Bring Your Product Idea to Life

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Burnout in Business, Signs You’re Burning Out and How to Recover - Tamryn Dicks

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Burnout in business is something we hear about all the time, but do you actually know what it really is, and how to recognise it before it takes hold?

In this episode, I’m joined by Tamrin Dicks, who helps business owners make more money, keep more cash in the bank, and create more time to actually enjoy their lives. After experiencing burnout herself more than once, Tamrin now works with business owners to help them avoid it, or recover from it if they’re already there.

We talk about what burnout in business really means, and how it’s very different from just feeling stressed, busy, or tired. This was something I personally found really eye-opening, and I think you will too.

If you’ve ever felt constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’ve lost the enjoyment in your business, this episode will really resonate. And even if you’re not feeling that way right now, it’s an important conversation to help you spot the signs early, both in yourself and in others.

Find Tamryn:

Website: www.pharsyde.co.uk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pharsydesolutions/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamryndicks-gracefulgrowth/

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and why burnout in business matters

03:30 What burnout really is and how it’s different from stress

07:00 Signs you might be heading towards burnout

10:15 How burnout affects your focus, energy, and decision making

13:30 Common myths about burnout in business

17:30 Why taking time off doesn’t fix burnout

20:30 The root cause of burnout, what’s really going on in your business

25:00 Why you need to focus on yourself before fixing the business

29:00 Boundaries, time management, and protecting your energy

32:30 Why working harder won’t solve burnout

35:30 A simple way to take back control of your week

38:30 The danger of comparing yourself to other business owners

41:00 Practical first steps if you’re feeling exhausted or stuck

LET’S CONNECT

https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-moore-22ba873/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

How to Launch and Scale a Product Business as a Parent - Suzanne Moore

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, I’m joined by Suzanne Moore, the founder of Nom Nom Kids, who shares how she turned an idea she had on her holiday in America into a business that’s been running for over 12 years, all while navigating life as a busy mum.

Suzanne talks honestly about how she got started designing a reusable pouch to solve her own parenting problem and how she quickly realised that other parents needed it too. We chat about her early mistakes, the leaps of faith she took with manufacturers, and how observing her customers shaped new products she hadn’t even planned for.

We also talk about the challenges of growing a product business, including how to sell to a bigger audience without losing the personal touch, and why showing the person behind the product can make all the difference. Suzanne’s story is a great reminder that even if you’re unsure at the start, taking that first step is often the best way to learn and grow.

This episode is full of practical insights for anyone looking to launch and scale a product business, especially if you’re juggling family life and trying to figure out the best way to turn an idea into something people actually want to buy.

Find Suzanne and Nom Nom Kids here:

https://nomnomkids.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/NomNomKids/

https://www.instagram.com/nomnomkids

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

00:44 – Suzanne shares her background and how Nom Nom Kids started

02:56 – Early mistakes and lessons learned in product development

06:44 – Finding manufacturers and taking a leap of faith with production

11:44 – Handling challenges like batch issues and customer complaints

16:07 – Launching products, social media strategies, and early marketing

21:18 – Discovering unexpected ways customers use your products

26:12 – Making products different without trying to please everyone

32:17 – Scaling the business and growth challenges

39:42 – Supporting other businesses and building community

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

40:19 – Suzanne’s final advice for anyone starting a product business

How to get the best outcome from Amazon Seller Support

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a loop with Amazon seller support, sending messages back and forth and not really getting anywhere, this episode is for you.

Because while Amazon is an amazing marketplace, it isn’t always straightforward. Things do go wrong, and often they happen when you least expect it, whether that’s a listing being taken down, a product being incorrectly restricted, or something just not working the way it should.

In this episode, I’m talking you through how to get the best outcome from Amazon seller support, based on real situations I’m dealing with right now for clients. So this is practical, honest, and based on what actually works, not just theory.

I’m also sharing the kinds of issues you might run into when selling on Amazon, why they happen, and most importantly, how to deal with them without losing time, energy, or patience.

Because the truth is, most issues are fixable. It’s just knowing how to approach Amazon seller support in the right way that makes all the difference.

I’ve also created a free guide, How to get the best out of Amazon Seller Support, which walks you through everything step by step. You can download that below, so there’s no need to take notes while you’re listening.

Get my free guide - how to get the best out of Amazon Seller Support: https://checklist.vickiweinberg.com/sellersupport

Episode chapters:

00:00 Why things don’t always run smoothly on Amazon

01:40 Real examples of Amazon issues and what can go wrong

04:30 What happens if problems aren’t resolved

06:45 How to reduce the chances of issues in the first place

08:40 Understanding Amazon seller support

10:25 How to write a clear and effective support case

12:10 Common mistakes that slow everything down

13:40 When to use chat or phone support

14:55 How to escalate your case

16:25 The mindset that will help you get results

17:40 When to get extra support

18:30 Final thoughts and reassurance

LET’S CONNECT

linkedin.com/in/simondavidpryce

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

What actually makes a product business website work - Simon Pryce

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0100

If you run a product based business, your website plays a huge role in whether customers buy from you or leave within seconds.

In this episode, I’m joined by Simon Pryce, Managing Director of Skylight Media, who works with businesses to improve how their websites function, convert and support growth.

We talk about the real role of a product business website, why many websites struggle to convert visitors into customers, and the surprisingly simple changes that can make a big difference.

Simon shares what he sees again and again when businesses come to him because their website “isn’t working”, including the common mistakes that quietly cost sales. We also talk about the importance of product descriptions, strong photography, user experience, and how customers actually behave when they land on a website for the first time.

If you’ve ever looked at your website and wondered whether it’s really doing its job, this conversation will help you think about your product business website in a completely new way.

Towards the end of the episode we also explore something many businesses haven’t considered yet, the impact of AI and what the future could look like when machines begin purchasing products automatically on behalf of customers.

If you want your product business website to work harder for you this year, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Find Simon here:

skylightmedia.co.uk

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Simon Pryce and Skylight Media

02:00 The true role of a website for a product business

05:10 The biggest website mistakes product businesses make

09:00 Understanding customer behaviour on websites

14:30 Why some websites don’t convert visitors into buyers

18:30 Design, messaging and functionality, what matters most

22:00 How often should you review or refresh your website

27:00 Improving your website without a huge budget

30:30 What to do if you feel embarrassed by your website

32:00 The future of websites, AI and agentic commerce

38:40 Final advice for making more of your website

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

How to Develop and Launch a Product Idea - Charlie Sherts

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, I speak with product innovator Charles Shert about how to develop and launch a product idea.

If you’ve ever had an idea for a product but felt unsure where to start, this conversation is for you. We talk about solving real problems, creating rough prototypes and using customer feedback to shape your design. You don’t need perfection to begin; progress usually starts with curiosity and willingness to test your idea.

Charles shares how he moved from identifying a simple problem to building and refining a patented product. We also explore why understanding your customer is more important than adding complicated features when you are learning how to develop and launch a product idea.

If you are sitting on a product idea, this episode is a gentle reminder that small steps matter, persistence counts and testing early can help you move forward with confidence.

Find Charlie here:

Website: https://getthemozy.com/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/getthemozy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getthemozy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/get_the_mozy/#

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getthemozy

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:00 Finding a real problem to solve

04:00 Designing products using thermodynamics principles

07:00 Moving from prototype to sellable product

10:30 Using Kickstarter to validate demand

12:00 Starting sales through small markets and events

14:30 Marketing physical products online

16:30 Learning from product development mistakes

18:30 Simplifying product ranges for efficiency

20:40 Advice for first time product creators

23:20 Persistence in entrepreneurship

24:30 Final thoughts on product ideas

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership

Hosted by Captivate

If you've been inspired to start a podcast in 2024 then I recommend my podcast host, Captivate. They were my top pick when I started 4 years ago because of how easy it was for a complete novice to get started. I’ve stuck with them because it’s still simple, they keep adding great new features (like the ability to share ads like these!) and it’s been so reliable. When you’re ready to start your own podcast, use the link for a free 7 day trial: https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=vickiweinberg&tap_a=53455-ceb3a2

Why selling on Amazon feels harder than it should and what actually helps

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve ever wondered why selling on Amazon feels harder than it should, you’re not alone.

In this episode, I unpack why selling on Amazon can feel so complicated, even when you’re capable and experienced. From navigating Amazon Seller Central to dealing with inconsistent updates, suppressed listings and unclear responses from Seller Support, the platform often creates unnecessary complexity.

But it is not just a systems issue.

It is the mental load of not knowing whether something is normal.

The second guessing when a change works on one SKU but not another.

The time lost searching Google or watching tutorials that may not apply to your situation.

Selling on Amazon becomes heavier when you are trying to figure it all out alone.

In this episode, I also talk about what actually helps. Faster answers. Ongoing guidance. Being able to sense check decisions. Learning from other Amazon sellers who are navigating the same challenges.

I share more about the Amazon Sellers Support and Connect call I held recently, and my new-and-improved membership, Amazon Made Easy.

Amazon Made Easy is for product based business owners who are already selling on Amazon, or actively preparing to launch, and want practical, ongoing support without paying for full account management. It’s designed to help you take action, grow your account, get support when you need it and feel more confident in your decisions, without carrying the weight of it on your own.

Because while we can’t change how Amazon is built, we can change how supported you feel while building your business on it.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Welcome, and why selling on Amazon feels harder than it should

01:20 Seller Central, outdated systems and lack of clear training

02:45 The isolation of selling on Amazon alone

04:10 Inconsistencies, suppressed listings and second guessing yourself

05:50 Where most sellers look for help, Google, YouTube and Seller Support

07:10 Why quick answers and ongoing support make such a difference

08:30 The power of community and learning from other Amazon sellers

09:50 Introducing Amazon Sellers Support and Connect

10:40 Amazon Made Easy, what’s changing and why

12:00 Who the membership is for, and who it is not for

13:20 Final thoughts, selling on Amazon does not have to feel this hard

LET’S CONNECT

Episode 338: Why selling on Amazon feels overwhelming (even when you’re doing things ‘right’): https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

Join Amazon Made Easy: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annalouoflondon?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

Hosted by Captivate

How to Scale a Jewellery Business and Sell Direct to Customers - with Anna Scaife

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, sit down with Anna Scaife, founder of Anna Lou of London Jewelry, to explore her incredible journey of building a jewellery brand from scratch, selling in high-end stores like Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, and ultimately choosing to sell direct to her customers. Anna shares candid insights on the highs and lows of running a business, from managing cash flow and stock, to designing pieces that are personal and purposeful.

Whether you’re a jewellery designer, maker, or small business owner, there’s something here for you. Anna’s story reminds us that growing a brand is not just about sales or scaling; it’s about maintaining purpose, creativity, and wellbeing as you navigate challenges.

Find Anna here:

Website: www.annalouoflondon.com

Instagram: @annalouoflondon and @annalouwellness

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwGJAWy7L/?mibextid=wwXIfr

And https://www.facebook.com/share/16UHGTZZdp/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:00 From Portobello Market to Harvey Nichols: How Anna’s brand first got noticed

06:00 Learning by doing: Starting a jewellery business with no formal training

09:30 Standing out in the market: How to attract attention as a small brand

12:50 Balancing family, business, and personal values while scaling a jewellery business

17:00 Managing cash flow, stock, and the challenges of wholesale

26:30 Finding energy, purpose, and joy in your business through tough times

31:00 Personalisation and why it differentiates your brand from competitors

36:00 Pricing strategy and valuing your craftsmanship and time

43:00 Building a remote and flexible business model to suit your lifestyle

46:20 Anna’s advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed: The power of contemplation

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

https://www.carolinadibb.co.uk/

Hosted by Captivate

How to increase your online conversion rates - with Carolina Dibb

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve ever felt frustrated that your website or product listings aren’t converting as well as they should, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Carolina Dibb, e-commerce consultant and conversion rate optimisation expert, to talk about why conversion rates matter and how you can make the most of the traffic you already have.

Carolina has worked with major retailers including Amazon and Mr Porter, and now helps small brands understand their customers, optimise their websites, and ultimately increase sales. In this conversation, we dive into practical strategies you can implement straight away to improve your online conversion rates without overhauling everything at once.

You’ll learn why small details like clarity, trust signals, and mobile experience are crucial for encouraging customers to buy. We also cover the common myths around conversion, why traffic does not equal sales, and how even simple changes can have a significant impact on your conversion rate.

Whether you sell on your own website or through marketplaces like Amazon, this episode will give you practical steps to increase your online conversion rates and maximise the value of your existing traffic.

Find Carolina here:

https://www.instagram.com/carolinadibbconsulting/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-dibb-15908623/

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

01:05 Common conversion challenges small and large businesses face

02:10 How to understand your customers and identify their needs

04:24 Practical ways to see your site through your customer’s eyes

05:41 Why clarity on product pages is key to conversion

07:48 Trust signals and social proof: reviews, best sellers, and building credibility

09:15 Where to focus your energy when improving your website or product listing

11:50 Understanding traffic versus conversion and the leaky bucket analogy

14:50 Essentials of a high converting product page: imagery, copy, and formatting

17:08 How small brands can build trust and encourage reviews

20:37 Conversion optimisation for Amazon listings: basics, keywords, and discoverability

24:29 Prioritising changes for maximum impact with limited resources

26:27 Myths about conversion and what conversion rate optimisation really means

28:50 Carolina’s top advice for improving your conversion rate today

30:39 The impact of checkout and payment options on conversions

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Why selling on Amazon feels overwhelming (even when you’re doing things ‘right’)

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0100

If Amazon Seller Central has ever made you feel frustrated, confused, or like you must be missing something, this episode is here to reassure you that you are not the problem. Many independent brands struggle with the platform, and there are very real reasons why selling on Amazon feels overwhelming.

In this episode, I explain why Seller Central is often difficult to navigate, especially when you are managing multiple priorities in your business. From how the system was originally designed to the reality of seller support, you’ll gain clarity on what is actually happening behind the scenes and why so much of it feels harder than it should.

Most importantly, I share practical ways to make Amazon feel more manageable, so you can protect your time, focus on what truly drives sales, and stop second guessing yourself every time you log in..

Chapters:

00:00 Why Amazon can feel so challenging

02:05 Built for large sellers, not independent brands

04:10 Designed for scale rather than ease

06:25 Why the platform feels layered and confusing

08:50 The truth about seller support

10:45 Limit your tasks to avoid overwhelm

12:20 Focus on the fundamentals that drive sales

13:55 Create notes and shortcuts to save time

15:20 Use external help and AI when needed

16:35 When to ask for support

17:30 Final reassurance, you are doing better than you think

If you found this episode helpful, please share it with someone who would benefit from it, and make sure you are following the podcast so you never miss a new episode.

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

Authentic Brand Storytelling, How to Connect With Your Audience - with Sophie Bell

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, I’m joined by Sophie Bell, Managing Director at Toast, to talk about what authentic brand storytelling really looks like in practice. We explore why keeping your message simple matters, how to connect with your audience in a genuine way, and why trying to say too much often dilutes your impact.

Sophie shares her experience of working with brands across documentaries, advertising, and branded content, and explains the idea of story finding, identifying real voices and real stories that naturally align with your brand. We discuss how to avoid overwhelming your audience, the role of honesty and transparency in building trust, and why letting go of control can actually strengthen your message.

We also talk about the pressure to create constant content, particularly video, how to focus on quality without burning out, and how AI can support creativity for small businesses, not replace it.

If you want to strengthen your content, clarify your message, and approach authentic brand storytelling with more confidence, this episode will give you practical insight and reassurance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and meet Sophie Bell

01:00 What story telling means for brands

02:20 How successful brands tell simple, effective stories

04:30 Choosing one clear message for your content

07:10 What authenticity really looks like in brand storytelling

09:20 Polished versus informal content and what works best

11:40 Creating quality content without burnout

14:40 Quality versus quantity in brand content

18:45 Why AI is not just for big companies

22:05 How AI can elevate creativity and storytelling

27:05 First steps for experimenting with AI

Find Sophie here:

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Free or Professional Amazon Selling Plan - what's the difference and which to choose

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0100

Are you unsure whether to choose a free or professional Amazon selling plan?

This episode dives into the key differences between the two options to help you make an informed decision.

This episode aims to clarify which selling plan might be best suited for your needs, whether you're just starting out or ready to scale your business.

Mentioned in this episode:

The costs involved in selling on Amazon: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c29dd180-03c9-48b9-9e3c-c232514805ca/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

Navigating the challenges of building a brand - with Zoe Chapman, Kiddiwhizz

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0100

What does inventing a product really look like behind the scenes?

In this episode, I’m joined by Zoe Chapman, inventor of The Whizzer, the world’s first compact, unisex portable toilet. Zoe shares how a very real parenting problem turned into inventing a product that’s now used by families, campers, travellers and adults with medical needs.

We talk openly about the realities of building a product based business, from manufacturing and protecting your idea, to appearing on Dragon’s Den, selling on Amazon, and managing growth without big budgets or a team.

This is a friendly, honest conversation for anyone thinking about inventing a product, or already building one and wondering if what they’re experiencing is normal.

In this episode, we cover

How Zoe went from an idea on paper to inventing a product people genuinely need
Knowing when there’s enough demand to take a product to market
What manufacturing really involves when you don’t have funding
The reality of Dragon’s Den, before filming and after it airs
Selling on Amazon, visibility, margins and learning as you go
Burnout, resilience and why your why matters more than anything

If you’re building a product business and feeling overwhelmed, this episode will help you feel reassured, informed and far less alone.

Find Zoe here

www.whizzer.co.uk

Instagram handles @kiddiwhizz @whizzer_world

Facebook: Kiddiwhizz

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-a-chapman

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and meeting Zoe

03:00 The problem that led to inventing a product

08:40 Validating the idea and understanding demand

13:00 Manufacturing, factories and protecting your product

20:10 Behind the scenes of Dragon’s Den

25:00 What happens after the show airs

35:00 Selling on Amazon and managing margins

50:00 Lessons learned, burnout and resilience

01:03:15 Final advice for product based founders

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

Cognitive Health for Entrepreneurs with Natalie Mackenzie

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, I’m joined by cognitive strategist Natalie Mackenzie to talk about something we often overlook in business: cognitive health and how your brain influences the way you work every single day.

Natalie explains what cognitive health actually means in simple, practical terms, and how things like memory, attention and focus affect your productivity, energy and decision making. We also talk about how modern life impacts your ability to concentrate, why some tasks feel harder than others, and how becoming more aware of your own thinking patterns can completely change the way you run your business.

If you have ever felt foggy, overwhelmed, distracted or mentally tired, this conversation will really help you understand what might be going on and how you can support your brain long term. Natalie also shares simple strategies to protect cognitive health for entrepreneurs so that you can work in a way that feels more sustainable and enjoyable.

What you will take away from this episode

• What cognitive health really means and why it matters

• How your brain function impacts your business

• Why focus and memory sometimes feel harder than they should

• Signs of overwhelm and decision fatigue

• Practical ways to support your brain while running a business

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and introduction

03:30 What cognitive health means for entrepreneurs

09:20 Memory, attention and everyday brain function

16:45 Focus, habits and why strategies work differently for everyone

25:10 Leaning into strengths and outsourcing

36:40 Overwhelm and decision fatigue

47:30 Supporting long term brain and business health

Find Natalie Here:

Website: https://thecognitivestrategist.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecognitivestrategist/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-mackenzie-15a66235/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Elevate your Product Photos: Tips for Non-Photographers - with Karen Moreland

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0100

If you sell physical products and take your own photos (or know you probably should), this episode will really help.

Vicki is joined by Karen Moreland, who works with product sellers, Etsy shop owners and Amazon sellers who need good photos but don’t want to become photographers. This conversation is very practical and reassuring, especially if photography feels confusing, technical or just another thing on your never-ending to-do list.

You’ll hear:

Why you don’t need expensive equipment or a fancy camera to get decent product photos
The most common mistakes product sellers make with their photos – and how to fix them simply
How small changes to lighting and angles can make a big difference to how professional your products look
Why showing size, scale and how a product is used really matters for sales
How to stop aiming for “perfect” and actually get your photos done
Simple editing tweaks you can make on your phone without overthinking it

Karen explains everything in a very straightforward, no-jargon way and focuses on results rather than technical photography rules. If you’ve ever gone down a YouTube rabbit hole trying to “learn photography” and come away more confused than when you started, this episode will feel like a relief.

It’s a great listen if you want your product photos to look clearer, more professional and more trustworthy — without spending a fortune or learning a whole new skill.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Karen Moreland Website https://karenmoreland.com

Karen Moreland TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@karen_moreland

Karen Moreland Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@karenmorelandphotography

Karen Moreland https://www.pinterest.com/karenmorelandphoto

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Your Amazon questions, answered: 5 things I’m asked all the time

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week’s episode is a Q&A, covering the questions I hear time and time again from people selling or thinking about selling on Amazon.

I dive into topics like:

• the biggest mistakes new sellers make

• choosing between FBA and FBM

• how to improve visibility and reach page one

• knowing if your pricing is truly competitive

• whether Amazon is still worth it in 2026

Even if you’ve been selling for a while, these are still the questions that shape better decisions, stronger foundations and more confident growth.

If there’s something you’d like me to cover in a future Q&A, you can message me on LinkedIn or Instagram, or reply to one of my emails. And remember, there’s a whole back catalogue of episodes if you want to keep learning.

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Building a successful wholesale business - with Andee Hart, Hart Design Co.

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If the word sales makes you cringe a little… this episode is for you.

In this conversation, Vicki is joined by Andee Hart, founder of Hart Design Co and host of the She Sells Differently podcast. Andee started out making candles in her kitchen during the pandemic – and went on to wholesale them into over 100 shops in a matter of months, all while still working a full-time corporate job.

But this isn’t just a story about candles. It’s a really honest, practical chat about selling products in a way that feels good, works long-term, and actually supports your life as a business owner.

If you sell physical products (or want to), this episode will help you:

Stop feeling awkward or “salesy” about selling
Understand what actually helps products sell in wholesale and retail
Feel more confident about pricing your products properly
Realise you don’t have to do everything (or sell to everyone) to succeed

Andee brings a refreshing, human approach to sales – one that’s rooted in integrity, consistency and common sense, rather than pressure tactics or gimmicks.

USEFUL RESOURCES

She Sells Differently Website https://andeehart.com/

Andee Hart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andeehart/

Andee Hart LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andeehart/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

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What is the Amazon algorithm?

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Ever wondered how Amazon decides which products show up first? In this episode, I break down what the Amazon algorithm is, how it works and what really influences your visibility.

We’ll cover the core factors, plus the common myths . I explain why sales velocity matters so much and why strong conversions matter.

You’ll leave with practical ways to align your listings with what Amazon wants, so you can improve rankings in a realistic and sustainable way.

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Unleash Your Inner Florist! Meet Jennifer Pearson, creator of the Halliesphere

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, Jennifer Pearson — ceramic designer and creator of the Halliesphere, a sustainable flower-arranging tool — shares the real journey behind bringing a completely new product to market. If you’re a product creator or e-commerce business owner, you’ll get so much from hearing how she took an idea from her dining table to partnering with the last remaining fine china manufacturer in the UK.

Jennifer talks about:

Validating an idea through real customers — and what consistent demand at craft fairs taught her.
Scaling a handmade product and navigating the challenges of finding the right manufacturer
Sticking to your ethics and values when building a brand
Pricing, positioning and protecting your idea, including how she approached trademarks and design rights.
Marketing a product no one knew they needed yet
Using Etsy effectively

Jennifer’s honesty about the ups and downs of product creation makes this a relatable listen — especially if you're building something original and wondering how to get it out into the world.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Halliesphere Website: https://www.halliesphere.com/

Halliesphere Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Halliesphere/

Halliesphere Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halliesphere

Jennifer Pearson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-susan-3848802ba/

Halliesphere Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Halliesphere

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Is Amazon right for your brand in 2026?

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0100

As 2025 comes to a close, you might be wondering if 2026 is finally the year to start selling on Amazon. In this episode, I share an honest look at when Amazon is a brilliant opportunity and when it might not be the right move just yet.

We talk about the pressure many brands feel to be on Amazon, why timing matters more than most people realise, and what you really need in place before taking the leap. I also explore when waiting is the smartest strategy and how that can actually set you up for success later.

This episode is for anyone weighing up their next step, whether you’re brand new to Amazon or still sitting on the fence.

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

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How to elevate your brand - with Naomi Davies

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you run a product-based or e-commerce business and want your marketing to work harder for you, this episode is packed with practical advice. I’m joined by Naomi Davies of NMD Marketing, who specialises in paid social and Klaviyo email for fashion, lifestyle and beauty brands. She shares clear, no-nonsense insights that apply to businesses of any size.

We talk about the basics many brands miss — including email automations, customer journeys and simple improvements that make a big difference. Naomi also explains how organic content and paid ads support each other, and why you can’t rely on ads alone to fix weak messaging or creative.

You’ll learn:

What to check when auditing your marketing channels
Why testing needs to be ongoing, not a one-off task
Why ROAS isn’t the best measure of success — and what to track instead
How to understand your cost per acquisition (and why it matters)
How to communicate higher pricing with confidence
What premium brands get wrong online — and how to avoid those mistakes
Why showing up as the founder can genuinely improve results

If you want practical steps to improve your marketing, strengthen your positioning and make your brand feel more premium without overcomplicating things, this episode will be really useful.

USEFUL RESOURCES

NMD Marketing Website https://www.nmdmarketing.co.uk/

NMD Marketing Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nmd_marketing/

Naomi Davies LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomimdavies/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

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How to review your Amazon performance before the new year

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0100

December is the perfect time to pause and look back at how your Amazon account has really performed in 2025. In this short episode, I walk you through a simple, practical way to review what worked, what didn’t and where your time and energy should go in 2026.

We’ll look at key areas including performance metrics, listing health, customer feedback, ads and fulfilment, all in a way that feels doable in under an hour.

If you’d like extra support making sense of your numbers or improving your listings, an Amazon Listing Audit or Power Hour can give you clarity before the holidays or as a strong start to 2026.

Useful links:

Amazon listing audit: https://vickiweinberg.com/amazon-account-audit/
Book a Power hour with me: https://vickiweinberg.com/amazon-training/
Download my free audit checklist: https://checklist.vickiweinberg.com/audit

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Working with Influencers to grow your brand - with Tomer Hen, Switch Supplements

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve ever felt stuck with slow sales, frustrated that ads “should” be working but aren’t, or just totally overwhelmed by the pressure to keep up with every new platform trend… this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.

This week, Vicki speaks with Tomer Hen — brand founder, influencer marketing expert, and co-founder of Switch Supplements.

If you sell physical products, this episode will help you:

Stop relying on ads that drain your budget
Understand how to find influencers who actually drive sales
Use non-transactional outreach to get influencers excited about your product
Turn customers into raving fans who do your marketing for you
Build growth through “boring consistency” rather than chasing the next trend

You’ll learn how to create an influencer “flywheel” that brings in steady sales, keep going even when business feels slow, and build a brand people naturally want to rave about — all without needing loads of products or a big ad budget. It’s full of easy, practical tips you can try right away.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Switch Supplements Website: https://www.switchsupplements.com/

Tomer Hen X: https://x.com/tomerhen

Tomer Hen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tomeronline/

Tomer Hen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomer_hen/

Tomer Hen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomer-hen/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

The most common Amazon questions I’ve been asked this year

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

To wrap up the year, I’m looking back at the most common questions I’ve been asked by sellers during Power Hours, training sessions and conversations this year.

These questions come up time and time again, whether someone’s just getting started or already established.

In this episode, I cover:

Why your listing might not be showing up in search
How to get your first reviews (and what not to do)
When to start running ads, and how to keep them effective
The best way to launch a new product
When it makes sense to expand to other marketplaces

I also reflect on what these questions tell us about where sellers are right now — and how much progress so many have made this year.

If you’ve had any of these questions yourself, you’re not alone. And if you’d like ongoing help with your Amazon strategy, I share how we can work together one-to-one in 2026.

Mentioned in this episode:

Book a Power Hour or 1:1 training

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Nail Care Reinvented: The Sustainability Story of Loste Nails with Christy Llewellyn

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you’re growing a product business or running an e-commerce brand, this conversation with Christy Llewellyn from Loste Nails is full of honest, practical insights you’ll really connect with.

Born from a frustration with flimsy press-ons and overpriced salon appointments, we set out to create something better: nails that look like gel, wear like gel, but don’t chip, split, or wreck your natural nails. Oh, and the best part? They are fully reusable.

Loste is a new kind of press-on. Crafted with 5-layer, soft gel technology, our nails are ultra-strong, ultra-glossy, and long lasting. No UV. No damage.

Each set comes with everything you need for a flawless application in five minutes, whether you’re getting ready for a night out or applying them poolside on holiday.

Christy built her reusable press-on nail brand from scratch — no contacts, no big budget — and shares exactly what it’s really like to develop a product, market it, and keep going when things constantly change.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

How a simple personal frustration can spark a whole product idea
What bootstrapping a physical product looks like behind the scenes
What’s actually working in product marketing right now
How small brands can stand out without competing on price
The power of repeating your brand story

This is a relatable, encouraging episode that’ll leave you inspired to keep going, keep showing up, and keep telling your story.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Loste Nails Website https://getloste.com/

Loste Nails Instagram https://www.instagram.com/getloste/

Loste Nails TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@getloste

Loste Nails Facebook https://www.facebook.com/getloste/

Loste Nails Pinterest https://uk.pinterest.com/getlostenails/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

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How to choose the right Amazon strategy for your business

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Once you’ve been selling on Amazon for a while, it’s easy to feel unsure what to focus on next. Should you scale your listings? Expand internationally? Invest more in ads?

In this episode, I help you identify the next best step for your business — based on your goals, capacity, and where you’ll get the biggest return.

We’ll talk through:

How to decide what you want Amazon to do for your business (sales channel vs brand visibility)
The importance of optimising existing listings before scaling
Expanding to new marketplaces (EU and US) — and what to know
How to add new product lines, bundles, or test virtual bundles (coming soon to the UK)
When to revisit your ads strategy or your balance between FBA and FBM

I also share real examples from the sellers I’ve worked with — from improving listings to expanding to Germany — and what made each strategy successful.

If you’re planning your next phase on Amazon or looking ahead to 2026, this episode will help you create a clear direction for your business.

Mentioned in this episode:

Book a Power Hour to plan your 2026 Amazon roadmap

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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How to make a family business work - with Lily Llewellyn

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, Vicki speaks with Lily Llewellyn, of Provide Society, a specialist who supports families, couples, and close friends who work together. Lily combines her background in family psychotherapy and business to help people navigate the practical and emotional realities of running a business with someone they’re personally connected to.

This conversation is particularly useful for product creators and e-commerce business owners who currently work with a family member or are considering bringing one into the business.

What you’ll learn

• The most common challenges family-run businesses face

• How to decide who does what

• How to protect both the relationship and the business

• What to discuss before going into business together

• How to handle tensions or conflict

• The difference between what the family needs and what the business needs

• Succession planning without the stress

• What “growth” actually means

If you work with a partner, sibling, parent, or close friend — or you’re considering it — this episode will help you do it with more clarity and much fewer headaches.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Provide Society Website: https://www.providesociety.com/

Provide Society YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ProvideSociety

Lily Llewellyn LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-llewellyn-423030183/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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3 things to check before deciding to sell on Amazon

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Amazon can be a brilliant place to sell — but that doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.

In this episode, I’ll help you work out whether Amazon is the right platform for your products and business. We’ll go through three simple checks that can save you time, money, and frustration before you even get started.

You’ll learn:

How to check if your product can be sold on Amazon (including approvals, restrictions, and safety requirements)
How to assess demand — whether people are already buying products like yours
How to estimate costs and make sure your product can stay profitable after fees

We’ll also look at some free tools you can use, like the Jungle Scout Sales Estimator, and I’ll share practical examples to help you make informed decisions before you commit.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been on the fence about Amazon for a while, this episode will give you clarity on whether it’s the right move for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Creating plant based milk for kids - with Amy Langfield, Grow with Iris

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, Vicki chats with Amy Langfield, co-founder of Grow with Iris — a fortified, plant-based drink for children aged 12 months to 4 years. What started as one mum’s search for a safe, nutritious alternative for her allergic daughter has grown into a business helping families all over the UK.

Amy opens up about:

🌱 Turning a personal challenge into a purposeful business — how her daughter’s severe allergies inspired the creation of Grow with Iris.

🌱 Navigating regulations and formulation — the behind-the-scenes work of developing a nutritious, safe, and great-tasting children’s drink.

🌱 Funding innovation — how grants from Innovate UK supported research, development, and sustainability goals (and how you could benefit too!).

🌱 Building a sustainable brand — from eco-conscious packaging to lifecycle analysis

🌱 Practical advice for founders

Amy’s story is the perfect reminder that you don’t have to have all the answers to build something amazing — just a strong “why,” a willingness to learn, and a community around you.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Grow With Iris Website: https://www.growwithiris.com/

Grow With Iris Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/growwithiris

Grow With Iris Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/grow_with_iris/

Grow With Iris LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/79984142

Amy Langfield LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-langfield-887b36231/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

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How FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) actually works

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Fulfilment by Amazon, or FBA, sounds simple - you send your stock to Amazon and they handle the rest.

But what really happens behind the scenes can make a big difference to your profits, rankings and even how smoothly your business runs.

In this episode, I take you through how FBA actually works - from how your stock is received and stored, to the fees you’ll pay, the common pitfalls to avoid, and how to decide whether it’s right for your business.

You’ll learn:

What FBA really is
The genuine benefits — including Prime eligibility and customer trust
The hidden costs and things to consider
How to decide between using FBA, FBM, or a mix of both
A simple walkthrough of setting up your first FBA shipment

I also share some of my own experiences — the good and the bad — including what happened when an entire shipment went missing, and how I’d approach things differently now.

If you’re using FBA already, or thinking about it, this episode will help you understand exactly what to expect — and how to avoid costly mistakes.

Mentioned in this episode:

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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The secrets of a successful product - with Tricia Connor Jackson

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100

What actually makes a product great — not just good, but something people buy again, rave about, and recommend?

In this week’s episode, Vicki chats with Tricia Connor Jackson, who brings a fascinating mix of experience to the table. Tricia is a professional model, actress, and content creator who’s worked with over 350 brands, as well as a former Vice President of Sales at Procter & Gamble and Nestlé. She’s also one of the expert panelists on Amazon Prime’s Shopping Court, where she reviews and judges real-life products in front of a global audience.

This conversation is a goldmine for anyone selling a physical product or building a brand. Tricia shares what she’s learned from reviewing hundreds of products — what makes some shine and others stumble — and gives practical, honest advice to help you make yours the best it can be.

You’ll hear:

What really makes a product stand out – from packaging and price to function and clarity. Tricia explains why it’s never just one thing that wins customers over.

Tiny mistakes that trip brands up – like unreadable labels, unclear instructions, or packaging that looks beautiful but doesn’t actually work.

How to think like a consumer again – testing your own products as if you’d never seen them before.

The dos and don’ts of working with content creators – what to expect, how to brief them properly, and how to build strong, respectful relationships that produce great content.

Why authenticity matters most in creator partnerships – and how a well-chosen creator can become one of your best advocates.

How to make your Amazon listings do the selling for you – and why most brands accidentally undersell themselves online.

Tricia also shares fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from Shopping Court — Amazon’s reality-style product review show — and explains how her judging experience has sharpened her eye for what makes a product truly irresistible.

If you want to improve your packaging, work better with influencers, or simply make sure your product experience delights customers at every touchpoint, this episode is for you.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Tricia Connor Jackson Website: https://triciaconnorjackson.com/

Tricia Connor Jackson Instagram https://www.instagram.com/triciaconnorjackson/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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How to set up your first Amazon listing

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Creating your first Amazon listing can feel daunting, but it doesn’t need to be. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the essentials for building a strong listing — and share some of the common mistakes to avoid.

You’ll learn:

What you need to set up your Amazon Seller Central Account
The key elements of a good Amazon listing
How to avoid the most common listing mistakes

Remember to check out my back catalogue for full episodes on shipping, Amazon fees and more.

Get my FREE Amazon set up checklist: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

If you’d like personalised support with your first listing, I offer Power Hours where we can go through your product and goals together. Book a session here: https://calendly.com/vickiweinberg/powerhour

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Navigating later-life career pivots - with Corinne Whillock, Lulu and Boo

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this inspiring episode, Vicki chats with Corinne Whillock, founder of Lulu and Boo Jewellery, about how she swapped a 20-year career as a midwife for life as an award-winning jewellery designer.

If you’ve ever dreamed of doing something completely different or wondered if it’s too late to start again, this conversation will leave you feeling motivated and reassured that it never is.

Corinne shares how a chance encounter with a friend led her to an evening jewellery class that changed everything – and how she’s built a business rooted in quality, sustainability and authenticity.

You’ll hear:

How Corinne created a brand centred on recycled gold and silver that’s designed to last a lifetime.

Why staying true to your values and “your lane” can help you stand out – even in a competitive market.

The power of being authentic online and letting people see the person behind your brand.

Practical tips on funding, choosing e-commerce platforms, and balancing sustainability with profit.

Corinne’s experience with celebrity endorsements (including Claudia Winkleman!) – and what really drives long-term growth.

Why it’s absolutely not too late to start something new – and how midlife creativity can become your superpower.

This is such an uplifting conversation about courage, craftsmanship and connection. Whether you’re a product creator, maker, or e-commerce business owner, you’ll walk away with ideas, encouragement and the reminder that your business can reflect your values and evolve alongside you.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Lulu And Boo Website: https://luluandboojewellery.co.uk/

Lulu And Boo Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Lulu-Boo-Sustainable-Jeweller/100082407024540/

Lulu And Boo Instagram https://www.instagram.com/luluandboosustainablejeweller

Corrine Whillock LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinne-whillock-5784292a7/?originalSubdomain=uk

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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The not-so-obvious things costing you money or sales on Amazon

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Sometimes the biggest drains on your Amazon sales aren’t the obvious ones. In this episode, I uncover some of the hidden issues that quietly eat into your profit — and how to start spotting them.

You’ll learn:

The hidden problems that affect Amazon sales
Why these issues often go unnoticed
How fixing them can boost both sales and profitability

Mentioned in this episode:

My FREE Amazon audit checklist: https://checklist.vickiweinberg.com/audit
My Amazon Seller Central audit service: https://vickiweinberg.com/amazon-account-audit/

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Are You Sabotaging Your Business? Discovering Money Blocks - with Nicky Price

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve ever found yourself undercharging, struggling to raise your prices, or feeling guilty about earning money doing something you love — this episode is for you.

This week, I’m joined by Nicky Price, a global transformation therapist and coach who helps women in business break free from the subconscious blocks that hold them back from success and abundance.

We dive deep into money blocks — what they are, where they come from, and how they might be quietly sabotaging your business without you even realising. Nicky explains how our early experiences shape our beliefs about money, worth, and success, and how these old patterns might still be influencing the way we show up in business today.

You’ll hear about:

The most common money and mindset blocks women in business face
How to spot when you’re self-sabotaging your income or success
Why some of your money challenges may have nothing to do with money at all
Practical tips for increasing your self-worth and your ability to receive
How changing your energy and awareness can start shifting your results immediately

This is a fascinating, eye-opening conversation that will leave you reflecting on your own relationship with money — and ready to make powerful changes.

💡 Plus, Nicky has kindly shared a free 28-minute video that takes this work even deeper — no opt-in needed! You can watch it at https://mebutfree.com/Vicki

USEFUL RESOURCES

Me But Free Website https://mebutfree.com/

Nicky Price Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nicky_price/

Nicky Price LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickyprice/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

Amazon Made Easy is now open for enrolment – and the best part? You can join at any time. Whether you're just starting out or ready to scale your Amazon business, you’ll get instant access to expert guidance, practical resources, and ongoing support to help you grow with confidence.

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

What I look for in an Amazon account audit (and what it reveals)

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100

What actually happens during an Amazon account audit? In this episode, I take you behind the scenes and share some of the key areas I check, what they reveal and what you can do to about it.

This is a great way to pick up some tips on the areas you can look at, within your own account, to identify improvements.

You’ll learn:

The most common areas I review in an Amazon audit
Real examples of issues I’ve uncovered
Why an audit can make such a difference to performance

Want me to take a look at your account? I offer tailored Amazon audits to highlight problems and provide actionable steps to fix them.

Find out more here: Want me to take a look at your account? I offer tailored Amazon audits to highlight problems and provide actionable steps to fix them.

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Turning Party Bag Fillers into a Sustainable Brand - with Anne-Clare Ribbons - Cotton Twist

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week's guest is Anne-Clare Ribbons, founder of the sustainable kids’ craft brand Cotton Twist. Anne-Clare started her business ten years ago with just £400 and a big dream—to make children’s crafts fun, imaginative, and kind to the planet.

Find out how she grew Cotton Twist from hand-cutting paper at her kitchen table to being stocked in hundreds of shops across the UK and worldwide, including John Lewis, National Trust, and English Heritage. Anne-Clare is refreshingly honest about the realities of running a product business—what it takes to grow organically without outside funding, surviving challenges like Covid and postal strikes, and how stubborn determination (and a lot of coffee) kept her going.

If you’re a product creator, maker, or small business owner, you’ll love Anne-Clare’s open stories and practical advice on:

Starting small and testing the market before investing big
Managing production and sustainability as you scale
Finding (and keeping!) your passion when things get tough
Why you should never rely on one sales channel
How community, creativity, and resilience make all the difference

This is a warm, honest, and motivating chat for anyone building a brand from the ground up—or dreaming of doing so.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Cotton Twist Website https://cottontwist.co.uk/

Cotton Twist Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cotton.twist/

Cotton Twist Facebook https://www.facebook.com/inspiredbycottontwist/

Cotton Twist Pinterest https://uk.pinterest.com/cottontwist/

Cotton Twist LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/acribbonscottontwist/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

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Is it time to audit your Amazon account? Here’s how to know

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Is your Amazon account really working as well as it could? In this episode, I’ll walk you through the clear signs that your account might need a health check — and why small issues left unchecked can end up costing you sales and money.

You’ll learn:

The signs your Amazon account isn’t performing as it should
How to spot problems before they become bigger issues
Why regular health checks are so valuable for long-term success

If you’d like a fresh pair of eyes on your account, I offer tailored Amazon audits to identify problems and give you clear next steps.

Mentioned in this episode:

Free Amazon audit checklist: https://checklist.vickiweinberg.com/audit
Find out more about my audits: https://vickiweinberg.com/amazon-account-audit/

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

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The Essential Insurance Guide for Product Businesses - with Gary Ross, Blip

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Insurance might not sound like the most exciting part of running your business – but it’s one of the most important. In this episode, I’m joined by Gary Ross from Blip, who has over 40 years of experience in the insurance world, to break it all down in a way that’s simple, practical, and surprisingly interesting!

If you’re selling products – whether you make them yourself, import them, or curate them – you’ll learn exactly what types of cover you need, why it matters, and how to avoid nasty surprises down the line.

Here’s what you’ll get from listening:

A clear understanding of the different kinds of insurance product businesses should consider (public liability, product liability, employers’ liability, stock cover, and more).
Real-life examples of why having the right cover can make all the difference – including some eye-opening stories Gary shares from his career.
What sole traders, limited companies, and even side hustlers should be thinking about when it comes to protecting themselves.
Reassurance that insurance doesn’t need to be overwhelming – and how to work out what you actually need without paying for things you don’t.

Whether you’re just starting out or already running a product business, this is a practical episode that could save you money, stress, and sleepless nights in the future.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Blip Website: https://www.justablip.co.uk/

Blip Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blip_insurance/?hl=en

Blip LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/justablip

Gary Ross LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-ross-48149bb/

LET’S CONNECT

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Why should businesses start, or continue to sell on Amazon? (rerelease)

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This is a re-release. Original episode published in October 2024

Key takeaways:

Amazon can be an excellent marketplace for small businesses to reach new customers.
Selling on Amazon involves challenges, but it can significantly increase brand visibility.
Using Amazon's Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) service can save time on order fulfillment.
Many customers shop on Amazon because of its convenient payment and shipping options.
It's essential to optimise your product listings on Amazon to attract customers.
Amazon provides opportunities for global sales.

LET’S CONNECT

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Empowering Artisans: Building a purpose driven brand with Reshma Nagpal - Orregin

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, I chat with Reshma Nagpal, founder of Orregin, a purpose-driven brand bringing beautiful artisan-made accessories and homeware from India to the UK. Reshma is only a year into her business, yet she has so much wisdom to share about starting strong, building trust, and staying true to your mission.

You’ll hear:

How a difficult time during Covid led to a business idea rooted in purpose and passion.
The power of working directly with artisans to preserve traditional crafts while creating modern, desirable products.
Why talking to your customers early and often is one of the most valuable things you can do (and how Reshma does this through pop-ups and fairs).
The realities of pricing, trial and error, and navigating challenges like logistics and production.
The three core purposes behind Orregin, and how a strong “why” helps a new brand stand out.
What it’s really like launching in a tough economic climate, and why sometimes the best time to start is simply now.

If you’re just starting out, or even if you’ve been running your business for a while, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical reminders that will help you keep moving forward, trust yourself, and lean into feedback from the people who matter most—your customers.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Orregin Website https://orregin.com/

Orregin Instagram https://www.instagram.com/orregin_global/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

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What I’d do differently if I started on Amazon again

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

I first started selling on Amazon around nine years ago, and while I did a lot right, there’s plenty I’d do differently if I was starting today.

In this episode, I’m sharing both the wins and the lessons learned – so you can avoid the costly mistakes I made and benefit from what’s working for my clients right now.

We’ll cover:

The things I’d repeat – from having an established product to creating a great listing
Why I’d skip Amazon’s A+ templates in favour of custom layouts
How I’d approach stock differently to save on storage fees
The importance of having FBM as a backup to FBA
Why I’d use Vine to get early reviews (and avoid my early review struggles!)
How I’d approach ads with more patience and focus
What I’d change about my launch and expansion plans

If you’re just starting out – or thinking about a relaunch – this is a chance to learn from my experience and start strong.

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Master Your Cash Flow - with Sarah Mathias, This Is Growth

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Cash flow – it’s one of those topics that every business owner knows is important, but many of us shy away from really getting to grips with it. In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Mathias, e-commerce consultant and founder of This is Growth, who works with small business owners to cut through the noise and focus on the numbers and strategies that actually drive profit.

Sarah shares:

The most common mistakes she sees product businesses make with cash flow (and how to avoid them).
Why poor margins and taking too much money out of the business too soon can be so damaging.
How to use stock, pre-orders, and even a “sellout model” to keep money flowing and customers coming back.
Simple ways to track your numbers – even if you don’t consider yourself a “numbers person.”
Why sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is not to pay yourself (at least at the start).

This conversation is packed with practical, no-nonsense advice that will help you feel more in control of your money and your business. Whether you’re just starting out or a few years in, you’ll come away with fresh ideas on how to keep cash flowing, avoid unnecessary costs, and make decisions with confidence.

If cash flow has ever kept you awake at night, this episode will give you both clarity and reassurance

USEFUL RESOURCES

This Is Growth Website https://www.thisisgrowth.co.uk/

This Is Growth Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thisisgrowthecom/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

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Get your Amazon listings ready for Q4

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Q4 is the busiest time of year on Amazon – and the earlier you prepare, the better your results will be.

In this episode, we’ll talk about what you can do right now to make sure your listings, stock, and ads are ready for the increase in traffic and competition.

You’ll learn:

Why last-minute changes might not get indexed in time
How to optimise titles, bullets, and images for the season
The role seasonal keywords can play in increasing visibility
How to plan your stock levels and avoid costly delays
Setting up and refining your ad campaigns for Q4 success
When and how to use promotions to stand out
The benefit of testing before the busiest weeks hit

If you want to go into Q4 confident and prepared – rather than scrambling to fix things – this episode is for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

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Championing Female Entrepreneurs - with Maddie Pirrie - Buy Women Built

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week on the Bring Your Product Idea to Life podcast, I’m joined by Maddie Pirrie, Head of Community at Buy Women Built – a movement shining a light on female-founded consumer brands in the UK.

If you run a product-based business (whether you’re just starting out or already scaling), this episode is packed with insights about the power of visibility, connection, and community. Maddie shares the story behind Buy Women Built, why it exists, and how it’s already making a huge impact for thousands of female founders.

You’ll hear about:

How Buy Women Built grew from a small WhatsApp group into a nationwide movement.
The unique support product founders get inside the community – from forums and pods to live events with inspiring founders.
Why collaborations and partnerships can be a game-changer for your brand.
The importance of female role models in entrepreneurship – and how visibility changes everything.
Practical ways you can get involved, no matter what stage your business is at.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re building your product business alone, this episode is a brilliant reminder that community really does make all the difference. Buy Women Built isn’t just about growing your business – it’s about being part of a bigger movement that celebrates and supports female founders.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Website: https://buywomenbuilt.com/

Submit Your Brand: https://buywomenbuilt.com/submit-your-brand/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buywomenbuilt/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buy-women-built/?originalSubdomain=uk

Personal LinkedIn for Brand Enquiries: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddie-pirrie1/?originalSubdomain=uk

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

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The quick changes you can make to see results on Amazon this quarter

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

With Q4 just around the corner, there’s still time to make improvements that can boost your sales – without a full overhaul.

In this episode, I’m sharing simple, strategic tweaks you can make to your Amazon account and listings right now, including:

Quick title changes that can improve your visibility
How better images can increase clicks and conversions
Making the most of your bullet points to highlight benefits
Updating backend keywords for better search relevance
Reviewing your pricing and fees before peak season
Making fulfilment work harder for you – including why having both FBA and FBM can help
The importance of checking in on your ads

Small changes can have a big impact – especially when made before traffic and competition surge.

Tune in to get a checklist of actions you can start on today.

Find out more about an Amazon Account Audit: https://vickiweinberg.com/amazon-account-audit/

Book a Power Hour with me: https://calendly.com/vickiweinberg/powerhour

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Finding Calm in Chaos: The Story Behind Whist - with Kerry Hawkins

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, I’m joined by Kerry Hawkins, founder of Whist, a wellbeing brand creating refillable candles, home fragrance, and bath products. Kerry shares openly about her journey from running a busy spa to starting a product business with just £100, and the challenges and lessons she’s learned along the way.

We cover:

The differences between running a service business and a product business.
How Kerry overcame her fear of showing up on Instagram and why visibility matters.
Practical ways to sell fragrance products online, including quizzes, discovery packs, and strong scent descriptions.
Using customer feedback to shape products and build loyalty (Whist now has a 70% returning customer rate).
Why staying focused on your own path matters more than chasing trends.

This conversation is full of useful, real-world insights for anyone growing a product business – whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen what you’ve already built.

Useful Resources

Whist Website https://www.whistuk.com/

Whist Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whist_uk/

Whist Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Whistuk/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

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Why September is a great time to launch on Amazon

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve been “nearly ready” to launch on Amazon all summer, this is your sign to go for it.

In this short, focused episode, I’m sharing why September is one of the smartest months to launch your Amazon store – even if you feel like you’ve missed the boat for the year.

We’ll cover:

Why September gives you enough time to set up properly before Q4 kicks in
How launching now helps you avoid being drowned out in peak season noise
Why it’s the perfect moment to build reviews and traction before the busiest months
How this timing gives you space to fix any issues and go into Q4 feeling confident

Whether you’re chasing Q4 sales or setting yourself up for next year, the sooner you start, the better. And if you need help getting everything set up, my Amazon Launch Package can take care of it for you.

Find out more about my Amazon Launch Package: https://vickiweinberg.com/amazon-launch-package/

Mentioned in this episode:

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4 signs that your branding is actually holding your business back - with Cara Bendon

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Is your branding secretly holding your business back? In this episode, I’m joined (once again!) by brand consultant Cara Bendon to explore the four big signs that your branding might be working against you rather than for you.

We dig into:

How to tell if people really understand what your product is (or if you’re leaving them confused).
Why attracting the wrong customers could be a sign your brand positioning needs tweaking.
The importance of consistency across your website, social media, packaging, and even Amazon listings.
What it means if you secretly feel embarrassed about your branding — and how that could be stopping you from taking opportunities.

Cara shares practical tips, real-life examples, and plenty of encouragement to help you spot where your branding could use a refresh. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been running your product business for a while, this episode will help you see branding not just as a logo, but as the whole experience you’re creating for your customers.

If you’ve ever wondered why sales feel harder than they should, why people aren’t quite “getting” your product, or if you’ve hesitated to put yourself out there because of your visuals or packaging — this episode is for you.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Do you ever wonder how others perceive your brand? Whether your logo is up to scratch, and if your colour and font choices feel right for your product and your audience? Wonder no more – get your brand in front of a branding expert for free, instant feedback on your branding and your website.

This week’s podcast guest, Branding Expert Cara Bendon, usually offers brand audits for £250, but she’s offering free mini-audits for my Amazon Made Easy members during a special bonus session in September.

If you’ve been on the fence about joining, sign up now to benefit from this free session (only available to my members) - plus get access to everything else already included within the membership. All for £29 a month!

This session is worth the membership alone, but I'm pretty confident you'll love the supportive and helpful space we've created and want to stay with us!

Amazon Made Easy Membership https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

Website - www.carabendon.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/carabendon/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carabendon/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@CaraBendon

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

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10 Amazon Myths That Could Damage Your Sales (re-release)

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week I’m re-releasing one of the most downloaded episodes of the podcast – and for good reason.

There are so many myths out there about selling on Amazon, and if you’re just getting started (or even if you’re not), they can really hold you back.

In this episode, I’m talking through some of the biggest misconceptions I hear – like needing a huge budget to launch, or thinking that just listing your product will lead to instant sales. I’ll also explain why you don’t need to be the cheapest seller to succeed.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Amazon’s too competitive, too expensive, or just too complicated – this one’s for you.

Let’s clear up the confusion and help you move forward with more confidence.

Mentioned in this episode:

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All about The Giftware Association - with Victoria Louise

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve ever wondered whether joining an industry association is worth it, this conversation will give you the inside scoop.

This week on the podcast I’m joined by Victoria Louise, Head of Membership at the Giftware Association. The Giftware Association supports businesses across the home and gift sector, from brand-new startups to well-established companies, offering advice, connections, and opportunities to help you grow.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why being part of a trade association can take away the loneliness of running a product business.
The many ways membership can support you — from legal and HR advice to international growth, marketing, and introductions to buyers.
How the Gift of the Year Awards can put your products in front of the right people and open doors you might never have imagined.
Real examples of members who’ve used their membership to raise their profile, build community, and grow their brand.
Why networking and saying “yes” to opportunities (even when it feels scary!) can make such a difference.

Whether you’re just starting out or further along your business journey, this episode will help you see how the right support network can give you confidence, connections, and the chance to take your brand further.

USEFUL RESOURCES

The Giftware Association Website https://www.giftwareassociation.org/

Giftware Association Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the _ga_uk

GIftware Association LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-giftware-association/

Victoria Louise LinkedIn https://thevertfest.vfairs.com/

LET’S CONNECT

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Planning Your Amazon Promotions for a Profitable Q4

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Q4 is the biggest sales period of the year on Amazon – but to make the most of it, you need a plan.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to get your promotions in place early, so you’re not scrambling when Black Friday hits. Whether you're launching your first seasonal offer or refining your strategy from last year, this is a great time to think ahead.

You’ll learn:

How to choose which products to promote
What types of Amazon promotions are available – and how to use them
How far in advance you need to plan for Q4 events like Black Friday
Why it’s important to think about stock, pricing, and marketing together
And how to make sure your promotions actually convert

It doesn’t need to be overwhelming – but a bit of planning now can make a big difference to your Q4 results.

Links and resources:

Book a Power Hour: https://calendly.com/vickiweinberg/powerhour

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

The Story Behind NIXI Body's Leak-Proof Knickers - with Kelly Newton

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn a personal problem into a product that changes lives, this conversation with Kelly Newton, co-founder of NIXI Body, will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take action.

NIXI Body create washable, absorbent and very discreet knickers for periods and little bladder leaks. Designed to be discreet and comfortable, keeping women moving through menstruation, motherhood and menopause.

Kelly shares the incredibly honest and often funny story of how she went from being a foster mum with no business background to running a fast-growing brand selling discreet, washable knickers for periods and light bladder leaks. Along the way, she’s navigated product development, niching down, retail partnerships (including a store on Regent Street!), and building a loyal community of customers who shout about her products.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

How Kelly spotted a gap in the market and created a product she wished had existed for her.
The brave decision to niche down into the sports market — and how it led to game-changing opportunities.
Why community, storytelling, and being relatable can be your biggest marketing superpowers.
Handling negative feedback without losing confidence (and even turning one-star reviews into five-stars).
The power of partnerships — how meeting her co-founder transformed the business.
Tips for getting into retailers, selling across multiple channels, and keeping control of your brand message.
Why it’s vital to know your long-term goal for your business — whether that’s selling, scaling, or pivoting.

Whether you’re just starting out, growing your product range, or trying to find your niche, Kelly’s mix of humour, resilience, and practical tips will give you the confidence to go for it — and keep going when it gets tough.

USEFUL RESOURCES

NIXI Body Website https://www.nixibody.com/

NIXI Body Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nixibody

NIXI Body TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/nixibody

Kelly Newton LinkedIn https://www.LinkedIn.com/kellynewton007/

LET’S CONNECT

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Amazon Updates You Can’t Afford to Miss in 2025

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Amazon is always changing – and in 2025, there have already been some important updates that sellers need to be aware of.

In this episode, I’m covering three key changes that could impact your listings, visibility, and performance on Amazon. Whether you’re actively selling or planning to launch soon, this is your chance to get ahead of the curve and make sure your listings are in the best possible shape.

