Retail Strategy. Fact-Based Selling. Results You Can Measure.

Retail Strategy. Fact-Based Selling. Results You Can Measure.

Strategic advisory and brokerage firm that turns data into distribution, margin, and sustainable growth.

Who we are

We are a husband‑and‑wife–founded advisory and brokerage firm based in Bentonville, Arkansas. Built by Steven and Tam (Dai) Bauer, the company reflects their shared passion for family, food, culture, and meaningful relationships.

Tam grew up working in her family’s restaurant, where she saw firsthand how food brings people and communities together. She later pursued a career in law before choosing to focus on raising their daughters and managing the family’s financial life while Steven traveled extensively for his work.

Steven brings more than 25 years of experience in the food industry as a CPG supplier, leading commercial teams and building organizational capabilities across The Americas, Europe, and Asia. He has partnered with retailers across every major class of trade—including mass, club, food, discount, convenience, drug, and specialty—giving him a deep understanding of how products succeed in diverse retail environments.

Our Perspective

Through years of travel, business, and community involvement, Steven and Tam have built relationships that cross cultures and industries. These experiences give dbi Sales a unique ability to understand people, anticipate retailer and consumer needs, and position products for long‑term success.

dbi Sales specializes in identifying what retailers are looking for and how to get the right products on the shelf. We believe in true partnership—aligning with your vision, understanding your goals, and working alongside you to exceed them. Our focus is on sustainable growth, disciplined execution, and measurable results that strengthen your business over time.

We are committed to being a trusted partner in your success.

Core Capabilities

Account Management & Execution

KPI‑driven field and desk support that operates as an extension of your demand team—ensuring alignment, accuracy, and consistent follow‑through at retail.

Retail Strategy & Supplier Growth

Go‑to‑market planning, assortment strategy, and launch readiness designed to accelerate acceptance, scale, and long‑term category contribution.

Custom Analytics & Predictive Insights

Reporting, predictive models, and fact‑based selling tools built around retailer platforms, syndicated data, and customer inputs to inform smarter decisions and drive measurable results.

Strategic Advisory & Operational Consulting

Expert guidance across category and channel dynamics, pricing, trade finance, packaging, supply chain, and omni‑channel optimization to protect margin and improve velocity.

Our Services

Brokerage and Sales Management

Buyer engagement, negotiations, and distribution expansion focused on sustainable placement and profitable growth.

Retail Strategy and Go‑to‑Market

Assortment planning, pricing architecture, promotional cadence, and launch roadmaps that align with retailer objectives and shopper behavior.

Analytics and Reporting

Custom dashboards, syndicated data integration, predictive models, and actionable insights that inform every commercial decision.

Item Setup and Content Optimization

SKU setup, imagery, and content that improve discoverability and conversion across retail channels.

Supply Chain and Operational Support

Forecasting, replenishment planning, co‑pack coordination, and logistics alignment to reduce out‑of‑stocks and protect shelf presence.

Advisory and Consulting

Executive strategy, commercial planning, and readiness support for growth initiatives, partnerships, and M&A activity.
Work With Us

Meet the Team

  • Tam Bauer

    Co-Founder/CEO

  • Steven Bauer

    Co-Founder/President

  • Wes Harris

    Data Scientist

  • Osas Oyara

    UX Designer

  • engine.net

    Advanced Data Science. Accelerated Insights.

  • Social Media

    Content Creators

Testimonials

  • Proven Growth From New‑Item Launch

    “The Team at dbi Sales has become our trusted partner in bringing innovation to market. Their approach to new‑item introductions—smart merchandising, thoughtful promotional sequencing, and data‑driven retailer engagement—consistently delivers real, incremental category growth. We’ve seen stronger repeat rates, sustained velocity, and long‑term contribution across every launch they’ve supported."

    —Stephen

  • Private Label Bid Support

    “dbi Sales guided us through the entire private‑label bid process with exceptional professionalism and organization. Their team supported every step, kept us aligned, and brought a level of trust and engagement that was evident in every interaction. We’re grateful for their partnership and for helping bring new business to our company.”

    —Howard

  • Seamless Transition & Scaled Support

    “dbi Sales helped us transition from our previous broker partner in a respectful and thoughtful way for everyone involved. They handled the process with care, clear communication, and professionalism, ensuring continuity while strengthening our retail strategy. From day one, dbi Sales brought a far more hands‑on approach—diving into every detail, staying closely engaged, and scaling resources as our business grew. Their support has made a meaningful difference.”

    —Timothy

  • Introducing Our Brand to Retail

    “I still remember meeting Steven for the first time. He had reached out to several people in our organization about representing our brand and products. We told him we didn’t sell in retail. He simply asked, ‘Would you be interested? I believe I can bring you new business.’

    We explained that we didn’t know how to navigate retail, and Steven said, ‘Don’t worry — I’ll help you with everything.’ Within six months, we launched a test, and today we have everyday national distribution at a major retailer, including online sales.

    Steven and dbi Sales opened the door to retail for us, and our business is flourishing.”

    -Kathy

Customer Reviews

Professionalism & Category Expertise

“Working with Steven and dbi Sales has been a consistently professional experience. They understand what matters to us as a retailer—value, quality, service, and category contribution—and they come prepared with fact‑based insights every time. Their attention to detail and commitment to doing things the right way has made them a reliable partner in driving both savings and category growth.”

— William

Service‑Driven & Insight‑Led Partnership

“dbi Sales approaches our business with a level of care and service that stands out. Steven and his team take the time to understand our priorities and bring forward solutions that support our goals for value, efficiency, and shopper satisfaction. Their category knowledge and data‑driven recommendations help us make confident decisions, and their follow‑through is always exceptional.”

— Katie

Trusted, Detail‑Focused Collaboration

“Steven and dbi Sales operate with a professionalism and thoroughness that we truly appreciate. They view the business through our lens—focused on quality, cost savings, operational execution, and long‑term category health. Their insights are grounded in data, their communication is clear, and their commitment to service is evident in every interaction. They’ve become a trusted partner in delivering results.”

— Loren

About
dbi Sales

dbi Sales is a family‑run strategic advisory and brokerage firm led by Steven and Tam Bauer. We combine supplier‑side experience, retail analytics, and operational excellence to help brands scale profitably across multiple channels. Our work is grounded in fact‑based selling, disciplined execution, and long‑term partnerships that deliver measurable results.

As a family business, we build genuine, lasting relationships with both our clients and our retailer partners. We take the time to understand each partner’s priorities and customize our approach to meet their specific needs. Every engagement is hands‑on, transparent, and aligned to delivering meaningful commercial outcomes—without ever losing the values, accountability, and care that define who we are.

We operate with a single, accountable leadership voice supported by a network of experienced commercial, analytics, and field professionals. Our approach is pragmatic and detail‑driven: diagnose with data, align with retail priorities, and execute with relentless attention to detail. This combination of expertise, integrity, and personalized service allows us to create real value for the brands and retailers we serve.

Learn more

Building a Family Legacy