Proof to Product

439 | Lessons Learned from 25 Trade Shows in 4 Years with Andrew Fegler, That's So Andrew

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

This week I'm chatting with Paper Camp alum Andrew Fegler, the founder of That's So Andrew.

Andrew has a really interesting pathway into the stationery world. He started selling cupcakes in high school. He later built a home decor business and eventually pivoted into stationery during COVID when he realized that he wanted his work to feel more meaningful and aligned with who he is.

We dive deep into what it really means to build a brand around personal values, navigating both the pull of loyal customers and the pushback from those that don't align.

Andrew opens up about his experiences in a largely female-dominated stationery industry as a queer man.

He discusses everything from the nuances of authentic allyship to making intentional decisions about suppliers and partnerships. Plus, with over 25 trade shows under his belt, Andrew gives us an insider look at the regional vibes, buyer dynamics at these major wholesale events, talking through lessons he's learned, financial strategies, and the impact of human connection in business.

If you are building brand, navigating wholesale, or thinking about how your values show up in your business, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation

Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right for You private podcast! This free 12-part audio series will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your specific business. After listening to this audio series (in less than an hour), two things will be true. You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business, and you'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. Sign up for the private podcast today!

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/439

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Quick Hit: Do Your Customers Need to See Your Products In Person?

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

And that's exactly why I wanted to share this short clip from the archive, something that I think is worth revisiting because the takeaways still hold true today.

Enjoy this clip!

You can listen to the full episode with Sam Kramer of Near Modern Disaster here: http://prooftoproduct.com/294

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438 | How To Decide What Trade Shows To Do With Karen Sawyer-Meehan & Alyson O'Connor

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

We just wrapped up our 47th round of Paper Camp a few weeks ago, and I am still riding high from working with this cohort.

It's an intense four weeks, for me, for our coaches, for our students. But so much progress happens in a short amount of time. I love hearing about their light bulb moments, their clarity, answering their questions, and there's so much forward momentum that comes.

One thing that is really important to me inside of Paper Camp is bringing in a variety of voices because there is no one singular way to build a business right?

I want our students to hear directly from people who are doing this work in different ways.

During our weekly coaching calls, they get to learn from shop owners, wholesalers, sales consultants, and other experts that are in the wholesale field. People who are helping to develop and are currently utilizing relevant new sales and marketing strategies, which is what we focus on in Paper Camp: wholesale sales and marketing strategies.

Today on the podcast, I wanted to share a small piece of this with you. This episode is an excerpt from our coaching call in Paper Camp that was centered on exhibiting at trade shows. I asked Paper Camp alums Karen Sawyer-Meehan of Pier Six Press and Alyson O'Connor of Rust Belt Love to come and share their experiences with the class.

Both are members of my Advisory Board mastermind, and between the two of them, they have done dozens of wholesale trade shows, including several this past winter.

They're sharing what's working, what they experienced at the winter shows, and sharing a lot of other insight.

In this snippet, you're going to hear them talk about the shows that they've participated in, how they knew they were ready to exhibit, and how they decide which trade shows are worth the investment.

We know these things cost a lot of time, money and energy and we want to make sure if you are going to say yes to a show that you're choosing the right ones for you.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Paper Camp program. Paper Camp is our wholesale coaching program where we teach you everything you need to know to build strong wholesale foundations. Over the course of 4 weeks, we tackle your product line, sales tools, and marketing plan, and we even talk about how to exhibit at trade shows if that's what you want to do. We start with your product line and go into everything from how often you should be releasing new products to ensuring that your numbers are sustainable for the wholesale market and their price for profit.

Then we move into sales tools you must have for selling wholesale so you make a strong first impression with buyers like catalogs and your terms and conditions. Then, we cover marketing strategies and ways to reach various store owners.

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions. We will open enrollment for our next round of Paper Camp soon, and we sell this program out every time we run it. Join the wait list and you'll get early access to enroll.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/438

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Quick Hit: Do Your Products Need to Be Cohesive?

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

And that's exactly why I wanted to share this short clip from the archive, something that I think is worth revisiting because the takeaways still hold true today.

Enjoy this clip!

You can listen to the full episode with Divya Guruju of Mellowworks here: http://prooftoproduct.com/325

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437 | Why In-Person Retail Markets Still Matter & How To Make The Most of Them with Lib Ramos & Jessie Tyree Jenness

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Today's conversation is a really good one, especially if craft shows, retail markets, or in-person events are on your radar for this year. The market is shifting, fees to exhibit are higher, competition to apply and get into shows is stronger, and buyers are showing up differently than they did even a few years ago.

At the same time, I keep seeing how valuable it is to get offline and to connect with our customers face-to-face. That human connection is hitting differently right now. And people are craving that in person connection.

What I love about today's episode is that we are looking at this from both sides of the table. We have Lib Ramos, she runs Indie Craft Parade with her team. This is an incredibly well respected, longtime running show.

And we also have Jessie Tyree Jenness, founder of Root and Branch and one of our Proof to Product community members who has exhibited at shows like this multiple times.

In the episode we're digging into what organizers are actually looking for when you apply for these shows, how exhibitors can decide if a show is worth it, and how to also measure ROI following a show and then how to think about your strategy so that you're not just showing up for the shows, but you're showing up with true intention.

Applications are now open for exhibiting at Indie Craft Parade, you can apply now through April 20th!

If you are planning to exhibit at retail shows this year, I want to tell you about some resources we have inside of our LABS community so that you can do this more strategically.

We have checklists, tools, and things that will help you bring your booth plus to life, but also have community discussions about things like inventory, sales goals, and strategies for upping your AOV. If you want support as you plan for your in-person retail events, join us!

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/437

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436 | Turning Visibility Into Sales with Kaila Uli, The Bok Agency

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

This week I'm joined by content strategist Kaila Uli. If you're trying to get more visibility for your product brand online and actually turn that visibility into sales, you are going to love this conversation.

I originally started following Kaila on social media because her videos kept popping up on my feed and every single one of them was packed with just practical, no-nonsense advice specifically for product folks, which is unusual to see.

She does an incredible job of breaking down what actually works when it comes to organic video content on TikTok and Instagram, especially for product brands that want to grow their audience and sell more of your product.

During our conversation, we talk about the role that organic content should realistically play in your overall marketing strategy, the difference between content that simply gets views and content that actually converts to sales.

We also talk about the biggest mistakes that product brands make when they show up online. Kaila also shares her perspective on something that I know a lot of you wrestle with, which is whether or not to show your face on camera or if your product can truly be the hero of your content.

We dig into what intentional conversion-focused content actually looks like, the formats that are driving results, and why chasing virality is not the strategy that most people think it is. If this sounds interesting to you, I think you're really going to enjoy this episode.

Inside of LABS, we host expert workshops with incredible industry leaders, including Kaila. She's coming soon to teach a workshop on how to turn visibility into sales so you're not just creating content that gets attention. We want to create content that moves the customer towards purchasing. Members also get access to coaching calls, our template vault, audits on things like emails, catalogs, and e-commerce websites. Join us!

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/436

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435 | Follow Your Art with Katie Johnson and Ilana Griffo, Goodtype

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

This week I am joined by Ilana Griffo and Katie Johnson, the founders of Goodtype and the authors of the new book Follow Your Art.

If you're not familiar with Goodtype, it started as a platform celebrating lettering artists and creatives around the world. Over time, it's grown into a community that encourages artists to develop their voice, share their work, and support one another in their creative process.

In today's conversation, Ilana and Katie share their story behind the new book and the deeper message at the heart of it— that building a creative career isn't just about making art. It's about learning to trust yourself and your perspective as an artist.

We talk about what it actually looks like to find your creative style, especially when you feel like the market is already crowded. They share their thoughts on identifying your special sauce as an artist, why perfectionism can keep so many creatives stuck, and how putting your work out into the world before it feels ready is often the thing that helps your voice emerge.

If you've ever struggled with confidence in your creative voice, or you just needed a reminder that your perspective in art matters, this conversation is for you.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/435

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434 | Navigating Pinterest's AI Changes & Tips for E-commerce Brands with Heather Farris, Heather Farris Co

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

This week I'm welcoming back Pinterest marketing expert Heather Farris to the podcast for a conversation about what's really happening on Pinterest right now, especially if you sell physical products.

Heather first joined me back on episode 385 where she shared some incredibly practical strategies for product-based brands that are using Pinterest to drive traffic and sales.

A lot has changed since then, particularly with Pinterest rolling out more AI-driven tools and features.

In this episode, Heather breaks down what's actually new, what's just a rebrand, and what product-based businesses should be paying attention to right now.

We talk about tools like the new Pinterest Assistant, the growing influence of generative AI on the platform, and what all of this means for brands that make handmade or small batch products.

Heather also shares how businesses can stand out when so much content online is starting to look and feel AI generated. You'll hear practical advice on getting started with Pinterest, optimizing your product listings, tapping into trends, and using the platform in a way that actually supports your sales.

If you've been wondering whether Pinterest is still worth your time, or if you're adapting to all the new AI changes, this conversation will give you some clarity.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. LABS is where product-based business owners come to get support with real decisions behind growing their business.

We're talking sales, marketing, operations, and just being in community with other people who understand what you're going through. Inside of LABS, we do talk about things like using Pinterest to drive direct-to-consumer sales, building out welcome sequence sequences for your emails, cleaning up your bookkeeping systems, and a whole lot more. Plus, you'll find us doing website audits, peer masterminds, and coaching calls with me. Join us!

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/434

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Creating Products That People Actually Want to Buy with Biff Ulm, Nice Enough Stickers [Replay]

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 430 episodes here on the Proof to Product podcast.

There is a gold mine of information for you to help you grow your business, and, frankly, it can be hard to take it all in.

Today's episode is a look back at an interview I did with Biff Ulm of Nice Enough Stickers who I recently hosted a Paper Camp call with last week.

During this replay episode, Biff and I had a lot to catch up on, but one thing that stood out was that his observations at the Las Vegas gift show were about product development strategy. He has much to say about it, and I'm excited for you to listen in.

For background, Biff's stickers are now in over 300 stores with 8,000 locations, so he knows a thing or two about creating products that people want to buy. Biff also owns a wildly successful retail shop, which provides him with a unique viewpoint as both a wholesale buyer and seller.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of patience, iteration, and customer feedback in developing successful products. We also discuss how to leverage data and understand buying behaviors.

This episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers guide. 49% of our customers want to hear from us consistently, yet, only a small percentage of product-based business owners are actively sending monthly emails to their customers.

If you've struggled with what to say, when to send, or how to plan out your email marketing strategies, we've got just the tool for you. This tool and the optional training have helped hundreds of product makers plan out an entire year's worth of emails. And, the best part… they are creating templates that they can rinse & repeat year after year.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/361

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This is Strategy with Seth Godin [Replay]

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 430 episodes here on the Proof to Product podcast.

There is a gold mine of information for you to help you grow your business, and, frankly, it can be hard to take it all in.

Today's episode is a look back at an interview I did with Seth Godin who needs no introduction, but it would be a complete disservice to not share all of his accolades.

He's an author, entrepreneur, and most of all, a teacher.

In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 22 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, and This is Marketing, which was an instant bestseller in countries around the world.

His latest book, This is Strategy: Make Better Plans offers readers a practical framework for what an effective strategy looks like and feels like in today's fast-moving chaotic, and diverse world. This strategy allows readers to zoom out and see the bigger picture and understand the systems that are shaping their lives at work, in business, and day-to-day challenges.

Seth contends that by recognizing and mastering these systems and prioritizing long-term thinking over instant gratification, we can make smart, purposeful choices today that will lead to long-term growth.

In my conversation with Seth, he shares his motivation for writing this book, the four elements that are critical for an effective strategy, and the importance of identifying and connecting with our smallest viable audience.

On a personal note, when I started my product business in 2008, Seth's work was a major catalyst in helping me gain marketing momentum. He has a no-nonsense approach. He's concise and clear with his thoughts, and that resonates and gets your wheels turning, which you will hear in today's episode.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/367

This episode contains affiliate links. You can view our affiliate disclaimer here.

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433 | How to Navigate the Seasonality of Retail with Angie Chua, bobo design studio

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Hiring can feel like a huge big leap. It's expensive. It's vulnerable to let other people into your business. And if you've been doing everything yourself, it can also feel maybe unnecessary.

But what if building a team isn't a risk? It's actually a smart move for stabilizing and scaling your business. That's what we're digging into today with Angie Chua of bobo design studio and bobo Palm Springs. You may remember Angie from episode 426 where we talked about what's happening with Amazon right now using AI to scrape websites.