We’ll cover what the new brand analytics reports could mean for your keyword strategy

What’s changing with Amazon’s title requirements – and how to make sure your listings stay compliant

And the rollout of new AI tools like Project Amelia and Enhance My Listing – including why I still recommend human-led listing support for now

There’s a lot to keep up with – but I’ll break it all down in a clear, practical way so you know what matters and what (if anything) you need to do next.

Links and resources:

Watch the original episode: https://youtu.be/k87JyYOxWDE
Book a Power Hour: https://calendly.com/vickiweinberg/powerhour
Find out more about Amazon Made Easy: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Maximise Your Christmas Sales with Strategic PR Tips - with Louise Cox

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you're a product-based business, Christmas PR isn’t just a nice-to-have — it can be one of the most powerful ways to boost your visibility and sales all year. Getting your products featured in festive gift guides and seasonal stories can lead to a surge in traffic, a flurry of orders, and some seriously valuable brand credibility. In this episode, we’re talking about how to make it happen (even if you’ve never done PR before).

I'm joined by the brilliant Louise Cox, a small business publicity expert who specialises in helping product-based brands get featured in the press. We dive into why now (yes, in August!) is the perfect time to start planning your Christmas PR – and exactly how to do it, even if you're on a budget or doing it all yourself.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to get your products featured in Christmas gift guides
What journalists are really looking for – and how to make your product stand out
Simple steps to pitch your product, even if you’ve never done PR before
Free and low-cost ways to find press opportunities
Other festive PR ideas beyond gift guides that can help raise your profile

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to get more press coverage this year, this episode is packed with practical advice and simple steps you can take straight away.

USEFUL LINKS

Louise Cox PR Website https://www.louisecoxpr.co.uk/

Louise Cox Instagram https://www.instagram.com/louisecoxpr/

Readly https://gb.readly.com/

Mailtrack https://mailsuite.com/en/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

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5 Quick Ways to Refresh Your Amazon Listing This Summer

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Is your Amazon listing looking a little tired?

Summer is the perfect time to give it a quick refresh before the busy Q4 season creeps in.

In this episode, I’m sharing 5 simple ways to improve your product listings – all things you can do right now, even if you’re short on time. Whether you're brand new to Amazon or already selling, these practical updates could help boost your visibility and improve conversions.

You’ll learn:

Why your main image matters more than you think
How to rerun your keyword research (and what tools to use)
What to look for in your bullet points and description
How customer reviews can guide your content updates
Why A+ Content is worth revisiting – and how to make yours better

Each of these tips is quick, doable, and designed to help your product stand out in search and sell more.

Links and resources:

Get my free Amazon audit checklist:https://checklist.vickiweinberg.com/audit
Book a Power Hour: https://calendly.com/vickiweinberg/powerhour
Learn more about Amazon Made Easy: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

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Meet the Mind Behind Evolve - with Freddie Titcombe

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Vicki speaks with Freddie Titcombe, co-founder of Evolve Journey, about developing and growing a product-based business with purpose. Freddie shares the journey of creating the Evolve Journal—a goal-setting and habit-building journal—and how feedback, testing, and customer insights have shaped the product over time.

Find out:

The early mistakes they made bringing their journal to market—and what they’d do differently
How regular customer feedback has improved both the product and the business
Tips on managing suppliers and avoiding costly errors
The benefits of repeat customers and building a strong product community
What it’s like to run a business with a family member—and the importance of being aligned

USEFUL RESOURCES

Evolve Website https://www.evolvejourney.co.uk/

Evolve Instagram https://www.instagram.com/evolve.journey

Freddie Titcombe LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/freddietitcombe/

LET’S CONNECT

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Audit your Amazon account this Summer (re-release)

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today, I'm sharing how to conduct a DIY audit on your Amazon Seller Central account, which is super important for keeping your sales in check.

I'm going to break down crucial metrics like account health, inventory performance, and sales performance, helping you spot any issues before they escalate.

I've even created a free Amazon audit checklist that pairs perfectly with this episode, making the whole process smoother for you.

Whether you’re already tracking your metrics or just getting started, this is the time to take a good look and make necessary tweaks for better results. So grab that checklist and let’s ensure you’re set for success!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Get your free Amazon audit checklist: https://checklist.vickiweinberg.com/audit

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If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Unlocking AI: Boost Your Instagram Game with Authentic Content!

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve ever sat staring at a blank screen wondering what on earth to post on Instagram, or if you’ve felt torn between staying “authentic” and keeping up with content creation, this episode is for you.

Vicki is joined by Helen Williams, a social media strategist who helps business owners create magnetic content on Instagram using AI – and crucially, in a way that still feels like you.

Helen’s approach is all about saving time and reducing overwhelm, while helping you show up consistently and connect with your audience. In this conversation, she shares:

How AI can boost your creativity – from generating content ideas to writing hooks and captions that stop people scrolling.
Why authenticity matters more than ever – and how to train AI tools like ChatGPT to write in your voice and reflect your brand personality.
Practical, simple ways to get started with AI (even if tech makes you nervous).
Clever ways to use AI for strategy and planning – so you’re not scrambling to create content at the last minute.
Tips for balancing AI with your personal touch – especially when it comes to visuals, storytelling, and building real connections.

Whether you’re a product-based business owner or a creative entrepreneur, you’ll come away with a ton of ideas on how AI can save you hours of time, spark inspiration, and help you show up online without feeling robotic or salesy.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Hey Helen Williams Website https://hey-helen-williams.newzenler.com/

Hey Helen Williams Instagram https://www.instagram.com/heyhelenwilliams/

FREE MASTERCLASS How Psychology Behind How I Engineered A Viral Reel (And Turned It Into Sales) https://hey-helen-williams.newzenler.com/f/the-psychology-behind-how-i-engineered-a-viral-reel

LET’S CONNECT

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Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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How to troubleshoot slow sales on Amazon

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Feeling like your sales are dragging? Well, you're definitely not alone! In this episode, we dive into the all-too-common struggle of slower-than-expected sales on Amazon.

I break down the reasons behind these slow sales and explore practical steps to troubleshoot and improve your situation. From analysing your data and optimising your listings to understanding seasonal trends and competition, I share some actionable insights that can help reignite your sales. So, grab a coffee, and let’s get into it!

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Episode 245 - Opening A Physical Store

What Running a Physical Shop is Really Like - with Sarah Birchall, Cub & Pudding

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Have you ever dreamed of opening your own shop — or wondered what it’s actually like to go from selling online to running a bricks-and-mortar store?

In this episode, I catch up with the brilliant Sarah Birchall, founder of joyful clothing brand Cub & Pudding, seven months after she opened her first physical shop in Forest Hill, London. Cub & Pudding is a one-woman brand built on passion, not formal training, that believes in the power of colour to lift moods and boost confidence.

Sarah shares all the behind-the-scenes highs and lows of life as a real-life shopkeeper.

We cover

What made Sarah decide to open a physical shop
How she found her space and negotiated her lease
What “fitting out” a shop actually involves
The realities of juggling online and in-store sales (including how she manages stock and customer orders)
Honest reflections on footfall, and seasonal slumps
How opening a shop has boosted Sarah’s confidence
Some surprising challenges
The joy of building local community

Whether you’re a seasoned product-based business owner, dipping a toe into markets and pop-ups, or simply curious about what it takes to have a physical retail space, this episode is packed with insights.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Cub and Pudding Website

Cub and Pudding Instagram

Episode

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Hosted by Captivate

What do to when things go wrong on Amazon (re-release)

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Navigating the world of Amazon selling can be a bit of a rollercoaster ride, and today we're diving into the nitty-gritty of troubleshooting common issues that sellers face.

I'm sharing my best tips on how to avoid pitfalls, handle unexpected hiccups, and know when to reach out for help.

This isn’t just about keeping your listings live - it’s about being prepared for anything that might come your way, from listing problems to shipping headaches.

So whether you’re facing a setback now or just want to be ready for the future, this episode is packed with practical advice you won’t want to miss!

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Whitebee Digital Instagram

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Creating Content That Sells - with Aggie Meroni, White Bee Digital

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Feeling stuck on what to post on social media? Wondering if you're doing too much… or not enough? If social content leaves you scratching your head (or shouting into the void), this episode is for you.

This week, I chat with Aggie Meroni, founder of Whitebee Digital – a paid social agency that helps e-commerce brands thrive on Meta, Pinterest, and TikTok. While Aggie knows ads inside and out, this conversation is all about organic content – and how to make it work before you even think about running ads.

Learn how to create a content strategy that feels manageable and purposeful
Hear the kinds of posts that really resonate – from unboxings to founder stories to behind-the-scenes snippets
Find out why buying followers is a huge no-no – and what to do instead
Discover which platforms make the most sense for your product and your audience
Learn simple ways to repurpose content (hello, ChatGPT!) so you’re not always starting from scratch
Understand what metrics actually matter and how to know if your content is working

Aggie shares loads of practical tips in a super approachable way – no jargon, no pressure, just helpful advice you can take away and try today.

Whether you’ve got one product or a whole range, you’ll come away feeling clearer, more confident, and ready to show up online in a way that feels good (and gets results).

USEFUL RESOURCES

Whitebee Digital Website

Aggie Meroni LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

What goes into setting up your Amazon account (and listings) properly

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of setting up an Amazon seller account and doing it the right way the first time around.

I’ll explore the common pitfalls that can trip up so many new sellers, like rushing through listings and not optimising them for visibility. I share a real-life story of a brand that struggled for six months without making a single sale because they didn’t have a solid setup.

But don’t worry, I’ll guide you step-by-step through the essential actions you need to take, from choosing your seller plan to crafting compelling product listings. Plus, I’ve got a free Amazon Setup Checklist for you to grab, so you can keep everything on track without scrambling for notes while you’re multitasking!

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Download my FREE Amazon set up checklist: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

https://buywomenbuilt.com/

Hosted by Captivate

Building visibility and trust for your products - with Amber Taylor, Chomp

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today, we're featuring Amber Taylor, the founder of Chomp®, a multi award-winning children’s tableware brand supporting families with feeding essentials that bring more ease, style and magic to mealtimes.

Amber walks us through her entire product journey – from spotting a gap in the market during those early weaning days with her son, all the way through to launching on Amazon, tweaking her approach, and ultimately building a standout brand that's been seen on BBC One, featured by Stacey Solomon, and celebrated by Small Business Britain.

We talk about:

The step-by-step process Amber used to create and launch her hero product – and what she'd do differently next time
The research that helped her refine her idea (and avoid expensive mistakes)
Selling on Amazon – what worked, what didn’t, and how to know if it's the right fit for your product
How Amber has built credibility and brand trust through networks, awards, and authentic influencer marketing
The power of business communities – and her favourite (genuinely helpful) ones to join
Encouragement and advice for navigating the tough times and staying motivated

Amber doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges, but she shares them in such a generous, relatable way – this episode is like having a chat with a friend who’s been there, made the mistakes, and is cheering you on.

Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just curious about how others have made it work, this one’s a must-listen.

USEFUL RESOURCES

RECOMMENDED NETWORKS:

https://helpbnk.com/

https://smallbusinessbritain.uk/

https://www.theopaphitissbs.com/

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Is Your Product Ready for Amazon? Let’s Find Out!

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today, we're diving into how to know if you and your product are ready to sell on Amazon.

Getting started on Amazon can be tricky, and I want to help you avoid the procrastination trap I fell into. I share some key signs that indicate you're ready - and how to tell that you're not quite there yet.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Get my FREE checklist: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist
How to stand out on Amazon, even if your product isn't unique: https://vickiweinberg.com/captivate-podcast/how-to-stand-out-on-amazon-even-if-your-product-isnt-totally-unique/
How to use the Amazon Fee calculator: https://youtu.be/Mso8UMYNCfo

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Majury Merchandising Website

Mastering Stock Management - with Anna Youngson

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you ever feel overwhelmed by stock decisions, unsure how much to order, or frustrated by cash tied up in products that aren’t selling… this episode is definitely for you.

In this super practical conversation, Vicki chats with merchandising expert Anna Youngson, founder of Majury Merchandising. Anna works with independent brands to help them truly understand what their stock and sales data are telling them – so they can buy better, sell more, and keep more cash in the business.

You’ll come away from this episode with:

Clear ideas for how to better forecast your sales and plan your stock accordingly
A fresh take on pricing strategies (including why it's OK to price differently in different markets!)
Smart ways to shift slow-moving stock – without slashing prices or harming your brand
What key numbers to track and how they can help you make better buying decisions

Whether you’re new to selling products or scaling up your range, this episode is packed with actionable advice that will help you feel more confident and in control of your stock.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Majury Merchandising Instagram

Anna Youngson LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

What to do when you don’t know what to do next on Amazon

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Selling on Amazon can feel like one long to-do list – and when you’re not sure what matters most, it’s easy to get stuck. In this June episode, I help you prioritise your next steps based on your goals, time and stage of growth. Whether you need a quick win or a longer-term strategy, this episode will help you move forward with clarity.

You’ll learn:

How to deal with the overwhelm of “too much to do”
Quick wins to build momentum
What to focus on mid- and long-term
How to know what matters now – and what can wait
Why having a clear plan is better than chasing trends

Mentioned in this episode

FREE Amazon audit checklist: https://checklist.vickiweinberg.com/audit

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Allergy Defender Instagram

Building a Business Around Health - with Savanna Elliott, Allergy Defender

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode of Bring Your Product Idea to Life, Vicki chats with Savanna Elliott, co-founder of Allergy Defender—a business born from a terrifying childhood asthma attack and built into an Amazon bestseller.

Savanna shares the remarkable journey behind the product that changed her life—and is now helping thousands of families breathe easier. Find out how a personal need led to a groundbreaking, science-backed solution that treats the cause of indoor allergies, not just the symptoms.

Learn what it takes to create a product in a science-led, highly regulated space
Get practical tips on launching (and growing!) your product on Amazon
Discover how user-generated content and telling your story can drive sales
Why founder wellbeing matters just as much as the bottom line

Whether you’re creating your first product, thinking about selling on Amazon, or working on a game-changing idea that’s taking longer than you’d hoped—this episode will reassure, inspire, and equip you with plenty to take away.

Useful Resources:

Allergy Defender Website

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Should you run ads if your listings aren’t converting?

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Amazon ads can boost visibility – but if your listing isn’t converting, you’re just paying for more people to say “no.” In this episode, I explain how to assess whether your product page is ready for traffic, what to fix first, and how to use ads strategically (and profitably) when the time is right.

You’ll learn:

What Amazon ads can and can’t do
Why ads don’t solve deeper listing problems
Key signs your listing needs improvement before you spend on traffi
A checklist to help you prepare for effective advertising
How to use ads to grow – without wasting money

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/
How to write product listings that actually convert: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2867148e-c3f0-48db-a946-79de4a79131a/
Why your Amazon product might not be selling – and what to do next: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3b145f99-d9fc-49d7-a799-6be7303f0bdd/
Introduction to Amazon Ads: Tips and Tricks for Success: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b8fceddc-0d0b-471c-9d5a-55a49fcd1814/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Google Ads 101: Expert Tips for Small Business Owners - with John Horn, StubGroup

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Thinking about trying Google Ads to get your product in front of more customers—but not sure where to start, how much it’ll cost, or if it’s even worth it?

This week, I sits down with digital marketing expert John Horn, Managing Partner of StubGroup, to give you a clear, honest, and practical look at Google Ads for product-based businesses.

Whether you’ve never run an ad before, or you’ve dabbled but felt a bit lost, this is a must-listen.

USEFUL RESOURCES

StubGroup Website

drpbo

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

How to stand out on Amazon (even if your product isn’t totally unique)

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Is your product similar to others already on Amazon? Don’t worry – that doesn’t mean you can’t stand out. This week, I share ways to make your product the obvious choice for your ideal customer, without needing a brand-new invention or rock-bottom pricing. From sharper copy to stronger visuals, this episode is all about how great presentation drives conversion.

You’ll learn:

Why differentiation isn’t always about being first or fastest
How to lead with value and connect with your ideal customer
The small shifts that make a big impact in crowded categories
What to include in your title, bullets and images
Examples of how real businesses have improved their positioning

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/
Why your Amazon product might not be selling – and what to do next: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3b145f99-d9fc-49d7-a799-6be7303f0bdd/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Catch Up Time: Where Are They Now?

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today we have a catch-up episode where I chat with some amazing guests from 2022 to see what they've been up to!

First up is Kresse Wesling from Elvis & Kresse, who's been busy growing her sustainable business.

Then, we hear from Marika Syed of Snackzilla, who decided to pass her brand on to a new owner.

Lastly, Emma Sims from Soulstar Sanctuary shares how her energy healing practice has evolved, focusing more on bespoke products for her clients.

We’ll explore the changes, challenges, and successes these entrepreneurs have faced over the past three years. Stick around for some insightful updates and advice!

Plus, we will of course hear each of them share their number one piece of advice for other product creators!

LISTEN TO THE ORIGINAL EPISODES

Business impact vs business growth - with Kresse Wesling: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/d3b8874c-80c4-4551-af0f-edda8ccd5bb7/

Creating a food business and getting stocked in major supermarkets - with Marieke Syed: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/91183f38-2863-4c0a-acf1-de777aa71926/

The importance of experimenting when creating your products - with Emma Sims: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/37752cc0-ba4d-4fb8-a3db-1fc816fa046e/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Why your Amazon product might not be selling – and what to do next

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0100

You’ve launched your product on Amazon, the listing’s live, but the sales just aren’t coming. You’re not alone. In this episode, I break down the most common reasons your Amazon listings might not be converting – and what to check before slashing your price or throwing money at ads. (Please don't do either - at least until after you've listened!)

From overlooked image issues to keyword-heavy copy, we’ll cover simple but effective tweaks that can make all the difference.

You’ll learn:

The most common reasons products don’t sell (even with great potential)
Why good listings focus on benefits, not just features
What to do before considering price cuts or advertising
How to look at your listing like a customer would
Why small changes can lead to big results

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/
how to get sales and product reviews - particularly if you’re fairly new to Amazon: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/be806954-df44-48c4-b9c4-50a78dee7227/
What's Amazon Vine and how does it work? https://player.captivate.fm/episode/31085d58-6597-4221-8627-35e4846480ba/
How to write product listings that actually convert: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2867148e-c3f0-48db-a946-79de4a79131a/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Creating Eco-Friendly Shoes for Kids - with Jeroo Doodhmal, Pip & Henry

Fri, 30 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you're a product creator, e-commerce business owner, or simply someone with a sustainable vision, this episode is a goldmine of inspiration and real-world wisdom.

Vicki is joined by the brilliant Jeroo Doodhmal, the Founder of Pip & Henry. Driven by a love for the environment, Pip & Henry creates beautifully stylish, comfortable and responsibly produced shoes for children. Their playful footwear is made from sustainable materials and can be recycled when outgrown. Better yet, if recycled, customers receive a discount off their next order.

Jeroo had zero background in footwear or fashion—and yet she's created a brand that combines joyful, playful design with real environmental impact.

We cover:

How Jeroo went from corporate banking to running a kids’ footwear brand with no prior industry experience.
Funding tips
The highs and lows of building a brand rooted in sustainability
Honest lessons in marketing – Why shouting about sustainability alone didn’t work—and what really gets customers on board.
What it’s really like to run a purpose-led product business

Whether you're just starting out or ready to take your sustainable product business to the next level, this episode will leave you feeling energised and full of practical ideas.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Pip & Henry

Optimise all your tasks, sales platforms, orders and shipping with Hustl.

Download Hustl for free now and get £5 off your shipping using code ‘VWMAY25’ (Offer ends 1st June 2025)

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

What happens after you go live on Amazon?

Tue, 27 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

So you’ve listed your product and you’re officially live on Amazon – now what?

In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what to expect after your product goes live. From your first sale to managing stock and understanding what all those reports mean, I’ll help you feel confident about what comes next.

Whether you’ve just launched or are preparing to go live, this episode will take the mystery out of those crucial first weeks.

What we cover:

What happens when your product goes live
How long it might take to make your first sale
What numbers to pay attention to (and what to ignore)
How reviews work – and what you can and can’t do
What to focus on in your first few weeks

Mentioned in this episode:

Download my free Amazon Setup Checklist: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist
Find out more about Amazon Made Easy: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Grow Your Business with Purpose - Tips from Lucy Horden

Fri, 23 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you're running a product-based business and wondering how to balance growth with real life, this episode is for you. I chat with retail strategist Lucy Horden about what it really means to grow a product business with ease—and how to do it in a way that aligns with your life, not someone else’s idea of success.

Lucy supports 6 & 7 figure product business owners overcome overwhelm & unlock the power of strategy & insight to grow with purpose & profit.

Whether you're just starting out or already scaling and feeling overwhelmed, Lucy’s calm and practical approach will help you see that you don’t have to do it all (and certainly not all at once!). You’ll come away with tips you can actually use, and reassurance that it’s okay to want a business that supports your life—not one that takes it over.

What we cover:

Why your business goals need to match your life goals
What it really means to grow sustainably and intentionally
The signs that it’s time to get strategic (and why that’s not a scary word!)
How to use your data to make better decisions—even if numbers aren’t your thing
What to do when your sales are growing but profits aren’t
How to reduce overwhelm and avoid shiny object syndrome
Why growing with ease starts by identifying what’s creating friction in your business

Ideal if you're ready to get clear on what to focus on next.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Lucy Horden Website

Lucy Horden Instagram

Lucy Horden LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Optimise all your tasks, sales platforms, orders and shipping with Hustl.

Download Hustl for free now and get £5 off your shipping using code ‘VWMAY25’ (Offer ends 1st June 2025)

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

How to write product listings that actually convert

Tue, 20 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

You’ve got your product – now you need a listing that doesn’t just exist... it sells.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how to write clear, persuasive Amazon product listings that give your product the best chance of success. Whether you’re starting from scratch or tweaking what you’ve already got, these simple tips will help you feel more confident and get better results.

What we cover:

Why your listing is more important than you think
What to focus on in your title, bullets, and description
The role of keywords (and how to find them)
Common mistakes to avoid
Real-world examples of small tweaks that make a big difference
Why “done” is better than “perfect”

Mentioned in this episode:

Useful blog post: https://vickiweinberg.com/writing-a-product-description/

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Discovery Journal Website

Hosted by Captivate

Designing products that support mental health - with Danielle Wathes, Discovery Journal

Fri, 16 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you’re a product creator or e-commerce business owner looking for inspiration on how to turn a personal challenge into a successful business, this episode is for you. Danielle Wathes, the founder of Discovery Journal, shares her journey from hand-making journals at her dining room table to creating a range of mental health-focused products that are changing lives. Danielle designs and make products which aid in the recovery of mental illness. The products specialise in data collecting to find triggers of anxiety and stress.

Danielle shares

How she turned a personal struggle into a business
Moving from handmade to scaled productions
Adapting and expanding the product range
Navigating criticism and staying focused

USEFUL RESOURCES

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Optimise all your tasks, sales platforms, orders and shipping with Hustl.

Download Hustl for free now and get £5 off your shipping using code ‘VWMAY25’ (Offer ends 1st June 2025)

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

How to set up your Amazon account (without the stress)

Tue, 13 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This episode is a re-release of one of my most downloaded episodes – because the process of setting up your Amazon account hasn’t changed much, but the questions I hear about it haven’t gone away either!

If you’ve been putting off setting up your Amazon seller account because it feels overwhelming, this episode is for you.

I’ll walk you through everything you need to know – from choosing the right account type, to avoiding the most common setup mistakes. If you want to get your Amazon business off the ground without getting stuck in the admin, this is a great place to start.

What we cover:

The difference between individual and professional accounts
What you need to have ready before you begin
How to avoid account delays and verification issues
Step-by-step guidance to make setup smooth and simple

Mentioned in this episode:

👉 Download the free Amazon Setup Checklist: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Get Noticed on Amazon: Visual Branding Secrets with Eleanor Parnell Santos

Fri, 09 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Welcome to Bring Your Product Idea to Life! In this episode, I’m joined by Eleanor Parnell Santos, founder of Visualise Brands, who shares her expertise on visual branding for product-based businesses—particularly those selling on Amazon.

Visualise Brands provide shoppers with all the information they need to make instant buying decisions, boosting conversions and driving sales. We assess your product listings to identify why they’re not converting as well as they could. Then, we recommend actionable changes and optimise your listings with striking photography and compelling infographics. Whether you need a full-service transformation or just a few adjustments, we’ll highlight what you’re already doing brilliantly and what can be improved to take your listings to the next level.

If you’re an e-commerce business owner or product creator, this episode is packed with practical advice to level up your product listings and increase your sales. We dive deep into:

The Power of Visual Branding
Images That Sell
Brand Store & A+ Content
Avoiding Common Mistakes
The Secret to Cross-Selling

Why You Should Listen:

If you want your products to stand out on Amazon, increase brand recall, and boost sales, this episode is for you.

Head over to YouTube if you want to see the visuals Eleanor talks about, but rest assured, you can get all the insights just by listening too.

Book a discovery Call with Eleanor

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Is Selling on Amazon Right for Your Business?

Tue, 06 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve ever wondered whether Amazon is actually the right platform for your product – this episode is for you.

In this episode, I break down the real factors that determine whether selling on Amazon makes sense for your business. You’ll hear about the types of products that work well (and those that don’t), common misconceptions, and what to consider before diving in.

Whether you're brand new to Amazon or you're still weighing it up, this is the clarity you’ve been looking for.

What we cover:

What kinds of products tend to do well on Amazon
When Amazon isn’t the right choice
Myths that hold sellers back
The truth about fees, fulfilment and customer expectations
Real-world examples to help you decide
How to test the waters if you're unsure

Mentioned in this episode:

Download my free Amazon Setup Checklist: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist
Find out more about Amazon Made Easy: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Behind the Scenes of Trek Tots: Kim Wright's Entrepreneurial Adventure

Fri, 02 May 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week my guest on the podcast is Kim Wright, the founder of Trek Tots, a brand dedicated to helping busy parents simplify life with practical, portable products designed for little ones. Her flagship product, the Trek Tots™ Play Mat, makes family adventures easier, offering a safe, soft play space wherever you go. Kim shares:

How TrekTots began
Designing the product from scratch
Finding a manufacturer
Dealing with trademark challenges
Marketing on a budget – Using influencers, press, and Theo Paphitis’ SBS network to build visibility.
Juggling business and family
Learning as you go and the value of community

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Small Business Sunday

Guy Raz

Optimise all your tasks, sales platforms, orders and shipping with Hustl.

Download Hustl for free now and get £5 off your shipping using code ‘VWMAY25’ (Offer ends 1st June 2025)

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What's Changed on Amazon in 2025 (So Far)

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

We’re only a few months into 2025 and already a lot has changed on Amazon!

Whether you're already selling on the platform or thinking about it for the future, this episode gives you a quick and easy-to-digest overview of what’s new and what’s coming up.

In this episode, I cover:

The launch of Amazon Ireland – and why it could be a great opportunity
How Amazon’s new European Expansion Settings could affect your listings
The expansion of Amazon Global Logistics and what it means for stock shipping
Increased focus on brand protection – and what Brand Registered sellers can expect
What you need to know ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2025
Updates to FBA inbound and storage fees – and why it’s time to double-check your margins

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the changes (and there are a lot!), you’re not alone.

I’m here to break it down for you – and if you’d like personalised support for your business, you’re always welcome to book a free intro call.

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Why Business Protection Matters - with Jo Lund, Pangea Life

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

What would happen to your business (and your family) if you or a key team member could no longer work? It's a tough but important question to ask.

I'm joined by Jo Lund, business protection expert from Pangea Life. Jo Lund helps business owners undertake a risk analysis of their business so that they can fully understand the impact and cost should a key person, business partner, or themselves suffer a serious illness or pass away. Jo then puts together a plan as to how they would deal with this and make sure they have the right insurances in place to fund it.

Whether you’re running your business solo, have a small team, or dream of scaling up one day, this is one of those episodes that might just change the way you think. Jo shares the different types of business protection available (spoiler alert: it’s not just about insurance for big businesses!), and why getting the right cover in place could save your business – and protect your loved ones – if something unexpected happens.

You’ll learn:

What business protection really means (hint: it’s not just liability insurance!)
Real-life examples of what can go wrong without it
The types of cover small businesses should consider – even if you’re a solo founder
How the right protection can keep your business afloat if you get ill
Why it’s more affordable (and more relevant) than you might think

A must-hear if you want to protect what you’ve worked so hard to build.

Useful Resources:

Pangea Life Website

Pangea Life LinkedIn

Pangea Life Facebook

Pangea Life Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Amazon Selling Myths vs Facts

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve been thinking about selling on Amazon, you’ve probably heard all sorts of advice - some of it helpful, and some of it... not so much.

In today’s episode, I'm busting 10 common myths about selling on Amazon, including:

Why you don’t need thousands of pounds to start
What it really takes to get sales (hint: it’s not automatic!)
Why you don’t have to be the cheapest to succeed
How much control you actually have over your brand on Amazon
Why it’s definitely not too late to start selling in 2025
Whether you can start with just one product
How ads fit into the picture - and if you really have to run them
What really happens with account suspensions (and how to stay safe)
Why having your own website still matters
And why it’s not as impossible as it might feel!

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by mixed messages or just want a bit of clarity before you dive in, this episode is for you.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Amazon Made Easy: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

My FREE Amazon set up checklist: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Share A Little Frankie Website

How a Teen Started a Successful Art Business - with Lucy Kendall, Share A Little Frankie

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Lucy Kendall, founder of Share a Little Frankie—a business she started at just 16, fuelled by a love for art, a clever deal with her mum, and a lot of determination.

Lucy hand draws wildlife inspired artwork using graphite pencil, aiming to create the subject's physical likeness and their personality. She then reproduces her designsas high quality giftware and eco-conscious greeting cards.

Her story is full of insight, heart, and practical advice—whether you’re just getting started or looking to take your product business to the next level.

We discuss:

How Lucy started her business with just £850 (and a creative way of earning it!)
Tips for getting stocked in shops—including the power of in-person visits and building relationships with local retailers
Why trade shows are valuable (even if you’re not exhibiting)
The benefits of joining The Giftware Association—a hidden gem for product-based businesses
Lucy’s refreshingly honest take on growing slowly and letting data guide your product development
How being young (or just new!) can actually be an advantage in business

Whether you’re navigating wholesale, exploring new product ideas, or just love hearing how others are doing it, Lucy’s story is a real treat.

Useful Resources:

Share A Little Frankie Instagram

Share A Little Frankie Facebook

Lucy Kendall LinkedIn

Giftware Association

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Amazon Made Easy – Join Anytime

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

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5 common questions about selling on Amazon

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Thinking about selling on Amazon but feeling a little overwhelmed?

In this episode, I’m answering five of the most common questions I hear from product-based business owners, plus a bonus one about Amazon ads!

I answer:

How much it costs to start selling on Amazon
How long it typically takes to get up and running
How to choose the right keywords for your listing
How to get those important first sales
Whether you need to use Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA)
Bonus: How Amazon ads work - and whether you really need them

If you’ve been thinking about starting - or have questions holding you back - this episode will give you some honest, practical advice to move forward with confidence.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

How much does it cost to sell on Amazon?: https://youtu.be/KabTbQrvtjA

How to use the Amazon fees calculator: https://youtu.be/Mso8UMYNCfo

How to send stock in to FBA: https://youtube.com/shorts/E40EMTjJvbs

My FREE selling on Amazon checklist: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

JungleScout: https://get.junglescout.com/qmzowcok8yj3

Amazon Made Easy: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

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The Art of Unboxing: Packaging Insights from Dane Whitehurst, Burgopak

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Think your product packaging is “just a box”? Think again.

In this episode, we look at how clever packaging can become your secret sales tool—boosting customer loyalty, brand recognition, and even your social media reach. If you’re a product creator or e-commerce business owner, this conversation might just change the way you think about boxes forever.

I'm joined by Dane Whitehurst, Creative Director at award-winning packaging company Burgopak. With over two decades of experience, Dane shares how packaging can transform the moment of unboxing into a powerful, joyful brand experience your customers won’t forget—and will want to share.

Dane shares:

Why packaging is way more than protection—it's a chance to build your brand
How to create a memorable unboxing moment that gives your customer a dopamine hit
Real examples of clever, creative packaging (and how they work on a practical level)
How to balance cost and creativity, even if you’re working with tight margins
Simple sustainability tips that make a big difference
Why packaging design could be your best friend when it comes to shareable social content

Dane also shares one key piece of advice that hardly anyone talks about when it comes to packaging—but it could save you time, money and stress down the line.

By the way this is one episode you might want to watch as well as listen. Dane shows off a few brilliant packaging examples during the chat—so head over to YouTube to really see the magic in action.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Dane Whitehurst LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Amazon Made Easy is open

I’ve got great news – my Amazon Made Easy membership is now open! No more waiting – you can join anytime and get the guidance, resources, and support you need to grow your Amazon business. Whether you're just getting started or looking to scale, you’ll have access to expert advice, a supportive community, and ongoing help whenever you need it.

https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

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3 things you MUST do before you publish your first Amazon listing

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today, we're diving into the three essential checks you need to make before hitting publish on your first Amazon product listing. It's a big step, and I want to make sure you get it right from the start to avoid headaches down the line.

USEFUL LINKS

Join Amazon Made Easy: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Etsy Uncovered: Tips and Tricks for New Sellers with Dylan Jahraus

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

My guest this episode is Dylan Jahraus, a seasoned e-commerce pro who took her Etsy side hustle from one floral letter listing to a million-dollar profit business—all while juggling family life, moves, and even health challenges.

Dylan shares her tops tricks and tips for selling on Etsy including:

Why Etsy might be the perfect home for your products—even if you thought it was only for crafters.
How to set up your Etsy shop for success
The main mistake most new Etsy sellers make—and what to do instead.
How to test and position one product in multiple ways to reach different customers
Tips on scaling smartly, outsourcing, and avoiding burnout as your shop grows.
Why great photos and customer-led thinking matter more than ever.
Helpful advice on pricing, trends, and how starting with lower prices can build early traction and reviews

Whether you’re already on Etsy or just starting to explore it, this episode offers plenty of ideas and insights to help you see what’s possible.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Dylan Jahraus Website

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Ready to make selling on Amazon easier? Head to vickiweinberg.com/membership to join today!

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

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Why You Shouldn’t Sell on Amazon

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0100

I'm covering a big question today: Should you sell your products on Amazon? What kind of things might stop you? Why might it not be the best fit for you and your business?

I'm here to help you figure this out by giving you 10 reasons why it might not be the best fit for you.

If you’re thinking about starting, I want to be sure you have a full understanding of what's involved.

USEFUL LINKS

Amazon Launch package: https://vickiweinberg.com/amazon-launch-package/

What does it cost to sell on Amazon?: https://youtu.be/KabTbQrvtjA

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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From Idea to Launch: How to Use Market Research Effectively - with Flora Leung

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week on the podcast I am joined by product consultant Flora Leung, who shares how digging into market and customer research can give you a real edge – without needing a huge budget or complex tools. We talk about how to figure out what your customers actually want, where your product fits in the marketplace, and how to use real feedback to improve what you’ve already created or are developing.

Flora’s advice is clear, practical, and full of “ah-ha” moments. From reading Amazon reviews the right way, to getting brutally honest feedback on prototypes (even if they’re in crummy jars!), this conversation will show you how research can help you stand out without second-guessing yourself or getting stuck in perfectionism.

Listen in to discover:

Why market research isn’t scary – and how it can actually spark new ideas
Simple, affordable ways to gather data that actually helps
How to use customer reviews (especially the bad ones!) to improve your product
Where to spot the “hidden gaps” in the market you can fill
How to avoid going head-to-head with big players and find your own space to shine
Tips for doing research at every stage – from vague idea to finished product

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “Is this product really going to sell?” or “What do my customers actually care about?” – this episode is for you.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Flora Leung, is the founder of Aspire Marketing Studios. Flora helps brands and small businesses turn their ideas into products. By combining market insights and customer data, Flora works with clients to create products that stand out and resonate.

AMS Competitive Analysis Template - FREE DOWNLOAD

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Introduction to Amazon Ads: Tips and Tricks for Success

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today we're going to cover all things Amazon advertising. This is an ideal episode if you're yet to run your first ad, if you've started but you're not sure how to get them working for you (or you're not sure how to tell if they are!), or you've been running ads for a while and want some tips on how to optimise them.

This is a great introduction to advertising on Amazon.

Takeaways:

It's essential to have well-optimized product listings to maximize the effectiveness of your ads.
There are three primary types of Amazon ads: sponsored products, sponsored brands, and sponsored display.
Using negative keywords can help you save money and improve the performance of your campaigns.
Regularly monitoring and optimising your ad campaigns is crucial for long-term success.
Setting a realistic budget for your advertising is key.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Amazon Made Easy is my membership for Amazon sellers, who want support and guidance with selling on Amazon, for less than £1 a day: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Moving Little Minds Website

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One Year On - A catch up with Melissa McCall, Moving Little Minds

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

It's an exciting one this week because it is 5 years since I started this podcast! Thank you so much for being here.

As I was looking back I thought it would be fun to catch up with a past guest, and see how things are now. So I am thrilled to welcome back Melissa McCall of Moving Little Minds, who first appeared on the podcast almost exactly a year ago.

Moving Little Minds provide literacy focused teacher and parent workshops, online courses, and teacher support materials that use research-backed methods in fun and engaging ways.

Melissa originally launched her business selling early literacy products to parents, but in the past year, she’s made a big pivot—now focusing on preschool directors and teachers instead.

She shares the lessons she’s learned, from launching on Amazon and stocking boutiques to realizing who her real customers are. If you're a product-based business owner, you’ll love this honest, behind-the-scenes look at the ups and downs of finding your niche, refining your products, and learning what it really takes to grow a business.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Melissa's First Podcast Appearance: Episode 205

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

My own experience selling on Amazon - and what I learnt

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm sharing my story of selling products on Amazon - what’s worked and what hasn’t.

I reflect on the early days, like my first product launch, and how I learned the ropes of online selling. I’ll talk about the importance of having a website alongside your Amazon store and how it helped me build my brand. Plus, I’ll share some solid tips on product listings, customer engagement, and inventory management.

Stick around, because we’ll also cover some mistakes I made and what you can learn from them.

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Transform Your Business: Sam Chapman's Blueprint for Product Success

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Struggling to make your products stand out? What if you could attract more customers and increase sales—without constantly discounting? In this episode, we reveal the secret to creating irresistible product offers that drive growth and build customer loyalty!

My guest is Sam Chapman, a product coach who helps business owners stand out, attract customers, and sell more – without discounting their products. Sam has a wealth of experience, having run his own successful hair salon and product line, and now he shares his knowledge to help others create a thriving business.

If you’ve ever wondered how to differentiate your products, increase customer trust, and boost sales while maintaining your profit margins, this episode is packed with valuable insights just for you!

We cover:

Sam’s journey from struggling business owner to thriving entrepreneur
The importance of having a strong why behind your business
Common mistakes product business owners make—and how to avoid them
The three essential types of products every business should have in their range
How to create irresistible offers that attract customers and boost sales
The power of mindset in business success

With Sam’s expert insights, you’ll learn how to position your products, connect with your ideal customers, and build a profitable, sustainable business.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Sam Chapman Website

Sam Chapman Instagram

Sam Chapman YouTube

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

5 Common Amazon Selling Issues and How to Fix Them

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today, we’re tackling some common issues you might face when selling on Amazon. We go through five key problems that can pop up, like barcode errors and mismatched brand names.

I share real advice on how to resolve these headaches and keep your business moving forward. Whether you're just starting out or you've been selling for a while, these tips are meant to help you navigate through Amazon’s tricky waters. Stick around for straightforward solutions that could save you a lot of hassle!

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Flourish Retail Instagram

Unlocking the Secrets of Retail Merchandising - with Sarah Johnson, Flourish Retail

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

If you’re running a product-based business, you know how tricky it can be to manage stock, set the right prices, and make sure your cash flow isn’t tied up in unsold inventory. But what if you could take the same strategic merchandising approach that big retailers use—without the huge budgets?

My guest this week is Sarah Johnson. With decades of experience across high street brands and ASOS, Sarah Johnson saw a gap to bring big-business merchandising to smaller retailers, in a flexible, affordable way. Flourish Retail was the result, an award-winning consultancy which helps brands harness their product data to scale sustainably, boost sales, cut costs, and drive profitability.

Struggling with pricing, stock management, or keeping up with retail trends? Sarah Johnson is here to help! In this episode, she reveals insider merchandising strategies that big brands use—so you can boost sales, cut costs, and grow your business with confidence.

We cover:

Retail Merchandising Demystified: What it really means, how it goes beyond visual merchandising, and why it's the key to business growth

The Smart Way to Manage Inventory: How to buy the right amount of stock at the right time—so you don’t tie up cash or end up with unsold products

How to Price Your Products for Profit: The biggest pricing mistakes small businesses make and how to avoid them

Retail Trends for 2025: What’s changing in the industry and how you can stay ahead, including the impact of pricing shifts, sustainability trends, and customer buying behaviour

Why Data is Your Best Friend: Sarah’s #1 tip for small businesses—how to use your sales data to make better decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and increase profitability

Plus: Sarah shares one powerful action you can take today that will make an immediate impact on your business—so don’t miss the end of the episode!

USEFUL RESOURCES

Flourish Retail Website

Flourish Retail Facebook

Sarah Johnson LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

3 Quick Ways to Optimise Your Amazon Product Listings

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today, we're diving into three super easy tips to help boost your Amazon product listings. It's all about making small tweaks that can lead to big changes in sales.

First up, we chat about the importance of your product title—it's gotta grab attention and say what’s special about your product right away.

Then, we’ll talk about optimising your bullet points - to not just describe but also sell your product.

Finally, we’ll cover refreshing your images to showcase your product better . So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to improving those listings!

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

How Natrie is Changing the Way We Clean with Concentrated Eco Products - with Lauren Daly

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week my guest is Lauren Daly, the founder of Natrie, a brand revolutionizing home cleaning with non-toxic, eco-friendly, and highly effective cleaning concentrates. With a background in professional cleaning, Lauren saw a gap in the market for products that were safe, powerful, and sustainable—so she created her own!

Lauren shares her journey from experimenting with formulas in her kitchen to collaborating with a freelance chemist and manufacturer to bring her products to market. She discusses the challenges of product development, compliance, and marketing while balancing a busy home life with five kids.

We talk about how to make your product stand out, why it’s so important to understand your customers and build your brand around what they really need, and how sustainability and convenience are shaping the way people shop. Whether you're just starting out or looking for ways to grow, Lauren’s journey is packed with inspiration and practical tips to help you along the way.

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

How to Improve Amazon Listing Visibility

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today, I'm talking about how to boost your product visibility on Amazon. If nobody can find your product, they can't buy it, right?

l share some key strategies that can help you get noticed in this crowded marketplace.

From optimising your product listings to using eye-catching images, we cover the essentials you need to make your products stand out. Plus, we’ll touch on the importance of driving traffic and utilising tools like FBA and Brand Registry to enhance your sales potential.

Stick around for some straightforward tips that can make a real difference for your Amazon journey!

Links referenced in this episode:

amazonmadeeasy.co.uk

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hannah Weston Jewellery Website

From Hobby to Business: Hannah Weston's Jewellery Journey

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Could you turn your creative passion into a full-time business?

This week, my guest is Hannah Weston, a jewellery designer who transformed her hobby into a thriving business. Hannah designs and makes contemporary ’everyday’ jewellery. Each collection has a meaning behind it intended to celebrate our stories and connect us with our loved ones. Hannah also works to commission and runs beginners jewellery workshops.

Hannah shares her journey from making jewellery as a child (with a little encouragement from her mum) to selling at craft fairs and eventually leaving her teaching career to run Hannah Weston Jewellery full-time.

We get into:

How Hannah turned a side hobby into a business (without even realising it at first!)
The moment she sold her first piece to a stranger—and how that changed everything
The transition from working a day job to running a business full-time (spoiler: there's never a "perfect" time!)
The ups and downs of selling on Etsy vs. running your own website
The importance of believing in yourself and just going for it

Hannah’s story is so relatable for anyone who’s juggling a creative business alongside work or family life. If you’re dreaming of making your business your full-time thing, you’ll love this chat—it’s full of inspiration, honesty, and practical takeaways.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Hannah Weston Facebook

Hannah Weston Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

This episode is sponsored by my membership for Amazon Sellers - Amazon Made Easy

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by Seller Central, not sure how to optimise your listings, or just want expert advice without the guesswork, my Amazon Made Easy membership is exactly what you need!

Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, I’ve got you covered.

Inside, you’ll get step-by-step guidance, expert advice, and a supportive community to help you grow your Amazon business with confidence.

Doors are open now – but only until 28th February! Don’t miss your chance to join.

Head to vickiweinberg.com/membership to find out more and sign up today!

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

Why You Need Amazon Made Easy – Your Membership for Amazon Success

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Selling on Amazon can feel overwhelming – but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own! In this episode, I’m sharing everything you need to know about Amazon Made Easy, my membership designed to help small business owners and entrepreneurs confidently navigate Amazon, grow their visibility, and boost their sales.

I’ll cover:

Who the membership is for and how it can help you
What’s included – from live Q&A calls to exclusive training and community support
Why now is the best time to join and take your Amazon business to the next level

If you’re feeling stuck, unsure what to do next, or simply want a clear path to Amazon success, this episode is for you!

Join Amazon Made Easy today: www.amazonmadeeasy.co.uk

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

From Doubt to Empowerment: Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey - with Claire Hill

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Have you ever felt like you're not good enough, that your products aren’t as good as someone else’s, or that everyone else has it all figured out while you’re still trying to get things off the ground? You’re not alone!

In this episode I welcome back Claire Hill, self-belief and business coach, to tackle the topics of imposter syndrome and comparison—two common struggles for product creators and e-commerce business owners.

Claire Hill helps people create and sell their own physical products. Claire is a self-belief and business coach and helps online business owners, with a warrior spirit to make their business dreams happen by teaching business and productivity tools, with mindset shifts. Claire is the founder of The Vivid Business Club and host of No Rest For The Vivid Podcast.

Claire shares her insights on why we feel like imposters, how self-doubt creeps in, and why comparison can be so damaging to your progress. More importantly, she gives practical advice on how to break free from these mindset traps so you can confidently grow your business. Whether you're just starting out or already selling, this conversation will give you the boost you need to believe in yourself and your products.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Claire Hill Website

Claire Hill Instagram

Claire's Previous Podcast Appearance: Claire Hill's Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Managing Procrastination

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

This episode is sponsored by my membership for Amazon Sellers - Amazon Made Easy

Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, I’ve got you covered.

Inside, you’ll get step-by-step guidance, expert advice, and a supportive community to help you grow your Amazon business with confidence.

Doors are open now – but only until 28th February! Don’t miss your chance to join.

Head to vickiweinberg.com/membership to find out more and sign up today!

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Don’t Give Up! How to Tackle Amazon Selling Issues Like a Pro

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Selling on Amazon can be tough! Today I share my best tips for dealing with issues and contacting Amazon Seller Support

Takeaways:

Selling on Amazon can be overwhelming for beginners, but many common issues can be resolved with persistence.
It's essential to document all issues clearly when contacting Amazon Seller Support for help.
Use screenshots and clear descriptions to communicate effectively with Amazon about your problems.
Be patient and persistent when dealing with Amazon, as responses can take time and may require follow-up.
Consider joining a supportive community or membership for additional guidance and assistance when selling on Amazon.

Mentioned in this episode:

Download my free checklist: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Woollen Cwtch Company

Meet the Only Maker of Woollen Coffins - with Eleanor Hunt, The Woollen Cwtch Company

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Ever heard of a woolen coffin? Neither had I until I spoke to Eleanor Hunt, founder of the Woolen Cwtch Company. Eleanor is revolutionising the funeral industry by creating unique woolen coffins, shrouds, and urns that are not only biodegradable but also support local farmers by unlocking the value of their wool.

Based in rural Wales, Eleanor saw an opportunity to repurpose local wool—a resource farmers were struggling to profit from—into something totally unique: beautiful, biodegradable woolen coffins. She shares how she turned a simple idea into a growing business, completely rethinking an industry steeped in tradition.

This episode is packed with insights for anyone creating a product from scratch, especially if you’re figuring things out as you go. Eleanor’s journey shows the power of persistence, how she navigated product development (including some serious trial and error), and why she’s so passionate about making a positive impact—both for the planet and the farming community.

If you’ve ever had a business idea and thought, Where do I even start?, this episode is for you. Eleanor’s advice? Just start. You’ll figure it out along the way!

USEFUL RESOURCES

The Farmers Wool Fund

Eleanor Hunt LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Struggling to stand out on Amazon?

Join my live masterclass, 5 Ways to Be More Visible on Amazon – Without the Overwhelm, happening at 12pm on Tuesday 18th February.

I’ll share five actionable strategies to boost your visibility, attract more customers, and grow your sales – all without adding stress or extra work.

Spots are limited, so confirm yours now at https://calendly.com/vickiweinberg/get-visible

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Using your reviews to improve your sales

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today I share 3 practical ways you can use your Amazon reviews to improve your SEO, optimise your listings, reduce returns and grow your sales.

Takeaways:

Your Amazon reviews provide valuable insights that can refine your sales strategies and product listings.
Incorporating keywords from positive reviews can enhance your product visibility and improve ad performance.
Addressing common concerns found in negative reviews can reduce customer returns.

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Retail 100 Consulting Website

Hosted by Captivate

Insights from a former retail buyer - with Sara Albright - Retail 100 Consulting

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

How do you get your product stocked in high street stores? Is that the right decision for you?

Today on the podcast, my guest is Sara Allbright from Retail 100 Consulting, a company founded on 100 years of combined buying and merchandising experience.

With 20 years in retail, Sara has helped brands, sellers, and associations grow their businesses by sharing her expertise in home and giftware categories, focusing on consumer engagement and strategic growth.

Sara shares a huge amount of really useful information, including the right way to use pop up shops, what the big retailers will be looking for, how these partnerships work, understanding margin and the importance of nurturing relationships with buyers.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Sara Allbright LinkedIn

Brands Mentioned:

Aery Living

Scandinavisk

Neom

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Thinking about selling on Amazon but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered! 🛒

Download my Amazon Setup Checklist—it’s packed with all the steps you need to get your business up and running on Amazon, stress-free. From setting up your account to creating standout listings, this checklist will guide you every step of the way.

Best of all, it’s totally free! Head to the link in the shownotes to grab your copy now and start your Amazon journey with confidence. Let’s make Amazon easy!

Get your copy here: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Ask Me Anything: Your Amazon Questions Answered!

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This is an Ask Me Anything Episode. It's short and sweet with just a few questions - but some very useful answers!

JOIN MY MEMBERSHIP WAITLIST: https://forms.gle/6bejsW3HQLo73a3u9

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

From FMCG to Small Business: Nadine Maggi's Journey with Sweet Freedom

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week my guest is Nadine Maggi, managing director of Sweet Freedom—a brand known for creating healthier food products. Sweet Freedom began in 2009 with two women on a mission to tackle the harms of refined sugar. Their first product, an innovative fruit syrup made with apples and carob, kickstarted the brand's success and led to a range of healthier products now found in major supermarkets.

If you're working on your own product, this episode is packed with practical advice. Nadine breaks down the long but rewarding journey of getting products into stores, how to highlight what makes your product stand out, and why accelerator programs can be game-changers. She also dives into how to connect with consumers by telling a compelling story and showcasing health benefits in ways that resonate with today’s shoppers.

There are also some great tips on building resilience, creating a strong team culture, and spotting trends to design products that meet real needs.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Sweet Freedom Website

Sweet Freedom Instagram

Sweet Freedom Facebook

Nadine Maggi Linked in

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Thinking about selling on Amazon but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered! 🛒

Best of all, it’s totally free! Head to the link in the shownotes to grab your copy now and start your Amazon journey with confidence. Let’s make Amazon easy!

Get your copy here: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

What Every Amazon Seller Wishes They Knew Before Starting

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Thinking about selling on Amazon or just getting started? You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed! In this episode, I’m sharing the things real Amazon sellers wish they knew before they started. From hidden costs to the importance of driving traffic to your listings, these are the lessons they learned the hard way—so you don’t have to.

I also give practical advice on the things you can do to overcome some of the challenges you're likely to face.

Whether you’re about to launch or are feeling stuck, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward with confidence.

🎧 Listen now and save yourself from making these common mistakes!

Mentioned in this episode:

The costs of selling on Amazon: https://youtu.be/KabTbQrvtjA
Watch my explainer of the FBA fees calculator: https://youtu.be/Mso8UMYNCfo
Book a call with me: https://calendly.com/vickiweinberg/powerhour
How to deal with Amazon Seller Support: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a3805fa1-9a5b-4e43-a058-0b580f7f3a8b/

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Unlocking the Secrets of Niche Perfumes: A Conversation with Huib Maat

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Did you know there are fewer perfumers in the world than astronauts? This makes it one of the most exclusive and rare professions. So I am thrilled to welcome to the podcast this week Huib Maat, an in-house perfumer and co-founder of Pairfum, a niche perfume house based in London.

Huib explains the intricacies of perfume creation, where the balance of top notes, heart notes, and base notes is essential for a harmonious scent. Huib shares how in a product market dominated by conglomerates he has discovered a demand for niche perfumes, catering to more adventurous and unconventional scents that may not appeal to the mass market. We also discuss the challenges of marketing scented products online and the creative strategies he has developed to promote his brand.

From learning more about the process of making perfumes, to inspiring marketing ideas to try yourself, there is lots to take away here.

USEFUL RESOURCES

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Thinking about selling on Amazon but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered! 🛒

Best of all, it’s totally free! Head to the link in the shownotes to grab your copy now and start your Amazon journey with confidence. Let’s make Amazon easy!

Get your copy here: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Ready to Sell on Amazon? Start Here!

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today I take you through the main steps involved for getting started with selling on Amazon.

Download my free checklist, to guide you through the process, ensuring you're well-prepared to successfully launch your products on Amazon: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

Takeaways:

Before selling on Amazon, check it's the right marketplace for your product.
Understanding Amazon's policies is critical to ensure you meet all listing requirements.
Creating optimised product listings is essential for visibility
Driving traffic to your Amazon listings through advertising and promotions is crucial for success.

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

How to use spreadsheets to help run your products business - with Alison Pollecutt - Excel Confidence 197

Hosted by Captivate

Celebrating 250 Episodes: Top Tips for Product Businesses

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Today is an extra-special episode—it’s our 250th!

Over nearly five years, this podcast has grown into something I couldn’t have imagined when I started. Whether you’re a brand-new listener or you’ve been with me since the beginning, I want to thank you for being part of this journey. Your support has made this milestone possible.

To celebrate episode 250, I’ve put together a roundup of some of the best advice shared by our incredible guests this year. Each of these experts brings unique insights into creating and selling products, and this episode is packed with valuable tips that can inspire and guide you in your own business journey.

We cover everything from mindset to marketing, deep dives into tech tools such as Many Chat and Klaviyo, using wholesale platforms, and fundamentals such as how to keep your customers coming back for more.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Full Podcast Episodes

How to get your own PR in 2024 - with Rosie Davies-Smith - PR Despatch 202

How to (confidently) get visible online - with Helen Williams 203

How to keep your customers coming back - with Rebecca Hilliard 210

Marketing with Personality - with Maddy Shine 216

How to sell more products - with Mark Endacott 218

Driving Ecommerce Sales Using Klaviyo: Hannah Spicer's Proven Tactics 222

Claire Hill's Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Managing Procrastination 228

Mastering Google Shopping Ads: Tips from Expert Sara Jones 232

How to have wholesale success on Faire - with Lucy Jeffrey 239

Facebook and Instagram Ads Demystified: Mastering Meta Ads and Chat Funnels with Mel Eilers 241

Packaging and Sustainability: Best Practices from Design Expert Denisa Parker 242

How to Confidently Pitch Your Product: Insights from Kate Freeman 244

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Innovative Gifting: How addSQUIRREL Combines Technology with Traditional Cards - with Jen King

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

Did you get less Christmas cards this year? How do you innovate in a traditional product industry like greeting cards?

What about a sticker that allows you to add personalized video, photo, or voice messages to cards through smart QR code stickers.

That's what Jen King, the founder of addSquirrel has created. Jen's innovative product that combines traditional greeting cards with modern technology creating a unique gifting experience.

Jen shares her journey in the greetings card industry, discussing the challenges of launching a new product and the importance of understanding consumer behavior.

We also cover:

Strategies Jen uses to market addSquirrel, including gifting samples to encourage trial and adoption.
Insights on managing stock effectively.
Tips on diversifying income streams for product creators

USEFUL RESOURCES

addSQUIRREL Website

addSQUIRREL Instagram

addSQUIRREL Facebook

addSQUIRREL TikTok

addSQUIRREL YouTube

Jen Winnett Art Website

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

How to create a sales plan for 2025 - with Catherine Erdly

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

What Does a Sales Plan Look Like for a Small Business?

You’ve probably heard that you should have a sales plan—but what does that actually look like? Why is it important, and how do you go about setting meaningful sales targets?

These are big questions, and I have the perfect guest to help answer them: Catherine Erdly of the Resilient Retail Club. Catherine specialises in helping independent retailers and e-commerce brands grow their profits and take control of their cash flow.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why a sales plan is essential for every business, no matter its size or stage.
How to set realistic sales targets.
The importance of avoiding perfectionism—making educated guesses and refining them over time.
How to use your sales plan to track performance and adapt your business strategy.

If you often feel like you’re constantly putting out fires in your product-based business, this episode is for you. Learn how to shift from being controlled by your business to being in control of it.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Catherine Erdly Instagram

Catherine Erdly Facebook

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Catherine Erdly TikTok

Catherine's Previous Podcast Appearance: Preparing To Sell Your Products At Christmas

Thinking about selling on Amazon but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered! 🛒

Best of all, it’s totally free! Head to the link in the shownotes to grab your copy now and start your Amazon journey with confidence. Let’s make Amazon easy!

