Shelf Talks Podcast

Retail Readiness Round with Heali founders Heather Sloan and Enwei Li. On this mini drop, here are 3 powerful questions I asked Heather and Li specifically about launching into retail stores - Enjoy! (and learn). Questions asked: 1. What advice would you give to other founders hoping to see their products on retail shelves? 2. What would you say are the benefits of being in retail stores that are different from selling direct to consumer? 3. What is a challenge you had when landing on retail store shelves and how did you resolve? What do you think of their answers? Check out the full episode. Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ejPp8UyN Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eRH6bHU7 #brandstory #retailstrategy #founderstory #brandplanning #dragonsden

Reflecting on an Incredible 2024 (really 74 days) with Shelf Talks Podcast….✨ Building Shelf Talks has been an unforgettable journey so far! Here's a look at some milestones and lessons learned: Podcast Growth Highlights: ✨Recorded 14 episodes with amazing female founders (with 11 launched so far)—endless gratitude to Rebecca Alvarez Story (she/her/ella) and Tania Sweis for being my first “yes” to be a guest before even it official launched! - thanks for trusting me 🩷 ✨Had the privilege of recording with a founder living on the other side of the world🌎 with Christina Kao ✨Booked my first recording for 2025: an incredible brand that’s blowing up on social media and launching in retail… ✨Gaining more listeners everyday hearing amazing founder stories and getting inspired! Personal Growth Moments: ✨Met determined, trailblazing women transforming the shelves, communities, and landscape of retail. ✨Reignited my creative spark and discovered how dreams flourish when you take bold action. ✨Honed my communication skills and embraced being a better, more active listener. This year has been a testament to the power of storytelling, connection, and community. I can’t wait to see how Shelf Talks grows in 2025, and I’m excited to continue supporting female founders and indie brands on their retail journeys. Thank you to everyone who tuned in, shared their story, or supported me along the way. Here’s to dreaming bigger and taking action in the year ahead! Spotify: https://lnkd.in/e9W_YF9A Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eFiG-Qn6 Rebecca Alvarez Story (she/her/ella) Tania Sweis Rachel Klein Jamika Martin Morgan Potts Brianna Arps April Showers Yelitsa Jean-Charles Allison Ball Christina Kao Heather Sloan Enwei Li #PodcastJourney #FemaleFounders #ShelfTalks #IndieBrands #RetailSuccess #Storytelling #WomenInBusiness

This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Heather Sloan and Enwei Li the trailblazing founders of Heali Medical whose innovative 1st product, Heali Tape, launched in 2020 and transformed the market. Their journey is nothing short of inspiring from: ✨Winning Best Innovative Product at their first trade show ✨Captivating investors on Dragons’ Den! ✨Attracting big-box retailers who asked THEM to launch on shelves Key insights from this episode: 💡The power of networking for mentorship and growth 💡How winning awards can catapult your brand’s visibility 💡Strategies for scaling from ensuring manufacturing is in place to influencer partnerships 💡The importance of connecting with buyers and tailoring your approach to each retailer’s needs Links below to hear the full episode: Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eXVCRVrg Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/eRH6bHU7 What’s your biggest takeaway from Heather and Li’s story? Drop your thoughts in the comments - I’d love to hear! ✨ This episode would not have been possible without Elisandrix Matos - thank you for bringing us together! #brandstory #retailstrategy #founderstory

Retail readiness round with Christina Kao, founder of Le Mini Macaron. 💅 On this mini drop, I asked Christina 3 questions specifically about launching into retail stores - Enjoy! (and learn): 1. What advice would you give to founders who are just starting to pitch their products to retail buyers? 2, How do you maintain strong relationships with your retail buyers? 3. Are there any tools, resources, or consultants you recommend to founders preparing for retail success? Are you surprised about any of the answers? Listen to the full episode: Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eyJMRKJS Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/ehUDJEQ7 #founderstory #brandstrategy #globalbrand #retailstrategy

Listen 🎧 to the latest episode on Shelf Talks Podcasts with Christina Kao Co-founder and Co-CEO of Le Mini Macaron Spotify: https://lnkd.in/e8V8Jhcx Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/ep5U93ds Share with your Founder friends!🩷 Let me know your biggest takeaway from this episode! #shelftalks #founderstory #retailstrategy #globalbrand #brandstory #leminimacaron