Today's conversation is more personal. We're talking about her evolution from the digital advertising world to building a travel-inspired stationery brand and a thriving brick-and-mortar shop in Palm Springs.

Angie shares what it was really like growing her business, the missteps, the hiring decisions, the moments of doubt that we all kind of face, and also the shifts that helped her step into true leadership.

We talk about what happens when you hire your first employee, what it takes to let go of control, the reality of outsourcing to agency, and what that looked like for Angie, including what worked and what didn't, and why having a solid bookkeeper isn't optional if you want to scale a product-based business sustainably.

She also opened up about her commitment to supporting artists from marginalized communities, how she navigates the seasonality of retail in Palm Springs, and what it looks like to practice self-compassion while growing a business. This is a grounded, honest conversation about growth, not a highlight reel, but the real version.

Today's episode is brought to you by Digital Lizard, a sponsor of our Paper Camp program, which kicks off this week.

Digital Lizard is a full-service marketing and print partner offering digital and offset printing, sourcing, procurement, and logistics. Our Paper Camp and LABS students get access to a private Proof to Product print portal.

In that portal, you'll get discounted rates and a dedicated sales rep who supports project management from start to finish.

Also, Digital Lizard tends to turn stuff around same day or or next day. Many of our community members use Digital Lizard for product printing, packaging, catalogs, and marketing materials. They offer low minimum quantities and fast turnaround times, which matters when you're managing inventory and cash flow.

If you're looking for a reliable print partner, you can learn more about their capabilities at digitallizard.com.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/433

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297 | Building a Handmade Food & Beverage Brand with Ashleigh Evans, InBooze

432 | From 75 to 400+ Wholesale Accounts in 3 Years, Case Study with Ashleigh Evans, InBooze

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Today, I want to share one last case study with you featuring one of our Paper Camp alums, Ashleigh Evans of InBooze.

I hope you've enjoyed this series. If you haven't listened, check out the last 3 great stories of founders in our community doing really cool things, links to those below. What I love about this is showcasing how each has done it in their own way and at their own pace.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Paper Camp program which is now open for enrollment. Paper Camp is our wholesale coaching program where we teach you everything you need to know to build strong wholesale foundations. Over the course of 4 weeks, we tackle your product line, sales tools, and marketing plan, and we even talk about how to exhibit at trade shows if that's what you want to do. We start with your product line and go into everything from how often you should be releasing new products to ensuring that your numbers are sustainable for the wholesale market and their price for profit.

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions.

LINKS MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Ashleigh's website | Follow on Instagram

429 | Fix the Wholesale Foundation Before You Scale, Case Study with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf

430 | From One-Off Orders to Predictable Wholesale Sales, Case Study with Taylor Carroll, The Stray Shop

431 | Growing Wholesale Orders by 400% in Just 5 Months, Case Study with Brianna Reagan, Brianna Reagan Creates

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/432

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431 | Growing Wholesale Orders by 400% in Just 5 Months, Case Study with Brianna Reagan, Brianna Reagan Creates

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Today I'm sharing another Paper Camp case study, and I'm especially excited about this one because it is from a recent Paper Camp student.

Brianna Reagan of Brianna Reagan Creates just went through Paper Camp in August of 2025, so it's only been about 6 months since she's participated in our program, and she has seen some incredible results. She took what she learned, put it into action, and she is thriving. Can't wait for you to tune in.

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/431

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430 | From One-Off Orders to Predictable Wholesale Sales, Case Study with Taylor Carroll, The Stray Shop

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0400

I'm back sharing another case study with you featuring one of our Paper Camp alum, Taylor Carroll of The Stray Shop.

Before we dive in, I wanted to remind you about the free workshop that I'm hosting on February 18th at 10:30am Pacific Time.

This wholesale buying season has been really eye-opening. I've been in this industry for 17 years and I've worked with tens of thousands of brands. I've seen a lot of the same patterns show up again and again. Usually, these patterns tie to missed opportunities, outdated strategies or even small changes that we can make to enhance our sales.

In this free workshop, I'm going to talk about how you can land consistent wholesale orders without over-relying on Faire without using bad wholesale pitches or discounting.

I'm going to share strategies, templates, you name it, and we're going to answer your questions live.

I'm also going to tell you about our upcoming Paper Camp program which we will be opening for enrollment soon!

You can RSVP for this free workshop at http://prooftoproduct.com/RSVP

LINKS MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Taylor's website | Follow on Instagram

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/430

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320 | The Challenges Of Bringing A New Product To Life With with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf

429 | Fix the Wholesale Foundation Before You Scale, Case Study with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Today I want to share a case study with you featuring one of our Paper Camp alum, Zeba Parkar of Treleaf.

Before we dive in, I wanted to tell you about a free workshop that I'm hosting on February 18th at 10:30am Pacific Time.

I will also say the market is changing. Things are happening in the economy and in the world, and that's affecting sales and we can't be using the same playbook.

In this free workshop, I'm going to talk about how you can land consistent wholesale orders without over-relying on Faire without using bad wholesale pitches or discounting.

I'm going to show you what you should be doing and how you can optimize.

I'm also going to tell you about our upcoming Paper Camp program which we will be opening for enrollment soon!

You can RSVP for this free workshop at http://prooftoproduct.com/RSVP

LINKS MENTION IN THIS EPISODE:

Zeba's website | Follow on Instagram

388 | Leveraging Funding to Expand Your Business with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/429

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428 | How She Added 200 New Stores in 2.5 Years with Lesa Muehlstein, Birdie Mae Designs

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Our Paper Camp alumni are doing incredible things and growing their wholesale businesses in a very intentional and meaningful way. Today's guest is Lesa Muehlstein from Birdie Mae Designs, and she is no exception.

I've been keeping tabs on Lesa's progress ever since she attended Paper Camp in early 2022.

Lesa added 200 new stores within 2.5 years of attending Paper Camp, and as she will share today, that number is even higher now.

Lesa came to Paper Camp in early 2022 and before our 4 weeks were up, she had secured 5 new stores, bringing her total count to 15.

During that time, she also raised her prices and refined her sales system. August 2023, she messaged me to say that she was now in 100 stores and that her brand had been featured in a national magazine in August 2024.

Just one year later, she shared that she was in 200 stores! This growth did not happen overnight and it was not without its challenges, but it is worth celebrating Lesa's successes every step of the way.

On today's episode, Lesa shares her startup story and we talk about inventory and product challenges, particularly balancing how much inventory to order when space and cash flow are constraints.

She shares what sales data she's tracking and how she uses that data to make decisions in her business, including what to discontinue or what to buy more of.

We also talked about the benefits of wholesale, specifically how we can systematize the sales, production, and fulfillment of wholesale orders in a way that makes the business work around personal responsibilities.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/428

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427 | Nurturing Relationships with Key Accounts & Independent Retailers with Kate Murray, Quick Brown Fox Letterpress

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0400

One of my favorite things to do is to shout out our student wins and community wins from the rooftops. And part of that is also bringing people back to share their story.

Today's episode is with my friend Kate Murray of Quick Brown Fox Letterpress. She is back on the podcast to share where she's at now and all the new things that are happening in her business. Last time Kate and I talked here publicly was August of 2020, which feels like a lifetime ago.

As we all know, business can significantly shift in five years and a lot has changed for Kate.

She opened her own retail store and she's got a new leadership role with the Greeting Card Association.

In our conversation today, Kate shares her journey of launching a storefront, how she balances wholesale and retail operations, and the innovative ways that she's nurturing relationships with both key accounts and independent retailers.

She shares about some exciting wholesale collabs she's doing in the next year and the importance of patience for these types of collaborations to actually come to fruition.

Sometimes it's really about playing the long game with wholesale, which I know can be frustrating at times, but it is a really important reminder to us that good things do take time to develop.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/427

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426 | Amazon is Listing Brands' Products Without Consent, Angie Chua, bobo design studio

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0400

You may have seen on social media that Amazon recently scrapped dozens of small business e-commerce websites and added people's products to the Amazon Buy for Me platform. This is a new platform that Amazon rolled out and they did this without consent from the brands.

Now, as you can imagine, this has created a lot of outrage from small businesses that sell online and who intentionally chose not to sell on Amazon. To find your products listed on Amazon when you did not choose to do so, that's a lot to swallow, right?

But it also creates a lot of logistical headaches. So as an example, items were listed on Amazon with incorrect photos or product descriptions. Discontinued or no longer in stock items were listed and many brands did not even know that their products had been added to Amazon until they heard about it on social media and searched for their brand.

My guest today is Angie Chua of bobo designs. Angie has been vocal on social media, sharing information and the steps that she's taken to protect her products and brand.

This is a developing story, but Angie shares what she's learned, the steps she has taken to remove her products from Amazon and we talk about why this is bad for small businesses.

There's a lot of folks out there that are thinking, isn't this great visibility for small business? And the answer is, no, it's not.

If you are looking for a community of folks who are talking about current events that affect product businesses in real time, come join us in LABS. We have trainings, templates, coaching calls and all the things, but we also share solutions for real time issues and we also celebrate real time wins. So if you're looking for that kind of community, join us!

Google Form for if your catalog was on Amazon without your consent

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/426

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425 | How Doing Trade Shows Landed Her Artwork in Target & HomeGoods with Isabella Montano Ghazarians, Isabella MG

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Today on the podcast, I'm talking with Isabella Montano Ghazarians, the founder of Isabella MG. Isabella MG is a Latina-owned stationery brand known for its cheerful, light-hearted cards and cositas, that's Spanish for little things.

One of the things I really enjoy about Isabella's work is how naturally she weaves her culture into her products, creating designs that are both in English and Spanish. These products feel thoughtful, inclusive, and genuinely joyful.

In this episode, Isabella shares what it's been like growing her business since she launched in 2020 while also navigating some really big personal shifts. We're talking about becoming a mom recently, moving from San Diego to Los Angeles, and continuing to lead a growing team remotely.

We also talk about building products that resonate across cultures, managing that remote team we mentioned, and the opportunities that have helped bring Isabella's work into big box retailers like Target and HomeGoods.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/425

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424 | The Reality of Juggling Multiple Business Models with Stephanie Clarke, Dahlia Press

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0400

This week on the podcast, we have my friend and Paper Camp alum Stephanie Clarke of Dahlia Press and Chloe Clarke Paper. Stephanie has been on the show a few times, sharing how she started her business and different pivots along the way (episode 021, episode 160, and episode 308). But today, we are discussing where she's at now, including the complexities of running two sister businesses.

She has her greeting card and stationery line called Dahlia Press and a bespoke custom invitation studio called Chloe Clarke Paper.

We talk about the importance of building relationships in wholesale and custom work and the realities of juggling multiple business models including, a brick-and-mortar storefront, online sales, wholesale partnerships with big box accounts, and independent retailers.

You will also hear her talk about the challenges and victories of maintaining consistent growth as a business. This has been a really challenging year in 2025, and she's going to share how she has maintained and sustained during those challenges. We also talk about the evolving industry changes that are happening and how we deal with that, and the strategies that Stephanie uses to keep both her team and her customers engaged.

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live, engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions. We will open enrollment for our next round of Paper Camp soon, and we sell this program out every time we run it. Join the waitlist and you'll get early access to enroll.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/424

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We're on winter break!

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0400

The Proof to Product podcast team and I are practicing what we preach and the podcast is taking a winter break! We will be back with a new podcast episode on Tuesday, January 6, and we have some incredible things lined up for you!

While we're gone, be sure to dip back into the archives. We have over 420+ incredible episodes to help you strengthen your business.

Have a great two weeks and I will see you on January 6th!

423 | Indie Retail Update: Trends, Challenges & How Buyers Are Adapting with Jen Palacio, Tiny Turns Paperie

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Today's episode is a look at what is going on with independent retail shops right now.

I sat down with my friend Jen from Tiny Turns Paperie. She's one of our Paper Camp speakers and a longtime advocate for small businesses.

We talk honestly about some of the hardships that shop owners have been facing during 2025: everything from operational curveballs to tariffs and other things that have impacted the way they do business.

We did get into some specifics about unpredictable buying patterns, last-minute shopping, the rise of treat yourself, and community-driven products.

We also talked about some of the less glamorous stuff that goes into running a brick & mortar like inventory delays, tariffs, shipping headaches, and things like that.

I think it's important for you to hear today's episode because the things that the indie buyers and brick and mortar shops are navigating do impact how they're doing business with you, too, so Jen's perspective is invaluable as always.

You'll hear specifically how she's possibly adjusting her buying, why planners are hot right now, and why she's focusing on collaboration across indie businesses to really strengthen customer loyalty.

