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Shelf Talks

Roberta Townes

116 episodes

1 day ago

Send us a text 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, building relationships with retailers, and the marketing strategies t...

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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 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, building relationships with retailers, and the marketing strategies t...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/116)

Shelf Talks

SHELF BITES: How De Soi Won Retail in a Brand-New Category (with Scout Brisson, CEO of De Soi)

Send us a text 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 early retail advocates, position your product as a trial opp...

1 week ago

12 minutes

Shelf Talks

SHELF BITES: How Jessica Taylor of Ezra Coffee Launched in H-E-B: The Real Strategy Behind Getting on Shelf

Send us a text 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 contest to still getting in front of the right buyer, Jessi...

1 week ago

10 minutes

Shelf Talks

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Olivia Abrams, Co-Founder of TiCK MiTT

Send us a text Support the show 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 Contact us via email: Hello@shelftalks.com Reach out if you know of a female...

1 week ago

3 minutes

Shelf Talks

Olivia Abrams, Co-Founder of TiCK MiTT on Building a Brand, Shark Tank and Launching in Retail

Send us a text 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 NYC to launching a CPG brand, scaling manufacturing, navig...

2 weeks ago

49 minutes

Shelf Talks

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Rachel Kane, Co-Founder of SprinkleBites

Send us a text 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 retail buyers (even when you feel intimidated) • Th...

2 weeks ago

4 minutes

Shelf Talks

The Co-Founder Behind SprinkleBites: Rachel Kane on Creating a New Category

Send us a text 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 business, and the lessons learned along the way. Rachel emphas...

3 weeks ago

55 minutes

Shelf Talks

The 5 P’s of Retail Success: How to Get Your Product Retail-Ready in 2026

Send us a text 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, attributes, durability, shelf presence, compliance, and how yo...

4 weeks ago

27 minutes

Shelf Talks

5 Retail Metrics Every Founder Should Track (Even if you Hate Numbers)

Send us a text 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 scale in retail without feeling overwhelmed by data, this is ...

1 month ago

16 minutes

Shelf Talks

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Maree Glading, Founder of evre. Skincare

Send us a text 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 product helps the retailer and the category.” 2. Tenacity wins eve...

1 month ago

3 minutes

Shelf Talks

How a Mom Turned a Skincare Gap Into a Shelf Worthy Brand: The Story of evre. with Founder Maree Glading

Send us a text 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 with her daughter to landing evre. on the shelves of Sprouts,...

1 month ago

32 minutes

Shelf Talks

FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK: Aliett Buttelman, Co-Founder of Fazit Beauty

Send us a text 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 partnerships that have propelled the brand's growth. The conversa...

1 month ago

39 minutes

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...

2 months 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...

2 months 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...

2 months 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 months 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 months 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...

2 months 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...

2 months 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...

3 months 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...

3 months ago

38 minutes