Bulletproof Your CPG Brand

If you’re building a CPG brand and running out of runway, this podcast is your unfair competitive advantage. Bulletproof Your CPG Brand is the go-to podcast for emerging and growth-stage CPG founders navigating retail, e-commerce, and omnichannel growth with limited resources and zero margin for error. Hosted by Daniel Lohman—former CPG founder, category management expert, and trusted advisor to natural, organic, and better-for-you brands—this show delivers practical, retailer-relevant strategies most brands never get access to. Each episode breaks down what actually drives sales at retail:  • category management and fact-based selling  • trade marketing and promotion ROI  • broker performance and retail execution  • pricing, assortment, and shelf strategy  • brand valuation, velocity, and profitability Let me explain why this matters. Most advice shortens your runway. This show is designed to extend it—by helping you earn an equal seat at the table with retailers, convert occasional buyers into loyal evangelists, and compete head-to-head with far bigger brands. This isn’t theory. It’s a turnkey roadmap built from hundreds of real-world case studies, expert interviews, and proven frameworks. If you’re a mission-driven CPG brand that wants to grow profitably, fund innovation, and do more good—this is where you start. Subscribe and start building a bulletproof brand.

272. How To Profitably Scale a Food Business Successfully 01/07/2026

271. WHY TRADE SPEND FAILS (AND HOW TO FIX IT) 12/30/2025

271. WHY TRADE SPEND FAILS (AND HOW TO FIX IT) 271. Discover the common pitfalls that lead to trade spend failures and learn how to fix them with effective brand management and marketing strategies. In this video, we'll delve into the world of trade marketing, exploring the importance of data analytics and business intelligence in informing your brand strategy. By understanding consumer behavior and implementing a solid category management process, you can improve customer retention and drive sales. We'll also discuss the role of brand positioning and branding 101 in creating a strong brand awareness, as well as the benefits of strategic planning and merchandising in the natural products expo and plant based markets. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a small business owner in the fmcg industry, this video will provide you with valuable insights and tips on how to optimize your trade spend and achieve your business goals through customer experience management and retail solved strategies. By leveraging data analyst expertise and applying a well-crafted positioning statement, you can take your brand to the next level and stay ahead of the competition. Learn how to create a successful brand strategy that drives results and grows your business. Trade spend often fails for emerging CPG brands due to a lack of strategy, leading to excessive spending and reduced profitability. This episode explores the five main reasons for trade spend failure, including a lack of understanding of true costs, incomplete promotion agreements, and promoting the wrong SKUs. By implementing a fully loaded cost model, creating detailed promotion agreements, and focusing on promoting the right products, brands can turn trade spend into a strategic growth lever. Promotions should drive trial and build awareness, not reward existing customers. To be effective, promotions should focus on SKUs that drive repeat purchases, increase basket size, and reflect core brand attributes. Measuring post-promotion retention is crucial to determine the success of promotions, as it indicates whether shoppers are becoming loyal customers. /episode/index/show/brandsecretsandstrategies/id/39569820

270. How To Land Shelf Space & Win at Retail 12/23/2025

270. How To Land Shelf Space & Win at Retail 270. The Uncomfortable Truth About Why Retailers Say No is a crucial topic for entrepreneurs and small business owners, particularly those in the natural products and plant-based industry, to understand the intricacies of trade marketing and brand strategy. In this video, we delve into the world of consumer behavior, customer retention, and customer experience management, highlighting the importance of data analytics and business intelligence in making informed decisions. By examining the category management process and merchandising strategies, brands can better position themselves in the market, creating a strong brand awareness and brand building foundation. Whether you're attending the Natural Products Expo or simply looking to improve your marketing strategy, this video provides valuable insights into the uncomfortable truth about why retailers say no, and how to use this knowledge to inform your strategic planning and brand positioning. With a focus on branding 101, fmcg, and category insights, this video is a must-watch for anyone looking to improve their customer journey and ultimately drive sales. By leveraging data analyst expertise and understanding the complexities of customer behavior, brands can develop a robust positioning statement and improve their overall brand management, leading to increased customer retention and a stronger brand presence in the market. Emerging CPG brands often fail to secure retail placement because they focus on pitching their product rather than demonstrating how it contributes to the retailer’s category growth. Retailers prioritize products that increase basket size, drive traffic, and differentiate their assortment. To succeed, brands must align with retailer strategies, understand shopper behavior, and showcase how their product solves a specific need and drives profitable category growth. To successfully pitch a brand to retailers, focus on selling category growth rather than the product itself. This involves understanding the retailer’s persona and strategy, using data effectively, and demonstrating how the brand can help the retailer achieve their objectives. By positioning the brand as a strategic partner, rather than just a vendor, and providing unexpected insights and merchandising solutions, small brands can compete with larger ones and secure shelf space. /episode/index/show/brandsecretsandstrategies/id/39520085

269. Extend Your Runway Boost Sales - Bulletproof Your CPG Brand 12/10/2025

269. Extend Your Runway Boost Sales - Bulletproof Your CPG Brand 269. In today's competitive consumer packaged goods (CPG) landscape, a single bad retail deal can have far-reaching consequences for your brand, impacting brand awareness, customer retention, and ultimately, your bottom line. Effective brand management and brand building require a deep understanding of consumer behavior, customer experience management, and strategic planning. By leveraging data analytics, business intelligence, and trade marketing insights, you can develop a robust brand strategy that drives brand positioning and merchandising efforts. A well-crafted positioning statement is also crucial in differentiating your brand and guiding category management processes. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, understanding the customer journey, category insights, and customer engagement is vital in navigating the complexities of the fast-moving consumer goods (fmcg) industry. In this video, we'll explore the importance of retail analytics, trade insights, and customer experience management in building a successful CPG brand, and provide actionable tips on how to avoid common pitfalls and create a winning brand strategy that resonates with your target audience and drives long-term growth. By applying these principles and leveraging the power of data analyst expertise, you can ensure your brand stays ahead of the competition and achieves branding 101 success. The podcast “Bulletproof Your CPG Brand” focuses on helping emerging CPG brands extend their runway and boost sales. The host, Dan Lohman, emphasizes the importance of protecting the value these brands create, rather than solely focusing on velocity. He highlights three strategies, including fixing promotion agreements and deductions, to achieve this goal. The show outlines three strategies to help small brands succeed in retail. First, tighten up promotion agreements to prevent unnecessary deductions and maintain cash flow. Second, own your shelf strategy by proactively guiding product placement and ensuring consistent merchandising. Third, align your brand story across all platforms to create a consistent and compelling message that resonates with customers. /episode/index/show/brandsecretsandstrategies/id/39349500