214. Expanding into the U.S. without a strategy can drain your cash fast—and kill your CPG runway before you scale.

In this episode, I sit down with Charlie from Mr. Lee's to unpack what really works when launching a CPG brand globally. We compare the U.S., UK, Australia, and EU retail systems—and expose the hidden costs, slotting fees, distributor traps, and trade spend mistakes that catch founders off guard.

You'll learn why deep pockets aren't enough, how to build a tribe that drives demand at shelf, why contribution beats velocity, and how to design a go-to-market strategy as innovative as your product.

If you want to expand profitably, reduce risk, and avoid expensive retail missteps, this conversation is essential.

Listen to past episodes to go deeper into building a sustainable, category-leading brand.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session214

213. Struggling to get your CPG brand discovered without burning cash on demos, slotting fees, and trade spend? You're not alone—and you're probably overlooking one of the most profitable growth channels available: food service.

In this episode, we unpack how restaurants, hotels, schools, and ghost kitchens can become your most powerful paid sampling engine. Instead of paying for retail shelf space and high-low promotions, you can leverage ready-to-eat, prepackaged products to drive trial, increase margins, reduce waste, and expand distribution—while helping local operators survive and thrive.

You'll learn how to structure your pricing architecture, align your messaging with restaurant operators, avoid costly retail mistakes, and turn food service into a pull strategy that fuels retail growth.

Download the free episode guide to go deeper into these strategies, and listen to the related trade marketing and category leadership episodes to build a more profitable, resilient CPG growth plan.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session213

212. You think you need deep pockets to win at retail—but that belief is killing your growth.

In this episode, I sit down with Gail Becker, founder of CAULIPOWER, to unpack how she broke into the most competitive freezer aisle in grocery and built a disruptive CPG brand without following the "traditional" playbook.

We dive into what it really takes to launch a food startup, how to compete against billion-dollar pizza brands, when to say "no" to Costco and "yes" to Walmart, and why community—not slotting fees—is your greatest asset.

You'll learn how to leverage consumer demand to pull your brand onto shelves, how to differentiate your go-to-market strategy, and how to future-proof your CPG business by focusing on shopper insights, trade marketing ROI, and sustainable retail growth.

If you're building an emerging food, beverage, or natural CPG brand, this episode will change how you think about distribution, innovation, and retail partnerships.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session212

211. Struggling to stand out in a saturated CPG category? If your brand feels invisible at retail, this episode will change how you compete—and win.

In this powerful founder coaching session, I sit down with Adam Bremen, founder of Keto Crisp, a fast-growing keto snack bar brand built on resilience, community, and relentless execution. We unpack how to win in one of the most competitive categories in grocery—without racing to the bottom on price.

You'll learn how to build a loyal community that drives retail demand, how to use market basket insights to increase your value to retailers, and how to reduce wasted trade spend by focusing on performance-based promotions. We also break down how to position your brand as a category leader by helping retailers drive traffic, grow profit, and gain a competitive advantage.

If you want more shelf space, stronger retail partnerships, and sustainable growth, this is required listening.

Listen to more episodes that tackle your biggest CPG bottlenecks. Let's build your unfair competitive advantage.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session211

210. Your brand isn't failing—your food system is broken. And if you don't understand how retail really works, it will cost you shelf space, margin, and momentum.

In this episode, I sit down with Chloe Sorvino of Forbes to unpack the hidden inefficiencies in our CPG supply chain—from slotting fees and trade spend addiction to retailer consolidation and IPO pressure. We expose why small natural brands struggle to compete, how retailers chase short-term margin over long-term relevance, and what it really takes to build resilience in today's volatile market.

You'll learn how to shift from "pay-to-play" to value-driven selling, leverage your unique shopper to create retail demand, and position your brand as a strategic partner—not just another SKU.

