Episode #33
Building Brands from the Ground Up With Amanda Kenny
In this episode of In Conversation With , host Bruce Cole sits down with Amanda Kenny, founder and Chief Merchandiser of Hive Retail Solutions, to explore what really happens after a product earns its place on the shelf. Drawing on her unconventional path from sales and brand brokerage to building a nationwide merchandising company, Amanda shares how she identified a critical gap in the industry: getting into retail is only the beginning. Staying on shelf, maintaining visibility and creating consistent product movement is where the real work begins. Amanda breaks down the strategies behind successful store-level execution, from taking a “narrow and deep” approach to distribution to balancing high-impact promotional blitzes with ongoing continuity merchandising. She explains why details like shelf placement, visible price tags, planogram compliance, displays and regular store visits can have a major impact on how a product performs. For emerging brands looking to scale, Amanda shares practical lessons that can prevent costly mistakes. From testing packaging on real retail shelves and understanding competitive pricing to getting buyer feedback before committing to large production runs, she explains why successful growth starts with strong fundamentals. The episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of retail and a clear reminder that long-term velocity is built through consistent execution, strong retailer relationships and attention to what is happening at the shelf.
