In this episode, I’m joined by Celena Ruiz, Category Manager at Fresh Thyme Market, where she oversees the poultry and seafood departments and plays a key role in bringing fresh, innovative products to shelves. Celena is passionate about supporting local businesses and helping emerging brands succeed in a competitive retail environment.

We dive into what category managers look for when evaluating new brands, how Fresh Thyme Market approaches innovation and differentiation.

Inside the Episode: * How Celena’s passion for local shapes her work as a category manager * What founders need to know to stand out when pitching retail buyers * Advice for emerging brands navigating early retail partnerships and growth

This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds Hummingbirds is a platform that connects everyday, smaller creators with brands to share in-store user-generated content, drive brand awareness in specific retailers, and capture competitive market share. They’re an awesome platform that I recommend to all my clients that you should absolutely check out. Go to hummingbirds.com for all the details.