Get your copy here: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Everything You Need to Know About Amazon Vine for Sellers

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

This podcast episode delves into Amazon Vine, a program designed to help sellers gain reviews for their products while ensuring Amazon's standards are met. Amazon Vine invites trusted reviewers to share their opinions on new products.

The episode outlines the criteria for sellers to join the program, as well as what to expect in return.

Key takeaways:

Amazon Vine is a program that helps sellers gain reviews.
Participating in Vine can boost product awareness and help drive sales through reviews.
Receiving reviews through Amazon Vine is not guaranteed to be positive, but it can be beneficial.

Thinking about selling on Amazon but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered! 🛒

Best of all, it’s totally free! Head to the link in the shownotes to grab your copy now and start your Amazon journey with confidence. Let’s make Amazon easy!

Get your copy here: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Jennifer Cooper Timesaver Website

Re-release: How product businesses can use AI to save time - with Jennifer Cooper

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Are you ready to discover how AI can help your small business save time and work smarter?

I have the perfect guest this week to help us, Jennifer Cooper of Jennifer Cooper Timesaver.

Jenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist who helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs work smarter, grow their visibility, and overcome mindset challenges. Jenny is passionate about showing entrepreneurs how to tap into the potential of AI, sharing fresh ideas and opportunities to boost your business in ways you might not have imagined

Jenny shares her expertise on leveraging AI tools to streamline tasks and overcome common productivity hurdles. From generating creative content ideas to automating repetitive tasks, Jenny emphasises that AI is not here to replace jobs but to enhance them.

She provides practical examples of how entrepreneurs you can use AI for marketing, email writing, and even generating frequently asked questions for their websites. By tapping into these resources, business owners can free up time to focus on what truly matters—growing their business and connecting with customers.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Jennifer Cooper Timesaver Instagram

Jennifer Cooper Linked In

FREE DOWNLOAD: Timesaving Guide To AI Tools

AI TOOLS MENTIONED:

Thinking about selling on Amazon but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered! 🛒

Best of all, it’s totally free! Head to the link in the shownotes to grab your copy now and start your Amazon journey with confidence. Let’s make Amazon easy!

Get your copy here: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Kickstart Your Amazon Journey: Proven Tips for First-Time Sellers

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Are you struggling to get sales and product reviews on Amazon? This episode offers practical strategies to kickstart your journey on the platform, especially if you're new to selling. Tune in for valuable insights that can help elevate your Amazon selling experience.

Key takeaways:

Setting up Amazon sponsored product ads is one of the quickest ways to generate initial sales.
Using promotions, deals, and discounts can significantly increase visibility and attract customers.
Engaging with your existing customers can help in obtaining reviews and driving sales.
Consider leveraging social media and email marketing to inform potential customers about your products.
Participating in Amazon Vine can provide a legitimate way to gain product reviews.

Thinking about selling on Amazon but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered! 🛒

Best of all, it’s totally free! Head to the link in the shownotes to grab your copy now and start your Amazon journey with confidence. Let’s make Amazon easy!

Get your copy here: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Selina Barker Amazon Store

Hosted by Captivate

How Selling on Amazon Can Boost Your Product Sales - with Selina Barker, Project You

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

How do you grow your customer base year after year for a seasonal product?

This was the challenge faced by Selina Barker, a career and life design coach and creator of the highly successful annual guided journal - this year called Goodbye 2024, Hello 2025. To build a loyal community of fans, Selina leveraged a variety of strategies.

She shares how Kickstarter campaigns helped generate excitement and secure early sales for her journal, how she got it stocked in prominent retailers like Tate Modern and Oliver Bonas, and how she expanded her audience this year by launching sales on Amazon.

In our discussion, Selina highlights the benefits of selling on Amazon, including the opportunity to reach a wider audience and the convenience of using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) to serve customers across Europe.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Selina Barker Website

Selina Barker Shop

Selina Barker Instagram

Loveday Social

Kickstarter

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY MY FREE AMAZON SETUP CHECKLIST

Thinking about selling on Amazon but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered!

Download my Amazon Setup Checklist —it’s packed with all the steps you need to get your business up and running on Amazon, stress-free. From setting up your account to creating standout listings, this checklist will guide you every step of the way.

Best of all, it’s totally free! Head here to grab your copy now and start your Amazon journey with confidence. Let’s make Amazon easy!

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Essential Tips for Product Visibility

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

If you're looking to get your products found on Amazon, understanding how to optimise your listings for better ranking is crucial. This episode dives into the importance of appearing on the first page of Amazon search results.

Two main factors influence your product's ranking: performance and conversion rates, as well as relevancy factors. With practical tips on utilising Amazon's features and tools, this episode equips you with the insights to enhance your product visibility and drive sales.

Key takeaways:

To rank well on Amazon, your product listings must be optimised with relevant keywords.
Sales performance is crucial; higher sales lead to better visibility in search results.
Using Amazon advertising can help new products gain visibility and improve organic rankings.
Relevancy in search results depends on conversions; ensure your listing reflects the product accurately.

Thinking about selling on Amazon but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered! 🛒

Best of all, it’s totally free! Head to the link in the shownotes to grab your copy now and start your Amazon journey with confidence. Let’s make Amazon easy!

Get your copy here: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Cub and Pudding Instagram

Hosted by Captivate

Opening a Physical Store - with Sarah Birchall, Cub and Pudding

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Have you ever considered making the step from product business owner to store owner?

That's exactly what this week's guest has done. Sarah Birchall is founder of the vibrant clothing brand Cub and Pudding and designs colourful, fun clothing with the aim of bringing a dose of cheer to people's wardrobes.

Initially starting with unisex children's wear, Sarah pivoted to adult clothing based on customer feedback and a desire to express her creativity. We discuss the complexities of sizing in the fashion industry, and the value of incorporating customer feedback in her designs.

Plus Sarah shares her journey from trialling pop up shops to opening her first standalone shop in Forest Hill, South East London, and the learning points along the way.

Useful Resources:

Cub and Pudding Website

Cub and Pudding Facebook

Thinking about selling on Amazon but don’t know where to start? I’ve got you covered! 🛒

Best of all, it’s totally free! Head to the link in the shownotes to grab your copy now and start your Amazon journey with confidence. Let’s make Amazon easy!

Get your copy here: https://mailchi.mp/72c24952cf50/amazon_checklist

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Sending Your Products to Amazon FBA - Step-by-Step

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Sending stock into Amazon can seem daunting, but this episode breaks down the process into manageable steps. Speaker B shares essential tips on setting up an Amazon shipping plan, including how to categorize your products for preparation and the importance of providing accurate size and weight information. Listeners will learn that while they cannot choose the specific Amazon warehouse for their stock, the location ultimately has little impact on their sales. The episode also covers the logistics of shipping, including the advantages of using Amazon's own shipping service over third-party couriers. With practical advice and encouragement, this episode aims to empower entrepreneurs to navigate the FBA process with confidence.

Key takeaways:

To send stock to Amazon FBA, you must create an Amazon shipping plan.
You can't choose the warehouse.
Providing accurate size and weight information for your items is crucial.
Using Amazon Shipping is often more efficient and cost-effective than using external couriers.
Always prepare your items according to Amazon's requirements to avoid delays in processing.

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Episode 220: Kate Freeman: When & How To Scale Your Business

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How to Confidently Pitch Your Product: Insights from Kate Freeman

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0100

If you are looking to secure partnerships with retailers or investors you need to know how to pitch your product. But how on earth do you do this?

I asked the perfect guest to join me on the podcast to share her expert insights, Kate Freeman.

Kate Freeman helps product businesses to make more revenue and most importantly more profit! Kate does this by helping them to secure wholesale retail listings, optimise their supply chain and maximise sustainability to drive growth. Kate has over 15 years experience and spent 10 of those years working for a leading female entrepreneur.

We discuss:

The elements of a successful pitch
The importance of through research and preparation
How to structure your pitch
Practical tips on delivering your pitch
Follow up strategies for after the presentation

The goal is to leave you feeling inspired and ready to start pitching your product as soon as possible!

Useful Resources:

Kate Freeman Website

Kate Freeman LinkedIn

Kate Freeman Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Brand Registry Explained

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode I explain how Brand Registry helps sellers manage their listings, report violations, and access features like A+ content, sponsored brands, and the Amazon Vine program.

Takeaways:

Amazon Brand Registry is essential for protecting your intellectual property and managing product listings.
Having a registered trademark is a requirement to enroll in Amazon Brand Registry.
Brand Registry provides tools to enhance your listings, including A+ content which can boost sales.
Without a registered trademark, setting up your Amazon products can lead to future complications.
Using the same brand name for your trademark and Amazon listings is crucial

Mentioned in this episode:

https://brandregistry.amazon.co.uk/

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Sarah Dixon-Dale LinkedIn

From Teacher to Entrepreneur: Sarah Dixon Dale's Journey with Bombaby

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Do you need prior business experience to build a successful product business? No.

Today's guest is proof of that. Sarah Dixon Dale, a self-made entrepreneur and owner of the fast-growing lifestyle brand Bombaby, was a secondary school teacher who decided to launch own product business specialising in handmade block print bedding and accessories.

A teacher for two decades, Sarah dived into the world of ecommerce nearly three years ago now with absolutely ZERO business experience - she'd never even filed a tax return and didn't know what SEO stood for - but my business is now VAT registered, has a strong online presence, and is working with many well-known influencers. Bombaby designs, make and import beautiful block print bedding, artisan made homewares and luxury boho fashion from Jaipur, India. Everything is designed in leafy Rutland but handmade by my teams in India.

Sarah shares the complexities of importing goods from India, emphasising the importance of building strong relationships with her suppliers and maintaining creative control over her products.

Sarah explains how upskilling in areas like marketing and design has contributed to her success and independence. We also discuss the very real challenges of balancing a demanding job like teaching with growing a successful ecommerce brand, a positive mindset has been key!

USEFUL RESOURCES

Bombaby Website

Bombaby Facebook

Bombaby Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Packaging and Sustainability: Best Practices from Design Expert Denisa Parker

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0100

So you have created your product - but have you thought about the packaging?

It is easy to forget that packaging plays a crucial role in the customer experience and can significantly influence purchasing decisions.

This week my guest is Denisa Parker, a brand designer and founder of Kind and Ivy, a design studio that works with product-based and e-commerce businesses to help them stand out in their industry and show the value of their product through branding, packaging and website design.

Denisa joins Vicki Weinberg to discuss the importance of thoughtful packaging, particularly in relation to sustainability and brand identity. We explore how packaging should not only protect the product but also tell a story and create a memorable experience for customers. Denisa emphasizes the need for packaging to reflect the values of the brand, especially in today's market where consumers increasingly prioritise eco-friendly options. Throughout the conversation, we share practical tips for entrepreneurs looking to enhance their packaging strategy while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

Useful Resources:

Kind And Ivy Website

Kind And Ivy Instagram

Denisa Parker LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Socially Sound Website

Facebook and Instagram Ads Demystified: Mastering Meta Ads and Chat Funnels with Mel Eilers

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0100

The Bring Your Product Idea To Life Podcast is perfect for anyone just starting out in product sales or looking to create their own product to sell. I’m Vicki Weinberg, a product creation coach and Amazon expert, here every week with friendly, practical advice and inspiring stories from small businesses.

Mel is an experienced Meta marketer, helping product brands maximise their sales and leads through Facebook ads and chat funnels.

As well as working with ecommerce brands to scale their sales through ads, Mel is also known as the 'Manychat queen' - helping businesses to personalise their connection with followers through Manychat automations, helping to boost reach and engagement, leading to higher conversion rates through a seamless customer journey.

Mel explains how to make the most of Facebook and Instagram ads and connect better with customers using chat funnels.

Mel shares helpful advice on running effective Meta ads, like testing different ad types (such as carousel, video, and catalogue ads) to reach the right audience, understanding your customer acquisition costs, and adjusting your ads regularly to keep them fresh.

Mel also introduces ManyChat, a tool that lets you set up automated, personalised messages for Instagram and Facebook DMs, making it easy for customers to interact without leaving the platform. With ManyChat, you can automate replies to boost engagement, increase sales, and keep customer relationships strong without overwhelm. If you have seen a post saying comment ‘insert word of choice’ and I will send you the link - they are likely to be using a Chat Funnel!

It’s a great, in depth practical episode, that will help you decide how to harness the best tech to boost your product sales.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

ManyChat

Mel Eilers Instagram

Mel Eilers Linkedin

Contact Mel

This episode is sponsored by my new membership - Amazon Made Easy.

I know selling on Amazon is hard. I know it’s not always possible to pay for support, and I’d love to help you achieve your goals for Amazon, wherever you are.

Amazon Made Easy is a place where you can get advice, updates, training and support from me, plus a community of other Amazon sellers, for a single monthly price.

I’ll be honest, I don’t know exactly what you need, or how you’d like me to deliver it - so I’d love you to join me right at the start and help to shape the membership.

Doors are open until 8 November. You can sign up now, for £19 a month (which is the price you’ll pay forever!)

Here’s the link

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

FBA vs FBM - Which Amazon Fulfilment Method is Right for You?

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0100

This podcast dives into the essential differences between Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) and Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM), helping you decide which method is best for your business.

I cover the pros and cons of both options, including cost considerations, customer satisfaction, and inventory management strategies.

Key takeaways:

FBA means Amazon handles your fulfillment, allowing you to focus more on sales.
FBM requires you to manage shipping yourself, giving you control over the process.
Choosing between FBA and FBM depends on your business model and customer needs.
Using both can maximise your sales potential on Amazon.

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Mother Cuppa Facebook

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Navigating Menopause with Mother Cuppa: Candice Mason's Tea Solutions for Women's Health

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today, I’m speaking with Candice Mason from Mother Cuppa. Candice is a tea sommelier and herbal tea blender focused on supporting women’s hormone health and overall wellbeing. Her journey, shaped by experiences with endometriosis, induced and reversed menopause, and early menopause, led her to create blends that not only taste great but also support holistic health.

In this episode, we explore:

The art of tea blending, its origins, and how different ingredients can enhance your health and wellbeing.
How Candice turned her passion into a business with a strong focus on ethical product creation and sustainable packaging, free from microplastics.
The benefits of marketing to a niche audience and growing her customer base naturally through ecommerce and face-to-face events, including high-profile festivals like CarFest and Happy Place. These in-person interactions have helped her build genuine connections with customers, creating a unique experience beyond typical customer service.
The introduction of a subscription-based model, allowing customers to enjoy her unique tea blends regularly and conveniently.

There’s lots to to take away and try in your own business.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Mother Cuppa Website

Mother Cuppa Instagram

Candice Mason LinkedIn

This episode is sponsored by my new membership - Amazon Made Easy.

I know selling on Amazon is hard. I know it’s not always possible to pay for support, and I’d love to help you achieve your goals for Amazon, wherever you are.

Amazon Made Easy is a place where you can get advice, updates, training and support from me, plus a community of other Amazon sellers, for a single monthly price.

I’ll be honest, I don’t know exactly what you need, or how you’d like me to deliver it - so I’d love you to join me right at the start and help to shape the membership.

Doors are open until 8 November. You can sign up now, for £19 a month (which is the price you’ll pay forever!)

Here’s the link

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

What does it cost to sell on Amazon?

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0100

This episode delves into the costs associated with selling products on Amazon, giving you an overview of the fees to consider. By the end, you'll have a clearer understanding of all the financial factors to consider when launching your product on Amazon.

Key takeaways:

Setting up an Amazon Seller Central account involves choosing between a professional or free plan - we talk about both!
Referral fees on Amazon range from 5% to 15% based on the product category.
Using Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) incurs fees for storage and shipping based on product size.
It's crucial to calculate all costs involved in selling on Amazon to ensure you can make a profit

Mentioned in this episode:

FBA profitablity calculator: https://sellercentral.amazon.co.uk/hz/fba/profitabilitycalculator/

My guide to using the calculator: https://youtu.be/Mso8UMYNCfo

Therese Oertenblad (Ørtenblad), works with purpose-led, product-based business owners who want to grow their wholesale and create a powerful, consistent income stream for their business. Therese’s mission is to help you find joy, ease and confidence in selling so you can build a profitable business that works for your lifestyle.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

How to have wholesale success on Faire - with Lucy Jeffrey

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast I'm excited to welcome back Lucy Jeffrey, the founder of Bare Kind. Lucy makes bamboo socks and gives part of her profits to different charities. Today she is joining us to talk about selling on Faire, the wholesale platform, where she's been doing incredibly well.

I know many of you have been asking about Faire, and I've been looking for someone who really knows their stuff to come and talk about it. When I found out Lucy was not only succeeding on Faire but also helping other businesses do the same through her YouTube channel and consulting work, I knew she'd be perfect for this conversation.

In this episode, we're going to talk about:

Why Faire can be a great replacement for traditional trade shows
How the money side works - from commissions to managing your margins
The perks of using Faire, like how they handle the risk of unpaid orders and take care of all the paperwork
Getting started on Faire - from getting approved to being found by customers
Building up those all-important customer reviews

Lucy has built a great relationship with the Faire team and is a regular at their events. Her success story really shows what's possible on the platform - she's grown her business significantly through Faire's digital marketing and continues to bring in new customers every day.

So whether you're just thinking about joining Faire or you're already on there but want to do better, Lucy's got some really practical advice to share with us today.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Lucy is very kindly offering the first 20 listeners who use the code VICKI50 50% off her digital course and SEO templates here

Wholesale acquisition emails

Wholesale email newsletter templates 📧

Fix your Faire SEO with ONE template 🤯

Candid Founders YouTube

If you are interested in consulting email Lucy on hello@candidfounders.com

Bare Kind

This episode is sponsored by Therese Oertenblad & Small Business Collaborative

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Why should businesses start, or continue to sell on Amazon?

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Welcome to my new series of mini-episodes focused exclusively on the intricacies of selling on Amazon. Designed for entrepreneurs at all stages, these concise episodes will provide targeted insights and practical strategies to help you sell on Amazon.

I hope that by the end of the episode you'll be left with a sense that, despite the challenges, selling on Amazon could be a great opportunity for your business.

Key takeaways:

Amazon can be an excellent marketplace for small businesses to reach new customers.
Selling on Amazon involves challenges, but it can significantly increase brand visibility.
Using Amazon's Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) service can save time on order fulfillment.
Many customers shop on Amazon because of its convenient payment and shipping options.
It's essential to optimise your product listings on Amazon to attract customers.
Amazon provides opportunities for global sales.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Masterclass: How To Start Selling On Amazon

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Amazon Updates You Can't Afford to Miss!

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0100

If you are an Amazon seller, this is the episode for you. Amazon made some big changes over the summer, and in this episode I run through what they are and how they might impact you.

We cover VAT being added to all Amazon sellers fees, the end of Amazon VAT services and changes to the inventory view in Seller Central.

It’s a short one, packed full of lots of useful information.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

FREEBIE: How to Successfully Launch a Product on Amazon or Rescue One That's Not Selling

Blog post about writing product listings

Podcast: Common Amazon issues and how to resolve them

Podcast: The tools I use to run my business on Amazon

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

This episode is sponsored by Therese Oertenblad & Small Business Collaborative

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Colour Chronicles Website

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Colour Chronicles - How Ruth Sturdy Designed Memory Books that Celebrate Every Family

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Ruth Sturdy, founder of Colour Chronicles—a company dedicated to creating modern, guided memory journals for every age and stage, with a strong focus on inclusivity. Ruth’s vision is to celebrate and honour every family, regardless of their unique makeup.

Ruth shares how she identified a gap in the market for journals that didn’t assume traditional family structures, such as “mum and dad” or two sets of grandparents. By addressing this need, Colour Chronicles aims to avoid isolating families or leaving gaps in their memories.

We also dive into the journey of growing Colour Chronicles, from designing and printing journals with beautiful fabric covers to expanding the product range. Ruth discusses how the business has evolved from a kitchen-table operation to partnering with a fulfilment centre, and scaling from selling to friends in NCT groups to using a digital marketing agency.

Ruth highlights her experiences as part of the Santander mentoring program, which helped her build a team and bring in expertise for platforms like Shopify and Klaviyo. She also talks about the challenges and opportunities that came with transitioning from Squarespace to Shopify, adapting to shifts in the market—once dominated by Not On The High Street and Etsy —to now finding success on platforms like TikTok Shop, Amazon FBA..

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Colour Chronicles Instagram

Colour Chronicles Facebook

This episode is sponsored by Therese Oertenblad & Small Business Collaborative

Therese Oertenblad (Ørtenblad), works with purpose-led, product-based business owners who want to grow their wholesale and create a powerful, consistent income stream for their business. Therese’s mission is to help you find joy, ease and confidence in selling so you can build a profitable business that works for your lifestyle.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Ecommerce Assistant Website

Hosted by Captivate

Tips for a Profitable Q4 with Elle Williamson

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0100

It’s the question we all ask ourselves. How do you plan for Q4? And how do you make the most of the upcoming seasonal sales opportunities and manage your workload?

I asked Elle Williamson of The Ecommerce Assistant to join me to discuss this and more. Elle helps people build and grow their online businesses with the power of Shopify + Klaviyo to sell more online. Ella has made it her mission to teach everything she knows about ecommerce to founder-led businesses looking to thrive online.

We talk about when you should launch your Christmas ranges and how to manage your messaging whilst also juggling Halloween and Black Friday. We also cover the steps you can take to plan ahead, manage your workload and focus your marketing efforts in the right areas. There are so many good tips that you can implement right away.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Ecommerce Assistant Instagram

Elle Williamson Linked In

Elle’s Klaviyo Services

Podcast 162: How to get the most out of Shopify with Elle Williamson

Podcast 178: Email Marketing & Klaviyo - with Elle Williamson

This episode is sponsored by Therese Oertenblad & Small Business Collaborative

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Good Tuesday Instagram

Starting Small, Thinking Big: How Michelle Ferron Grew Good Tuesday

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast my guest is Michelle Ferron the founder of Good Tuesday (previously Once Upon A Tuesday), a female led brand and B Corp. Good Tuesday creates stationery for people who want to organise in all areas of life in style, from design-led annual calendars to diaries, weekly planners and notebooks printed in England and created in a sustainably conscious and ethical way.

If you're curious about what it means to become a B Corp and how businesses can achieve that status, this podcast is for you. In this episode, I dive into that very question with Michelle, but our conversation doesn't stop there. We also discuss what it takes to grow a successful brand, especially when it comes to building and managing a team. Michelle shared that she now leads a team of eight, and we explored how to know when it’s the right time to hire, the roles to prioritise, and the ins and outs of team management as your business expands.

If you're currently thinking about growing your own team or have plans to do so in the future, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Good Tuesday Website

Good Tuesday Facebook

Good Tuesday Tik Tok

Good Tuesday YouTube

B Impact Assessment - free tool

This episode is sponsored by my masterclass - how to start selling on Amazon, without paying for help

Are you thinking about selling your product(s) on Amazon?

Perhaps you’re unsure what you need to have and do to get your product listing set up, but don’t have the money to spend on hiring someone to help.

Do you want to learn the exact steps to take, so you can do this for yourself and get off to the best possible start?

If so, my masterclass is exactly what you need to find out more about how to start selling on Amazon - without paying for help.

Download now, keep forever and watch in your own time. You can access the recording via the link in the show notes.

Here’s the link: https://vickiweinberg.com/how-to-start-selling-on-amazon/

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Jenna’s Facebook Group: Get Your Business In The Media With Jenna Farmer

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Plan your Christmas PR with Jenna Farmer

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0100

This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Jenna Farmer, a PR strategist and journalist who specialises in helping businesses get the right kind of press coverage. Whether you’re looking for practical tips to do your own PR, guided resources to get started, or one-on-one support from Jenna herself, she’s got you covered.

With the holiday season just around the corner, now is the perfect time for product-based businesses to tap into seasonal PR opportunities. In this episode, I chat with Jenna about how to get your products featured in Christmas gift guides and media roundups, even if you’re starting a little late in the game. Jenna shares insider tips on identifying the right media outlets, crafting pitches that grab attention, and providing journalists with everything they need to showcase your product.

Whether you’re new to PR or have some experience, Jenna’s advice will help you make the most of the Christmas PR window and get your products in front of a wider audience. Don’t miss out on her expert tips to boost your business this holiday season.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Jenna Farmer Website

Jenna Farmer Instagram

Jenna Farmer Linked In

Free Resource: How To Write The Perfect Press Release

Readly

This episode is sponsored by my masterclass - how to start selling on Amazon, without paying for help

Are you thinking about selling your product(s) on Amazon?

Perhaps you’re unsure what you need to have and do to get your product listing set up, but don’t have the money to spend on hiring someone to help.

Do you want to learn the exact steps to take, so you can do this for yourself and get off to the best possible start?

If so, my masterclass is exactly what you need to find out more about how to start selling on Amazon - without paying for help.

Download now, keep forever and watch in your own time. You can access the recording via the link in the show notes.

Here’s the link: https://vickiweinberg.com/how-to-start-selling-on-amazon/

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Emma Anastasi Linkedin

Revolutionising Period Care and Gender Equality - Em Anastasi, In the flow

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast we have a powerful and important conversation with Em Anastasi. Em Anastasi is a Gender Equality Advocate, Period Poverty Activist and founder of the social enterprise, intheflow. Em is on a mission to save the planet, tackle period poverty, and transform workplace cultures. Through fundraising, she is addressing period poverty by providing eco-friendly period products to those in need.

Em explains what period poverty is, and how it is very much a domestic problem, as well as global, citing a survey in Brighton where 43% of the participants said they struggled to afford period products each month. Em is really keen to destigmatise menstrual health. Em explains how she created her product and set up a buy one give one format. We discuss the unique challenges of marketing a period product, getting the pricing right so the product is accessible, and the changes that need to happen to eradicate period poverty in the UK.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

In The Flow Website

In The Flow Instagram

This episode is sponsored by my masterclass - how to start selling on Amazon, without paying for help

Are you thinking about selling your product(s) on Amazon?

Perhaps you’re unsure what you need to have and do to get your product listing set up, but don’t have the money to spend on hiring someone to help.

Do you want to learn the exact steps to take, so you can do this for yourself and get off to the best possible start?

If so, my masterclass is exactly what you need to find out more about how to start selling on Amazon - without paying for help.

Download now, keep forever and watch in your own time. You can access the recording via the link in the show notes.

Here’s the link: https://vickiweinberg.com/how-to-start-selling-on-amazon/

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Online Retail Academy Website

Hosted by Captivate

Mastering Google Shopping Ads: Tips from Expert Sara Jones

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Do you use Google Shopping to sell your products? Do you know what Google Shopping is?

This week on the podcast my guest is Sara Jones. Sara helps online retailers grow their business using Google shopping through 1to1 ad management and by teaching them how to do it themselves in the Online Retail Academy.

Back when I ran my own product business, I tried to set up Google Shopping, but got very confused and didn’t stick with it for long. That was 8 years ago.

Sara completely changed my mind on it, she explained what is is, all the improvements that have been made, and how to set it up. There are plugs in so you can sync it with you ecommerce website. Sara also shares her top tips for how to do well, how to make sure your ads are performing, and she even has some advice on how to optimise your website so that Google Shopping really works for you.

It could be a great new income generator for you. Let me know how you get on.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Sara Jones Instagram

Online Retail Academy Facebook

Online Retail Academy YouTube

This episode is sponsored by my masterclass - how to start selling on Amazon, without paying for help

Are you thinking about selling your product(s) on Amazon?

Perhaps you’re unsure what you need to have and do to get your product listing set up, but don’t have the money to spend on hiring someone to help.

Do you want to learn the exact steps to take, so you can do this for yourself and get off to the best possible start?

If so, my masterclass is exactly what you need to find out more about how to start selling on Amazon - without paying for help.

Download now, keep forever and watch in your own time.

https://vickiweinberg.com/how-to-start-selling-on-amazon/

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Podcast: How to keep your customers coming back with Rebecca Hilliard

Building Customer Relationships Through Bespoke Jewelry - with BBC Repair Shop Jewellery Expert Richard Talman

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to my special guest, Richard Talman from RTFJ Jewellery. Richard is a master goldsmith who designs and handcrafts bespoke jewellery from precious metals, creating meaningful, memorable pieces that clients treasure for a lifetime. He's also passionate about upcycling and restoring old jewellery, giving it new life.

Richard's expertise goes beyond his craft—he’s the jewellery expert on the popular BBC TV show The Repair Shop, where he brings his knowledge and passion for restoration to a wider audience. In our chat, we dive into the world of goldsmithing, the meticulous work it involves, and the importance of preserving traditions through apprenticeships. We also discuss the value of personalised service, with Richard sharing how customised experiences can benefit any business.

Even if jewellery isn't your primary interest, I believe you'll find a lot to learn from Richard's approach to craftsmanship and customer care.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Richard Talman Instagram

This episode is proudly sponsored by my own book - Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Have you ever had a great idea for a product? Or does creating a product to sell appeal to you? Where do you begin? How do you come up with a product idea? Or, if you have an idea, how do you know if it’s even viable?

In Bring Your Product Idea to Life, I take you through the process of creating your product, step-by-step. From developing your product idea, to finding suppliers and launching your product we cover it all.

The book includes advice on how to price your product, where to sell it and how to find out if anyone will actually buy it. Designed to help you make real progress, Bring Your Product to Life is both practical and motivational.

Every chapter includes clear action steps, so you know exactly what to do and when. This isn’t just a book for reading - this is a book for doing.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Gluggle Jug Factory Website

Hosted by Captivate

Buying a Factory & Reviving the Gluggle Jug - with Sophie Mahlo

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Do you have a Gluggle Jug? The iconic jug in the shape of a fish which makes a unique delightful gurgling sound when water is poured from it. It is a beloved product, and was even featured in an episode of The Great Pottery Throwdown earlier this year, where the potters discovered that creating a jug with a gluggle is not an easy task!

This week’s podcast guest fell in love with the Gluggle Jug when shown it by a friend she was having dinner with. Sophie Mahlo wanted to share her love for the jug, and went on to become distributor for the jug in Germany, then Europe and now owns the Gluggle Jug Factory itself. It’s a truly remarkable story of how a German lawyer ended up saving the jobs at a factory in Stoke On Trent, and helped the Gluggle Jug go from strength to strength.

Sophie shares her journey, how she manages a business from afar, how to scale the business whilst maintaining a healthy profit and the importance of valuing yourself, and paying yourself a decent wage. It is an utterly brilliant episode, and I can’t wait for you to listen!

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Gluggle Jug Instagram

Gluckigluck Instagram

Gluckigluck Facebook

Gluggle Jug Twitter

Great Pottery Showdown Gluggle Jug Episode

This episode is proudly sponsored by my own book - Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Every chapter includes clear action steps, so you know exactly what to do and when. This isn’t just a book for reading - this is a book for doing.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

Crafting Mindful Yoga Props - with Georgie Davies, Yogi Pod

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Yogipod is a yoga products and lifestyle brand, designed to help you find calm. Founder Georgie Davies handmakes yoga props and lifestyle accessories from fabric hand printed in Jaipur in addition to teaching yoga in person and online. Georgie explains how she used her background in the fashion industry to inform decisions to keep the business lean and flexible. Georgie is passionate about making the business as ethical and sustainable as possible so we discussed ways of doing this, and designing a product business that you love which fits in with her yoga teaching.

It is a lovely, inspiring episode about the power of creating a business that works for you.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

This episode is proudly sponsored by my own book - Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Every chapter includes clear action steps, so you know exactly what to do and when. This isn’t just a book for reading - this is a book for doing.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Claire Hill Website - The Vivid Business Club

Claire Hill's Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Managing Procrastination

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast, I am excited to introduce you to Claire Hill. Claire is a self-belief and business coach, the founder of the Vivid Business Club and supports female online business owners to get out of their own way and make their dreams happen.

I invited Claire on the podcast to talk about all things mindset. So, procrastination, self doubt, imposter syndrome, all the things that crop up and stop us from doing the things we want to do in our businesses and in our lives.

Claire is here to help us all get unstuck, work out what is holding us back, and what we can do to move forward. It’s such a great conversation, and so relatable as we have all been there!

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Claire Hill Instagram

The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

This episode is proudly sponsored by my own book - Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Every chapter includes clear action steps, so you know exactly what to do and when. This isn’t just a book for reading - this is a book for doing.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT:

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Lord’s Fragrance House Instagram

Hosted by Captivate

Exploring the Science and Art of Fragrance with Sasha Lord, LORDS Fragrance House

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Can you remember the smell of the seaside? Of fresh rain on a forest? Scent is one of our most powerful scents, but perhaps tricky to market in the online space. How do you do this?

Today on the podcast, I have the perfect guest to answer this question - Sasha Lord from LORDS Fragrance House. LORDS Fragrance House offers scents that are inspired by & named after wonderful places across the planet. Colourfully made in Oxfordshire by industry experts with a mission to add joy to a saturated market of boring branding & the same interior scents.

Sasha talks about her experience as a scent marketer and how she started her own fragrance brand, inspired by her travels and memories from amazing places around the world.

You'll learn about the practical process of creating scents, how to use scent marketing, and the ups and downs of running your own business. Sasha shares how she stayed true to her vision, even when the fragrance industry tends to stick to the same trends and aesthetics.

This episode is packed with inspiring stories and practical tips for anyone looking to launch a product that stands out. Sasha's journey shows the importance of being authentic and passionate about your work. Tune in to get inspired and learn how to create a product that not only looks good but also makes a real emotional connection with customers.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Lord’s Fragrance House

The Aroma Company

The Fragrance Foundation

DISCOUNT CODE:

Podcast listeners can get 15% off LORDS Fragrance House products with the code: producttolife

This episode is proudly sponsored by my own book - Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Every chapter includes clear action steps, so you know exactly what to do and when. This isn’t just a book for reading - this is a book for doing.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

UK Government: Flexible Working Policy

Ooshky - Scott Deas Shares the Story Behind His Unique Whisky Accessory

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Creating and launching a product can be a lengthy process, often taking several years from conception to market. At Bring Your Product Idea To Life, I aim to provide a realistic behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to develop and sell your own product.

The journey doesn't end with the product launch; creators face the additional challenge of promoting and selling their innovation. Many juggle this process while maintaining other jobs, a balancing act that requires dedication and strategic time management.

This week's guest, engineer and entrepreneur Scott Deas, exemplifies this journey. Scott created Ooshky, a unique whiskey water pourer that combines the functionality of a bulb dropper and a pipette. This water drop-shaped jug allows whisky enthusiasts to add either a splash or a precise drop of water to their dram.

Scott sells Ooshky directly to consumers through his website and Amazon, and has also secured placement in over 20 retail shops. He shares his experience of bringing Ooshky to life, from the initial idea to prototype development and current manufacturing processes. Scott also discusses the unique marketing challenges of introducing a product so innovative that many people are unaware of its existence.

As a startup founder with a full-time job, Scott offers valuable insights into time management, task prioritisation, and the importance of identifying which activities to eliminate to make room for both his career and entrepreneurial pursuits.

Scott's story is a realistic perspective on the dedication required to turn a product idea into a successful venture while maintaining work-life balance.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Episode 202 How to get your own PR in 2024 - with Rosie Davies-Smith - PR Despatch

This episode is proudly sponsored by my own book - Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Every chapter includes clear action steps, so you know exactly what to do and when. This isn’t just a book for reading - this is a book for doing.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Natalia Chappell Instagram

Hosted by Captivate

Scaling Your Business: Insights from Digital Marketing Expert Natalia Chappell

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100

How do you know when you are ready to scale your product business? That’s the topic of today’s discussion with our guest, Natalia Chappell. Natalia is a digital marketing specialist with over 10 years of experience in the luxury fashion and lifestyle industry. She helps brands scale up by balancing free and paid channels to achieve top-line growth and a healthy bottom line.

In this episode, Natalia explains what scaling up means, how to determine if your business is ready to scale, and practical strategies for sustainable growth. We explore key indicators of readiness, such as identifying where growth is stalling, increasing average customer spend, and attracting new customers. Additionally, we discuss the importance of adapting to new platforms like TikTok Shop and the rise of experiential marketing.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Natalia Chappell Website

Natalia Chappell LinkedIn

This episode is proudly sponsored by my own book - Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Every chapter includes clear action steps, so you know exactly what to do and when. This isn’t just a book for reading - this is a book for doing.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Dead Sea Co Instagram

Building a Brand with Heart - with Serina El Mufti - The Dead Sea Co

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100

This week on the podcast, I am joined by Serina El Mufti, the co-founder of The Dead Sea Co.The Dead Sea Co infuse the powerful, therapeutic minerals of the Dead Sea into their skincare products, transforming everyday routines into soul-enriching rituals.

The Dead Sea Co. specialises in skincare and wellness products with a holistic approach. They believe that overall wellness impacts skin health. By harnessing the skin-boosting minerals of the Dead Sea, they champion simple, effective, and natural skincare. They encourage transforming your skincare routine into moments of self-care, positively affecting both your wellbeing and skin health.

Serina co-founded the business with her siblings, and in today’s interview, shares how you can do this without falling out! There are lots of great tips for how to define roles and responsibilities, useful for anyone setting up a business in partnership with others.

Serina also discusses the origins of their products, the inspiration behind their business, and why implementing a brand ambassador programme has worked so well for them.

Additionally, Serina talks about the impact of winning the Enterprise Nation Adobe UK Small Business Goes Big competition. This win included a two-day pop-up shop and advertising on Oxford Street, which provided invaluable exposure and allowed customers to experience their products firsthand.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Dead Sea Co Website

The Dead Sea Co Facebook

Enterprise Nation

This episode is proudly sponsored by my own book - Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Every chapter includes clear action steps, so you know exactly what to do and when. This isn’t just a book for reading - this is a book for doing.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Maysun Hassanaly LinkedIn

From Engineer to Entrepreneur: Maysun Hassanaly's Quest for Sustainable Yoga Gear

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Can you run a successful product business alongside your day job?

That’s exactly what engineer Maysun Hassanaly has done, developing and producing high quality and sustainable yoga gear at Ladina Yoga.

Maysu’s products are designed in collaboration with African artists, and also manufactured in Africa. Maysun shares how she came to start her business and why she operates her business the way she does. We discuss the challenges of launching and running a business alongside a high-tempo day job.

If you are juggling a day job whilst also trying to build your own business, this is a brilliant episode as Maysun shares how the skills she has learned in one role transfer to the other, and that it is possible to do the two roles simultaneously.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Ladina Yoga

Ladina Yoga Instagram

Ladina Yoga Facebook

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

Yoga with Adrienne

Bad Yogi

The Multi-Hyphen Method by Emma Gannon

This episode is proudly sponsored by my own book - Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Every chapter includes clear action steps, so you know exactly what to do and when. This isn’t just a book for reading - this is a book for doing.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1399954180

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hannah Spicer Consulting Website

Hosted by Captivate

Driving Ecommerce Sales Using Klaviyo: Hannah Spicer's Proven Tactics

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In today’s podcast we discuss whether email marketing is still effective at driving ecommerce sales. (Spoiler alert. It absolutely is)

My guest is Hannah Spicer, an email marketing consultant who helps premium and luxury brands drive more ecommerce sales. Hannah specialises in working with an email tool called Klaviyo.

Don’t worry if you are not using Klaviyo, Hannah’s tips can be applied to whichever email marketing platform you are using.

We discuss:

The type of emails you should be sending
How you can automate your emails
The types of automations you can use
How to segment your list (and what this means)

Whether you are just starting out with sending emails, or would like to drive more sales from what you are doing, this is the podcast for you.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Hannah Spicer Instagram

Hannah Spicer LinkedIn

This episode is sponsored by Cara Bendon Brand Consultancy

If you need branding & packaging for your product, Cara is my go-to. She and her team create beautiful and unique branding so that your product will impress retailers, stand out on the shelf and look great online.

They also offer packaging and e-commerce website design, so that you can get everything set up and ready to launch, confident that it looks brilliant.

Cara is fantastic at helping guide you through the process and has been a guest on this podcast twice. In fact, she even designed this podcast artwork for me when I worked with her on my branding back in 2021, and I can’t imagine not having this brand now!

If you’d like to chat to Cara about branding for your business, she’s offering a free no-obligation call with any listeners. You can book your free 30-minute call here

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Better Company Website

Tackling Period Poverty - with Ruth Marsden, The Better Company

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Ruth Marsden is the founder of The Better Company, a brand that sells reusable period products on a one-for-one donation model.

Ruth joined me to discuss her journey from an actress to an entrepreneur, creating a business that not only sells reusable menstrual products but also gives back to communities in need.

Ruth’s story is rooted in Zimbabwe, where she discovered that many girls miss school because they lack access to period products. Ruth decided to bring menstrual cups to this community, enabling girls to stay in school and improving their quality of life.

I loved hearing about what inspired Ruth to start her business, about her business model, the process of manufacturing an aesthetically appealing safe product, and how Instagram videos, press outreach, and educational content were crucial in demystifying and promoting her product.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Better Company Instagram

Ruth Marsden LinkedIn

This episode is sponsored by Cara Bendon Brand Consultancy

They also offer packaging and e-commerce website design, so that you can get everything set up and ready to launch, confident that it looks brilliant.

If you’d like to chat to Cara about branding for your business, she’s offering a free no-obligation call with any listeners. You can book your free 30-minute call here

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Podcast Episode: How To Keep Your Customers Coming Back with Rebecca Hilliard

Hosted by Captivate

When and how to scale your business - with Kate Freeman

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Do you know what your top 3 sellers are? Do you know what your slow sellers are? Or your average gross margin?

In this episode we dig into the importance of knowing your numbers when looking to scale your business with this week’s guest, Kate Freeman.

Kate Freeman helps product businesses to make more revenue and most importantly more profit! Kate does this by helping you to secure wholesale retail listings, optimise their supply chain and maximise sustainability to drive growth. Kate has over 15 years experience and spent 10 of those years working for a leading female entrepreneur.

We discuss how to tell if it is the right time to scale, and the sort of things that you will need to have in place. We cover the importance of knowing the market, understanding your customers, gathering customer feedback and making sure your supply chain can handle growth. If you are ready to take your business to the next level, you won’t want to miss this episode.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Kate Freeman Website

Kate Freeman LinkedIn

Kate Freeman Instagram

This episode is sponsored by Cara Bendon Brand Consultancy

They also offer packaging and e-commerce website design, so that you can get everything set up and ready to launch, confident that it looks brilliant.

If you’d like to chat to Cara about branding for your business, she’s offering a free no-obligation call with any listeners. You can book your free 30-minute call here

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Genevieve Sweeney Website

Championing Sustainable Knitwear: Genevieve Sweeney's Journey with British Manufacturing and Slow Fashion

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Most of the clothes we wear today are manufactured in the Far East. What happens when you decide to champion creating your clothing brand in the UK?

Today’s guest is Genevieve Sweeney, the founder of her eponymous luxury British knitwear brand. Genevieve designs and manufactures British knitwear for womenswear, menswear, accessories and socks. She champions and celebrates British manufacturing with heritage, craft and innovation in the industry using responsible fibres and sustainable practices.

Learn more about the process of designing and creating knitwear by hand, and how Genevieve is championing the rediscovery of lost skills. We discuss the importance of slow fashion, and the steps that can be taken to reduce the environmental impact of creating clothes. We also cover the logistics of running a thriving business when you have a young family, and why Genevieve is passionate about developing an apprenticeship scheme for her company.

It’s a wonderful rallying call to the benefits of manufacturing in the UK.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Genevieve Sweeney Facebook

Genevieve Sweeney Instagram

Genevieve Sweeney LinkedIn

This episode is sponsored by Cara Bendon Brand Consultancy

They also offer packaging and e-commerce website design, so that you can get everything set up and ready to launch, confident that it looks brilliant.

If you’d like to chat to Cara about branding for your business, she’s offering a free no-obligation call with any listeners. You can book your free 30-minute call here

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

How To Sell More Products with Mark Endacott

Fri, 31 May 2024 06:00:00 +0100

It’s the basic question we all want an answer to, how do you sell more products?

My guest on the podcast today is here to help. Mark Endacott runs an online retail company, a business consultancy firm specialising in one to one sales training and business mentoring and an online sales training course which is launching soon. Put it simply Mark knows sales.

We talk about some of the mental blocks you might be experiencing when it comes to selling. Mark gives some great advice about how to overcome them whether you are selling face to face, online, on your website, on social media, or in emails.

We dig deep into the art of selling, from understanding your core product function to harnessing emotional connections. Mark shared invaluable tips on overcoming the fear of selling, leveraging email marketing, and the power of a compelling call to action. Plus, we talked about the importance of knowing your target market and adapting your strategies. Whether you're a startup or an established brand, this episode is a goldmine of insights

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Website Endacott Associates - for business mentoring/ one to one sales training

Website The Natural Salesperson - for an online sales training course which is launching soon

Mark Endacott LinkedIn

This episode is sponsored by Aubergine Legal

Do you sometimes worry that your business isn’t meeting all its legal compliance requirements and wonder if you are ticking all the legal boxes? Are you losing sleep worrying about a piece of legislation that you might not be complying with? Perhaps you need some help with your client contracts or your data protection compliance? Or maybe you worry that your website doesn’t have the right documents or legal notices in the right place? Perhaps you have a brand that you want to protect with a trademark?

Do you want to outsource it all and eliminate your worries?

Then get in touch with Aubergine Legal, a friendly commercial legal consultancy. Offering practical and clear commercial legal advice without the overwhelming legal jargon. Taking the worry away and helping you to protect your business and minimise your risks. Aubergine offers a free initial 30 minute consultation if you have any questions or want to find out how they can help.

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Aubergine Legal Shop which includes FREE Cookie Guide, FREE Business Start Up Legal Checklist, and paid for resources including a Guide on Selling to the USA

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Masterclass: How To Start Selling On Amazon

Hosted by Captivate

How to start selling your products on Amazon - if you don't have budget to pay for help

Fri, 24 May 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Are you considering selling your products on Amazon? It's a challenging process, and you might be feeling a bit stuck. Or perhaps you're still contemplating it and unsure about the next steps. Hiring someone to assist you might not be feasible, either due to preference or budget constraints. That's why I thought about how I can help.

This podcast episode serves as a great introduction to starting your journey on Amazon. In this episode, I guide you through everything you need to know to set up and start selling on Amazon. You'll learn how to apply to become an Amazon seller, decide between fulfilling orders through FBA or FBM, and discover strategies to encourage those first orders once your account is set up.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

I have written a blog post to accompany this episode, which you can read here

My Amazon launch package

Amazon Seller Central

GS1 Org - for barcodes

FREEBIE: How to Successfully Launch a Product on Amazon or Rescue One That's Not Selling

Blog post about whether you should sell on Amazon

Blog post about writing product listings

Podcast: Where’s the best place to sell your products online

Podcast: Should you sell your product on Amazon?

Podcast: Common Amazon issues and how to resolve them

Podcast: The tools I use to run my business on Amazon

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

This episode is sponsored by Aubergine Legal

Do you want to outsource it all and eliminate your worries?

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Aubergine Legal Shop which includes FREE Cookie Guide, FREE Business Start Up Legal Checklist, and paid for resources including a Guide on Selling to the USA

LET’S CONNECT:

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Maddy’s Previous Podcast Episode: Using SEO To Get Your Products Found

Marketing with Personality - with Maddy Shine

Fri, 17 May 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast I am delighted to welcome Maddy Shine.

Maddy Shine is a small biz business mentor and visibility expert who helps women-owned business legends grow their businesses by becoming more visible. She has helped thousands of clients get more visible through teaching her free and paid online programs and membership community Visible Vibes.

She has been described as actual human sunshine - you can even use her GIFs which have been used over 690 million times! Maddy believes it's up to us to find and get booked by those who want to work with us. Maddy also runs a second brand Sassy & Soft designing WordPress websites and SEO projects for women-owned and queer friendly businesses.

Maddy joined me on the podcast a few years ago to talk about SEO, and today is here to talk about marketing with personality. We discuss what marketing with personality means, how that applies to you and your brand, and you can use this to make your business more visible.

It’s a really inspiring conversation, as Maddy is so passionate about the importance and positive impact when women running their own businesses are visible. I know you will come away energised and excited to talk more about your product business.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Maddy Shine Website

Maddy Shine Instagram

Maddy Shine TikTok

Maddy Shine LinkedIn

Visible Vibes Community

Sassy and Soft Website

This episode is sponsored by Aubergine Legal

Do you want to outsource it all and eliminate your worries?

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Aubergine Legal Shop which includes FREE Cookie Guide, FREE Business Start Up Legal Checklist, and paid for resources including a Guide on Selling to the USA

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Tonbridge Accountants Website

Hosted by Captivate

How to structure your company - Wendy & Laughton Ross, Tonbridge Accountants

Fri, 10 May 2024 06:00:00 +0100

What is the difference between being a sole trader and a limited company?

How should you structure your business?

These are big questions you have to grapple with when setting up your own business, so I asked the perfect guests on the podcast to give us some advice. Wendy Ross is the founder of Tonbridge Accountants, and is joined by her business partner and husband Laughton.

Together they explain the difference between being a sole trader and a limited company - in easy to understand language!

We talk about the advantages and disadvantages of each set up, and the sort of work involved and things you will need to consider.

We also discuss what you need to be keeping a record of in your accounts in order to make sure you are being compliant.

It’s a brilliant episode that makes a complex topic much easier to understand.

Tonbridge Accountants offer a free 15 minute phone consultation, which you can book here.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Tonbridge Accountants Facebook

Tonbridge Accountants Instagram

Wendy Ross Linked In

This episode is sponsored by Aubergine Legal

Do you want to outsource it all and eliminate your worries?

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Aubergine Legal Shop which includes FREE Cookie Guide, FREE Business Start Up Legal Checklist, and paid for resources including a Guide on Selling to the USA

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

The Art of Commercial Design: Insights from Lucianne Soley

Fri, 03 May 2024 06:00:00 +0100

What is commercial design? And how can it help you sell more of your products?

Today my guest on the podcast is Lucianne Soley of Soley Creative. Soley Creative empowers people and brands to be seen, heard, and understood through commercial visual communication and brand guardianship. They build brands that thrive in the present and the future.

Lucianne joins me to explain what commercial design is and how it can help you as a product creator sell more. We discuss the importance of making sure that everything that you produce visually has a purpose and functions well, whether that's getting people in your email list, or making sales on your website. Lucianne also shares some valuable insights into customer profiles and behaviours learnt from her years of experience supporting major household brand names.

It’s a fascinating topic that we’ve never covered before, and I am sure you will come away with lots of ideas for this you can do to tweak and improve the performance of your website, emails, social media and more.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Soley Creative Website

Soley Creative Instagram

Soley Creative Threads

Soley Creative Pinterest

Lucianne Soley Linked In

Soley Creative LinkedIn

This episode is sponsored by Aubergine Legal

Do you want to outsource it all and eliminate your worries?

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Aubergine Legal Shop which includes FREE Cookie Guide, FREE Business Start Up Legal Checklist, and paid for resources including a Guide on Selling to the USA

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Michael Crinnion Linked In

Hosted by Captivate

From Idea to Amazon: Launching a Non-Digital Wellness Device - with Michael Crinnion, Luma 3

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today my guest is Michael Crinnion from Mind Body Goals Ltd. Michael designs and makes high quality wellbeing products that help people bring proven techniques like breathwork into their lives in a way that's easy to maintain, enjoyable, and has a real positive impact.

Michael has created the Luma Cube, a beautifully designed zen-like cube that aids you with different breathing techniques without needing to go on your phone for an app. Taking people away from their screens has been one of the key USPs of the Luma Cube.

Michael and I spoke a lot about the benefits of breathing and the positive impact that breathing can have on your well being. Michael is passionate about the importance of teaching these techniques to everyone, including really young children, to help them have the tools they need as they sort of navigate life.

We discussed how Michael used his design and engineering experience, and 3d printers to create prototypes. Michael shares the importance of getting an investor early on, and his experiences selling his product on Amazon.

If you are looking at selling on Amazon, Michael is really honest about the journey, and shares the mindset and approach he took to make it a success.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Luma³ Website

Luma³ Facebook

Luma³ Instagram

PDM Consultancy

This podcast was sponsored by Tonbridge Accountants

"Welcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance.

Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance.

We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business.

Our approach is personal.

We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive.

With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights.

Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating.

We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength.”

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

2021 Podcast Episode 47 - Ruth Bussey - Ink and Scribbles

2021 Guest Catch Up - Where are they now?

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0100

To celebrate passing the 200th episode of Bring Your Product Idea To Life, I decided to catch up with past guests, to see what happened next in their product business, and where they are now.

Today’s guests were all on my podcast in 2021. It’s fascinating hearing where their business has taken them, the highs and lows, and how their advice for other product business owners has changed over the years.

One of the main messages that came out of it was the importance of perseverance, how businesses naturally evolve, building your range and being willing to pivot when needed.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Ink and Scribbles Website

Ink and Scribbles Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 57 - Joe Shortt - Trip Clip

TripClip Website

TripClip Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 59 - Vanessa Afful - MBPH Aromatherapy

Made By Pure Hands Website

MBPH Aromatherapy Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 71 - Nancy Powell - Herd Bags

Herd Bags Website

Herd Bags Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 73 - Silvina De Vita - My Papercut Forest

My Papercut Forest Website

My Parpercut Forest Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 84 - Creating and selling planners - with Janet Murray

Janet Murray Website

Janet Murray Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 88 - Why your product needs to be on Amazon - with Cara Sayer, Snooze Shade

SnoozeShade Website

SnoozeShade Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 89 - How to make wholesale work - with Sasha Gupta, Cheeky Zebra

Cheeky Zebra Website

Cheeky Zebra Instagram

This podcast was sponsored by Tonbridge Accountants

"Welcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance.

Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance.

We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business.

Our approach is personal.

We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive.

With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights.

Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating.

We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength.”

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation

Hosted by Captivate

Developing a unique food product - with Daniel Twiss - Soul Fruit

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today my guest is Daniel Twiss from Soul Fruit, a company revolutionising dried fruit snacks. Soul Fruit makes new and exciting dried fruit snacks using the best quality tropical fruits simply dried into crunchy chips or chewy slices. Their flavours include fruits I have never tried - dragon fruit and jackfruit.

Daniel shares with us the riveting story of how he and his wife took their love for exotic fruits in Asia and transformed it into a successful business, despite having no prior background in food or retail. Their mission? To bring guilt-free, fun, and authentically delicious snacking experiences to the UK market, and maybe your taste buds as well.

We'll dig into the perseverance required to break into retailers and online platforms like Amazon, how embracing sustainable practices and community giving sets their brand apart, and why focusing on single-ingredient, honest products might just be the key to winning over modern consumers. Whether you're already selling products or just starting to shape your ideas, this episode offers tangible insights into the dedication, passion and can-do attitude needed to make your product stand out in a crowded market.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Bread and Jam

This podcast was sponsored by Tonbridge Accountants

"Welcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance.

Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance.

We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business.

Our approach is personal.

We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive.

With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights.

Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating.

We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength.”

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Rebecca Hilliard & Co Website

Hosted by Captivate

How to keep your customers coming back - with Rebecca Hilliard

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Rebecca Hilliard is an eCommerce expert with 12 years of experience working in the eCommerce industry for brands such as Jimmy Choo, French Connection, ME+EM, Mylands and This Works. I now support premium direct-to-consumer brands with their customer retention strategies to drive revenue, loyalty, and business profitability.

We discuss how often brands prioritise customer acquisition over customer retention, missing out on a more cost effective way to grow. Rebecca shares lessons that independent brands can take from the high street names that she has worked with, and the advantages smaller brands have such as being more agile and able to respond to trends.

Rebecca shares the tools you can use to really understand how your customers behaviours on your website. We then discuss different methods for making your customer feel valued, and how to leverage this in your marketing.

Finally we dig into why customer retention matters so much, and how to improve it.

It’s a great, thought provoking episode, and a good one to listen to wherever you are in your product journey.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Rebecca Hilliard Instagram

Rebecca Hilliard Linked In

Hot Jar

Triple Whale

Sweet Analytics

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

This podcast was sponsored by Tonbridge Accountants

"Welcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance.

Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance.

We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business.

Our approach is personal.

We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive.

With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights.

Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating.

We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength.”

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

How to sell with a clear USP - with Karen Burke - Go Goosey

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0100

If you have ever taken a small child swimming you know the struggle of getting them dry afterwards.

My guest this week decided to solve this problem. Karen Burke is the founder of Go Goosey is an online retail company that sells her unique product, the Kids unisex quick drying onesie and microfibre towel. We talk about the process of designing and creating the product, and the importance of not rushing this stage.

We also talk about the USP for Karen's products. Karen is really good at articulating what makes her product so unique. Everywhere I see her, whether it's on Amazon or on her website, she's just nailed her USP and how she talks about her products. I think that's something that lots of us can learn from. Plus there are lots of little nuggets about mindset and overcoming challenges that I am sure you will find helpful. All in all it’s another great episode.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Karen Burke Linked In

Smarter Society

LET’S CONNECT

This episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Jenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know how to help you grow a profitable feel good business.

Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups.

Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.com

Instagram - @jennifercoopertimesaver

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Hosted by Captivate

Ask Me Anything

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0100

To celebrate 4 years of The Bring Your Product Idea To Life Podcast, I wanted to do something different. So I asked you to ‘ask me anything’. In this episode I answer those questions including:

How I made the the transition from product business to product launch consultant
How much of my business I outsource
How to rank higher on Amazon
What to do if you go out of stock on Amazon FBA

Whether you are looking for insight into how I run my business, or some detail about how to get more sales on Amazon, there is lots of take away.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Other Businesses Mentioned:

Tonbridge Accountants

Beyond The Kitchen Table

Cara Bendon Branding

Podcast Episodes Mentioned

Episode 14 Things I’ve learnt in 4 years of running a products business

Episode 193 How to host a successful podcast

Episode 116 How to take and edit your own product photos (using a smartphone) – with Jade Tinkler

Episode 34 How to take your own professional product photos with Georgina Little

Episode 180 How to rank higher on Amazon

Blog Posts:

Blog post: https://vickiweinberg.com/how-to-rank-higher-on-amazon/

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT:

This episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.com

Instagram - @jennifercoopertimesaver

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Jennifer Cooper Timesaver Website

How product businesses can use AI to save time - with Jennifer Cooper

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0100

My guest today is Jennifer Cooper from Jennifer Cooper Timesaver. Jenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know-how to help you grow a profitable, feel good business.

