744. How to Launch and Scale a Product Brand Without Funding with Ethan Haber

Artwork for podcast The Product Boss with Jacqueline Snyder

Episode 744 • 26th February 2026 • The Product Boss with Jacqueline Snyder • Jacqueline Snyder

00:00:00 00:37:09

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What does it really take to turn a product idea into something you can actually buy on store shelves? In this episode, I sit down with Ethan Haber, Founder and CEO of Happy Habitats, who took an overlooked niche idea and built it into an award-winning small pet brand now sold across major retailers in North America. We talk about what persistence actually looks like behind the scenes, how to validate an idea before manufacturing, and why belief in possibility often matters more than resources. Get ready to rethink what’s possible for your product idea and see how small niches can lead to big opportunities.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

00:00 Meet Ethan Haber, CEO & Founder of Happy Habitats.

04:30 How Ethan discovered an overlooked niche opportunity in the pet market.

08:30 Why niche markets can still become highly profitable businesses.

15:00 How to use online communities for customer research and product validation.

18:30 What persistence looks like during difficult growth stages.

21:00 How trade shows and relationship-building led to major retail opportunities.

23:15 The biggest product development mistake that costs time and money.

26:30 Trade show booth strategies that attract buyers.

29:00 Why “everyone is accessible” and how to connect with decision-makers.

31:15 The mindset shift that helped Ethan scale to 6-figures and beyond.

35:00 Where to find and support Happy Habitats products today.