If you want ongoing analysis like this about trends, data, systems, sales, and marketing strategies for your product-based business, come join us in LABS. We break down what's happening across the industry and help you apply it directly to your business

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/423

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422 | How Athletic Brewing Doubled Subscriptions — And How You Can Apply It with Katie Hunt

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Today, I'm sharing a case study and an analysis that I originally shared with our LABS members.

The reason I'm doing this is, one of the most valuable things that we can do as a product-based business owner is look outside of our industry for inspiration, ideas, and new ways of thinking about our own business.

When we study how other industries structure their revenue models, how they build community or how they create demand for their products, we really start to see new and fresh opportunities that we can adapt in our own way for our own business.

In this episode, we're looking at Athletic Brewing Company and how they doubled their D2C subscription sales in 2025 by positioning their membership as a VIP lifestyle experience rather than a discount program. It's a simple shift, but a strategic one.

It really sparked two ideas that I think you can use: One will be for your D2C sales ecosystem, and one is for your wholesale channel.

We will walk through what Athletic Brewing Company got right, why their approach works, and how you can apply versions of this inside of your own business in a way that again fits your particular audience, your product line, margins, and, of course, your capacity.

If you want to see more case studies like this, real examples from outside of the consumer gift world, and you want to see how we break them down into actionable insights and ideas for your product brand, this is exactly the type of work we do inside of Proof to Product LABS every single week.

This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/422

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421 | End-of-Year Financial Planning for Product Business Owners with Mary Beth Storjohann, Allora Wealth

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 14:00:00 -0400

On today's episode, we are digging into the financial side of running a creative product business and I've invited someone that I deeply trust with both my personal and business finances.

It's Mary Beth Storjohann from Allora Wealth. Mary Beth and I have worked together since 2016 and she has guided my husband and I through everything from financial planning for the family to long-term business strategy.

She's one of the few financial planners and advisors who really understands how intertwined your life and your business become when you are a small business owner.

Her approach to "whole life wealth," is exactly what so many founders need. It's a practical framework for building stability today while also setting yourself up for future security. In this conversation, we're going to get into real, actionable steps that you should be taking before the end of the year.

These are things that can save you money come tax time and also support your long-term financial health. We will talk about blind spots that she sees most often with creative entrepreneurs and why getting clear on your enough number can change how you plan and make decisions. Now, if you want to finish the year on solid financial footing and also set yourself up for success in the future, this episode is going to be incredibly useful for you.

Before we get into today's conversation, if you are serious about growing your product-based business, you need to be inside of Proof to Product LABS. LABS is where creative product brands go for coaching and strategies, community and accountability that actually move the needle.

We're talking stronger sales, better systems, smarter marketing, and a clearer plan for profit. If you are ready to stop guessing and start really growing with proven guidance, then come join us in LABS.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/421

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420 | Communicating Your Holiday Shipping Deadlines with Katie Hunt

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0400

I know you are deep in preparation for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Q4 holiday sales season. So I want to make this a real quick episode, but I want to make it tactical and actionable for you.

I want to talk about setting your holiday shipping deadline and where you should be updating your website to reflect the shipping deadlines. This is something we're talking about in depth in our LABS program.

If you're looking for further support in your business, check out our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/420

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419 | How To Create Your Own Gift Guide and Boost Holiday Sales with Katie Hunt

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0400

One of the things we've been talking about in our LABS program is Q4 sales strategies because we are heading into the holiday season which as you know, is one of the busiest times of year for product-based business owners.

Today, I want to talk about one really powerful marketing strategy that often gets overlooked, but it's a good way to help drive sales for Q4.

That strategy is being your own gift guide.

I think there's a misconception for smaller product brands that big media or working with influencers on their product roundups is the only way to get more eyes on your products. While yes, these are good options and you can and should be pitching yourself to these opportunities, getting placement in larger media isn't the only way to shine a spotlight on your product.

In fact, you can create your own gift guide experience and you can do this on your website, through your email list, across wholesale and retail channels.

It's all done in the name of making it easier for your customers to purchase from you. So I'm going to walk you through how to do this, including how to set up your gift guide collections on Faire and Shopify, how to create emails that highlight those products, and how you can collaborate with other like-minded brands to expand your reach of your gift guide and perhaps share theirs too.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product resource library. It's where you can get your hands on our free resources to help you start, streamline and scale your business in your own way and at your own pace.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/419

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418 | Expanding into Tabletop Products with Alyson O'Connor, Rust Belt Love

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Friends, you know that I am all about simplifying and systematizing your business, but I'm also about taking risks and experimenting within your business.

When we run these experiments, sometimes we have to adjust our thinking and our normal processes to make it happen.

That's what we're talking about today: taking risks, experimenting, and releasing a new product category during an off-cycle season.

Today's interview is with Alyson O'Connor of Rust Belt Love.

Frankly, it's your permission slip to lean into the things that you're excited about, even when it doesn't feel like the timing is right.

Alyson is an Advisory Board member, and I invited her on today because she recently launched a brand new tabletop collection. Think paper placemats, napkin rings, and table tents. These products are available now, just in time for the holiday season.

We talk about where her inspiration for this collection came from, what it took to get this product to market, and the logistics of quickly launching. We talk about the easy things and the more difficult parts of this process, and the perks of her having manufacturing in-house. We talked a lot about her manufacturing processes and how this has changed over her 15-year career in this business.

So if you're just getting started, this is going to be really enlightening for you to hear how they've done things both in-house and also outsourced.

Alyson also reflects in this episode on her 15 years in business, the evolving landscape of wholesale, the pricing and margin challenges that are unique to this season, and the importance of staying agile, especially during uncertain times like we're in right now.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/418

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417 | 8 Ways to Prepare for the Holiday Sales Season Now with Katie Hunt

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Today, we're talking about getting your website ready for the biggest sales season of the year Q4.

I know this time of year can feel super hectic. Between prepping for holiday markets and promotions, fulfilling orders, and managing inventory, the last thing you want to do is lose sales because of a preventable website issue or overlooking something that you hadn't really been paying attention to. So today, I'm walking you through a quick checklist to make sure that your online store is buttoned up and ready to handle the traffic and the sales, and any last-minute shoppers that are headed your way.

Before we jump in, I wanted to let you know that our LABS community just got a major glow-up. We switched platforms and have some major upgrades coming to the program. More community connections with businesses at a similar level. More support from industry experts, plus experimentations and case studies, so that you can truly see what is working for other product-based business owners and how to apply similar strategies to your business.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/417

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416 | 2025 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales Strategies with Jessica Totillo Coster, eCommerce Badassery

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:00:00 -0400

According to Experian, Black Friday 2025 spending in the US is predicted to reach over $12 billion in online sales alone, and global spending is forecasted to be between $80 and $82 billion.

That's a lot of money.

Despite consumer caution and economic pressures here in the United States, this represents an 8 to 10% increase over last year. 2024's Black Friday buying season totaled almost $11 billion.

Why am I sharing these stats with you? Because Q4 is a critical sales season for product-based business owners and we want you to be prepared. Jessica Totillo Coster of eCommerce Badassery is back on the podcast today, and we are talking about Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales strategies. Specifically, what's working, what we want you to avoid, and why we insist that you keep your sales strategy as simple as possible.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/416

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415 | Wholesale vs DTC: Why These Are Different Business Models with Katie Hunt

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:00:00 -0400

I'm going to give a little tough love: some of you are new to selling wholesale, and it shows. I am seeing a lot of people using direct-to-consumer strategies when they're launching their wholesale program and then feeling frustrated when the orders don't come in.

Here's the thing: it's not your products that aren't a great fit for them, and you're not doing anything wrong.

It's that wholesale and retail are completely different business models, and they require different strategies, timelines, and messaging.

Today on the podcast, I'm breaking down the key differences between selling retail and selling wholesale, what each one of these things means, and how the buying process is different.

Understanding this will completely change how you approach your sales and marketing for both revenue streams.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/415

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414 | Depth vs. Breadth: Finding the Right Focus in Your Business with Katie Hunt

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:00:00 -0400

I don't know about you, but I do a lot of my best thinking in the shower, in the car as I'm driving kids around, or doing pickups and drop-offs.

I've got these little breaks between taking kids to different places, and that's actually where I do a lot of my coaching with my Advisory Board clients. We're talking back and forth on Voxer, they're dropping questions in my phone, and I'm responding back.

Anyhow, I'm sharing because I was sitting in my car the other day thinking, and there are a few things that I have wanted to talk about with you here on the podcast in more of an off-the-cuff, unscripted way.

I'm hearing from a lot of you who want to hear what's on my mind more casually right now. You like the interviews and solo episodes, but you also want to hear in real-time what I'm thinking about and what I'm working on with my clients.

So one of the things I'm going to talk about today is the difference between going deep in something and going wide.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/414

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413 | Talking Economy, Tariffs, and Customer Retention [Inside Peek into LABs]

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:00:00 -0400

If you are anything like my clients in LABS, you may be wondering, how do I plan for the future when the world feels upside down? More importantly, what should I be focusing on next?

Today, I'm sharing a short clip from one of our recent coaching calls inside of our LABS Community. LABS is the space where product-based business owners come together to get clarity, build connections, and practical strategies that they can put to work right away.

The clip you're hearing today is from one of our recent coaching calls. We're checking in on the state of the economy and talking about what matters most for product brands in this final stretch of the year.

Things like:

Keeping your best customers coming back
How to build stronger relationships with both wholesale and direct-to-consumer buyers
Making smarter choices about diversifying your revenue

In these monthly calls in LABS, members get to ask their specific questions. Whether it's me or one of our coaches or the guest experts that we bring in, they're getting direct feedback on what they need in real time.

It's an interactive, supportive speaker space that keeps people moving forward in their business. If you like what you hear today, definitely check LABS out!

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/413

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412 | Your Wholesale Pitch Isn't The Problem with Katie Hunt

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:00:00 -0400

I am recording this episode the same week that we are running week three of Paper Camp, which is our marketing week.

Marketing week is where we talk to buyers about their buying preferences, how they like to be pitched, how much follow-up is too much, etc.

I often see a lot of our students, and even non-students, struggling with this concept of "I'm putting myself out there and I'm not hearing anything back."

Today on the podcast, I wanted to tackle a pretty big misconception that I hear all the time in the wholesale world and one I'm hearing this week too in Paper Camp.

"I've been pitching to stores but they're not replying? Maybe my pitch just isn't good enough."

Here's the truth.

Most of the time, your pitch isn't the problem.

The real issue is your wholesale foundations.

Things like:

Product readiness
Pricing
Terms and conditions

Those things might not be in alignment with what buyers are expecting to see.

Too often, I see brands jumping straight into pitching their products to stores before they've got the back end of their business properly set up for wholesale.

That is what is getting in the way of retailers saying yes.

In this episode, I want to walk you through some of the common red flags that I see when I'm reviewing product-based business owners catalogs and things like that.

I'll also share what makes pitches stand out in a crowded inbox. If you have been second-guessing your wholesale pitch, then this episode is definitely for you.

Let's dig into what is really holding you back and how to fix it.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/412

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411 | How To Get Better At Selling Your Products In-Person with Karen Sawyer-Meehan, Pier Six Press

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Do you struggle with the idea of selling your products?

I am hearing from a lot of creative entrepreneurs who are telling me that they feel uncomfortable with in-person sales. They're worried about how they'll be perceived. They don't want to be seen as pushy or overbearing by their customers.

I'm hearing this with online sales too, but it's particularly heightened right now with in-person sales because we have a lot of people who have been doing summer craft shows and also in-person trade shows on the wholesale side of things.

I wanted to bring today's guest on to talk about sales in person and how you can push through some of these feelings of discomfort and show people what you've got and why they need to buy it.

Today's guest is Karen Sawyer-Meehan, Pier Six Press, which is a stationery and gift brand known for its bold design, vibrant colors, and high-quality craftsmanship. Now, Karen is one of my Advisory Board members. Advisory Board is my private mastermind, and this is a topic that she and I were chatting about privately on our Voxer chat, which is where folks talk to me one-on-one.

We were talking about how this would make a great podcast episode and how Karen had a lot of great insights to share with you all.

During this episode, Karen shares her journey from art school and retail sales, building a brand that stands out, to embracing empathy, bold colors, and authenticity, and the handmade artistry behind her brand.

She shares her real, honest take on ethical selling, why genuine connections matter more than ever in retail, and how learning to trust your own unique artistic voice, and how that has transformed both her business and her confidence.

