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Trade shows aren’t just about foot traffic they’re about getting in the right rooms.

In this final Expo mini dive, Brittany Lo shares how exhibiting at a major beauty trade show led directly to landing her first retail account with Neiman Marcus and eventually opening doors with Urban Outfitters and Free People.

We talk about:
• Using trade shows strategically to meet buyers
• Why industry expos aren’t about consumers — they’re about retail relationships
• The power of a clear one-liner and premium positioning
• Understanding that trade show ROI often takes months, not days
• How launching in the right retail environment can instantly elevate brand credibility

Brittany shares how showing up at a beauty expo with intention not just a booth helped position Beia as a modern, elevated brand in a growing (and once-taboo) category.

If you’re preparing for trade shows, this episode is your reminder: trade shows are a long game. Get on buyers’ radar. Refine your pitch. Own your niche.

✨ Want to go deeper into Brittany’s retail strategy and brand-building journey? Listen to her full Shelf Talks episode released April 7, 2025.

Follow Shelf Talks for more real conversations with female founders building brands that land and last on retail shelves. 🎙️

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How to Follow Shelf Talks Podcast on social:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelftalkspodcast/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shelf-talks-podcast

Love what you hear on Shelf Talks? You can now support the podcast. Every contribution helps bring more indie voices to the mic. Thank you for being part of this journey! ✨

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2411532/support

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

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What if you went to Natural Products Expo West… without finished product?

In today’s mini dive, Jess Berger, founder of Bundle x Joy, shares how she showed up to Expo West with mock-up packaging, no confirmed retailers, and massive MOQs hanging over her head — knowing she had to make something happen.

Instead of waiting until everything was perfect, she leaned into scrappiness, bold differentiation, and a clear retail pitch.

The result? A retail opportunity that changed the trajectory of her brand.

If you’re preparing for trade show season, debating whether you’re “ready,” or wondering how to approach buyers with confidence this episode is your reminder that trade shows are what you make them.

Want the full strategy behind how she built, pitched, and scaled Bundle x Joy?

Be sure to listen to Jess’s full Shelf Talks episode released July 14, 2025, where we go deeper into product development, MOQs, retail strategy, and what it really takes to land and grow in stores.

Follow Shelf Talks so you don’t miss the rest of this week’s daily mini dives — short, powerful lessons to help you build with confidence. 🎙️

Support the show

How to Follow Shelf Talks Podcast on social:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelftalkspodcast/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shelf-talks-podcast

Love what you hear on Shelf Talks? You can now support the podcast. Every contribution helps bring more indie voices to the mic. Thank you for being part of this journey! ✨

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2411532/support

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

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In this Trade Show Mini Dive, Olivia Abrams, co-founder of TiCK MiTT, shares how she strategically used viral social media momentum and in-person trade shows to break into retail without a massive budget or elaborate booth build.

From exhibiting at Global Pet Expo with a simple 10x10 booth… to capturing the attention of major buyers… to intentionally starting in independent retailers before scaling into larger accounts, this conversation is a masterclass in scrappy, smart retail growth.

We discuss:
• Pairing viral video with trade show strategy
• Using video in your booth when you can’t physically demo your product
• Why launching in independent stores first can strengthen your retail pitch
• Learning placement and sell-through before scaling
• The power of networking and relationship-building on the show floor

If you’re preparing for Expo West, Global Pet Expo, or any trade show this year, this mini dive will help you think beyond aesthetics and focus on strategy that converts.

Follow Shelf Talks for daily Trade Show Mini Dives and real conversations with founders building brands that win on the shelf.

If this resonated, the full episode (12/15/2025) goes even deeper into Olivia’s retail strategy — from viral growth to scaling through independents and distributors.

Support the show

How to Follow Shelf Talks Podcast on social:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelftalkspodcast/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shelf-talks-podcast

Love what you hear on Shelf Talks? You can now support the podcast. Every contribution helps bring more indie voices to the mic. Thank you for being part of this journey! ✨

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2411532/support

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