Road 2 Retail

Tracey Priest & Bruce Montgomery
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The Road 2 Retail has been developed to help emerging and challenger brands best determine when and how to go about securing distribution in food, drug, mass, club and dollar brick and mortar classes of trade. Our insight is based upon years of experience, interviews with buyers at a dozen large retailers, and ongoing discussions with manufacturers and suppliers that support brands. After years of leading and managing these business building initiatives for companies we worked for directly, we now help emerging brands navigate this important, yet complex, process.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode # 146 Expo West Recap-2026

    Episode # 146. On today's show the Road 2 Retail team provides a recap of the 2026 Expo West show including show trends and best practices for attending this important show. Details on how to follow the Road 2 Retail podcast are 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.Among the topics covered today include: - Show details by the numbers- Educational sessions- CPG Innovation summit. Speakers and themes.- Retailer meetings- Tough to get at Expo West, RangeMe can help your brand secure meetings with retailers- Trends- The importance of the new food pyramid- Expo West best practices for attendeesThanks to our sponsors:The Emerson Group- A trusted CPG partner and omni channel expert to brands https://theemersongroup.comEagle Labs- A contract manufacture for supplement and skin care brandshttps://www.eaglelabsinc.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!

    26 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Episode # 149 Harley Sutton- CEO & Founder at Thanks!Naturals

    Episode #:149 On today's show the Road 2 Retail team speaks with Harley Sutton, founder and CEO at Thanks! Naturals- a 100% natural + vegan self-care brand. Harley is a third-generation wellness entrepreneur who shares her insights on managing and growing several brands within the Thanks! Naturals portfolio. Details on how to follow the Road 2 Retail podcast are below. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Among the topics covered today include: - The trend she sees in the merging of beauty and wellness products- Driving brand awareness through Tik-Tok- Pros and cons of self-manufacturing- The decisions a brand needs to consider before moving to brick & mortar retail- The challenges of managing a portfolio of brands - Influenced by her mom and Bethanny FrankleFollow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Thanks to today's sponsors:The Emerson Group- A trusted CPG partner and omni channel expert to brands https://theemersongroup.comEagle Labs Inc: Contract manufacturing of OTC and HBC products https://www.eaglelabsinc.comEnjoy the show! Please share the Road 2 Retail with a colleague and leave us a review. Want to be on the show? DM us on LinkedIn!

    42 min

  3. MAR 24

    EPISODE # 148 Todd Johnson- VP of sales at Doctor's Best and Viactiv

    Episode #148. On today's show the Road 2 Retail welcomes Todd Johnson - the VP of Sales at Doctor's Best & Viactiv brands. We had a deep discussion about the importance of properly setting and managing pricing for an emerging CPG brand. Details on how to follow the show are below. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com.Episode Link-https://youtu.be/fGmVgICYM4EAmong the topics covered today include: - Todd's explanation of 'price pack architecture'- The need for a brand to know where they 'fit' within a retailer's category- When negotiating price with a retailer, understand that the real negotiation starts in-house with brand leadership- Some of the best pricing decisions you will ever make occur when you say 'no' to an opportunity- Why understanding each retailer's margin requirements and velocity hurdles is so important—they are not all the same.- Communicating and executing a price increase- A Minnesota Wild fan and his daughter's high school tennis team!Thanks to our sponsors:Market Performance Group- A leading omni channel commerce agencyhttps://marketperformancegroup.comFollow the Road 2 Retail podcast on the following platforms:Apple podcasts-https://lnkd.in/gs3BfXbd Spotify- https://lnkd.in/ewWcnYpY YouTube channel- https://lnkd.in/gH2Dk_q6.Enjoy 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!

