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PODCAST

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

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

8:14

Olivia Abrams Co-Founder of TiCK MiTT Talks Shark Tank

Shelf Talks ·

2026/01/22

Send us a text 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 Shark Tank (including the surprising referral that landed ...

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3:47

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Tina Chamoun, Founder...

Shelf Talks ·

2026/01/21

Send us a text 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 partners to buyers by focusing on how their product will gr...

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44:42

From Law to Lebanese Flavors: How Founder Tina...

Shelf Talks ·

2026/01/19

Send us a text 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 velocity once you’re on shelf. From pricing strategically and leve...

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2:29

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Psyche Terry, Founder...

Shelf Talks ·

2026/01/14

Send us a text 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 things don’t go as plannedThe key metric founders must track cl...

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50:54

Plant-Based Innovation, Retail Strategy & Impact: The...

Shelf Talks ·

2026/01/12

Send us a text 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, shortcuts, or overnight success. We dive deep into what founders ...

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4:05

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Billie Asmus, Creator &...

Shelf Talks ·

2026/01/07

Send us a text 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 and money into a new product. If you’ve ever thought “this ...

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38:24

From DIY Frustration to Retail Disruption: How Billie...

Shelf Talks ·

2026/01/05

Send us a text 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 building a physical product from scratch from a $50 DIY pro...

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28:48

FOUNDER'S FLASHBACK: Candice Wu, Co-Founder of...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/12/29

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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12:56

SHELF BITES: How De Soi Won Retail in a Brand-New...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/12/22

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...

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10:42

SHELF BITES: How Jessica Taylor of Ezra Coffee...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/12/18

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...

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3:26

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Olivia Abrams,...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/12/17

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...

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49:51

Olivia Abrams, Co-Founder of TiCK MiTT on Building a...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/12/15

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...

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4:07

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Rachel Kane, Co-Founder...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/12/09

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...

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55:25

The Co-Founder Behind SprinkleBites: Rachel Kane on...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/12/08

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...

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27:05

The 5 P’s of Retail Success: How to Get Your Product...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/12/01

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...

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16:44

5 Retail Metrics Every Founder Should Track (Even if...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/11/17

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 ...

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3:48

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Maree Glading, Founder...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/11/11

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...

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32:55

How a Mom Turned a Skincare Gap Into a Shelf Worthy...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/11/10

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,...

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39:23

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

Shelf Talks ·

2025/11/03

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...

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3:33

3 Rapid Retail Questions with Shizu Okusa, Founder &...

Shelf Talks ·

2025/10/28

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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125 results

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