If you have been struggling with feeling salesy, finding your creative style, or wondering how to connect your values with the products that you're selling, this episode is for you.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/411

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Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

How Product Business Owners Can Use Grants to Fund Their Business with Ashley Sutton, Hustle & Hope [Replay]

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 400 episodes here on the Proof to Product podcast.

There is a gold mine of information for you to help you grow your business, and, frankly, it can be hard to take it all in.

Today's episode is a look back at an interview I did with Paper Camp alum Ashley Sutton of Hustle and Hope on the topic of grants. A lot of grants for small businesses are due during the fall season so we thought this was a perfect time to reair this episode.

Ashley is a corporate gal turned entrepreneur. Her career began with marketing and developing the perfect shade of lipstick for Avon to creating buzzworthy toys at Mattel and crafting unforgettable marketing campaigns for leading TV shows for children such as Peppa Pig and PJ Masks. She's also creating the number one best-selling marketing campaigns for authors at Penguin Random House.

As a stationery lover and a consumer products professional, her goal was to channel her career experience into a product with purpose, and that is how she founded Hustle and Hope. The first 2 in one motivational greeting card company that includes free digital guides with every single card. A certified minority and certified woman-owned business, Hustle and Hope has retail placement at Buy Buy Baby, World Market, HomeGoods, Amazon, and over 45 other shops across the US. Today, Ashley shares Hustle and Hope's origin story.

She talks about her experience participating in the Target Accelerator program, and we talk about how she's been utilizing grants for her business, including how she got started applying for grants, what she looks for, and how these grants have benefited her business. She also shares resources in case you want to get started applying for grants for your business.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

And all of this becomes infinitely easier when we actively listen to our customers. This on-demand interview series will give you a competitive edge by providing an exclusive window into what buyers want and need from you. And, the best part, it's only $27 bucks.

Utilizing Abandoned Cart Email Automations to Drive Sales with Katie Hunt [Replay]

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 400 episodes here on the Proof to Product podcast.

There is a gold mine of information for you to help you grow your business, and, frankly, it can be hard to take it all in.

Today's episode is a look back at one of our most downloaded episodes, discussing how to utilize abandoned cart email automations to drive more sales.

The holidays are coming up, and it's a perfect time to look at your email strategy and touch base with your hottest leads.

If you have ever shied away from sending out these emails, you are going to want to listen to this one and rethink your strategy.

Did you know that almost 70% of shoppers abandon their online shopping carts and don't follow through with a sale?

That means that only 3 out of 10 of your customers who go to your website and load up their shopping cart complete their purchase. The same report from Baymard Institute said that more than $18,000,000,000 in e-commerce sales are lost annually due to abandoned carts.

That is a whole lot of money. And yet, only some independent product brands are utilizing abandoned cart follow-up emails to recapture some of these sales.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/336

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Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

How to Get Your Products Noticed by Key Buyers with Sally Diguette, Anthropologie [Replay]

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 400 episodes here on the Proof to Product podcast.

There is a gold mine of information for you to help you grow your business, and, frankly, it can be hard to take it all in.

Today's episode is a look back at guest Sally Diguette, a home and lifestyle buyer with Anthropologie.

Pitching large retailers is a completely different process and timeline than working with independent retailers. Having worked with thousands of brands, I know that it can feel like an intimidating process to pitch your work to these key accounts.

Through an unpredictable path, Sally landed in the retail industry and has over 14 years of experience in buying, product development, and sourcing.

Sally is an innovative merchant and consultant. She centers her work around relationship building and creative strategy, combining unique product development and sourcing from national brands across a variety of categories. Her passion lies in working with emerging brands in an incubator capacity to build fresh product offerings, solid organizational systems, and a strong team structure.

On this replay episode, Sally shares about the buying process and schedule for Anthropologie. We talk specifically about the timelines that she's working with for both exclusive products as well as ready made products. And she offers advice for how to get your products in front of key account buyers.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

410 | How Quickly Will I Make Back My Paper Camp Investment with Katie Hunt

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Have you been thinking about joining us for Paper Camp, but aren't sure if this program is a good fit for you?

Or maybe you're a new listener of the podcast, and you're thinking, what the heck is this Paper Camp program that I keep talking about? This episode is for you.

I'm answering the top questions that we get asked about our wholesale program to help you decide if it's the right fit for you. The next round of Paper Camp is open for enrollment right now.

If you're listening to this on release day, we will close enrollment tomorrow, August 20th. If you are looking to scale your wholesale strategy and build a system that drives sales, this is the program for you. You won't want to miss it.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/410

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409 | Live from Shoppe Object with Paper Camp Alumni

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

I'm back again today to share interviews from our Paper Camp alumni who exhibited at Shoppe Object. On Tuesday, I shared my conversations with our alumni who are exhibiting in NY Now.

Today, we're focusing on the exhibitors that were at Shoppe Object. This is a wholesale trade show that was happening in New York City this past week, and I spoke with:

Stephanie Clarke from Dahlia Press
Nancy Yusko from Dear Beni
Meghan Sokorai from And Here We Are
Jen Palacio from Tiny Turns Paperie

Once again, great job to everyone who exhibited at these shows and to everyone who participated in this interview series. I appreciate you taking the time with me on the show floor.

I know that these shows take a lot of hard work, a lot of determination, money, and grit to execute.

If you are thinking about exhibiting at a trade show as part of your wholesale growth strategy, then you absolutely must join us for Paper Camp. We have a ton of experience exhibiting ourselves, and we have guided tens of thousands of brands through the process.

In fact, we have a lot of people who come to us after they've exhibited at a trade show on their own, and it didn't go the way they wanted it to. They ended up with low sales, a lot of stress, and little confidence in how they were presenting their brand.

After Paper Camp, our alumni frequently report higher sales, higher average order values, and stronger reorder rates than non-alumni.

Round 46 is currently open for enrollment at http://prooftoproduct.com/papercamp

We only run this program twice a year, and we sell out every single, single time. This coaching program will take you through step-by-step of everything you need to know to build out a successful wholesale business.

ENROLL NOW IN PAPER CAMP

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/409

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408 | Live from NY Now with Paper Camp Alumni

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

I am back from a whirlwind trip to New York City where over 40 of our Paper Camp alumni were exhibiting at Shoppe Object and NY Now. These were two independent wholesale trade shows that happened to be taking place in New York over the same days. I was able to navigate between both shows and meet with a lot of our different alumni. It was such a treat to visit with everyone and to see all their gorgeous new products on display.

Both shows were buzzing with buyers, press, and brands that were looking to collaborate. The energy was high, and buyers were there to write orders, which was refreshing.

At Paper Camp we talk about how selling wholesale is a marathon, not a sprint.

Exhibiting at wholesale trade shows is just one way to get your products in front of buyers. It's not the only way, but it is a very powerful way.

So today's episode is a compilation of short interviews that I conducted on the show floor at NY Now. On Thursday, we'll release a separate set of interviews that I did at Shoppe Object.

At NY Now, I interviewed:

Lindsy Liu of Happy Little Paper Co
Kyndra Bailey of Kyn You Believe It
Kathleen Kurjanowicz of James Point Stationery
Jaha Knight of Dakari Moon
Andrea Hetzke of Librarian Candle Co.

In fact, we have a lot of people that come to us after they've exhibited at a trade show on their own and it didn't go the way they wanted it to. They ended up with low sales, a lot of stress, and little confidence in how they were presenting their brand.

After Paper Camp, our alumni frequently report higher sales, higher average order values and stronger reorder rates than non-alumni.

Round 46 is currently open for enrollment at http://prooftoproduct.com/papercamp

We only run this program twice a year and we sell out every single, single time. This coaching program will take you through step-by-step of everything you need to know to build out a successful wholesale business.

ENROLL NOW IN PAPER CAMP

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/408

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407 | Alumni Spotlights: Before & After Paper Camp

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

We are currently in the middle of the biggest wholesale buying season of the year, so naturally, it is both a fun and easy time to share wins from our community and talk about our upcoming wholesale coaching program, Paper Camp.

This is where we teach you everything you need to know to successfully sell wholesale and we've got a pretty strong track record with tens of thousands of folks coming through the program.

Today, I want to hand the mic to four of our Paper Camp alumni to share their experiences of what their business looked like before they attended Paper Camp and what it looks like now after putting in lots of work.

We did this type of episode of Before and After Paper Camp series earlier this year and you guys ate it up.

These individuals came to Paper Camp to strengthen their wholesale sales and marketing systems. They actively participated in the program. They asked questions about how to apply what they learned to their particular business, and they soaked up everything there was to learn.

They put in the reps and did the hard work, and it wasn't always easy.

In this episode, you'll hear from:

Morgan Swank of Morgan Swank Studio | Follow on Instagram
Jessie Tyree Jenness of Root & Branch Paper Co | Follow on Instagram
Brenna Daugherty of Brenna Daugherty Illustration| Follow on Instagram
Ashleigh Evans of InBooze | Follow on Instagram

Before we jump in, I wanted to tell you about a free workshop that I'm hosting on August 12th at 9:00am Pacific Time.

Wholesale buying season has been really eye-opening. As someone who has been in the wholesale game for over 17 years and I've worked with over 35,000 thriving wholesale brands, I have a really unique viewpoint to spot mistakes, missed opportunities, and more importantly, I can troubleshoot and find solutions for those that are facing a sales slump. The market is changing and our strategies need to shift with it.

In this free workshop, I'm going to talk about how you can land consistent wholesale orders without over-relying on Faire without using bad wholesale pitches or discounting. RSVP for this free workshop at http://prooftoproduct.com/RSVP

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/407

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406 | From 0 to 60+ Stores Selling Watercolor Kits with Kate Talcott

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

I'm curious, have you been thinking about niching down or focusing in on one product type? But maybe you're nervous about making that transition or having all your eggs in one basket?

This is exactly what Kate Talcott did and she reaped the benefits and then some.

Kate is our guest this week, and I'm excited to share her story. Kate is one of our Paper Camp alumni and her business is called Splatter & Bloom. She sells watercolor kits that give you instant creativity boosts without any of the hassle.

Before joining Paper Camp, Kate was in zero stores and now her products are carried in nearly 70. She didn't always focus on selling watercolor kits, though.

During this episode, you'll hear Kate share about the challenges she faced evolving her product line, the pivotal moments that led to her distribution of her watercoloring kits into 60-plus stores, and her experience of going viral on TikTok.

You'll also hear her talk about burnout and her experiences with that, which is super important for us to talk about. I know you're going to love this one.

Before we jump in, I wanted to tell you about a free workshop that I'm hosting on August 12th at 9:00am Pacific Time.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/406

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405 | I Just Got On Faire. Am I Supposed to be Pitching My Products? with Katie Hunt

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Today I wanted to answer a great question that I received from a student. It's a simple one on the surface, but it opens the door to an important conversation about how we are approaching wholesale as product-based business owners.

Here's the question Lindsay asked: I just opened on Faire recently. Am I supposed to be pitching my products? I'm a total newbie.

The simple answer here is yes. You should always be pitching your products proactively to stores.

But there's a lot more to unpack here, and that's what I want to do on the podcast today.

Before we do, I want to invite you to a free workshop that I'm hosting on August 12th at 9am PT. This is a brand new workshop that I recently put together.

This summer's wholesale buying season has been very eye-opening for me. As someone who has been in the wholesale game for over 17 years and I've worked closely with tens of thousands of wholesale brands that are thriving. It gives me a unique viewpoint to spot mistakes and missed opportunities.

But more importantly, it allows me to open up solutions and potential opportunities for those of you who are facing a sales slump. The market is changing, and our strategies need to shift with it.

In this free workshop, I'm going to talk about how you can land consistent wholesale orders without over-reliying on Faire, without sending out bad wholesale pitches, and without discounting.

If this sounds like something you want to participate in, you can RSVP for this free workshop, at http://prooftoproduct.com/rsvp

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/405

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404 | 5 Things That Paper Camp Scholarship Winners Have in Common with Katie Hunt

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0400

It is that time again. We are now accepting Paper Camp scholarship applications.

If you have wanted to attend our wholesale intensive coaching program, but you need a little help with tuition, now is your time to shine. We award one full tuition scholarship for each and every round of Paper Camp. Since 2011, we have awarded more than $345,000 in scholarship funds to students. This has enabled us to provide support to a lot of up and coming product brands that you know and love.

People that are making huge strides in the industry. I'm talking Inklings Paperie, Ladyfinger Letterpress, E. Francis Paper, Brainstorm and dozens of other brands that were past scholarship recipients. They showed up in Paper Camp, asked their questions, and implemented what they learned.

