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 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 ...
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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...
In this Retail Readiness Round, Maree Glading drops powerful insights every founder needs before stepping into retail.
1. Don’t underestimate your category story.
Maree shares that many founders believe a great product is enough—but retailers want to know why your brand deserves shelf space. “It’s not just about having a beautiful brand or a product that tastes great,” she says. “You have to understand how your pr...
In this episode of Shelf Talks, Roberta sits down with Maree Glading, founder of evre., a natural skincare brand created specifically for teens and tweens—all the way from New Zealand. Maree shares how she transitioned from building a global food company to creating a purpose-driven beauty brand that empowers young people to feel confident in their own skin.
From recognizing a white space in the market while shopping w...
In this flashback episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta interviews Aliett Buttelman, co-founder of Fazit Beauty, discussing her journey from helping other brands launch and grow to diving into entrepreneurship herself and advancing into the beauty industry.
She explores the innovative product development of makeup patches, the importance of viral marketing and influencer engagement, and the strategic retail p...
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 ...
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 busines...
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 lesso...
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 Cor...
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:
💡 ...
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 a...
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...
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 ...
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 w...
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