Podcast
My professional certification
The first person certified at the highest level of Category Management proficiency – Certified Professional Strategic Advisor (CPSA)
The standards for the CPSA certification
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About Retail Solved
You don't need more advice.
You need someone who actually gets it.
If you're building an emerging CPG brand, you're carrying a unique kind of pressure:
- Pressure to grow faster
- Pressure to “look big” before you feel ready
- Pressure to fund trade, brokers, promos, and slotting–while protecting your margin
- Pressure to meet retailer expectations you were never taught to navigate
And the worst part?
Most of the “help” in this industry is generic. Cookie-cutter tactics. Surface-level tips. Loud opinions from people who have never carried payroll, stared down a retailer reset, or felt that moment where your runway suddenly looks shorter than you planned.
That confusion is expensive.
Retail Solved exists so you don't have to learn the hard way.
What Retail Solved stands for
Retail Solved is built for entrepreneurial CPG brands who want anequal seat at the retailer's table–and the strategic leverage to compete head-to-head with the most sophisticated brands in the industry.
Not by spending more.
By thinking better.
We help you:
- Turn retail relationships into revenue
- Build a multi-channel strategy that future-proofs your brand
- Maximize your trade marketing ROI
- Improve broker performance and accountability
- Convert occasional shoppers into loyal evangelists
In short:extend your runway while you grow sales.
That's the unfair competitive advantage your brand deserves.
Why you can trust this approach
I'm Dan Lohman, founder of Retail Solved and host of theBulletproof Your CPG Brandpodcast.
Here's the truth: I don't fit nicely into any predefined box in this industry–and that's intentional.
I've worked across channels, with all types of retailers, and I've seen what's broken at every level–from early-stage brands to the largest players. I've also sat on the founder side of the table, where the consequences are real and the decisions are personal. I've even been a retailer including Grocery Manager and Store Manager.
That combination gives me a very specific lens:
I listen first.
I diagnose the real problem–not just the symptom.
Then we build a strategy that works in the real world.
Because your brand doesn't need more noise.
It needs clarity and leverage.
How Retail Solved is different
Retail Solved exists because most emerging CPG brands are being taught to rely on cookie-cutter tactics–when what they actually need is creative strategy that creates a unique competitive edge.
I've built my reputation by coming up with solutions other people aren't even looking for.
Think of it like this: most people skate to where the puck is.
I help you skate to where it's going–long before the play starts.
That's what creates separation in retail.
And I don't show up like a “consultant.” I've never liked that term.
I partner with the brands I work with–more like a co-founder who has a stake in the outcome. I'm in your corner, telling you the truth (even when it's uncomfortable), and staying close enough to help you execute.
Because strategy without execution is just a nice idea.
And, I’ve embraced AI. I became certified in AI not to product more content but to force multiple your results. I’ve trained it with my decades of expert experience, the proven strategies and the creative mindset I am known for to help you: gain clarity faster, unshakable confidence, and to make better decisions. AI = the invisible engine. The Retail Clarity Framework = the visible value.
I use AI to become unfairly effective.
This is bigger than growth
Many of the brands I serve are doing real good on our behalf–cleaner ingredients, healthier communities, better business practices, and missions that actually matter.
If Retail Solved succeeds beyond my financial goals, it means we're making a transformational impact–doing real good, and creating lasting change for the brands we help.
That mission is personal to me.
To learn more, check out my LinkedIn profile. Connect with me on Linked-In.
Colleagues, Clients, and Friends of Retail Solved
Proof that this stuff works!
“I was one of the three people who created the discipline of Category Management in the early 1990s and subsequently upgraded it to CatMan 2.0 in 2017. During my long association with the category management community, no one has been a more consistent, creative or committed contributor to the discipline than Dan Lohman. His work especially with the natural, organic and heathier foods community has been nothing short of inspirational because he has adapted the principles of category management and its collaborative ethic to a community which does not have all of the data advantages that large conventional manufacturers and retailers have. Dan's lifelong focus on helping companies in this increasingly important and growing segment benefit from the concept of category management has helped more companies succeed than even he realizes”
Gordon Wade, Industry Thought Leader And An Original Category Management Creator
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“Dan has keen insights into both the plant-based and natural foods markets, derived from a lifetime of experience. He brings a unique understanding of what makes brands tick and how they can take advantage of undeveloped trends and is a great interviewer!”
Seth Tibbott, Founder, And Chairman, Tofurky
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“Listening to a half a dozen of your podcasts with the breadth of them being as many as they are, you can listen to half of those and get an MBA in entrepreneurship
Scott Jensen, CEO of Rhythm Superfood and Stubbs Legendary BBQ Sauce
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Dan and I talk about what retailers and shoppers really want, how to get your brand on the shelf, market changes, insights, trends, small brands and the future of the CPG industry! Always a great time and discussion with Dan!!!! One of the smartest most intuitive natural food leaders in the industry, thanks for having me on!
Phil Lempert, CEO Consumer Insight, The Lempert Report, SupermarketGuru, Forbes.com, Spoon Guru, host USFRA's Farm Food Facts podcast
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Scaling mission-based brands takes a specific playbook. Brand Secrets And Strategies podcast shed light on getting to shelf, it's working for HonestTea and BeyondMeat
Seth Goldman, Honest Tea, and Beyond Meat
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Awesome to see BMC Black Belts Michael Sansolo and Dan Lohman in such a great conversation about the importance of remaining relevant at retail and with shoppers. Dan is the go to resource for natural brands – a tremendous resource for entrepreneurial brands.
Bill Bishop, Chief Architect, Brick Meets Click, and Williard Bishop Consulting
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Daniel is the foremost expert in brand building in today's marketplace. Daniel's common sense approach to helping all companies from small to large become successful in a sound process. Daniel provides passion and intelligence to ensure your success in every retail format. Daniel provides sound strategies to guide your brand for increasing, profitable sales. I've been a follower of Daniel's for years, I feel his process makes sense in today's competitive business environment.
Michael J. ODonnell, The Belmullet Food and Beverage Group, LLC
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Dan has a brilliant mind, a solid, in depth, understanding of category management. I was impressed with his outstanding analytical abilities.
Denny Robinson, Retail Category Management, Sprouts Farmers Market (formerly Sunflower)
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Dan brings insights that manufacturers and retailers can act on to improve sales and profitability. More that most in the natural products industry, Dan can provide you with actionable intelligence that can improve both your top line and your bottom line.
Bill Crawford, Retail Marketing Services Director New Hope 360
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Dan, Thank you for giving me hope again. I believe that our brand and the mission behind it is important. I know that we provide a unique solution to consumers who really need us because they write to us and tell us so. Listening to your courses over the past two days gives me hope that we can stay on shelf and compete with the big boys even though we are bootstrapped. Before I met you I was growing weary and questioning whether we could survive. Thank you for sharing your incredible guidance with brands like mine so we can help people lead healthier and happier lives. It is an incredible service to humanity.
Laura Katleman, Founder BHU Foods
About Retail Solved
The Natural Consumer Is My Focus
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