Jenny is passionate about teaching entrepreneurs and founders how they can leverage the rapid advancements in AI in their business, suggesting use cases and opportunities you may never have considered

Jenny shares how AI can not only save time in business but help you tackle a whole variety of tasks, including procrastination. Jenny shares how small businesses can use AI to even the odds against bigger players with more resources. It was an eye-opening talk. I learned a lot and got some great new ideas on how I can use AI in my business, that I can’t wait to try out.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Jennifer Cooper Timesaver Instagram

Jennifer Cooper Linked In

FREE DOWNLOAD: Timesaving Guide To AI Tools

AI TOOLS MENTIONED:

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

This episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.com

Instagram - @jennifercoopertimesaver

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

2020 Podcast Episode: A family-run products business – with Keisha Shah, Teddo Play

Hosted by Captivate

2020 guest catch up - where are they now?

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0100

To celebrate recording the 200th episode of Bring Your Product Idea To Life, I decided to catch up with past guests, to see what happened next in their product business, and where they are now.

Today’s guests were all on my podcast in 2020. It’s fascinating hearing where their business has taken them, the highs and lows, and how their advice for other product business owners has changed over the years.

One of the main messages that came out of it was the importance of keeping going, and being willing to pivot when needed.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Teddo Play Website

Teddo Play Instagram

2020 Podcast Episode: Turning a passion into a business – with Bee Veronica Moore

Witty Ditty Designs Website

Witty Ditty Designs Instagram

2020 Podcast Episode: The importance of ‘ just going for it’ – with Ruth Bradford, the Little Black and White Book Project

The Little Black & White Book Project Website

The Little Black & White Book Instagram

2020 Podcast Episode: Selling handmade items on Etsy – with Dawn Friday

Girl Friday Website

Girl Friday Embroidery Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

This episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.com

Instagram - @jennifercoopertimesaver

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Moving Little Minds Website

From Teacher to Entrepreneur: Melissa McCall's Venture into Early Literacy Products (part 1)

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0100

My guest today is Melissa McCall from Moving Little Minds. Melissa is a preschool teacher based in the US, and helps parents and teachers build a strong literacy foundation in young children by merging instruction with play. Melissa has created some products designed for teaching preschool age children early literacy skills.

Melissa is a passionate advocate for the power of reading and has just launched her first products, She shares how she has gone about creating the products, including deciding which product ideas to develop and building collections, getting the products produced, and starting to market them. For anyone just starting out there are lots of wonderful and valuable tips here for how to go from idea to actual product.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Moving Little Minds Instagram

Moving Little Minds Facebook

Moving Little Minds Pinterest

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

This episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.com

Instagram - @jennifercoopertimesaver

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Corseside Nursery Website

Running a multi-channel, family business - with Rosie Prosser - Corseside Nursery

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today my guest is Rosie Prosser from Corseside Nursery, an RHS gold medal winning succulent specialist based in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Rosie manages the technology and marketing, while her mother contributes years of plant expertise. Together, they've crafted a unique online community, teaching their customers the art of succulent care, and helping a thriving business grow, which is strongly focused on recycling and reusing materials.

Rosie shares the strategies they use to manage sales across major online platforms like eBay, Etsy, and Amazon, explaining the challenges and lucrative aspects of each. We'll discuss the art of selling succulents online, the importance of high-quality photos, and tricks of the trade for shipping plants. She'll also give us a peek at how the pandemic sparked an evolution in their business model and how even traditionally offline customers have adapted to buying plants online.

There is lots to take away including how to use a combination of social media, email marketing and Facebook groups to nurture and build your customer base, and the delicate balance between business scalability and personal satisfaction.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Corseside Nursery Facebook

Corseside Nursery Instagram

Facebook Group "Secrets of Succulents"

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

How to (confidently) get visible online - with Helen Williams

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Showing up online is something many of us struggle with. And as product business owners, it can feel easier to hide behind your product.

Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Helen Williams, a coach and the founder of Hey Helen Williams. Helen helps entrepreneurs to move online and overcome visibility blocks to get seen by the right people and increase their income.

Today we are looking at something I struggle with myself, putting your face on social media. Many of us find it terrifying, so I wanted to find out why Helen thinks this is something so many of us struggle with and what we can do about it.

We talked about why it is important to show your face online, even as a product business owner, and, importantly, practical strategies to achieve this in manageable, less intimidating steps. This episode was particularly enlightening for me, and I hope it offers you valuable insights as well.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Helen’s Website

Helen’s Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Rosie Davies-Smith LinkedIn

Hosted by Captivate

How to get your own PR in 2024 - with Rosie Davies-Smith - PR Dispatch

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today’s podcast guest is Rosie Davies-Smith. PR agencies have led clients to believe they're the only ones who can do what they do. Rosie made it her mission to prove them wrong. After running her own agency for over a decade, she founded PR Dispatch, a platform which powers in-house teams to become the PR experts. Since then, over 500 brands have been given the training, expertise and contacts they need to take control of their PR in house and secure their own coverage at just 3 percent of the cost of a PR agency.

Rosie shares her expert advice on what really matters in PR (hint - good imagery!) and the variety of publications to pitch to. She'll provide you with actionable strategies to handle your PR efforts independently, reducing the need for external agencies. This episode is a must-listen for anyone prioritising brand exposure for their products in 2024.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

PR Dispatch Website

PR Dispatch Instagram

PR Dispatch Youtube

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

How to work with me in 2024

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0100

This podcast episode is a little different, I share my business story with you, from how I started, with my own product business, Tiny Chipmunk, making bamboo baby products, to my work now. This includes my book, Bring Your Product Idea To Life, and my work now supporting product business owners with selling their products on Amazon. Find out more about my own journey and how I can help you sell more of your products.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT:

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Creating ethical, sustainable products - with Maame Sapong - Purscent

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm speaking with Maame Sapong from Purscents. Maame creates luxury home fragrances like candles, reed diffusers and other aromatherapy scented products. Her commitment goes merely beyond creating delightful scents. She's also dedicated to establishing a sustainable brand that strives to make a meaningful and possible impact within the candle industry.

We had a great conversation about how she juggles building a product business whilst in a full time job, how she decides what to outsource and invest in, and what she can do herself, and the importance of pacing yourself in the early days. Maame also shares fascinating insights into how she makes her candles, how she ensures they are sustainable as possible, and how her first hand experiences in Ghana seeing the impact of plastic waste and flooding have renewed her commitment to making sure her business is ethical and environmentally conscious.

An introduction to herself and her businesses (01:26)
The inspiration for creating her business (01:54)
The steps she has taken to ensure her products are sustainable and ethical (04:40)
Building a product business whilst working a full time job (10:07)
Learning to outsource (13:51)
Deciding where to invest in her business (for instance photography) and where to save money (20:03)
The importance of pacing yourself in the early days (21:22)
Her experiences at Top Drawer (24:04)
Championing sustainability by creating candle refills (25:34)
How her first hand experiences in Ghana seeing the impact of plastic waste and flooding have informed her business values (31:39)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (33:56)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Purscents Website

Purscents Instagram

Purscents Facebook

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Expat Business In A Bag Website

Hosted by Captivate

Starting a business as an expat - with Mangla Sachdev, Expat Business in a Bag

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Welcome to today's podcast where I’m excited to have Mangla Sachdev join me. Originally from London, UK, Mangla has an impressive global footprint, having lived and established businesses in Australia, Malaysia, England, Scotland, and now Singapore.

A lifelong entrepreneur, Mangla started her first venture at 17 and has been self-employed ever since. Mangla now runs Expat Business In A Bag, where she shares business coaching and strategies for expat entrepreneurs and digital nomads. Mangla shares her experiences with product businesses and valuable insights on starting a business, especially in a new country or community.

In addition, Mangla is offering a special gift for our listeners: her '27 Essential Tasks for Every Entrepreneur' marketing checklist, available via the link in our show notes.

An introduction to herself and her businesses (01:35)
Her first product business at 17 years old (03:23)
Her second product business, t-shirts (05:29)
How she combines running a product business with travelling (10:34)
The differences between running a business in Singapore and the UK (13:35)
The inspiration for setting up Expat Business In A Bag (17:33)
Spotting business opportunities when travelling (20:19)
Using your travel experiences as inspiration for starting a business (26:08)
Advice on how to niche (26:57)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (30:56)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Expat Business In A Bag Instagram

Expat Business In A Bag Facebook

Facebook Group: Expat Business In A Bag

FREE GIFT: 27 Marketing Tasks Even If You Have A Small Budget

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Sheila Sells Seashells Website

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Creating and selling unique handmade products - with Debbie Scott - Sheila Sells Sea Shells

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In today's podcast episode, we're chatting with Debbie Scott from Sheila Sells Seashells. Debbie specialises in transforming oyster and scallop shells, naturally formed by the ocean and artistically enhanced by her, into stunning creations. Debbie’s shell creations are unlike anything I've seen before. Her miniature works of art are utterly unique making them popular gift items.

I was intrigued to learn about Debbie’s process: how she acquires these shells, the artistic journey to transform them into art pieces, the time involved, and particularly, how she determines the pricing for such labour-intensive work. Debbie shares lots of information about how to price hand crafted items both for general and wholesale.

Debbie’s day job is running her PR Agency, Scott Communications, so she also shares her top tips for how small businesses can boost their PR.

There is so much value packed in this punchy episode.

An introduction to herself and her businesses (01:38)
Debbie’s products, crafting art from shells using decoupage, gold leaf and resin (02:41)
Debbie’s inspiration for working with shells this way (04:20)
Moving from having a craft hobby to making it into a business (05:41)
Selling her art via wholesale (07:32)
Bespoke commissions (08:17)
Working out how to price a unique piece of art (10:44)
The importance of factoring in time when working out your pricing (11:23)
Working out pricing for wholesalers (13:14)
Sourcing her shells responsibly (13:44)
Balancing pricing her art to cover her costs but also making it affordable (16:24)
The practicalities of creating your product at home (16:54)
The power of networking (20:10)
Managing imposter syndrome (20:57)
How to do well at markets (24:42)
PR tips for small businesses (25:46)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Sheila Sells Seashells Instagram

Sheila Sells Seashells Facebook

Scott Communications Website

Debbie Scott Linked In

Bunnyfish Website

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Alison's Facebook Group Small Business Spreadsheet Society

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How to use spreadsheets to help run your products business - with Alison Pollecutt - Excel Confident

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0100

How do you feel about spreadsheets? Are you a fan or do they fill you with dread?

This week my guest on the podcast is Alison Pollecutt of Excel Confident. Alison believes that spreadsheets are a vital tool for any business owner and it's her mission to demystify spreadsheets for them. In this episode, we'll talk about how spreadsheets can really help your business. We'll cover how to get started, what you can do with them, and the different ways they can open up possibilities for you.

I've always used spreadsheets for keeping track of things, but Alison has shown me how I can use them even more effectively. No matter if you're already a fan of spreadsheets or not, Alison will share how you can learn more about your business by setting up some simple systems and keeping track.

An introduction to herself and her businesses (02:04)
The versatility of spreadsheets (02:43)
Excel and Google Sheets are both forms of spreadsheets (05:33)
Using a spreadsheet as a CRM (06:33)
Turning data into easily digestible visual information (08:24)
Using spreadsheets to track things like your hours, mileage, expenses (11:00)
Using spreadsheets to work out which channels to prioritise for social media (13:02)
Using spreadsheets to plan your social media (14:36)
How spreadsheets save time and reduce the feeling of overwhelm (15:10)
Using spreadsheets to track stock for retail and wholesale (19:30)
Using spreadsheets to help work out your pricing and margin for products (23:18)
Using spreadsheets for stock control (25:40)
Downloading data from platforms like Shopify into a spreadsheet (26:49)
Empowering you to understand spreadsheets so you can build your own (29:29)
How to get more confident with using spreadsheets (34:02)
Her number one piece of advice on using spreadsheets (36:30)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Excel Confident Website

Alison Pollecutt Linked In

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

30 Where’s the best place to sell your products online

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Re-release - Should you sell your product on Amazon?

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Welcome back. This week, we're revisiting a previous episode for two main reasons. First, it's the holiday season, and I know many of you are enjoying the break or are quite busy. It didn't seem like the perfect moment to introduce something new. Second, as the year wraps up and we look forward to a fresh start, it's an excellent time for businesses to reflect and plan. If you've been thinking about starting to sell on Amazon or improving your existing efforts there, this episode is for you.

I work closely with many Amazon sellers, guiding them through setting up and enhancing their presence. I've seen great successes, but I've also seen challenges, often beyond the seller's control. That's why this episode is all about understanding if Amazon is the right marketplace for you. We'll talk about how to figure that out and what factors you should consider before diving in. So, whether you're unwinding during the holidays or gearing up for the new year, this episode could provide valuable insights for your business journey in 2024.

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction to me and why I wanted to record this episode (01:28)
Why Amazon is an appealing place to sell your products (05:32)
The advantages of FBA (fulfilled by Amazon) (08:19)
Accessing a global market (09:20)
Things that aren’t so great about Amazon, seller support (10:19)
Things that aren’t so great about Amazon, there is a lot of competition (11:42)
Product listing rules you need to adhere to (13:04)
The sort of products that Amazon works well for (14:43)
The importance of researching the market and your competition (17:04)
Free tools you can use (17:51)
How I can help you get started with selling on Amazon (21:13)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

I have written a blog post to accompany this episode, which you can read here

FBA Revenue Calculator

Jungle Scout

JUNGLE SCOUT DISCOUNT CODE:

Go to get.junglescout.com/vicki to access a whole suite bestselling tools for building and running a successful Amazon business.

Podcast Episodes:

79 What to do when things go wrong on Amazon

107 Common Amazon issues and how to resolve them

159 How to start selling on Amazon

183 How to rank higher on Amazon

Blog Posts:

How To Rank Higher On Amazon

Jungle Scout - My favourite tool for selling on Amazon

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT:

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Creating and protecting a unique product - with Yanika Cordina - Cordinia Hair

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast, I'm talking to Yanika Cordina, the founder of Cordina Hair, creator of the Flower Curl and Waver Bun, heatless hair curlers and wavers.

Yanika shares how she developed her products, developing the prototype herself, patenting her design, and moving to manufacture.

Yanika shares the realities of building a business whilst working other jobs, how she has used social media to spread the word about an entirely new product, working with brand ambassadors rather than influencers, and why the pre-order model works so well for her.

There's lots to take in, including a really interesting behind the scenes on her successful Dragon’s Den appearance.

An introduction to herself and her business (01:10)
The inspiration for creating her products (03:02)
Creating a prototype (05:31)
Creating a product whilst also working two jobs (07:37)
Patenting her design (10:45)
The advantages of working with a patent attorney (13:02)
Finding a factory to manufacture her product (16:38)
Launching and marketing an entirely new product (20:43)
How Instagram & TikTok have boosted her business (22:29)
Why she hasn’t invested in influencers (23:22)
Working with brand ambassadors (26:16)
The benefits of not checking what your competitors are doing (28:10)
Her Dragon’s Den experience (31:29)
Using a pre-order model (37:22)
The time it takes to build a successful business (43:38)
The challenge of keeping up with social media changes (49:22)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (52:38)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Cordina Hair Website

Cordina Hair TikTok

Cordina Hair Instagram

Cordina Hair Pinterest

Cordina Hair Youtube

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Femtrepreneur Website

Plan your social media for 2024 - with Amy Atkinson

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Amy is a social media and digital marketing coach specialising in working with small to medium sized service based businesses. Amy reached a full client roster and six figures in her business all in a year after coming back from maternity leave, working four days a week. It's Amy's mission to help clients see growth in client sales, prospects, reach, and warm leads and engagement through sharing her knowledge and expertise.

While Amy mainly works with service based businesses, today I've invited her on to share advice about social media planning and content strategy for product businesses in 2024.

Amy offered really valuable insights into mapping out social media over the next year - from identifying relevant channels and navigating trends to determining the types of content and campaigns to prioritise each month. Whether you meticulously plan out every social media post or take a more spontaneous approach, there is lots here to take away and use in 2024.

An introduction to herself and her business (02:07)
Why you should start thinking about your 2024 social media now (02:43)
Working out your key dates for the year ahead (04:09)
What to do if you have a month where it looks like you won’t have something to talk about (08:54)
The power of relaunching products and services (10:54)
How often you should be posting about your products, and the mix of posts you should be sharing (12:26)
The importance of using Instagram stories (13:51)
Deciding which channels to focus on (18:18)
Using Google Analytics to make strategic choices about which social media channels are working for you (22:39)
Navigating social media trends like Threads (26:52)
Using micro influencers (38:49)
Her number one piece of social media advice for product creators (39:36)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Femtrepreneur Facebook

Femtrepreneur Instagram

Femtrepreneur Youtube

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

How to host a successful podcast with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0100

This podcast recently won the Best Podcast Award in the business category at the Independent Podcast Awards, which was a real honour. Over the years I’ve had lots of people ask me for tips on starting a podcast. While I'm not an expert, I have been hosting this podcast since March 2020, and now have nearly 200 episodes released, so I have learned a few things.

I thought I would share some behind-the-scenes information on how I run my podcast, in case it's helpful for anyone thinking of starting their own someday, perhaps as a goal for 2024. I’ll talk you through the process of planning the episodes, recording, editing and releasing them. I’ll also share what you need to buy tech wise (not much!).

An introduction to the episode and why I am recording this (01:23)
Who my podcast is for (03:45)
Why I like to have guests on my podcast (04:39)
The process of booking in guests, and scheduling ahead (06:41)
Why I batch record episodes (09:14)
Recording the introductions to conversations with guests (10:47)
Editing (11:29)
Outsourcing the rest of the process including transcription and show notes (12:06)
My podcast hosting platform, Captivate (12:51)
Releasing the episode, and accompanying social media, emails etc (13:24)
Five things that make a great podcast (14:16)
What do you need to buy (22:58)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

My VA: Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

My Podcast Hosting Platform: Captivate

LET’S CONNECT:

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

How to run a subscription based business - with Hari Fell - Nolo Cocktails

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast, I'm speaking to Hari Fell. After running her own hotel for the past 20 years, Hari decided she wanted a new challenge. Having given up alcohol in 2019, she launched Nolo Cocktails and Bars, bringing choice to people who choose not to drink through non-alcoholic cocktail subscriptions, gift boxes, and a mobile alcohol-free bar.

This was a great conversation with Hari about her subscription business for people who don't want to drink alcohol but want exciting drink choices. We spoke a lot about how she develops her drinks and sources ingredients, as well as the practicalities of running a subscription business.

An introduction to herself and her business (01:24)
The inspiration for setting up Nolo Cocktails (01:52)
Creating the recipes (04:56)
Finding suppliers (06:33)
Curating her subscription boxes (08:42)
Why she chose the subscription box model (11:43)
The appeal of the subscription box model (14:48)
Packing the boxes (16:30)
Why having a niche product makes the marketing a little easier (18:22)
Having a pop up in John Lewis and working with The Great Brand Exchange (20:54)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (24:55)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Nolo Cocktails Website

Nolo Cocktails Twitter

Nolo Cocktails Facebook

Nolo Cocktails Instagram

Nolo Cocktails LinkedIn

The Great Brand Exchange

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Designing and manufacturing bags - with Katie Bell, Katherena

Fri, 24 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast, I am talking to Katie Bell from Katherena about how she followed in her father's footsteps and launched her own women's accessory brand. Katie has had her brand for over six years now, and has just launched a membership for businesses and influencers to help collaborate and grow their brands.

Katie shares lots of useful tips about finding a manufacturer, the importance of not over-ordering, and having the confidence to negotiate, and how you can’t necessarily predict what your bestsellers are going to be.

An introduction to herself and her businesses (01:08)
Katie’s background in fashion (01:38)
How her dad inspired her to set up her own business (03:05)
The process of deciding that making the bags herself was not viable (04;34)
Making manufacturing connections in China (06:10)
How Katie commissions her designs without detailed design drawings (07:22)
You can’t always predict what your bestselling designs will be (09:21)
The process of experimenting with her range (13:17)
Learning not to overorder (15:11)
The importance of negotiating with manufacturers (16:24)
Storing her stock (18:18)
Order fulfilment (19:08)
Managing work and her young children (19:55)
Selling other products alongside her own on the website (20:48)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (23:42)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Katherena Website

Katherena Instagram

Join The Collab Lab - Katie’s membership for businesses and influencers to collaborate and grow their brands - Free Trial

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Styled By Melissa Website

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Running multiple businesses, plus some copywriting tips! - with Melissa Reynolds-Lawrence

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast, I'm talking to Melissa Reynolds-Lawrence. Melissa is a multi passionate creative and she splits her time between a copywriting day job, running her homeware brand and her most recent venture, an upcycling furniture studio where Melissa gives homeware a new lease of life and also hosts creative workshops.

We talked about how Melissa’s businesses have evolved, and how she manages multiple projects, including the importance of having creative outlets and being able to switch off from work. Melissa shares how trade shows have been invaluable in helping her spot trends for her online store, and the decision making process she goes through when deciding whether to stock something - if you are looking to sell your product via wholesale, this is a great insight into what shop owners and retailers are looking for.

Melissa also shares some of her copy writing expertise, including how you can never have too much information, a breakdown of how to write a product description for your website, and how to communicate with your writing the value of your product to the customer.

An introduction to herself and her businesses (01:39)
What inspired her to launch Honey Bee Home, her homeware brand (02:36)
Managing multiple businesses (02:58)
Copywriting tips for writing about products and e:commerce websites (05:48)
A step by step breakdown of how Melissa writes a product description (07:45)
Writing from a customer’s point of view, and showcasing how the product fits into their lives (09:51)
How a business upcycling furniture grew to include curating and selling homeware products online (13:29)
Building her range, and how she decides what to stock and not to stock (18:29)
How her customer base organically diversified (21:01)
Analysing buyer behaviour using Shopify analytics (22:28)
How she sources her products, and the power of trade shows (24:22)
How the upcycling side of her business works (29:36)
Running creative workshops (35:35)
Managing imposter syndrome (37:31)
The importance of slowing down and being able to switch off from your business (39:33)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (40:48)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Honey Bee Home Website

Honey Bee Home Instagram

Honey Bee Home Facebook

Melissa Reynolds-Lawrence Linked In

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Amazon A-Z Terms You Might Have Heard Of And What They Mean

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Amazon A-Z - terms you might have heard and what they mean

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0100

In today's episode, I want to demystify Amazon for you. You might be selling on Amazon now, thinking about it, or in discussions about it. You may have heard lots of terms, phrases, and acronyms that you don't understand. I want to give you the ultimate A to Z guide to explain common Amazon terms and acronyms simply.

I’ve written an accompanying blog post, so you can listen along, or read, whatever suits your learning style the best.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Blog Post

Podcast Episodes:

185 5 things nobody tells you about selling on Amazon (that I will!)

183 How to rank higher on Amazon

159 How to start selling on Amazon

151 Should you sell your product on Amazon?

107 Common Amazon issues and how to resolve them

79 What to do when things go wrong on Amazon

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT:

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

Working with charity partners - Lucy Jeffrey - Bare Kind

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast, I'm speaking to Lucy Jeffrey, the founder of Bare Kind, a bamboo sock company that saves endangered animals by donating 10% of the profits to the animal on the sock. She's also the co-founder of Candid Founders, a Youtube channel that shares the highs and lows of growing Bare Kind so other business owners can learn from their journey.

Lucy shares how she manages the logistics of partnering with over 25 charities, and how her willingness to follow her gut and take a risk led her to quit her job in the pandemic, set up Bare Kind, and enjoy rapid growth.

Lucy shares mindset tips for those tricky cold outreach calls, and why it is so important to share the lowlights of business, as well as the highlights.

It’s a really inspiring episode that will lift your spirits, and encourage you to keep going.

An introduction to herself and her business (01:36)
What inspired her to start Bare Kind (02:11)
Designing her products (04:51)
Partnering with charities and designing the right sock for them (05:51)
Managing the logistics of donating income from the sock sales to charities (08:46)
Find manufacturers for socks (10:07)
The benefits of having been in person to visit her manufacturers in Turkey (11:51)
Quitting her job and setting up Bare Kind in lockdown (15:07)
The power of taking risks and following gut instinct (16:45)
Transitioning from being a solopreneur to having a team (19:12)
Selling via wholesale and using Faire (22:41)
How to get out of your own way and do cold outreach (24:32)
Systemizing wholesale (26:51)
How her Youtube channel Candid Founders came about (28:01)
Why it is important to share the lowlights as well as the highlights of business (31:11)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (33:34)

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Bare Kind Website

Lucy Jeffrey Linked In

Bare Kind Instagram

Candid Founders Youtube

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Notion

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Order Fulfilment Experts Website

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All about shipping & logistics for ecommerce - Sam Anderson

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0100

At what stage for you move from packing your orders on the kitchen table to using an order fulfilment centre? Today’s podcast guest is Sam Anderson, the founder Order Fulfilment Experts who providing product owners and ecommerce businesses with smart and reliable order fulfilment services, so you can focus on other aspects of your business and continue to grow.

Order Fulfilment Experts can send orders business to customer, or business to business, help you prep your products to be sent to Amazon and more.

Sam explains when you should start looking at using a fulfilment company, and the benefits it can bring. There is no need to sacrifice bespoke packaging, Sam shares how this has been a key way companies stand out from the crowd, and the sort of personalised packaging that they can provide. We discussed managing logistical challenges, and some of the common mistakes she sees businesses make from over ordering stock to spreading themselves too thin across too many sales channels.

This episode is absolutely packed full of useful information and tips, and I can’t wait for you to listen.

Listen in to hear Sam share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:37)
Working with different size businesses, and ensuring they can support small businesses (02:15)
When to look at outsourcing order fulfilment (03:56)
The importance of building fulfilment costs into your prices and margin (06:28)
Benefits of using a fulfilment centre (07:35)
Examples of the types of bespoke packaging fulfilment centres can do (10:20)
The importance of bespoke and standing out from the crowd in ecommerce (14:50)
The psychological challenges of scaling your business and starting to outsource (15:49)
The differences between fulfilling orders Business to Customer and Business to Business (18:36)
How they help their clients manage their stock, and why they encourage them not to have too much (19:51)
Dealing with logistical challenges such as the problems in the Suez Canal and Royal Mail strikes (23:33)
Supplying products to Amazon, and ensuring that they conform to Amazon requirements of how it is sent (28:43)
Tips for starting to supply to new territories and mistakes to avoid (34:46)
The importance of not diluting your efforts by trying to sell on too many channels, but instead focusing on getting one right (36:28)
Her number one piece of logistical advice when running an ecommerce business (39:38)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Order Fulfilment Experts Facebook

Order Fulfilment Experts Instagram

Order Fulfilment Experts Linked In

Order Fulfilment Experts Twitter

Free Resource: The Top 10 Mistakes To Avoid When Building A Sustainable E-Commerce Business

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Creating your own journal to sell - Mark Morton - Journalise

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast, I'm speaking to Mark Morton.

Mark is the founder of Journalise, which provides journals for mental health and wellness self care, as well as information on all aspects of mental health and wellness through his website and blog content. Mark's goal is to normalise mental health self care and ensure everyone understands and can access the appropriate tools and support whenever needed.

Mark shares how his own search for tools and resources to support his mental wellbeing made him realise there was a gap in the market for a journal that addressed these things, and wasn’t specifically aimed at women.

We discuss the pros and cons of using UK based vs Overseas Printers, and how using a ‘try before you buy’ digital sample offer on his website has increased sales.

There are lots of tips to take away, including the power of sharing your story when building a product brand.

Listen in to hear Mark share:

An introduction to himself and his business (01:36)
What the journals consist of, and how they provide prompts if you are new to journalling (02:41)
The benefits of journaling (04:11)
What inspired him to create the journals (05:33)
Identifying a gap in the market, and creating journals aimed more towards men (07:11)
Supporting men’s mental health (09:50)
Why the journals are undated (13:30)
The design process for the journals (14:42)
Finding a printer (18:36)
Selling a combination of printed and digital products, and letting people ‘try out’ the journals (20:09)
How the try before you buy offer converts (23:25)
The power of sharing the person behind the product in your marketing (25:01)
His number one piece of advice for product creators (26:38)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

151 Should you sell your product on Amazon?

Hosted by Captivate

5 things nobody tells you about selling on Amazon (that I will!)

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm going to share with you five things that you might not know about selling on Amazon that other people may be a bit reluctant to tell you.

When I collaborate with a new client, I believe in complete transparency throughout the process. This means I'll highlight all the compelling reasons for them to consider selling on Amazon and the potential benefits they can reap from it. Undoubtedly, Amazon remains an excellent platform for many businesses, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. As with everything there are some less favourable aspects, and this is what I will be sharing with you today/.

Listen in to hear me share:

Amazon isn’t right for everyone and every product (01:03)
Why you won’t be on page one straight away (02:57)
It can take a lot longer than you might think to get set up (06:36)
Seller Central is really hard to navigate (09:13)
Amazon Seller Support isn’t very good (11:14)
How I may be able to help you (14:26)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Podcast Episodes:

183 How to rank higher on Amazon

159 How to start selling on Amazon

107 Common Amazon issues and how to resolve them

79 What to do when things go wrong on Amazon

Blog Posts:

How To Rank Higher On Amazon

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT:

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Jenna’s Facebook Group: Get Your Business In The Media With Jenna Farmer

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It's time to plan your Christmas PR now! with Jenna Farmer

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0100

My guest this week on the podcast is Jenna Farmer, a PR strategist and journalist. Whether you're looking for practical tips to do your own PR, guided resources to get you started or to work with Jenna on a 121 basis, Jenna can help you get your business out there through the right kind of press coverage.

With Christmas right around the corner, now is the perfect time as a product business to leverage seasonal PR opportunities. I spoke with Jenna about how you can get your products featured in gift guides and roundups.

Even though we are already in October, Jenna assured me it's not too late to start reaching out to journalists. Jenna shares insider tips for identifying relevant media targets, crafting effective pitches, providing the assets journalists need, and more. Whether you're new to PR or a seasoned pro, Jenna's advice will help you make the most of the Christmas PR window and get your products in front of more people.

Listen in to hear Jenna share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:40)
When to start thinking about PR for Christmas (02:06)
How Christmas PR differs to PR at other times of the year (04:18)
The sort of PR opportunities to look for (07:00)
How good PR gives your product authority (08:24)
How to find gift guides you may want to be included in (09:12)
What to send a journalist you are pitching to (16:01)
Putting together a press release (16:29)
How to do PR without getting overwhelmed (21:12)
The importance of keeping going and not getting disheartened (22:43)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Jenna Farmer Website

Jenna Farmer Instagram

Jenna Farmer Linked In

Free Resource: How To Write The Perfect Press Release

Readly

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Pivoting your business - with Kate Smith - the Makery

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Kate Smith from The Makery. Kate set up The Makery in 2009 on a mission to teach the world how to craft. Fast forward 14 years, two books, a Dragon's Den appearance, an internationally distributed product range, and nearly 150, 000 customers having attended her craft workshops and events.

Covid, Brexit and other challenges led Kate to pivot her business, and she is now dedicating much of her time to helping other creative entrepreneurs achieve their full potential and run successful businesses doing what they love.

The power of this conversation is that Kate has navigated real highs and real lows in her business. Kate explains how the highs came about via the power of yes, and the mindset tools she needed to navigate the lows and make huge decisions about the direction of her business.

There is so much to take away and I am sure you will be inspired after listening.

Listen in to hear Kate share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:25)
Why she set up The Makery to run craft workshops (03:31)
Getting a book deal (05:25)
Being on Dragon’s Den (05:41)
Getting a licensing deal for her products and kits (06:32)
When things go wrong (07:44)
Pivoting the business online after the pandemic (10:02)
The realisation that she didn’t need physical premises to run the business (10:58)
What to do when a major source of income disappears (12:51)
How to mentally deal with challenges and setbacks in business (15:52)
Creating products with a licensing deal (17:07)
The power of saying yes (26:31)
Why she stopped selling physical kits (27:38)
How she moved into consultancy and running a team who teach crafting all over the country (28:48)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (37:30)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Makery Kate Website

Makery Kate Instagram

Makery Kate Facebook

Makery Kate Youtube

Kate Smith Linked In

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Selling products that meet a need - Amelia Peckham - Cool Crutches

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0100

My guest this week is Amelia Peckham. In 2005 Amelia Peckham was told she would never walk unaided again, following a serious quad bike accident and consequent spinal injury her ’new normal’ aged just 19, was a life on crutches. Sadly her hospital ones gave her blisters, clicked so everyone could hear her coming, slipped and even snapped - it was then Amelia alongside mother Clare, sought to find something better.

There was a huge gap in the market for comfortable, silent, certified crutches and walking sticks that wouldn’t compromise on style…and so Cool Crutches & Sticks was born.

Tackling a number of pain points Cool Crutches and Sticks are moulded to a left and right hand (no more blisters), totally silent to use (no more clicking), they’re cushioned (so won’t jar upper body joints), have added grip (won’t slip) and are CE certified to support long term, medical conditions and disabilities. The best part? They’re unavailable in hospital grey - with a wide range of fabulous colours and prints as well as the option to print your own personalised design these sticks are the walking definition of functionality & style.

It was an absolute delight to talk to Amelia, learn more about the story behind the business, and how Amelia’s background in PR and confidence in the product has helped the company go from strength to strength.

Listen in to hear Amelia share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:21)
The importance of proving you can have functionality without compromising on style (03:04)
How the NHS issues crutches to people and identifying a gap in the market (04:21)
The design process (08:06)
Adding fun and style to the design (13:25)
Working with a manufacturer (15:10)
Offering personalisation (17:19)
Using the design and personalisation process as a positive focus for customers (20:33)
The psychological boost the crutches can provide (21:53)
Generating Press and PR (25:15)
Working with and supporting celebrities (27:40)
The power of absolute confidence in your own product (33:17)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (37:30)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Cool Crutches Website

Cool Crutches Facebook

Cool Crutches Twitter

Cool Crutches Instagram

Cool Crutches TikTok

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

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Creating and selling diversity dolls - with Stephanie Mensah - Bibinee Dolls

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0100

This week my guest on the podcast is Stephanie Mensah, the founder of Bibinee Dolls. Bibinee Dolls are a range of early years soft diversity dolls, which help to encourage learning through play and positive representation.

Stephanie’s business launched at the beginning of this year, and she has already achieved great things, getting stocked at Very and Littlewoods. Stephanie explains how her children’s own experience at nursery inspired her to create this range, how she went about manufacturing the dolls and ensuring that they met safety standards.

Stephanie explains how customer feedback has informed the development of her range of products which now also includes clothing and accessories. Most of all Stephanie is just a really inspiring person to listen to - she shares what drives her, what inspires her and how she has navigated setbacks. It really is an episode packed full of positivity and inspiration.

Listen in to hear Stephanie share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:25)
Her range of dolls and what they look like (02:49)
How her children’s experience at nursery inspired her to create the dolls (06:40)
Making sure the dolls were usable and durable for very young children (11:38)
Finding a manufacturer to work with (13:57)
How her mum inspired her with her own business (16:08)
Overcoming setbacks and what keeps her going (17:36)
Finding stockists (20:09)
Her experience at Trade Shows, The Baby Show (23:51)
Customers reaction and learning that there is a wider market for the dolls (25:15)
Challenging gender stereotypes and responding to customer requests (27:02)
The process of getting safety certifications for toys (32:50)
Their sustainability policy and what this involves (36:26)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (40:14)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Bibinee Dolls Website

Bibinee Dolls Twitter

Bibinee Dolls Facebook

Bibinee Dolls Instagram

Toy World

The Baby Show

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Free guide - How to successfully launch a product on Amazon or rescue one that’s not selling

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How to rank higher on Amazon

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 07:15:00 +0100

If you're selling on Amazon or plan to do so in the near or distant future, one of your primary goals is likely to be securing a place on the first page of search results for relevant terms. This goal is well-founded because when users search for something related to your product, you want to appear on that coveted first page.

Research indicates that products on the initial page receive a minimum of 80% of all clicks, with the top three listings accounting for 60% of those clicks. To put it simply, being on the first page is crucial, and the higher your position on that page, the better. Think of your own shopping habits - how often do you venture beyond the initial search results page?

In this episode I share my top tips for ranking higher on Amazon from explaining how the algorithm works to talking you through step by step writing your product description. There is an accompanying blog post to this episode, and if you would like any further support please do get in touch.

Listen in to hear me share:

The benefits of ranking higher on Amazon (00:50)
How the Amazon algorithm ranks products (02:41)
A9 The Amazon Algorithm and how it differs to Google (03:33)
The factors that influence how you rank (05:26)
Make sure you have a great product listing (08:49)
Step by step instructions on how to write your product listing (12:08)
What A Plus content is and how it can help (14:47)
How to get your first sales to boost your ranking (17:46)
The importance of sharing your Amazon product listing on social media and with your friends and family (21:54)
The importance of product reviews and how to get them (23:52)
The most important things to do (26:31)
How I may be able to help you (25:12)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Junglescout

Blog Post:

How To Rank Higher On Amazon

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT:

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Chester & Cooke Instagram

How to start a handmade business - with Liz Cooke - Chester & Cooke

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm talking to Liz Cooke from Chester & Cooke. Liz designs and makes country living products for the home, garden, horse, and dog. Liz shares her product business journey, and how she transitioned from a career in finance to starting her business and designing wooden products, which her husband then makes and they sell.

We discussed the challenges of pricing handmade products, the power of offering customisation to your customers, and the areas to prioritise learning about and investing in when running your own business.

Liz has also won quite a few awards, and had some great PR successes, including being commissioned by ITV show Love Your Weekend to make a welly rack. We discuss how these came about, the channels that Liz finds more successful in helping people to find her business.

Listen in to hear Liz share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:17)
How and why she started her own business (01:44)
Designing and making products from wood (03:38)
Her expectations when setting up the business, and how these have grown (05:56)
Their first product - a boot jack (08:34)
The biggest challenges of setting up her own website (10:01)
How to price handmade products (12:16)
The power of personalisation on your products (16:24)
How she achieved awards and PR success (18:25)
Which channels work best for bringing in sales (22:11)
Things to prioritise when you are at the early stages of your business (23:32)
The importance of making sure your business doesn’t take over your life (28:17)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (29:24)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Chester & Cooke Website

Chester & Cooke Etsy

Chester & Cooke Facebook

Chester & Cooke Pinterest

Chester & Cooke Youtube

Maddy Shine

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Ecommerce Assistant Website

Email Marketing & Klaviyo - with Elle Williamson, The Ecommerce Assistant

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0100

My guest today is Elle Williamson of The Ecommerce Assistant. Elle helps people build and grow their online businesses with the power of Shopify + Klaviyo to sell more online. Ella has made it her mission to teach everything she knows about ecommerce to founder-led businesses looking to thrive online.

Elle was originally a guest earlier this year on episode 162 where she talked about how to make the most of Shopify. I've invited her back to talk about Klaviyo, an email marketing system, which works really well with Shopify. Elle shares what Klaviyo can do, why she is such a big fan of it, and top tips to get the most out of it. We also talk about email marketing in general - why it's important, best practices, ways to nurture your list and what to do if it is far too long since you emailed them!

Whether you decide to use Klaviyo or not (and there is a free option) there is lots here for you to take and try in your own business to boost your sales.

Listen in to hear Elle share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:29)
Why email marketing is important (02:21)
How often you should be emailing from bare minimum to maximum (06:41)
Getting past mindset blocks (07:58)
How to nurture your email list, and what this means (09:10)
How to start emailing your list again when you haven’t been in touch for a long time (13:35)
What Klaviyo is and why Elle recommends it (17:23)
Klaviyo’s integration with Shopify (18:20)
The difference between the paid and free versions (19:51)
The data insights you can get - including how much money each email has made (21:35)
Ecommerce features that Klaviyo has (22:50)
Top tips for optimising your email marketing for whichever platform you use (27:30)
Ways to grow your email list (32:34)
What AB tests are and how to do them (34:48)
Her number one piece of advice for using email marketing effectively (38:01)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Ecommerce Assistant Instagram

Elle Williamson Linked In

Elle’s Klaviyo Services

Klaviyo

Shopify

Podcast 162: How to get the most out of Shopify with Elle Williamson - The Ecommerce Assistant

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Blog Post: How to audit your Amazon Seller Central account this summer

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Audit your Amazon Seller account this Summer

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Summer is a great time to do a DIY audit on your Amazon Seller Central account. This will help you assess your performance and identify areas where you can improve.

In my previous episode which I released last year, I talked about some general things you can do to keep your account in order over the summer. In this episode, I'll be going into more detail about specific metrics you can look at, such as: account health, inventory performance, sales performance, and advertising performance.

I'll also be sharing some tips for doing a DIY audit on your Amazon Seller Central account, such as using the Seller Central reports and comparing your performance to your competitors.

Listen in to hear me share how to:

Check your account health (01:44)
Check your customer feedback (03:21)
Checking your IPI score (04:34)
Check your conversion rate or unit session percentage (06:25)
Review your listings (07:07)
Review your keyword rankings (09:03)
Review your fees (11:18)
Why you should run ads in the summer (12:48)
Tracking your metrics (14:54)
How I may be able to help you (15:55)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Podcast Episode 123 - Things to do with you Amazon Seller Central Account this summer

JungleScout

Amazon account audit

FREEBIE: How to Successfully Launch a Product on Amazon or Rescue One That's Not Selling

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT:

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Time For Me Teas Instagram

Creating a business around your passions - with Kate Whorlow - Time for Me Tea

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0100

My guest today is Kate Whorlow from Time For Me Teas. Kate helps women to make time for themselves by nourishing and rejuvenating their mind and body while sipping on organic, loose leaf herbal tea blends which are not only beneficial, but taste great too.

Kate is also a herbalist, and she has worked in a pharmacy, and she has pulled all her skills together to create a business that works for her. Kate is incredibly knowledgeable, and explains how to find the right herbal tea for you, why herbal tea bags from supermarkets can taste bitter, and the best way to make a cup of tea.

We also cover how Kate has used fairs and communities to build her business, and the value of face to face interactions with your customers when running an online business.

Listen in to hear Kate share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:37)
How chronic illness led her to discover herbs and blending her own teas (02:05)
The inspiration for setting up her Tea Business (02:54)
Creating teas that deliver the benefits and taste great (05:31)
Capturing her recipes (09:43)
The benefits of herbal teas (10:44)
How her teas differ from supermarket herbal teas (18:09)
How to make the perfect cup of herbal tea, that doesn’t taste bitter (21:03)
Converting sceptics into raving fans (22:31)
Selling related products (24:58)
Transitioning from selling to friends and family to running a ecommerce business and selling at fairs (27:29)
The importance of face to face interaction with her customers (33:27)
Personalised tea subscription boxes (38:27)
Get your own personalised tea consultation (47:32)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (48:58)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Time For Me Teas Website

Hedgewitch Apothecary Subscription Box

Time For Me Teas Facebook

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Central Research Laboratory

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Creating a tech product - with Liam Murphy - Stix Mindfulness

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Liam Murphy is the inventor and founder of Stix - the world’s first hand-held sensory product designed to encourage children to take control of their wellbeing by making mindfulness fun. The Stix Remotes use audio, haptic feedback and calming lights to guide kids through fun and interactive therapeutic activities involving balancing, deep breathing, guided meditations and more, whilst the companion app gamifies the experience, rewarding children for practicing mindfulness.

Liam came up with the idea of Stix whilst in his final year of university and I was fascinated to learn how he went from concept to reality, to bring a tech product with an accompanying app to life.

Liam shares how accelerators and Kickstarter campaigns have helped him create Stix. Liam also shares lots of useful ideas about how he has tweaked and refined his website so it answers customer queries about a product they have never seen before.

It’s a really inspiring episode, and Liam brings real creativity and imagination to bringing an original product idea to life.

Listen in to hear Liam share:

An introduction to himself and his product Stix (01:40)
The inspiration for creating Stix (02:28)
How he became interested in the benefits of mindfulness (03:59)
How Stix works and support children (05:16)
Creating a product that also has an app (06:04)
Using an accelerator program to access the technology and expertise to build the product (08:15)
From final year project at university to product business (10:04)
Their launch strategy (13:25)
How they educate parents about how Stix can help their children (14:44)
How they evolved and tweaked their website (14:59)
Using case studies and videos to demonstrate the effectiveness of Stix (17:33)
Working with schools (19:34)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (22:11)
Advice for running a successful Kickstarter campaign (25:33)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The ADHD Foundation

Kickstarter

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Neon Digital Clicks Website

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Your Q4 sales strategy - with Anna Frapwell, Neon Digital Clicks

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Anna Frapwell is the founder of Neon Digital Clicks, an e-commerce growth agency. Neon Digital Click’s focus is on driving more profitable sales for baby, kids' and women's brands through Meta, Tik Tok and Google Ads, and email marketing.

Anna Frapwell originally appeared on the podcast to talk about why you should be selling on Tik Tok. I invited Anna back to explain what you can be doing over the summer to prepare for a strong final quarter of the year, and boost your sales. We talk about why waiting until September will put you on the backfoot, and how you can take advantage of the summer lull to experiment with your advertising, and refine your message so that you are in the best possible position going into Q4. It’s full of simple, actionable ideas that you can implement now.

If you would like more support, Neon Digital Clicks offer a free audit, which you can sign up for here.

Listen in to hear Anna share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:28)
Why it is best not to shut down over the Summer (02:16)
When you should start thinking about Q4 (04:44)
Why summer is a better time to start advertising rather than waiting until Q4 (06:26)
Using the summer for audience building (08:55)
Proactive things you can be doing now to make consistent sales in Q4 (10:43)
Practical ways to build your email list (12:17)
Tips for starting to advertise (14:53)
How to use digital ads to shine a spotlight on your business, and identify things you can improve (17:11)
Making sure you have the right foundations in place for digital advertising and messaging (19:16)
The power of outsourcing (20:37)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Neon Digital Clicks Facebook

Neon Digital Clicks Instagram

Neon Digital Clicks Linked In

Neon Digital Clicks FREE AUDIT

Podcast Epsiode 129: Why you should be selling your products on Tik Tok with Anna Frapwell

Klaviyo

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Kirsty Brummell Linked In

How to protect your intellectual property - Kirsty Brummell - Trademark Tonic

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast I'm speaking to Kirsty Brummell. Kirsty helps businesses ranging from startups to larger corporations to effectively protect, enforce, and manage their trademarks and designs. She gives advice on copyright matters and helps businesses realise the potential of their intellectual property.

It’s something I know a lot of you would like to know more about, so I was thrilled to connect with Kirsty to learn more.

In this episode we discuss the different kinds of intellectual property, how to protect yourself, how much you can expect to page, and what to do if you are working to a tight budget.

We also cover what to do if you believe someone is violating your copyright and also what to do if you get contacted by someone to say that you are violating theirs.

It’s a fantastic episode full of a huge amount of practical advice for anyone running their own business. The key takeaway is that Kirsty makes this complex subject a lot less scary - her overlying message is, whatever happens, please don't panic. I think that's a really reassuring message and hopefully you will feel the same after you've listened to the episode.

Listen in to hear Kirsty share:

An introduction to herself and her business (02:08)
What intellectual property is, and some of the things you might want to protect as a small business (02:43)
How automatic copyrights work (04:43)
Patents (07:14)
Trademarks and protecting your brand name (08:33)
Top tips for registering a trademark (14:14)
What you can expect to pay for these (16:25)
The best ways to protect your intellectual property when you are on a tight budget (17:59)
What happens after you have protection in place? (19:38)
Monitoring and managing issues and infringements that might arise (21:33)
What to do when a bigger brand copies you (23:05)
What to do if you encounter copyright infringement (25:54)
What to do if someone says you have infringed on their copyright or trademark (28:39)
Dealing with a cease and desist letter (30:48)
The meaning of ™ & R in a circle (33:39)
Her number one piece of advice for protecting your intellectual property (36:21)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Trademark Tonic Website

Trademark Tonic Linked In

Trademark Tonic Twitter

Trademark Tonic Facebook

UK Gov Intellectual Property Office

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Sneek peak! Chapter 1 of Bring Your Product Idea to Life by Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Last month I released my first book, Bring Your Product Idea to Life: Your step-by-step guide to creating a product to sell.

EPISODE NOTES

The book is a step by step guide to creating your own product, and it contains some stories from these very podcast episodes of interviews that I've done.

Today for a one off, as a special episode, I am going to read an excerpt from the book, part of Chapter One. This isn't intended to be an audio book, so I may not read it out word for word in case you're following along, but I thought it might be nice to give you a little sense of what's included.

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction (00:25)
Chapter 1 (01:26)
How to get the book (11:05)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Buy My Book

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

How to launch a lingerie brand - with Tiffany Chiu - JulieMay Lingerie

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm speaking with Tiffany Chiu from JulieMay Lingerie. JulieMay Lingerie is the only underwear brand tested by dermatologists and certified by Allergy Free UK to be friendly for people with sensitive skin. Everything is made with certified organic Pima Cotton. The ethically-made collections are anti-hot flushes, and skin irritations and contain no synthetic, no harsh chemicals/harmful dyes. Across the range, they are also nickel-free and latex-free, with no exposed elastics that will rub against your skin. All underbands and waistbands are carefully wrapped with double-layered Pima Cotton, designed with 100% Pure Silk inner layers, perfect for those who have under-boob sweats or rashes on the breasts.

Tiffany shares what inspired her to set up her lingerie brand, how you go about certifying a product as allergy free and the materials they have to avoid. Tiffany also shares lots of useful information about how she has used awards to build her brand awareness and recognition, including tips on what sort of awards to enter and writing the applications.

It’s a great episode all about how someone saw a gap in the market, and filled it with a brilliant product that solves a problem for lots of people.

Listen in to hear Tiffany share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:20)
Materials that people can be allergic to (02:02)
What inspired her to start creating her bras (03:08)
How she set about creating her product (06:27)
Finding a factory to manufacture her bras (10:00)
How she manages a product with different sizes (11:51)
Helping customers understand the fit and measure themselves (13:29)
How the brand has grown (15:10)
The impact winning awards has had on the business (16:05)
How to choose which awards to enter, and tips for filling out the applications (17:32)
The process of getting her product certified as allergy free (22:15)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (25:43)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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All about ecommerce law - with Clare Veal, Aubergine Legal

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Do you know all the legal ins and outs of running your own product business? Today on the podcast, I'm joined by Clare Veal of Aubergine Legal, a freelance commercial solicitor, qualified for over 20 years who advises businesses on a range of commercial matters.

Clare is an expert in things law for e-commerce as well as lots of other areas. I seized the opportunity, and asked Clare all sorts of questions about everything including refunds, customer data, PCI compliance, terms and conditions and lots more.

Clare was so patient, and answered everything, and shared lots of valuable resources and information.

It’s a great episode to listen to whatever stage you are in of your business, as you can check that you are fully covered and compliant. As Clare explains, the majority of us will be compliant and we will be doing everything right. And if we are not, there'll be a really simple fix for it. So this definitely isn't an episode to worry you!

If you have any questions after listening, please feel free to reach out to Clare, her contact details are at the bottom of these show notes.

Listen in to hear Claire share:

An introduction to herself and her business (02:15)
The areas that e commerce law covers (03:10)
The five key pieces of legislation you need to know about (03:58)
Laws to be aware of around your website and how customers purchase from you (05:08)
Sorting out your terms & conditions (06:51)
Things to be aware of if you are selling digital products, and copyrighting your work (10:46)
Consumer rights to be aware of (12:49)
Devising your refund policy (14:44)
Data protection (17:39)
What is classified as customer data (22:55)
How you can legally use your customers’ data for marketing (24:41)
The CAP code - what it is and what you need to know (28:50)
PCI Compliance - what it is and what you need to know (30:32)
Other pieces of legal information it is good practise to include on your website (33:11)
Legal requirements when working with influencers (35:58)
Trademarks (38:18)
Business Insurance and Protection for Product Businesses (41:37)
Why you need an accountant (33:21)
Her main advice for product creators (44:21)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

What legal documents do I need for my online business?

Aubergine Legal Facebook

Claire Veal Linked In

Cooling Off Periods: What’s a cooling-off period and how do I use it to cancel an order? - Which?

Refunds info: Accepting returns and giving refunds: the law - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Data Protection Guidance: For organisations | ICO

The Cap Code: Advertising codes - ASA | CAP

Blogs from Aubergine Legal:

9 Legal Tips For Selling Online Courses

Terms and Conditions for Selling Content Online

5 Legal Considerations When Working With Influencers

What UK Businesses Need To Know About The UK Data Protection And Digital Information Bill (DPDI)

Further information:

Sign up to Claire’s monthly newsletter to stay updated with legal developments in the legal world – especially in relation to online businesses, data protection, artificial intelligence, intellectual property and commercial contracts. Contact | Aubergine Legal
If there are any follow-up questions please email Claire at auberginelegal@outlook.com.
Claire offers all new clients a free 30 minute initial consultation – if you are interested you can submit the form on my Contact page: Contact | Aubergine Legal
Aubergine Legal Free downloadable template for people selling Online Courses/Workshops Online T&Cs for Online Courses and Workshops

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Preparing to sell your products at Christmas - with Catherine Erdly

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0100

This episode is a timely release of episode I record a while ago with Catherine Erdly, the founder of the Resilient Retail Club

Catherine helps product businesses start, grow and scale profitable businesses that last. In this podcast Catherine shares the best things that you can do as a product-based business now to prepare for Christmas, get ahead and boost your sales.

It is an episode packed full of specific, actionable steps, and is going to help so many of you have a less stressful Christmas season!

Listen in to hear Catherine share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:48)
When to start planning for Christmas (02:25)
Long-term Christmas planning (04:35)
When to start talking about Christmas to your customers (09:45)
Things you can do now to start prepping for Christmas (13:31)
Jobs that you should leave now until after Christmas! (19:37)
How to make the most of Christmas if your product isn’t a traditional gift (23:39)
The particular opportunities you have this Christmas (28:)
Tasks you should be doing after Christmas (30:13)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators this Christmas (33:42)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Resilient Retail Club Twitter

Resilient Retail Club Facebook

Resilient Retail Club Instagram

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Read the accompanying blog post

168 How to create a product to sell (re-release)

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0100

I have some huge news to share with you this week, the publication of my book Bring Your Product Idea to Life: Your step-by-step guide to creating a product to sell. It’s all about how to create your own product, how to go from idea to having the products launched, and all the steps involved.

I’m rereleasing this episode, which is all about how to create a product in 10 weeks, as I think it ties in really well with the content of the book. Now the book is not about creating a product in 10 weeks, it is about taking as long as you need to create your product. However, the steps involved and the things I talk about match up.

When I first created a product I had no idea what I was doing, went down various rabbit holes on Youtube and wasted a lot of time and money. In this episode I share with you the process I subsequently used to create products which is a lot more efficient, and it is packed full of practical advice.

EPISODE NOTES

Listen in to hear me share:

My introduction (00:28)
Week 1 - Get clear on your product idea (01:45)
Week 2 - Validate your product idea (04:07)
Week 3 - Data gathering & thinking about pricing (10:42)
Week 4 - Prepare your supply communication (14:29)
Week 5 - Research credible suppliers (17:25)
Week 6 - Tracking responses (20:52)
Ordering samples (24:16)
Week 7 - Shipping & logistics (26:40)
Week 8 - Finances (29:02)
Week 9 - Placing your order (31:23)
Week 10 - Creating a marketing & launch plan (32:19)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Buy My Book

Free Product creation weekly planner & checklist

Free Validate your product idea

Podcast: How (and why) to validate your product ideas

Podcast: Should I source my product overseas?

Podcast: Shipping & importing your products

Podcast: Where to sell your products online

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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How to Build a Strong Brand, from the Foundations Up - with Cara Bendon

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today I’m talking to Cara Bendon, a branding specialist, who is passionate about empowering small businesses to leverage the same branding strategies as household names to establish themselves. Cara is a returning guest, she originally appeared on episode 80, and spoke about the visual elements that make up branding.

In this episode we dig deeper into branding, looking at brand values, how you tell the story of your brand, what the customer experience is like, and the types of shots to get on brand shoots. It's a great conversation and we share loads of examples and ideas of how you can grow your brand.

Listen in to hear Cara share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:37)
Why a strong brand is important (02:08)
The Five W’s - a framework for thinking about your brand (02:51)
How branding is more than just what you see (05:49)
Telling the story of your brand (13:53)
Why brand values are important and how to share them (16:24)
How to delight your customers (23:15)
The importance of personalising templates on websites like Shopify (35:36)
How to personalise your brand on Amazon (38:04)
Useful photos to get on a brand shoot (41:14)
Her number one piece of advice for enhancing your brand (48:55)

Cara is giving a 20% to podcast listeners, on all templates in the Branding Made Simple shop - just use the code VICKI20 at checkout.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Cara Bendon Website

Cara Bendon Instagram

Branding Made Simple Shop

The Positive Planner

Zip Us In

BGreater Shoes

Cara Bendon Episode 80 - How To Brand Your Physical Products

BGreater Shoes Episode 149 - Selling A Product People Don’t Know They Need

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

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Save My Knickers Facebook

Creating products that break taboos - with Lucy Self - Save my Knickers

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast I'm speaking to Lucy Self, the founder of Save My Knickers, a bloodstain remover, which is here to empower you to feel amazing in your favourite knickers every day of the month, reduce waste and break period taboos.

