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In this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta interviews Mika Shino, founder of Issei Mochi Gummies. Mika shares her journey from working at the United Nations to launching her innovative gummy brand inspired by traditional Japanese mochi. The conversation covers her challenges in product development, the importance of consumer feedback, and her strategies for breaking into major retailers like Whole Foods. Mika discusses her marketing tactics, including winning awards to gain recognition, and her plans for future expansion in the retail market.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Issei Mochi Gummies
03:52 The Inspiration Behind Mochi Gummies
06:55 The R&D Journey: From Kitchen to Market
10:12 The Breakthrough with Whole Foods
12:49 Navigating the Retail Landscape
17:41 The Unique Selling Proposition of Mochi Gummies
20:32 Consumer Feedback and Market Reception
23:33 Marketing Strategies and Awards
25:51 Understanding the Target Audience
27:59 Pricing Strategy and Product Launch
28:59 The Surprising Vanilla Flavor Dilemma
30:58 Expanding Retail Presence
31:56 Expo West: A Game Changer
34:03 Overcoming Production Challenges
37:32 Marketing Strategies and Social Media
40:06 Product Expansion and Seasonal Offerings
42:09 Customer Engagement and Feedback
46:45 Future Plans and Team Growth
49:50 Celebrating Wins and Acknowledging Growth

Links:

Issei Mochi Gummies Website: https://mochigummies.com/

Issei Mochi Gummies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mochigummies/?hl=en

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