Getting from DTC to Retail Without Wasting Time and Money, with Paul Jarrett

The path from direct-to-consumer to retail success is something many product makers dream about, but it's also where countless promising products have gone to die. Bad logistics choices, bloated inventory, and unnecessary costs can sink even great products before they ever reach a store shelf.Paul Jarrett, co-founder and CEO of Bulu, has created a unique solution to help brands bridge this critical gap. His company offers something rare in the logistics world: the ability to ship both B2B and DTC from a single inventory source, enabling brands to fulfill orders of any size to any destination. This flexibility allows small brands to compete with major players by offering retailers exactly what they need without minimum order quantities.From his journey starting in advertising to building subscription boxes to ultimately creating a logistics company, Paul shares invaluable insights on when brands should (and shouldn't) make the leap to retail, how to build relationships with buyers, and why inventory management is the make-or-break factor for success.Episode Highlights:Paul's background in advertising and path to entrepreneurship (02:00)The origin story of their subscription box business (05:00)Creating subscription programs for major brands like Disney and Crayola (10:00)How the pandemic forced a complete business pivot (12:00)Solving the B2B/DTC fulfillment gap that no one else addressed (15:00)Signs a DTC brand is ready for retail expansion (23:49)Common pitfalls that kill promising products in retail (25:00)Why inventory visibility is crucial for multi-channel success (31:00)Strategies for getting better shelf placement as a new brand (37:34)Three essential steps for DTC brands planning future retail expansion (41:21)Bulu website: bulugroup.com Paul Jarrett website: pauljarrett.com Graphos Product website: GraphosProduct.comBuy “I Need That” and get Laurier Mandin's daily Need Feed emails: LMandin.com

Om Podcasten

Want to launch your product with confidence and avoid costly mistakes? Product: Knowledge brings you behind-the-scenes conversations with successful entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, and product marketing experts who share their hard-won insights and practical strategies. Each episode dives deep into the real challenges of bringing products to market — from pricing and positioning to building customer loyalty and breaking into new markets. Host Laurier Mandin, founder of Graphos Product and author of "I Need That: Creating and Marketing Products People Are Compelled to Buy", draws on 30+ years of product launch expertise to extract actionable advice you can apply to your business today. Whether you're: An entrepreneur preparing to launch your first product A CMO looking to optimize your go-to-market strategy A product leader expanding into new markets Or simply fascinated by what makes some products soar while others flop You'll discover proven frameworks, real-world case studies, and expert perspectives on: • Product validation and market research • Pricing strategies that maximize long-term profit • Building memorable brands that connect with customers • Converting browsers into loyal buyers • Scaling your product business efficiently No fluff, no generic advice — just candid conversations and battle-tested strategies from people who've been in your shoes and succeeded. Join Laurier every episode for insights that will help you transform your product from idea to market success. Available wherever you get your podcasts and now on YouTube.