Start with the decision in front of you.
Channel Checkride uses focused, fixed-scope engagements first. Every engagement is led directly by founder Steven Bickers; larger projects follow only when the diagnosis shows they are warranted.
Channel Snapshot
A one-page review of your channel mix and readiness, delivered without a working session. Best as a first step before the full Review.
Request a Snapshot →Retail Readiness Review
Intake, channel review, 90-minute working session, and written priority plan. Best before a buyer pitch, wholesale hire, launch, or inventory commitment.
Request a Review →Retail Foundations & Launch Playbook
Economics, retailer strategy, channel architecture, and operational gaps, plus the assortment, pricing, buyer pitch, launch calendar, and sell-through plan to take it to market. Scope and price set to the specific expansion objective.
Discuss Foundations & Playbook →Fractional Head of Retail Growth — scoped case by case, limited availability given current capacity
Decision support, buyer and partner strategy, pipeline governance, launch reviews, and leadership accountability. Reserved for brands with a defined retail plan, executive sponsorship, and an internal operator who can own day-to-day execution. Scope is built after a Review or project engagement.
Discuss fractional support →The moments this work is built for.
A buyer meeting is approaching
You need to know whether the assortment, economics, operations, and story will survive buyer scrutiny.
Retailer interest arrived early
The opportunity is real, but the business is not yet ready to support the purchase order responsibly.
Growth is hurting margin
Sales are growing, but margin, cash, or service level is getting worse.
Sell-through stalled
You need to separate product, pricing, merchandising, demand, and execution problems before spending more.
Teams are working from different assumptions
Product, sales, finance, operations, and marketing need one plan before the next commitment.
A channel could create conflict
A marketplace or distributor could expand reach but undercut the retail plan.
Specific decisions and accountable next steps.
Commercial clarity
Know which retailer, assortment, economics, and timing make sense, and which do not.
Operational realism
See the work between the buyer's yes and profitable sell-through before it becomes expensive.
Direct senior involvement
Your work is led by an operator with hands-on experience across major retailers, marketplaces, distributors, and international channels.
Start with the Review. It's designed to make the next investment decision clearer.
Common questions.
Who is the Review for?
Founder-led consumer product brands with real traction in DTC, marketplaces, crowdfunding, or specialty, facing a retail decision: a buyer meeting, a first national account, a wholesale hire, or an inventory commitment.
Who is it not for?
Brands looking for a broker, a rep, or guaranteed placement. We do not sell to retailers on your behalf and are not paid by any retailer or distributor.
What do I need to prepare?
Your current channels and rough sales by channel, landed cost and wholesale pricing, any buyer materials, and the retailer or decision you are working toward.
What do I get?
A channel review, a 90-minute working session, and a prioritized written action plan with a clear go, fix, or wait recommendation. The plan is yours to execute with or without us.
What happens after the Review?
Most brands act on the plan internally. If deeper work is warranted, Retail Foundations & Launch Playbook is scoped in writing. Fractional support is available once a plan and an internal owner exist.
Does an inquiry commit me to anything?
No. An inquiry is a fit check. Nothing is booked or billed until scope and price are confirmed in writing.