The Product Entrepreneur Podcast

The truth no one talks about: incredible challenger brands aren't failing because they lack strategy—they're being crushed by a system that was never built for them.  In this raw, unfiltered episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why mission-driven brands like Ami Cole are shutting down despite doing everything "right."  We're diving deep into the expectation mismatch that's killing these brands...

Walking into Sephora for my sister's 21st birthday skincare haul completely changed how I view beauty retail. What I discovered wasn't just overwhelming—it was eye-opening. The narrow aisles, tiny shelf space, and massive brand signage told a story that every challenger brand needs to understand. Sephora has quietly transformed from a discovery destination into what I call a "fulfillment center"—a...

Retail won't save you and free samples won't land the deal. In this episode, I'm joined by retail strategist and former grocery buyer Allison Ball to bust some of the biggest myths about getting your product on shelves. From the real cost of sampling to the metrics that actually matter to retail buyers, this conversation is a must-listen for any founder dreaming of Whole Foods or Target. If you've...

You are not your business, but you do owe it your leadership. In this episode, I'm joined by powerhouse founder, coach, and podcast host Eleanor Beaton to unpack what it really takes to build an enduring brand. From mastering premium positioning to separating your personal identity from your product, Eleanor drops truth bombs every product-based founder needs to hear. What You'll Learn: Why being...

Growing up, I learned to only speak when I had something important to say. I was raised in a culture where being quiet wasn't a flaw, it was a way of life. Today, that quiet confidence shapes everything I know about building magnetic brands. In this episode, I'm sharing a personal story about identity, visibility, and the power of knowing exactly who you're speaking to. Using Mac and Maybelline as...

Big brands don't land in Vogue by accident and guess what? Neither will yours. In this episode, I'm sitting down with PR powerhouse Gloria Chou, a former U.S. diplomat turned media strategist who's helped over 10,000 small businesses get featured without hiring expensive agencies. She's breaking down her signature CPR pitching method and giving you the exact framework to pitch your product to top-...

Motherhood is a journey full of transitions and unexpected lessons. In this episode, I'm sharing my personal journey through postpartum and the lessons it taught me about being present, building with intention, and embracing the seasons of life. From nursing struggles to finding balance as a new mom and entrepreneur, this episode dives into how the postpartum experience mirrored the growth process...

AI isn't just a buzzword, it's evolving fast, and it's changing how we do business. But when it comes to branding, the question isn't if we should use AI, it's how. In this solo episode, I'm breaking down how AI fits into the branding space and where it falls flat. We're talking content, creativity, brand voice, and how to stay human in a tech-driven world. Spoiler: AI can be powerful, but your br...

Let's talk about the elephant in the room—I've been quiet. And there's a reason. This episode is personal. I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing where I've been, why I hit pause, and what's shifting as I step back into my company with more clarity than ever. Because the truth is, building a brand doesn't always look like forward momentum—and sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is slow...

Building a brand isn't just about what you sell, it's about how you show up, what you stand for, and how you connect with your audience. And today, we're taking that concept to a whole new level with an episode that flips the script on traditional branding. I'm answering 18 questions about building your brand, growing your business, and making an impact. From strategy and messaging to personal gro...

Building a brand isn't just about selling a product—it's about creating something people want to be part of. But what if your brand could go beyond just recognition and become a true extension of your customer's identity? That's exactly what we're unpacking in this conversation with Veronica Romney, a marketing powerhouse with nearly two decades of experience working with some of the biggest names...

Whether you're a full-face glam type or a natural face girlie, you probably already know one of the most important (and hard to perfect) steps of the makeup routine:  Your foundation.  I was struggling with this myself this past year. My usual go-to—the Fenty Sheer Glow foundation—just never really agreed with my skin, no matter what I tried. It looks so bomb on other people, but on me, it just sa...

Picture this:  You've poured hundreds (if not THOUSANDS) of hours into designing the perfect product.  You know it works. You went through dozens of prototypes to iron out every single kink. It addresses a particular problem and makes things 10X easier. Heck, you use it yourself! People should love this.  And yet…it's not flying off the shelves.  Lots of you are probably in this predicament yourse...