Lucy shares her story from formulating the product herself, to the unique challenges of marketing and selling a period related product. How do you show the product in use? Listen in to learn about some of the taboos that Lucy has come up against, and be inspired by how she has managed to move the conversation forwards, and create a product that reduces waste and has multiple applications including for those post surgery.

Listen in to hear Lucy share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:47)
How her product works (02:14)
What inspired her to create her product (03:43)
How she formulated the product - without a background in chemistry! (04:58)
Realising her product had a wider appeal beyond just her personal use (06:52)
The evolution of conversation around periods and previously taboo subjects (13:36)
Challenging the status quo with her product and website images (17:07)
The challenges of promoting her products on social media (19:13)
Unforeseen challenges (21:27)
How her product is manufactured and using a fulfilment centre (26:07)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (30:22)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Save My Knickers Website

Save My Knickers Instagram

Save My Knickers Youtube

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Made On The Street Website

Working with customers to promote your business - with Charlotte Watts - Made on the Street

Fri, 26 May 2023 06:00:00 +0100

My guest today is Charlotte Watts, owner of Made on the Street. Charlotte makes stylish, affordable, sustainable clothing for babies and children. Charlotte set up her business in lockdown, teaching herself to sew, and sourcing original fabrics and prints online.

Charlotte works closely with her customers, which informs the designs and patterns she makes. She also has a really interesting model of encouraging and incentivizing customers to promote her business, and shares some great tips about how to make this work for you.

Listen in to hear Charlotte share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:20)
What inspired her to set up Made on the Street (01:47)
Sourcing fabrics from pattern designers in the UK (03:52)
Working with pattern designers to create exclusive designs (06:20)
Getting her fabrics printed (07:46)
How the business has evolved in the past two years (11:58)
Making and selling on demand (14:00)
Getting feedback and input from customers (14:50)
Using customer reps to promote her brand (16:00)
Tips for finding the right people to work with (19:51)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (22:50)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Made On The Street Instagram

Made On The Street Facebook

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Retail Business Hub website

Hosted by Captivate

All about Pop Up shops - with Ami Rabheru

Fri, 19 May 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Ami Rabheru is the founder of the Retail Business Hub and Scale with Wholesale Academy. Ami is a returning podcast guest, last time Ami was sharing her advice about selling your products via wholesale, and this time she is back to talk about another topic she is really passionate and knowledgeable about - popup shops.

Maybe you’ve shopped at a pop-up shop, maybe you’ve sold your products in one. Ami explains what a pop-up shop is and the different methods of running one. We talk about how to look for shops to be stocked in, and what to expect when you are in that partnership. We also cover Ami’s top tips for setting up your own pop-up shop and how you might want to manage this.

This really is the definitive podcast on pop-up shops!

Listen in to hear Ami share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:38)
How she fell in love with pop-up shops and started running her own (01:55)
What a pop-up shop is (06:55)
Different models of pop up shops (09:32)
What a pop-up shop may expect from you (11:36)
The benefits of working with a pop up shop (12:43)
How to find pop-up shop opportunities (16:57)
Things to consider before signing up with a pop up shop (17:54)
How to navigate being in competition with other brands in a pop-up shop selling similar products (20:11)
How pop up shops are developing (24:17)
Your role in marketing a pop up shop (26:33)
Tips for setting up your own pop up shop (27:37)
Her number one piece around pop-up shops (34:17)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Retail Business Hub Instagram

The Retail Business Hub Facebook

The Retail Business Hub Twitter

Ami Rabheru Linked In

Podcast Episode 145 - How to get started wholesaling your products with Ami Rabheru

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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How to increase sales on Amazon - with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 12 May 2023 06:00:00 +0100

This was an episode that I really wanted to record as I know that right now things are a little bit tough. Lots of businesses are seeing less sales, both on Amazon and elsewhere. So I wanted to share some really practical ideas of things you can do to improve your sales, cut down your costs, or both.

Now, these tips are mainly going to be Amazon specific, but some will work in other places. So even if you’re not selling on Amazon, there might still be some ideas in here that you will find useful.

Listen in to hear me share:

Why you shouldn’t quit (01:06)
Ways to save money when you are selling on Amazon (02:41)
How to optimise your ads performance (04:30)
Review your inventory (07:50)
Review your shipping prices (09:00)
Review your product price, does it still make sense (11:28)
How you can increase your sales (13:35)
Review your product listings (13:49)
How to get more reviews (18:12)
Share your Amazon listings with others (20:32)
Ways to boost your sales by spending a little bit of money (21:07)
Start a sponsored product campaign (21:15)
Set up discounts or promotions (22:32)
Is Amazon the right marketplace for you and your products? (24:05)
How I may be able to help you (25:12)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

FREEBIE: How to Successfully Launch a Product on Amazon or Rescue One That's Not Selling

Podcast Episode 159 - How to start selling on Amazon

Podcast Episode 68 - How to successfully launch a product on Amazon

Blog Post:

How to optimise your Amazon Sponsored Products advertising campaigns

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT:

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Ecommerce Assistant Website

How to get the most out of Shopify (2.0) - with Elle Williamson - The Ecommerce Assistant

Fri, 05 May 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Elle joins me to explain the Shopify 2.0 update, which has not received much publicity, and outlines what these new updates mean, and the additional features now available.

Elle also shares a lot of great advice about how to personalise and elevate your Ecommerce website, and much of this advice will translate to whatever platform you are selling on.

Whether you are thinking of setting up an ecommerce website or looking for ways you can boost the performance of your current platform, there are lots and lots of tips here to take away and try.

Listen in to hear Elle share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:24)
What Shopify is (03:03)
The advantages and plus points of Shopify (04:06)
How Shopify compares with Amazon (05:39)
What the Shopify 2:0 update is (07:01)
The changes that Shopify have made, including reducing the need to rely on apps (08:05)
How to get the updates (11:43)
How much time to schedule for updating your Shopify to 2:0 (14:31)
How to update your theme (17:44)
What a theme is, and what to look for and consider when choosing a theme (19:05)
How to demo and test a theme before purchasing (24:01)
How much you expect to pay if you choose a paid theme (25:03)
Tips for how to personalise a free theme, and make it stand out (29:00)
Recommended best practises for your Shopify website (34:41)
Examples of brands that have great Shopify websites (44:09)
Ways to elevate your website with Shopify 2:0 (48:38)
Her number one piece of advice for having a great Ecommerce website (53:04)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Ecommerce Assistant Instagram

Elle Williamson Linked In

Shopify

Beauty Pie

Passenger

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Wilder Kitchen website

How to create and sell a unique food product - with Dan Shearman - The Wilder Kitchen

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0100

My guest today is Dan Shearman of The Wilder Kitchen. Dan was originally a street food chef, and created the UK’s original chilli infused hot honey, Wilder Bee Hot Honey, which is sold into retailers and restaurants across the UK.

Dan explains what Hot Honey is, how he came to create his own recipe, and how he has since scaled the business from selling on a food truck to outsourcing production and distribution and supplying major national chains.

We look at specific food industry challenges, such as getting the nutritional and shelf life information you need, and the changes that need to be made to recipes as you scale up production quantities. We discuss how he got stocked by a range of retailers, his experience of selling on Amazon & Faire, and the challenges of staying ahead of every changing trends in the food industry.

Listen in to hear Dan share:

An introduction to himself and him business (01:24)
Dan’s food truck journey and how he discovered hot honey (01:49)
Developing his own hot honey, and starting to sell it (02:22)
Deciding to scale up the business, and bringing in a business partner (03:51)
Making the shift from selling from a food truck, to selling to trade and online, and the factors that needed to be considered (04:27)
Transitioning from making a product by hand to finding a production partner (06:51)
Changes that need to be made to recipes as you scale production (09:56)
The process of getting nutritional and shelf life information for your product (12:43)
Getting stocked by restaurants and small independent retailers (13:58)
Why they rebranded and changed the product name (15:24)
Getting approached by retailers who want to stock their product (16:12)
The additional costs that come with scaling such as paying distributors, and how this affects your profit margins (17:55)
Ways to use hot honey, and recipe tips (25:37)
His experience of selling a food product on Amazon (27:47)
Getting reviews from customers (30:13)
His experience of selling on Faire (32:14)
Using fulfilment warehouses (37:45)
His number one piece of sales advice for product creators (39:29)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Wilder Kitchen Instagram

The Wilder Kitchen Facebook

The Wilder Kitchen Twitter

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Sipping Streams Instagram

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Selling tea sustainably - with Jenny Tse - Sipping Streams

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0100

My guest today is Jenny Tse Sipping Streams Tea Company. Sipping Stream Tea Company is an international award-winning tea company and tea educator based in Alaska. Direct tea importer and master blenders. Creating community through their tea offerings: loose-leaf tea, custom blend specialty teas, matcha tea, fireweed honey, bubble tea kits, tea accessories and more!

Jenny started her business 17 years ago, so we chatted about how e:commerce and sourcing international suppliers worked before the explosion of social media and e:commerce sites such as Shopify. Jenny shares how she used her background as an academic and teacher to set up her business . And for all you tea lovers out there, Jenny also shares lots of fascinating information about tea including the benefits of drinking it, how tea farms are set up, and how she ensures that she sources her tea sustainably.

Listen in to hear Jenny share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:29)
What inspired her to set up Sipping Streams (01:51)
The benefits of drinking tea (03:48)
How she moved from drinking tea, to setting up her own tea business, and the role her heritage played (05:00)
How she sources her tea (10:08)
Finding suppliers before the explosion of social media (12:28)
Sourcing tea sustainably (15:43)
The process of setting up a tea farm (22:56)
How she initially started selling the tea, and how being a teacher helped (27:06)
Her first physical store (30:12)
When she decided to give up teaching, and run the business full time (33:09)
Starting to sell online in 2009, and the differences with e:commerce now (35:34)
His number one piece of sales advice for product creators (36:56)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Sipping Streams Website

Sipping Streams Facebook

Sipping Streams Twitter

Sipping Streams Youtube

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

How to start selling on Amazon with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0100

How do you start selling on Amazon? In this episode I walk you through everything you need to know about setting yourself up and starting to sell on Amazon, from how to apply to become an Amazon seller, through deciding whether to fulfill orders by FBA or FBM, to what to do to encourage those first orders once your account is all set.

Listen in to hear me share:

Why you should consider selling on Amazon (01:20)
How to check if Amazon is the right marketplace for your product (02:15)
How to apply to become an Amazon seller (03:22)
How to decide which type of Amazon seller account you need (04:42)
How to sign up for an Amazon seller account, and the information that you will need (07:40)
Verifying your account, and what to do if you have issues (10:28)
Deciding how you want to fulfil orders, FBM vs FBA (12:43)
Things to do if you decide to FBM (15:58)
Things to do if you decide to FBA (17:58)
Creating your product listings (19:00)
The format for Amazon product descriptions (19:53)
Setting up the brand name for your product (21:00)
Sourcing and setting up barcodes (22:03)
Working out if you need a Safety Data sheet (23:14)
Products that will need approval from Amazon (24:20)
What Amazon Brand Registry is and why you might want it (25:39)
What happens next and why pay per click advertising is worth trying (26:36)
Free ways to spread the word (27:39)
How I can help you get started with selling on Amazon (19:59)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

I have written a blog post to accompany this episode, which you can read here

My Amazon launch package

Amazon Seller Central

GS1 Org - for barcodes

FREEBIE: How to Successfully Launch a Product on Amazon or Rescue One That's Not Selling

Blog post about whether you should sell on Amazon

Blog post about writing product listings

Podcast: Where’s the best place to sell your products online

Podcast: Should you sell your product on Amazon?

Podcast: Common Amazon issues and how to resolve them

Podcast: The tools I use to run my business on Amazon

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT:

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Kindred Spirits Shop Website

How to curate a shop using Faire - with Jennifer Cooper - Kindred Spirits shop

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm talking to Jennifer Cooper. Jenny is the founder of Jennifer Cooper Timesaver, and with her team Jenny provides time saving support, support to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Jenny's also the founder of Kindred Spirits, a community for fellow small business owners that provides opportunities for connection and collaboration with unique events and group mentoring. And as part of Kindred Spirits, Jenny has recently set up the Kindred Spirit Shop, a curated collection of stationery and crafts for small business owners. So these are perfect gifts for clients, colleagues, your team members, or even yourself.

So Jenny sources all of her products from Faire, which we spoke about, um, in a previous episode with Em Royston, who has a small business who sells her products wholesale on Faire. So speaking to Jenny today was amazing because it means we're getting the other side of the story and finding out what Faire is like for a buyer. I was really pleasantly surprised to hear that the experience for a buyer is just as positive as Em's was as a seller. And we, lows as usual, went into all the questions, all the logistics about how you curate and buy products on Faire

Listen in to hear Jenny share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:39)
What inspired her to set up an online shop (03:08)
Who the shop is aimed at (05:15)
Her background in retail (06:15)
Starting to buy stock, and the amount of capital you need (09:41)
How she discover Faire (10:47)
The sort of business that are on Faire that you can buy from (12:53)
How she curated what to stock (13:35)
How the pricing works (16:39)
How the ordering process works (17:42)
Creating product descriptions (20:12)
The joy of retail (22:34)
Trying to predict what will sell and building out a range (25:25)
Advice for using Faire if you don’t have a retail background (26:31)
Making sure you don’t buy all the things (29:03)
The application process (30:02)
The opportunities for artists and creators to sell on Faire (31:33)
Her number one piece of advice for other product curators (34:03)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Kindred Spirits Facebook

Kindred Spirits Instagram

Jennifer Cooper Timesaver Website

Episode 148: Selling To Retailers Using Wholesale Platforms with Em Royston - Chasing Threads

Woodlands Bay

Little Box Of Books

Blackbird House Designs

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Professional Hair Labs Website

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How to expand a family business - with Ryan Margolin - Professional Hair Labs

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Ryan Margolin is the CEO of Professional Hair Labs, a cosmetic manufacturer who supply private label products and also custom formulate and contract manufacture for companies globally.

Professional Hair Labs started off as a two-person family business and has now expanded massively with locations in the USA and Ireland and they sell their products to distributors, wholesalers and retailers all over the world. We discussed how they have successfully scaled whilst still remaining a family business, and key things to consider when scaling globally including manufacture, intellectual property rights, and how to make sure that you are not the bottleneck in your own business.

Ryan has lots of brilliant advice, and there is lots to take away from this episode if you are looking at scaling your business, or selling your product globally.

Listen in to hear Ryan share:

An introduction to himself and his business (01:20)
What inspired his family to set up Professional Hair Labs (02:06)
How Ryan got involved in the business (03:19)
The move to rolling out their products globally (04:21)
Selling B2B (05:06)
Formulating and manufacturing their products (07:56)
Why they have moved their manufacturing in house as the company has grown (09:23)
Growing the team from a 2 person business to having over 25 staff (13:29)
The first positions that they decided to hire for as the business grew (14:24)
The upsides and downsides of running a family business (15:36)
Tips for growing and scaling a business (18:51)
Motivating yourself (21:27)
The importance of having the right people around you (22:23)
Ensuring that you do not become the bottleneck in your business as it grows and scales (23:09)
Advice for selling your product globally, and the importance of getting your IP in (24:13)
His number one piece of sales advice for product creators (31:02)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Professional Hair Labs Twitter

Professional Hair Labs Facebook

Professional Hair Labs Instagram

Professional Hair Labs LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Charlie Day: How to sell more products

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Charlie Day is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur who has built three multi-six-figure businesses from the ground up. Charlie is passionate about helping business owners create more sales in their businesses and proclaims that ‘sales is easy if you just know how.’ She runs the free Facebook community for business owners, The Entrepreneurs Growth Club.

This is a must listen to episode, as Charlie brilliantly challenges the mindset blocks many of us have around sales, and shares her methods for generating more income, more customers and more clients in your business.

Listen in to hear Charlie share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:27)
Why selling has a bad rap (02:41)
What sales is actually about - listening (03:21)
The mindset shift that you need to make (05:07)
The importance of follow up (06:13)
Understanding and making the most of hot leads and warm leads (08:02)
Selling with integrity (09:51)
Growing your business on your own terms (10:37)
The power of your own confidence in your products and services (12:27)
What a sales strategy is and why you need one(13:58)
Understanding and improving conversion rates (16:15)
Sales strategies for product businesses (17:45)
The importance of knowing your numbers and where sales are coming from (18:32)
Using sales targets (19:59)
The importance of hard work and consistency (20:34)
The 3 things to do immediately (21:31)
The importance of customer service (22:40)
Making the most of your sales funnel (23:47)
How to bring more money into your business (24:41)
Why you should start selling right not, even before your product launches (25:47)
Her number one piece of sales advice for product creators (29:15)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Charlie Day Website

The Entrepreneurs Growth Club Podcast

Charlie Day Instagram

Charlie’s Book: Sales Is Easy If You Just Know How!

Phonics With Robot Reg

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Episode 102 Taking part in an accelerator to grow your business - with Stephanie Orr

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Number one piece of advice for product creators - part 2

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0100

It’s episode 155, and 3 years since I started this podcast. I've spoken to so many wonderful product creators and people who support product creators over the last three years, and I have learned so much from absolutely everyone that I spoke to. To celebrate I have put together a compilation of some of the best advice I have heard over the years.If you want to launch your own product or are just in need of a friendly boost this is the episode to listen to!

Listen in to hear top tips from:

Stephanie Orr, (01:10)
Meera Bhogal, (02:05)
Iain Moore, BGreater Shoes (03:15)
Laura Gillett, (05:29)
Louise Almond, (06:56)
Demi Pendakis, Find Your Glow Ltd (08:04)
Cara Sayer, Snooze Shade (09:20)
Claire Grant, OriOrso (11:45)
Vic Wood, Greener Beauty (12:54)
Marieke Syed, Snackzilla (14:01)
Ciara Westhead, Pico UK (15:13)
Trish ODwyer, Autism Threads (20:02)
Raksha Patel, Reflect With Raksha (21:43)
Charlotte Phillips, Rugsy Lugsy (23:14)
Puvan Briah, (24:29)
Amanda Davey, Tilia Publishing (25:21)
Georgina Robinson, Juniper Studio (25:54)
Em Royston, Chasing Threads (28:25)
Tas, Very Craft Tea (30:32)
Janet Murray, (33:32)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Listen to the episodes in full:

Episode 101 How to create an integrated range of products & services - with Meera Bhogal

Episode 149 Selling a product people don't know they need - with Iain Moore - BGreater Shoes

Episode 130 Getting ready to launch your first product- with Laura Gillett

Episode 87 Getting ready to launch your first product - with Louise Almond

Episode 133 Leaving your career to start a new business - with Demi Pendakis - Find Your Glow Ltd

Episode 88 Why your product needs to be on Amazon - with Cara Sayer, Snooze Shade

Episode 136 How to create a children's fashion brand - with Claire Grant - OriOrso

Episode 138 Sourcing and selling sustainable products - with Vic Wood - Greener Beauty

Episode 112 Creating a food business and getting stocked in major supermarkets - with Marieke Syed - Snackzilla

Episode 125 Selling sustainable partywear - with Ciara Westhead - Pico UK

Episode 105 Creating products with a cause - with Trish ODwyer - Autism Threads

Episode 109 3D printing your own products to sell - with Raksha Patel, Reflect with Raksha

Episode 104 Creating a business you love - with Charlotte Phillips, Rugsy Lugsy

Episode 86 Pivoting your product based business - with Puvan Briah

Episode 11, Moving your products business online - with Amanda Davey, Tilia Publishing

Episode 110 Creating a Sustainable Business - Georgina Robinson - Juniper Studio

Episode 148 Selling to retailers using wholesale platforms - with Em Royston- Chasing Threads

Episode 124 The importance of knowing your numbers - with Tas - Very Craft Tea

Episode 84 Creating and selling planners - with Janet Murray

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Oxford Healthspan Website

How to create your own supplement brand - with Leslie Kenny - Oxford Healthspan

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Leslie Kenny is the Founder and CEO of Oxford Healthspan, an anti-aging supplement brand that contains spermidine, a potent organic compound that inhibits six of the nine hallmarks of aging. She is also a co-founder of Oxford Longevity, which brings together scientific experts to discuss the latest breakthroughs in health and aging by providing free public health webinars.

It was fascinating to talk to Leslie about the industry, and how she has brought her supplements to market. We talked about the challenges of educating your audience, launching and managing a business globally, and the different requirements of selling supplements in different markets. Leslie covers everything from where has the strictest rules, to the practicalities of running a global business when you also have children sitting GCSE and A-Level exams this year.

Listen in to hear Leslie share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:21)
How she has brought her products to market (02:24)
The difference between natural and synthetic supplements (04:46)
Educating an audience on the benefits of the supplements (08:52)
The importance of understanding where and how your supplements are sourced (11:20)
What inspired her to create her own brand(13:36)
The process from idea to getting the product on the market (16:49)
The impact of having a famous person, Carol Vorderman, use your product (18:15)
Launching her product simultaneously in the UK and USA (19:04)
The differences between health marketing guidelines in the UK and USA (19:42)
The countries around the world that have the strictest requirements (20:31)
Adapting the marketing message for different national markets (22:17)
The practicalities of running a business in the USA and UK (26:10)
The impact of Brexit on an international business (27:36)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (28:10)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Oxford Longevity Project

Oxford Healthspan Instagram

Leslie Kenny Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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My experience on Dragons Den - Chris Lefteri , Fixits

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0100

In episode 152 I spoke with Chris Lefteri from FixIts, who talked about his unique product.

On 9 March 2023 Chris was on BBC’s Dragons Den.

In this short episode, I speak with Chris about what it was like, what it involves and whether he’d recommend it as an experience!

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Kensington Olympia Toy Fair

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Curating products to sell - with Millie Jaspert - Spark Bubble

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Millie Jaspert is the founder of Spark Bubble,an online store selling bath-toys particularly for children aged 2-9 years old. Millie has developed some of these toys herself and others are a curated collection created by other brands. Millie is also a Primary Teacher so has chosen open-ended toys and shares suggestions for ways children can explore and learn with them.

We had a really interesting conversation about how Millie has curated a selection of products which complement her own designs, and have allowed her to more easily grow her brand and business. Millie also explains how selling her products through a pop up shop has given her lots of opportunities to meet other local business owners and get direct feedback from customers.

Listen in to hear Millie share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:08)
Sourcing toys from other brands to sell in her store (03:03)
Designing her own product, and how selling other bath toys has helped her build a customer base to then sell her own product to (07:33)
Combining running a business with being a teacher, and the transferable skills that she can use (10:34)
Combining existing products into play set (11:44)
The benefits of selling her products in a pop-up shop (14:42)
Getting feedback from children (20:50)
The criteria she uses when selecting products for her website (22:19)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (24:09)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Sparkbubble Website

Sparkbubble Instagram

Sparkbubble Facebook

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

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The challenges of creating a unique product - Chris Lefteri - Fixits

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Chris Lefteri is a Materials Consultant, Designer and author of 9 books on materials. He is also the inventor and founder of Fixits, reusable eco-plastic moldable sticks, which you can use to repair all manner of things around the home and office.

Chris shared how he turned a useful material into a marketable product and the challenges of creating and marketing a unique product, where the audience needs to be taught how to use it. Chris also shares his advice from running a successful Kickstarter campaign. You will go away with lots to think about, and planning to order a pack of Fixits to try for yourself.

Listen in to hear Chris share:

An introduction to himself and his business (01:04)
What Fixits are and how they work (01:30)
What inspired him to create Fixits (03:31)
Turning a useful material into a marketable product (05:11)
Finding and working with a manufacturer (09:09)
Manufacturing a product responsibly (11:45)
Lessons in creating products in small batches (10:48)
The challenges of selling a unique product (14:09)
Teaching the public about your product (16:42)
His advice for running a Kickstarter campaign (18:09)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (23:07)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

PODCAST: Where’s the best place to sell your products online

Should you sell your product on Amazon? - with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0100

I work with a lot of Amazon sellers everyday, helping them set up and grow their Amazon account. I see a lot of people do well – but I also see people who don’t. What’s worse is that for some of them there are reasons for this, out of their control, and they might have been better off focusing their time and effort into another marketplace.

In this episode I share why Amazon might be the right platform for you, how to determine this and things that you might want to consider.

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction to me and why I wanted to record this episode (00:24)
The foundations of getting started selling on Amazon (03:25)
Why you should sell your product on Amazon (04:29)
The advantages of FBA (fulfilled by Amazon) (07:15)
Accessing a global market (08:15)
Things that aren’t so great about Amazon, seller support (09:08)
Things that aren’t so great about Amazon, there is a lot of competition (10:33)
Product listing rules you need to adhere to (11:52)
The sort of products that Amazon works well for (13:27)
The importance of researching the market and your competition (15:44)
Free tools you can use (16:34)
How I can help you get started with selling on Amazon (19:59)

JUNGLE SCOUT DISCOUNT CODE:

Go to get.junglescout.com/vicki to access a whole suite bestselling tools for building and running a successful Amazon business.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

I have written a blog post to accompany this episode, which you can read here

FREEBIE: How to Successfully Launch a Product on Amazon or Rescue One That's Not Selling

PODCAST: Common Amazon issues and how to resolve them

TOOL: Jungle Scout

BLOG: Jungle Scout - My favourite tool for selling on Amazon

TOOL: FBA Revenue Calculator

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT:

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Knowing the true value of your products - with Lucy Herron - Sloafer

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm talking with Lucy Herron, the founder of Sloafer, a women's shoe brand that handmakes ballerina pumps with an all day sneaker comfort sole.

It’s a really powerful episode, as Lucy is incredibly articulate about the importance of valuing your product and yourself. Lucy explains how she has chosen to work with a factory that pays a fair wage, and why she is shunning fast fashion practices. Instead she has built a very successful business model creating limited batches of shoes, which are in demand, and regularly have waiting lists.

I found it really empowering, and if you have ever doubted how you price your products, this is the episode to listen to.

Listen in to hear Lucy share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:29)
Her inspiration to create Sloafer (01:41)
The journey from having the idea to getting the shoes made (04:19)
Creating an in demand product, and minimising waste by having a wait list (06:15)
The importance of working with a factory that pays a fair wage, and how this affects the price of the shoe (07:10)
Managing seasonal ranges and restocks (08:46)
Lessons in creating products in small batches (10:48)
Communicating with customers on a waitlist (14:36)
The importance of knowing and charging the value of your product, and avoiding the temptation to do deep discounts (16:04)
Valuing yourself and your product (18:43)
The negative impact of fast, cheap fashion (21:26)
Her experiences seeking investment as a female business owner (23:45)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (29:34)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Jungle Scout – My favourite tool for selling on Amazon

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Something I get asked a lot is what software I use and recommend when working with Amazon. Over the years I’ve tried a lot - and my favourite is Jungle Scout. I’ve been using it for years, ever since I first started selling on Amazon and I’m still using it daily to help other Amazon Sellers.

In this bonus episode I explain the features, what I use it for, and whether it might be a good fit for you.

USEFUL LINKS

Jungle Scout one month trial

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Selling a product people don't know they need - with Iain Moore - BGreater Shoes

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm talking with Iain Moore from BGreater Shoes. BGreater Shoes design and sell affordable kids foot friendly shoes which are designed to allow children’s feet to grow, develop and move more naturally than most high street brands, whilst importantly looking after parents wallets and time.

Iain and I discussed why he set up BGreater Shoes, and the particular challenges of designing and manufacturing shoes. Iain explained what barefoot shoes are, how they differ from normal shoes, and the benefits to children’s health and development. From how a Dragon’s Den episode inspired him to set up his own business, to how to develop a marketing strategy for a product people don’t know they need, it is a great episode with lots of thoughtful advice and suggestions.

Listen in to hear Iain share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:14)
What inspired him to start BGreater Shoes (01:24)
What barefoot shoes are, and how they differ from regular shoes (03:53)
The detrimental impact some shoes can have on feet and the body (05:23)
The process of designing and creating the shoes (09:11)
Working with a freelance designer (11:05)
Getting the shoes manufactured (14:32)
Ensuring that the production costs were kept down so that the shoes are affordable (15:35)
The importance of mindset, and positivity in making his business successful (17:56)
Working with parents and children to get feedback on the shoes (20:07)
The challenges of educating people as to the benefit of barefoot shoes when they have not heard of them (23:48)
Making your customers lives as simple as possible (27:10)
Iain’s own children’s feedback on the shoes (31:01)
Ensuring shoe sizing is correct (32:40)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (42:50)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

BGreater Shoes Website

BGreater Shoes Twitter

BGreater Shoes Facebook

BGreater Shoes Instagram

Iain Moore Linked In

LET’S CONNECT

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Chasing Threads Instagram

Selling to retailers using wholesale platforms - with Em Royston- Chasing Threads

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0100

This week my guest on the podcast is Em Royston from Chasing Threads. Chasing Threads make stitchable accessories and cross stitch kits for the modern world. The first collection of unique, stylish and functional accessories that can be stitched and personalised, born from the idea to 'sew where you go'.

Em has an interesting background, having previously worked for product brand Suck UK. We talked about how this combined with her passion for crafts and travel led her to set up Chasing Threads. Em has has great success selling her products through distributors and wholesale platforms such as Faire.

Em explains how it works, her top tips for making those platforms work for you, and how she got started.

It’s really inspiring, and my guess is after listening to this podcast you will be hurrying over to Faire to see if it is the right platform for you.

Listen in to hear Em share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:18)
How and why she started Chasing Threads (02:02)
Setting up her business whilst living in Hong Kong (04:16)
How being in Hong Kong dramatically increased the speed of getting her products manufactured (05:07)
Launching a product via a kickstarter campaign (07:01)
Whether she would recommend running a kickstarter campaign again (09:50)
Setting up on Woocommerce, then moving to Shopify, and selling on Etsy and Not On The High Street (11:28)
Starting to sell via wholesale and trade shows (14:12)
The challenges and advantages of running a business from Hong Kong (17:29)
Selling globally via distributors, and how this can help you circumvent Brexit issues (18:43)
Selling through Faire (24:19)
Tips for nurturing customers through Faire (27:02)
Faire alternatives including Ankorstore (30:01)
Top tips for selling on wholesale platforms (31:01)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (33:58)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Chasing Threads Website

Chasing Threads Facebook

Chasing Threads Pinterest

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

Thinking about working with me in 2023?

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0100

In this week’s episode, I share the ways that I can support you and your small business.

I specialise in promoting small businesses on Amazon. I know Amazon is not for everyone. So I wanted to share why I work on this platform, and the advantages I believe it offers small businesses. I am not affiliated in any way with Amazon, these are just my honest, professional opinions.

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction to the topic (00:39)
Why Amazon is a good opportunity for your small business (02:02)
The advantages of selling on Amazon vs your own website (04:10)
How using Amazon FBA can save you time and space! (05:24)
How Amazon can give you an easy global reach (06:15)
My strategy sessions (08:17)
Getting in touch with me (09:44)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Of Commerce

Creating a product to solve a problem - with Laura Seago - Futliit

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0100

This week my guest on the podcast is Laura Seago from Futliit. Futliit makes LED backpacks that use tech to make you properly visible. Our smart light-up backpacks are ideal for kids walking to school, commuters and in fact anyone who needs to be seen at night.

Laura is a wonderful example of someone who saw a problem, and created a product to overcome this. Once she started looking into road safety stats she found that the majority of pedestrian accidents were between 3-6pm, when people are walking home from school and work.

Laura worked with her family and carefully assembled team of teen testers and parents to develop the Futliit LED backpack. Laura shares the challenges and rewards of designing a product for teens, sourcing suppliers, dealing with covid delays, and marketing a new product that people do not know to look for.

We also cover the specific mindset challenges of setting up your own business in mid-life, and navigating new technology and marketing platforms.

Listen in to hear Laura share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:14)
The inspiration for creating Futliit (01:44)
The seriousness of the problem (04:31)
Researching the market to see if there was anything else that solved the problem (07:09)
Putting together a test group of teens and parents (09:01)
Finding a manufacturer (15:55)
Dealing with delays in getting hold of samples (18:36)
Teaching herself the skills to run the business (22:12)
The challenges and rewards of creating a product for teenagers (26:08)
Marketing a product which people don’t know to look for (31:06)
Learning about SEO (32:32)
Choosing the right social media platforms to be on (33:56)
Using your network (39:11)
The importance of mindset and confidence when running your own product business (42:42)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (51:48)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Futliit Website

Futlitt Facebook

Futliit Instagram

Laura Seago Linked In

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

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The Retail Business Hub Website

How to get started wholesaling your products - with Ami Rabheru - The Retail Business Hub

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Have you considered wholesaling your products? Or are you looking for a fresh take on how to do this?

Today’s podcast guest is perfectly positioned to share a wealth of knowledge on this topic.

Ami Rabheru is the founder of The Retail Business Hub and Scale with Wholesale® Academy. Ami is a Retail business consultant and product strategist. She specialises in teaching productpreneurs® how to build retail brands, and the strategic action steps to approach, pitch and sell products to retailers, whilst empowering them with the knowledge of the big business skills they need to start, grow and scale a successful product brand.

Ami shares everything you need to know from how to ensure you are retail ready, to what sort of retailers to approach, and how to make a successful pitch. If scaling your business through wholesale selling is on your business plan this year, this is the episode for you.

Listen in to hear Ami share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:33)
Why you might want to sell your product via wholesale (01:49)
What your product needs to be retail ready (03:55)
What to use to approach retailers if you have just started out (07:10)
What makes a successful pitch (08:49)
Practical steps you will need to take to ensure you are retail ready, and can scale production (11:34)
What pitching is actually like (14:39)
How to approach retailers (17:14)
Which sort of retailers to approach first (18:53)
Things to be aware of (21:32)
Making sure you approach the right retailers for your product (23:49)
Pop-Up Shops (25:46)
Her number one piece of advice for anyone wanting to get started with wholesaling their products (34:00)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Retail Business Hub Instagram

The Retail Business Hub Facebook

Ami Rabheru Linked In

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

How to launch a fashion brand - with Helen Barker - the Fika Edit

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Helen Barker is the co-founder of Fika. Helen’s aim is to create a positive impact in the fashion industry through my slower paced, sustainably conscious brand.

We talked about the fashion industry as a whole, and some of the issues that Helen sees with the industry. We discussed how Helen is trying to change this Fika focusing on slow and sustainable fashion. From how she sources material sustainably, to her first trade show, Helen shares lots of fascinating details about setting up and launching a fashion brand.

Listen in to hear Helen share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:17)
The current issues with the fashion industry, and how Fika is addressing these (01:41)
What slow fashion is (05:04)
How to source and produce clothes responsibly (07:51)
Finding suppliers (11:00)
Their design process (13:43)
How they do true to fit sizing for their clothes (14:46)
Why true to fit clothing matters (16:07)
Launching a fashion brand (18:38)
Doing their first show (23:32)
Getting stocked in shops (25:47)
Finding stockists at Trade Shows (26:47)
Setting up a website (30:11)
Her number one piece of advice for anyone looking to set up a fashion brand (32:57)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

Episode 4 - How Silke created her resilience cards (and a new revenue stream)

20 Top Tips from Product Creators

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0100

This week I thought I'd re-release one of my very favourite ever episodes. If you’re a regular listener you’ll know I ask all product creators who join me on the show for their number 1 piece of advice. For episode 50, I put together a compilation of 20 of the best tips I'd heard from product creators. If you want to launch your own product or are just in need of a friendly boost this is the episode to listen to!

Listen in to hear top tips from:

Silke Thistlewood, Raise Up Mums (02:08)
Lauren Hampshire, the Milky Tee Company (03:54)
Lynsey Pollard, Little Box of Books (04:46)
Kate Tompsett, Happy & Glorious (06:02)
Keisha Shah, Teddo Play (08:24)
Suzanne Hemming, Thea Chops Books (10:54)
Bee Veronica Moore, Witty Ditty Designs (12:10)
Lau Morrachini, the Creative Upcycler (15:02)
Alice Clover, Author (18:10)
Dawn Friday, Girl Friday Embroidery (18:48)
Sophie Lilley, Munchkin and Bear (19:49)
Harjit Sohotey-Khan, Jewelled Buddha (20:48)
Ruth Bradford, the Little Black and White Book Project (21:55)
Becky Perry, Paper Pattern Scissors (24:44)
Priya Khan, Little Crystal Minds (26:23)
Monique Horrigan, The Dou-Douds (27:40)
Catherine Marche (28:52)
Natalia Bolek, Naboso Handmade (31:37)
Christina Pickworth, This Mama Does (33:26)
Ruth Bussey, Ink and Scribbles (35:22)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Listen to the episodes in full:

Episode 7 - The reality of a 'successful' products business - with Lauren Hampshire, The Milky Tee Company

Episode 13 - Creating a products business by sourcing and curating - with Lynsey Pollard

Episode 15 - How to open a shop - with Kate Tompsett

Episode 17 - A family-run products business - with Keisha Shah, Teddo Play

Episode 19 - How to write and publish your own books - with Suzanne Hemming, Thea Chops Books

Episode 21 - Turning a passion into a business - with Bee Veronica Moore

Episode 23 - Creating Upcycled products - with Lau Moracchini

Episode 27 - How to Self Publish Your Book - with Alice Clover

Episode 29 - Selling handmade items on Etsy - with Dawn Friday

Episode 31 - Going into business with a friend - with Sophie Lilley, Munchkin & Bear

Episode 33 - Giving up the 9-to-5 to sell Artisan products - with Harjit Sohotey-Khan

Episode 35 - The importance of ‘ just going for it’ - with Ruth Bradford, the Little Black and White Book Project

Episode 37 - Selling Both Physical and Digital Products - with Becky Perry, Pattern, Paper, Scissors

Episode 38 - Adding products to your service business - with Priya Khan, Little Crystal Minds

Episode 39 - From making products by hand to outsourcing production - with Monique Horrigan, the Dou-Doods

Episode 40 - From selling on Etsy to a permanent showroom - With Catherine Marche

Episode 42 - Making every product to order - with Natalia Bolek, Naboso Handmade

Episode 45 - Selling products as a side business - with Christina Pickworth, THIS MAMA DOES

Episode 47 - Selling printables - with Ruth Bussey, Ink & Scribbles

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Business impact vs business growth - with Kresse Wesling - Elvis & Kresse

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Kresse Wesling, CBE, is a multi-award winning environmental entrepreneur. After first meeting the London Fire Brigade in 2005, Kresse launched Elvis & Kresse, which rescues and transforms decommissioned fire hose into innovative lifestyle products and returns 50% of profits to the Fire Fighters Charity.The company now collects 12 different waste streams and has several charitable partnerships and collaborations across industries. In 2021 Elvis & Kresse also took on a farm in order to establish a regenerative agriculture project, generate their own renewables and implement a host of environmental initiatives. Kresse loves to help people build businesses which solve environmental and social problems.

I’m so pleased to have Kresse on the podcast to find out more about how they started their business, and the work that they are doing now to improve the world around them and the way that we are all doing business.

It is a really inspiring podcast, and I am sure it will inspire you to see how you make the world a better place.

Listen in to hear Kresse share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:22)
The inspiration for setting up Elvis & Kresse (01:55)
Her background and prior experience (03:05)
The process of turning decommissioned fire hoses into beautiful products (05:58)
Why the fire hoses are decommissioned and were ending up in landfill (09:48)
The process of designing beautiful products from the fire hoses (11:27)
Creating your own path when you have a business doing something no one has done before (14:11)
The impact Elvis & Kresse has had, and the businesses following in their footsteps (15:40)
Being a living wage employer, and donating 50% or profits to charity (18:06)
Why their impact matters more than business growth (21:29)
How their range has grown, and new Elvis & Kresse products (23:03)
Working with the Burberry Foundation, and training women as solar engineers (23:52)
Why they decided being sustainable wasn’t enough, and are aiming to be net regenerative (26:16)
Maintaining their independence (29:35)
Her number one tip for how to make your business more sustainable (30:20)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Elvis & Kresse Website

Elvis & Kresse Facebook

Elvis & Kresse Instagram

Elvis & Kresse Twitter

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Shona’s Book 100 Marketing Tips for Small Business Owners

Using email marketing to sell your products - with Shona Chambers

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast, I'm delighted to have Shona Chambers join me. Shona is a returning guest, who first appeared on the podcast 2 years ago. Um, Shona is a marketing consultant and she's here today to talk specifically about how to grow your email list. She talks about why it's important for small businesses to have a list, how you might grow it, and if you do have an email list of people on, you know, what sort of things should you be sending to them. I found it incredibly useful, and we have included tips specifically for product based businesses, and those of you selling on Amazon.

Listen in to hear Shona share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:26)
What email marketing is (02:00)
Why it is important to have an email marketing list (03:29)
Some good ways to get people to join your list (06:19)
What sort of content to send to your email list to keep them engaged (10:47)
How often to email your list (12:53)
What to do if you have a healthy email list, but haven’t sent an email for a while (17:27)
Ideas for the sort of content product businesses can send out (19:31)
Her number one tip for how to market your products via email (21:33)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Shona Chambers Website

Shona Chambers Instagram

Shona Chambers Facebook

Shona Chambers Linked In

Episode 44 Launching & Marketing Your Product - with Shona Chambers

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Sports Research at Northumbria University Video

Selling and marketing a superfood - with Simon Fineman - Haskapa

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +0100

My guest on the podcast today is Simon Fineman, who together with his wife, Dr. Evie Kemp runs Haspaka, a company selling nutritious products made from the little known but amazing haskap berry.

In a previous life, Simon ran a large timbering court importing company pioneering the use of sustainable timbers for industry and construction. A lifelong vegetarian. Simon is passionate about the environment and believes in the power of healthy eating in order to improve oneself and the world around us.

We discussed how Simon discovered the haskap berry and created a business selling products made from it. It was particularly interesting to discuss the nuances of marketing a product where you have to educate the audience of its value but ensure you don't make health benefit claims to follow industry regulations.

Simon also has some great advice on the realities of running a business, and how to keep going when things get tough.

Listen in to hear Simon share:

An introduction to himself and his business (01:21)
How he discovered the haskap berry (02:12)
How the haskap berry is good for us (04:00)
Working out how to turn it into a product (06:35)
Why they moved the business from Canada to the UK (10:25)
Finding factories to process small amounts of the berries (14:51)
Selling his product in Canada, the USA and the UK (16:59)
The challenges of selling a product where you have to educate the consumer (18:27)
How they are reaching consumers via Trade Events (20:14)
The nuances and frustrations of having to make sure you don’t make health benefit claims in your marketing (25:48)
Selling a nutritional product on Amazon (28:38)
Keeping going when faced with challenges (34:25)
Working as a team with his wife (37:08)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (39:25)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Jungle Scout Sales Estimator

5 free ways to validate your product ideas

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0100

So you’ve got a great idea for a product. What do you do next?

One of the single most important things you can do is to validate your product idea before you go ahead and start creating or manufacturing your product.

I want you to have to be confident that your product will sell before you start investing in creating it. So today I am going to share 5 free ways to validate your product idea. All they're going to cost you is time, which in my opinion is time well spent.

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction to the topic (00:31)
Considering who your potential customers are (03:06)
Speaking to potential customers, and the sort of things to ask them (03:59)
Why it is important to read Amazon reviews! (12:09)
Use the Jungle Scout sales estimator (16:18)
Buy other products (and then return them) (20:14)
Using crowdfunding to validate your product idea

USEFUL RESOURCES:

My accompanying Blog Post: 5 Quick (and free) ways to validate your product ideas

Jungle Scout Paid Software - Affiliate Link

Blog post on how to use JungleScout

Podcast Episode 103: How to run a successful crowdfunding campaign - with Jes Baily, Crowdfund 360

Free guide, 7 free ways to validate your product idea

Should I sell my product on Amazon mini strategy session

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Greener Beauty Advent Calendar

Sourcing and selling sustainable products - with Vic Wood - Greener Beauty

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm talking with Vic Wood from Greener Beauty. Greener Beauty is an online store where you can find all the ethical, vegan and cruelty-free and natural beauty products that you love all in one place.

Vic shares how she went about sourcing products for her business, ensuring that they meet her ethical standards and how the business has grown rapidly over the past few years. Vic now has a small team so shares the tasks she now outsources, and I was particularly interested to learn about the success she has had with Google Ads & Shopping.

We also talked about Vic’s Advent Calendar, which was recently featured on This Morning, her success at industry awards, and a cautionary tale about what happened when a larger company wanted to get involved.

Listen in to hear Vic share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:18)
Her inspiration for setting up Greener Beauty (01:43)
Researching and choosing what brands to include (03:30)
Sourcing products and working with distributors (04:06)
Navigating Minimum Order Quantities as a start up (04:59)
How she manages holding thousands of product lines (06:09)
The differences with finding new brands to stock now as an established business rather than a start up (07:03)
Making sure that all the products meet their ethical standards, are vegan, cruelty free and not tested on animals (08:59)
Creating the Greener Beauty Advent Calendar and ensuring it is plastic free (11:42)
Replacing Black Friday with Greener Friday (14:57)
Planting a tree with every order (15:52)
Her experiences with Feel Unique - a cautionary tale (16:09)
Her award wins (22:45)
Her process for entering awards (24:50)
How she publicises Greener Beauty, what has worked and what hasn’t worked (27:07)
Using Google Shopping (27:42)
Growing her team, and the areas that she outsources (29:52)
Managing and packing stock (31:25)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (32:14)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Greener Beauty Website

Greener Beauty Facebook

Greener Beauty Instagram

Vic Wood Linked In

Awards Mentioned:

Natural & Organic Beauty Awards 2022

Who's Who In Natural Beauty

Health and Beauty Great British Entrepreneur of the Year

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Dalia Botanique Instagram

Hosted by Captivate

How to safely formulate cosmetics - with Dalia Hawley

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm talking to Dalia Hawley from Dalia Botanique. Dalia sells her own botanical beauty products, so she formulates all of her and makes all of her products herself. Dalia’s products are aimed for people who like spending a lot of time outdoors who love gardening and want a minimal skin care routine that's still going to really look after their skin, but not at a really high price.

We had a really great conversation about botanicals and what they are. We talked a lot about the compliance side of creating beauty products, testing and everything that goes into making sure that your products are safe. Dalia also gave some really useful advice for consumers as well. So, if you are purchasing your own beauty products, particularly if they're handmade, what to look out for to know that they will be safe for you.

Listen in to hear Dalia share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:27)
What inspired her to create her own skincare range (01:53)
What botanicals are (04:13)
Why she can’t just use flowers grown in her garden (06:43)
Learning how to formulate her products (09:01)
Testing her products herself (11:28)
Getting her products professionally assessed (13:29)
What to look for as a consumer to check that the products have been professionally assessed (15:51)
Working with Trading Standards (18:18)
Not making false medical claims (19:31)
Amazon requirements for selling cosmetics (20:30)
Whether a product is actually organic (21:10)
The costs involved in getting your products certified (21:42)
How she gets her ingredients and sourcing from UK suppliers (25:42)
Finding her suppliers (27:28)
Industry support and the skincare community (29:03)
Trademarking your brand and formulas (30:35)
Starting to sell her products (34:27)
The insurance that she needs (38:02)
Her sales strategy for Christmas (39:00)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (42:57)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Dalia Botanique Website

Formula Botanica

Humblebee and Me

Soap School Facebook Group

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Fashion Feed Facebook Group

How to create a children's fashion brand - with Claire Grant - OriOrso

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today I'm speaking with Claire Grant from OriOrso. OriOrso is a colorful unisex baby brand created to make parents lives easier for clever design without compromising on style.

The hero product is the jogger socks, so printed jogging bottoms with non-slip socks attached into the hem to keep socks on all day long. And any of you who have babies or have had babies will know how difficult that can be. So I had a really fascinating conversation with Claire about creating a fashion brand from scratch. I found it really interesting hearing about the steps involved in creating a fashion product, which is quite different from other products in that there were so many unknowns when you get started in terms of fabric, sizing, washing instructions etc.

And Claire talked us through all of that in lots of details. So if you are looking to start a fashion brand, I think this is a must listen episode. Claire also shares some great tips about how she has marketed her brand, and her experiences working with Not On The High Street

Listen in to hear Claire share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:38)
What inspired her to create her own product (02:12)
How she decided what to create as her first product (03:57)
Researching the market and seeing what else was available (06:13)
Testing her idea with friends, family and in Facebook groups (10:10)
Learning how to create her product including tech packs and garment technologists (12:09)
Designing her fabric prints (14:36)
Making her designs print ready (16:01)
Learning about the safety requirements for baby clothes (17:56)
Looking for a manufacturer (19:43)
Pivoting to work with a seamstress, and the advantages (24:14)
Starting with a small production run (29:59)
Scaling later on to use a manufacturer (32:48)
Launching her product and selling on Shopify (36:17)
Marketing, what has worked for her and what hasn’t (37:04)
Considering PR (45:45)
The next stage, getting stocked in stores and selling wholesale (48:15)
Selling at pop ups (49:56)
Her experience with Not On The High Street, and the support that is now available (52:27)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (59:22)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Not On The High Street

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

3 ways to create product ideas that will sell

3 ways to come up with product ideas that will sell

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today I want to go back to the beginning and talk about how to come up with product ideas that will sell. This is one of the first episodes I recorded, and most listened to, and I thought now was a good time to rerecord and update it.

Here are my top 3 suggestions for how to come up with product ideas that will sell.

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction to the topic (00:21)
A problem that your product can solve (02:32)
Improving on a product (06:50)
Is there something you need that isn’t available (10:35)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Accompanying Blog Post

The Original Episode

5 simple ways to come up with product ideas

Episode 112

Creating a food business and getting stocked in major supermarkets - with Marieke Syed - Snackzilla

Episode 130

Getting ready to launch your first product- with Laura Gillett - Stomperz Shoes

Episode 57

How to develop an original product – with Joe Shortt - Tripclip

Episode 125

Selling sustainable partyware - with Ciara Westhead - Pico

Episode 87

Getting ready to launch your first product - with Louise Almond - Amelia Anne

Episode 65

Starting a business during maternity leave – with Liz Rawlinson - gus + beau

Episode 4

How Silke created her resilience cards (and a new revenue stream)

Episode 71

Creating sustainable products with Nancy Powell, HERD Bags

Episode 88

Why your product needs to be on Amazon - with Cara Sayer, Snooze Shade

Blog Post

How to carry out your own customer and market research

Free Resources, including How to successfully launch a product on Amazon or rescue one that’s not selling

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

All you need to know about exhibiting at tradeshows - Therese Ørtenblad - Small Business Collaborative

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0100

This episode is all about trade shows: which ones to exhibit at, how to put a stand together, what you need to take, what you should be prepping, and how to make the most of the opportunities there.

Who better to have on the podcast to talk us through all things trade shows than Therese Ørtenblad?

Therese is the founder of Small Business Collaborative, and works with product-based business founders who sell to retail stores. She shows them how to price their products for profit, teaches them how to sell in a way that doesn’t feel icky and shows them how to build a strategy with limited time so they can grow their sales and profits through wholesale without feeling alone and overwhelmed.

Therese had to learn how to sell as an introvert and has 14 years of experience heading up sales teams in the home and gift industry. She sits on the National Committee for The Giftware Association, and she’s the host of Let’s Talk Shop, a seasonal business podcast sharing stories and business advice.

I asked you what you wanted to know about trade shows, and Therese had answered all your questions and then some. Whether you are just starting out or an experienced seller there will be something useful for you in this podcast.

Listen in to hear Therese share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:29)
What a trade show actually is (03:12)
The benefits of selling at a trade show (04:29)
When is the right time in your business to exhibit at a trade show (05:46)
Useful things to have on your stand, from knowing your prices to having a catalogue (07:51)
How to make yourself memorable to buyers (10:46)
How to choose which trade show to attend (12:16)
How much to budget for attending a show and fitting out your stand (19:04)
The logistics of setting up your stand (20:47)
Top tips for displaying your product (24:57)
The most important thing people forget to do - get confident with selling (28:20)
Should you include your prices on the stand? (31:27)
Is it good to take another person or a friend with you to a trade show? (33:06)
Legal and insurance legislation to be aware of (34:49)
His number one piece of advice for anyone considering exhibiting at a trade show (36:50)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Small Business Collaborative Twitter

Podcast Let's Talk Shop

Small Business Collaborative Facebook

Lets Talk Wholesale Facebook Group

Small Business Collaborative Tik Tok

Therese Ørtenblad Linked In

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Leaving your career to start a new business - with Demi Pendakis - Find Your Glow Ltd

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0100

My guest on the podcast this week is Demi Pendakis. Demi created his business Find Your Glow (FYG) in 2020 through the covid pandemic, an affordable luxury, sustainable home fragrance brand producing scented candles, diffusers, washes & lotions. In the 2 years they’ve been trading they have won the prestigious 2022 Home Fragrance Gift of the Year Award for their Memories Collection.

I met Demi at the Top Drawer trade show, and immediately wanted to have him as a guest on the podcast as he had so much to share. Demi has been through a complete career change, and it was fascinating talking to him about how winning a prize has helped his business, how he has built his brand and the importance of trade shows. Demi does a lot of sales directly to shows and has lots of great advice to share about being comfortable selling, having conversations and running stalls at Trade Shows.

Listen in to hear Demi share:

An introduction to himself and his business (01:53)
How he entered and won an award (02:15)
What winning an award has changed for his business (03:03)
His corporate background in the fashion industry (04:19)
The inspiration for setting up Find Your Glow (05:52)
Using Lockdown to teach himself new skills (10:39)
Designing his range (13:36)
Researching prices (16:06)
Focusing on selling B2B (17:24)
How Trade Shows have worked for FYG (18:55)
His top tips for Trade Shows (26:22)
Being comfortable selling your product (27:36)
Tips to prepare for Christmas (33:53)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (36:55)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Find Your Glow Website

Find Your Glow Instagram

The Giftware Association

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Podcast: Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Creating products to support causes you care about - with Elizabeth Rees - Eliza Eliza

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast I'm speaking with Elizabeth Rees, the founder of Eliza Eliza.

Eliza Eliza is a bag and accessories brand based in Cardiff, Wales, aiming to empower you to start conversations about the causes you care about. The hashtag Elizabeth uses for her business is Carry Your Cause.

We spoke about the causes that Elizabeth supports through her business, how she does that, how she's formed partnerships, as well as all the details about how she designs and creates her products. We also talked about the merits of selling on Etsy Vs on your own website, and how Elizabeth is driving people to her website for sales.

There is lots to inspire you, and some great thoughtful advice to take away and use in your own business.

Listen in to hear Elizabeth share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:15)
How she started making bags (01:43)
Why she decided to turn making bags into a business (03:39)
Why she uses hemp to make her bags, and its sustainable properties (07:44)
How she started selling on Etsy (16:36)
Her first collaboration with a charity (17:09)
The V Collection and working with more charities (19:46)
How she found fabric designers (23:00)
How Gillian Anderson & Emily Clarkson came to share the bags (27:23)
Moving from Etsy to her own website (28:49)
How she attracts people to her website (31:35)
What has worked and hasn’t worked on social media (34:46)
Using an accountability partner (38:00)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (40:30)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Eliza Eliza Website

Eliza Eliza Twitter

Eliza Eliza Instagram

Eliza Eliza Facebook

Spoonflower

Female Entrepreneur Association

Charities Mentioned

Unseen

The Eve Appeal

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

My experience attending the Top Drawer Trade Show - with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Have you ever wondered what a trade show is like? This week I am sharing my experiences at the Top Drawer Trade Show, one of the premier retail trade shows in the UK, a 3 day event at Olympia in London.

I share what the experience was like as a visitor, which booths stood out to me and why, and why you might consider attending a trade show yourself.

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction to Top Drawer Trade Show, and what it is (00:39)
Spotting trends (02:45)
The talks that were on (03:34)
What it is like attending as a visitor (04:23)
Seasonal differences between trade shows (05:02)
Choosing your spot (06:53)
The range of booths available (10:16)
Which booths stood out to me and why (11:41)
The challenge of finding a price for products (12:32)
Why you might benefit from attending a trade show (14:10)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Top Drawer

House of Two Trees

The Positive Planner

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Getting ready to launch your first product- with Laura Gillett, Stomperz Shoes

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast I'm speaking to Laura Gillett. Laura is the founder of Stomperz, a children's shoe brand specialising in wide fitting shoes in fun, affordable styles, which have just launched.

Laura and I talked about what it takes to come up with an idea, and then implement an idea for a product. The focus is on the early stages of starting up a business, and how Laura managed this alongside her full-time job and young family.

Listen in to hear Laura share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:07)
What inspired her to create her own product (01:30)
Researching how to to create her own shoes (02:46)
Finding a shoe designer (05:59)
Finding a manufacturer (07:24)
The time frame involved (08:30)
The launch range (09:47)
Testing the prototypes (13:19)
Working with the manufacturer in China (16:50)
Building her website (21:56)
Getting insurance (24:21)
Her launch plans (25:48)
Being realistic about her time when also working full time (29:28)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (30:12)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Stomperz Shoes Website

Stomperz Shoes Instagram

Stomperz Shoes Facebook

Stomperz Shoes Linked In

Stomperz Shoes Twitter

Fiver

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Neon Digital Clicks Website

Hosted by Captivate

Why you should be selling your products on TikTok - with Anna Frapwell

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today’s podcast is one I have today's episode is one I've been wanting to record for a while, because today we are talking about TikTok and specifically how to sell your products on TikTok. So I've been looking around for a while for an expert that could talk to us about this.

Enter Anna Frapwell. Anna is the founder of Neon Digital Clicks a digital agency supporting e-commerce baby, kids and family brands to increase sales through a range of online marketing tactics. She has over 20 years experience in marketing and PR working for some pretty big agencies and retail brands... we're talking Revlon, Bravissimo, Baylis & Harding, Britax and global ads agency McCann Eriskson. The Neon team is passionate about helping clients to create a thriving ecosystem through paid social, Google and email marketing where their brands can grow and flourish!

