Road 2 Retail

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!

Episode # 134. Today the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Patrick Gibbons - Founding Partner & President of The Emerson Group. Patrick takes us on a deep dive into exactly what a 3PL (Logistics) provider does for a brand, how they work, and why selecting the right one is so important. 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 Patrick today include: - The three pillars of support a logistics firm provides for their clients- A discussion around what a vendor of record number is and why they are important- Why too much inventory is necessary for an emerging brand- especially at launch- A key set of questions a brand should ask of a potential logistics partner during the vetting process- What will a logistics firm expect from an emerging brand they are thinking of bringing on as a client?- Fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and the bands ELO & The CarsThanks to our sponsors:Eagle Labs-https://www.eaglelabsinc.comAgency Habitat-https://www.agencyhabitat.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!

The Road 2 Retail team today spends time with Chris Stanton- Founder of Retail Brand Discovery. Chris shares his views on the importance of properly connecting brands to retailers and the ways this can be done. Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast on Apple podcasts [insert link], Spotify [insert link] or our YouTube channel [insert link]. Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Discussion points with Chris today include: - An overview of his interesting new endeavor- Retail Brand Discovery and how his multi platform business helps connect brands to retailer decision makers- A discussion of the evolution of the Trade Relations Manager and how components of this legacy role within a CPG company still matter a great deal- How the "celebrity entrepreneur" can play a positive role in the establishment of an emerging brand- How emerging brands can effectively utilize the online path to test & learn and build their business before approaching traditional brick & mortar retailers- His belief that retailers WANT emerging brands to winThanks to our sponsors of the episode:Floret- https://www.tryfloret.comMarket Performance Group-https://wwwmarketperformancegroup.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!

Episode # 132On Wednesday of this week, the Road 2 Retail team attended the 2nd Annual Founder's Innovation Day. This event was presented by ECRM, RangeMe, and RetailMedia IQ. The purpose of this very well attended event was to allow emerging brands to hear directly from many of the nation's leading retailers exactly what is expected of them in order to be successful. Rather than try to call out all of the presenters, Wayne Bennett- SVP ECRM & RangeMe- joins us on this event recap episode. Below are brief bullets highlighting some of the major themes covered. Listen to the entire episode on Spotify or Apple podcasts. Time well spent for emerging brand founders and leaders! Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Key Themes from the 2025 Founder's Innovation Day: - The importance of being both Retail Ready AND Supply Chain Ready- Retailers and investors get behind products- not ideas. Are you viable as a brand? Do you have data? Do you understand your target consumer?- A panel of founders discussed why it is best to start small and local so you can keep your hands on everything as you start out. They also discussed the real risk of expanding too fast too soon- An overview of what to look for in a co-manufacturing supplier. The key questions to ask and capabilities to look for as the selection of a co-manufacturer can make or break your business. Choose wisely!- Think through all aspects of your packaging. The design, the physical structure, your shipper configuration. Much more. An impactful design will close sales for you in that critical last three feet of the consumer's decision making process- All of the retailers talked about building bridges beyond your buyer within each retailer you are working with. Be open to feedback. Be very transparent with all communication. Bad news needs to travel faster than good news- discuss the issue, what you are doing to fix it, and when it will be fixed. Don't hope your retailer won't notice- they will.Thanks to our sponsors:Eagle Labs- https://wwweaglelabsinc.comRetail & Response-https://www.retailand response.comEpisode linkshttps://www.rangeme.comhttps://www.ecrm.marketgate.comEnjoy the show! 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 # 131. Today the Road 2 Retail team spends time with the CEO & Cofounder of the organic plant-based milk brand - Mooala. Give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Please follow the Road 2 Retail podcast: Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbdSpotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://www.youtube.com/@road2retail327. Topics we cover with Jeff include: - Why he left an investment banking job to found an organic plant based milk brand- Saw a market opening as the limited competition in the category was quite comfortable with the status quo- The challenge of finding a contract manufacturer when you are an emerging brand- The importance of selecting the right broker and building a strong relationship with your broker- Views on the various marketing tactics they have tested and utilized over the years to effectively drive velocities- A fan of Third Eye Blind Thanks to our episode sponsors:Agency Habitat-https://agencyhabitat.comFloret- https://tryfloret.comRetail & Response- https://retailandresponse.comhttps://www.mooala.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 # 131. On today's show we spend time with Trey Bowles- Cofounder and Managing Partner of 1845 Ventures Studio. As an investor, Trey talks to us about what he and his team look for in a brand before investing, the different types of financing available to emerging brand founders, and comments about the fund raising process. Give us a follow on LinkedIn. 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. Our discussion points today include: - What does his firm look for in an emerging brand prior to investing?- A run down of the different funding options available to emerging brand- Why the determination of the team (not just the founder) is important in the evaluation process- Send information to a potential investor in advance of a meeting so that the quality of a meeting is higher- Why it is important to understand the investor you are considering approaching- many have areas of expertise versus being 'generalists'- The need to respect the process of trying to raise money- A Crimson Tide fan. Thanks to our sponsors of the episode:

