Bellamy Helps DTC & E-Commerce Brands Scale with Smart Merchandising & Inventory Strategies

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business

I’m Bellamy, founder of Retailytics LLC. With 15 years in retail—spanning startups to Fortune 500 companies—I help DTC, e-commerce, and omni-channel brands optimize merchandising, planning, and inventory strategies. Retailytics specializes in scaling 8-9 figure businesses by increasing sales, improving efficiency, and reducing inventory liability

Who are your customers?

My customers are consumer goods brands—primarily in apparel, beauty, and home—with high SKU complexity. They’re looking to optimize merchandise operations, build out buying, planning, and data teams, and refine their tech stack for smarter decision-making and growth.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Before starting my own business, I spent 15 years in retail, leading merchandising, planning, and analytics at companies of all sizes—from Fortune 500 brands like Walmart and Gap to fast-growing startups like Gilt.com and Boxed.com. I specialized in inventory strategy, demand planning, and operational efficiency, helping brands scale while maximizing profitability.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

After working for multiple startups and realizing I was solving the same challenges in every role, I knew there was a bigger opportunity. When the last company I worked for went out of business, it was the push I needed to finally take the leap. I had been ideating on it for a while, and that moment solidified my decision to go out on my own. Now, I focus on supporting women-led brands and those creating better-for-you and sustainable products.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurship has always been in my DNA. As a kid, I had my own custom embroidered pen business, and I grew up watching my dad build companies across different industries. While I didn’t always know I’d take this path, I love this new phase—exploring new opportunities and creating impact in ways I never could in a traditional role.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

When I first launched, I thought I’d primarily support smaller businesses. But with my background in retail, my initial clients all came from my network. As I refined my ideal customer profile (ICP), I was able to target potential clients more effectively.

My work focuses on optimizing and modernizing merchandise operations, often through tech stack consulting. Because of that, I’ve built strong partnerships with Shopify plug-ins and SaaS platforms that align with my values and goals.

Marketing-wise, I leaned heavily on my network and word-of-mouth rather than a formal strategy. Over time, I’ve been more intentional about positioning my expertise and expanding my reach, but relationships and referrals continue to be my biggest growth driver.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

One of the biggest challenges has been owning my expertise—being confident in the value I bring and pricing accordingly. Early on, I second-guessed myself, but through experience, I’ve learned that my recommendations drive real impact for my clients.

I’ve also refined my playbook over time. Through iteration and trial and error, I’ve honed the strategies and frameworks that deliver the best results. The key takeaway? Trust your expertise, charge what you're worth, and continuously refine your approach based on real-world learnings.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

I’m most proud of the tangible impact I’ve had—reducing inventory liability, launching new sales channels, and building strong merchandising and planning teams. But what really stands out is when a client “graduates.” Seeing a brand evolve to the point where they no longer need my advising is incredibly rewarding. It means we’ve put the right systems, strategies, and team structures in place for long-term success. Watching their growth and knowing I played a role in that is the best part.

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

One of my biggest wins this past year was helping a client reduce inventory ownership by 50%. They initially brought me in because excess inventory was tying up cash flow, but I knew the real issue wasn’t just overstock—it was the underlying buying and planning process. Over the course of a year, we optimized their approach, implemented better data-driven decision-making, and built a more strategic inventory management framework. Now, the team is confident, informed, and making smarter, proactive decisions that drive real impact. Seeing that transformation has been incredibly rewarding!

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

I’m developing a course to empower smaller brands with the foundational knowledge they need from the start. While I primarily work with brands doing $15M+ in annual sales, I saw a gap—many founder-led brands don’t know what they don’t know when it comes to inventory, planning, and scaling profitably. This course will provide hands-on, tactical solutions to help them set up strong merchandising operations early on, so they can grow with confidence and avoid costly mistakes. My goal is to make this expertise more accessible and set more brands up for long-term success!

What is your top productivity tip? 

Calendar blocking

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

setting boundaries for personal time

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

In going fractional, this was a high priority for me. I have to be ruthless with my calendar to both protect client's time and my personal time.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

One thing I wish I had known when I started my Entreprenista journey is just how valuable and supportive this community would be. Building a business can feel isolating, but having a network of like-minded founders is game-changing. I now set quarterly networking goals, and Entreprenista has been instrumental in helping me hit them—whether through connections, insights, or collaboration opportunities. Surrounding yourself with people who truly get it makes all the difference!

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

What is your favorite excel formula?

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

Calendar app

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

Airtable for data governance and workflow automation; Trello for project management; I use it personally and on the Client side.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Know Your Value & Own It – Confidence in your expertise and pricing comes with time, but don’t undervalue yourself. The right clients will see the impact you bring. Build Your Network Intentionally – Success isn’t just about what you know, but who you surround yourself with. Set networking goals and invest in relationships—mentors, peers, and potential clients.

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