The Co-Founder Behind SprinkleBites: Rachel Kane on Creating a New Category

In this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta interviews Rachel Kane, co-founder of Sprinkle Bites, a company that creates fun, nutritious sprinkles for kids. Rachel shares her journey from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, the challenges of launching a new product, and the importance of community and networking in the retail space. She discusses the unique aspects of her product, the strategies for scaling the business, and the lessons learned along the way. Rachel emphasizes the significance of authenticity, understanding market needs, and the value of trade shows for exposure and connections.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rachel Cain and Sprinkle Bites
01:59 Rachel's Journey to Entrepreneurship
05:06 The Birth of Sprinkle Bites
10:27 Creating a Unique Product
11:49 Research and Development Process
16:28 Networking and Gaining Initial Support
20:46 Funding and Financial Planning
27:01 Initial Sales Strategy and Market Testing
29:51 Plans for Retail Expansion
31:28 Navigating Challenges in Business Growth
33:15 The Shift from DTC to Retail
36:49 Understanding Retail Metrics and Relationships
40:36 Strategizing for Retail Success
42:52 Building Inventory and Managing Production
54:27 Balancing Work, Family, and Entrepreneurship
56:56 Launching Co-Founder On Call