DTC Podcast | Ep 616: How Neuro Built a Nine-Figure Smart Gum Brand Before Expanding to Retail.

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup Neuro didn’t fight for checkout shelf space first. They built a nine-figure online business through TikTok Shop, creator marketing, Amazon, and DTC, then used that momentum to walk into Walmart, Costco, CVS, and 7-Eleven with demand already proven. In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric talks with Brian Evangelista, Chief Commercial Officer at Neuro, about creating a category that didn’t exist, running an affiliate program with tens of thousands of creators, and what actually changes when a digitally native brand wakes up as a real retail business. Built for DTC founders scaling from $5M–$100M who are trying to turn ecom momentum into retail distribution. We also get into: Why TikTok Shop worked so well early on, and what changed when it got pay-to-play How creator incentives shifted once GMV Max rolled out The retail launch strategy behind Walmart, Costco, CVS, and 7-Eleven Why retail completely reshapes your P&L, ops, and marketing stack The hidden operational tax of moving from DTC into omnichannel How Neuro frames category creation vs stealing share The strategy behind the “Your Gum Is Dumb” sloth campaign Why brand marketing started making sense only after retail expansion Who this episode is for: DTC founders, retail operators, consumer brand marketers, TikTok Shop teams, and brands considering omnichannel expansion. What to steal: Build demand digitally before asking retail to believe in your category Use creator momentum as proof for retail buyers Treat retail launches like media moments, not inventory placement Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signup Advertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertise Work with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse Follow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter Watch this interview on YouTube – https://dtcnews.link/video