MINI DIVE TRADE SHOWS: She spent $20K on Her First Expo West Booth (Big Mistake?)

Send us Fan MailThis is a mini clip from my full conversation with Jia Liao, founder of Hot Pot Queen pulled especially since we are nearing Expo West week.In this short drop, Jia shares the story of launching her brand the exact same day she showed at Natural Products Expo West. One day old. No retail accounts. And a booth build-out she now admits she didn’t need to spend that much on.From hiring a company to custom-build her space to flying to California to film a promo video, she went all in without fully understanding she could’ve done it for a fraction of the cost.But here’s the powerful part: That very first show led to regional distributors, 200+ stores in the Pacific Northwest, and eventually landing in Cost Plus World Market after nearly a year of consistent follow-up.In this mini clip, you’ll hear: • The expensive mistake she made at her first Expo • What she learned about booth strategy • How real-time buyer feedback changed her confidence • Why showing up even when you feel new mattersIf you’re building a product-based brand and thinking about trade shows, this one is for you.Be sure to listen to the full episode with Jia for the complete story and even more retail insight released 3.9.2025 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