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Shelf Talks

Shelf Talks

By: Roberta Townes
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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 navigating the real challenges of building a product-based business.

If you’re ready to turn your product into a retail success story, discover what retail buyers look for, and gain insider tips on wholesale strategy, retail readiness, and in-store growth, this is your podcast.

New episodes drop every week, subscribe to Shelf Talks and learn how to get your brand retail-ready and thriving on the shelf.


Also if you are looking for more knowledge, host Roberta Townes book 'Shelf Talk: A Step by Step guide to getting your Product in Retail Stores' is available on Amazon.

© 2026 Shelf Talks
Career Success Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • 3 Rapid Retail Questions with Sarela Harrada, Co-Founder of SIMPLi
    May 20 2026

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    Sarela Herrada, co-founder and CEO of SIMPLi, joins Shelf Talks for a candid conversation packed with actionable retail insights every product-based founder needs to hear before pitching buyers and launching into stores.

    If you're trying to get your brand into retail shelves in the next 6–12 months, this episode breaks down what actually makes a product retail-ready beyond simply having a great product. Sarela shares why category differentiation matters, how to create packaging that stops consumers in their tracks, and one surprising belief she had about retail that turned out to be completely wrong.

    You’ll also hear powerful lessons on founder networking, reaching out to industry leaders, and why events like Expo West can completely change the trajectory of your business.

    In this episode, you'll learn:

    • How to stand out in a crowded retail category
    • Why packaging can make or break your retail success
    • The mistake founders make assuming the best product always wins
    • How founder relationships can accelerate growth
    • Why networking opportunities create game-changing retail connections

    Whether you're preparing for buyer meetings, refining your product positioning, or building a shelf-ready brand, this episode delivers practical advice to help you get into retail stores — and win once you're there.

    Listen now and take one step closer to becoming truly retail ready.

    Listen to the full episode released May 18th.

    Support the show


    Event Partner: Nourish Summit & Expo (Oct. 5-7, 2027 | Baltimore) - Use code SHELFTALKS10 for 10% off full registration https://bit.ly/4sx0Zba

    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 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

    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
  • How Sarela Herrada Built SIMPLi Into a Fast-Growing Retail Brand Through Regenerative Farming
    May 18 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    In this episode of Shelf Talks, Roberta sits down with Sarela Herrada, co-founder and CEO of SIMPLi, to unpack the journey of building a mission-driven food brand from the ground up and transforming regenerative agriculture into a fast-growing retail success story.

    Sarela shares how she turned a passion for nutrient-dense foods and sustainable sourcing into a brand now found on retail shelves nationwide. From investing her life savings into building international supply chains to landing accounts with food service partners and eventually scaling into major retailers, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for founders building consumer brands.

    You’ll hear how SIMPLi pivoted during COVID, why they launched in food service before retail, the scrappy LinkedIn outreach strategy that helped open doors, and what buyers really look for when evaluating emerging brands. Sarela also reveals lessons around retail growth strategy, packaging innovation, category disruption, inventory planning, velocity, and scaling operations without breaking your business.

    If you're a founder trying to get into retail stores, improve your retail pitch, understand category growth, or build a product consumers truly connect with, this episode is filled with practical takeaways.

    In this episode we cover:
    • How SIMPLi built global supply chains from Peru and Greece
    • Why regenerative organic products are changing the future of food
    • Landing early partnerships and scaling through food service
    • The strategy that helped SIMPLi get into retail stores
    • How to pitch retail buyers and stand out in declining categories
    • Packaging mistakes, customer feedback, and early retail lessons
    • Why founders need to understand retail velocity and inventory planning
    • Building a retail growth strategy that lasts

    Whether you're launching your first product, preparing for Whole Foods, or scaling your CPG brand, this episode delivers real lessons from the front lines of retail.

    SIMPLi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatsimpli/

    SIMPLi Website: https://eatsimpli.com/

    Support the show


    Event Partner: Nourish Summit & Expo (Oct. 5-7, 2027 | Baltimore) - Use code SHELFTALKS10 for 10% off full registration https://bit.ly/4sx0Zba

    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 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

    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Rapid Retail Questions with Carrie Sporer, Co-Founder of SWAIR Hair
    May 13 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    In this Retail Readiness Round of Shelf Talks, Roberta sits down with Carrie Sporer for a candid conversation on what founders really need to know before landing on retail shelves. From understanding margins, tariffs, and shipping costs to creating consumer education that actually works in-store, Carrie shares the lessons that changed the way she built and scaled SWAIR Hair.

    They also dive into:
    • The retail assumptions that founders often get wrong
    • Why point-of-sale education and icons matter more than you think
    • The importance of knowing your numbers before pitching buyers
    • The networking events and founder communities that helped grow SWAIR Hair
    • How transparent founder relationships can unlock major business growth

    If you are a product-based founder preparing to pitch retail buyers, launch into stores, or grow your brand on shelf, this episode is packed with practical retail strategy and founder insights you can apply now.

    Listen to the full episode released 5.11.26

    Support the show


    Event Partner: Nourish Summit & Expo (Oct. 5-7, 2027 | Baltimore) - Use code SHELFTALKS10 for 10% off full registration https://bit.ly/4sx0Zba

    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 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

    Show More Show Less
    4 mins
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