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.
Retail Readiness Benchmark
Get an automated 21-check report with a ranked list of fixes.
Explore the Benchmark →Channel Snapshot
Get a short written assessment, delivered asynchronously. No meeting included.
Request a Snapshot →Retail Readiness Review
Work through a specific buyer, launch, or inventory decision with Steven.
Explore the Review →Foundations
A four-week retail readiness build. Set channel economics and assign launch responsibilities.
Discuss Foundations →Category Playbook
Five to six weeks. Channel map, retailer positioning, and assortment strategy.
Discuss a Category Playbook →Post-Launch Support
Support after launch, with a three-month minimum.
Discuss Post-Launch Support →Fractional Head of Retail Growth
Get senior retail leadership for an agreed set of accounts, priorities, and operating decisions. Six-month minimum.
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.
The Review is a detailed diagnostic with prioritized recommendations. If the findings support additional work, the next step can be scoped against the approved engagement options.
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?
An intake and channel review, a 90-minute working session with Steven Bickers, and a written go, fix, or wait recommendation for your retail decision.
What happens after the Review?
Most brands act on the plan internally. If deeper work is warranted, the next step may be Foundations, a Category Playbook, The Checkride, or fractional retail-growth leadership. Other support can be scoped by proposal.
Does an inquiry commit me to anything?
No. An inquiry is a fit check. A purchase covers the offer and stated scope shown above; additional work is not included unless agreed separately.