyer—why having accurate data, a clear story, and a category-first mindset matters more than hype. She explains how founders should position themselves as true...
In this episode of Shelf Talks, Roberta sits down with Tina Chamoun, founder of Terranean Herbs, to unpack her journey from practicing law to building an authentic Lebanese food brand now stocked in grocery stores across the country.
Tina shares how she turned a culturally rooted product into a retail-ready brand scaling with intention, navigating early retail without a pitch deck, and learning what truly drives veloci...
In this Retail Readiness Round, Psyche Terry—co-founder of Urban Hydration—drops unfiltered, real-world advice every product-based founder needs before pitching a retail buyer and after landing on shelf.
Psyche shares:
- The non-negotiables founders must know before their very first buyer conversation (hint: margins matter more than you think)
- The most underrated skill required to win and stay on shelf—especially when ...
What does it really take to build a shelf-ready brand that lasts in retail?
In this episode of Shelf Talks, I’m joined by Psyche Terry, founder and CEO of Urban Hydration, one of the fastest-growing Black-owned, plant-based beauty brands in mass retail. From TJ Maxx to Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and Ulta, Psyche shares the real journey behind scaling a purpose-driven brand into national retail—without hype, short...
In this Retail Readiness Round, Roberta sits down with Billie Asmus, creator and Founder of Repaint Studios, to break down what founders actually need to know before bringing an innovative product to retail shelves.
Billie shares real-world insights on why market research must come before manufacturing, how skipping this step can lead to costly inventory mistakes, and what founders should validate before investing time...
How do you turn a simple DIY frustration into a retail-ready product that lands on major store shelves?
In this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta Townes sits down with Billie Asmus, creator and founder of The Repaint Tray, to break down how a personal problem while flipping furniture turned into a disruptive product now sold in Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware.
Billie shares the real behind-the-scenes journey of ...
In this FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK from episode Ep 33 host Roberta interviews Candace Wu, co-founder of Wonder Monday, a brand that is redefining cheesecake with healthier options. Candace shares her journey from technology consulting to entrepreneurship, the challenges of product development, and the strategies for entering the competitive retail market. She discusses the importance of understanding consumer needs, bui...
In this Shelf Bites clip from the full episode released 6/21/25, Roberta sits down with Scout Brisson, CEO of De Soi, to break down how to successfully pitch and scale a product in retail when you’re building an entirely new category.
Scout shares real, behind-the-scenes insights on how De Soi convinced retail buyers to take a chance on a non-alcoholic beverage brand without early sales data, including how to identify ...
Launching in a major grocery retailer can look glamorous on social media but the reality is far more strategic.
In this bonus episode of Shelf Talks, Jessica Taylor, founder of Ezra Coffee, shares the unfiltered story of how her brand landed in H-E-B, one of the most competitive regional grocery retailers in the country and what it actually took to make that launch successful.
From entering (and not winning) a retailer ...
How to Follow Shelf Talks Podcast on social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelftalkspodcast/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shelf-talks-podcast
Love what you hear on Shelf Talks? You can now support the podcast. Every contribution helps bring more indie voices to the mic. Thank you for being part of this journey! ✨
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2411532/support
C...
What does it really take to build a product-based business, go viral, land in retail stores, and survive Shark Tank-level growth?
In this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta sits down with Olivia Abrams, co-founder of TiCK MiTT, the innovative, chemical-free tick prevention product protecting families, pets, and outdoor lovers from tick-borne diseases.
Olivia shares her full founder journey — from working in finance in...
In this Retail Ready Round bonus episode, SprinkleBites Co-Founder Rachel Kane rapid-fires her most valuable advice for getting your product on store shelves without losing sleep, money, or yourself in the process.
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Mini Episode:
• The #1 pricing mistake founders make and how to avoid it
• Why unit economics can make or break your retail strategy
• How to confidently approach...
In this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta interviews Rachel Kane, co-founder of Sprinkle Bites, a company that creates fun, nutritious sprinkles for kids. Rachel shares her journey from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, the challenges of launching a new product, and the importance of community and networking in the retail space. She discusses the unique aspects of her product, the strategies for scaling the b...
You’ve heard the classic marketing five P’s… but in this episode, Roberta reframes them specifically for getting on retail shelves and staying there. If you're a product-based founder who wants to scale into national retailers like Target, Whole Foods, Sephora, Walmart, or specialty boutiques, this episode is essential listening.
We deep dives into:
PRODUCT: What makes a product truly retail-ready packaging, claims...
Numbers don’t have to be scary — especially when you’re tracking the ones that actually matter for retail success. In this solo episode, Roberta breaks down 5 essential retail metrics every founder should be tracking, even if spreadsheets aren’t your thing.
You’ll learn how buyers evaluate your performance, which numbers influence reorders, and how to use these metrics to grow confidently on the shelf. If you want to s...
Popular Podcasts
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.