We talk about why you might want to sell your products on TikTok, and how to go about it. It is a really eye-opening conversation, and a great way to explore a potential new marketing and sales avenue for your products business.

Listen in to hear Anna share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:40)
An introduction to TikTok (02:36)
The different lengths of video you can use (04:55)
How to shop on TikTok (06:50)
The sort of content to produce (07:56)
The TikTok demographic (11:04)
Whether people come on TikTok to buy (they do!)(12:57)
Reasons to give TikTok a try (15:07)
Getting started on TikTok (18:34)
Content ideas for Product Based Business TikTok videos (22:41)
How engagement works on TikTok (25:08)
TikTok ads (27:19)
Her number one piece of advice for people getting started on TikTok (34:27)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Neon Digital Clicks TikTok

Neon Digital Clicks Facebook

Neon Digital Clicks Instagram

Neon Digital Clicks Twitter

Anna Frapwell LinkedIn

UK Influencer Opportunities Facebook Group

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Find out more about the course

BONUS podcast episode - should you join my Group Product Creation programme (plus common concerns answered)

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 08:40:00 +0100

In this bonus episode I share a bit about my group product creation programme, which opens for registration today.

Listen in to me share:

What my group product creation programme is (00:35)
Who it is for (03:09)
Talking through some of your concerns and queries (06:05)
How you can contact me to find out more (10:54)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Zero Waste Company Website

Continually adapting your business - with Holly Watson, The Zero Waste Company

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast, I'm talking to Holly Watson. Holly is the co-founder of the Zero Cafe and Emporium, a plastic free cafe in community space in the heart of Tunbridge Wells.

The Ethical Emporium provides an opportunity to offer local independent designers, makers, and brands to showcase their sustainable artists and wears all under one roof. Along with co-founder and best friend Charlotte Bowyer. Holly is passionate about living a plastic-free lifestyle and encouraging others to do the same.

Holly and Lottie's business has pivoted many times over the past few years, partly from necessity and the result of things like COVID. Holly shares how they have made these decisions whilst ensuring they stay true to their core values.

Listen in to hear Holly share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:31)
What inspired her to set up a zero-waste shop (02:43)
The impact of covid on shopping habits (05:59)
Pivoting towards the cafe (06:41)
Why zero waste shops nationwide have struggled since the pandemic (09:01)
The challenges of sourcing and stocking zero waste products (14:28)
Learning to adapt your business (17:08)
Making the most of a flexible space (19:36)
Launching the Ethical Emporium (21:46)
Expanding the Ethical Emporium concept (30:47)
Developing her own product range, Wander & Wild (40:13)
Advice on running a business with a friend (46:59)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (54:02)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Zero Waste Company Facebook

Zero Waste Company Instagram

Zero Waste Company Twitter

Wander & Wild Candles

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Read the accompanying blog post

Hosted by Captivate

Create a product to sell in 10 weeks - with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Did you know you can create a product to sell in 10 weeks?

When I started out it took me a lot longer. I had no idea what I was doing, went down various rabbit holes on Youtube and wasted a lot of time and money. Fast forward to my subsequent products when I knew what I was doing, and I had a checklist; well the whole process was a lot more efficient, and I was making money from the product a lot sooner.

It can be done, so in this episode I share with you the fundamentals of how you can create your very own product to sell in 10 weeks.

EPISODE NOTES

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction to the topic (00:22)
Get my free checklist (02:57)
Week 1 - Get clear on your product idea (03:31)
Week 2 - Validate your product idea (06:16)
Week 3 - Data gathering & thinking about pricing (12:29)
Week 4 - Prepare your supply communication (16:19)
Week 5 - Research credible suppliers (19:15)
Week 6 - Tracking responses (22:42)
Ordering samples (26:00)
Week 7 - Shipping & logistics (28:30)
Week 8 - Finances (30:52)
Week 9 - Placing your order (33:13)
Week 10 - Creating a marketing & launch plan (34:05)
Join me in my group programme (35:45)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Free Product creation weekly planner & checklist

Free Validate your product idea

Podcast: How (and why) to validate your product ideas

Podcast: Should I source my product overseas?

Podcast: Shipping & importing your products

Podcast: Where to sell your products online

Join the group programme waitlist

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Podcast 112 Creating a food business and getting stocked in major supermarkets - with Marieke Syed - Snackzilla

Hosted by Captivate

Knowing your customer - with Siena Dexter - SmashBrand

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today my guest on the podcast is Siena Dexter. Siena is the Director of Brand Strategy and Associate Partner at Smashbrand, where she helps Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands win on shelf through quantified consumer metrics. Siena’s main interest is in Behavioural Economics and quantifiable ways to predict human behaviour - which happens to be exactly what Smashbrand does best.

We talked about packaging, branding, how to catch your customer’s eye, the importance of knowing your market and connecting with your audience.

Listen in to hear Siena share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:14)
The process of how SmashBrand test brands and packaging (01:50)
The challenges of rebranding (05:26)
Grabbing the consumer’s attention (07:06)
Predicting consumer behaviour (08:57)
How a small independent brand can stand out in the marketplace (10:27)
How to connect with your audience (11:25)
Make people care about your story (13:57)
Do you need to show the face behind the brand? (15:15)
How to make a brand a bestseller (18:52)
Being realistic about the work that goes into making a brand a success (21:40)
Key team members to recruit as you scale your brand & business (23:05)
Things to consider when approaching buyers (25:43)
Things to consider around the messaging of your brand (31:19)
Tips for what to include on your packaging (35:25)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (42:59)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

SmashBrand Website

SmashBrand LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Pico Party VIPs Facebook Group

Hosted by Captivate

Selling sustainable partyware - with Ciara Westhead - Pico

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Ciara Westhead from Pico. Pico brings sustainability to all occasions with a current focus on children's events. Ciara sells sustainable partyware, and we had a really great conversation about why she chose to start a business selling these products, some of the issues around sourcing them, and other ways you can make a party sustainable.

Pico is a young company, with big plans. It was really exciting to learn about Ciara’s plans for the future, and everything that she has achieved in a short space of time. I found it inspiring, and I hope you do too.

Listen in to hear Ciara share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:16)
Her current range of products (02:56)
Introducing reusable decorations (05:38)
What inspired her to start Pico (08:01)
Researching the market (08:50)
Finding a UK based supplier (10:04)
Organising her search for suppliers, and keeping track of replies (13:04)
The importance of having a clear vision (18:21)
Educating people on how to have more sustainable parties (21:05)
Dealing with greenwashing, and what it is (39:04)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (42:40)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Pico Website

Pico Party Facebook

Pico Instagram

Ciara Westhead Linked In

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

The importance of knowing your numbers - with Tas - Very Craftea

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Tas from Very Craftea. Tas exists to help all people create moments, to feel comforted and included by creating the best products accessible to everyone without compromise. Tas sells two separate product lines in her business, organic teas and craft kits, hence Very Craftea.

We spoke about Tas’s inspiration for setting up her business, building relationships with suppliers and the importance of having a good spreadsheet so that you know your numbers.

Listen in to hear Tas share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:20)
How she got the idea for her business (01:53)
The first steps of turning an idea into a business (04:31)
Building a business takes time (07:46)
Ensuring that she worked with ethical suppliers (19:01)
Building supplier relationships (22:11)
Finding suppliers for her craft kits (24:25)
Putting together her craft kits (29:17)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (39:45)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Very Craftea Website

Very Craftea Facebook

Very Craftea Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Free Resources, including How to successfully launch a product on Amazon or rescue one that’s not selling

Things to do with your Amazon Seller Central account this Summer - with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Are you an Amazon seller? This episode is for you. Much as we would all love to sit back and watch the sales roll in, we know that there is a little bit more to it. In this episode I am sharing my top tips of things that you could do over the summer when it is a little bit quieter to make the most of your seller central account setting.

It’s a short episode this week, full of actionable tips. As ever let me know how you get on, and if you have any questions.

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction to the topic (00:22)
Look at your reports (01:11)
Review your inventory (02:01)
Review your listings and optimise them if needed (03:06)
Do some competitor research (03:54)
Check your account health (04:56)
Review your Amazon advertising (05:46)
Apply or set up Amazon brand registry (07:46)
Check your products are up to date (11:03)
Run some promotions, or sell in a new marketplace (11:36)
Book an audit with me! (12:26)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Podcast Episode 111 15 Ways to give your product sales a boost

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Progressive Greetings Live

Paperchase owes me over £22,000 - with Angela Chick

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today my guest on the podcast is Angela Chick. Angela is an illustrator and designer with a love for colour and kindness. She creates unique gifts and greeting cards for people who care about other people.

I first heard about Angela in a post by Holly Tucker, where she was talking about the fact that Paperchase owes Angela £22,000. I didn't even know that Paperchase had gone into administration. Angela is not alone, and there are a whole host of small businesses who are owed money by Paperchase. Angela has really bravely agreed to come on and share her story with us, and how small businesses can protect themselves going forwards.

Listen in to hear Angela share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:20)
How she started her business (02:04)
Transitioning from being an artist in residence to running her business full time (05:15)
Getting stocked by Not On The High Street (09:58)
Where she gets inspiration for her products (16:03)
Selling the right products at the right time during the pandemic (17:46)
Finding producers and suppliers for her products (20:33)
Wholesaling her products (22:50)
Licensing her products (23:18)
Why licensing is an attractive option (25:28)
Her first experience at a Trade Show, Top Drawer (29:26)
Her top tips and advice for Trade Shows (31:50)
Her experience with Paperchase (41:45)
Finding out Paperchase has gone into Administration and what that meant for her (46:31)
Connecting with other small businesses also owed money by Paperchase (50:33)
How it has changed how Angela works with other companies (56:56)
Why working with smaller companies can be better than working with the biggest retailers (57:04)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (01:01:14)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Angela Chick Website

Angela Chick Facebook

Angela Chick Instagram

Angela Chick LinkedIn

Angela Chick Twitter

Trade Shows:

Top Drawer

Fellow Indies mentioned by Angela:

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Buyer & Retail Coach Website

How to start, launch and scale your product business - with Nicole Higgins - The Retail Coach

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today my guest on the podcast is Nicole Higgins. Nicole has worked as a buyer and head of buying for over 18 years for retailers such as Primark, M&S, Debenhams and George at Asda, gaining experience in buying, product development, strategy and leadership and global sourcing. In 2020 she established the Buyer and Retail Coach to help small businesses start and scale their product business and increase their sales and profits.

Nicole reveals her top tips from developing and launching your brand, to how to grow and scale your business, and common mistakes to avoid. There is so much knowledge here, and Nicole shares a range of excellent resources I know that you will want to investigate. Whether you are starting out, or looking to take the next step in your business, there are lots of takeaways actions in this episode.

Listen in to hear Nicole share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:04)
Learnings from working with big brands that can be applied to small brands (02:26)
The advantages of being a smaller brand (04:31)
The importance of outsourcing (05:13)
The first step to take when developing your product (07:26)
Pre-work to do before finding a supplier (09:38)
Questions to consider when choosing a supplier (11:08)
Pricing (13:33)
How to have a successful product launch (17:08)
Why Tik Tok is a great platform for a product business (21:48)
Great resources for PR tips (26:05)
How to successfully grow and scale your business (28:18)
Common mistakes to avoid (34:01)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (38:42)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Nicole Higgins:

The Buyer & Retail Coach Instagram

The Buyer & Retail Coach Podcast

FREE RESOURCE: Questions to ask suppliers when starting your business

Brands & Resources mentioned:

Adam Frisby - In The Style

Katie Tucker - Product Jungle

Fiona Minett - Boss Your PR

Lucy Werner - Hype Yourself

Lightbulb Facebook Group

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Willow & Bert Interiors Website

Working with a team of makers - with Chloe Hannay - Willow & Bert Interiors

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Today on the podcast I am talking to Chloe Hannay, founder of Willow & Bert Interiors. Chloe is an interior designer and soft furnishings consultant who also creates bespoke beautiful handcrafted curtains, blinds, cushions, and other soft furnishings, which are always finished with a Willow and Bert signature flourish.

I absolutely love talking to Chloe. She's the first guest I've had on who offers products and a service all in one. IT was a really interesting conversation learning about the world of Interior Design, and how Chloe evolved her business from making items herself, to running a team of makers who support her business.

I really hope that you also find it enjoyable and you learn from it and are inspired too.

Listen in to hear Chloe share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:32)
How she came to set up her business 8 years ago (02:26)
How she started out making everything herself (03:33)
Why she started to look for other people to make items for her, and building her team (04:08)
How she learnt how to reupholster items (06:33)
Adjusting to not making the items herself (08:18)
Combining a product and a service (10:28)
Pulling together a scheme with Willow & Bert bespoke pieces & high street purchases (17:37)
Managing fabric supplies post Covid (21:03)
Working as an interior designer through the pandemic (22:54)
How she built her team of makers (25:25)
Learning to delegate when you run a small business (27:18)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (29:58)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Willow & Bert Instagram

Willow & Bert Interiors Facebook

Willow & Bert Interiors Houzz

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Blog: How To Package Your Product To Sell

Hosted by Captivate

How to package and present your products - with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0100

EPISODE NOTES

This week on the podcast my focus is packaging, and how you present the products that you are going to sell. It’s an episode packed full of practical advice, that takes you through all the different things to consider when putting together the packaging for your product.

Firstly I share why good packaging matters, and how you can use it to elevate and market your brand.

Then we dig into the practical side, legislation to be aware of, Amazon marketplace requirements to consider if you want to sell via Amazon, and where to get your packaging made.

Finally I share my top tip for how to ensure you have the best packaging for your products.

Listen in to hear me share:

Why packaging is important (00:38)
Elevating your brand via your packaging (02:42)
The importance of robust packaging that protects your products (04:58)
Choosing and designing your product packaging (08:57)
What to put on your packaging (12:54)
Packaging legislation to be aware of (15:10)
Amazon marketplace packaging requirements to be aware of (16:33)
Where to get your packaging made (17:54)
Do you need a packaging designer? (19:46)
My final tip (21:28)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Blog: 5 Branding Essentials For Small Businesses by Cara Sayer

Podcast: Episode 80 How To Brand Your Physical Products with Cara Bendon

GS1 Website - for Amazon barcodes

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Podcast Episode 114 How to formulate a haircare range (and do it sustainably) with Laurence Quinnell, Leonora Haircare

Hosted by Captivate

Supply Chain Transparency - with Nadia Hussain - Hair Loving

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Nadia Hussain is the founder of Hair Loving who create hair products for all stages of life. Hair Loving specialise in promoting hair growth and health from childhood to postpartum and menopause.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I am talking to Nadia Hussain from Hair Loving. Hair Loving produced hair product for, all stages of life, and specialize in promoting hair growth and health and childhood to postpartum and menopause.

This is the second hair care company I’ve had on the podcast recently, a few weeks ago my guest was Laurence Quinnell of Leonora Haircare. Nadia and Laurence may be selling similar products, but their stories and business set up are completely different.

Nadia’s background is that she is a highly successful hair and make up artist, who also runs a hair & make up training academy. Nadia developed her products after years of speaking to her customers about their hair care woes.

I found it fascinating learning about the differences and similarities between their businesses, as it illustrates perfectly that there is no one ‘correct way of doing things.

It has to be what works for you.

Listen in to hear Nadia share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:32)
What inspired her to create her products (02:11)
How she started the process of producing her products (03:33)
Research and learning how to properly formulate products (05:00)
Transitioning from developing the products herself to outsourcing production (06:14)
Why she decided to outsource product production (08:20)
Supply chain transparency, what it is and why it is important (11:09)
When she realised that her self formulated products could become a business (15:39)
How Lockdown helped boost the launch of her business and website (17:19)
How she started wholesaling (21:24)
Attending trade and customer exhibitions (23:15)
Getting stocked in John Lewis & Fenwicks ((23:46)
Expanding her range with gift boxes (26:35)
Selling on Amazon (27:59)
The importance of getting the fundamentals right on Amazon (32:52)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (35:03)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Hair Loving Website

Hair Loving Instagram

Hair Loving Facebook

Hair Loving Linked In

Hair Loving Twitter

Hair Loving Youtube

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

Preparing to sell your products at Christmas - with Catherine Erdly

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Catherine Erdly is the founder of the Resilient Retail Club, and helps product businesses start, grow and scale profitable businesses that last. In this podcast Catherine shares her top tips for how you can prepare to sell your products this Christmas.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I'm re-releasing a conversation I recorded with Catherine Erdly last September about how to prepare for Christmas.

Catherine is the founder of the Resilient Retail Club. Catherine worked in the retail sector for two decades, working with household names such as Coast, Laura Ashley and Paperchase. She now helps product businesses start, grow and scale profitable businesses that last through her group membership and 1-2-1 consulting. Catherine shares the best things that you can do as a product-based business in the run-up to Christmas to help yourself and boost sales.

I came away from the podcast with the sense I was sharing it all too late, and actually summer is when you need to start prepping for Christmas. My hope is that by re-releasing this episode now, you will find things you can do that will save you a lot of stress in October, November & December this year.

It is an episode packed full of specific, actionable steps, and is going to help so many of you have a less stressful Christmas season!

Listen in to hear Catherine share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:43)
When to start planning for Christmas (02:19)
Long-term Christmas planning (04:24)
When to start talking about Christmas to your customers (09:42)
Things you can do now to start prepping for Christmas (13:14)
Jobs that you should leave now until after Christmas! (19:18)
How to make the most of Christmas if your product isn’t a traditional gift (23:16)
The particular opportunities you have this Christmas (28:19)
Tasks you should be doing after Christmas (30:00)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators this Christmas (33:36)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Resilient Retail Club Twitter

Resilient Retail Club Facebook

Resilient Retail Club Instagram

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Jade Tinkler Instagram - Branding

How to take and edit your own product photos (using a smartphone) - with Jade Tinkler

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Jade Tinkler is an award-winning portrait photographer, who specialises in helping women to be seen, celebrated and empowered - particularly those over the age of 40. She helps women to realise that they are photogenic, through creating beautiful portraits that they love and are proud of.

Jade also helps female business owners and entrepreneurs to stand out from the crowd whilst looking (and feeling) confident within their brands, through appealing and inspiring brand-styled photography.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

This week my guest on the podcast is Jade Tinkler, an award winning portrait, who recently took the headshots and branding photos that you will see on my website.

Jade joins me today to share how you can take great photos of your products using your phone and how to edit them. And she had some really great advice and made it sound so simple to take really good photos with your phone, using hardly any props, just a bit of natural light and maybe some white cardboard. Jade will explain why! I hope that after listening to this episode, you are inspired to go away and experiment with taking your own product photos yourself

Listen in to hear Jade share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:44)
Why having good photos of your products is important (02:43)
The types of images you need of your products (05:03)
The types of photos you can take with your phone (08:37)
Choosing your background (09:58)
Useful props for taking a good photo (11:23)
Getting the lighting right(12:06)
Taking photos outside (15:45)
Editing your photos (16:49)
Her top tips for photo editing software (19:47)
Her number one piece of advice for taking photos (23:58)
Details about upcoming workshops and webinars that Jade is running (26:08)

USEFUL RESOURCES

Jade Tinkler Website

Jade Tinkler Facebook

Jade Tinkler Instagram - Portraits

Jade Tinkler Linked In

Snapseed

Jade Tinkler Webinar: THE 5 TOP SECRETS OF PHONE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Jade Tinkler Workshop: BOOST YOUR BUSINESS WITH DIY FLAT LAY PHOTOGRAPHY

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

How to price your products - with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0100

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today’s episode is all about pricing, in particular how to work out the price for your product. There is a plethora of information online about how to work out your product price, from working out manufacturing costs, packaging costs, and then adding profit on top of it.

My advice is different. I advocate working out your product price first. Do your research, learn the market and decide what you want to sell your product for. Then work backwards to see if you can make it cost effective. I believe using this method can save you a lot of time and heartache down the line.

Listen in to hear me share:

Why I wanted to record this episode (00:45)
The method I think you should use for working out your product price (01:23)
Why it is important to decide on your price first (01:35)
The importance of doing your research (05:57)
Working out where your product fits in the market (07:09)
The advantages of knowing your product price as you develop your product (08:25)
What to do if there is nothing else similar to compare it to (09:50)
Ways to reduce the product costs for you (10:32)

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Leonora Haircare Instagram

Hosted by Captivate

How to formulate a haircare range (and do it sustainably) with Laurence Quinnell, Leonora Haircare

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0100

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I’m talking to Laurence Quinnell from Leonora Haircare. I actually have two businesses on the podcast in the next couple of weeks who sell hair products. The reason for this is they make similar products, but their stories and way they have produced their hair products are really different, and I think it is fascinating to see different ways of setting up a similar business.

I know Laurence personally, use her products myself, and I've been really inspired by her story over the last couple of months. Laurence is an ex-midwife who, having been made redundant from a high street job in the pandemic, has set up her own business and is making the products at home. She has been incredibly diligent about making sure that her products are all accredited and certified, and has developed her products using Ayurvedic ingredients. She has achieved so much in a short amount of time, and is incredibly knowledgeable about the importance of ensuring cosmetic products are safe to use, and how to go about this.

Listen in to hear Laurence share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:17)
Using Ayurvedic ingredients (05:49)
Finding a formula that worked, and getting it certified (09:04)
Practical considerations when creating your product at home (12:17)
Long it takes to create a batch (14:42)
How long it took to bring her products to market (15:42)
Gaining feedback, reviews and customers from sending out samples (19:30)
Sourcing sustainable packaging (23:25)
Using fellow small business owners for printing and logo design (25:45)
Getting stocked in local shops and setting up partnerships with hair salons (28:52)
The differences between selling on Etsy and on her website, and shipping globally (34:11)
The importance of testing the product at the outset (41:33)
Working with the NEA (46:51)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (49:47)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Leonora Haircare Website

Leonora Haircare Etsy

Leonora Haircare Facebook

Leonora Haircare Tiktok

Leonora Haircare Twitter

Laurence Quinnell Linked In

NEA - New Enterprise Allowance - this has now closed to new participants June 2022

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Tilia Publishing on Facebook

Hosted by Captivate

Moving your products business online - with Amanda Davey, Tilia Publishing

Fri, 27 May 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Amanda Davey writes books and produces greeting cards that celebrate the beauties and quirkiness of the world around us in all its richness. The underpinning idea is to help people to learn more about what they can see around them, without them fully realising they are learning! There is unpredictability in non-fiction and that’s where Amanda’s heart lies.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I’m talking to Amanda Davey from Tilia Publishing. Amanda writes books and produces greeting cards that celebrate the beauties and quirkiness of the world around us in all its richness. The underpinning idea is to help people learn more about what they can see around them without fully realising they're learning. There's unpredictability and non-fiction, and that's definitely where Amanda's heart lies.

Amanda and I discuss how her business has evolved from starting to sell greetings cards via local shops and retailers, to moving online and building a website. We discussed the challenges of getting stocked in shops, fast changing fashions and how the business has changed since the pandemic.

Listen in to hear Amanda share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:20)
How she got started selling cards (02:00)
What she did before she started the business (03:56)
Identifying a gap in the market for local cards (06:09)
Where she initially sold her products (08:55)
Setting up a website (11:49)
Approaching and getting stocked in shops (19:09)
Developing and expanding her range, and exploring new markets (25:41)
Why she uses a local printers rather than somewhere abroad (30:29)
Changing fashions in the Greeting Card industry (35:40)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (38:08)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Tilia Publishing Website

Tilia Publishing on Twitter

Amanda Davey LinkedIn

The Ladder Club

Podcast Episode 94: How to make your customer experience more inclusive (and make more sales) with Jodie Greer of Be People Smart

Just A Card Campaign

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Creating a food business and getting stocked in major supermarkets - with Marieke Syed - Snackzilla

Fri, 20 May 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Born out of a mum’s frustration to find healthy filling snacks for her two boys, SNACKZILLA soft-baked oat cookies are made especially for kids, supporting them to live healthier lives without compromising on taste or fun.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Marieke Syed is the founder of SNACKZILLA, who make soft-baked oat cookies made especially for kids, supporting them to live healthier lives without compromising on taste or fun. SNACKZILLA was born out of Marieke’s frustration to find healthy filling snacks for her two boys. Marieke’s products are stocked in Ocado, and will soon be in Sainsburys.

Marieke is only the second guest I have had on the podcast who sells a food product. It was absolutely fascinating to talk to her and learn more about the process of mass producing a food product, getting stock in supermarkets and insider knowledge about the food industry.

Listen in to hear Marieke share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:12)
What inspired her to start Snackzilla (01:54)
The journey from inspiration to creating her own recipe (04:17)
Working with food developers (07:06)
Selling her product to supermarkets (10:02)
Finding a manufacturer (16:27)
Growing her business, and making her first staff hires (20:34)
Advice for hiring staff (24:54)
Sourcing investment (26:18)
Industry specific regulations and challenges (29:43)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (34:35)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

15 Ways To Give Your Product Sales A Boost - with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 13 May 2022 06:00:00 +0100

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

What is the one thing we all want to do? Sell more of our products. I thought I would share some ideas that worked for me when I ran my own product-based business, Tiny Chipmunk, and things that I have seen work for my clients.

I’m not a sales expert, and not everything that I suggest will work for everyone or appeal to everyone. But I wanted to share a few different ideas that you could try to give your sales a boost.

At the end of the episode I have included some Amazon specific ideas. I hope you will find this useful even if you don’t currently sell on Amazon, as some of these tips are transferable to other platforms.

Good luck and let me know what works for you.

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction to myself and the topic (00:34)
My top sales tips (01:44)
Sales tips for Amazon (12:31)
How to share your tips (21:58)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Episode 82 How to sell your products on social media with Emma Peries, Digital Mother

Episode 76 How to work with influencers with Donna Jackson

Free Resources, including Amazon Checklist

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Juniper Studio on Not On The High Street

Hosted by Captivate

Creating a Sustainable Business - with Georgina Robinson, Juniper Studio

Fri, 06 May 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Juniper Studio create bespoke keepsakes, gifts and decor. With a passion for treasuring the small things in life, they pride themselves on sustainability, crafting keepsakes for families to look back on and treasure for generations to come.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Georgina Robinson is the founder of Juniper Studio, who create bespoke keepsakes, gifts and decor. She has a passion for treasuring small things in life, and she prides herself on sustainability and crafting keepsakes for families to look back on and treasure for generations to come.

Georgina and I speak a lot about her products, her inspiration, and how she is making her business more sustainable and reducing its environmental impact, including using a Shopify app which means a tree is planted every time Georgina receives an order.

Listen in to hear Georgina share:

An introduction to herself and her business (00:55)
How she started her business (02:03)
Working with Not On The High Street (02:57)
Using content creators to help with social media marketing (06:18)
Managing her time (08:13)
Creating her products (09:53)
Making her business more sustainable (14:42)
How small businesses are leading the way with sustainability (29:51)
Her number one piece of advice for other authors (31:43)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Juniper Studio Website

Juniper Studio Instagram

Greencast

Tree Nation Shopify App

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Bullet Journal Method Book

Hosted by Captivate

3D printing your own products to sell - with Raksha Patel, Reflect with Raksha

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Raksha Patel, of Reflect with Raksha, shares how her YouTube channel about bullet journaling led to the creation of a successful product business 3D printing stencils to help fellow bullet journalers.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today I’m interviewing a YouTube sensation, Raksha Patel of Reflect with Raksha. Raksha has over 15K subscribers, and uses journaling to help people slow down, reflect and pursue what really matters to them. Raksha believes that by looking after our minds and getting to know ourselves better, we can live happier and more fulfilled lives.

In this episode we explore bullet journaling and its benefits, building an audience on YouTube and how this community led to Raksha creating her own products using a 3D printer. I’ve never met anyone who is using a 3D printer to create their products before, so I was fascinated to learn about the process and how it works. It is much more accessible than I realised, and is something that anyone could do from home. I hope that you are as inspired as I was by this episode, whether it is to start bullet journaling or experiment with a 3D printer!

Listen in to hear Raksha share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:22)
How she started on YouTube (02:00)
How her YouTube channel has grown, and the opportunities it has created (05:21)
How the YouTube audience and community has influenced the development of her business (08:21)
What Bullet Journaling is (11:53)
The products that she has created (19:00)
Using a 3D printer (28:31)
Future ideas for products and her business (36:07)
Her number one piece of advice for other authors (40:32)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Raksha’s Youtube Channel

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

How writing a book can support your business - with Marina Fernandez Julian

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Coach and NLP Trainer Marina Fernandez Julian shares how writing a book has strengthened and enhanced her business.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today I have a fantastic interview for you with Marina Fernandez Julian. Marina is a coach and NLP master practitioner, a trainer and a facilitator. Marina is also the author of her book, Balance: Living A Life True To Yourself. In her book Marina explores how to live life in a way that is true to you. Marina shares her tools and techniques to empower you to create the life you’ve always wanted to live.

Marina shares what prompted her to write a book, the writing and publishing process and how the book works alongside her service offerings. Marina is full of encouraging advice, and shares how writing a book has made her more confident and gain clarity on who she is and what she can offer. It’s an inspiring and empowering episode.

Listen in to hear Marina share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:05)
An introduction to her book, and what it is about (01:26)
Who the book is for (04:09)
Why she decided to write a book (06:40)
Her book writing process (15:00)
Getting published (18:48)
Where the book is being sold (23:26)
Working with a distributor and marketing the book (24:04)
Advice for deciding between working with a publisher and self publishing (28:03)
How the book sits alongside her coaching business (30:26)
How writing a book can support your business (33:23)
Her number one piece of advice for other authors (41:46)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

GS1UK - for Amazon Barcodes

Common Amazon issues and how to resolve them - with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0100

I share my top tips for how to resolve and solve common issues you may encounter when selling on Amazon.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I want to talk about common issues that you can come across when selling on Amazon. Unfortunately these issues are quite common, but most of them can be solved.

My aim today is to share my tips and advice so that you don’t get put off by any problems you encounter, and are empowered as to how best to tackle them yourself.

Too many people encounter problems on Amazon that are tricky to solve, and give up selling on there, which is such a shame as I genuinely believe it is a brilliant platform for many product businesses. My hope is you find this episode useful, and don’t forget, you can always contact me for help if needed.

As always, I would love for you to listen in and let me know what you think.

Listen in to hear me share:

The challenges of dealing with Amazon Seller Support (02:19)
Common issues that can arise when selling on Amazon (05:31)
How to avoid having issues with your account (11:47)
Why research is your friend (12:15)
How long to allow for account set up (13:42)
What to do when things go wrong(14:38)
Why persistence is key (18:47)
Contacting Amazon Seller Support by phone (20:32)
Why Amazon Seller Support can be so poor (21:36)
My main piece of advice (23:14)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

My free resources

My website

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Bloglancer - Jenna’s website

How to get press coverage for your small business - with Jenna Farmer, The Bloglancer

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Jenna Farmer, the Bloglancer, helps small businesses get visible through amazing blog content and getting featured in the media.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

This week on the podcast we are talking about 2 things: blogging and how to get your products featured in the media.

My guest, Jenna Farmer, the Bloglancer, helps small businesses get visible through amazing blog content and getting featured in the media.

Jenna shares why writing a blog is important for your business, and some suggestions of topics you can write about when you have a product based business. Jenna then shares lots of practical tips of ways you can get featured in the media, from how to contact journalists, to what to put in your press release, to things to avoid doing which would be an automatic no for a journalist!

Jenna shares a vast amount of information, and this is a must listen episode for anyone looking to get more coverage and visibility for their products and business.

As always, I would love for you to listen in and let me know what you think.

Listen in to hear Jenna share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:39)
Why you should be writing blogs (02:02)
How often you should be writing blogs (03:32)
Ideas of topics to write about if you have a product based business (06:07)
Why you may want to be featured in the press (12:24)
How to look for press opportunities(14:50)
How to approach a journalist (19:51)
What to put in a press release (23:28)
How to make your response stand out to a journalist (29:23)
Things not to do (31:43)
How to prepare for a call with a journalist if you are nervous (36:38)
Her number one piece of advice to get visibility (43:36)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Jenna’s Instagram

Jenna’s Twitter

Jenna’s Podcast: The Bloglancer

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

National Autistic Society

Creating products with a cause - with Trish ODwyer - Autism Threads

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0100

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

This week is World Autism Acceptance week. and today I'm speaking with Trish O'Dwyer from a company called Autism Threads. Trish is the founder of an online shop that sells t-shirts, prints and accessories to raise positive awareness of autism support, autistic people and autistic charities, with the aim of starting conversations around autism.

Trish and I talk about her products, how they came to be, how she designed and sourced them, and where she sells them. We also talk a lot about autism. This was a particularly personal podcast for me, as my son has just been diagnosed with autism. We discussed the different ways that autism can present, the specific challenges for friends and family and how her business was born out of a desire to solve some of these situations. It is a really interesting and unique story, about a product business with a difference.

As always, I would love for you to listen in and let me know what you think.

Listen in to hear Trish share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:43)
A brief overview of autism, what it is, how it might present, and the challenges one can face (03:20)
The challenges of having a family member or friend with autism (15:12)
Why Trish set up Autism Threads, and the idea behind the business (16:06)
Why she decided upon t-shirts as her main product (18:22)
The change and impact that her products are having (21:40)
Her journey from concept to making the t-shirts a reality (31:05)
Balancing your vision with practical considerations (37:25)
Attending events, and selling her t-shirts in person (40:54)
Building your network, and why just having a website isn’t enough (45:12)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (48:04)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Autism Threads Website

Autism Threads Facebook

Autism Threads Instagram

Autism Threads Twitter

Trish ODwyer Linked In

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Creating a business you love - with Charlotte Phillips, Rugsy Lugsy

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 06:00:00 +0100

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

This week’s guest is Charlotte Philips of RugsyLugsy. Charlotte and her husband Neil handcraft home and giftware from reclaimed wood, which they sell online and in person at farmers and craft markets.

I loved talking to Charlotte, she’s got so much energy and positivity, and is so passionate about what she does. We talked about the differences between selling online and in person, how they source and use reclaimed wood, and ways you can minimise your product’s impact on the environment.

Listen in to hear Charlotte share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:15)
How and why she set up her business, including 2 career changes (01:33)
Their first products (04:04)
How they make and manage their product range both online and for markets (07:43)
A regular working week, and the importance of taking time for you (10:17)
Putting systems in place and delegating things that will take you too long (11:46)
Selling in markets during the pandemic(16:25)
The benefits of selling your product face to face (18:32)
How they source reclaimed wood to use (21:12)
Minimising the environmental impact of their products (26:07)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (33:41)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

RugsyLugsy Website

RugsyLugsy Instagram

RugsyLugsy Facebook

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Podcast Episode - How To Protect Your Protect Ideas with Mandy Haberman

Hosted by Captivate

How to run a successful crowdfunding campaign - with Jes Baily, Crowdfund 360

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Jes Bailey is the founder of Crowdfund 360 and helps organisations run successful crowdfunding campaigns so that they can bring their products to life and build their customer base with more ease.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

I’ve been asked to do an episode on crowdfunding for a while, as I know it is something many of you are interested in. Today I am pleased to welcome the perfect guest to share her expert knowledge about crowdfunding.

Jes Bailey is the founder of Crowdfund 360 and helps organisations run successful crowdfunding campaigns so that they can bring their products to life and build their customer base with more ease.

Jes explains the pros and cons of crowdfunding, what it is, how it works, which platforms to use and what you need to put together a successful crowdfunding campaign.

There is a lot to explore, and Jes kindly shares a huge amount of information, advice and examples of how to create a crowdfunding campaign that's super successful.

Listen in to hear Jes share:

An introduction to herself and her business (02:10)
What crowdfunding is (03:18)
When you might consider crowdfunding as an option (04:27)
The rewards you might offer when crowdfunding (13:25)
Why the size of your crowd before you start matters so much (22:38)
How to build your audience (30:57)
Content to include on your crowdfunding page (36:53)
How to choose which crowdfunding platform to use (42:16)
Potential downsides of crowdfunding to be aware of (50:33)
The highs of crowdfunding (56:26)
Common misconceptions (58:15)
How long the process takes (01:01:59)
How Crowdfund 360 can help you (01:06:54)
Her number one piece of advice for running a successful crowdfunding campaign (01:09:39)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Crowdfund 360 Website

Crowdfund 360 Youtube

Crowdfund 360 Instagram

Crowdfund 360 Twitter

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Indie Collective Instagram

Hosted by Captivate

Taking part in an accelerator to grow your business - with Stephanie Orr

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 06:00:00 +0100

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

This week’s guest is Stephanie Orr. Steph is a screen printer and founder of Flat102 and Co Founder of The Indie Collective. Steph created Flat102 to bring a colourful and uplifting dose of cheerfulness for your home. The Indie Collective was founded to support local designers and makers and give them an opportunity to be seen on the high street.

We had a really wide ranging conversation, covering Steph’s own product business, Etsy, how the Indie Collective came about, pop up shops and being part of the Natwest Business Accelerator, which is a free program you can apply to join.

Listen in to hear Steph share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:52)
How she got into screen printing(02:27)
What inspires her designs (07:50)
Starting out on Etsy (11:53)
Her top tips for selling on Etsy (16:14)
How her hobby became her business (17:57)
Selling her product in pop up shops (20:06)
How the Indie Collective came about, and what it is (26:28)
Running a pop up in her local shopping centre (27:37)
The differences between selling online and in person (33:03)
Being part of the Natwest Business Accelerator (36:05)
The application process for the Accelerator (45:25)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (45:16)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Indie Collective Facebook

The Natwest Accelerator

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Meera’s Made From Scratch Website

Hosted by Captivate

How to create an integrated range of products & services - with Meera Bhogal

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Meera Bhogal helps people to understand how food can nourish our body and mind to support optimal health, using a holistic approach via her website, products and services Meera’s Made From Scratch.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

This week’s guest is Meera Bhogal, or Meera’s Made From Scratch. Meera helps people to understand how food can nourish their bodies and mind to support optimal health using her holistic approach. Meera offers all kinds of products and services, which work seamlessly together to support your health, from memberships, bespoke programs and 1to1 services to selling her products, food made from scratch.

I wanted to find out more about how Meera combines all the aspects of her business, and the unique challenges that creating and selling food products brings from legislation and compliance to the fact that all your products have an expiry date.

Listen in to hear Meera share:

An introduction to herself and her business (02:05)
How she came to start her business (02:45)
How the different parts of her business evolved including products and services (04:25)
How she grew and educated her audience (06:13)
The link between food and wellbeing (08:19)
How she got interested in food, and its impact on her health and wellbeing (10:35)
How she transitioned from making food for family and friends to it becoming a business (15:50)
How she grew her audience (17:50)
How she practically manages making everything at home (21:16)
The challenges of delivering fresh food (25:21)
The certification you need in order to be able to make and sell food (26:01)
The challenges of having a product which rapidly expires (29:56)
The services she provides alongside her products (33:29)
Her future plans for the business, including kids subscription boxes (37:46)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (40:25)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Meera’s Instagram

Meera’s Facebook

Food Standards Agency Website

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

My first year - with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Amazon consultant and Bring Your Ideas To Life Podcast host Vicki Weinberg celebrates the 100th episode of her podcast by looking back and reviewing her first year running a product based business.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

I can’t believe this is the 100th episode! I wasn’t sure what to share, so I asked you, in my free Facebook Group Product Creators Club. I was asked to share how my first year running a product business went, so here we are. I set up my business Tiny Chipmunk, in 2016, so I was very grateful for the blogs I wrote at the time to help me remember what I did, and the things that happened.

I share my main learnings, and things that I would do differently now. I hope that you find this useful, don’t forget everyone’s product journey is different, so my story will be different to yours. If you are through those first couple of years, and you would like to share your story on the other side, I would absolutely love to talk to you. Please do get in touch.

Listen in to hear me share:

Deciding what to do to mark 100 Episodes (00:21)
The background to my first year in business (01:54)
Why getting started took a long time (02:57)
Why I needed the Product Creation Checklist (04:35)
Mistakes I made along the way (06:49)
How long it took to get my first product out there (08:04)
Why I should have started growing an audience earlier on (12:36)
The importance of not trying to do it all at once (13:25)
Why not share your story with me? (16:40)

USEFUL RESOURCES

Contact me to be on a episode

Podcast episodes:

Episode 14: Things I’ve Learnt In 4 Years Of Running A Products Business (my origin story!)

Episode 93: Tiny Chipmunk Update (taking the decision to close my products business)

Free downloadable resources:

Download My Free Product Creation Checklist

Download My Free Guide 7 Free Ways To Validate Your Product Idea

Work with me:

Find out more about my Product Creation Courses

Find out more about my Product Creation Power Hour

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Haberman Global Innovations LinkedIn

Hosted by Captivate

How to protect your product ideas - with Mandy Haberman

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Mandy Haberman is a successful inventor and entrepreneur, who has created a range of infant feeding products which she has invented and successfully brought to market.

She is a recognised authority on corporate theft and patent infringement, having successfully defended her own intellectual property in the USA, UK and Europe.

Mandy joins host Vicki Weinberg, to share her story, and her insights on how you can protect your product ideas.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today I have a fantastic interview for you with Mandy Haberman. Mandy is the founder and creative director of Haberman Global Innovations Limited.

Mandy is an inventor and entrepreneur, who revolutionised the infant feeding products industry. She has a fantastic story to share with us today, where she goes right back to the launch of her first product.

Mandy talks about patents and about design rights, and shares her story of what happened to her when a big company, and she does name them, decided to copy her product. Mandy explains the steps she took to protect her rights, the eventual outcome and shares fantastic detailed practical advice about the steps you can take to prevent this from happening to you.

Listen in to hear Mandy share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:34)
The story behind her first invention, the Haberman Feeder (02:41)
How she went about going into production and setting up her own business (11:39)
Her experiences of being a female entrepreneur in the 1980’s (14:12)
How she transitioned from creating her product herself to finding a manufacturer (18:49)
What a know-how licence is (23:55)
How to create an audit trail for your trade secrets (24:25)
The origins of her second product, the Anywayup Cup (25:35)
The difference between patents and design rights (28:13)
The range of different rights, from trademarks to intellectual property rights, and why it is important to register for them (30:10)
How a big company copied her product (31:23)
Deciding whether to take legal action (34:16)
Winning the legal case (36:49)
How long the process took (38:40)
How to stop other businesses from copying you (41:23)
How much you can expect this to cost (46:48)
Why it is worth investing in protecting your products and ideas (49:35)
The steps to take if you think someone is copying your product (54:35)
Why you should be wary of trying to handle it via social media (57:28)
Alternatives you can pursue rather than taking the case to the High Court (01:02:27)
The very first thing to do if you think if you think someone is copying your product (01:05:20)
How she got the Anywayup Cup stocked by Tesco's and other major supermarkets (01:06:16)
Her tips and advice for product design (01:09:30)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (01:09:39)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

www.mandyhaberman.com

www.habermanbaby.com

Mandy Haberman LinkedIn

Haberman Baby Facebook

Haberman Baby Twitter

UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO)

(For advice and help with all types of intellectuelle property).

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office

British Library Business and IP Centre (BIPC)

https://www.bl.uk/business-and-ip-centre

The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys

(For a list of registered patent agents)

https://www.cipa.org.uk/

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Episode 9 How to carry out your own customer and market research - with Abbey Teunis

Creating your product, step-by-step - with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Amazon expert and Bring Your Ideas To Life Podcast host Vicki Weinberg shares the step by step process for creating your first product.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

In many of my podcast episodes I talk with guest experts and product creators about different aspects of the product creation journey. For this episode I thought it would be helpful to put all these pieces together, and give you an overview of the entire process. I share the steps to take, and point you to lots of resources that you can use along the way from other podcast episodes to free checklists that I provide. Everyone’s product creation journey will be a bit different, but I really think there is something in here for everybody.

Listen in to hear me share:

Why I wanted to record this episode (00:38)
Define what your product is and who it is for (02:25)
Validate your product idea (04:15)
Carry out some market research i.e. look at other products (08:58)
Finalise your product specification (12:11)
Do you need a patent or any other protection? (14:43)
Work out your pricing (15:14)
Think about branding and logos (20:01)
Decide where you’d like to source your product (22:13)
Research credible suppliers (22:58)
Prepare your supplier communication (26:26)
Contact suppliers (28:28)
Order product samples and review them (31:13)
Get shipping quotes if applicable (35:28)
Order your product (36:01)
Work out how and where you’ll ship and store your product (38:09)
Decide where you are going to sell your product (40:45)
Open accounts with online marketplaces (42:15)
Write your product description (44:03)
Arrange product photography (45:00)
Ways you can work with me and how I can help you (45:45)

USEFUL RESOURCES

Podcast episodes:

Episode 12 How to write a product specification for a physical product - with Vicki Weinberg

https://vickiweinberg.com/captivate-podcast/finding-a-great-supplier-to-create-your-product/

Episode 30 Where’s the best place to sell products online? - with Vicki Weinberg

Episode 32 How to write a product description that sells - with Vicki Weinberg

Episode 34 How to take your own professional product photos - with Georgina Little

Episode 36 Shipping and importing your products - with Simon Arnold, Unity Logistics

Episode 54 Wholesale for small businesses - with Therese Ortenblad

Episode 58 Building a website for your products business - with Marie Brown, Beyond The Kitchen Table

Episode 64 How to sell on Etsy - with Anna Panteli, Anna’s Planners

Episode 72 What’s Your USP? - with Vicki Weinberg

Episode 80 How to brand your physical products - with Cara Bendon

Episode 83 How to set up an effective e-commerce store - with Anna Heneback

Episode 89 How to make wholesale with - with Sasha Gupta, Cheeky Zebra

Blog posts:

How to take your own professional product photos

Free downloadable resources:

Download My Free Product Creation Checklist

Download My Free Guide 7 Free Ways To Validate Your Product Idea

Work with me:

Find out more about my Product Creation Courses

Find out more about my Product Creation Power Hour

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Soulstar Sanctuary Website

The importance of experimenting while creating your products - with Emma Sims, Soul Star Sanctuary

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 07:35:00 +0100

Emma Sims, is the founder of Soulstar Sanctuary Reiki practice in Tunbridge Wells. Emma is also an energy healer, a crystal therapist and intuitive guide. Emma has developed and created her own range of products, handcrafted aromatherapy blends called ‘Mood Sprays’, created to enhance and protect your energy and joins me today to share her product business journey.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Emma Sims is an energy healer, a crystal therapist and intuitive guide who is the founder of the Soulstar Sanctuary Reiki practice in Tunbridge Wells.

Emma works with adults and children helping transform their lives through energy work. Emma has a beautiful range of products called mood sprays that helped to enhance the healing and your moods. Emma also teaches Reiki and runs a variety of wellbeing workshops, weaving essential oils into all that she does.

So I really enjoyed the conversation with Emma, and we spoke about how she developed her products and the benefits of essential oils in general, something I knew very little about. A key theme that comes through from Emma's story is how much she has just jumped right in and had a go, experimenting, testing and refining her product along the way. I found it really inspiring, and hope that you do too.

Listen in to hear Emma share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:54)
The inspiration and story behind her products (03:00)
How she set about practically developing her product idea (06:16)
New products that she is developing (11:54)
Seeking feedback from others (15:41)
Her main customer base and marketing authentically (17:35)
Future ideas for her business (22:25)
The challenge of selling scented products online (31:06)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (39:23)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Soulstar Sanctuary Etsy Shop

Soulstar Sanctuary Instagram

Soulstar Sanctuary Facebook

Podcast Episode: Wholesale for Small Business with Therese Ørtenblad

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Tonbridge Accountants Website

Hosted by Captivate

Small business finances - with Wendy & Laughton Ross, Tonbridge Accountants

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Wendy and Laughton Ross, the husband and wife team behind Tonbridge Accountants, join me to discuss finances for small businesses, and share their wealth of experience and knowledge with us, to equip us with the right skills and know how to understand and grow your business.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

In today's episode, we're going to talk about finances for small businesses. It’s an area that I personally as a small business owner knew least about and struggled with the most. So I'm really hoping this will be helpful for all of you. Here to guide us through it all are Wendy and Laughton Ross, a husband and wife team of chartered accountants with over 30 years of experience.

Together they run Tonbridge Accountants and they want to share their wealth of experience with like-minded entrepreneurs and ambitious business owners, supporting them to achieve their goals and grow their business.

Wendy and Laughton are passionate about using their skills and knowledge to take care of the financial side of things so that you can focus on what you're passionate about, which is your business.

Listen in to hear Wendy & Laughton share:

An introduction to themselves and their business (02:35)
Why it is important to have an accounting and bookkeeping system (03:49)
The best ways to keep track of money going in and out of your business (05:40)
The pros and cons of doing your accounting yourself (07:24)
The information that you should be recording (11:11)
The importance of having a separate bank account for your business (13:21)
The difference between setting up as a sole trader and limited company, and things to consider (15:35)
Why it is important to understand where your business is financially (27:05)
The different business costs that you need to factor in (30:45)
Costs you may be able to claim for if you are working from home (37:21)
Their number one piece of advice for product creators (43:00)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Tonbridge Accountants Facebook

Tonbridge Accountants Instagram

Wendy Ross Linked In

Xero

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Podcast Episode 88: Why your product needs to be on Amazon with Cara Sayer, Snooze Shade

Hosted by Captivate

5 Reasons to consider selling your products on Amazon with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Amazon expert and Bring Your Ideas To Life Podcast host Vicki Weinberg shares 5 reasons to consider selling your products on Amazon.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Where are you in your product journey? You might be selling your products on your own website, via Etsy, eBay or another marketplace, or perhaps you're still in the process of creating your product.

In this episode I wanted to share five reasons that it might be worth considering selling your products on Amazon. Some you may be able to guess, others may really surprise you. And I wanted to reassure you that it doesn’t have to be scary or hard, I have lots of resources that you can use if I convince you that Amazon is where you need to be.

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction to myself and my business (00:55)
Reason number one (01:01)
Reason number two (02:45)
Reason number three (06:50)
Reason number four (09:10)
Reason number five (10:42)
Things to be aware of (12:25)
Ways you can work with me and how I can help you (16:15)

USEFUL RESOURCES

Podcast Episode 79: What to do when things go wrong on Amazon with Vicki Weinberg

Podcast Episode 70: Is Amazon the right marketplace for you? With Vicki Weinberg

https://vickiweinberg.com/captivate-podcast/how-to-successfully-launch-a-product-on-amazon-or-rescue-one-thats-not-selling/

Podcast Episode 41: Selling on Amazon - how to set yourself up for success with Vicki Weinberg

Download My Free Product Creation Checklist

Download My Free Guide To How To Successfully Launch A Product On Amazon

Download My Free Guide 7 Free Ways To Validate Your Product Idea

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Be People Smart Linked In

How to make your customer experience more inclusive (and make more sales) - with Jodie Greer, Be People Smart

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +0100

Jodie Greer, founder of Be People Smart, joins podcast host Vicki Weinberg to share some simple ways to make your customer experience more inclusive for everyone.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today. I am delighted to be joined by Jodie Greer, founder of Be People Smart on the podcast.

Be People Smart supports organisations of all sizes from all sectors, both private and public, to be more inclusive by considering all staff and customers in the way they operate and communicate.

I’ve known Jodie for years, and recently heard her talk at an event which really opened my eyes to lots of things that I could easily be doing, but wasn’t, to make my website and social media much more inclusive for everyone. I hope you find it as useful as I did, there are lots of simple ideas that you are going to want to action straight away.

Listen in to hear Jodie share:

An introduction to herself and her business (02:35)
What we mean when we talk about making things more inclusive and accessible (02:51)
Why you are missing our on custom if you don’t take this into account (05:23)
Practical things you can do to make your website more accessible and inclusive (07:43)
Things you can do if you are selling on third party websites (16:26)
Practical things you can do to make your social media more accessible and inclusive (21:40)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (29:51)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Be People Smart

Be People Smart Facebook

Be People Smart Instagram

Accessibility Checker

Read the blog post

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Tiny Chipmunk Update with Vicki Weinberg

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 06:00:00 +0100

This is a solo episode, featuring host Vicki Weinberg, giving an update on her own businesses, and sharing some big changes that she is making in 2022.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

With a New Year I thought it was a perfect time to update you on some things that are going on with me and one of my businesses, Tiny Chipmunk, which sells bamboo baby products.

With the growth of this podcast, and my consultancy business, and external elements like 2 lockdowns and Brexit, I have been making adjustments in life, which is leading to some big changes for me. Listen in to find out how I got to where I am, and why I have decided to close Tiny Chipmunk.

Listen in to hear me share:

An introduction to my businesses (00:55)
Why I decided to close Tiny Chipmunk (01:41)
The amazing impact Tiny Chipmunk has had on my life (07:17)
Why I love the consultancy part of my business (07:57)
What the future may hold (10:36)

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Merry Christmas 2021 - a message from Vicki

Fri, 24 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0100

A special Christmas message from your host, Vicki Weinberg.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

I started this weekly podcast in March 2020, (that wasn’t planned!) and have now recorded 92 episodes without a break. It’s been an eventful period that has encompassed lockdowns and homeschooling here in the UK, and a whole host of fantastic episodes, featuring interviews with so many amazing guests for you to listen to.

This Christmas Eve, I am sharing with you a short Christmas message, and plans for 2022 before I take a short break.

I will be back on 7th January with a brand new episode.

In the meantime, there is a great back catalogue of episodes for you to enjoy.

Merry Christmas!

Listen in to hear me share:

Why I am taking a break (00:21)
My plans for the New Year (01:59)
Join the Product Creators Club Facebook group (02:26)
Get in touch (02:59)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

Email me

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

House Of Culture Facebook

The benefits of being creative - with Kinga Hofman

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Kinga Hoffman is the founder of House of Culture in Brighton, a creative collective connecting communities across Brighton through art, culture, and wellbeing. The House of Culture hosts sessions, workshops, and events for all.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

This podcast is a little bit different. I know many of you have creative and handmade businesses, and today I thought it'd be interesting to talk a bit about the creative process. Why is being creative so good for us and our well-being?

The perfect guest to talk to this about is Kinga Hoffman, founder of the House of Culture in Brighton. Kinga creates space and opportunities to discover, enjoy and experience art. Kinga believes that everyone is creative and art is fundamental to human expression.

So even if you don’t consider yourself to be creative, or struggle to find a creative outlet, Kinga is here to inspire you, as she passionately explains that creativity is something we all have within us, and share some suggestions of things you can do that are creative.

Listen in to hear Kinga share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:46)
Her previous career and how she came to open the House of Culture (03:21)
How creativity provides a slower-paced alternative to modern life (13:06)
The benefits of being creative (18:42)
We are all creative (23:07)
How to add creativity into your life again (24:41)
The link between creativity and wellbeing (29:26)
Her own creative outlets (30:53)
How you can get creative at the House of Culture (34:47)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

House Of Culture Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

How to sell your products on Pinterest - with Lianne Harris, Pinned Social

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Lianne Harris of Pinned Social helps small businesses increase sales and website traffic by building brand awareness on Pinterest.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Lianne Harris of Pinned Social. Lianne helps small businesses increase sales and website traffic by building brand awareness on Pinterest.

I've wanted to have a Pinterest expert on for quite some time because I've heard it's a great place to promote and sell products. Lianne is going to tell us all about Pinterest, why your product should be there, and how to best utilize it, to get people over to your website and ultimately sell your products.

Listen in to hear Lianne share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:08)
What Pinterest is and how you can use it (01:45)
How Pinterest can be used by different types of business, from product to service to bloggers (05:49)
Why you should use Pinterest if you have a product-based business (07:14)
How to set up an account (9:58)
How to research keywords (11:35)
How to use different boards (12:34)
How often you should be pinning (18:47)
How to use analytics (22:37)
Whether you should repin other people’s content (23:53)
How to create the best visuals for pins (32:37)
The to write pin descriptions and use keywords (39:48)
Pinterest ads (43:40)
Her top Pinterest tip (51:23)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Pinned Social Website

Pinned Social Facebook

Pinned Social Instagram

Pinned Social Linked In

Pinned Social Pinterest

Tailwind

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

How to find investment for your business - with Gemma Whates

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Gemma Whates helps mothers to start and grow a business alongside raising a family, via start-up courses and the ALL by MAMA community.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Gemma Whates of All By Mama. Gemma helps mothers to start and grow a business alongside raising a family, via start-up courses and the ALL by MAMA community. Gemma is a returning guest to the podcast and this time is here to talk about seeking investment for your business. Gemma has raised a lot of money over the years and is also a Venture Capitalist Scout for Ada Ventures.

Gemma explains the reasons that she sought investment, how she did it, why you may want to do it, and how to go about doing it yourself. It is an episode packed full of information, that is applicable to all businesses, large and small, whether you are just starting out or looking to scale.

Listen in to hear Gemma share:

An introduction to herself and her business (02:46)
Why Gemma started looking for investment for her business and how she started (03:56)
The different types of crowdfunding that are available (06:24)
Other ways to fund a business and how she got involved with Ada Ventures (07:46)
How much investment she has raised (10:11)
Different types of investors (11:26)
Some of the things you might get investment for (13:14)
What happens if things go wrong (15:42)
How to start looking for investment (17:00)
How the working relationship with investors works (24:51)
The key things that she has learnt along the way (26:55)
The downsides of investment (28:40)
The positive sides of investment (30:40)
Ways to work with Gemma (32:50)
Her number one piece of advice for anyone thinking of seeking investors (36:03)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Gemma’s Website

Gemma Whates Facebook

Gemma Whates Instagram

Gemma Whates Linked In

RESOURCES GEMMA MENTIONS:

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

How to make wholesale work - with Sasha Gupta, Cheeky Zebra

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Sasha Gupta of Cheeky Zebra, designs and sells fun and cheeky greeting cards for real life.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Sasha Gupta of Cheeky Zebra. Sasha designs and sells fun and cheeky greeting cards for real life. It was such a fun conversation. Sasha shares why she quit law to start selling cards, how she creates them, despite having very little design experience, and her varied experiences of wholesaling her cards. I absolutely love how open Sasha is. She also talks a lot about her family and the role that they play in her business.

