This week, Adam sits down with Michael Fisher, founder of Rotten, a better-for-you candy brand that’s shaking up the confectionery aisle. With black packaging, wild 1980s-inspired characters, and unapologetic attitude, Rotten is proving that healthier candy doesn’t have to look healthy to win over shoppers.

Michael shares the story of how he built the brand from scratch — literally starting in his kitchen — and why his design and marketing choices intentionally break the mold of typical “clean” brands. From DIY product formulation to clever guerrilla tactics that got him in a little trouble at trade shows, this conversation is packed with lessons for founders who want to stand out, not blend in.

🧠 What We Covered:

• How Michael’s frustration with existing “healthy” candies led to the creation of Rotten

• Why the brand’s grungy 80s cartoon aesthetic helps it stand apart from typical wellness brands

• The home kitchen experiments that shaped Rotten’s first formulations before going commercial

• How Michael approaches trade shows as opportunities to introduce his products to new audiences

• The strategic decision to lead with fun and indulgence on packaging, and let the “low sugar” message come second

• The guerrilla marketing stunt that got Rotten noticed (and maybe a few stern looks from show organizers)

🧃 About Rotten:

Rotten is a better-for-you candy brand that proves you don’t have to sacrifice fun for flavor. With low sugar, bold packaging, and nostalgic characters, Rotten brings rebellion back to the candy aisle.
👉 Learn more at eatrotten.com

🎧 About Shelf Talkers

Shelf Talkers is hosted by Adam Feller, founder and creative director of Avidity Creative — a branding and design agency that helps food and beverage brands level up through strategy, identity, and packaging that sells.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow Adam on LinkedIn for more conversations, insights, and behind-the-scenes looks at what it takes to build standout CPG brands.

Summary:
You finally did it—your product’s on the shelf. But as Alli Ball says, “that’s when the real work begins.”

In this episode, host Adam Feller talks with Alli Ball, founder and CEO of Food Biz Wiz®, about what happens afterthat big retail win. Drawing from her experience as a grocery buyer and CPG coach, Alli shares what founders need to focus on once they’re in stores — from building strong relationships with buyers to tracking store performance and driving real velocity.

You’ll learn how to avoid the “set it and forget it” trap, what to do if you lose distribution, and how to make those crucial first 30 days in-store count.

In This Episode:

• Why “getting in” isn’t the finish line — it’s the starting point.

• How to track and respond when stores underperform or drop your product.

• Strategies for getting back into lost stores (and how a new SKU can help).

• The critical role of demos and launch campaigns in your first 30 days.

• How to balance “velocity vs. doors” and find your ideal rate of movement.

• What to do if you’re being pushed to grow faster than you’re ready for.

• How to show up as the confident, strategic business owner your brand needs.

About Our Guest:
Alli Ball is the founder & CEO of Food Biz Wiz® and the creator of Retail Ready®, an online program that’s helped over 3,000 packaged food and beverage brands thrive on retail shelves. As a former grocery buyer turned wholesale consultant, Alli helps brands understand how to get on the shelf — and what it takes to stay there.

🎧 Listen to Alli’s own award-winning podcast, Food Biz Wiz®, or learn more about her programs at AlliBall.com.

Host: Adam Feller
Presented by: Shelf Talkers Podcast – conversations with the people shaping the future of food & beverage.

In this episode of Shelf Talkers, Adam sits down with Dr. James Richardson, founder of Premium Growth Solutions and author of the best-selling CPG book Ramping Your Brand. Together, they dive into what it really takes for small CPG brands to grow — and more importantly, how to know when they’re actually ready for that growth.

Dr. Richardson shares why “steady, incremental growth without really trying” is one of the biggest indicators that your brand is built for scale. He explains that if your sales are increasing without major marketing pushes — and you still don’t fully know your customers — you might be on the verge of real momentum.

They also explore the difference between brands with a cult-like following and those still building their base. As Dr. Richardson puts it, “If you’ve got fans who will buy no matter what, it’s time to get into as many stores as you can.” But if you don’t, there’s foundational work to do first.

The conversation also touches on:

• The biggest risks of over-expansion.
• Why strong shelf velocity beats store count every time.
• The importance of working capital, team alignment, and even founder mindset in scaling.
• How strategic branding fits into the growth equation — and why clarity of message always wins over flashy design.
• Common scaling myths, including the idea that you need a big team instead of the right team — as seen in RXBAR’s over-hiring lesson.

This episode is a must-listen for any founder thinking about taking their CPG brand from steady sales to sustainable scale.

🔗 Connect with Dr. James Richardson on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/premiumgrowthsolutions

Shelf Talkers is produced by Avidity Creative — a branding and packaging design agency helping food and beverage brands stand out on the shelf and scale with confidence.