1. EachPod

Retail Mastery: How to Get Your Product Into Walmart, Costco, and Beyond

Author
Jon LaClare
Published
Fri 05 Sep 2025
Episode Link
None

In this episode, Jon LaClare interviews Jim DeBetta, a true retail veteran who has spent decades helping inventors and entrepreneurs bring their products into major retailers.

Jim shares his fascinating journey from growing a $20 million retail startup to partnering with Shark Tank’s Kevin Harrington as VP of Commercialization—where he helped take winning products straight into stores like Walmart and Costco. Today, Jim focuses on guiding inventors through the complex world of product development, licensing, and retail launches.

He opens up about the biggest mistakes first-time entrepreneurs make and explains how to decide between licensing your idea versus bringing it to market yourself. Finally, Jim reveals how LinkedIn has transformed the retail game, making it easier than ever to connect with buyers, and why passion and persistence are key to retail success.

In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover:

  • Why rushing to patent an idea can waste money and kill momentum
  • The true costs of bringing a product to market and how to plan for them
  • How to decide whether to license your product or launch it yourself
  • How LinkedIn has changed the way inventors connect with retail buyers
  • Why early market validation is essential before investing heavily in your idea

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing your product on store shelves, or you’re weighing the risks and rewards of licensing vs. launching on your own, this episode will give you the clarity and insider knowledge you need. To learn more and get personalized guidance, visit www.jimdebetta.com

To be a guest on our next podcast, contact us today!

Do you have a brand that you’d like to launch or grow? Do you want help from a partner that has successfully launched hundreds of brands totaling over $2 billion in revenues? Visit HarvestGrowth.com and set up a free consultation with us today! 

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