Download the FREE Essential Promotion Blueprint and start maximizing your trade ROI today. Then explore more episodes to deepen your category leadership strategy.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session210

209. You're wasting money marketing to the wrong shopper—and it's costing you distribution, velocity, and survival.

In this episode, I sit down with Jessica from Social Nature to unpack why most CPG brands target the wrong consumer and rely on cookie-cutter trade marketing that destroys ROI. Retail shelves are tighter. Demos are disappearing. Online is accelerating. If you don't know exactly who your ideal shopper is—and why they buy—you're throwing good money after bad.

We break down how to identify your ideal customer, capture real-time shopper insights, validate innovation before launch, and turn occasional buyers into loyal evangelists. You'll learn how to blend syndicated data with real consumer feedback to build retailer-ready selling stories that drive traffic, differentiation, and profit.

Listen to related episodes to go deeper into trade marketing, shopper insights, and category leadership.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session209

208. Struggling to grow your CPG brand during uncertainty? If your margins are shrinking, retail feels stacked against you, and big POs look exciting but dangerous—this episode matters.

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with the founders of Four Points Bars and BaseCamp Co-Pack to unpack what it really takes to build and scale a profitable CPG brand during disruption. We dig into foundational strategy, why most brands chase retail too early, how to avoid margin-killing deductions, and why your business plan must be a living document—not a pitch deck.

You'll learn the difference between push vs. pull strategy, how to leverage your unique shopper to negotiate smarter, why cost of goods and co-pack relationships can make or break you, and how to build brand equity that retailers can't ignore.

If you want sustainable growth—not expensive lessons—this is for you.

Download the free episode guide at RetailSolved.com/session208 and go deeper by exploring the Turnkey Sales Story Strategies course and related episodes designed to help you grow smarter, not just bigger.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session208

207. If your CPG brand feels chaotic, it's probably not a sales problem — it's a planning problem. And that chaos will kill your growth, your margins, and your investor confidence.

In this episode, we break down how to build a strategic, investor-ready business plan that drives profitable retail growth. Not a fluffy document you write once and forget — but a living blueprint that aligns your sales, trade marketing, operations, logistics, and execution.

You'll learn how to define your competitive advantage, structure your sales and marketing strategy, manage trade spend effectively, hold brokers accountable, and build financial clarity that investors respect.

We also unpack how poor execution, weak trade promotion planning, and inconsistent messaging quietly erode retailer trust.

If you want predictable growth, stronger retail relationships, and real runway — this starts here.

Try the free Trade Promotion ROI Calculator at RetailSolved.com. And listen to related episodes on trade marketing, retail execution, and category leadership to go deeper.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session207

206. Running out of cash while waiting to get paid by distributors? That cash crunch can stall your growth—or kill your brand.

In this episode, I sit down with Jessica from Dwight Funding to break down the funding strategies most CPG founders overlook. If you've ever struggled with delayed payments from UNFI or KeHE, needed inventory before cash hits your bank account, or worried about making payroll while waiting on receivables, this conversation is for you.

We unpack the real differences between equity, asset-based lending, purchase order financing, revenue-based funding, and venture debt—and when each makes strategic sense. More importantly, we discuss how to prepare your books, reduce perceived risk, and build relationships with "friendly capital" before you actually need it.

If you want to extend your runway, protect your valuation, and avoid giving away unnecessary equity, this episode will change how you think about capital.

Download the free guide for this episode and explore other sessions at RetailSolved.com to go deeper.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session206

205. Discover how the impact of regenerative organic brands aligns with shopper values and drives sustainable purchasing. Matthew discusses the importance of biodiversity and traditional farming methods in Sri Lanka, highlighting the use of organic fertilizers and heirloom varieties. He emphasizes the need to preserve these methods and empower organic farmers to switch from conventional farming.

Today's Free Downloadable Guide: The Essential New Item Checklist - The Recipe For Success. New product innovation is the lifeblood of every brand. New products fuel sustainable growth, attract new shoppers and increase brand awareness. Learn the critical steps to get your product on more retailer's shelves and into the hands of more shoppers. Maximizing your trade marketing can pour rocket fuel on your launch.Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session205