Ultimately, they did the hard work and now they have built incredible brands that make a huge impact in our world and in our industry.

Our scholarship applications do take a bit of time to fill out. There are questions to answer and even a short video component to complete.

We typically receive anywhere from 80-90 scholarship applications for every round of Paper Camp.

It takes my team and me several days to review each application, and honestly, it's such a challenge to whittle it down to just one scholarship winner. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, head to prooftoproduct.com/scholarships and get your application in today. Applications will close this Friday at 5pm Pacific Time.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/404

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403 | Best Wholesale Pitching Practices with Two Shopkeepers, Victoria Venturi & Katie Wilson

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0400

One of the highlights of our Paper Camp program is the weekly coaching calls that we host by me and our guest experts. You not only get to ask questions about that week's curriculum and content from Paper Camp, but you also get to hear firsthand from industry experts.

These are wholesale experts: large-scale wholesale manufacturers, retail shop owners, sales experts, trade show exhibitors, all of the people that are deeply embedded in the wholesale world.

This week on the podcast, I wanted to share a snippet of one of our calls from Marketing Week. This is the week in Paper Camp that we traditionally talk with shopkeepers to find out how they like to be pitched, how much follow-up is too much, do they want to see samples before they buy, and so much more. This is your chance to ask all of your burning questions of our guest experts and to hear direct feedback.

This excerpt is a conversation with Victoria Venturi of Paper Epiphanies and Katie Wilson of Crush & Touch. These are two shopkeepers who are getting pitched all of the time from brands and vendors that are just like you.

Victoria and Katie are providing feedback on how they like to be pitched, including the best way for vendors to capture their attention, methods that they use most when placing orders, and red flags that they see in wholesale pitches.

They talk about whether they want to receive samples and about follow-up and how much follow-up is too much.

This is just a small portion of the incredible value that our Paper Camp students receive during their time in our program.

I am incredibly grateful for people like Victoria and Katie and our other speakers that come back to share their knowledge and preferences with us.

These calls are my favorite part of Paper Camp. Speaking of Paper Camp, we will be opening enrollment for the next round very soon. This is a program that we only run live twice a year. It is not a course you do on your own. We are there to hold your hand and help you through it, answering questions for your specific brand and circumstances.

I wanted to let you know that we have some new, exciting surprises to share with you during this launch round, including a free event that you won't want to miss.

I'm not quite ready to spill all the tea yet, but everyone who is on our Paper Camp waitlist will be the first to hear about this live event and the new incentives that we're offering.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/403

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402 | 5 Big Mistakes I See in Product Catalogs (and How to Fix Them) with Katie Hunt

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Today on the podcast, I want to talk about your wholesale catalog. Your wholesale catalog is the most important sales tool in your wholesale toolbox. Yet simple mistakes may be costing you a lot of money and a lot of headaches. So this week, I want to talk about five common errors that I see when I'm reviewing catalogs for clients so that you can avoid making these same mistakes.

As a quick background, I have done thousands of catalog audits for our Paper Camp students and my advisory board mastermind clients. Yes, thousands. Looking through this volume of wholesale catalogs, it really gives me a unique viewpoint, one that mirrors the experience of buyers.

I can easily spot red flags in wholesale catalogs, but I can also spot unique and innovative trends. Many of these things are things that we teach in our Paper Camp program. My team and I know what buyers are looking for and how to structure your wholesale catalog so that you can convert more of these prospects into actual customers.

We want you to convert to more sales. We will also want you to make it easy for your wholesale customers to purchase from you. That means optimizing each page so that it does a good job of selling your products when you're not there.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/402

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401 | Going From 20 to 120 Wholesale Accounts with Carley Hussain, Parcel Island

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Hey friend. You know how much I love sharing success stories here on the podcast and this week is no exception.

I had the pleasure of connecting with Carley Hussain of Parcel Island, which is a gift and stationery business based out of Philadelphia. Carley is one of our talented Paper Camp alumni who started with 20 wholesale accounts and she is now in over 120 stores. Yes, she has grown by more than 100 accounts while also working at a full-time job.

During our conversation, we talk about the key strategies that fueled her business growth, including marketing automations she set up, finding her unique brand voice, and leveraging platforms like Faire. Carley also leveraged the resources available to her in Paper Camp, such as our wholesale pitch process, email templates, and postcard templates, adding her own unique voice and brand positioning to the outreach.

You'll hear what project management tools Carley uses to keep her business organized and her tasks on track. We discuss the challenges of inventory and product launches. Plus, we talk about how she's building strong local relationships that have helped her brand flourish.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/401

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400 | Celebrating 400 Episodes: Getting Candid About Podcasting, Resilience, and Business Growth with Katie Hunt

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Hey friend, it's Brittney Lynn. I know you're likely expecting Katie Hunt and I promise she is featured in this episode. If we haven't met before, I am Katie's publicist and I am also the podcast producer of this very podcast. We wanted to do something special for the 400th episode of the podcast, so we decided to turn the tables and I'm interviewing Katie.

We discuss Katie's favorite part of the podcast recording process, advice she'd give to herself when she was just starting out, the real cost of running this podcast, and also the Proof to Product business as a whole, examples of times when she felt stuck in business and what she did about it and so much more.

This was such a fun episode to record, and we really hope you enjoy it. We are excited to hear the feedback from the episode and don't worry, Katie will be back in the host seat next week.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/400

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We're on Summer Break!

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0400

The Proof to Product team is practicing what we preach and we are going on summer break for the next two weeks! We will be back in your ears soon and we are so excited about our upcoming episodes, including our 400th episode!

In the meantime, we are gearing up for another round of our Paper Camp program which will start soon. We only run Paper Camp twice a year, so if you are wanting to learn how to start with wholesale, click here to join the waitlist (we sell out every time!) Have a great two weeks and we'll see you soon!

399 | A Peek Inside Paper Camp - Our Alumni Panel with Janine Kwoh, Jesse Regis, and Lucia Saisse Morris

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0400

When we have our eyes set on a specific business goal, something like selling wholesale, it is incredibly beneficial to hear from people who are a few steps ahead of us in the process, which is why we close out every round of our Paper Camp program with an alumni panel. I want our students to hear from their peers. In today's podcast episode, we're sharing a portion of our alumni roundtable with all of you.

This alumni panel features Janine Kwoh from Kwohtations, Jesse Regis from Virgins on Fire Candle Company, and Lucia Saisse Morris from Lucy Loves Paper.

Each of these Paper Camp alumni shares details about their brand, how many stores they're working with, what has been challenging about growing wholesale, and more.

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions. We will open enrollment for the next round of Paper Camp soon, and we sell this program out every time we run it. Join the wait list and you'll get early access to enroll.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/399

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398 | How Do I Know If I'm Ready to Exhibit at a Wholesale Trade Show with Katie Hunt

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0400

It is officially trade show season, so today we are diving into a question that I hear all the time. It's how do I know if I'm ready to exhibit at a wholesale trade show? This is one of the biggest topics that we cover inside of Paper Camp. Paper Camp is our coaching program for product-based business owners who want to see their products on the shelves of independent stores in their neighborhood or big box stores all over the world.

During Paper Camp, we will not only help you decide if shows are a good fit for your brand, but we'll help you figure out which shows to do, how to prepare your trade show budget, what you need to be doing pre and post show in your marketing to maximize those sales. There is so much more that we cover too, specifically regarding trade shows, but also about wholesale in general.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/398

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397 | How to Achieve More by Learning Less with Pat Flynn, Smart Passive Income

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:00:00 -0400

I'm excited for today's episode because we've got Pat Flynn from Smart Passive Income. Pat is a father, a husband, a lifelong learner, and, honestly, one of the most generous teachers out there when it comes to business and entrepreneurship. He has built several successful companies, launched best-selling books, and invented products like the SwitchPod. He's created communities around smart passive income, and somehow, he still finds time for his top-rated podcast about business building, and he runs a top YouTube channel about Pokémon cards, which we'll actually talk about today.

Today, we're talking about Pat's newest book, Lean Learning, How to Achieve More by Learning Less. The book is all about cutting through the noise, taking action faster, and building real momentum, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed by everything that you think you "should be" learning or doing.

If you have ever felt stuck in learning mode, chasing ideas and information but not applying them and making real progress, Pat is going to show us how we can do this better because sometimes doing less and focusing smarter on things is exactly what you need to get bigger results.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/397

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396 | Prioritizing When Everything Feels Urgent with ADHD Coach Skye Waterson, Unconventional Organisation

Tue, 27 May 2025 13:00:00 -0400

This week's podcast topic has been highly requested, and so I'm happy to bring it to you today. I invited Skye Watterson who is an ADHD strategist, coach, and the founder of Unconventional Organisation. She helps business owners stay focused, build consistent revenue, and scale without feeling burnt out.

Skye was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, and it completely changed her entire approach to her career, and, eventually, it inspired her to help other entrepreneurs who are having similar challenges.

During our conversation, Skye breaks down common challenges that people with ADHD have, things like issues with focus and task initiation, prioritization, and burnout.

She explains how she uses neuroscience-backed systems to move her clients from feeling overwhelmed and scattered to feeling focused and empowered. We also dig into practical strategies for cutting through mental clutter, effective prioritization for when everything feels urgent, and Skye shares her realistic approach to motivation and dopamine management.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/396

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395 | Navigating Profit Margins, Burnout, and Tariffs with Jessica Totillo Coster, eCommerce Badassery [Part 2]

Thu, 15 May 2025 13:00:00 -0400

We are back with part two of my conversation with Jessica Totillo Coster, covering the State of the Product Industry survey. You can listen to part 1 by heading to prooftoproduct.com/394.

During part two of my interview with Jessica, we cover how product-based businesses are making money in their businesses, including the percentages of those that are selling wholesale vs retail vs licensing. We talk about how many revenue streams product business owners have, their gross revenue versus net revenue, what people are actually paying themselves, and the importance of paying yourself.

Friends, if you are not paying yourself, you should. We have a podcast episode that helps you figure out how to start paying yourself.

We also discuss Jessica and I's thoughts on burnout in the industry, just generally as a whole, but also how to handle balancing real-life struggles while running a business.

I really appreciate Jessica taking the time to sit down with me to talk through this. She was a huge help as I was crunching the data and assessing the numbers. I do think this survey and the data will help all of us grow stronger businesses together.

You can get the full results of the survey at prooftoproduct.com/2025survey.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/395

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394 | How Product Business Owners Are Leveraging (and Missing Out On) Email Marketing with Jessica Totillo Coster, eCommerce Badassery [Part 1]

Tue, 13 May 2025 13:00:00 -0400

I'm loving all the feedback that we're getting about the State of the Product Industry survey. Last week, we released two podcast episodes. One was an overview of what the report was saying, what the different stats were, and then the second episode I covered 10 opportunities that all of you should be harnessing as we continue into 2025.

Because we got such great feedback, we're going to keep this going. I asked Jessica Totillo Coster to come and analyze the survey data with me. Jessica has been on the podcast several times in the past (episode 195 & episode 319). If you're new to her, she's an e-commerce and email marketing strategist specifically for boutique owners and product entrepreneurs.

She and I share a lot of the same values when it comes to building product brands, so I'm really happy that we were able to have this conversation and dissect some more of the survey data.

If you want the full report, head to prooftoproduct.com/2025survey.

We talked for a long time, so we had to split this into two parts. Today's episode is part one where we discuss the correlation between having a large number of skews to overall sales revenue, the shocking statistics of business owners who don't have their own website, Jessica's thoughts on how product based business owners are using or not using email marketing as part of their overall marketing strategy, and also why it's important to have your own email list, which email marketing platforms are best for product sellers.

They drive the most revenue, and if you're not using email marketing, you need to be. Part two of our conversation will be up on Thursday this week, so tune in to that because we are diving into the financials of product-based businesses, and it's pretty fascinating.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/394

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393 | 10 Opportunities for Product-Based Businesses: State of the Product Industry Survey with Katie Hunt

Thu, 08 May 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Today's episode continues the conversation about the State of the Product Industry survey that we did. Last episode, I summarized what we learned when 400 product-based business owners shared intimate details about their income, profit, how much they pay themselves, their product line, their team, their sales and marketing strategies. If you have not listened to that one yet, I would suggest starting there, that's episode 392.

Today, I am diving into 10 opportunities that I see for all of you after having spent dozens and dozens of hours crunching the data.

Before we jump in, I want to remind you that now is an excellent time to join us in the LABS community. LABS is our community focused on supporting product-based business owners and helping you build strong foundations, and we bring in all kinds of cool guest experts to share about their business journey.