    51 min

  4. MAR 20

    Episode # 147 2026 Consumer Healthcare Products Association Self-Care Leadership Summit recap

    Episode #147 Today the Road 2 Retail team offers a recap of key topics and presentations covered at the 2026 Consumer Healthcare Products Association Self-Care Leadership Summit (CHPA SLS). The event took place March 16-18 at The Conrad Resort in Orlando, FL. Details on how to follow the Road 2 Retail show are below. Plus- give us a follow-on LinkedIn. Learn more at www.road2retail.com. There was a great deal of fantastic content shared at the CHPA SLS- we encourage you to listen to the entire episode. Some of the key learnings & takeaways: - CHPA Board Chair Greg Bradley (CEO Foundation Consumer Healthcare) and CHPA CEO Scott Melville offered opening remarks highlighting both the "turbulence" and opportunity facing the industry today- 2025 Consumer Healthcare trends and 2026 insights from Circana- Susan Roddy of Perella Weinberg led a panel discussing the state of M&A in the consumer healthcare space- A fantastic discussion with three senior leaders sharing their views on leading organizations through times of change- Let There Be and Sinta discussed ways to use AI to break down the "innovation bottleneck"CHPA is a fantastic organization focused on helping companies provide excellent self-care products to consumers. If you are a brand, ingredient supplier, or offer services supporting the consumer health and wellness space- contact CHPA and see about becoming involved with this community of committed, leading companies and people. For more information about CHPA- https://www.chpa.orgFollow 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.Thanks to our sponsor: The Emerson Group- A trusted CPG partner and omni channel expert to brands https://theemersongroup.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!

    49 min

  5. MAR 10

    Episode # 145 Interview with John Pinto- Founder of the nasal stick brand Boom Boom

    Episode # 145. Today the Road 2 Retail welcomes John Pinto - the Founder of the nasal stick brand Boom Boom to the show. John was an early guest on the show (episode #19) and is back to update us on their tremendous progress. Details on how to follow the show are 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. Key discussion points today include: - His upbringing exposed him to natural health & living solutions- Trial and error along the way as they built the brand- including a major shift in positioning- The more you sell, the more data you must bring to the table to discuss your business. A great story and passion alone no longer suffice- How utilizing Tik Tok Shop and hiring a professional selling partner served as "major unlocks" for brand growth- Why pricing discipline is vital to the health of an emerging CPG brand- A fan of the musical group OdeszaThanks to our sponsors:Market Performance Group- A leading omni channel commerce agencyhttps:///www.marketperformancegroup.comRetail and Response- A media agencyhttps://www.retailandresponse.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!

    52 min

  6. MAR 3

    Episode # 144 Hayes Reilly -Managing Partner & CPG Practice Leader at PeopleSuite Talent Solutions

    Episode # 144. On today's episode of the Road 2 Retail, we spend time with Hayes Reilly, Managing Partner & CPG Practice Leader at PeopleSuite Talent Solutions. 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. Today we cover four broad topics around executives managing a career change and the challenges that moving to an emerging brand may entail. Specifically, Hayes shares thoughts on the following: - What an executive needs to do when in a career transition or contemplating one. Never let your network grow cold! - Keep your LinkedIn profile sharp, current, and professional- What does an emerging brand leader need to consider when looking to bring on outside talent? Insight: look within your own network first- tap into people you know- What does an executive looking to move from a larger organization to a smaller one truly need to consider? Do they really have what it takes to make this career change?- What should an executive beware of when considering working with a private equity backed company? The sheer pace surprises many. Also, truly understand the wealth creation potential- A staunch supporter of the Ohio State BuckeyeThanks to our sponsor the Emerson Group- A consumer products equity partnerhttps://www.emersongroup.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!

    50 min

  7. FEB 26

    Episode # 143 Andy Whitman-Managing partner at Loft Growth Partners

    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!

    52 min

  8. FEB 24

    Episode # 142 Brian Bethke- Co-founder and CEO of Bear Maple Farms the clean soda company

    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

    53 min
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About

The Road 2 Retail has been developed to help emerging and challenger brands best determine when and how to go about securing distribution in food, drug, mass, club and dollar brick and mortar classes of trade. Our insight is based upon years of experience, interviews with buyers at a dozen large retailers, and ongoing discussions with manufacturers and suppliers that support brands. After years of leading and managing these business building initiatives for companies we worked for directly, we now help emerging brands navigate this important, yet complex, process.

Information

  • Creator
    Tracey Priest & Bruce Montgomery
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    147
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tracey Priest & Bruce Montgomery
  • Show Website
    Road 2 Retail