89. If you're trying to compete with billion-dollar CPG brands, you may feel invisible—and that can cost you shelf space and momentum.

In this episode, I sit down with Madeline Haydon, Founder & CEO of Nutpods, to unpack how a niche, plant-based brand leveraged digital strategy, Amazon data, and a fiercely loyal community to outperform category incumbents at Kroger and beyond.

We break down how to: • Identify an underserved niche and validate it with proof of concept • Use Kickstarter and e-commerce as an incubator channel • Leverage online ZIP-code data to win traditional retail • Differentiate with clean label, unsweetened positioning, and certifications • Turn digital momentum into retail velocity

This episode is a masterclass in category disruption, trade marketing leverage, and building authentic brand loyalty.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session89

88. If you're fighting for retail shelf space and losing to bigger brands, you're missing one critical strategy—and it's costing you distribution.

In this episode, I sit down with Russ Forrester from Hain to unpack how category management became their competitive advantage—and why it's the great equalizer between small and large CPG brands.

We discuss how to turn raw data into a compelling retail selling story, how to use shopper insights (not just velocity) to win resets, and how to become a value-added partner instead of just another SKU on the shelf.

You'll learn how to leverage syndicated data, panel data, basket ring insights, and consumer trends to create actionable retailer strategies that drive incremental category growth.

If you want an equal seat at the table, you must learn to think like a category leader.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session88

87. If you're chasing innovation before mastering the basics, you're risking your entire brand. Most CPG founders try to grow by adding SKUs, chasing big retailers, or jumping into new channels too soon — and it destroys margins, relationships, and long-term value.

In this episode, I sit down with Peter (former President of Hain Celestial, Justin's, and ONE Brands) to unpack what actually builds enduring CPG growth: disciplined fundamentals. We talk distribution, ACV, planograms, pricing architecture, promotional calendars, operational readiness, and why saying "no" to Walmart can sometimes be the smartest growth strategy.

You'll learn why maximizing your core SKUs beats launching new flavors, how deep retail relationships create leverage, and why your foundation determines your valuation.

If you want profitable retail distribution, stronger trade ROI, and a brand built to last — this episode is your roadmap.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session87

86. You don't need shelf space to win in beverage—but if you rely only on traditional retail, you may never scale. In this episode, you'll learn how Dirty Lemon bypassed brokers, buyers, and outdated distribution models to build a direct-to-consumer beverage brand powered by SMS ordering and real-time customer data.

Zak shares how he went from launching Little Duck Organics on credit cards to disrupting a $100B category with functional beverages, just-in-time production, and curated retail experiences. We unpack innovation speed, packaging challenges, fundraising lessons, and why connecting directly with consumers creates leverage most brands never achieve.

If you're frustrated with retail bottlenecks, slow innovation cycles, or depending on gatekeepers, this conversation will challenge how you think about growth.

Clarify your growth priorities and execution roadmap—and listen to other episodes to go deeper into distribution, innovation, and building a bulletproof CPG brand.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session86

85. Are you tired of being treated like an ATM machine by retailers? If you keep showing up asking for promotions, placement, and discounts, you'll always compete on price—and you'll always lose margin. In this episode, I sit down with Adam Lowry, co-founder of Ripple Foods and Method, to break down how to become a true value-added partner at retail.

We unpack how to differentiate in hyper-competitive CPG categories, how to bring strategic insights retailers actually respect, and how to build sustainable growth without racing to the bottom. You'll learn why understanding your shopper's market basket creates leverage, how innovation earns distribution, and how collaboration across categories strengthens partnerships.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session85

84. You can't scale a premium CPG brand if you don't control quality—and retailers won't trust you if you can't prove it. In this episode, I sit down with Beetnik Foods to unpack how they turned a frozen food gap into a national brand by vertically integrating their supply chain, manufacturing their own organic meals, and building a selling story around their high-value organic shopper.

We break down why owning production became their competitive advantage, how to position premium organic consumers as incremental traffic drivers, and how to communicate market basket impact to retailers. If you want to differentiate beyond price and promotions, this conversation will challenge how you think about control, contribution, and category leadership.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session84

83. Consumers are confused about organic, non-GMO, and clean label — and that confusion is costing you sales. If you can't clearly explain why regenerative organic matters, you're leaving trust and growth on the table.

In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Moyer of the Rodale Institute to unpack what regenerative organic agriculture really means — and why it's the future of CPG. We break down healthy soil = healthy food = healthy people, why "yield at any cost" is destroying long-term value, and how regenerative practices create better products, stronger brands, and more loyal customers.

We also discuss the Regenerative Organic Certification, its three pillars — soil health, animal welfare, and fair labor — and how brands can communicate this story in a way that resonates at shelf and online.

If you want to future-proof your brand, build trust, and differentiate with purpose, this episode is for you.

Learn how to bake these insights into your selling story. Then explore more episodes to go deeper into category management, retail strategy, and profitable growth.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session83

82. If you don't know how healthy your brand is at retail, you're negotiating blind — and that's costing you distribution, profit, and runway.

Most CPG founders measure success by total sales or cash in the bank. Retailers don't. They measure your brand by one thing: contribution. In this episode, I break down how to assess your brand's true health using ACV, distribution depth, and dollars per point of distribution — the metrics that determine whether you're driving sustainable category growth or just buying volume with promotions.

You'll learn why contribution matters more than discounting, how to compare your performance against the total category, and how to leverage these insights in your selling story to earn retailer trust and long-term shelf space.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session82

81. You can't grow your CPG brand by playing small in a dying category. If you don't redefine the shelf, you become invisible—and retailers move on.

In this episode, I sit down with Greg Fleishman, co-founder of Foodstirs, to unpack how they revitalized the tired baking aisle by solving a deeper emotional problem: connection. Instead of competing on price, they led with purpose, ultra-clean ingredients, and a compelling selling story that brought new shoppers into the category.

We discuss building disruptive brands, selecting the right advisors, avoiding the "hand over the keys" trap, leveraging retail partnerships, activating advocacy groups, and turning white space into profitable growth. This is a masterclass in category leadership.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session81

80. You can't scale your CPG brand by simply multiplying your recipe—and if you try, you risk recalls, retailer rejection, and lost shelf space. That's the hard truth most founders learn too late.

In this episode, I unpack what it really takes to move from your kitchen to retail shelves without destroying your margins or your reputation. We break down food safety plans, supplier vetting, target cost analysis, scalable production systems, and why "pay me now or pay me later" absolutely applies to manufacturing.

You'll learn how to protect your brand promise, build reliable supply chains, forecast realistic growth, and avoid the most common scaling mistakes that kill emerging brands.

If you want sustainable retail growth—not short-term spikes—this episode is your blueprint.

Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session80