And fun news! On May 14, Emily Ley of Simplified, who was recently on episode 390 of the podcast, is joining us for a coffee chat in LABS.

LABS is where our community members will have a chance to ask her questions about growing and scaling her business. She's going to share what's worked, what hasn't worked, and offer support and advice for our members as they're growing their business. To attend this program and all of our other live events, head to prooftoproduct.com/labs to enroll.

ENROLL IN LABS NOW

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/393

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392 | Revenue, Teams, Tariffs, and Trends: The State of the Product Industry in 2025 with Katie Hunt

Tue, 06 May 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Every founder I know has been wondering at some point or another how much other brands are making, what tech they're using, and how big their teams are. Everyone wants to see what other brands are doing and how they are successful.

Even though we know that every business journey looks different, it's natural to be curious. The product world is shifting so fast. Right now, we're seeing rising costs. We're seeing tariffs, supply chain delays, and changes to consumer buying habits. That's going to ultimately change how we are creating, marketing, and selling our products.

We know that there are a lot of folks pivoting, a lot of people making changes to how things are going.

That is why I wanted to take another temperature check of our industry. We recently collected 400 responses to our state of the product industry survey. We had 400 brands that stretched a wide range of product categories, experience levels, and income levels, and they shared their insights and their business details so that we could create this collective report.

Now you can access this report at prooftoproduct.com/2025survey. I'm going to take this time on the podcast to walk you through the different sections and explain some of the findings that I had.

I do want to take a moment to thank everyone who contributed. Without your details, without you sharing so openly, we wouldn't be able to track these types of trends, challenges, or even opportunities that we can then supply back to the industry.

Your giving to us allowed us to give back to you, and I appreciate that. Also, I will be doing some further case studies and deep dives into the different revenue levels that were reported in this. This report is pretty long as it is, and I didn't want to bombard it with more. I will be doing these deeper dive case studies in our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. Get connected with more product-based businesses by owners by requesting your invitation below.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/392

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391 | Selling Your Excess Inventory with Melodie van der Baan, Max Retail

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Do you have excess inventory that you have no idea how to move? On today's podcast, we have Melodie van der Baan, cofounder of Max Retail. It's a platform designed to help independent retailers and brands easily sell their excess inventory online.

During our conversation, Melodie shares how she started out as a sales rep, and then how she owned her own retail store in Palm Beach and how the challenges she faced with unsold inventory inspired the creation of Max Retail. She shares how Max Retail integrates seamlessly with popular sales platforms like Shopify, Square, and Lightspeed, and the innovative ways that it gives new life to seasonal or aged inventory through a vast network of e-commerce channels.

We also talk about the importance of inventory management, staying adaptable in uncertain markets, and why a strong partnership between brands and retailers is more crucial than ever.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/391

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390 | How Trump's Tariffs Are Affecting Small Business Owners with Emily Ley, Simplified®

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Today's episode is an important and timely one. It is a conversation about resilience as small business owners and what we can do or how we navigate things when we are backed into a corner by forces outside of our control.

Our guest this week is Emily Ley. She is the founder of Simplified®, a wildly successful brand of planners and organizational tools that many of you know and love. She also happens to be one of our Paper Camp alumni.

You have seen Emily's products in Target, Walmart, Staples, and independent boutiques worldwide. But behind the scenes, like so many product-based business owners, Emily has been navigating massive shifts in things like the global supply chain, rising costs, and now devastating tariffs.

Her company has paid more than $1,170,000 in tariffs since 2017. With the newly announced 150% tariffs as they stand as of recording this today.

She is facing over $1,000,000 more in fees this year alone, and Emily is not staying quiet.

Earlier this month, she filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump Administration, the first legal challenge to these unlawful tariffs, and she's doing it with the support of the New Civil Liberties Alliance. This is a huge moment, not just for her brand, Simplified®, but for every small business owner who relies on international manufacturing to keep their products on the shelves of stores and their teams paid.

In this episode, Emily and I discuss her journey from launching Simplified® in 2008, to finding the right manufacturing partners and, ultimately, becoming an unlikely but powerful advocate in the fight against these trade policies.

We also talk about the emotional toll that this takes, the behind-the-scenes fears and tough decisions, the support from her customers and community, and the risks that were involved in her taking a stand, again, not just for her business, but for all of ours.

Before we dive into today's episode, I want to say that if you are a product-based business owner and you're listening today and you are feeling the weight of these new tariffs, you are not alone. Inside our LABS community, we have been having real, honest conversations about how to navigate this, everything from raising prices to pausing production to exploring new manufacturing options.

If you need support or strategy, or just a sounding board from people who truly understand what you're going through, LABS is here to help. You can learn more at prooftoproduct.com/labs.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/390

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389 | Communicating Price Increases to Your Retail and Wholesale Customers with Katie Hunt

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0400

With everything going on in the global economy right now, there have been a lot of discussions about price increases. It's been a hot topic in Paper Camp, in our LABS community, and even in my Advisory Board mastermind.

People are asking about how to raise their prices, if they should raise their prices, and also how to communicate those price increases with your customers, whether you're selling retail or wholesale. And it's a great and valid question. I understand why people are asking it right now. So I'm bringing back an episode that we aired in 2022. It's called How to Communicate Price Increases with Your Customers, and this is honestly more relevant now than when I first aired this episode.

With increasing tariffs and practically everything getting more expensive, a majority of you will need to increase your prices. I want your businesses to survive for the long haul. I want you to thrive. I want you to be building a profitable business that will continue for a long time. Understanding when it's time to raise your prices and how to do that is going to be a critical piece for you maintaining your business. I hope you find this episode helpful.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/389

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388 | Leveraging Funding to Expand Your Business with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0400

Let's talk money. Money is a necessity in business, but it can also be a pain point, particularly for product-based business owners because our investments, overhead, and risks are generally heightened compared to service-based businesses.

We not only need to make money, but we also need to spend money for future expansion and growth. But where does that money come from? How are people doing this? We get this question a lot when we talk with our students.

Many brands in our industry are self-funded, meaning that they use their own money for start-up costs and then they reinvest those revenues or profits back into the business.

Another option is grants. We talked with Ashley Sutton of Hustle and Hope in episode 374 about how she has utilized grants to grow her business, and grants are funding that we do not need to pay back.

Today, we're gonna talk about leveraging debt and funding as a means to expand your business. I do not want to glorify going into debt for your business, but I do believe and know firsthand that there are responsible ways to leverage debt and essentially use other people's money for strategic growth within your business.

And that's why I asked Zeba Parkar from Treleaf to come back on the podcast. Zeba was on the podcast for episode 320, where we talked about the challenges she was facing in bringing a new product to life.

She does these incredible laser cut trellises and modern plant accessories that she manufactures in-house in her studio and warehouse, and she has a whole team and a lot of equipment.

Since then, she has expanded her business even more, and some of that has been done through funding from outside sources.

Zeba and I catch up on what's been happening in her business since late 2023, since we last talked on the podcast, including how she did 13 trade shows in 2024. We discussed her approach to finding funding for her business and different loan options that she looked at, including Shopify Capital, and lines of credit options.

We also talked about hurdles that she came up against when she started applying for this type of funding and she shared things that she wished she had known before she started applying for different types of funding.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/388

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387 | 2025 State of Product Industry Survey Now Accepting Submissions

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0400

It has been almost one year since we conducted our 2024 State of the Product Industry survey, and we are back doing it again. So from now until April 11, our 2025 State of the Product Industry Survey is open, and we wanna hear from you and all of your physical product-based business owner friends.

You can head to prooftoproduct.com/2025survey to share your responses with us, and I encourage you to do it sooner than later and then help to spread the word.

As a recap, in last year's survey, we found out a lot of information. We asked about annual revenue, take home pay, the revenue streams that people were utilizing, how much help people have within their business, tech tools that they use day in and day out, and so much more.

Last year, we had 925 people respond, and this year, our goal is over 1,000 participants. We're going to dive into many of the same questions and topics that we tackled last year, and I want to do a year-over-year comparison of how things have shifted.

We have also added new topics and questions based on some of your feedback, including how many people are full-time in their business or whether it's a side gig.

We're also asking whether the business is the primary source of revenue for the owner, how businesses are adjusting for tariffs and current economic conditions, whether sales are up or down compared to last year, plus future plans for sales, marketing, and operational strategies.

Head to prooftoproduct.com/2025survey to take the 10-minute survey and please share with any other product-business owner friends!

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386 | How Do I Align My Product Release Cycles with Wholesale Buying Seasons with Katie Hunt

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 13:00:00 -0400

When should I release new products to the wholesale market, and how do I align my release cycles with wholesale buying seasons?

I get these questions and more about product release cycles all of the time. In fact, this has been a hot topic in this round of Paper Camp, our coaching program about wholesale.

If our Paper Camp students are asking about release cycles, I know that many of you have similar questions too. So we're going to talk about wholesale release cycles today on the podcast.

Before we dive in, if you missed this round of Paper Camp, I highly recommend that you join the waitlist for the next round, which will run later this year. You can get on that waitlist at prooftoproduct.com/papercamp.

Paper Camp is our wholesale coaching program where we teach you our four-part framework for building a profitable and sustainable wholesale business.

Over the course of four weeks, we will ensure that you have your wholesale foundations in place, and we'll tackle growth strategies for your product line, your sales tools, wholesale marketing, and even trade shows.

Every week's lessons build upon the next, and we lay out clear milestones so that you know where to focus first, second, and third. Plus, we do weekly coaching calls, and you get to connect with other product creators in our class community. It's an incredible combination of coursework, coaching, and community that's truly built to help you thrive with wholesale.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/386

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385 | How E-Commerce Brands Are Using Pinterest Trends To Get More Sales with Heather Farris, Heather Farris Co

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 13:00:00 -0400

It's been a minute since we've talked about Pinterest marketing here on the podcast, so I thought it was time that we revisit this topic.

A lot has changed over the years with Pinterest, especially given the explosion of AI. So this week, Heather Farris is joining me on the podcast. She runs a Pinterest agency and education company. Heather has helped hundreds of creators on Pinterest grow their traffic and sales through both organic and paid Pinterest ads.

During the episode, we talk about how to use the Pinterest trends tool, which helps you determine which keywords are and are not popular on the platform. We talk about missed opportunities that e-commerce brands make when it comes to Pinterest, how much time you should allocate to Pinterest marketing, and also how AI is affecting how people use Pinterest and so much more.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/385

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384 | How to Find and Pitch Year-Round Gift Guides with Gloria Chou, Gloria Chou PR

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:00:00 -0400

When you think of public relations or PR, what first comes to mind? Is it holiday gift guides, being on the Today Show? What if I told you that PR can often be more effective than social media or paid ads for boosting a business's credibility and visibility? That's exactly what today's guest is sharing.

Gloria Chou is an award-winning PR strategist and the host of the top-rated Small Business PR Podcast. Known for her untraditional yet proven approach to PR, which makes visibility and access to media accessible for anyone, Gloria helps BIPOC and female founders get featured organically in top-tier media without needing PR connections or a large social media following. Her strategies have earned small businesses in nearly every industry over a billion organic views and features in outlets like The New York Times, Oprah's Favorite Things, Vogue, and Forbes without any pay-to-play options.

Gloria shares how to write a compelling pitch to the media, how to pitch and find gift guides that happen year-round, how to find the right journalist to pitch, and so much more.

Today's episode is brought to you by PrintsWell, who is a sponsor of our Paper Camp program. PrintsWell has helped stationers for thirty-five years grow their business with premium paper products, modern printing solutions, and best-in-class customer service. They have top-tier paper products at wholesale prices. They do branded drop shipping. They even have foil and white printing available and fast turnaround times. Our Paper Camp students receive an exclusive discount on PrintsWell service. You can learn more about PrintsWell services at http://printswell.com.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/384

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383 | Navigating Seasonal Fluctuations in the Gift & Candle Industry with Sarah Hart, Simply Curated

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Today's guest is LABS member, Sarah Hart, the founder and creative director of Simply Curated, a home fragrance brand that has been in business for twelve years. Sarah also recently launched a sister brand called Hart and Co.

In this episode, Sarah shares the origins of her candle and home fragrance business, including the pivotal moments and challenges that she faced along the way. She provides insight into the nuances of the candle industry and the unique hurdles that it presents, like seasonal fluctuations in demand and the importance of in-person customer experiences.

Sarah also shares what it was like to launch a sister brand that ventures into new territory with a different aesthetic appeal and product approach. Sarah shares how she balances managing two thriving brands to really harness the power of social media in supplementing her business.

