Patience is for Doctors… and Distribution

Since product distribution is not a face-paced algorithm that magically happens over night, a better question to ask yourself is: where do I start or what are the first steps I need to take?

1. Get in contact with your locally owned stores. That’s right, an independently owned convenience store or gas station has a store manager. And they are typically involved with or make the purchasing decisions. It might be not be the most nerve wrecking thing you do in your professional career, but you have to do it.
2. Before you walk-in and speak with the store manager, “practice your pitch.” Ask a colleague or a friend to help you get the conversation started. Or picture the manager naked, whatever works best for you, just come prepared.
3. When you finally work up the courage to enter the store, don’t come off too pushy. Nobody likes a pushy salesman, but DO believe in your product and let your passion for it show.
4. Be prepared for rejection. Don’t worry, you can handle it.
5. If you don’t get rejected, unlike like your high school crush, have plenty of samples and literature to leave them. The more the merrier, plus who doesn’t like free stuff?
6. Lastly, give them time. The store’s manager is always the busiest employee, hence the job title. If they don’t review your product right away, it doesn’t mean they don’t like it.