What does it take to turn a clever idea into a global brand? On this week’s episode of Shelf Talks, I sat down with Christina Kao, the brilliant Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Le Mini Macaron. Launched in 2015, her hero product—a 15-minute, affordable gel manicure kit for at-home and on-the-go use—revolutionized the beauty space. Starting with a Kickstarter campaign, Christina propelled the brand into major retailers like Target, Ulta, Nordstrom's and Athropologie and even more across the globe. ✨ Key Takeaways From This Episode: -Reinventing a category: Innovating within an existing market. -Kickstarter as a launchpad: Driving awareness, gathering feedback, and shaping your ideal customer demographic. -Marketing strategies that work: Leveraging influencer drops and doubling down on smart marketing for growth. -Inventory insights: Navigating the challenges of supply and demand in retail. Whether you’re dreaming of seeing your product on store shelves or scaling your brand globally, this episode is packed with actionable advice! 🎧 Listen now and let me know: What’s your biggest takeaway from Christina’s story? Drop your thoughts in the comments —I’d love to hear from you! If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to leave a review or share it with a fellow entrepreneur who’s ready to take their brand global. Listen wherever you stream your podcasts. Spotify:https://lnkd.in/ejgvyMzJ Apple Podcasts:https://lnkd.in/ep5U93ds #ShelfTalksPodcast #FemaleFounders #IndieBrands #RetailSuccess #Innovation #KickstarterJourney #LeMiniMacaron #PodcastLaunch

Limitless Opportunities to Land on the Shelf — Across the Globe! 🌍 This week on Shelf Talks, I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing a remarkable female founder who took her brand from her home country to retail shelves around the world! Hearing her story of uniqueness, strategy, and unwavering belief in her product was beyond inspiring. Her journey is a powerful reminder that no matter where you’re starting from, the opportunities for growth are truly limitless. With the right approach, your product can go from local to global, landing on shelves you once only dreamed about. I can’t wait to share this episode with all of you next week! Her insights into scaling internationally, navigating new markets, and staying true to her brand mission are invaluable lessons for any founder aiming to expand their reach. If you've ever doubted how far your brand can go, this story will reignite your belief. Stay tuned for an episode that will leave you inspired to dream bigger and push your boundaries. ✨ Tag a founder who needs this reminder: Your brand is capable of so much more than you think. #ShelfTalks #FemaleFounders #GlobalExpansion #RetailSuccess #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #FounderInspiration

📢 Get your pen and paper 📝, notes app, or AI notetaker ready — this episode is PACKED with actionable insights you don’t want to miss! On this week’s episode of Shelf Talks, I’m sitting down with none other than Allison Ball, Founder & CEO of Food Biz Wiz and creator of the industry-renowned Retail Ready® program. With a legacy of supporting over 3,000 food product brands and a background as a former grocery buyer-turned-wholesale consultant, Alli knows exactly what it takes to not only get your product on the shelf but to keep it selling strong. 🚀 This is a masterclass in retail strategy! Alli reveals her Top 5 must-do actions for driving higher sales once your product is on shelf. If you’re an emerging brand, a founder perfecting your retail strategy, or a product-based entrepreneur already in stores, this episode will give you the tools you need to succeed. ✨ Don’t miss this one! Tag a founder who needs to hear this. Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ecqAN6Jt Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eT-YNc46 #cpg #retailstrategy #productplacement #winonshelf #femalefounder

The power of connection✨ One of the most unexpected yet deeply rewarding perks of hosting Shelf Talks is the incredible energy I get from connecting with the phenomenal female founders I interview. These women are not just building brands — they are building legacies. Every conversation leaves me feeling recharged, inspired, and even more committed to my own growth and development. There’s something uniquely powerful about being in a space where women champion one another, share hard-earned wisdom, and celebrate each other's wins. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to walk this journey alone. The support, vulnerability, and insight these founders bring to each episode aren’t just for the listeners but for me too, their energy is amazingly contagious. If you’ve ever had the chance to be in a room (or on a call🎧) with women who genuinely want to see each other win, you know exactly what I mean. Women supporting women isn’t just a nice concept — it’s a movement, and I’m so grateful to be part of it. Share with your friends! Spotify: https://lnkd.in/d8EZVWVg Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/eFiG-Qn6 #femalefounders #founderstory #emergingbrands #innovation #retailstrategy #brandstory

Check out the latest episode of Shelf Talks and listen to how Yelitsa Jean-Charles, founder of Healthy Roots Doll navigates retail stores. Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eVFuVE_V Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e5gc3KN2 #founderstory #brandstory #retailstrategy