A few years ago, Deborah found herself at a pivotal crossroads. After selling her business and stepping into a new role, the unexpected happened—her position was eliminated due to the COVID pandemic. Facing unemployment and a world of uncertainty, Deborah had a moment of clarity. It was during this time of reflection that she rediscovered her true passion: the retail industry and the thrill of creating new products.

Having tasted both the sweet highs and bitter lows of product launches, Deborah knew the ropes—and the pitfalls—of bringing a product to market. This realization sparked an idea: why not share her hard-earned wisdom with others? And so, a new venture was born with a mission to help small businesses and entrepreneurs conquer the retail landscape.

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But Deborah’s story didn’t start there. With a background as the Director of Strategic Design for top-tier retailers, she and her husband took a daring leap into entrepreneurship with GameTime, a healthier beverage for kids. Just as they were gearing up for launch, disaster struck—Gatorade swooped in with a similar product weeks before GameTime hit the shelves. Faced with the Goliath of the beverage world, they had to sell the trademark at a fraction of its worth and close the business.

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However, Deborah didn’t let this setback define her. Instead, she used it as fuel for growth. Through her consulting firm, Strategia Design, she gained invaluable experience in branding, packaging, and guiding clients—from major retailers to scrappy startups—toward creating profitable brands. Along the way, she earned her MBA, solidifying her expertise in the business world.

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Not one to shy away from a challenge, Deborah launched Yellow House Bakery, her own company, this time with lessons learned. Starting in her kitchen, she cooked, packaged, and sold her products at local farmers' markets. Today, Yellow House Bakery has grown into a beloved seasonal brand with a loyal following.

Now, armed with a wealth of experience and hard-won insights, Deborah and her team are dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners on their retail journeys. They understand the frustrations, uncertainties, and challenges—because they’ve lived them.

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Through Rocket to Retail, Deborah and her team aim to be the resource she wished she had when she first started. Their passion? Guiding others through every step of the product journey—from ideation to launch and beyond. After all, every great product deserves its moment in the spotlight, and Deborah is here to help make that happen.