Nina Lombardo & Anna Kotler: Building O’ts Cookies Into a Shelf-Ready Brand

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Shelf Talks, I sit down with Anna Kotler and Nina Lombardo, the powerhouse duo behind O’ts Cookies—a brand bringing globally inspired flavors to the classic oatmeal cookie.We dive into how Nina’s background in packaging design and Anna’s experience in brand management came together to transform a farmers’ market favorite into a retail-ready product. From testing recipes in the kitchen for weeks, to navigating co-packers, distributors, and retail launches, Anna and Nina share the behind-the-scenes journey of building their brand.You’ll hear:How they identified a white space in the cookie aisleThe story behind their top-selling Sweet & Salty Oatmeal and Churro con Chocolate cookiesWhat it really takes to work with distributors and get on store shelvesLessons learned about demos, packaging pivots, and staying nimble as foundersIf you’ve ever dreamed of turning a beloved recipe into a shelf-ready brand—or just love a good founder story—you won’t want to miss this episode.O'ts Cookies Website: https://otscookies.com/O'ts Cookies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/otscookies/?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