How Issei Mochi Gummies Found Its Sweet Spot in Retail with Founder Mika Shino

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta interviews Mika Shino, founder of Issei Mochi Gummies. Mika shares her journey from working at the United Nations to launching her innovative gummy brand inspired by traditional Japanese mochi. The conversation covers her challenges in product development, the importance of consumer feedback, and her strategies for breaking into major retailers like Whole Foods. Mika discusses her marketing tactics, including winning awards to gain recognition, and her plans for future expansion in the retail market.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Issei Mochi Gummies03:52 The Inspiration Behind Mochi Gummies06:55 The R&D Journey: From Kitchen to Market10:12 The Breakthrough with Whole Foods12:49 Navigating the Retail Landscape17:41 The Unique Selling Proposition of Mochi Gummies20:32 Consumer Feedback and Market Reception23:33 Marketing Strategies and Awards25:51 Understanding the Target Audience27:59 Pricing Strategy and Product Launch28:59 The Surprising Vanilla Flavor Dilemma30:58 Expanding Retail Presence31:56 Expo West: A Game Changer34:03 Overcoming Production Challenges37:32 Marketing Strategies and Social Media40:06 Product Expansion and Seasonal Offerings42:09 Customer Engagement and Feedback46:45 Future Plans and Team Growth49:50 Celebrating Wins and Acknowledging GrowthLinks:Issei Mochi Gummies Website: https://mochigummies.com/Issei Mochi Gummies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mochigummies/?hl=en 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