Shelf Talks
Shelf Talks is the podcast for female founders, CPG entrepreneurs, and product-based business owners who want to get their products into retail stores and build brands that thrive once they're on the shelf.
Hosted by Roberta Townes, a retail buyer with more than 15 years of experience discovering and launching products at national retailers, each weekly episode features honest conversations with female founders who have successfully landed on retail shelves. Together, they pull back the curtain on how they pitched buyers, built wholesale partnerships, scaled distribution, increased brand awareness, and overcame the challenges of growing a product-based business.
Whether you're preparing for your first retail pitch or looking to expand into more stores, you'll gain practical strategies for retail readiness, wholesale growth, buyer expectations, merchandising, and increasing sell-through once your product hits the shelf.
If you're ready to turn your product into a retail success story, you're in the right place.
New episodes drop every week. Subscribe to Shelf Talks and learn what it really takes to get your brand retail-ready and winning in stores.
Looking for even more retail guidance? Roberta's book, Shelf Talk: A Step by Step Guide to Getting Your Product in Retail Stores, is available on Amazon.
Shelf Talks
MINI DIVE TRADE SHOWS: She Almost Didn’t Submit… Then Won Most Innovative Product at a Major Trade Show
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With Natural Products Expo West right around the corner, today’s Shelf Talks mini dive is one every CPG founder needs to hear.
In this clip from my conversation with Molly Blakeley, founder of Molly Bz Cookies, we dive into what really happens behind the scenes at major trade shows.
Think:
• Last-minute product pivots
• Packaging mishaps
• Running across massive expo halls on zero sleep
• Imposter syndrome when you’re surrounded by legacy brands
• And the unexpected moment that changes everything
Molly shares how she almost didn’t submit her product for an innovation award and what happened next is the kind of story that reminds you why showing up matters.
If you’re preparing for Expo West or activating at trade shows this year, this short mini episode is packed with perspective, encouragement, and a powerful reminder: you belong in the room.
And be sure to listen to Molly’s full Shelf Talks episode (released June 9, 2025) to get even more insight on growing a brand, navigating retail, and what it really takes to land on shelves across the country.
Follow Shelf Talks so you don’t miss the rest of this week’s daily mini dives quick lessons, real founder stories, and trade show insights to help you build with confidence. 🎙️✨
Event Partner: Nourish Summit & Expo (Oct. 5-7, 2027 | Baltimore) - Use code SHELFTALKS10 for 10% off full registration https://bit.ly/4sx0Zba
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Contact us via email: Hello@shelftalks.com
Reach out if you know of a female founder with an impactful brand and retail story and leave a review if you found value in this episode! Hello@shelftalks.com
Purchase the book Shelf Talk: A step by step guide to launching your product in Retail Stores by Roberta Townes Buy Book