Could you use more money?  Maybe the answer to that is obvious. As entrepreneurs, we're always asking ourselves where we can get funding.  Funding gives us the chance to pour ourselves into our business. It gives us opportunities to grow our product lines, our inventories, and our marketing outreach. It gives us peace of mind as we use our time for our families, our projects, and our brand.  Fundi...

If you're looking back on the last three months of 2024 and still feeling lost, then today's message is for you! A long, long time ago (aka December 2023), I found myself wistfully thinking ahead to what 2024 might have in store. (Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty good at nailing down trends!) Now, I've gotten to see some of those trends in action, and I'm bringing my results straight to you...

As we head into Q2, you may be pouring over the bills on the table with a heavy heart.  It probably feels like there's not enough to work with—too little in the bank, too many expenses popping up, and no room to breathe in between.  You may have even seen your sales plateau, despite doing EVERYTHING right. You're showing up, you're putting in the work, and yet, your sales aren't matching your ener...

Picture this:  You're doing all the right things. Your content is getting clicks, your sales are trickling in. Things are finally starting to move in the right direction.  In fact, things are almost going too well. As the CEO, you are the one responsible for everything. The planning, the marketing, the writing, the accounting. Everything.  And you are tired.  So what do you do? The marketing gurus...

A lot of us left 2023 feeling heavy .  Not only have we been chin-deep in our business, but other things have gone to the wayside. We're losing hair, losing sleep, and ultimately just losing our spark.  2024 can be different. It has to be different.  In this week's special podcast episode, we're talking to the lovely Maraya Brown, founder and CEO of the Women's Vibrancy Code, to dive into how wome...

If you're bracing for poor sales in Quarter 1 this year, then I need to tell you: Inevitably low Q1 sales are a myth.  "But Maureen," I hear you say, "everyone says that Q1 sales are always low. My market is dead right now!" Trust me, I've been there. Q4 is full of a lot of highs (thanks, Black Friday + Cyber Monday), so we're used to seeing things cool off a bit right after.  But the fact that Q1...

Growing up, Robin's mother always told her to "take what I have and make it bigger".  First, she put that advice to work 15 years ago by getting serious about nutrition.  She went from being prediabetic, overweight, and clueless about nutrition to fully discovering just how powerful food was—and making it her life's mission to reach others how to use food and nutrition to build their bodies for th...

Your follower count on social media is climbing.  Your site is getting hits.  Likes, comments, and shares are rolling in.  And yet, no matter how good those numbers are, they're not turning into conversions. Attention is great, but it can't pay your bills. You need sales.  And now, I'm here to tell you how to get them! In this week's podcast episode, we dive into the first part of a two-part serie...

So many entrepreneurs get scared of looking at their numbers. It's frustrating,  it's disheartening, and it can even be paralyzing.  If this sounds like you, then I have to ask you: .  What if you could get excited to look at your numbers every month—BEFORE those major sales start to come in? What if looking at your numbers could feel you with hope, energy, and excitement?  What if everything just...

Have you ever tried to make friends as an adult? It kind of sucks! Things just seemed so much easier as a fourth grader. You shared your juice box, told each other your favorite animal (unicorns, duh) and then BAM, you were bonded for life.  When did things get so complicated? It's hard enough to make connections in your personal life, but the stakes are ramped up even more when your business is o...

What would it take for a mother of three and registered nurse to transition into full-time entrepreneurship?  Just ask my friend Maame! Maame is the founder of Glow Village , a beauty brand for the wellness-conscious.  She's also a teacher, mother to three wonderful kiddos, and an RN to boot.  When we met her, her brand was ten years in the making. And yet, she hadn't gotten nearly as far as she h...

The content that you make can help get your customers unstuck from wherever they are in "The Funnel."  Whether it's the person who just scrolled across your ad online to someone who finally hits that "add to cart", you can hold their hand through the journey—without being pushy or annoying.  You can design your content calendar to address key points about your offer, all carefully timed to nudge y...