Listen in to hear Sasha share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:07)
Why she quit a job in law (01:38)
How she taught herself to create cards despite having very little design experience (03:38)
How she prints her cards (5:25)
What the key things were which helped Cheeky Zebra to grow to be so successful (9:30)
How Pinterest has worked for her (11:18)
Her success on social media (14:30)
How her family, and grandparents are involved in the business (15:08)
How she comes up with ideas for her cards (18:13)
Keeping track of a range of a thousand plus products (19:26)
Her experiences with wholesale (21:51)
The importance of tunnel vision and keeping going when you start out (36:17)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (38:45)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Cheeky Zebra Website

Cheeky Zebra Instagram

Cheeky Zebra Pinterest

Cheeky Zebra Facebook

Bring Your Product Ideas To Life Podcast Episode - Wholesale For Small Businesses

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Why your product needs to be on Amazon - with Cara Sayer, Snooze Shade

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Cara Sayer is the inventor and entrepreneur behind SnoozeShade, a bestselling range of baby sun and sleep shades, and shares her story from starting out in 2008, through starting to sell on Amazon in 2014 to where the business is now.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Cara Sayer, an inventor, and entrepreneur, who launched her first SnoozeShade product in 2008. Cara now sells her product worldwide. Starting to sell her products on Amazon in 2014 was a turning point for her business. Cara is really candid and honest about her experiences, sharing everything from marketing at the Oscars to dealing with negativity on social media. It is a really inspiring conversation, and offers something to everyone, wherever you are in your product business journey.

Listen in to hear Cara share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:06)
How she started out (01:25)
Securing her first trade orders (06:11)
Funding her initial product order for 10,000 pieces (11:29)
How to have a successful trade show (14:04)
The importance of having a product that meets a need and works (17:04)
Why she decided to start selling on Amazon (22:11)
The importance of also having your own website (30:34)
Providing a first-class customer experience and managing any faulty items (32:39)
Dealing with unsubstantiated social media claims (37:30)
What she would do differently if she was starting out now (45:54)
The importance of safety testing for a baby product (49:33)
The advantages of using Amazon over other retailers & distributors (46:27)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (56:42)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

SnoozeShade Website

SnoozeShade Instagram

SnoozeShade Facebook

SnoozeShade Twitter

Cara Sayer LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Getting ready to launch your first product - with Louise Almond

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Louise Almond is the founder of Amelia Anne Ltd, a brand designing fashionable, discreet and comfortable breastfeeding wear so that you can feed with confidence in any situation.

Amelia Anne is currently in pre-launch, with Louise planning to release her first collection of 3 items in 2022.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Louise Almond, who is in the prelaunch stage of launching her brand Amelia Anne, fashionable, discreet, and comfortable breastfeeding wear so that you can feed with confidence in any situation.

Louise is a mother of two and a full-time teacher of Design and Technology who previously worked in the fashion industry. Louise developed her innovative products from a need she had herself, to be able to breastfeed in public and not bear more than she wanted, keep her tummy and back warm in winter, and not cover up her child while she fed.

I thought it would be really interesting to talk to someone at the beginning of their journey, to learn about the design process, the research that has gone into developing her clothes, and the challenges Louise has faced along the way. Louise is really honest about the fact it has taken a long time to get to the point of pre-launch, and I think you’re really going to enjoy this conversation.

Listen in to hear Louise share:

An introduction to herself and her new business (01:52)
Dealing with worries about what competitors are doing (10:44)
Researching her product and getting feedback (13:50)
Her launch timeline (14:43)
The steps from having the idea to getting garments made and ready to sell (18:30)
How the garments are made (25:29)
Adapting to different body shapes and sizes (29:55)
The remaining tasks on the to-do list before launch (33:06)
Building up pre-awareness (34:23)
Unexpected challenges of setting up your own products business (37:11)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (42:03)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Amelia Anne Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

https://www.sabhalo.com/blogs/the-burnout-brigade-podcast

Pivoting your product based business - with Puvan Briah

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Puvan Briah is the founder of Sabhalo, the Mental Maintenance Store. Puvan is on a mission to help other empaths, people pleasers, and perfectionists to stop burning out through her self care boxes and her podcast “The Burnout Brigade.”

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Puvan Briah about how and why she pivoted her product business. Her story is fascinating. Puvan talks about how she launched her initial product business MDT London, the wins and challenges she faced, what changed for her, and why she decided to pivot and start something new - Sabhalo. We talk about burnout and the pressures of being a product-based business owner. There is so much here to inspire you, and help you on your journey with your own product-based business.

Listen in to hear Puvan share:

An introduction to herself and her new business (00:51)
An introduction to her previous business (01:40)
The impact of Covid and Brexit on her business (02:30)
The inspiration behind her original business (05:59)
Dealing with burnout (07:49)
Communicating her pivot to her online audience (11:12)
How stepping back allowed her to understand what she wanted to do next (13:58)
Starting up her new business (15:33)
Managing a pivot on social media (18:48)
Things she has learnt whilst pivoting her business (26:04)
The learnings she has been able to carry forward into her new business (31:36)
Things that she would do differently (34:34)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators thinking of making a change or pivot in their business (38:37)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Sabhalo Website

Sabhalo Instagram

MDT London Instagram

You can either listen to Puvan’s podcast The Burnout Brigade here on her website:

or you can listen to it here with all of the links for different podcast platforms to subscribe:

https://anchor.fm/puvan-briah

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Hosted by Captivate

Preparing to sell your products at Christmas - with Catherine Erdly

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Christmas is coming! Catherine Erdly is the founder of the Resilient Retail Club, and helps product businesses start, grow and scale profitable businesses that last. In this podcast, Catherine shares her top tips for how you can prepare to sell your products this Christmas.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Catherine Erdly, founder of the Resilient Retail Club. Catherine worked in the retail sector for two decades, working with household names such as Coast, Laura Ashley, and Paperchase. She now helps product businesses start, grow and scale profitable businesses that last through her group membership and 1-2-1 consulting.

With Christmas just around the corner, I wanted to find out the best things that you can do as a product-based business in the run-up to Christmas to help yourself and boost sales.

Catherine gives a brilliant breakdown of how to start planning for the Christmas season, things you can do now to make the busy season run more smoothly, jobs that should be left until after Christmas, and how to successfully review and learn from your Christmas performance in January.

It is an episode packed full of specific, actionable steps, and is going to help so many of you have a less stressful Christmas season!

Listen in to hear Catherine share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:20)
When to start planning for Christmas (01:56)
Long-term Christmas planning (04:06)
When to start talking about Christmas to your customers (09:20)
Things you can do now to start prepping for Christmas (13:05)
Jobs that you should leave now until after Christmas! (19:11)
How to make the most of Christmas if your product isn’t a traditional gift (22:54)
The particular opportunities you have this Christmas (27:28)
Tasks you should be doing after Christmas (29:28)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators this Christmas (33:14)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Resilient Retail Club Twitter

Resilient Retail Club Facebook

Resilient Retail Club Instagram

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Hosted by Captivate

Creating and selling planners - with Janet Murray

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Janet Murray is one of the UK's leading content marketing experts and creator of the Courageous Content Planner - an A4 desk planner packed with content ideas/prompts, planning templates, and checklists. Janet joins me on the podcast today to share the process of creating and selling a planner, and her tips for creating your own fantastic content.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Janet Murray, one of the UK's leading content marketing experts.

Janet's the creator of the Courageous Content Planner - an A4 desk planner packed with content ideas/prompts, planning templates, and checklists, the founder of Courageous Content Live - a virtual content planning event for coaches, creatives, and entrepreneurs, taking place this November. Plus Janet is the host of the Courageous Content podcast and a regular keynote speaker.

Janet also has ADHD (Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder) and is (in her own words) ‘one of the most disorganised people on the planet’. Making her one of the unlikeliest people in the world to launch a desk planner.

In this episode, we discuss what inspired Janet to create a planner, the community that she has built around her product, and how this community has influenced the way her offerings have evolved. Janet talks through the process and practical details of putting together a planner from choosing your binding to finding a printer.

Plus I couldn’t pass over the opportunity to ask a renowned content marketing expert for her top tips on how to create fantastic content. Janet talks through her key pillars for building content, with a particular focus on product-based businesses.

Listen in to hear Janet share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:10)
The inspiration behind creating her own planner (02:15)
The process of creating a planner (07:20)
How to find your printer, and why asking Janet for her printer’s details isn’t a good idea (17:36)
Building a community around your products (23:40)
The evolution of the Courageous Content Planner, and introduction of live events (26:33)
Planning your content marketing for a product-based business (33:10)
The types of content you should be creating for your business (38:20)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators for creating really engaging content (44:00)
An exclusive discount code on Janet’s products for all listeners (46:04)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Janet is giving a 10% discount on her products at www.JanetMurray.co.uk to Bring Your Product Ideas To Life podcast listeners. Just use the code Vicki at checkout.

Janet Murray Website

Janet Murray Instagram

Janet Murray Facebook

Janet Murray TikTok

Janet Murray Twitter

Janet Murray Linkedin

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Anna Heneback on Instagram

How To Set Up An Effective E-Commerce Store - with Anna Heneback

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Anna Heneback is an E-commerce Consultant working with SMEs to sell more online, with 15 years of industry experience from Net-a-Porter and H&M who shares her top tips and strategies for getting the best performance from your E-Commerce store.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today on the podcast I'm talking to Anna Heneback, an e-commerce consultant about how to set up and boost your e-commerce store.

We cover everything from which platforms to use, what to consider, the functionalities you need to include, and how to improve your online sales performance. It includes a fantastic tip, about how to keep your site updated and relevant. It is so simple and something I would never have even considered doing!

Listen in to hear Anna share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:17)
The best platforms to build your e-commerce store (01:40)
Why Shopify is often underrated by Web Designers (03:08)
The features you need on an e-commerce store as a pose to a website (07:01)
Some great extras to consider including on your e-commerce store (11:04)
The best ways to present your products (including THAT tip!) (17:50)
How to improve your conversion rate (27:38)
Common problems and how to avoid them (36:36)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators (40:19)
Ways that you can work with Anna (44:26)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Anna’s Website

Anna Heneback on LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Digital Mother on Instagram

How To Sell Your Products On Social Media - with Emma Peries, Digital Mother

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Emma Peries of Digital Mother helps mums in business learn how to succeed on socials through training. Today she shares her knowledge to explain how you can sell your products by harnessing the power of social media.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today I’m talking to Emma Peries of Digital Mother, an experienced Social Media Trainer.

Emma shares so much of her knowledge, this episode is packed full of practical information from how to decide which platform to be on, the etiquette of using your customers content, how to get smart with your planning and photo shoots, plus a step by step beginners guide to making Reels. I’ll be honest, I don’t love doing my social media, but Emma got me inspired again!

Listen in to hear Emma share:

An introduction to herself and her business (1:11)
The advantages of being on social media (1:54)
How you can communicate directly with your customers (4:50)
Which channels you should focus on (5:53)
How often you should be posting (12:17)
How to generate user-made content (16:33)
Getting smart with your content creation (20:20)
Making time for your social media planning (23:39)
How much you should share about yourself in addition to showcasing your products (26:31)
A beginner’s guide to Reels (29:35)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (38:31)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Digital Mother Website

Emma Peries on LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Prithi Brinkley Art Website

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Selling Products And Services As A Creative Business - with Prithi Brinkley Art

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Listen in to hear Prithi Brinkley, of Prithi Brinkley Art, share the process of how lockdown encouraged her to develop her photography business and start selling her work as accessible, limited edition fine art prints.

EPISODE NOTES:

Prithi is a London-based photographer who creates accessible fine art limited edition digital prints in a variety of sizes and finishes.

Prithi started off in photography services. We talked about how the start of lockdown in March 2020, prompted her to rethink what she was offering. Prithi then shares the process of taking some of her favourite prints and turning them into art that's ready for others to buy and hang up on their walls.

It’s a fascinating episode, and as someone who didn’t know much about the world of art, I really enjoyed chatting with and learning from Prithi.

Listen in to hear:

An introduction to Prithi and her business (1:48)
How Prithi started out as a photographer (2:31)
How lockdown influenced Prithi to start selling her work as fine art (5:37)
The importance of finding the right producer (9:45)
How to provide the best possible service when selling artwork (11:00)
Different forums for selling art (14:48)
How Prithi has marketed and promoted her artwork (17:12)
Combining selling services with selling products (21:18)
Prithi’s top tips for taking your own product photos (24:31)
Prithi’s top advice for aspiring product creators (27:17)

USEFUL RESOURCES

Prithi Brinkley Art Facebook

Prithi Brinkley Art Instagram

Perdomo Gallery Website

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product creators and makers

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

How To Brand Your Physical Products - with Cara Bendon

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Cara is a branding specialist with 13 years of experience who has created over 60 brands for entrepreneurs and small businesses and helped hundreds more via branding workshops. Having worked with both national brands and early-stage start-ups, she says she firmly believes that every small business can use the same techniques as household names to establish themselves.

EPISODE NOTES

Today I’m talking to Cara Bendon, a branding specialist, who's passionate about empowering small businesses to leverage the same branding strategies as household names to establish themselves.

We discussed what branding is, why you need it and what the benefits of good branding are. We discuss the pros and cons of Canva, why using a graphic designer doesn’t have to be really expensive, and the intricacies of colour psychology and naming your business. Cara is incredibly knowledgeable, and this is a must-listen if you are at the start of your product-based business journey.

Listen in to hear Cara share:

An introduction to herself and her business (01:27)
An explanation of what branding is (02:17)
Why your brand is important (06:25)
How the right branding can elevate your product and it’s price (15:53)
When to start thinking about branding when you are creating a product (23:26)
Why branding doesn’t need to be expensive, and the benefits of investing (25:50)
The bare minimum of things you need for your brand when you start out (30:04)
Why you shouldn’t always just choose your favourite colour (36:50)
The differences between branding for products and services (41:13)
How to make your brand and product more visible on Amazon (48:01)
How to get the best out of Canva (56:53)
The resources that Cara has created to help you in the early stages of branding (1:02:22)
Her number one piece of advice about branding for product creators (1:04:54)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Cara is giving a 20% discount on all services at www.brandingmadesimple.co.uk to Bring Your Product Ideas To Life podcast listeners. Just use the code VICKI2020 at checkout.

Cara Bendon Website

Branding Made Simple Website - for templates and resources

Cara Bendon Instagram

Join my free Facebook group for product creators and makers

Podcast Episode: Building A Website For Your Product Based Business

Canva

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

What to do when things go wrong on Amazon

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0100

TITLE: 79 What to do when things go wrong on Amazon

Amazon is an amazing marketplace, but sometimes things can go wrong. A lot of people contact me when things have gone wrong, and they cannot figure out how to fix it. I also know lots of people who have given up selling on Amazon because they could not solve an issue.

I have sold on Amazon for a long time, so have plenty of experience with these things. I have found that most things are usually fixable. I wanted to share my tips and tricks for avoiding problems in the first place, and what to do if you do encounter them.

My aim isn’t to scare you - just to be honest, and let you know that although problems can occur, they can be overcome.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Listen in to hear me share:

Problems that can occur with listing your product (1:52)
Problems that can occur with reviews (05:45)
Problems that can occur with pricing (9:25)
How to avoid problems listing your product (10:38)
How to avoid problems with shipping (12:07)
How to avoid problems with storage (13:48)
What to do if it does go wrong (18:20)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

From Concept To Selling On Amazon with Tom Dowman, Pago Baby

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0100

TITLE: 78 From Concept To Selling On Amazon with Tom Dowman, Pago Baby

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today I am speaking to Tom Dowman, of Pago Baby. Full disclosure, Tom is a client of mine. Tom has a full-time job as a charted surveyor and is a husband and father of 2.

Inspired by his experiences weaning his daughter, Tom has developed a multipurpose floor protector mat. As well as being larger than the average mat, and easy to clean as it is machine washable, look and feel was also important to Tom. It is non-slip, and the neutral grey and white pattern is designed to look good in any home.

We discussed Tom’s journey from product idea to manufacturing it to becoming an Amazon seller. We discuss how Tom did some brilliant groundwork researching his product, and how we worked together testing different advertising strategies and using Amazon Vine to garner customer reviews.

Listen in to hear Tom share:

An introduction to himself and his work (2:56)
What prompted Tom to create the splash mats (2:39)
How a Kardashian inspired the design (12:01)
Researching and finding the right manufacturer (14:38)
Developing a brand(20:40)
Setting up a product page on Amazon (23:11)
Promoting sales on Amazon, including using Amazon Vine (29:56)
The next steps for Pago Baby (38:02)
The biggest challenges he has faced (44:53)
Balancing Pago Baby with a full-time job and busy home life (50:44)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (35:28)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Transitioning From Craft Fairs To Selling Online with Barbara Keen, All Day Bags

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 06:00:00 +0100

TITLE: 77 Transitioning From Craft Fairs To Selling Online with Barbara Keen, All Day Bags

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today I am speaking to Barbara Keen, of All Day Bags. Barbara makes quality bags for people on the go, the colours of land and sky. Barbara uses UK based textiles - Harris Tweed and tartan from Scotland and Linton Tweed who have made textiles for Chanel for 100 years. Barbara makes a range of bags from tote bags for laptops and shopping, gadget bags so you don't leave your cable, mouse or battery behind, bags of lavender to ear bud bags.

We discussed how Barbara started making bags, her process and how she transitioned from selling at craft fairs to selling online during lockdown. Barbara takes a real pride in her product and process, and it was lovely to find out how she has evolved her business over the past year.

Listen in to hear Barbara share:

An introduction to herself and her work (1:28)
How she started making bags (2:08)
How she decided to turn a passion into a business (4:36)
Where her product inspiration comes from (7:56)
How she set up All Day Bags as a business, and sought out business advice and training (13:17)
Making the move from craft fairs to selling online during the pandemic (19:00)
The differences she has seen since she started selling online (24:17)
How she is promoting and marketing her business (32:29)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (35:28)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

All Day Bags Website

All Day Bags Twitter

All Day Bags Facebook

All Day Bags Instagram

All Day Bags Linked In

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

The Curious Mummy website

How To Work With Influencers With Donna Jackson

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Donna Jackson is an Influencer of The Curious Mummy and founder of Suped Up Social, a digital marketing service for small businesses, startups, and creatives.

Suped Up Social shows brands how to identify & connect with their audience by using a blend of pr, events, marketing & social media to form a kick-ass digital marketing strategy.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today I am speaking to Donna Jackson, an influencer known as The Curious Mummy, and founder of Suped Up Social - a digital marketing service for small businesses, startups, and creatives. Donna offers a unique perspective on working with influencers, as she is both an influencer herself, and advises businesses on how to work with influencers through her company, Suped Up Social

Today Donna is going to share all her tips about using influencers to help promote your products. This is such a fantastic episode. I think you're going to learn a lot and there are lots of practical things that you can go away and do.

Listen in to hear Donna share:

An introduction to herself and her work (1:37)
What influencer marketing is (3:22)
Why your brands need to align (6:35)
The benefits of working with influencers (10:43)
How to find an influencer with the right audience for your product (15:47)
The ideal influencer audience size (21:24)
The importance of creating authentic content (30:55)
Ways you can work with influencers (34:11)
How gifting works (39:40)
The best ways to find and contact influencers (42:51)
What you can expect to pay (46:36)
How to build a successful relationship (52:11)
Her main piece of advice for working with influencers (54:59)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Suped Up Social Website

The Curious Mummy on Instagram

Suped Up Social on Instagram

Suped Up Social on Facebook

The Curious Mummy on Facebook

The Curious Mummy on Twitter

Also mentioned:

Emma Paton

Shell and the Littlies

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Princesses Don’t Have Stinky Bums on Amazon

How To Be A Bestselling Self Published Author with Alice Clover

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0100

TITLE: 75 How To Be A Bestselling Self Published Author with Alice Clover

Alice Clover is a highly successful self-published children’s author. Her first book ‘Girls Love To Fart’ was released in 2020, and Alice has just released her second book ‘Princesses Don't have Stinky Bums'. Alice is passionate about encouraging girls to love themselves, and their bodies, and changing the narrative around bodily functions.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today I’m thrilled to welcome my first returning guest, Alice Clover, a self-published children’s author. Alice has sold over 14, 000 copies of her first book ‘Girls Love To Fart’ and has just released her second book, Princesses Don’t Have Stinky Bums.’ I was keen to catch up and find out how she has found the process of self-publishing a book the second time around, and what has changed. We discussed ways to market and promote a book yourself and the process for deciding to self-publish again.

Listen in to hear Alice share:

An introduction to herself and her work (0:56)
How the process has differed with her second book (2:38)
Why she chose to self publish again (7:28)
What she did differently the second time around (13:56)
How networking with other authors has helped build her audience (16:56)
The impact of the release of a second book on the sales of the first (22:03)
How she has marketed the book, and driven sales (24:09)
Using Facebook groups for advice and support (31:22)
Her main piece of advice for other self-published authors (37:22)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Alice Clover’s website

Girls Love to Fart on Amazon

Alice Clover on Facebook

Alice Clover on Instagram

Alice’s First Podcast Episode

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

That Works For Me Website

Hosted by Captivate

How to build a business that works for you and your family, with Jess Heagren, That Works For Me

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Jess Heagren is the CEO and Cofounder of That Works For Me™ - a progressive digital B2B platform that connects exceptional, proven talent with businesses that need it. That Works For Me embrace and promote flexible working to combat the lack of gender diversity in the UK, which is estimated to cost £189bn in GDP

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today I’m talking to Jess Heagren, the CEO and Cofounder of That Works For Me™ who brings together skilled professionals who can’t necessarily work full time with brilliant businesses who don’t necessarily need people full time.

Jess is a mum of 3, soon to be 4, and we discuss employing expert support in your business, building a business around your family, flexible working, and setting boundaries between work and home life.

Listen in to hear Jess share:

An introduction to herself and her business (0:57)
How That Works For Me is accessible to businesses of any size (1:59)
The importance of flexible working for parents (6:17)
The recent changes to our working culture and the future of remote working (8:30)
Balancing work and family, involving your partner, and letting go of guilt (15:03)
Setting boundaries between work and home life (20:28)
How she cofounded That Works For Me with best friend Nicola Good (26:13)
How Jess and Nic define their roles and delineate between friendship and work (28:44)
Advice for going into business with a friend or family member (33:05)
Her main piece of advice for other business owners (37:35)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Jess Heagren Linkedin

That Works For Me LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My Papercut Forest website

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Maximising the potential of Etsy with Silvina De Vita, My Papercut Forest

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Silvina De Vita is a designer and paper artist and runs her own online business My Papercut Forest. My Papercut Forest is a playground for Silvina’s imagination, a place to try out new ideas, artworks and designs. Silvina creates, makes and sells a range of artworks including paper cut sculpture boxes, miniature paper domes, illustrations, prints, greeting cards, and loads of other unique objects. All designs are by Silvina, and all items are handmade with love in Brighton, UK.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today I’m talking to Silvina De Vita, the designer and paper artist behind online business My Papercut Forest, which sells handmade personalised paper art, unique paper gifts and paper cuts.

We talk about what paper art is (I’ll be honest I didn’t know!), how Silvina became Etsy Team Captain for Brighton and what that entails, and shopping small and supporting local business.

Listen in to hear Silvina share:

An introduction to herself and her business (1:13)
Setting up an Etsy store and realising the need to rebrand (5:04)
The global reach and changes in Etsy over the past 9 years (10:05)
The differences between Not On The High Street and Etsy (12:27)
Why Silvinia became Etsy Team captain for Brighton and what this entails (17:22)
Tips for new sellers on Etsy (23:22)
The importance of good product photography (25:10)
Adapting to the pandemic, and unexpected bestsellers (31:46)
Getting stocked in and the importance of shopping small and supporting local business (33:45)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (42:31)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

My Papercut Forest on Facebook

My Papercut Forest on Instagram

My Papercut Forest on Twitter

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

What's Your USP?

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0100

What is your product’s USP (Unique Selling Point) and is it important to have one?

Something I see a lot, particularly on Amazon, are ‘copycat products’ - where someone is ordering the exact replica of something already selling, then branding it themselves.

It got me thinking, why would a customer buy this version of the product over one already available, that has a sales and review history?

One answer may be price. However making this your USP is always risky, as you may end up not making a profit at all.

The best way to make your product stand out is to decide upon and know your USP - the reason why your product is different and better.

In this episode I dive into how to work out your product’s USP. How do you start researching this? What factors should you be considering? I share the processes I used when creating my own products, the Tiny Chipmunk range, and examples from different podcast guests.

EPISODE NOTES

READ THIS AS A BLOG POST

Listen in to hear:

An introduction to why having a USP is important (0:33)
Why using pricing as your USP often doesn’t work (02:00)
How to research and decide on a USP when you start out (4:27)
How I decided on my USP for Tiny Chipmunk products (9:50)
Examples of how some of my guests decided on their USP (11:47)
Why knowing your USP is so important (13:27)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Podcast: Liz Ferguson from Gus + Beau
Podcast Vanessa from MBPH Aromatherapy
Podcast Joe Shortt from Trip Clip
Podcast Emily from Bundle & Bean
7 Free ways to validate your product idea
Free product creation checklist

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Creating sustainable products with Nancy Powell, HERD Bags

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0100

HERD makes hardworking reusable bags from waste plastic bottles. The bags come in a range of sizes in joyful and vibrant designs. Each HERD bag is wipe clean, has a zipped internal pocket and a double cotton handle for easy carrying. HERD was launched in 2019 by Nancy Powell. After working with a range of well known brands on sustainability Nancy took all that she learnt about bags, packaging and brands to launch HERD. She has three young children and is Chief Herder in her house.

EPISODE NOTES

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Today I’m talking to Nancy Powell the entrepreneur and founder of HERD Bags, a globally stocked brand of bright, joyful, reusable bags made from recycled plastic bottles.

We talk about what drove Nancy to set up her business, working with recycled materials, and ways that Nancy plans to further reduce the impact of manufactured products and close the loop.

Listen in to hear Nancy share:

An introduction to herself and her business (1:14)
The inspiration behind creating a sustainable product (4:27)
The importance of flexible working hours in setting up her own business (7:00)
The appeal of bags as a product (9:31)
Why sustainability was a key part of the business vision (11:53)
Whether working with recycled materials presents more challenges (13:47)
The importance of working with other women balancing professional and home life (16:24)
Finding the right suppliers to work with, as a small business (19:08)
Managing a global team (27:39)
Using Instagram and local networks to build her team (30:51)
The environmental impact of HERD and future plans for closing the loop (41:10)
Working with wholesalers (50:42)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (1:05:02)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

HERD Bags Website

HERD Bags on Facebook

HERD Bags on Instagram

Nancy Powell on LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Should I sell my products on Amazon?

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0100

I sell my own products on Amazon. I get lots of enquiries from people wanting to start selling on Amazon and I help and work with a lot of Amazon sellers every single day. I see a lot of people do well - but I also see people who don’t do as well and that’s why I wanted to record this episode.

FREE guide - How to Successfully Launch a Product on Amazon or Rescue One that’s Not Selling!

Listen in to hear me share:

Why Amazon Is an appealing place to sell your products (01:24)
The good and the bad! (01:52)
The types of products it’s good for (and not so good for) (05:40)
Selling handmade products on Amazon (08:04)
The importance of having a great product (12:36)
Free research, you can do yourself, to see if Amazon might be a good fit for your product(13:37)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

How and why to validate your product ideas

How to carry out your own customer and market research

Episode 6 - how and why to validate your product ideas

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Creating and selling products you love - with Kate Towers

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Kate Towers designs and creates colourful, feelgood prints, cards and homeware, helping bring colour into people's lives.

Listen in to hear Kate share:

An introduction to her business and what she creates and sells (00:57)
How she learnt the skills she uses to design and create her products (03:01)
How she went about finding suppliers for digital printing (07:01)
The importance of ordering samples (09:42)
When and how she became a business (10:18)
Why (and how) she built a following on social media, alongside her Etsy store (11:15)
How she used Instagram ads successfully (13:51)
How Etsy analytics work (17:12)
Rebranding her business (20:40)
How she manages stock (24:28)
Tips for other Etsy sellers - particularly if you’re just starting out (25:44)
The importance of gettings reviews - and how you can do that (27:59)
Where she gets her inspiration (30:22)
Managing her business, a day job and a young family - and why having passion for what you do is so important (32:16)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (38:00)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Kate Towers website

Kate Towers on Etsy

Kate Towers on Facebook

Kate Towers on Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Hosted by Captivate

Amazon Made Easy is now open

How to successfully launch a product on Amazon or rescue one that’s not selling

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Do you ever struggle to find your own product listing on Amazon?

Or maybe you know you have a good product and you’re just tired of not making enough sales.

It could be that you need help with shifting that stock you've sent in for FBA.

If any of this sounds familiar, this is the episode for you.

Even if you haven’t yet started selling on Amazon, but you’re planning it, or even thinking about it, this episode will help.

Listen in to hear me share:

The free resource I’ve created for you (00:21)
Why you can’t find your own product listing on Amazon (2:43)
How to write a great Amazon product listing (4:05)
A free way to get great (Amazon-specific) keywords (7:34)
Why you need professional images - and how to take them yourself (10:32)
Getting your pricing right (11:51)
My best advice about fulfilment - and FBA or not (13:32)
How to get more traffic to your listing (17:53)
Whether Amazon is the best marketplace for you (22:12)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Silk Jasmine on Instagram

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Running a handmade business alongside a full-time job – with Nicola Harman, Silk Jasmine

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Today I talk to Nicola Harman, Silk Jasmine, about starting up and running a handmade products business alongside a full-time job. We talk logistics, why it’s OK (maybe even necessary!) to get help and the importance of not comparing your handmade products to others.

Listen in to hear Nicola share:

An introduction to her business and what she sells (1:10)
How and why she started her business (1:30)
Why silk is so good for your skin and hair (5:33)
How she went from making scrubs for her local hospital, to creating her own product range (7:59)
How her customers inspire the new pieces she creates (11:19)
Where she sells her products (13:33)
How she manages her business alongside her full-time teaching job (16:45)
Some of the things she enjoys about her business (25:01)
Mistakes she’s made that you can learn from (26:31)
The importance of remembering there’s room in the market for everyone - and why you should never compare (28:29)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Silk Jasmine website

Silk Jasmine on Facebook

Silk Jasmine on Pinterest

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Creating Happy Writers on Instagram

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Write your first book – with Steph Caswell

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Do you have a book inside you?

We’ve had a few authors on the podcast so far - now it’s your turn!

Steph Caswell is an author who also helps service providers to write their own non-fiction book, with her simple step-by-step process.

Listen in to hear Steph share:

An introduction to herself and her business (00:55)
Why she feels writing a book is a good idea for coaches, consultants and other service businesses (2:18)
How soon into your business you can think about writing a book (4:17)
How long it takes to write and self publish your first book and her best tips for actually getting it written (6:23)
The books she’s written (9:37)
The common reasons people don’t finish (or don’t even start) writing their books (14:59)
Choosing a topic for your book (19:47)
Why most first time writers usually write too many words (26:05)
What to do before you sit down and start to write (29:19)
How to edit your own writing (33:48)
The role of an Editor (35:29)
The main differences between traditional publishing and self publishing (38:15)
The costs involved in publishing your own book (41:58)
How to find editors, illustrators and anyone else you might need (43:26)
The final steps before publishing, including how to market your new book (46:16)
Whether to create a hardback, ebook or both (50:05)
Her number one piece of advice for anyone looking to write their own non fiction book (55:07)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Creating Happy Writers on Facebook

LET’S CONNECT

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Gus and Beau on instagram

Starting a business during maternity leave – with Liz Rawlinson, gus + beau

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Today I’m speaking to Liz Rawlinson, founder of gus + beau baby playmats about starting a business during maternity leave and why none of us can do it all...

Listen in to hear Liz share:

An introduction to her business, what she sells and why she created it (00:58)
Why she started a business during her maternity leave (4:18)
The steps she went through and the time it took to launch her products (7:57)
Why Instagram has been huge for her business (13:57)
Getting an endorsement from Stacey Solomon (16:27)
The (positive and negative) impacts of selling out of stock and what you can do during that time (20:22)
How she manages work and having a young family and why it’s important to have help (29:24)
The parts of her business she outsources and the importance of being able to delegate (35:56)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (41:19)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Gus and Beau website

LET’S CONNECT

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Anna’s Planners on Instagram

How to sell on Etsy – with Anna Panteli, Anna’s Planners

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Handmade businesses - this is the episode for you!

Anna Panteli is an Etsy expert with loads to share!

Listen in to hear Anna share:

An introduction to herself, her business and background (1:19)
How and why she started selling on Etsy - and why she’s temporarily closed one of her 4 shops! (2:40)
How she keeps up with the making (8:00)
Her main learnings about Etsy over the past few years (10:28)
How and why she made the transition to helping other Etsy sellers, alongside managing her own shops (14:32)
The planners she’s created to help Etsy sellers stay organised (17:48)
Her tips for getting off to a good start on Etsy (23:46)
Her view on whether you need your own website as well as an Etsy shop (28:25)
The importance of using social media to drive traffic (32:05)
Why you might need more than one Etsy shop if you sell items targeting different customers (35:27)
All about Etsy ads (38:14)
Her number one piece of advice for Etsy sellers (42:48)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Anna’s Planners on Etsy

The Handmade Business Podcast

Jewellery and Gems Co on Etsy

Memories and More Gifts on Etsy

LET’S CONNECT

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Product creation checklist

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How to create or source a physical product – step-by-step

Fri, 28 May 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Today I’m going to take you through every step of creating and sourcing a physical product.

This is a quick overview - for lots more details on the steps involved see the blog posts and episodes linked in the resources below.

Do remember to download the free resource for this episode - created by me, with input from Gemma Whates, Founder of All By Mama. It’s a complete checklist of the steps involved in creating your product and setting up your business.

If you’re looking to make, rather than source your product there may well be a few steps that aren’t as relevant to you, but do still listen as there’s still lots in there!

USEFUL RESOURCES:

All my free resources

Blog post: How to carry out your own customer and market research

Episode 12: How to write a product specification

99 Designs

Episode 18: Should I source my product overseas?

Episode 32: How to write a product description that sells

Episode 36: Shipping and importing your products - with Simon Arnold, Unity Logistics

Episode 30: Where's the best place to sell products online?

Episode 58: Building a website for your products business - with Marie Brown, Beyond the Kitchen Table

Episode 34: How to take your own professional product photos - with Georgina Little

LET’S CONNECT

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The Fashion Expert website

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How to successfully create a fashion brand – with Michelle Ramsay, The Fashion Expert®

Fri, 21 May 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Today I’m speaking to Michelle Ramsay, The Fashion Expert®, about creating a successful fashion brand.

It’s no secret that fashion is the top selling industry in almost all of the world. If you’ve ever thought of starting a fashion brand (and even if you haven’t!) this week’s episode takes you through how to create a successful brand, step-by-step.

Building a fashion brand is very exciting and I hope these tips will help you start on the right foot. From talking to Michelle it’s clear to see that doing your research is key to success. Take your time to, put the work in and be clear on what you want to achieve. Good luck!

Listen in to hear Michelle share:

An introduction to her business and background (1:28)
Why you don’t need to know about fashion to start a fashion brand (3:00)
What she helps people with (4:20)
The three stages to creating a successful fashion brand (6:59)
What you might need help with - and where you can find it (10:41)
How and where to find suppliers (14:52)
The importance of knowing about any standards you need to comply with (27:26)
Why you might want to start a fashion brand (30:22)
Funding options available for fashion start ups (39:00)
How she works with, and helps fashion brands get started (42:34)
Her number one piece of advice for anyone wanting to start a fashion brand (44:32)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Fashion Expert on Twitter

The Fashion Expert on Facebook

The Fashion Expert on Instagram

Michelle Ramsay on LinkedIn

Michelle’s Facebook group for fashion startups

Launch your fashion brand with The Fashion Startup Academy®

LET’S CONNECT

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Turning a Hobby Into an Online Business – with Caron Petsch, What Caron Made

Fri, 14 May 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Caron Petsch started making polymer clay jewellery towards the end of 2019. Just as she started to realise it could be a business, the UK went into lockdown. Caron shares how she started an online business and all that entailed, literally learning as she went!

I love Caron’s jewellery (I’ve treated myself to a few pairs of her earrings!) and am thrilled to share her story with you.

Listen in to hear Caron share:

An introduction to herself, her business and what she sells (1:14)
What inspired her to start making jewellery (1:49)
Transitioning from a hobby to a business (3:10)
How she balances making with running a business (5:08)
How she, and her daughter, teach themselves new skills (6:25)
Why she never considered herself as creative - and now runs a creative business (9:07)
Where she gets the inspiration for her products (11:13)
The logistics of making jewellery! (14:22)
What she loves about running her business (18:58)
Her thoughts on learning as you go (21:33)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (25:39)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Caron Made website

Caron Made on Facebook

Caron Made on Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

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Spare My Time on Facebook

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How to use a VA to support your products business – with Melissa Gauge, SpareMyTime

Fri, 07 May 2021 06:00:00 +0100

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

If you have a products business, you're just in a process of starting one up, or even just thinking about it, you might be in a position where you're doing everything yourself - but it doesn't have to be that way (forever!)

Today I'm speaking to Melissa Gauge, the founder of SpareMyTime, an innovative business support and virtual assistance service for small businesses and professionals.

We talk specifically about products businesses, and the kind of things that you could outsource to a VA to free up a bit more time for yourself.

Listen in to hear Melissa share:

An introduction to herself and her business (2:06)
Exercises you can do to work out when it’s a good time to start working with a VA, how to know what you can outsource and how to ensure it’ll be cost effective (3:00)
How to work out how much time you need (6:20)
Why a VA can get up to speed in your business quicker than you might think (8:53)
What kind of things a VA can help you with (10:47)
Why you should never be afraid to ask a VA to help you do things more efficiently or effectively (they have loads of experience!) (17:56)
How to find the right person for you and your business (18:23)
Top tips for onboarding your VA and getting off to a great start (27:20)
Her number one piece of advice for anyone looking to work with a VA (30:20)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Spare My Time website

Spare My Time on Instagram

Spare My Time on LinkedIn

Melissa Gauge on LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

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Made By Pure Hands website

Selling products and services seamlessly – with Vaness Afful, Made By Pure Hands

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0100

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Vanessa Afful is an Aromatherapist, Massage Therapist, Natural Product Maker and Mum of one. She officially qualified as an Aromatherapist 8 years ago, but has been making products for her own uses since 2003 and started working on the Made by Pure Hands brand 10 years ago.

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Since then she’s spent most of her time on the massage side of her business, based in Bellenden Therapies in Peckham, supporting people with their wellbeing journeys. Her products have always been the heart of her business. But when lockdown came last March, she had the opportunity to really spend time on her product range, and bring them to a whole new market through social media and word of mouth.

This is such an interesting story and a great example of how a products and service business can work together to complement one another.

Listen in to hear Vanessa share:

An introduction to her and her business (1:23)
How and why she started to make products using essential oils for her own use (2:09)
The stage at which she started selling them (6:29)
Why she then trained in massage (08:02)
How and why she custom makes all her products at the moment (11:46)
How she’s adapted to offer consultations (and create bespoke products) online 14:58)
How she finds new clients and markets her products and services (17:16)
Some of the benefits of aromatherapy and essential oils (21:19)
The time it takes to make up one of her products (24:59)
The logistics of creating handmade products with a young child at home (26:53)
Her plans and goals for 2021 and beyond (32:02)
The split between selling products and offering treatments (33:49)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (36:32)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Made By Pure Hands on Twitter

Made By Pure Hands on Facebook

Made By Pure Hands on Instagram

Vanessa Afful on LinkedIn

Made By Pure Hands on Pinterest

LET’S CONNECT

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Beyond the kitchen table website

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Building a website for your products business – with Marie Brown, Beyond the Kitchen Table

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0100

As a product-based business owner, one of the first things you have to consider is where you want to sell your products online. Many of us sell on multiple channels such as Amazon and Etsy, but could you gain more sales on your own website?

I spoke with Marie Brown, founder of Beyond the Kitchen Table, to find out all you need to know about building a website to sell your products.

Listen in to hear Marie share:

An introduction to her business and what she does (1:06)
Why you need a website for your products business, even if you intend to sell elsewhere - but what to do first (1:33)
When to secure your domain name - it’s earlier than you might think! (4:48)
How to create a really simple, professional website (5:17)
Her pick of the best website builders for ecommerce (6:51)
What to write on your About page (10:57)
How much time and money it takes to get your website built (14:29)
The importance of keeping your website updated (20:32)
How you know whether your website is working for you and why you need Google Analytics! (24:06)
How to get more traffic to your website (26:14)
Common mistakes when it comes to websites (29:56)
Her number one piece of advice when it comes to building a website for your business (34:19)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Beyond the kitchen table on Twitter

Beyond the kitchen table on Facebook

Beyond the kitchen table on Instagram

Marie Brown on LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

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How to develop an original product – with Joe Shortt, Tripclip

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Joe Shortt is the creator of Tripclip, a travel retail product that helps people have total relaxation as soon as they settle into their seat. Designed for phone/tablet/e-reader for eye level, hands free viewing of their media, whilst on public transport worldwide (e.g. planes trains, buses and cars) without infringing on any fellow passengers and avoiding neck & back strain.

Joe tells us all about how he came up with the initial idea and the process of getting his product prototyped and finally manufactured. He also covers pre-selling his product and getting stocked with major airlines.

If you have an idea for an original product this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Listen in to hear Joe share:

An introduction to what Tripclip is and how and why he created it (00:45)
The product development process (4:20)
How long the process took and what it cost (8:34)
Getting an order from Ryanair before the product was even ready (12:02)
How Covid has impacted his business (13:53)
How he’s got stocked in Retailers and Airlines (20:43)
Finding a manufacturer for such a unique product (24:47)
How and why he took preorders of Tripclip before it was available to buy (29:47)
Working with bloggers to get the word out (32:06)
The advice he’d give to anyone looking to develop an original product (34:36)
What’s next for Tripclip (38:21)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (40:34)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Tripclip website

Tripclip on Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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The motivation you need to get your product created – with Sam Adams, The Real Life Coach

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Sam Adams is known as The REAL Life Coach. She’s a public speaker, a business owner for over 20 years and based in Brighton, UK.

Sam helps ambitious people Get Real, Get Results, using Real Talk, Real Experience and Real Insight. She’s a regular on BBC radio, has been in The Independent, Metro, Marie Claire, Women & Home, Happyiful and more.

Sam has lots of advice for anyone who wants to create a product (or achieve any dream at all) and needs some advice and motivation to make it happen.

Listen in to hear Sam share:

An introduction to herself, her business and her journey into coaching (1:13)
How to cope with fear of failure (6:44)
How to try something new without too much risk (13:55)
The importance of having a network (17:19)
How to stay positive (19:52)
Finding time to work towards your goals - and why it’s ok to put yourself first sometimes (28:06)
The importance of outer accountability (29:36)
Her number one piece of advice for product creators - which applies to anyone with a dream or a goal! (32:52)
Taking the time to enjoy the experience (35:03)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Sam Adams website

Sam Adams on Twitter

Sam’s Facebook Group

Sam Adams on Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

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Kentish Candle Company on Facebook

Starting a products business during a pandemic – with Donna Belgrave

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0100

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Donna Belgrave creates luxury soy candles and gift boxes with the 'Garden of England' as her inspiration, using locally sourced materials, wherever possible. She started the company after her Event Management career ground to a halt due to COVID, in March 2020.

We had a great chat about lots of topics, including how to make candles, why scent is so personal, starting up a brand new business and why it’s ok if not everyone likes your products.

Listen in to hear Donna share:

An introduction to her business and what she makes and sells (0:52)
The catalyst for starting a new business (1:52)
How and why she learnt to make candles (4:14)
How long it took from the initial idea to opening the doors for business (5:56)
Why you can’t wait for everything to be perfect (7:39)
The candle making process and logistics (10:32)
The sourcing process (16:24)
Balancing the creative and business elements (18:26)
The importance of thinking of your business as a business - not a hobby (20:57)
Why you should accept offers of help (26:10)
Why you shouldn’t be disheartened by competition, or by people not liking your products (27:40)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (30:54)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Kentish Candle Company

Kentish Candle Company on Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

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Amazon Made Easy is now open

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Wholesale for Small Businesses – with Therese Ørtenblad

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Therese Ørtenblad has a background in sales and has worked in the home and gift industry for over 12 years selling to both independent retailers and nationals on the high street as an introvert.

She is passionate about the retail industry and helping product-based business owners make more sales, increase their profit and develop a strategy for growing their businesses with confidence.

Listen in to hear Therese share:

An introduction to herself, her business and her professional background (2:27)
What wholesale is and why it doesn’t have to mean high volumes (04:56)
Why wholesale can be a great, accessible opportunity, even for really small businesses (5:58)
Why you might consider wholesale as a way of growing your business (7:36)
The first steps to take if you’re interested in wholesaling (10:37)
The kind of discount you need to be offering (13:10)
How to find retailers to potentially sell to (19:07)
Tips for making initial contact with retailers (23:15)
How wholesale works for handmade businesses (27:05)
Common mistakes and pitfalls to watch out for (29:24)
The services she offers for small business owners (31:17)
Her number one piece of advice for anyone looking to sell their products wholesale (34:43)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Small Business Collaborative on Twitter

Clubhouse: @sbusinesscollab

Therese on Linkedin

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

Mockingbird Makes website

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Creativity for Wellness – with Shannon Reed, Mockingbird Makes

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Shannon Reed believes we can outsource our creativity too easily and she’s on a mission to give that power back! She creates gorgeous handcrafted items to her customers (she calls them partners) designs or teaches (and empowers) them to do it themselves.

Shannon sells her products on Etsy and also hosts Creative Conversations, women’s events, which are a safe space to listen and connect with others.

Listen in to hear Shannon share:

What she makes, how it supports her own mental health and how it grew into a business (00:55)
How she knows how to charge for bespoke products (6:42)
How and why she started off making all her products to order (7:36)
Maintaining the balance between her ‘off the shelf’ items and bespoke products (9:33)
The story behind her crocheted yogis (14:00)
The process she goes through to create a bespoke order (18:03)
Creativity for wellness and the services she offers (27:31)
Her number one piece of advice for someone starting a creative products business (36:04)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Mockingbird Makes on Etsy

Mockingbird Makes on Instagram

Mockingbird Makes on Twitter

Mockingbird Makes on Facebook

LET’S CONNECT

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Lynsey’s Fairies on Etsy - Raindrop Crafts

Building a successful handmade business – with Lynsey Warren, the Handmade Business Coach

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Lynsey Warren is the owner of Raindrop Crafts, where she makes beautiful handmade fairies. Lynsey is also a Business Coach for Handmade Business Owners, a fellow podcaster (she’s the co-host of the Handmade Business Show) and she has some great advice on how to turn your hobby into a successful business.

If you’re a crafter or creative, this is the episode for you!

Listen in to hear Lynsey share:

An introduction to herself, her fairies and how she became a fairy maker! (1:04)
A description of her handmade fairies (5:15)
Starting a handmade business that can be a viable business (08:56)
Her view on whether crafters creatives can turn their hobbies into a business and how to work out if you have a viable product (10:33)
Why her card making hobby wouldn’t work as a business (11:14)
Her top tips for creating a successful handmade business (12:48)
How to properly price your products and charge for your time, not just materials (21:27)
The importance of being patient (24:34)
Why you should fall in love with learning (26:22)
How batch-making can free up the time to create new products (30:35)
Why you need to focus on sales (35:09)
The coaching and other services she offers for other handmade business owners (39:46)
Her number one piece of advice for other creative business owners (42:30)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Lynsey’s coaching website

Raindrop Crafts on Facebook

Raindrop Crafts on Instagram

Lynsey Warren on LinkedIn

'How to create a profitable handmade business' coaching packages

LET’S CONNECT

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Emily Goodall on LinkedIn

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Creating a product to meet a need – with Emily Goodall, BundleBean

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Emily Goodall is the Founder of BundleBean. Emily created her first, unique product to meet a need she had as a Mum with young children. She soon realised that every parent could benefit from the product she’d created!

Listen in to hear Emily share:

An introduction to her business (0:41)
A description of her unique products (3:12)
The inspiration for creating her products and how it was originally something she created because she needed it (5:32)
How she expanded her range by creating the products her customers were asking for (08:06)
The importance of building a team (13:04)
The process of getting a completely unique product manufactured (18:20)
How she got her products stocked in high street retailers - plus some of the negatives and things to watch out for (25:36)
Some of the things she loves about having a products business (34:37)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (39:35)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

BundleBean website

BundleBean on Twitter

BundleBean on Facebook

BundleBean on Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

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Episode 4 - How Silke created her resilience cards (and a new revenue stream)

The Number one Piece of Advice for Product Creators

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0100

If you’re a regular listener you’ll know I ask all product creators who join me on the show for their number 1 piece of advice. This episode is a compilation of all the best advice and inspiration, from 20 physical product sellers.

If you want to launch your own product this is THE episode to listen to!

Read the blog post.

Listen in to hear top tips from:

Silke Thistlewood, Raise Up Mums (1:04)
Lauren Hampshire, the Milky Tee Company (3:00)
Lynsey Pollard, Little Box of Books (3:57)
Kate Tompsett, Happy & Glorious (5:10)
Keisha Shah, Teddo Play (7:36)
Suzanne Hemming, Thea Chops Books (10:07)
Bee Veronica Moore, Witty Ditty Designs (11:16)
Lau Morrachini, the Creative Upcycler (14:13)
Alice Clover, Author (17:16)
Dawn Friday, Girl Friday Embroidery (17:58)
Sophie Lilley, Munchkin and Bear (19:01)
Harjit Sohotey-Khan, Jewelled Buddha (20:16)
Ruth Bradford, the Little Black and White Book Project (20:58)
Becky Perry, Paper Pattern Scissors (23:54)
Priya Khan, Little Crystal Minds (25:32)
Monique Horrigan, The Dou-Douds (26:46)
Catherine Marche (28:04)
Natalia Bolek, Naboso Handmade (30:44)
Christina Pickworth, This Mama Does (32:37)
Ruth Bussey, Ink and Scribbles (34:38)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Listen to the episodes in full:

Episode 7 - The reality of a 'successful' products business - with Lauren Hampshire, The Milky Tee Company

Episode 13 - Creating a products business by sourcing and curating - with Lynsey Pollard

Episode 15 - How to open a shop - with Kate Tompsett

Episode 17 - A family-run products business - with Keisha Shah, Teddo Play

Episode 19 - How to write and publish your own books - with Suzanne Hemming, Thea Chops Books

Episode 21 - Turning a passion into a business - with Bee Veronica Moore

Episode 23 - Creating Upcycled products - with Lau Moracchini

Episode 27 - How to Self Publish Your Book - with Alice Clover

Episode 29 - Selling handmade items on Etsy - with Dawn Friday

Episode 31 - Going into business with a friend - with Sophie Lilley, Munchkin & Bear

Episode 33 - Giving up the 9-to-5 to sell Artisan products - with Harjit Sohotey-Khan

Episode 35 - The importance of ‘ just going for it’ - with Ruth Bradford, the Little Black and White Book Project

Episode 37 - Selling Both Physical and Digital Products - with Becky Perry, Pattern, Paper, Scissors

Episode 38 - Adding products to your service business - with Priya Khan, Little Crystal Minds

Episode 39 - From making products by hand to outsourcing production - with Monique Horrigan, the Dou-Doods

Episode 40 - From selling on Etsy to a permanent showroom - With Catherine Marche

Episode 42 - Making every product to order - with Natalia Bolek, Naboso Handmade

Episode 45 - Selling products as a side business - with Christina Pickworth, THIS MAMA DOES

Episode 47 - Selling printables - with Ruth Bussey, Ink & Scribbles

LET’S CONNECT

Work with Me

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From Flat Out Broke to Ecommerce Success – With Heath Armstrong

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0100

**Please remember to rate and review the podcast - it really helps others to find it.**

Heath Armstrong is an author, entrepreneur and the co-founder of Rage Create, an e-commerce marketing and publishing company dedicated to help bridge the gap between taboo, craving and spirituality. He’s also the author and creator of a range of affirmation cards and journals, designed to optimise happiness and health.

Listen in to hear Heath share:

An introduction to himself and his businesses (1:47)
His journey ‘from face down pants down to serial entrepreneur’ (3:35)
How he got started in ecommerce and online arbitrage (09:58)
How retail arbitrage lead to a digital subscription business (17:15)
What he learnt about building a successful brand (19:08)
How, and why, he launched his own affirmation cards and journals (20:12)
How he got his first customers and sales - there’s some great tips here! (27:30)
Running a successful Kickstarter campaign (33:52)
His number one piece of advice for other product creators (44:04)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Heath Armstrong website

LET’S CONNECT

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Read the blog post for this episode.

How to effectively use PR for your product business – with Jessica Morgan

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0100

It’s no secret that in order to effectively grow your products business you need to promote your products and get them in front of people. That’s why it’s useful to learn about the world of PR and how it can give your business the boost it needs.

In this episode I speak to Jessica Morgan, founder of Carnsight Communications, a PR and communications agency for small and creative businesses and people. Jessica shares why and how to use PR to help people find (and buy!) your products.

Listen in to hear Jess share:

An introduction to herself and what she does (1:45)
What PR is - in super simple terms (2:20)
The benefits of PR and why it’s worth spending (even a little) time and money (3:12)
Why you don’t need a big budget to see results (08:25)
What a PR agency can do for you (10:16)
How much time and effort you need to put into your PR (13:22)
The stage at which you need to start talking about your new product. Hint - it’s earlier think you think! (16:46)
Reasons people can be nervous about publicising their business or product and her reassuring response (18:06)
Why storytelling is so important - and why the most compelling story might not be what you think it is! (25:04)
Is all PR good PR? (27:11)
The basics you need to have in place before thinking about starting your PR (29:44)
How to get started (33:47)
Her number one piece of PR advice! (37:15)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Carnsight Comms website

Carnsight Comms on Twitter

Jess Morgan on Twitter

Carnsight Comms on Facebook

Carnsight Comms on Instagram

Jess Morgan on LinkedIn

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Ink and Scribbles website

Selling printables – with Ruth Bussey, Ink & Scribbles

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Ruth Bussey founded Ink and Scribbles, creating emotional intelligence workbooks, journals and printable resources for children. She knows how influential parenting approaches and the conversations we have with our children about emotions is for nurturing future generations, and aims to support both parent and child through her products.

Listen in to hear Ruth share:

An introduction to Ink and Scribbles (1:14)
A really detailed description of her products, who they’re for and what they help with (2:33)
The inspiration for her first product (6:42)
When and how she decided to set up a business to sell her products (11:14)
Why she initially just sold printable (not physical) products (14:06)
A few of the things she’d do differently if she were to start again (15:18)
Starting to sell physical books and why she made them by hand initially (18:25)
The surge in sales in 2020, as children’s emotional needs were brought to the forefront (20:30)
How she found a trusted printer to make her workbooks (23:26)
The split between printable and physical product sales (26:27)
Why you need to put in the work to get your products found online (27:14)
The juggle between marketing existing products and creating new ones (34:00)
The Mama Haven (35:35)
How she designs and typsets her products (40:49)
What she loves about running her business (43:58)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (46:09)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Ink and Scribbles on Facebook

Ink and Scribbles on Instagram

The Mama Haven

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Download Maddy's free foolproof guide - 7 things about visibility you haven't been told before

Using SEO to get your products found – with Maddy Shine

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Maddy Shine helps awesome women grow their businesses by being more visible. Today we talk about how you can use SEO to help your products get found online.

Read the blog post

Listen in to hear Maddy share:

An introduction to her and her business (1:01)
What SEO is - in really simple terms (1:31)
How to figure out what people would be searching for, to find what you sell (3:27)
What keywords are and how you can find out which to use (4:29)
Tools you can use to help with keyword research (7:30)
How to avoid overusing keywords and phrases on your website (10:16)
How often you need to be reviewing your SEO plus how to do it (11:38)
What gettings lots of website clicks but not many sales indicate (14:49)
Why it’s important to have your own website - even if you sell on other platforms (16:56)
Why a blog is a great way to keep your website content fresh and how to make it work for you (20:02)
How to find out if your website is fully optimised for SEO (27:52)
What metadata and alt text is and how to use it (29:30)
Why SEO is about more than just websites (35:15)
How guest blogging works and what to be aware of (36:36)
Her number one SEO tip (37:49)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Maddy’s website

Maddy Shine on Facebook

Maddy Shine on Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

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THIS MAMA DOES on Twitter

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Selling products as a side business – with Christina Pickworth, THIS MAMA DOES

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Christina Pickworth founded THIS MAMA DOES in 2016. With a background in film & television she’d spent over a decade telling stories, but when she became a mother she felt suddenly invisible. Then she had an idea for funny parenting milestone cards that can help tell a story of not just the new baby, but the new parent too - and perhaps send a little SOS out into the world with a smile where there might otherwise be lonely meltdown.

A chance to laugh with other parents in the solidarity of sleepless nights and s**tmageddons. Because the kids might be all kinds of wonderful, but the parents doing all the snot-wiping and tantrum negotiating on 3 hours of sleep and 4 cups of coffee are pretty fab too!