https://wwwagencyhabitat.com

https://marketperformancegroup.com

htpps://www.eaglelabsinc.com

https://1845studio.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 # 129. Today we spend quality time with Abby June Richards- Fractional CFO & Founder of The CPG CFO. Abby shares her insights on some of the key points emerging brands need to be highly aware of financially and raises her hand that her firm can help! . Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. 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.

Topics discussed in detail with Abby today include: - The importance of an emerging brand's 'cash runway

'- The difference between accounting and strategic finance

- An overview of her firm's "cash fight" framework. A very interesting view -

-Why understanding your cash conversion cycle is critical to an emerging brand's financial health

- Loves the San Antonio Spurs and how they have operated over time

Thanks to our sponsors-

- Agency Habitat- https://wwwagencyhabitat.com

- Eagle Labs-https://wwweaglelabsinc.com

-Floret-https://wwwtryfloret.com

Subscribe toThe CPG CFO YouTube Channel 

Watch for more CPG Founder stories

Follow Abby on LinkedIn & Instagram

(Optional) Download freetools for cash flow optimization and investor prep on www.thecpgcfo.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!

Episode # 128. Today we speak with William Hicks - CEO & Cofounder of Magic Mind. We learn about their very unique inspiration for the brand and the diligence they invested behind sourcing ingredients and putting science behind their brand. 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.

Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Among the topics covered with William today include: - The story behind the creation of "the world's first mental performance shot"- The importance of feedback loops- including the CEO taking calls from consumers directly- The benefits of launching your brand in the DTC environment- How selling in the DTC and brick & mortar environments can actually support each other- War stories on searching for that first investor- Another fan of the Grateful Dead. Note: there can never be too many!Magic Mind-htpps://www.magicmind.comA special thanks to our sponsors:

Agency Habitat- htpps://www.agencyhabitat.com

Retail & Response-htpps://www.retailandresponse.com

Market Performance Group htpps://www.marketperformacegroup.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 # 127. On today's show we speak with John Nunziato - Founder & CEO of branding agency Little Big Brands. John shares how his agency has evolved from its start as a package design firm and offers his thoughts on branding and brand building. 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 our discussion points today are: - How Little Big Brands saw a path to offer clients creative services beyond their package design roots- The importance of staying consistent in look and feel across platforms. Imperative for brands and agencies to stay current on all platforms- A view on how to ensure a healthy client/agency relationship - Comments about the interesting early moves Hoka made to set them apart from better financed competition - An offer to the Miami Dolphins to evolve the look of their team brandingThanks to todays sponsor- Eagle Labs-https://www.eaglelabsinc.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!

Episode # 126. Today we speak with Paul Gerner. Paul was a long time HEB merchandising executive and currently a consultant to the CPG industry. Paul shares his views on what a major retailer looks for (and expects from) an emerging brand. Plus- give us a follow on LinkedIn. 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 many topics covered with Paul today include: - How does an emerging or challenger brand get the attention of a major retailer?- What are the core considerations a retailer has when thinking of adding an emerging brand to their assortment?- How should an emerging brand think about their competition?- Why do retailers charge fees? An interesting perspective- What do best in class emerging brands need to do to win at retail? 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!