How Apothekary’s Shizu Okusa Blends Eastern Traditions with Modern Retail Success

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta Townes sits down with Shizu Okusa, founder and CEO of Apothekary, the plant-based pharmacy redefining modern wellness on retail shelves.Shizu shares how she went from working on Wall Street to building a multimillion-dollar wellness brand that blends ancient Eastern medicine with modern health practices. She opens up about her early days running a cold-pressed juice business, her bold pivots, and how Apothekary grew from DTC success to landing on shelves at Sprouts, Ulta Beauty, and Whole Foods.You’ll learn: 🌿 Why quitting early can sometimes be the smartest move 🧠 How to prepare your brand for retail growth 💡 The power of authentic storytelling and community in driving awareness 💰 What founders should know about fundraising and scaling sustainablyThis is an inspiring conversation about vision, resilience, and building a brand rooted in purpose.🎧 Tune in to hear how Shizu is making wellness more accessible — and what every founder can take from her journey.Links:Apothekary Website: https://www.apothekary.com/Apothekary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apothekary/Shizu's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shizu-okusa-87a25415/ Support the showEvent Partner: Nourish Summit & Expo (Oct. 5-7, 2027 | Baltimore) - Use code SHELFTALKS10 for 10% off full registration https://bit.ly/4sx0ZbaLooking for more? Visit our Linktree for the latest episodes, free resources, retail tips, and ways to connect with the Shelf Talks community.https://linktr.ee/shelftalkspodcastLove 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/supportContact us via email: [email protected] 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! [email protected] the book Shelf Talk: A step by step guide to launching your product in Retail Stores by Roberta Townes Buy Book