Today's episode is brought to you by Digital Lizard, who is a sponsor of our Paper Camp program. Digital Lizard is a leading marketing company that offers a wide range of print, procurement, and creative production solutions, including digital and offset printing, sourcing, and logistics.

All of our Paper Camp and our LABS students get access to a private Proof to Product print portal with Digital Lizard, where they get discounted rates on print services and a dedicated sales rep to help us with all of our project management.

Many of our community members use Digital Lizard to print products, do their packaging, their catalogs, marketing materials, and more. Digital Lizard offers low minimum quantities and quick turnaround times which our community loves. So if you're looking for a new print partner, our community has great experiences working with Digital Lizard. You can learn more about Digital Lizard's capabilities and services online at digitallizard.com.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/383

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382 | Alumni Spotlights: Before & After Paper Camp

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0400

I know we've been talking a lot about our wholesale coaching program, Paper Camp, which is where we are going to teach you everything you need to successfully sell wholesale.

But today, I want to hand the mic over to four of our Paper Camp alumni to share their experiences. I'm calling this our "Before and After Paper Camp" series, where you can hear from real people who took our program.

They came to Paper Camp. They actively participated, asked questions, and soaked up everything that there was to learn. Then they went home and did the hard work. And friends, their transformations are incredible.

In this episode, you'll hear from:

Janine Kwoh of Kwohtations | Follow on Instagram
Jesse Regis of Virgins on Fire Candle Co | Follow on Instagram
Carly Brenton of Paper Script | Follow on Instagram
Amy Frazer of Keller Design Co | Follow on Instagram

Today's episode is brought to you by our Paper Camp program, which is now open for enrollment. Paper Camp is our wholesale coaching program where we teach you everything you need to know to build strong wholesale foundations. Over the course of 4 weeks, we tackle your product line, sales tools, and marketing plan, and we even talk about how to exhibit at trade shows if that's what you want to do. We start with your product line and go into everything from how often you should be releasing new products to ensuring that your numbers are sustainable for the wholesale market and their price for profit.

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/382

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381 | Prep Your Product for Wholesale with Katie Hunt & Alex Gagné, Chez Gagné

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0400

To successfully sell wholesale, you must focus on your product line first. If you do not have a product line that has a unique point of view, is priced right, and has strong profit margins, you'll have a difficult time when you start doing sales and marketing, particularly on the wholesale side.

A strong product line is the foundation of a strong wholesale revenue stream, which is why we start every round of Paper Camp, our wholesale coaching program, helping everyone audit their product line.

We want to ensure that your products are priced for profit and they meet industry standards. For seasoned wholesalers, we want to ensure that you're releasing new products when the market is primed to buy and that any new product categories that you're offering will fold well into your primary offerings.

Now more than ever, it is easy to start a product-based business, but strategically growing a product-based business and selling those products to the wholesale market requires unique strategies, which is what we focus on and teach you in Paper Camp.

Today's episode is an excerpt from a Paper Camp coaching call with Alex Gagné of Chez Gagné, who is also a speaker for this round of Paper Camp. She talks about her wholesale growth, product expansion, and she speaks candidly about the challenges and successes she's faced along the way.

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/381

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380 | 4 Common Wholesale Mistakes and How to Correct Them with Katie Hunt

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0400

How did you decide that it was time to start wholesaling for your business? This is one of my favorite questions to ask my coaching clients, our Paper Camp students, and even the guests here on this podcast.

Even though there are a lot of similarities between our stories, everyone's journey is so incredibly different.

In some cases, like mine, deciding to sell wholesale was a very intentional and deliberate choice. When I started my stationery business, I knew that wholesale would be the best business model for me and the life that I wanted to live. I had already dabbled in custom design, and I didn't really love it. I had an Etsy shop that was bringing in a decent volume of orders, but it felt like a slow grind, and they were smaller orders one by one. I was intrigued by wholesale, although I was also a little bit naive. The idea of selling in higher volume, building relationships with other business owners, that felt right for me, and it felt like that was right for the season of life that I was in at the time.

Today on the podcast, I want to share some of the biggest mistakes that I see new brands making when they enter the wholesale market. I will also share our four-part wholesale framework that we teach during Paper Camp so that you can avoid making common mistakes and, ultimately, sell more of your products.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Paper Camp program. The next round of Paper Camp is going to open for enrollment soon.

Paper Camp is our wholesale coaching program where we teach you everything you need to know to build strong wholesale foundations. Over the course of 4 weeks, we tackle your product line, sales tools, and marketing plan, and we even talk about how to exhibit at trade shows if that's what you want to do. We start with your product line and go into everything from how often you should be releasing new products to ensuring that your numbers are sustainable for the wholesale market and their price for profit.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/380

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Expanding into 1,000 Stores with Brittany O'Brien, Brittany Paige [Replay]

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 375 episodes here on the Proof to Product podcast. There is a gold mine of information for you to help you grow your business, and, frankly, it can be hard to take it all in.

Today's episode is a look back at Paper Camp alumni, Brittany O'Brien's journey growing her stationery and gift company, Brittany Paige. In episode 258, Brittany shared how she scaled her wholesale program up to 500 accounts. That was a big milestone for her. In this replay episode, she shares what it was like expanding to 1,000 wholesale accounts, and now she's grown even beyond that.

Brittany has had such incredible growth, and I know her story has been inspiring for many of our listeners, which is why we are re-airing it today.

Speaking of wholesale, we are gearing up for the next round of Paper Camp, our four-week coaching program that teaches you how to start and scale your wholesale program. We have coached more than 31,000 wholesale brands in this program and through our other programs, and these folks sell their products to retail stores worldwide.

I'm talking about stores such as Target, Macy's, World Market, Starbucks, Anthropology, as well as independent retail shops all around the globe.

PaperCamp is a live coaching program, meaning that you will have an opportunity to get all of your questions answered by me, our coaching team, and our guest mentors. You have support in PaperCamp that no other DIY courses or memberships can provide.

Now if you want to learn how to get your products on the shelves of stores, click here to get on the waitlist. Our next round starts soon, and we do sell out every time!

379 | Is Paper Camp Right For You with Katie Hunt

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Have you been thinking about joining us for Paper Camp, but aren't sure if this program is a good fit for you?

Or maybe you're a new listener of the podcast, and you're thinking, what the heck is this Paper Camp program that I keep talking about? This episode is for you.

I'm answering the top questions that we get asked about our wholesale program to help you decide if it's the right fit for you. The next round of Paper Camp is coming soon. We're opening enrollment very soon. And if you are looking to start or scale wholesale, you are not going to want to miss this.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/379

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378 | How to Apply for a Paper Camp Scholarship with Katie Hunt

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0400

If you're listening today that means you're likely interested in applying for our Paper Camp scholarship!

Giving back is one of our core values here at Proof to Product and we give back through our time, knowledge as well as financial scholarships.

Since 2011, we've awarded over $275,000+ in scholarship funds to creative entrepreneurs who sell physical products to the wholesale market. These brands had big dreams of seeing their products on the shelves of their favorite stores and they have obtained huge results.

These scholarships are a big deal and we treat them that way. We typically have anywhere from 80-90 scholarship applications every round of Paper Camp. My team and I dedicate several days to view all the videos, read the applications, review websites, and ultimately whittle it down to one full tuition scholarship winner.

It's never an easy choice, but we do put a lot of care into our selections. And, today I want to share 5 ways that you can stand out when submitting your Paper Camp application.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/378

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What Retail Shops Look for When Buying Wholesale with Ginger Diaz, Feliz Modern & Rancho Diaz [Replay]

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Hey, friend. This week, I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 375 episodes here on the Proof to Product podcast. There is a gold mine of information for you to help you grow your business, and, frankly, it can be hard to take it all in.

So whether you are a new listener or you've been around for a little while, this one is a must-listen. It features Ginger Diaz, a two-time retail shop owner of Feliz Modern and Rancho Diaz in San Antonio, Texas. We talk about a lot of different topics in this episode, but the one I want you to really pay attention to is what retail shops are looking for when they are making their wholesale buying decisions. We are gearing up for our next round of Paper Camp, which is our 4-week intensive coaching program.

We have coached more than 31,000 thriving wholesale brands who sell their products to retail stores all around the world, and we would love to help you do the same. Our next round will start soon, so get on that waitlist by going to the link listed below.

We do keep this program on the smaller side so that all of our attendees and students can get all of their questions answered, but that also means that space is limited, and we do sell out every time. So adding your name to the wait list will give you early access to tickets, and you can join that waitlist at prooftoproduct.com/papercamp.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/303

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Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

377 | Behind the Scenes of Airport Retail and What It's Like Being Featured on The View with Jodi Kostelnik, The Neighborhoods

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0400

I love using our platforms, particularly this podcast, to highlight our community members and all of the cool things they are doing within their businesses and lives. I also love to bring folks back for updates, a "where are they now" situation. So today's guest is Jodi Kostelnik of The Neighborgoods. Jodi was previously on episode 233 which aired in January of 2022. In that episode, she shared real numbers and feedback about her exhibiting experience at Shoppe Object, covering sales numbers, expenses, etc.

We got a lot of positive feedback, emails, and notes from listeners about that episode because Jodi shared so openly and freely, and people appreciated that.

Today, she is back with an update and sharing some things that have gone on, some big changes that have happened with The Neighborgoods over the last 3 years. Jodi talks about her experience in opening up an airport store in Washington, DC, including how that opportunity came to be and how she has a unique ownership interest.

We talked about the highs and lows of hiring team members and letting go of control and how difficult that is, and Jodi shares how her products ended up being featured on the show, The View. Her team rallied together to ship out thousands of products after that feature, and a spoiler alert here, she met the contacts from The View at a trade show.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/377

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376 | How to Start Licensing Your Art with Bonnie Christine, The Professional Creative

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Have you ever thought about licensing your art, but have no idea where to start? Licensing can be a really great supplemental revenue stream for your business. Nowadays, there are lots of folks looking for art to apply to their products.

This week, we have Bonnie Christine on the show. She's an internationally renowned surface pattern designer, an entrepreneur, and an award-winning online educator. She's been creating artwork for brands and products around the world since 2009. She's a self-taught designer and runs the Surface Design Immersion program that's geared for creative entrepreneurs. She's also the host of the Professional Creative Podcast, I have an interview coming out on her show soon.

During our interview, we talk about how making residual income through art licensing, how it can be lengthy, but also rewarding process, and also a great way to make extra income for your business. We also talk about the importance of being proactive, how to handle rejection as a creative, and a breakdown of how creatives can use an art agent. We'll also cover the benefits of in-house sales team and the evolving impact of AI on art and business.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/376

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

375 | Increasing Your Sales Conversions with Personalized Marketing (& Other Marketing Trends in 2025) with Arianne Foulks, Aeolidia

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0400

This week, we have Arianne Foulks from Aeolidia back on the podcast. Arianne was on episode 114 talking about abandoned cart email sequences, and she also came on for episode 288 where we talked about SMS and email marketing strategies.

Today, Arianne and I are talking about 2025 trends for e-commerce marketing. Arianne is a founder, speaker, and Shopify Partner who has focused her career on building impactful retail businesses. At Aeolidia, her design and development agency, she and her team create super-effective online shops for artists and designers.

On today's episode, Arianne is sharing her thoughts on creating a great customer experience, how to best communicate with our customers, the importance of data utilization, and the rise of personalized shopping experiences. We also delve into practical tips on segmenting communication, managing marketing workload, and the benefits of live shopping events.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/375

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

374 | How Product Business Owners Can Use Grants to Fund Their Business with Ashley Sutton, Hustle & Hope

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Happy New Year, friend. I hope that you were able to take a break over the holidays. I know the last month of the year is always pretty busy for all of us, whether it's personal stuff or we're getting our shops and businesses ready for the end of the year. I hope that you have plenty of time for some rest and relaxation.

We're back on the podcast with a new episode, and this week's episode is a real treat. I have Ashley Sutton from Hustle and Hope. Ashley is a Paper Camp alumni, and she's been featured in a few of our compilation episodes in the past. She was on episode 285 where we talked in person at NY NOW while she was exhibiting, and she was on episode 358 where she shared how much her business has grown since taking Paper Camp.

But a stand-alone interview with her has been long overdue, and so I'm excited to share today's episode with you.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/374

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

We're on winter break!

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0400

The Proof to Product podcast team and I are practicing what we preach and the podcast is taking a winter break! We will be back with a new podcast episode on Tuesday, January 7, and we have some incredible things lined up for you!

While we're gone, be sure to dip back into the archives. We have over 370+ incredible episodes to help you strengthen your business.

