
Samantha Diamond, Bird&Be
If you have an amazing product, you would probably love to see it on the shelves of your favorite retailers. But without prior experience, it might feel overwhelming - where do you even start? With over a decade of retail experience, I can help get your products retail ready and set up for success.
As a Serial Entrepreneur and Retail & Marketing professional with over 18 years’ experience in various industries (telco, retail, e-commerce, CPG, media and pre-media, recruitment, tech and beauty) I've certainly amassed a wealth of knowledge in many areas.
My entrepreneurial journey began in 2008, when I opened a bakery specializing in B2B baked goods for some of North America’s biggest brands (clients included Yahoo!, L’Oreal, Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, McDonald’s, Virgin America and Microsoft).
In 2014, I co-founded Canada’s first online bakery marketplace, shopbake.com, and signed hundreds of local bakeries to the platform. From this, I was featured as one of 10 Canadian women taking the tech world by storm by Notable.ca.
In 2017, I co-founded Lunata Beauty, a beauty tech company that disrupted the haircare industry by creating innovative, game changing, cordless hair tools. Lunata products were sold at Target, Macy’s, Best Buy, Indigo, Hudson’s Bay, Urban Outfitters and many other retailers across North America. Lunata has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, Glamour, Buzzfeed, Popsugar and more.
Since then, I have been using my knowledge and experience to mentor entrepreneurs, startups and brands to help them on every step of their journey, with a focus on retail readiness and retail sales.
"I met Monica at the outset of our pre-seed fundraise, without having much experience pitching to investors under my belt. She took a call with me through a mutual contact, and she was kind and thoughtful and supportive. I know how significant it is to take 30 minutes out of a CEO's day to just help another founder - she was running a venture herself, and didn't hesitate to agree to meet with me. She made introductions to a number of funds that she had connected to through her successful raise, and it was through those warm intros with her backing that we were able to secure the lead investor in our first round almost immediately. Monica is brilliant, savvy, and understands the intricacies of startup and scale-up. Anyone who gets to work with her is one of the lucky ones. And she taught me that 30 minutes can change the trajectory for someone else, so I've taken that lesson with me and pay it forward whenever I can."
"I have had the privilege of working with Monica, an advisor in the B2C industry who has made a significant impact on my company and professional development. Monica's expertise is truly exceptional, and what sets her apart is her ability to understand my problems much quicker than most people. When it comes to matters related to retail or B2C, Monica is my go-to expert. Her honest feedback and insights have been invaluable in shaping my understanding of the industry. With her positive yet grounded approach, Monica provides reliable and trustworthy guidance. Working with her has been an enlightening experience that has greatly contributed to my growth."
"Monica has been an invaluable mentor on my entrepreneurial journey. Her expertise in prototyping has guided me toward bringing my vision to life. I have made remarkable strides in prototyping my product thanks to Monica's steadfast guidance. What once seemed insurmountable now feels like a series of conquerable milestones. Her influence has forever shaped my entrepreneurial mindset, empowering me to navigate challenges with resilience and determination. With her unwavering support and belief in my potential, I have made remarkable strides in developing my product. Monica's technical knowledge, empathy, and genuine care have made her an exceptional mentor. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking guidance, support, and inspiration for their business."
"Monica is an exceptional advisor who made an impact on my startup's journey. Her genuine and constructive feedback, along with her pointed advice, played a pivotal role in our success. She helped us curate our materials and position our problem, which enabled us to increase our reach by 3x. What sets Monica apart is her unwavering belief in the potential of every person she works with. I recommend Monica if you need expert support in the DTC and retail space or in problem discovery. "
"Monica has been a wonderful mentor to us for many years. She has always willingly answered questions, provided advice, given honest feedback, and has readily made herself available to help us as we start our new business. Monica was a part of our City MOGULS mentorship event where early stage entrepreneurs could learn from more seasoned entrepreneurs and genuinely connect and gain new insights. She was an absolute pleasure to work with and was so helpful for all our attendees. She spoke honestly and genuinely and provided real-world perspective. We are grateful for mentors like Monica who are so open and eager to help."
"I had the pleasure of meeting Monica during the DMZ incubator program. Her expertise in marketing, product development, and distribution is truly impressive. What sets Monica apart is her willingness to openly share both the "good" and "ugly" real experiences with founders. Working with Monica has been an absolute pleasure."
I've personally been able to get hundreds of products on shelves at the biggest retailers in North America (and beyond). I will not take your product/brand on unless I truly believe it will succeed on-shelf. For those I do take on, I'll do a comprehensive audit on your product, consult on packaging and retail-readiness, your marketing and promotional plan, brand deck, and finally, your pitch to buyers.
At every stage of our mentoring/consulting engagement, I prioritize open communication, collaboration, and your unique business needs. My aim is to empower you with the knowledge, tools, and confidence required to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape successfully across every stage of the process. Let me be your trusted partner on this transformative journey, turning your ideas into a thriving and sustainable business venture.
Designed for established businesses that are seeking to adapt and thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of modern marketing, operations, and beyond. I understand that maintaining relevance and competitive advantage can be challenging in today's rapidly changing business environment. I'm here to provide you with the expertise and strategic guidance necessary to revitalize your business and position it for sustainable growth and success.
Introducing my a la carte consulting services, providing you with flexible and specialized support across various key areas of business growth and development. Whether you are seeking assistance with retail pitching, fundraising, investor decks, business plans, Dragon's Den/Shark Tank preparation, product development or rapid prototyping, I have the expertise to guide you towards success.
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