Episode #143 Today the Road 2 Retail team spends time with Andy Whitman - Managing Partner with the investment firm Loft Growth Partners.

Andy shares his experiences over the course of our wide-ranging conversation about investing in Emerging Brands. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast- details below. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:

Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd

Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY

YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. In today's discussion with Andy Whitman, we cover the following topics: - With EXPO West upon us, Andy discusses the importance of an emerging brand having a specific plan for this show and knowing what your goals are for the show- A recap of the M&A activities in the emerging brand space to date in 2026- lots of action!- The five points a brand must nail down to secure a meeting (let alone a check) from an investment firm- The importance of being aligned with an investor prior to accepting their money. Lack of alignment a major headache for founders and investors alike!- The need to be highly organized throughout the process of looking for funding. Financials must be very specific with regard to current expenses and the allocation of future investment dollars- A Wisconsin Badger fan with a budding interest in Colorado Buffaloes women's basketball as well!Thanks to our sponsors:Eagle Labs Inc: Contract manufacturing of OTC and HBA products https://www.eaglelabsinc.comMarket Performance Group- A sales agency helping brands growhttps://www.marketperfomancegroup.comEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

Episode # 142. Today the Road 2 Retail spends time with the Founder & CEO Brian Bethke of the 'clean soda company' - Bear Maple Farms. Details below in how to follow the show. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:

Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd

Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY

YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327.

Discussion points today include: - Brian shares is professional history in the music business: guitar pedals and the Supro brand- Why now is the time for clean functional beverages- How a hard 'no' from a supplier at a trade show led to his ultimate success- His multiyear search for the perfect ginseng- CPG lessons learned from an entrepreneur new to the industry- A Pink Floyd and Mikaela Shiffrin fan!Click on the link below for your free trade show tracker from Vismerchhttps://www.vismerch.com/trade-show-trackerSpecial Listener Offer: Get 25% OFF Bear Maple Farms on Amazon — use code ROAD2RETAIL at checkout.👉 Shop here: [Bear Maple Farms on Amazon]Thanks to our sponsor- Retail and Responsehttps://www.retailandresponse.comEnjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn

Episode # 141. Today the Road 2 Retail goes through the specifics of how an emerging, small or challenger brand can get the most out of attending a trade show. Trade show season is upon us! Details below in how to follow the show. Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com."How to best attend a trade show" tips covered today include: - Consider attending a trade show you are interested in as an attendee FIRST versus paying for booth space. Walk the show and see what is going on and if it matches your objectives- These shows can be very expensive to attend! Be selective, highly organized, and ready to work the show from the opening to the very end. Many times, you will come across interesting people at the end of a day when they are hoping to see things in a calmer setting- Understand the type of trade show you want to attend. Shows have different objectives- not all are "selling" shows- Once you decide to secure a booth at a trade show- don't only select location based on price. Try to locate near a high traffic area or near larger brands in your category- you will pick up some of their traffic by being in the right place!- What materials to have in your booth, how to staff, and the importance of follow up- Create activity and action at your booth- make it interesting! Samples, a game, videos about your business running in a loop on monitors, etcFollow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327.Managing retail is complex — the review windows, the buyer relationships, the promotions, the distributor coordination, the follow-ups that fall through the cracks. And most brands are juggling all of it across spreadsheets, email threads, and tools that weren't built for the job. Vismerch is the first CRM built specifically for CPG brands — retailers, categories, review cycles, promotions, contacts, all connected in one platform that actually speaks your language. And for Road to Retail listeners, we're offering our Trade Show Tracker for free — plan your targets, capture contacts on the floor, and lock in your follow-ups. Just in time for Expo West.

Visit https://www.vismerch.com

Click on the Promotional Link: https://www.vismerch.com/trade-show-tracker

Thanks to our sponsor- Florethttps://www.tryfloret.comEnjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

Today the Road 2 Retail team speaks with James Pippin, VP at Good Now Foods. James shares with our audience great insight on hiring a broker or sales agent and the benefits and pitfalls of working with one.

Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Points covered in detail with James today include: - What should a brand consider when hiring a sales agent or broker - The benefits of working with a sales agent or broker - How Harvest Hub can help small and emerging brands- Mistakes small and emerging brands make when hiring a broker - Understanding the sales process when entering brick and mortar retailThanks to our sponsor: Agency Habitat- https://www.agencyhabitat.comEnjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

Episode # 139. Today the Road 2 Retail team visits with Greg Vetter- Founder of Tessemae's salad dressing.

Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast (details below). Enjoy the show!Apple podcasts-https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/road-2-retail/id1642173151Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/5MmvhUkvFsukmbl1RDzNAJSpecific points covered with Greg today include: - The brand started by getting a Whole Foods Store manager to try a salad out of a Tupperware container! And the manager loved it!- The challenges of being so early to the 'clean eating' trend in the USA- from retailers to searching for manufacturing partners that could meet their standards- "Burn the boats". They were all in on making the brand successful by removing as much risk as possible for retailer taking on the brand- Initial Tessemae's demand created by working with "clean eating mommy bloggers" - When creating your brand- ask people you don't know what they think- these people will tell you the truth- Look at all kinds of funding options before giving away equity- Has jumped on the Indiana Hoosiers football bandwagon!Thanks to our sponsors:Retail and Response-https://www.retailandresponse.comFloret: https//:www.tryfloret.comPlus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

Episode # 139. Today the Road 2 Retail team visits with Greg Vetter- Founder of Tessemae's salad dressing. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast (details below). Enjoy the show!Apple podcasts-https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/road-2-retail/id1642173151

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/show/5MmvhUkvFsukmbl1RDzNAJS

Specific points covered with Greg today include: - The brand started by getting a Whole Foods Store manager to try a salad out of a Tupperware container! And the manager loved it!- The challenges of being so early to the 'clean eating' trend in the USA- from retailers to searching for manufacturing partners that could meet their standards- "Burn the boats". They were all in on making the brand successful by removing as much risk as possible for retailer taking on the brand- Initial Tessemae's demand created by working with "clean eating mommy bloggers" - When creating your brand- ask people you don't know what they think- these people will tell you the truth- Look at all kinds of funding options before giving away equity- Has jumped on the Indiana Hoosiers football bandwagon!Thanks to our sponsors:

Retail and Response-https://www.retailandresponse.com

Floret: https//:www.tryfloret.comPlus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

Today the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Luke Schneider – CEO and Founder of Fire Department Coffee. Luke shares his journey from the military to being a fire fighter to creating Fire Department coffee and his passion to help fire fighters.Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Points covered in detail with Luke today include: - The key decision considerations to move from a DCT brand into brick-and-mortar retail and how to pick the right retail partner - Managing SKU’s and pricing across multiple platforms- DTC, Amazon, different classes of trade: Food, Mass, Club - How to choose the right broker and how to manage them when issues arise - What to look for in an investor-Must be value added, not just money - The best advice to an entrepreneur wanting to start a CPG brand - A boxing and MMA fanThanks to our sponsors: Market Performance Group-https://www.marketperformancegroup.comRetail & Response-https:///www.retailandresponse.com

Episode #137 Today we speak with Andrea Cherkerzian – CEO & founder of the gluten-free chocolate chip cookie brand PS I Love You. We learn that the inspiration for the brand came from her Grandma Rose! Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Among the topics covered with Andrea today include: - The story behind the creation of PS I Love (the brand story is so important)- The importance of relationships and clear communication with retailers, brokers and suppliers- What to look for in a contract manufacturer - Andrea’s first retailer- Hy-Vee (a great fit for the brand!)- How she utilizes RangeMe - A fan of the Ralph Lauren brandPlus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

Episode # 136. Today the Road 2 Retail team recaps the SFA Winter FancyFaire show that was held in San Diego this week. We want to thank SFA for asking us to host a sold out "Ask The Expert" session about how to best work with distributors. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast (details below). Enjoy the show!Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Observations from the SFA Winter FancyFaire show: - It is always remarkable to see the creative range of specialty food and beverage emerging brands that companies and entrepreneurs are working on- This was a great opportunity for emerging brands to drive awareness and trial (many tasty samples!) for their brands and catch the eye of a retailer. These informal discussions are what lead to future meetings with a buyer- The show was organized into sections in some cases by both region (ie Italy) and by product type (ie coffee) and by truly emerging brands- Learn more about the SFA "Maker Prep" program. A great way to learn about the industry and how to create and sell a CPG brand. Program culminates with a booth for your brand at the summer SFA show in New York City this summer.- The show attracted a wide range of food and beverage brands both domestic and international- Who knew there were so many kinds of cheese in the world!Show links:https://www.specialtyfood.com/https://www.specialtyfood.com/fancy-food-shows/summer/https://www.specialtyfood.com/education/makerprep/

Episode # 135. On today's show we spend time with Michael Law - the Chief Commercial Officer of Eagle Labs Inc. Michael offers his counsel regarding how an emerging brand should think through hiring a contract manufacturer (CMO) as well as stating what a CMO looks for in a client brand. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on :Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd

Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY

YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Discussion points today include: - The diverse services offered by Eagle Labs Inc to brands working in the OTC/HBA/VMS space- Specific questions to ask and actions to take by a brand when considering hiring a CMO: pay attention to certifications!- The traits a CMO will look for in an emerging brand client- How to best manage and work with your CMO to increase the odds of a successful partnership- A fan of the Toronto Blue Jays! A tip of the cap to Joe Carter!Thanks to our sponsors:Eagle labs-https://www.eaglelabsinc.comMarket Performance Group- https://www.marketperformancegroup.com Enjoy the show! Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts, Spotify or our YouTube channel. You can also follow us on LinkedIn. Please share the show with a colleague and leave us a review. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!