Episode # 134. Today the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Patrick Gibbons - Founding Partner & President of The Emerson Group. Patrick takes us on a deep dive into exactly what a 3PL (Logistics) provider does for a brand, how they work, and why selecting the right one is so important. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on:
Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd
Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY
YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Points covered in detail with Patrick today include: - The three pillars of support a logistics firm provides for their clients- A discussion around what a vendor of record number is and why they are important- Why too much inventory is necessary for an emerging brand- especially at launch- A key set of questions a brand should ask of a potential logistics partner during the vetting process- What will a logistics firm expect from an emerging brand they are thinking of bringing on as a client?- Fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and the bands ELO & The CarsThanks to our sponsors:Eagle Labs-https://www.eaglelabsinc.comAgency Habitat-https://www.agencyhabitat.com Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
The Road 2 Retail team today spends time with Chris Stanton- Founder of Retail Brand Discovery. Chris shares his views on the importance of properly connecting brands to retailers and the ways this can be done. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts [insert link], Spotify [insert link] or our YouTube channel [insert link]. Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Discussion points with Chris today include: - An overview of his interesting new endeavor- Retail Brand Discovery and how his multi platform business helps connect brands to retailer decision makers- A discussion of the evolution of the Trade Relations Manager and how components of this legacy role within a CPG company still matter a great deal- How the "celebrity entrepreneur" can play a positive role in the establishment of an emerging brand- How emerging brands can effectively utilize the online path to test & learn and build their business before approaching traditional brick & mortar retailers- His belief that retailers WANT emerging brands to winThanks to our sponsors of the episode:Floret- https://www.tryfloret.comMarket Performance Group-https://wwwmarketperformancegroup.com Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 132On Wednesday of this week, the Road 2 Retail team attended the 2nd Annual Founder's Innovation Day. This event was presented by ECRM, RangeMe, and RetailMedia IQ. The purpose of this very well attended event was to allow emerging brands to hear directly from many of the nation's leading retailers exactly what is expected of them in order to be successful. Rather than try to call out all of the presenters, Wayne Bennett- SVP ECRM & RangeMe- joins us on this event recap episode. Below are brief bullets highlighting some of the major themes covered. Listen to the entire episode on Spotify or Apple podcasts. Time well spent for emerging brand founders and leaders! Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Key Themes from the 2025 Founder's Innovation Day: - The importance of being both Retail Ready AND Supply Chain Ready- Retailers and investors get behind products- not ideas. Are you viable as a brand? Do you have data? Do you understand your target consumer?- A panel of founders discussed why it is best to start small and local so you can keep your hands on everything as you start out. They also discussed the real risk of expanding too fast too soon- An overview of what to look for in a co-manufacturing supplier. The key questions to ask and capabilities to look for as the selection of a co-manufacturer can make or break your business. Choose wisely!- Think through all aspects of your packaging. The design, the physical structure, your shipper configuration. Much more. An impactful design will close sales for you in that critical last three feet of the consumer's decision making process- All of the retailers talked about building bridges beyond your buyer within each retailer you are working with. Be open to feedback. Be very transparent with all communication. Bad news needs to travel faster than good news- discuss the issue, what you are doing to fix it, and when it will be fixed. Don't hope your retailer won't notice- they will.Thanks to our sponsors:Eagle Labs- https://wwweaglelabsinc.comRetail & Response-https://www.retailand response.comEpisode linkshttps://www.rangeme.comhttps://www.ecrm.marketgate.comEnjoy the show! You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 131. Today the Road 2 Retail team spends time with the CEO & Cofounder of the organic plant-based milk brand - Mooala. Give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Topics we cover with Jeff include: - Why he left an investment banking job to found an organic plant based milk brand- Saw a market opening as the limited competition in the category was quite comfortable with the status quo- The challenge of finding a contract manufacturer when you are an emerging brand- The importance of selecting the right broker and building a strong relationship with your broker- Views on the various marketing tactics they have tested and utilized over the years to effectively drive velocities- A fan of Third Eye Blind Thanks to our episode sponsors:Agency Habitat-https://agencyhabitat.comFloret- https://tryfloret.comRetail & Response- https://retailandresponse.comhttps://www.mooala.comEnjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 131. On today's show we spend time with Trey Bowles- Cofounder and Managing Partner of 1845 Ventures Studio. As an investor, Trey talks to us about what he and his team look for in a brand before investing, the different types of financing available to emerging brand founders, and comments about the fund raising process. Give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast:
Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd
Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY
YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Our discussion points today include: - What does his firm look for in an emerging brand prior to investing?- A run down of the different funding options available to emerging brand- Why the determination of the team (not just the founder) is important in the evaluation process- Send information to a potential investor in advance of a meeting so that the quality of a meeting is higher- Why it is important to understand the investor you are considering approaching- many have areas of expertise versus being 'generalists'- The need to respect the process of trying to raise money- A Crimson Tide fan. Thanks to our sponsors of the episode:
https://wwwagencyhabitat.com
https://marketperformancegroup.com
htpps://www.eaglelabsinc.com
https://1845studio.comEnjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 129. Today we spend quality time with Abby June Richards- Fractional CFO & Founder of The CPG CFO. Abby shares her insights on some of the key points emerging brands need to be highly aware of financially and raises her hand that her firm can help! . Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.
Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast:
Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd
Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY
YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327.
Topics discussed in detail with Abby today include: - The importance of an emerging brand's 'cash runway
'- The difference between accounting and strategic finance
- An overview of her firm's "cash fight" framework. A very interesting view -
-Why understanding your cash conversion cycle is critical to an emerging brand's financial health
- Loves the San Antonio Spurs and how they have operated over time
Thanks to our sponsors-
- Agency Habitat- https://wwwagencyhabitat.com
- Eagle Labs-https://wwweaglelabsinc.com
-Floret-https://wwwtryfloret.com
Subscribe toThe CPG CFO YouTube Channel
Watch for more CPG Founder stories
Follow Abby on LinkedIn & Instagram
(Optional) Download freetools for cash flow optimization and investor prep on www.thecpgcfo.com
Enjoy the show!
Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 128. Today we speak with William Hicks - CEO & Cofounder of Magic Mind. We learn about their very unique inspiration for the brand and the diligence they invested behind sourcing ingredients and putting science behind their brand. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast:
Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd
Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY
YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327.
Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Among the topics covered with William today include: - The story behind the creation of "the world's first mental performance shot"- The importance of feedback loops- including the CEO taking calls from consumers directly- The benefits of launching your brand in the DTC environment- How selling in the DTC and brick & mortar environments can actually support each other- War stories on searching for that first investor- Another fan of the Grateful Dead. Note: there can never be too many!Magic Mind-htpps://www.magicmind.comA special thanks to our sponsors:
Agency Habitat- htpps://www.agencyhabitat.com
Retail & Response-htpps://www.retailandresponse.com
Market Performance Group htpps://www.marketperformacegroup.comEnjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 127. On today's show we speak with John Nunziato - Founder & CEO of branding agency Little Big Brands. John shares how his agency has evolved from its start as a package design firm and offers his thoughts on branding and brand building. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast:
Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd
Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY
YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Among our discussion points today are: - How Little Big Brands saw a path to offer clients creative services beyond their package design roots- The importance of staying consistent in look and feel across platforms. Imperative for brands and agencies to stay current on all platforms- A view on how to ensure a healthy client/agency relationship - Comments about the interesting early moves Hoka made to set them apart from better financed competition - An offer to the Miami Dolphins to evolve the look of their team brandingThanks to todays sponsor- Eagle Labs-https://www.eaglelabsinc.com Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 126. Today we speak with Paul Gerner. Paul was a long time HEB merchandising executive and currently a consultant to the CPG industry. Paul shares his views on what a major retailer looks for (and expects from) an emerging brand. Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast:
Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd
Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY
YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327.
Among the many topics covered with Paul today include: - How does an emerging or challenger brand get the attention of a major retailer?- What are the core considerations a retailer has when thinking of adding an emerging brand to their assortment?- How should an emerging brand think about their competition?- Why do retailers charge fees? An interesting perspective- What do best in class emerging brands need to do to win at retail? Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 125. On today's show we spend time with Ryan Moore- CEO & Cofounder of Modus Planning. If you don't understand trade spend management and planning- this is a can't miss episode. Even if you are a CPG veteran, you will pick up valuable insights from Ryan today. Trade spending is generally the #2 or #3 line item on a brand P&L. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast:
Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd
Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY
YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327.
Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Discussion points today include: - We cover a definition of trade spending, its reason for being, and define some of the components of this line item- The trade promotion "hierarchy of needs"- The importance of building trust with the buyers at your distributor and the important role they play- How to evaluate your trade spending effectiveness, course correct, and navigate towards efficient promotions- "No one ever regrets taking the time to get their trade spending well organized"Special thanks to our sponsor-Eagle Labs- https://wwweaglelabsinc.com
Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 124. On today’s episode the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Kat Weaver the founder of Power to Pitch. Kat chats with us about the different ways small and emerging brands can raise money and the insights she has gained in helping multiple brands. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Among the topics covered with Kat today include:- The different types of funding available to brand founders- What separates founders who get funded from the those who don’t?- What type of funding is available to brands that are early in the fund raising journey?- How do you use grants to raise money? What is the process?- A fan of Sarah Blakley, the founder of SpanxThanks to our sponsor Markey Performance Group-https://www.marketperformancegroup.com/ Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 123. On today's show we spend time with Allison Ball. Alli is founder of Food Biz Wiz and the creator of Retail Ready. The discussion centers around some of the errors emerging brands tend to make as they move to expand their business to retail. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Topics covered today include: - Don't skip the strategy stage and jump right to selling. Strategy is your road map of what you will, and won't, do to grow- Why a brand can't use their DTC selling approach when dealing with a buyer at a retailer- As a former buyer, Alli shares what she looked for in a brand before bringing it into her set- The importance of persistent, but professional, follow up. 80% of sales take five follow ups to close a sale!- Why she admires the Golden State WarriorsSupport us by supporting our sponsorsEagle Labs: Contract manufacturing of OTC and HBA products: https://www.eaglelabsinc.com Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 122. On today's show the Road 2 Retail team discusses how a brand should prepare for a line review or category review meeting with a retailer. You worked hard to get into this retailer- but happens as the time to review your brand performance approaches? Based upon our long history working in the CPG industry, we share our views on what to expect, how to prepare, and what the results of this meeting may be. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast at:Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Specific topics around the line review process covered today include: - What exactly is a line review? - How to prepare for this meeting? Spoiler alert: bring facts and proof- not opinions alone- If there are issues with your brand- bring them up early and directly. Don't hope no one noticed- they did- Detailed review of your performance versus expectations: sales, margins, service levels- Key questions to ask and the importance of fast, accurate follow up Enjoy the show! Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 121. On today’s episode the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Eli Moore VP of data strategy at Burke, about AI and its potential impact on the CPG industry. Eli shares how AI can best be utilized by emerging CPG brands.
Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or on our YouTube channel. Plus, give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Among our discussion points, we cover:
Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- / @road2retail327 . Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 120. On today’s episode the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Alex Gelbert Cofounder and CEO of Let There Be. Alex shares his insights on the importance of innovation in healthcare products and how to best utilize video to communicate innovation to the end consumer. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- / @road2retail327 . Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Among the topics covered with Alex today include:
Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 119. On today's show we are joined by Jeff Lovering- Chief Data Scientist at Customer Marketing Group (CMG). Our discussion centers on all things pricing today - one of the most critical elements for any brand to get right.
Episode # 118. On today's show we speak with Raj Shah - Head of Sales Operations at the fast growing collagen brand, Obvi. Raj discusses in detail the highs and lows of bringing their brand from its DTC beginnings into the brick & mortar retail world and what they have learned along the way. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast at:
Road 2 Retail podcast at: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd
Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY
YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Additional points discussed with Raj today include: - The origin story of the brand led by people that had been helping other DTC brands grow- and saw an opportunity to build their own - What motivated them to move into brick & mortar retail? And how they learned the DTC playbook does not translate perfectly to the brick & mortar environment- Some hard truths about brick & mortar distribution: slotting, trade spending, deductions and other matters a brand will have to deal with- What to look for in a contract manufacturer- and it goes far beyond price alone- Hiring, managing and working through rough patches with your brokers. Hint: treat your brokers like they work inside your company and not as an outside vendor to your company- Finally, a Knicks fan!Enjoy the show! Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 117. Today we spend time with Adam Brown- Founder and President of Sircle Media. Our discussion covers how Sircle Media helps their clients think about, navigate, and drive their business across social networks. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts , Spotify our YouTube channel. Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast at:
Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd
Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY
YouTube channel-https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Among the keys points covered today: - The Sircle Team has a focus on brands in traditional brick & mortar distribution. They are very focused on helping drive sales and hit sales velocity hurdles- We spend time discussing 'social interest' versus 'social media'.- The potential risk to an emerging brand of bringing on creative people that may focus more on art than on creative and content that drives the brand- The benefit of working with boutique marketing agencies that do a very few (or one!) thing VERY well versus a larger integrated agency- Key to work with agencies that not only know the social networks, but they know your category. Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!
Episode # 116. On today's show we speak with Mike Lyons- Vice President at Market Performance Group. The focus of our discussion today is understanding what Tik Tok Shop is, how to drive your brand's business in this environment, and services MPG offers to help emerging brands work effectively with Tik Tok Shop. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.
Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast at: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd
Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY
YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327.
Among the many interesting points Mike shares about working effectively with the booming Tik Tok Shop marketplace: - We ground the discussion with a definition of social commerce: social commerce = selling through others- Tik Tok Shop is "word of mouth on steroids". Sales on the marketplace have grown from basically zero three years ago to $22B+ in past 12 months- What does it take to be successful on Tik Tok Shop? How does Tik Tok Shop get paid?- What is an affiliate, what do they do for a brand, and how do they get paid?- How MPG works with their clients to help them navigate this constantly evolving marketplace and profitably drive business- A Mets fan Enjoy the show! Please follow to the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!Running a retail business means making nonstop decisions—inventory, staffing, marketing, tech. The SKUpe is the weekly newsletter designed to help you make smarter calls, faster.Curated by industry experts, The SKUpe delivers clear, trustworthy insights on what’s working for small and mid-sized retailers today. Join 20,000 owners and operators who rely on it to stay sharp and ahead of the game.Subscribe at t-h-e-s-k-u-p-e dot c-o.
Episode # 115. On today's episode we spend time with Tanay Kothari the founder and CEO of the deduction management platform, Floret. Tanay shares with the audience the importance and the labor that goes into managing deductions from both retailers and distributors. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.
Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast at:
Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd
Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY
YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Discussion points today with Tanay include: - How Floret supports brands of all sizes (from Small to large brands) manage their deductions. Understanding the types of deductions- How Floret started, and the gap Tanay saw in the market- What does Floret look for when deciding to work with a brand- How much savings can be realized when working with Floret- How Floret is different from other deduction management platformswww.tryfloret.com Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be at the show? DM us on LinkedIn!