Listen in to hear Christina share:

An introduction to her and her businesses (1:15)
The inspiration for her parenting milestone cards and how she launched them in 3 weeks (1:40)
The process of creating her cards - and why who you know can help! (5:17)
How she got her first sales (7:44)
Some of the milestones on her cards (10:20)
How she expanded the range - by signing up with Not On The High Street (11:30)
The process of applying for NOTHS with a few top tips! (13:30)
How much time she spends on THIS MAMA DOES versus her main business - hint. It’s not a lot! (17:00)
Selling her cards wholesale and how she got her first orders (22:20)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (27:49)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

THIS MAMA DOES website

THIS MAMA DOES on Facebook

THIS MAMA DOES on Instagram

THIS MAMA DOES cards on Scribbler

LET’S CONNECT

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Launching and marketing your physical product – with Shona Chambers

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Shona Chambers is a freelance marketing consultant with a career spanning over 20 years, working with both large and small companies. Shona has also created her own businesses, including a networking group for the self employed and freelance community, Self Employed Club.

Today she shares her tips and advice on how to both launch and market your product.

Read the transcript

Listen in to hear Shona share:

Why you need to start thinking about marketing and building and audience before you have a product to sell (2:18)
How and where to find your ideal customers (4:00)
How to engage authentically (7:54)
When (and why) to get your own social media channels set up (10:50)
Using your social media channels to drive traffic back to your website (13:50)
The type of content to share on social media (15:33)
How blogging can help your marketing efforts (19:26)
How to encourage people to sign up for your email list - and why emailing consistently is important (22:19)
How and why to create a lead magnet that’s relevant to your customers (28:19)
How often to email - and what to say! (32:42)
Creating a simple marketing plan (36:51)
What what kind of things a professional marketer can do for you (39:24)
The costs of marketing support (41:47)
Shona’s book - what it is, who it’s for and where to find it (42:50)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Buy Shona’s book - 100 Marketing Tips for Small Business Owners

Shona Chambers website

Shona Chambers on Facebook

Shona Chambers on Instagram

Shona Chambers on Twitter

Shona Chambers on LinkedIn

Get my FREE Product creation checklist

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Episode 1 - 10 great reasons to sell physical products

Great reasons to create a product to sell in 2021

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +0100

If you’ve ever heard me talk before you’ll know that I think creating and selling products is a good income stream.

In this, shorter than usual, episode I sum up 2020, from my experience and talk a little about 2021.

Listen in to hear:

A summary of 2020 for retail and products businesses.
Why more people are now shopping online.
Why this means more people are also selling their products online.
Some of the challenges around so many new sellers starting on Amazon.
Why I still believe you can do really well selling products in 2021 - with some caveats of course!
How I can help you, if creating a physical product is something you’re interested in.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Number of new Amazon sellers

Episode 30 - Where's the best place to sell products online?

Episode 9 - How to carry out your own customer and market research - with Abbey Teunis

Latest blog posts

FREE Product creation checklist

My product creation courses

LET’S CONNECT

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Naboso Handmade on Instagram

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Making every product to order – with Natalia Bolek, Naboso Handmade

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 06:00:00 +0100

Natalia Bolek sells wooden products - and every single one is unique and made to order. Find out how she does it!

Listen in to hear Natalia share:

An introduction to her business and a description of her products (00:50)
How she got started creating her wooden products (4:55)
The importance of moving forward - even if you’re taking small steps (9:02)
When she started making her boxes - and what’s changed since those early years (11:40)
Why this is a good time to start an online business (14:00)
Working from home, around her family and why it works (14:39)
How and when she made the change from a hobby to a business (18:48)
How she got her first orders (21:09)
Evolving her offers and processes to make life simpler! (24:24)
Her marketing focus and why it’s something to work on (26:06)
Why she still feels like she’s just starting out - 7 years in (27:42)
Crafting from home (33:19)
What she loves about selling products (36:00)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (39:20)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Naboso Handmade website

Naboso Handmade on Facebook

LET’S CONNECT

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Blog post - where you can sell your products online

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Selling on Amazon – how to set yourself up for success

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0100

READ THIS AS A BLOG POST

A few episodes back I talked about the different places you can sell your products online and the pros and cons of each of them. I know lots of you are interested in selling on Amazon, so I wanted to go into more detail.

Today I talk about:

Why selling on Amazon is such an exciting proposition for many people
How to tell if it’s the right marketplace for your product
How to set yourself up for success on Amazon

You can also download my free Amazon product listing checklist.

USEFUL RESOURCES:

JungleScout

Blog post - How to write an Amazon product listing

FREEBIE - Amazon product listing checklist

Blog post - 20 ways to get more product reviews

Episode 22 - 10 Things to do at the beginning of your product creation journey

LET’S CONNECT

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Catherine Marche Designs Website

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From selling on Etsy to a permanent showroom – With Catherine Marche

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Catherine March designs and makes her own jewellery by hand, in London. She has a fascinating story of how she started selling the odd piece she’d made in jewellery making classes in London on Etsy (back when Etsy was really new!) - to having a showroom in the Oxo Tower today.

Listen in to hear Catherine share:

An introduction to making and selling jewellery made from recycled metals (1:46)
How she learnt to create her own jewellery and why she got started (3:24)
How she started to sell her products - and why she hadn’t actually planned to sell them (6:08)
How she went from selling the odd piece on Etsy to having her pieces in Hatton Garden (7:22)
Making jewellery that’s easy to wear (8:50)
Where she finds the inspiration for her jewellery designs (9:40)
When and why she decided to take a business course (11:55)
Selling on Etsy, back when Etsy was still a new platform (12:46)
Where she finds the metal to make her pieces (15:40)
The point at which she decided to start a business (16:28)
The advantage of selling products on your own website (18:01)
Where else her products are stocked and sold (19:41)
How Covid has affected her business and how (and where) she works (22:50)
What she enjoys about creating and selling her jewellery designs (25:25)
How her business works around family life (26:30)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (28:48)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Catherine Marche Designs on Twitter

Catherine Marche Designs on Facebook

Catherine Marche Designs on Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

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The Dou-Doods on Facebook

From making products by hand to outsourcing production – with Monique Horrigan, the Dou-Doods

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Monique Horrigan designs and sells the Dou-Doods - really cool baby & toddler comforters. She started off making them by hand - and through a lot of hard work, managed to outsource production when she was ready to scale.

Listen in to hear Monique share:

An introduction to her business and what she sells (0:55)
How she got started and the inspiration for her products (1:28)
Her journey from making her comforters by hand to outsourcing production (3:22)
How she made her first sales and got her business set up (6:23)
Her background in design and how she used it to make a business that works for her family (11:31)
How she ensured she was compliant with the safety standards for baby products (15:00)
How she found a manufacturer for a product with a very detailed and precise specification (22:00)
How she got the Dou-Doods in the press and the impact of that (29:32)
What she loves about running a products business (37:35)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (39:00)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Dou-Doods website

The Dou-Doods on Twitter

The Dou-Doods on Instagram

The Dou-Doods on Pinterest

Monique Horrigan on LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

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Little Crystal Minds website

Adding products to your service business – with Priya Khan, Little Crystal Minds

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Priya Khan created her products to compliment the services she offers at Little Crystal Minds. This is an interesting example of how you can add products to your service business.

Listen in to hear Priya share:

An introduction to herself and her business (1:03)
What mindfulness is and why it’s so important (1:55)
The physical products she sells and why they were created (4:18)
How the first products came about (7:43)
The Mindfulness sessions she’s running now and how these have changed in 2020 (9:22)
The happy notes cards (11:21)
How the product creation process worked (13:55)
The feedback she’s had about her products (17:40)
Where she sells her products (18:46)
What she enjoys about selling products and how it compares to delivering services (19:38)
How her range of customers isn’t what she’d originally anticipated (21:44)
Her latest product - who it’s for and how it helps (23:34)
How she collated the products for her mindful box of calm (26:35)
The things she’d like you to know when you’re starting out (32:58)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (34:17)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Little Crystal Minds on Instagram

Little Crystal Minds on Facebook

Mindful Box of Calm (for children 6+)

LET’S CONNECT

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Pattern Paper Scissors website

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Selling Both Physical and Digital Products – with Becky Perry, Pattern, Paper, Scissors

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +0100

This week’s guest sells both physical and digital products in her business, Pattern, Paper, Scissors. She started her business in April 2020, so is definitely still in the early stages (we recorded our interview in September 2020). My goal is to share stories from people only a few steps ahead of you - so I hope we’ve delivered!

Listen in to hear Becky share:

An introduction to her business (1:00)
Starting a business during the UK lockdown (2:00)
The physical and digital products she sells (5:27)
How she sources the components for her kits (6:50)
How the digital side of the business works (9:48)
The other platforms she sells on (12:00)
What she’s doing to get the word out about her products (12:50)
Her ideology and ethos (14:16)
Whether the UK lockdown, and people taking up new crafts, may have helped with sales (18:36)
Why it’s lovely to see people’s finished products - and how it can help too (21:20)
Where you can find her helpful sewing tips videos (23:55)
Things she loves about her business (26:38)
The split between business work and creative work (28:20)
Her top piece of advice for other product creators (31:50)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Pattern Paper Scissors on Facebook

Pattern Paper Scissors on Instagram

Becky’s Christmas Family pyjamas

LET’S CONNECT

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READ THE BLOG POST FOR THIS EPISODE

Shipping and importing your products – with Simon Arnold, Unity Logistics

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Simon Arnold joins us from Unity Logistics - a UK based freight forwarding company specialising in shipping goods internationally to and from the UK, including importing and delivering goods directly to Amazon warehouses in the UK (or wherever required) on behalf of Amazon sellers.

Listen in to hear Simon share:

What we mean when we talk about shipping and what a freight forwarder does (1:50)
What Incoterms are and what each one means to you as a buyer (4:01)
The importance of ensuring you’re receiving and comparing supplier quotes based on the same shipping terms (7:28)
How to work out which terms might be best for you (9:52)
How to know if you’re being quoted accurately (12:44)
Why DDP shipping might not be best (14:31)
Why it’s worth insuring your products during transit (22:14)
How to work out what import charges and VAT you’ll pay - plus who pays and when (23:14)
Why you need an EORI number (26:54)
The different modes of transport you can choose for shipping your products (28:19)
What you need to get an accurate quote from a freight forwarder (32:37)
Using a freight forwarder versus asking your supplier to handle your shipping (36:14)
What you need to be aware of if you’re planning on sending products into Amazon FBA (39:52)
The top (quick!) things you need to know if this is your first shipment (47:40)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Unity Logistics website

Get an EORI number

LET’S CONNECT

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Little Black and White Book Project website

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The importance of ‘ just going for it’ – with Ruth Bradford, the Little Black and White Book Project

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Ruth’s plan for the first year of business was to say yes to trying everything and see what worked. We talk about the awards she’s entered (and won!) and the long-term benefits she’s still experiencing from them. She also shares her story of sending products to Joe Wicks and what happened when he shared them on Instagram.

Listen in to hear Ruth share:

An introduction to her business and what she sells (1:19)
How having a child inspired her to start her business (1:44)
The importance of children understanding the World around them (5:14)
The (gungho!) first steps she took to get started (7:57)
Why just getting started can be a good thing - and a way to test your product idea (12:37)
How she got her first sales and the importance of involving your customers (13:45)
How and when she expanded her product range (16:50)
How (and why) she’s found a new printer, closer to home (19:08)
Some of the challenges around finding and working with suppliers in the UK (23:48)
How working with Chinese suppliers can be a positive experience and tips for getting it right (26:00)
How she manages the logistics around shipping and storing her products - and why it can be nice to do it yourself (28:29)
The awards the Little Black and White Book Project has won - and why she entered (32:37)
The (lasting) benefits of winning awards for your product (36:45)
What happened when Joe Wicks shared her products on Instagram (39:30)
Why she chooses to donate 25% of her profits (45:00)
What she loves about selling products (51:28)
Her top piece of advice for other product creators (54:16)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Little Black and White Book Project on Twitter

Little Black and White Book Project on Facebook

Little Black and White Book Project on Instagram

Ruth Bradford on LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

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Blog post - DIY photography

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How to take your own professional product photos – with Georgina Little

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 06:00:00 +0100

You need great product photos to help sell your physical product and that does come at a cost - either time, money, or both. Today I’m speaking to an expert, to find out the pros and cons of taking your own product photos and, if you do decide to take your own, how to ensure they look professional.

Georgina Little is a photographer who specialises in Personal Branding and Product Photography - helping businesses uplevel their brands with images that sell.

We covered a lot of ground in our chat, including:

The benefits of taking your own product photos
The downsides of taking your own product images
The pros and cons of hiring someone to do your photography
How to know what’s included
What you need to take your own product photos
Tips for using your phone to take product photos
How to get the lighting right
How to avoid shadows
How to best position your product (and yourself!)
Taking product shots outside
Lifestyle photography - what that means and the kind of photos to take
How to plan out the shots you need
How to edit your images, or find someone to do it for you
How to find and brief a product photographer

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Blog post - how to write a product photography brief

Georgina Little Photography

Georgina’s Instagram - Brand

Georgina’s Instagram - Family

Georgina Little on Linkedin

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Jewelled Buddha on Twitter

Giving up the 9-to-5 to sell Artisan products – with Harjit Sohotey-Khan - Jewelled Buddha

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Harjit Sohotey-Khan works with social enterprises, artisan NGO's and brands to sell ethically handcrafted fashion and homeware for style conscious women. Her mission is Style Made to Empower - empowering the consumer with high quality, artisanal fashion and artisans with a sustainable income.

Listen in to hear Harjit share:

What Jewelled Buddha is and what she sells (1:00)
How and why she quit her 9-to-5 job to travel through Asia (1:26)
Where she found the inspiration for her business (4:40)
How things change when you work for yourself (7:00)
The practical steps she took to set up her business (8:57)
How and why she started off selling in marketplaces (10:00)
The logistics around products and stock (11:48)
Selecting products and how she sources ethical, sustainable, wearable fashion (12:41)
The importance of having a criteria for products included in her range (18:16)
Getting to know the communities she works with (20:00)
The importance of appreciating our clothes and shopping sustainably (21:30)
How the covid-19 pandemic has affected her supply chain and the communities she works with (23:00)
Appearing in the Telegraph and how she’s getting so much press coverage - plus what you can do to get yourself in the press (25:54)
Her best PR tips (30:10)
The importance of joining Facebook groups and networking groups (31:30)
Her experience of working through my product creation course (34:10)
Why you just need to get started and why your journey will look different to everyone else's (36:15)
What wearing the same clothes for a year taught her (40:50)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (42:57)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Jewelled Buddha website

Jewelled Buddha on Facebook

Jewelled Buddha on Instagram

Harjit Sohotey-Khan on LinkedIn

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How to write a product description that sells

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +0100

**READ THE BLOG POST**

These tips apply to anywhere you’d sell your product online. Amazon product listings are slightly different and I talk about those separately, towards the end.

Know who your customer is

Hopefully by now you’ve done a lot of research and you have a really clear idea of who you’re writing your product description for.

Jot down the problems or concerns your customer has and how your product will help with this. How will it improve their life?

Talk about the benefits - not the features

It’s easy to fall into the trap of listing out all the things your product has and does - but if you know who your customer is, and how your product can help them, it’s much easier to talk about the benefits.

This is much more compelling for a customer, as you’re telling them how purchasing this product will improve their life in some way.

Share a bit of yourself

If you’ve created your own product and it means something to you, then tell people that. Whether it’s ‘I saw this gap in the market’ or ‘I had this problem and came up with this solution’ people want to hear your story. Make sure you include it.

Tell a story

If you don’t feel there’s a story behind you and your product, then tell a story about an aspect of your product. Maybe it has an unusual ingredient or component. What is it that makes it special?

Include relevant keywords (but make sure this makes sense)

If you want your product to be found, it’s a good idea to include relevant keywords. These might vary across the marketplaces you list your product on and I suggest slightly tweaking your product description for each.

The main thing to remember is that when you use them in your listing, you ensure you’re not just ‘keyword stuffing’ and that what you’re writing actually makes sense!

Get some great photos

Well-written, informative text is really important. You also need some great images to go with it!

If you have some budget, graphics are also a great way to highlight aspects of your product.

How do you actually write it?

If you’re unsure of how to start, I’d suggest a good structure is:

A title (containing your keywords)
One paragraph of text giving an overview of the product and what it is / who it’s for
3-5 bullet points outlining the benefits

Obviously you don’t want to make bold claims that might not be true, or write anything misleading - but remember the goal of your product listing is to sell your product.

Sense-check

Read through your listing and, as well as checking for typos and spelling mistakes, check that it sounds natural and conversational.

Get some help if you need it

If this still feels like way too much I’m here to help. I offer a product description writing service, or I can edit a description you’ve already written.

Amazon product listings

I actually write all my product listings with Amazon in mind, then tweak them for the other marketplaces I sell on.

How these differ from listing in other marketplaces, is there are lots of rules you have to follow around the words you can can’t use / the numbers of characters you can use / field you have to complete and how your images have to look.

I have a detailed blog post on this, plus a FREE Amazon product listing checklist.

There are a few things you need to do to create an optimised listing:

The first is to do your research, which we’ve already covered.
You might want to do some more specific Amazon keyword research.
Complete your back-end search terms field
Make sure your title has the right keywords
Format your description properly

USEFUL RESOURCES

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If I haven’t answered your question please do get in touch!

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Visit the Munchkin and Bear shop

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Going into business with a friend – with Sophie Lilley, Munchkin and Bear

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Sophie is the owner of Munchkin and Bear in Europe. The brand was the brainchild of a great friend of hers, Alana. Alana created Munchkin and Bear in 2016 in Australia when she couldn’t find a play mat for her kids which was both practical but also stylish meaning she didn’t have to sacrifice her beautiful home! Lots of R&D later and the first luxury padded play mat globally was launched. Sophie, decided not to return to her day job after maternity leave and kicked off the business in the UK in late 2018 with 1 year old twins literally playing on her play mat alongside her!

Listen in to hear Sophie share:

Her business and what Munchkin and Bear sell (2:05)
How she got involved with the business (2:45)
Launching the business and brand in the UK (3:34)
The difference between the UK and Australian markets (4:41)
How the business is set up in the UK (5:27)
The benefits of outsourcing your logistics (6:30)
How she went about finding a fulfilment company - and her advice for you (7:50)
The channels Munchkin and Bear use in the UK (11:10)
The main challenges she faced and how she overcame them (13:40)
The areas of the business she outsources and why outsourcing is importance (15:40)
The things she loves about her business (19:56)
Her experience of being in business with a friend and how to make it work (21:00)
Attending the Baby Show and the benefits of actually seeing your customers (23:30)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (28:41)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Like our page on Facebook

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Amazon products requiring approval (UK)

Where’s the best place to sell products online?

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +0100

**READ THE BLOG POST**

If you’re thinking of creating a product (or products) to sell, where to sell them is something you need to consider. (In fact, I know for most people this is one of the very first things they think about - sometimes even before nailing down the details of the product!)

I’m going to give you a rundown of some of the online marketplaces you might want to consider, my thoughts on who each one is right for and the pros and cons of each.

We’ll cover:

Selling on Amazon - including Amazon FBA (2:18)
Selling on eBay (17:34)
Selling on Etsy (24:05)
Selling on Not on the High Street (27:50)
Selling on niche sites - such as All By Mama (31:48)
Setting up your own ecommerce website (35:05)
The importance of building your email list (40:00)
Selling on Facebook and Instagram (41:21)

USEFUL RESOURCES

Amazon FBA fee calculator (UK)

All By Mama membership community

All by Mama online store

Book in a Power Hour with me

LET’S CONNECT

If I haven’t answered your question please do get in touch!

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All By Mama membership community

Selling on Etsy – with Dawn Friday

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Dawn Friday uses freehand machine embroidery to create stitched keepsakes and gifts, capturing memories in fabric. She creates and sells beautiful, handmade items.

Listen in to hear Dawn share:

An introduction to her business and freehand embroidery (1:00)
How she got started and where her business is today (2:25)
How she manages making products to order (7:20)
Selling on Etsy - why it’s a great platform (10:52)
Top tips for selling on Etsy (14:05)
Her experience with Amazon Handmade (17:38)
Being part of the All By Mama network and the benefits (18:40)
Getting commissions through Instagram and Facebook (22:00)
Her NHS angels to give back to the NHS Charities Together (24:00)
Some of the challenges she’s overcome (30:22)
The benefits of being part of a network (34:00)
What she loves about running her business (37:50)
Her top piece of advice for other makers wanting

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Girl Friday website

Girl Friday on Instagram

Girl Friday on Facebook

NHS Charities together

LET’S CONNECT

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**Read this as a blog post and get all the links mentioned**

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3 things to do when you set up your products business

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +0100

If you’re setting up a products business, I suggest getting these 3 things in place right now.

While perhaps not exciting, they’re definitely important.

Taking out business insurance
Figuring out what kind of banking you need
Applying for an EORI

USEFUL RESOURCES

Listen to Episode 22 with Gemma Whates

Read: 10 things to do at the beginning of your product creation journey

Book in a Power Hour with me

LET’S CONNECT

If I haven’t answered your question please do get in touch!

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Girls Love to Fart on Amazon

How to Self Publish Your Book – with Alice Clover

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Today we’re talking about writing, self publishing, promoting and selling your own book.

We’ve had a self published author on the show before - but everyone has their own unique story to share. I hope all aspiring authors will find this useful!

Listen in to hear Alice share:

An introduction to Alice and why she writes about ‘taboo’ subjects (1:22)
The theme of her book (2:32)
Why she chose to write, rather than use another format (3:50)
The steps involved in writing and creating a book - and why she chose to self publish (6:30)
How she utilises print on demand across many different sales channels (8:40)
Writing a best-selling book (10:40)
How to work with illustrators (13:28)
How she promotes her book - and why she does it every day (18:28)
The importance of knowing your audience and where to find them (20:30)
The importance of persistence and consistently showing up (25:50)
What she enjoys about writing and publishing books (29:00)
One mistake she made - that you can avoid (29:40)
Her number one piece of advice (35:20)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Alice Clover’s website

Alice Clover on Facebook

Alice Clover on Instagram

Episode 19 - How to write and publish your own books - with Suzanne Hemming, Thea Chops Books

LET’S CONNECT

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My FREE product creation checklist

Find the time to create your product – with Libby Knight

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Libby Knight is a business consultant helping busy people to build and grow a profitable business, by creating a focused and effective strategy, without being overwhelmed or losing their life work balance.

Having worked both at home and in the corporate environment, leading teams and travelling extensively, Libby knows the importance of productivity and effective time management.

In this podcast she shares tips and advice on the time mindset that we need to overcome, provides practical advice and techniques that you can use to consistently move your business forwards or launch your next product and helps you prioritise what’s truly important, all while maintaining a positive life work balance.

I learnt a lot from this chat and really hope that you do too.

READ THE BLOG POST

Listen in to hear Libby share:

How she helps people build profitable businesses (2:33)
How she’s developed her own time management skills (5:40)
Why we (feel like we!) don’t have enough time (7:25)
How some people seem to achieve more than others (10:18)
Practical tips to utilise the time you have - especially if it’s limited (15:00)
How to carve out more time (22:10)
Top tips for managing to-do lists (26:00)
The importance of keeping things simple (31:00)
How many things you should have on your do-to list and why they don’t all need to be work or business tasks (37:24)
Why you might want to keep a notepad by your bed (40:00)
The two-minute rule (43:12)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Libby’s website

Libby’s Facebook group

Libby Knight on Facebook

Libby Knight on Instagram

Libby Knight on LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

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Morning Marketing machine on Twitter

From Arbitrage to Private Label an Amazon journey – with Douglas Levin

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Today we’re going to talk about Amazon. Douglas Levin helps eCommerce sellers to take back control of their brand’s income.

He started out doing Retail Arbitrage, sold Wholesale products, and now sells his own Private Label Products using Amazon FBA.

Listen in to hear Douglas share:

Why he chose to start selling on Amazon (1:22)
How he got started and why he chose to change his business model to Amazon FBA (3:13)
How Retail Arbitrage works, what he liked and what he didn’t! (7:20)
Why he decided to stop selling other people’s products via arbitrage and become an authorised wholesale seller (11:38)
What inspired him to create his own products to sell and how he went about it (15:50)
The importance of building up your own web presence (18:18)
Why you might want to consider selling replenishable products (20:00)
How you might get customers to buy your product from you directly, rather than on Amazon (21:25)
How to get customers on your email list (25:39)
HIs number one piece of advice for other product creators (32:50)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Douglas’ website

Morning Marketing machine on Facebook

Morning Marketing machine on Instagram

Morning Marketing machine on Youtube

LET’S CONNECT

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Empowering Transformation

Finding the confidence to work on your product creation – with Helen Hardware

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 06:00:00 +0100

One of my goals is to help you confidently create your own physical products to sell. I believe that once you’ve done this you’ll really feel more confident about tackling other tasks and challenges that come your way.

However, I’m not an expert here, so I’ve found someone who is.

Helen Hardware empowers women with online businesses to overcome self-doubt, break free from worrying about what others think and stop procrastinating by unlocking their confidence, clarity and courage.

Listen in to hear Helen share:

How and why confidence (or lack of!) can affect us and how it can hold us back
What that might look like and how it might show up
Mindset, limiting beliefs
Practical ways to overcome a lack of confidence

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Helen Hardware on Facebook

Empowering Transformation Instagram

Helen Hardware on LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

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The Creative Upcycler on Instagram

Creating Upcycled products – with Lau Moracchini

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Lau Morrachini is an eco-friendly woodworker and jewellery maker. She’s an upcycler, who makes her own, bespoke products.

Listen in to hear Lau share:

An introduction to Lau and her business (1:11)
How she got started with wood-working and metal turning (1:53)
Where she sources the reclaimed items to create her products (4:45)
How she designs her products (6:18)
How and where people find her products (8:45)
Whether it’s easier to sell bespoke jewellery in person or online (10:22)
How long it takes to make a product (11:30)
How she manages stock and what to make, when (12:38)
The biggest challenges she faces (13:57)
How Coronavirus has affected her business and the way she needs to market her products (16:30)
How the business works around her family (18:33)
What she enjoys about running her business (20:34)
Her top advice for other makers and product creators (24:03)
The importance of knowing who your customers are (25:30)
Why it doesn’t matter if not everyone likes your products (29:11)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

The Creative Upcycler

Lau’s Etsy Shop

The Creative Upcycler on Facebook

Lau Morrachini on Linkedin

LET’S CONNECT

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FREE checklist - product creation & business start up

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10 Things to do at the beginning of your product creation journey

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Gemma Whates helps mothers to start and grow a business alongside raising a family, via start up courses and the ALL by MAMA community.

Read the full blog post

She shares 10 practical steps you can take to get your business started.

Map out your vision
Work on your business model
Define your ideal customer
Identify your USP (Unique Selling Point)
Decide on a name for your company and set up at Companies House
Design a company logo
Get an online presence (website and social media)
Make yourself accountable
Work out (realistic) timings for your goals
Create your personal finance plan

USEFUL RESOURCES:

All By Mama membership community

Gemma Whates start up course

Gemma on Facebook

Gemma on Instagram

Gemma on LinkedIn

Episode 9 - how to carry out your own customer and market research

Gov.uk guidance for business

LET’S CONNECT

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Witty Ditty Designs website

Turning a passion into a business – with Bee Veronica Moore

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Bee Veronica Moore designs fun, ethnically diverse everyday products for every child to enjoy.

With a background in graphic design and illustration, and a passion to encourage reading, early years development and self esteem, particularly in BAME children who rarely see themselves reflected in children’s goods and products found in shops and online.

Listen in to hear Bee share:

Her background in writing poetry and rhyme (1:40)
The inspiration for Witty Dittys (2:24)
Her experience of not being able to find products that represented her family and why her products ensure BAME children are represented (5:40)
The products she sells and the importance of all children being able to see themselves on the products in their home (7:28)
Her Colourful Kids collection (10:17)
The logistics of the business (11:10)
How she found her supplier (13:40)
The importance of choosing the right people to work with (17:19)
How and why she held a focus group and what she learnt from it (21:05)
How the business got started (23:57)
How she launched - and one thing she wishes she’d done (30:45)
Some of the challenges she’s had to overcome (34:28)
Resuming her business, after pausing when her son was born, and what it looks like now (37:25)
The STEM workshops she runs for children and how this works alongside her products business (40:25)
How the business works around her family (43:45)
How her business has been impacted by the covid-19 pandemic (45:00)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (49:43)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Witty Ditty Designs on Instagram

Witty Ditty Designs on Twitter

Witty Ditty Designs on Facebook

Bee Clarke Moore on LinkedIn

LET’S CONNECT

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Episode 11 - Mindset shifts to help you get ‘unstuck’ on your product creation journey - with Emma Jefferys

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How to keep going with your product creation

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Maybe you’ve stopped your efforts to create your product and don’t have the motivation to start again.

Perhaps you feel like you just don’t know what to do next.

Maybe you haven’t even got started.

Either way, here are some resources to help you get going and keep moving forward±

I talk about 3 areas that might be holding you back:

Mindset
Misconceptions
Overwhelm

USEFUL RESOURCES

Listen to:

Episode 6 - How and why to validate your product ideas

Episode 8 - Common misconceptions about launching a physical product (and how to overcome them)

Read:

Blog post - how to carry out your own customer and market research

Take a look at:

My blog

My product validation and product creation courses

FREE product creation checklist

LET’S CONNECT

If I haven’t answered your question please do get in touch!

Mentioned in this episode:

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How to write and publish your own books – with Suzanne Hemming, Thea Chops Books

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Suzanne Hemmings writes rhyming children's books with messages of equality and acceptance in them. She also uses her platform to campaign and highlight the need for greater equality.

Listen in to hear Suze share:

An introduction to her books (1:30)
How her daughter inspired her to write her own books (2:04)
Her background in engineering (6:24)
How and when she started writing (7:00)
Why you don’t need writing or publishing experience to write and publish a book (10:31)
The practical steps to go through (13:15)
The power of using Google to help with research and creating your to-do list and why you don’t need to know it all (15:10)
The difference between traditional publishing and self publishing (19:11)
Where she sells her books and (23:05)
How having a distributor helps (25:30)
The roles she has to do as a self published author (27:38)
How she found a distributor (28:30)
How she markets her books (30:45)
Save the Children’s Save with Stories (37:48)
Her number one piece of advice for anyone wanting to write and publish a book (41:54)
A sneak peek at book number 3! (43:00)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

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Should I source my product overseas?

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 06:00:00 +0100

I can’t tell you what’s best for you and your product, but I can tell you that I have sourced products from the UK, USA, China and India and all are possible!

Episode 16. Finding a great supplier to source your product

Today I cover:

The pros and cons of sourcing in your own country
The pros and cons of sourcing your product overseas
How to overcome some of the challenges of sourcing overseas

If you do need to (or decide to) source your product overseas, here are some ways around the disadvantages I’ve shared.

If you’re concerned about quality, I’d suggest ensuring you get at least two samples (so you can compare) of your product before placing a mass order.

Shipping is a cost to consider, but if the production cost is lower it may even out. Shop around for the best shipping price. Remember, the shipping method you use (air, rail, sea, etc) all impact on costs and the time taken. It may be that it’s worth waiting an extra 7-10 days for your goods to arrive, if it saves you money.

There are definitely ways to verify suppliers. Much of this can be done online, but you can also pay for an inspection if this puts your mind at rest.

There may be communication issues. To help with this, you can keep your communications short, clear (remember they may well be ran through an online translation tool, so keep your language as simple as you can) and number questions, so it’s easy to keep track.

There’s not much you can do about customs fees, unfortunately. You might want to consider DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping, if you don’t want to deal with it yourself – but it is a cost you will have to pay if you’re importing.

USEFUL RESOURCES

FREE product creation checklist

LET’S CONNECT

If I haven’t answered your question please do get in touch!

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A family-run products business – with Keisha Shah, Teddo Play

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Teddo Play® is a family-run business that loves to help children to become naturally enthusiastic about learning. They encourage children to gain a lifelong love for knowledge and learning for their all-round development through their play-based learning methods.

Keisha & Amit, the wife & husband team behind Teddo Play® have created a concept where they create many varieties of premium play-based educational learning cards to suit children of all ages, needs and abilities. They’re both very passionate about all things learning and education in a playful environment that gives children the time and space to absorb new information all while having a great time.

Listen in to hear Keisha share:

How and why she got started (4:00)
How her flashcards differ from others on the market (6:07)
How she created and validated her product (11:38)
The practical steps she took to get her product ready to sell (16:08)
Why she chose to have her product made in the UK (17:34)
The importance of getting samples (20:00)
How and she chose to launch her product at a baby & toddler show (21:00)
How the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the business (25:50)
Her advice for working in a partnership (with her husband) (28:06)
Her top advice for other product creators (37:33)
Room to Read (40:47)
The importance of engaged play (43:12)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

LET’S CONNECT

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How to find a supplier to create your product

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Can I source products myself?

Absolutely! It just takes time, patience and a clear idea of what you’re looking for.

Do I need to source from China, or somewhere else overseas?

My honest answer is maybe. (Sorry!) It’ll really depend on your product.

Manufacturing costs can be lower overseas – but shipping will be higher, and you’ll have to pay customs fees, which may offset any cost savings.

There’s definitely an appeal with products ‘made in the UK’. (I’ll bet you sometimes see that on packaging?) However not all products are made here, so you may have no option but to source from abroad.

I really can’t tell you what’s best for you, without knowing what you’re looking for, but I can tell you that I’ve successfully sourced products from the UK, USA, China, Turkey, Portugal and India. All are possible!

What do I need before I start contacting suppliers?

You need a really clear product specification, with as much detail about the product you’re looking for as provide

If you have images (either of your own idea, or of similar products that you’ve seen elsewhere) you can include these too.

It’s important to be really clear before you start looking, as you’ll get asked plenty of questions and this way you can be prepared for them!

How do I find a supplier?

There are plenty of sites where you can find thousands of manufacturers in one place, search for the product you’re looking for, compare suppliers and get in touch with them.

How do I stay safe?

There are definitely ways to verify suppliers. Much of this can be done online, or if you’re looking at a UK manufacturer you can usually visit them in person.

How will I know if the quality is any good?

Most suppliers will happily produce a sample for you (which you may need to pay for). Personally, I’d avoid any that don’t, as it’s important to see what you’re potentially going to be paying for.

I recommend ordering 2 or 3 samples in total, so you can compare quality.

It can also be good to compare next to competitor’s products if you can (perhaps by buying one to use as a benchmark). This is a great way to compare like-for-like, as you can’t assess everything using a photo.

Who handles shipping if I do decide to source from overseas?

You’ll need to arrange your own shipping in most cases, but it may well be that your supplier can help you with this. This post covers the basics.

Episode 12 - How to write a product specification

USEFUL RESOURCES

Blog post - Do I need to find an overseas manufacturer to make my product?

LET’S CONNECT

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Happy & Glorious on Instagram

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How to open a shop – with Kate Tompsett

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Kate Tompsett is a designer and business owner, running Happy & Glorious as both an online and a high street shop. She sells British made gifts, art and homeware, some of which she designs herself, and in less socially distant times, also hosts creative workshops in the space.

Listen in to hear Kate share:

How and why she got started (1:40)
Her store’s environmental policy (3:55)
The criteria for products that make it into her store (5:11)
Knowing your ideal customer (6:25)
Finding British made products (8:14)
The importance of having a strong vision (9:45)
The products Kate designs herself and why she enjoys the fun, creative side (11:18)
The importance of taking small steps as you build and grow your business (13:50)
The journey to opening her brick and mortar store (16:44)
How having a store has changed the mechanics of the business (22:24)
How the lockdown in the UK affected her business (26:26)
What she loves about having a products based business (31:33)
Her top pieces of advice for other product creators (35:05)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Happy & Glorious website

Happy & Glorious on Facebook

Happy & Glorious on Twitter

Kate’s own designs

LET’S CONNECT

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My product creation and validation online courses

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Things I’ve learnt in 4 years of running a products business

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Four years ago I started selling my own range of premium bamboo baby products at Tiny Chipmunk.

It’s fair to say it wasn’t an easy process (as my early blog posts will show!)

Today I share my story, including why I got started and more on my background.

I also tell you the top three things I’ve learnt and how I can work with you and support you now, to help you in your own product creation journey.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Tiny Chipmunk

My blog

Product creation checklist

SPI 266: How to Start Selling on Amazon with Ryan and Nick from Online Selling Experiment

LET’S CONNECT

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Little Box of Books on Twitter

Creating a products business by sourcing and curating – with Lynsey Pollard

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Lynsey Pollard, Little Box of Books, sells inclusive and representative children’s story books to families, schools and businesses.

Lynsey curates, rather than creates, her products. This is a great look at a different kind of products business - and one that’s really making a difference.

Listen in to hear Lynsey share:

What inspired her to start her business (1:26)
How children learn from books (4:00)
The importance of children seeing themselves in stories (5:21)
How she set up her business (6:30)
The importance of taking risks (8:40)
Recognising your strengths, outsourcing and asking for help (9:45)
How to keep going when setbacks get in the way - which they inevitably will! (12:43)
How she grew her business (13:40)
Sourcing and curating products - and why a clear vision is important (16:35)
Save the Children’s Save with Stories (19:12)
How her subscription service works (23:19)
How the business works around her family (25:15)
How Coronavirus has affected the business (26:39)
Book suggestions to diversify your family’s bookshelf (28:30)
What she enjoys about having her own business (30:14)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Little Box of Books

Little Box of Books on Facebook

Little Box of Books on Instagram

Lynsey Pollard on LinkedIn

Change the Story on Crowdfunder

Save the Children’s Save with Stories

LET’S CONNECT

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How to write a product specification

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 06:00:00 +0100

What is a product specification and why do you need one?

A product specification is a full description of your product, what it is, what it consists of, what it does, etc.

This would give a potential supplier all the information they need to confirm whether they can meet your brief and what it’ll cost.

What do to first

If you’re thinking about writing your product specification then I hope you’ve already carried out some customer and market research.

If not, try some of the blog posts and previous episodes linked below.

Why do I suggest you do all of this pre-work before writing your product specification?

You’ve hopefully used what you’ve learnt from your customers, the market and your competitors to really refine your product, down to the smallest details. It’s important to figure out what makes your product unique from other, similar products already on the market.
Doing this work in advance means you have a really clear idea of what you’re looking for and a really tight brief. This makes the sourcing process a lot simpler, as it’s much easier to start ruling out anyone who can’t meet your specification.
If you’ve done the work and are still here, it means you’ve had some validation that there’s a need for your product and that the costs stack up and it can be profitable. I always think it’s good to have that!

What kind of things should my product specification include?

Your specification needs to include everything someone would need to confirm that they can meet your brief (or not) and give an accurate quote for your product.

Here are some of the things you might include in your production specification:

A brief description of what your product is
The sizes and / or dimensions
The weight
Material(s) to be used
Any specific notes on quality and finish
Colour(s) / patterns
Designs
Will the product have variant? If so, how many and what will these be
How you want your product packaged
Ingredients or components to be used or omitted
The number of items in total – i.e is your product a pack containing more than one product
Any branding requirements – i.e. do you want a sticker on a box, or custom-made packaging
Any labelling requirements – i.e. do you require a washing label, or a swing tag applied

This isn’t a definitive list, as the requirements vary so much between different products and product types. It’s just a starting point.

How do you write a product specification?

I suggest using the list above as a starting point and listing out all the details you have.

This will then form the basis of any communication you’ll send to potential suppliers and manufacturers.

I also suggest pulling together sketches, photos, etc, to help explain what you’re looking for.

Episode 5 - Want to create a product? 4 things to do first

USEFUL RESOURCES

Episode 6 - How and why to validate your product ideas

Episode 9 - How to carry out your own customer and market research

Product validation mini-course

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

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Mindset shifts to help you get ‘unstuck’ on your product creation journey – with Emma Jefferys

Fri, 29 May 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Product creation is a journey and it’s common to get lost, or stuck along the way. If that sounds like you, and for some reason you’ve stalled, we’re here to help!

Emma Jefferys is a qualified coach, NLP practitioner and Emotional Intelligence expert. She specialises in helping people get out of their own way in all things life and business and trades under the name of Action Woman as in her words “nothing changes if nothing changes”.

READ THIS AS A BLOG POST

Listen in to hear us cover:

Limiting beliefs and how to change them (2:27)
Why what other people think of you is none of your business (10:21)
How your background and past experiences can help you (not limit you) (17:27)
How to find the time to work on your product creation (27:28)
Why you need an accountability partner (32:30)

USEFUL RESOURCES

LET’S CONNECT

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

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How much does it cost to create a product?

Fri, 22 May 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Episode 5 - Want to create a product? 4 things to do first

I’m going to talk about the costs you need to consider when creating your product and how to find out what they’ll be.

Here’s what I’ll cover:

Production
Packaging
Shipping
Import Fees
PLUS the other costs you may not think to include

Just a note that now you know what your product will cost to produce, to work out if it’ll be profitable for you, you need to work out what you can actually sell it for.

Listen in to hear why I suggest thinking about this before you have all the costs.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Episode 6 - How and why to validate your product ideas

Episode 9 - How to carry out your own customer and market research

Product validation mini-course

Blog post - How to ship and store your products

Blog post - How to take your own product photos

Blog post - How to write product descriptions that sell

Blog post - Do I need to find an overseas manufacturer to make my product

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How to carry out your own customer and market research – with Abbey Teunis

Fri, 15 May 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Abbey Teunis is the Founder and Director of Embark Insight.

She works for companies, speaking to their potential customers on their behalf to get an insight on what they think about their brand, products and advertising.

I’ve talked about research and validation before and I was so delighted to meet Abbey, as she really is an expert in this area.

Listen in to hear:

What Embark Insight is and what Abbey does (1:30)
How you know who your ideal customer is (3:35)
What do you need to know about your customer and how do you find it out (5:19)
How you can build up a customer profile yourself (9:15)
How you go about doing face-to-face research (11:43)
Abbey’s thoughts on whether you can do all your research online (13:20)
Why you need to do product research and what you’ll get out of it (16:00)
The two mistakes people make when carrying out their own research - and what the impact is (17:45)
What are good questions to ask if you’re doing market research yourself (22:54)
How to go about pricing your product (25:09)
Abbey’s top advice for aspiring product creators (29:53)

USEFUL RESOURCES

Embark Insight website

Van Westendorp Pricing Meter

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Do you have topics you’d like me to cover, or suggestions of guests I can inerview? Email me - vicki@tinychipmunk.com

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Common misconceptions about creating a product to sell (and how to overcome them)

Fri, 08 May 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Here are some of the things you may have heard about creating a product to sell, that just aren't true.

JungleScout’s Chrome Extension

1. I can create a product, list it on Amazon and make a fortune

That just isn’t the case. (Sorry.)

If you truly believe this, I want you to think about your motivation for launching a physical product and what you expect from it.

Don’t get me wrong, it is possible to make good money - but you definitely need to know how to do it well.

Amazon for a buyer is a great platform. For sellers, it’s not quite the same.

2. I have to pay an agent to source my product

Absolutely not! You can definitely source a product yourself. It just takes time, clarity - and a bit of patience!

There are plenty of sites where you can find thousands of manufacturers in one place, search for the product you’re looking for, compare suppliers and get in touch with them.

There’s a lot to be said for Google searches too…

3. I’ll get ripped off, or conned by a supplier and never see my money or my product ever again!

So, you’ve realised it is possible to do your own sourcing - but you’re (understandably) still a little anxious.

Sending large amounts of money, to someone you don’t know, is scary. This was my biggest fear after placing my first order.

You do need to verify the supplier you choose to work with - and I can show you how.

4. I might create something that nobody will ever buy

It’s so important that you validate and test out your idea BEFORE spending any money on producing it.

We’ve talked about this in lots of episodes - so please do go back and listen!

5. What if someone steals my idea?

Creating a physical product is not for the faint-hearted. There are lots of steps involved and you have to be really passionate about your product to see it through to completion.

Your determination to make your product real will see you through. I promise you, not everyone has that passion and drive!

USEFUL RESOURCES

Free product creation checklist

Alibaba.com (sourcing products in China)

Thomasnet (sourcing products in the USA)

Esources (sourcing products in the UK)

Free guide - 7 free ways to validate your product idea

Blog post - common questions about sourcing a product

Blog post - do I need to find an overseas manufacturer to make my product?

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Do you have topics you’d like me to cover? Email me - vicki@tinychipmunk.com

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The Milky Tee Company website

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The reality of a ‘successful’ products business – with Lauren Hampshire, The Milky Tee Company

Fri, 01 May 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Lauren Hampshire is the founder of the Milky Tee Company, selling trendy and unique breastfeeding tops with hidden zips. Lauren is a mum-of-two who struggled to find practical, comfortable and stylish clothes to breastfeed in – so she decided to design her own!

She’s doing amazing things, including winning the Paypal International Award and having lunch with Richard Branson.

Today she’s going to talk to us about how she got started and how what you see isn’t always the reality...

Listen in to hear:

The inspiration for Lauren’s products (1:40)
How Lauren created the prototype for her first product - without having any experience (2:12)
Why it’s ok to learn as you go (4:00)
The process from initial idea to launching a website (4:26)
How (and why) Lauren registered and patented her design (5:05)
Where Lauren sells her products (6:13)
Why she’s not interested in selling to Retail right now (6:29)
Why what you see (on social media, etc) isn’t always the reality (8:30)
What it was like having lunch with Richard Branson (12:05)
Lauren’s views on expanding and growing your business - and why slower might be better (13:51)
How her business looks two years on (16:40)
What she loves about selling products (18:53)
Lauren’s top advice for other product creators (21:05)

USEFUL RESOURCES

The Department of International Trade

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Episode 5 - Want to create a product? 4 things to do first

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How (and why) to validate your product ideas

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 06:00:00 +0100

You can read the entire blog post here - it goes into lots more detail around online research.

Before spending any money on creating or sourcing your product, I would suggest doing some validation to see whether your product has the potential to make a profit.

It doesn’t matter how much (or little) it costs to create your product if you’ll never see a penny of it again. Doing this work can help you feel more confident about investing the money in the first place.

Remember, I’ve been there!

My number one solution to finding out if someone will buy your product, is to find your ideal customer and ask them!

In episode 5 we covered:

Finding out who’s your ideal customer
Who your product is for (and who will buy it)
A few other ways to get input and carry out research online

A few other things you can do:

Share prototypes or samples of your product and ask some good questions
Get some pre-orders and make money before even creating anything. (Only actually take money if you’re confident you’ll have something to sell - or be prepared to pay back every penny you take.)

A note on price:

I always recommend working out your selling price before you find out what it will cost to produce it. By all means ask potential customers for input here. That way, you can make an unbiased decision - rather than setting the price to cover the costs - which could prove to be a costly mistake if you price yourself too high.

You’ve taken a huge step and hopefully feel much more confident about spending the money on producing your product.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Blog post - How and why to validate your product ideas

Product validation mini-course

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Want to create a product to sell? 4 things to do first

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 06:00:00 +0100

So you have a product idea? Maybe even inspired by our last episode!

Sometimes you can get excited and just plough ahead with it. I kind of did that, back in he day, albeit with the limited time I had available.

Before you spend any time or money, here are a few things I suggest doing.

Product creation worksheet for kids

1. Know who your customer is - and find them!

Take 5-10 minutes to really think about the person your product is aimed at and this will really pay off a bit later.

Perhaps you have someone in mind here, perhaps you’re just guessing. Either way, it’s well worth doing.

Remember, your customer is the person buying your product - not necessarily the person who’ll be using it.

Maybe you know some potential customers personally, or perhaps you can find them in Facebook groups, or other online (or offline) groups.

Now you know who you’re looking for, finding them should be a little easier. Whether you’re looking for cat lovers, or people who regularly meditate, there are bound to be plenty of groups and forums with your ideal customers already there.

2.Ask some questions

A great question to try is:

“If you were buying an X, what would it need to do / be to exceed your expectations?”

Take notes of everything you find out here (whether you agree or not!) It’s really important to create a product that your customers actually want, rather than the product you think they want!

3. Research similar products & figure out what makes your product different

It’s good to know if there’s anything similar on the market right now.

If so, do people buy it, how much for and what do they think about it?

You can find out all of this by doing a bit of online research.

Next, give these questions some thought:

How can I improve on the products already on the market?
How can my product meet my customer’s needs?

The aim is to figure out how your product is going to add value.

4. Validate your idea

I always recommend doing as much validation as you can, before you spend any time and money.

THE NEXT EPISODE will go into validating your product ideas in more detail. In the mean time, take a look at some of the resources below, to get you started.

USEFUL RESOURCES

Episode 3 - 5 simple ways to come up with product ideas

Blog post - questions to ask potential customers

7 free ways to validate your product idea

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Raise Up Mums Resilience Cards

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How Silke created her resilience cards (and a new revenue stream)

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Silke Thistlewood helps women adjust to motherhood through realistic self care and everyday resilience tools.

I actually interviewed Silke for my blog around a year ago, but her story is so good I wanted you to hear her share it.

She’s a great example of someone creating something they need and using it to help others.

I can’t wait for you to hear her story and her great advice. We jump around a bit, laugh a bit and I ask Silke one question that completely floored her...

Listen in to hear:

What made Silke decide to create a physical product (3:00)
What her product is and who it’s for (4:18)
How her customer has actually turned out not to be the person she had in mind (6:13)
What inspired Silke to create her product - hint, she created what she needed (8:00)
How and why her cards got a rebrand (11:00)
How and why she involved her community in the design of her product (12:00)
What she learnt from her product launch and what she’d do differently (14:30)
The process of creating her product (17:00)
The main thing she learnt from the process (21:00)
The benefits of having a physical product (26:00)
Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (27:16)

USEFUL RESOURCES

Raise Up Mums Facebook page

Raise Up Mums Community

Raise Up Mums Instagram

My product validation online couse

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Read this as a blog post here.

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Products businesses and Coronavirus – can you still sell?

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Over the past few weeks the world has changed – a lot, for everyone. If you sell products, you might well have questions about what you can and should be doing now. These are just my thoughts, but I hope they help you.

Should I continue to sell my products?

Overall - yes, but there are things to consider.

If you have a physical shop, or you usually sell your products in stores (or at markets and pop-ups) then this may need to stop for now (depending on what and where you sell).

You can still sell online, providing you think about the fulfilment.

If you fulfil your products yourself then I’d recommend taking hygiene precautions if you intend to continue.

Post Offices are still open and there are a number of ways you could manage this, including paying for postage online and just dropping your parcels off at a branch or parcel box.

Another option would be to arrange a courier service. (You should be able to manage this while still maintaining social distancing.)

If you have a third party manage your fulfilment you’ll need to check in with them to see if they’re operating and what hygiene precautions and social distancing measures they’re taking.

If you’re able to sell online, and fulfil your products, there’s no reason not to continue.

If you’re not already selling online this could be a great time to get started.

If your question is more around the morality of selling now, I’d still say yes.

I know that not everything is still selling now. If your sales have dropped, I want to acknowledge how hard that is.

I think all we can do is to keep faith that it shall pass. People will start shopping again and they will buy your product again. (I know believing this is easier said than done at times. I’m in the same boat too and this is what I keep telling myself.)

In the meantime, is there anyway you can change what you offer to help people during this time?

I was about to launch a new product / place an order. Should I still do this?

It depends. If your product is something that will still sell now, you can afford to invest in the stock, and you feel comfortable doing so, then go ahead.

If you’re in any way unsure (which is understandable, these are very uncertain times) then I’d recommend holding off.

If you’ve spent the time creating a great product, don’t give up. Why not spend the time now getting everything ready to launch? You could get your product descriptions, photography, website, social media, etc, ready to give yourself a head start.

Perhaps you can even take pre-orders!

I have a product idea - is it worth me even pursuing it now!

Yes, absolutely - if you have the time, energy and desire to do this.

If you’re in the early stages, there’s a lot of research you can do, all online, for free, before spending any money or making any kind of commitments.

I’m always talking about verifying your ideas before going ahead - and now it’s probably even more important than ever.

I have a few episodes on this coming up, including an interview with a specialist. In the meantime, I’ve linked below to some blog posts that should help you with this.

USEFUL RESOURCES

7 free ways to validate your product idea

My product validation online course

Read this blog post in full

How and why to validate your product ideas (blog post)

LET’S CONNECT

Come and find me on Instagram

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Now you have that great idea, be sure to check it’ll make you money!

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5 simple ways to come up with product ideas

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 06:00:00 +0100

Do you like the idea of selling products, but have no idea what?

Maybe you were inspired by our last episode (check it out if you haven’t already). (I have 10 reasons why it’s great, right here!)

If you’re stuck for inspiration, no problem! Here are 5 simple ways to help you find brilliant new product ideas.

Read the transcript

1.Think about the things you already use and how you could improve them

You’ve probably had the experience of buying, or using something and just knowing it could be better than it is.

Perhaps there’s a really obvious problem, just a tiny little fix needed to make it perfect. You could be the person do that!

A very simple example of this is my Tiny Chipmunk bamboo hooded towels. They were my second product and I created them because I was fed up of buying baby towels that only lasted a few months at best.

It was such a simple solution, but people tell me all the time how long they’ve lasted and I love that! It was entire point! Not only that, but it gives me a selling feature, or USP. If someone asks why buy my towel over another, I can give good reasons.

Another real-life example is that my youngest will only sleep if the room’s pitch black. We had a black-out blind on her window that attached with suckers, but it took so long to get it on and off that we ended up keeping it on permanently and having the room in constant darkness...

I was busy Googling for solutions to this and realised that some (very clever!) companies sell black-out blinds that attach via velcro pads you stick to the window frames, rather than suckers that stick to the glass,

Such a simple solution, and a tiny modification, but it’s made a huge difference to us and, I imagine, thousands of other people too.

Think about where you could do the same…

TIP: Next time you’re getting frustrated with an item you’re using, take a minute to write down the problem and potential solutions. That’s an idea, right there!

2.What do you wish existed?

Do you ever think, “If I only I had an XYZ?” Some of what we wish for may not be feasible, for many reasons, but some ideas definitely will be!

Last year I worked with Silke Thistlewood, Nourish To Thrive, who created Care Cards for New Mums - a product she wished she’d had when her children were tiny. She already shared tips and tool to enable Mums to care for themselves in her free Facebook community. Creating the cards enables Mums to have something tangible to hand (they make great new-Mum gifts!), plus created an additional income stream for Silke.

Another example is an inspiring podcast interview I heard recently with Nicole DeBoom. She’s a female athlete who created Skirt Sports – a women’s athletic apparel brand that combined all the things she wanted that didn’t exist – performance, comfort and cute-factor.

I’ve worked with clients who’ve created all kinds of unique products, because they’d love it and nobody else has made it yet! This is a good enough reason! Chances are, if you’d love it, then others would too.

So why wait, when you create it yourself?!

TIP: Next time you think “I wish I had an…” write it down! And keep it - that note could be the start of something very special...

3.What’s a problem you have? (Or someone else has.) How could it be solved?

I remember, a few years back, it was our first winter in our new home and our bedroom didn’t get any natural light until quite late in the morning. I was so used to being woken by the sunlight creeping round the curtains that I found it hard to adjust to the (relatively) dark mornings.

I looked online for a solution and came across a light alarm clock (that wakes you up by simulating a sunrise). This is by no means new (yet it was to me!), yet it solved a problem I was having and I was delighted.

I just love it when you find a product that you love. One that solves a problem you’ve had for ages. You know that bittersweet feeling you get when you just wish you’d found it sooner? The blackout blind example I gave above also falls into this category.

Next time you’re looking for that special thing, that solves a very specific problem, if you can’t find it, why not create it yourself?

TIP: Take a look at what phrases you’re looking for when you search for a product or solution you need and see if you can formulate that into a draft product specification.

4.What do you love? What are you passionate about?

Another way to approach this is to think about what you’d love to sell.

Maybe you’re a keen runner, a hiker, or you love to knit. Whatever your passion is, could you sell items related to that?

The benefits here are that if you truly feel passionate about the products and the niche into which they fit, you’ll be able to talk about them, and sell them, in a really natural way.

Plus, if this is based on a hobby you have, you may well know others who enjoy the same things, who would make the ideal first customers.

One word of caution here is that you’ll need to do your research to ensure that the market isn’t already too saturated and that you can make a profit.

You can always combine this idea with those above and put your own spin on an existing product.

5.How could you take a product you already love and make it even better?

Another way to approach this is to think about what you’d love to sell.

Maybe you’re a keen runner, a hiker, or you love to knit. Whatever your passion is, could you sell items related to that?

The benefits here are that if you truly feel passionate about the products and the niche into which they fit, you’ll be able to talk about them, and sell them, in a really natural way.

Plus, if this is based on a hobby you have, you may well know others who enjoy the same things, who would make the ideal first customers.

One word of caution here is that you’ll need to do your research to ensure that the market isn’t already too saturated and that you can make a profit.

You can always combine this idea with those above and put your own spin on an existing product.

TIP: Think about something you’d love to sell. Write down all the things you could sell, where you could sell them and who to. Get really excited and creative and see where it leads you!

BONUS IDEA - What do people other people love to buy?

The final way you can think up new product ideas (and my least favourite, if I’m honest) is to look at products that are already selling well and sell those - ideally with your own take on them.

There are various ways you can do this. Checking out the Amazon Best Sellers list is a good place to get started.

You also may have an idea what the ‘hot products’ are, based on current trends. (Think fidget spinners a few years ago!) If you take one of these products and improve it somehow, you could do very well - at least in the short-term.

The reason I don’t recommend my clients take this path is I feel it’s a great short-term option, but may not lead to you being able to build a brand and a business (my ultimate goal).

However, if your goal is to make some money and learn some new skills while doing so, it could be a great option for you.

USEFUL RESOURCES

7 free ways to validate your product idea

My product validation online couse

LET’S CONNECT

Come and find me on Instagram - @vickiweinberg_product_creation

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