Power Up Your Business
with Ivette Mayo
May 14, 2026
8:30 am - 12 pm
HCC Eastside Campus | Porcarello Builidng | Auditorium
6815 Rustic St., Houston, TX 77087
The goal of this program is to help entrepreneurs to take product ideas to market. This is a strategic workshop designed for established business owners wanting to place their products on retail shelves.
Session 1: Getting on Store Shelves & Expanding Your Reach
Show entrepreneurs how to break into retail and distribution channels.
- What retailers look for in new products
- Preparing for retail: packaging, barcodes, compliance
- Building wholesale relationships & negotiating terms
- Exploring online marketplaces & alternative distribution
- Retail readiness checklist
Session 2: Financing Your Product & Fueling Growth
Provide entrepreneurs with strategies to fund their business and manage money for long-term sustainability.
- Bootstrapping vs. external funding
- Small business loans, lines of credit & grants
- Angel investors & venture capital basics
- Building financial projections & cash flow management
- Understanding inventory financing for product-based businesses
Session 3: Entrepreneur Success - Diablo Verde - 3 Sons Food, LLC
Sharing a journey of a successful retail experience.
Co-Founder/CEO Traci Johannson shares "Lessons in Retail Placement"
Session Description:
Join Traci Johannson, CEO/Co-Founder of 3 Sons Food, LLC, shares the journey of bringing her product, Diablo Verde, from concept to retail shelves. In this session, Traci will walk through the real-world challenges, strategic decisions, and key milestones that shaped her path to product placement.
Attendees will gain practical insights into what it takes to break into retail, including preparation, persistence, and positioning. Whether you're just starting out or actively pursuing retail opportunities, this session offers valuable lessons, honest reflections, and actionable guidance to help you navigate your own journey to the shelf.
Speaker
Ivette Mayo, Founder & Ceo
Ivette Mayo is an entrepreneur and brand strategist known for transforming creative ideas into scalable retail success. She founded Yo Soy Expressions, a stationery line that achieved national retail placement, appearing on shelves and endcaps in major stores such as Walgreens and ShopRite. Expanding her reach, Ivette designed bilingual Christmas cards for Target, which were distributed nationwide for two consecutive holiday seasons.
Through strategic partnerships—including support from Walmart that led to a relationship with Hallmark and ultimately a global distribution opportunity—Ivette has demonstrated the power of vision, persistence, and collaboration. She is a strong advocate for businesses to continuously seek innovative ways to grow revenue and expand their brand presence.
Speaker
Traci Johnson, Founder & Ceo
Traci B. Johannson, CEO & Co-Founder of 3SonsFoods, shares real-life insight on what it takes to get products onto store shelves, build a brand that stands out, and create a loyal customer base that becomes part of your journey. Built alongside her sons, 3SonsFoods is a purpose-driven family business producing award-winning salsas that give back to animal conservation. What began in her kitchen has grown into a nationally distributed brand, now sold in over 1,500 stores, including H-E-B, Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons.
Traci and her company have earned top industry recognition, including Grand Champion at H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best, and have been featured in major media outlets, including ABC and 20/20. She delivers practical insights on navigating a competitive industry while raising three boys—proving that purpose and profitability don’t compete, they scale together.
For any questions please email, connie.leon@hccs.edu