Hear how founders and brand leaders made decisions about products, retail, money and growth, with examples across categories.
Episode 30June 27, 202330:26
Bobo’s founder traces the brand’s kitchen origins and its long period of bootstrapping before adding personnel and outside funding.
- Learn from the brands that have been there
- Food brands
- Raise money and plan for the right exit
Why it’s here Begin with Bobo’s long period of bootstrapping.
Episode 29June 7, 202335:59
A founder describes building meals around a family need, starting with a manageable footprint, improving packaging and prioritizing retail velocity.
- Learn from the brands that have been there
- Food brands
- Drive sell-through and keep your shelf space
Why it’s here See a family need become a packaged-food business.
Episode 43March 19, 202441:56
Carpe’s cofounder discusses developing an antiperspirant brand, handling consumer calls, building demand and raising growth capital.
- Learn from the brands that have been there
- Beauty and personal care
- Raise money and plan for the right exit
Why it’s here Learn from Carpe’s product development and consumer feedback.
Episode 96April 29, 20251:08:27
Brooks Powell shares Cheers Health's origin, its route to US sale, and why marketing focus and a profitable DTC business mattered before entering brick-and-mortar retail.
- Learn from the brands that have been there
- Move from DTC into physical retail
- Supplements and nutrition
Why it’s here Meet Cheers before listening to the follow-up episode.
Episode 151April 14, 20261:00:23
Brooks Powell explains how Cheers approaches marketing, ACV coverage, regional versus national expansion, and the balance between growth, profitability, and long-term ambition.
- Drive sell-through and keep your shelf space
- Learn from the brands that have been there
- Supplements and nutrition
Why it’s here Compare the later Cheers discussion of marketing and expansion.
Episode 138January 27, 20261:07:53
Luke Schneider discusses choosing retail partners, managing SKUs and pricing across channels, working with brokers, and finding investors who contribute more than capital.
- Learn from the brands that have been there
- Move from DTC into physical retail
- Beverage brands
Why it’s here Explore Fire Department Coffee’s channel, broker and investor choices.
Episode 168August 30, 202642:44
Dror Sharon discusses early entry into Walmart, less obvious distribution costs, staffing for expansion, ECRM meetings, and extending a popcorn brand into functional foods.
- Learn from the brands that have been there
- Food brands
- Hire the people and partners your brand needs
Why it’s here Hear Belle’s experience with early Walmart distribution and rapid expansion.
Episode 170September 8, 202647:36
Ted Peterson explains how a personal mission shapes VIC Cloth, the challenge of premium pricing, online demand building, and choosing a retail partner for expansion.
- Learn from the brands that have been there
- Beauty and personal care
- Protect margins and manage cash
Why it’s here Finish with VIC Cloth’s purpose, premium pricing and search for retail fit.
Episode 178October 27, 202653:11
On today's episode of the Road2Retail, we are joined by Dave Weaver, the Founder of Goldenroot Ginger Beer. Listen to his story about his unique ingredients, the self manufacturing adventure, and what he has learned about fundraising to…
- Raise money and plan for the right exit
- Build the operations behind retail growth
- Learn from the brands that have been there
Why it’s here Matched automatically from the episode title and discussion notes.
Episode 174October 6, 202651:42
Today the Road2Retail team speaks with Clive Sher, the Managing Director of the organic snack brand: Little Bellies. Listen to their founder story and then what went into bringing this Australian-based brand to the US market. Points discussed…
- Learn from the brands that have been there
- Food brands
Why it’s here Matched automatically from the episode title and discussion notes.
Episode 164July 14, 202642:02
Kiowa Kavovit shares how a family business developed Eco Bandage, sharpened pitches for Shark Tank and Walmart Open Call, managed growth commitments, and evaluated investors and advisers.
- Raise money and plan for the right exit
- Create a differentiated brand and product
- Learn from the brands that have been there
Why it’s here Matched automatically from the episode title and discussion notes.
Episode 142February 24, 202652:59
Brian Bethke shares his move into CPG, the search for ginseng, a supplier setback that redirected the business, and lessons from developing functional soda.
- Beverage brands
- Grow through ecommerce, Amazon and social commerce
- Make trade shows worth the investment
Why it’s here Matched automatically from the episode title and discussion notes.