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What does it really take to be retail ready and land your product on store shelves?

In this Retail Readiness Round of Shelf Talks Podcast, we’re bringing you rapid-fire, high-impact insights from two founders actively building and scaling in competitive consumer product categories.

First, Jillian Salinas, founder of Beach City Coffee, shares what founders must nail before pitching to retail buyers—from dialing in your value proposition to understanding your numbers inside and out. If you're trying to break into a saturated category like coffee, this is your blueprint for standing out and getting noticed by buyers.

Then, Clara Sieg, co-founder and CEO of Loonen Water, delivers sharp, no-fluff truths about what it really means to be “retail ready,” why grit is a non-negotiable founder skill, and how to show up as a brand retailers actually want to partner with.

This episode is packed with actionable advice for:

• Founders preparing for retail buyer meetings
• Product-based businesses looking to get into retail stores
• Emerging brands navigating retail readiness and scaling distribution
• Entrepreneurs building CPG brands in competitive markets

You’ll learn:

• How to define a strong value proposition that wins in saturated categories
• What retail buyers actually expect when you pitch your product
• Why knowing your numbers can make or break your retail deal
• The mindset shift that happens when your product hits shelves
• What “retail readiness” truly means beyond just having a great product

If you’re serious about getting your product into retail stores, pitching with confidence, and building a brand that thrives on the shelf—this episode is your fast-track playbook.

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Reach out if you know of a female founder with an impactful brand and retail story and leave a review if you found value in this episode! Hello@shelftalks.com

Purchase the book Shelf Talk: A step by step guide to launching your product in Retail Stores by Roberta Townes Buy Book