3 Rapid Retail Questions with Marisa Sergi, CEO of L'uva Bella Wines

If you’ve ever felt like your emails are getting lost in a buyer’s inbox or questioned why your retail pitch isn’t landing, this quick-hit segment is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately.

Marisa pulls back the curtain on how to stand out to retail buyers in a saturated market sharing her strategic approach to timing, tailoring, and simplifying your outreach to increase open rates and get real responses. She also gets honest about rejection in retail and why playing the long game is key to securing and sustaining placements.

One of the biggest takeaways? Don’t overextend too early. Marisa explains why starting smaller, protecting your initial placements, and focusing on performance can turn early “no’s” into future “yeses” a critical strategy for founders serious about long-term retail success.

She also highlights the importance of building a strong founder network because scaling a product-based business in retail isn’t just about strategy, it’s about having the right support system to navigate the highs and lows.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

•  How to get a retail buyer’s attention (and actually get your emails opened) 
•  Smart retail pitch strategies that cut through the noise 
•  Why rejection is part of the process and how to leverage it 
•  The importance of starting small to win big in retail stores 
•  How community and mentorship can accelerate your growth 

If you're an emerging brand founder looking to confidently pitch to retail buyers, land your first accounts, and build a product that performs on shelf this is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in now to sharpen your retail strategy and take your next step toward getting on shelves and staying there.

Listen to the full episode with Marisa released 3/23/26