Power Up Your Business Series
Get Your Products on Store Shelves
Thursday, May 14th, 2026 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
HCC Eastside Campus
Porcarello Building, Auditorium
6815 Rustic St., Houston, TX 77087
The goal of this program is to help entrepreneurs to take product ideas to market. This is a strategic workshop designed for established business owners wanting to place their products on retail shelves.
Session 1: Getting on Store Shelves & Expanding Your Reach
Show entrepreneurs how to break into retail and distribution channels.
- What retailers look for in new products
- Preparing for retail: packaging, barcodes, compliance
- Building wholesale relationships & negotiating terms
- Exploring online marketplaces & alternative distribution
- Retail readiness checklist
Session 2: Financing Your Product & Fueling Growth
Provide entrepreneurs with strategies to fund their business and manage money for long-term sustainability.
- Bootstrapping vs. external funding
- Small business loans, lines of credit & grants
- Angel investors & venture capital basics
- Building financial projections & cash flow management
- Understanding inventory financing for product-based businesses
Session 3: Entrepreneur Success – Diablo Verde – 3 Sons Food, LLC
Sharing a journey of a successful retail experience.
Co-Founder/CEO Traci Johannson shares “Lessons in Retail Placement”
Session Description:
Join Traci Johannson, CEO/Co-Founder of 3 Sons Food, LLC, shares the journey of bringing her product, Diablo Verde, from concept to retail shelves. In this session, Traci will walk through the real-world challenges, strategic decisions, and key milestones that shaped her path to product placement.
Attendees will gain practical insights into what it takes to break into retail, including preparation, persistence, and positioning. Whether you’re just starting out or actively pursuing retail opportunities, this session offers valuable lessons, honest reflections, and actionable guidance to help you navigate your own journey to the shelf.
Registration is FREE – Seating is Limited
