Pathfinder

Texas roots. Retail ambitions.

You made this.
Let’s get it
on the shelf.

A practical roadmap for small food and product makers. Find the right retailers, know what they need, and get your next pitch ready without hiring a consultant.

Find your next step Explore the calendar

Made for sauces, snacks, body care, home goods, and the makers behind them.

Pathfinder hero

From kitchen tableTo store shelf →

Next deadline

Retailer dates are being verified. No guessed deadlines here.

See what we’re tracking

A maker’s promise.
Useful answers. Not more noise.

Official sources, always linked

Plain language, practical checklists

Texas first. National retailers, too.

Less searching. More making.

Your next shelf starts
with a clear next step.

You already did the hard part: making something worth buying. Here’s how to work through what comes next.

01 / FIND YOUR WINDOW

The deadline calendar

Open calls, pitch events, trade shows, and local vendor days. Start with the next 30 days for free. Members get the full calendar and saved-deadline reminders.

Launch coverage

Texas + national opportunities

H-E-B · Quest for Texas BestDates to verify
Walmart · Open CallDates to verify

Calendar preview: these are opportunities we’ll track, not confirmed open applications. Published entries will link to the retailer’s official dates.

Start with a free account

02 / KNOW THE BUYER

Retailer guides that get specific

How to pitch, where buyers source, and what to prepare. Start with H-E-B, then plan for Whole Foods, Central Market, Target, Sprouts, Buc-ee’s, and independents.

Peek inside the H-E-B checklist

03 / GET RETAIL READY

The details, without the rabbit holes

Work through labeling, barcodes, insurance, and Texas cottage food rules. Find kitchens, co-packers, printers, and packaging suppliers in the maker directory.

04 / KEEP MOVING

A place to pick up where you left off

Save retailers and checklist progress. Member reminders arrive 30 days, 7 days, and 1 day before saved deadlines.

Inside a retailer guide / Preview

Getting ready for H-E-B

Prepare the basics before you pitch. Requirements vary by product and sourcing route; confirm them directly with the retailer.

Visit H-E-B’s official Quest page ↗

Your preparation checklist

  • Product story, photos, and a clear description of your customer
  • UPC barcode, compliant labels, and nutrition panel where required
  • Wholesale price, suggested retail price, and room for retailer margin
  • Product liability insurance and applicable permits
  • Shelf life, case quantities, and a realistic supply plan

General preparation information, not legal advice or a guarantee of retailer acceptance.

A little direction goes a long way

Make room for your next move.

Start here

Free

The weekly Who’s Buying newsletter and the next 30 days of the calendar. A useful first step, no paid membership needed.

Create a free account

For your shelf-ready chapter

$39 / month

Or $390/year. Save $78 compared with monthly billing.

Full calendar, all retailer and rules guides, saved checklists, maker directory, and deadline reminders.

Pitch Prep is a separate paid add-on. Packages and prices will be shared before booking.

Explore membership

Built by a maker, for makers

Pathfinder began with a first-generation Texas farmer and maker asking the same question: “How do I actually get into stores?”

This is the roadmap she wished she’d had. Practical, approachable, and made to fit between batches.

Who’s Buying / Free weekly newsletter

Keep making.
We’ll help you look ahead.

Retail opportunities and practical prep, in one weekly email. Create your free account to get started.

Sign up for free