Have a great two weeks and I will see you on January 7th!

373 | Customer Psychology and Multi-Sensory Shopping Experiences with Amy Loewenberg, NY NOW

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0400

If you're considering exhibiting at trade shows this upcoming sales season, you are going to love today's episode. My guest is Amy Loewenberg, who is the Director of Buyer Relations for NY NOW. Amy is a seasoned veteran in the gift, home, and lifestyle industry, and she's an advocate for independent buyers and sellers.

Amy leverages her unique experience on both sides of the aisles to drive growth, connect communities, and shape the future of retail. Amy is a partner to key industry associations. She's also an active Gift For Life board member. She brings a wealth of knowledge to every role that she undertakes because she has a deep understanding of market trends, purchasing dynamics, and she is focused on helping to guide mission-driven organizations.

In today's episode, we discuss Amy's current role in buyer relations. We talk about how NY NOW is innovating the trade show experience. We discuss everything from adapting trade shows to post-pandemic buying trends to the importance of sustainability, and the emerging focus on multi-sensory shopping experiences based on customer psychology.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/373

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372 | Opening a Retail Store in the Portland International Airport with Victoria Venturi, Paper Epiphanies [Part 2]

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0400

Hey, friend. I'm back with part two of my interview with Victoria Venturi from Paper Epiphanies. If you have yet to listen to part one, that was episode 371. In part one, Victoria shared about her business growth, including what it was like shifting from a business model that was 90% wholesale to a business driven by 90% retail today. Now, she's finding a middle ground between the two.

Today, we're continuing our conversation, and Victoria is sharing about the process of opening her store in the Portland International Airport.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/372

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371 | Moving from 90% Wholesale to 90% Retail Revenue with Victoria Venturi, Paper Epiphanies [Part 1]

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 14:00:00 -0400

Today's guest is Victoria Venturi, the founder and CEO of Paper Epiphanies, the coolest card store in the world. In less than a decade, Victoria has grown Paper Epiphanies from an idea into a global brand.

Paper Epiphanies, also affectionately called PiPH, opened its flagship concept store in 2021, and they are expanding into the aviation space. They opened their 1st airport boutique in the Portland International Airport earlier this year.

Prior to launching PiPH, Victoria was a marketing and publicity executive for over 10 years where she wrote and launched successful campaigns for agencies and television networks, and big brands, including Disney, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, American Idol, Glee, Hilton Hotels, and more.

Victoria attended Paper Camp way back in 2014, and she was a guest on the Proof of Product podcast for episode 19 which aired in 2017. In 2017, we caught up with what she was doing in the early days of her business, but it's been a minute. She's had a lot going on, and we had a lot to catch up on, so much so that I am breaking this interview into 2 parts.

Today is part 1, and Victoria is sharing how she moved from being a business that was driven 90% by wholesale revenue to a business driven by 90% retail revenue, and now how she's navigating her way back to finding that balance. Next week on episode 372, Victoria is going to share details about opening up her store in the Portland International Airport.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/371

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

370 | Building Strong Sales Rep Relationships with Kelly Bristol, Just Got 2 Have It

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 14:00:00 -0400

Today on the podcast, I have the pleasure of talking about sales reps with Kelly Bristol from Just Got 2 Have It. I can't believe it's taken me this long to have Kelly on the show because we have known each other for a very long time, and she has a wide range of knowledge that I'm excited for you to hear.

She is the Vice President of Business Development at Just Got 2 Have It, a B2B sales rep agency with 5 divisions serving 36 states. Kelly is an accomplished senior leader with nearly 25 years of experience in the gift and home industry. She has experience working at the National Stationery Show, Dallas Market Center, Brandwise, and Market Time, as well as Purchasing Power Plus, a hospital gift-buying group.

She's a board member for Gift for Life, the gift and home industry's longest-running volunteer-led national charitable organization. She is a founding partner of the new industry movement called Reps Are Local Too.

During this episode, we talk about the ever-evolving retail landscape, the importance of strategic planning, shifts in buying patterns, and the continued need for community over competition within the industry.

We also discuss emerging trends and challenges posed by platforms like Faire, as well as the importance of sales reps' local market knowledge and how that can benefit brands. Also, we talk about how brands can successfully navigate the competitive space and utilize sales reps for more sales.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/370

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369 | How to Practice Self-Care During a Busy Season with Katie Hunt

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 14:00:00 -0400

I'm coming to you on the heels of having a cold, and I'm here to remind you to take care of yourself. A lot is going on in the United States this week.

Plus, this time of year is hectic for all of my product-based business owners. I know you are working so hard and are likely wearing yourself out. I thought now would be a good time to share simple ways to practice self-care before and during a busy season.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/369

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368 | How to Reengage Your Email Subscribers with Dawn Richardson, Flodesk

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Earlier this year, we conducted a state of the product industry survey. We had 925 people respond. We found that 15% of respondents are not utilizing email marketing to reach their audiences. My jaw fell to the floor! I've talked about why email marketing is so important in previous episodes. The number surprised me because email marketing has the highest ROI of all marketing channels.

For every dollar that you put into email marketing, you can expect an average rate of return of $42, which is bananas.

You won't get that with social media or even sometimes paid ads. Email marketing is also one of the best ways to build trust with your customers so that they come back time and time again to order with you.

I have been shouting the importance of email marketing for years, but, today, I wanted to let our friends at Flodesk explain why email marketing is so important, what data you should be paying attention to, and overlooked opportunities when it comes to email marketing.

My guest today is Dawn Richardson. She is the product education manager at Flodesk. She also runs her own business called Tech Savvy Creative. Dawn has a background in software engineering, and then she was in wedding photography.

Now, she's back in the world of tech where she's helping creative entrepreneurs of all types. Her mission is to create a safe, fun, and welcoming corner of the Internet where entrepreneurs can learn how to leverage technology so they can spend more time doing work that matters most.

You can try out Flodesk by going to our affiliate link at http://prooftoproduct.com/flodesk.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/368

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367 | This is Strategy with Seth Godin

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

I feel like today's guest needs no introduction, but it would be a complete disservice to not share all of his accolades.

Today, I'm talking with Seth Godin. He's an author, entrepreneur, and most of all, a teacher.

His newest book, This is Strategy: Make Better Plans releases this week and offers readers a practical framework for what an effective strategy looks like and feels like in today's fast-moving chaotic, and diverse world. This strategy allows readers to zoom out and see the bigger picture and understand the systems that are shaping their lives at work, in business, and day-to-day challenges.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/367

This episode contains affiliate links. You can view our affiliate disclaimer here.

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366 | Is It Harder to Start or Scale a Business with Katie Hunt

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Is it harder to start a business or scale a business? This was a question that someone posed over on Threads recently, and it got my wheels turning.

In 2024, scaling is harder. It is easy to start a business these days. However, most don't have the grit to keep going long-term and scale the business.

During this episode, I dive into why it's easier to start a business in 2024 but harder to scale a business. I touch on how different marketing is these days, the differences between finding manufacturing partners now vs in the past, changes in technology, decision fatigue, and more.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/366

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365 | Her Embroidery Kits Sold Out in 3 Days on Faire with Riki Inge, Rikrack

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Have you ever sold out of your inventory in a few days? Today's guest did that when they were launching their embroidery kits to the wholesale market through Faire.

Riki Inge of Rikrack had stocked up inventory. She'd prepped her Faire shop. She went live, and everything completely sold out in just a few days. While most people would see this as a good problem, it highlighted a lot of issues with Riki's packaging, her product details, and even her fulfillment workflow. And she's here today to share her story with us, how she navigated that situation and came out ahead.

Rikrack Embroidery creates kits that are not only beautiful and unique, but also fun and simple to stitch, as well as embroidery-inspired gifts that she's recently expanded into. Riki created embroidery art in college but stopped stitching while working as an in-house artist for more than 18 years.

Rikrack combines the love of art making with the fun of embroidery to design kits that allow anyone to create their own special piece of art.

On today's episode, Riki shares why she felt like she was starting over when she moved from selling direct to consumer to selling wholesale. We talk about the challenges she faced and the solutions that she implemented when she sold out of all of her inventory in just a few days when launching wholesale. And we talk about why slow, steady, and intentional outsourcing have served Riki well in growing her business.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. If you have ever wanted to pick my brain or get my eyes and ears on your business, our LABS coaching program is the place to do that.

One of our founding members, Cedric Victor of Special Orbit, said it best. He said: if you don't want to find out months or years down the line that there was a better way to run your business, get in LABS. We are constantly talking, figuring things out together, and sharing hard-won insights.

Cedric, thank you so much for this. I could not agree with you more. LABS is a special community that includes a wide range of product makers like Riki, our guest today.

We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/365

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364 | Turning Instagram Followers into Customers with Brock Johnson

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:00:00 -0400

I am excited to share today's episode with you because we have a fun guest. It's Brock Johnson.

If you're not familiar with Brock, he is an Instagram expert who has coached thousands of entrepreneurs and creators on how to grow on Instagram, and he's been doing it since 2018. In 2021, his personal following blew up, thanks to his strategy of using Reels, and he has grown at a rate of approximately 1,000 followers per day since then. He now has over 700,000 followers. He consults with Meta and Instagram staff and is an international keynote speaker on all things Instagram.

During the interview, we discussed the emerging platform of Threads and how he's using it for business. Fun fact: Threads is actually how Brock and I got connected. (You can follow Brock here on Threads and Proof to Product here on Threads!)

He shares how to optimize your Instagram profile, how to create share-worthy content, and how to balance content creation with all of the other tasks that you have to do in your business. We also chat about tools that he's using, like Metricool (affiliate link) and ManyChat (affiliate link).

I wanted to bring Brock on the show because our recent industry survey showed that Instagram is one of the primary marketing channels that many of our product based business owners are using, and I thought this advice would be super valuable to you.

If you're interested in reading the 2024 State of the Product Industry Survey Report, click here to download it. Over 925 product brands participated in this survey, and they shared intimate details about their businesses. We're talking money, team, how much they're working, how they're retaining and attracting new customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/364

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363 | How to Pitch Your Products to Retailers with our Paper Camp Coaches

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0400

We are back with another compilation episode with our Paper Camp coaches. If you missed last week's episode, you can check it out by going to episode 362.

In this episode, I'm taking a different approach and asking a different set of questions. These questions are directly aimed at our coaches who are wholesale buyers that run retail storefronts. Today's questions focus on tips for pitching products to buyers and building wholesale relationships between stores and brands. Last week we wrapped up the 44th round of Paper Camp, and I am so grateful to these coaches for providing so much personalized feedback to our students.

Myself and our coaches were in our community group every day answering questions, sharing solutions, and connecting with our students. So many of our students have already updated their pricing and their terms and conditions. They've created catalogs. They're sending out their first wholesale pitches.

Some have completely revamped their retention strategies and how they're reaching out to existing accounts too. It has been so fun to see the transformations in such a short amount of time.

The coaches featured in this episode are Theresa Delaney of Creative Kind and Jen Palacio of Tiny Turns Paperie. Both have retail storefronts and purchase products from members of our community.

Questions I asked these Paper Camp coaches:

What is the best way that you like to be pitched by a brand?
How do you not want to be pitched by a brand?
What is something that you see brands worrying about that doesn't really affect your buying decisions?

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions.

We won't be offering another round of Paper Camp until 2025 so if you are listening to this episode and you missed this round, be sure to get on the waitlist by clicking the link below.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/363

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362 | Wholesale Growth Strategies with our Paper Camp Coaches

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0400

We are in the final week of our signature program, Paper Camp. In Paper Camp, we teach product-based business owners how to get their products on the shelves of their favorite stores, big and small. Paper Camp is an insanely comprehensive coaching program focusing on foundational and growth strategies for selling wholesale.

During Paper Camp, we answer hundreds of business owners' questions about product development, sales, marketing, and more. If it correlates to selling wholesale, we cover it in this program.

This week on the podcast, we thought it would be fun to ask a few of our Paper Camp coaches questions that we could share with all of you here and give you an inside look at what it's like being inside a Paper Camp and asking very personal questions about your brands.

The coaches featured in this episode are Theresa Delaney of Creative Kind, Kiwi Schloffel of Your Gal Kiwi, and Jen Palacio of Tiny Turns Paperie.

Questions I asked these Paper Camp coaches:

What is something you struggled with when you started selling wholesale that you also see our Paper Camp students struggling with?
We had a lot of great questions during the first week of Paper Camp, which was focused on product development. What advice do you have for brands that are working on refining and strengthening their product line?
What is a missed opportunity for wholesale brands when it comes to how they are presenting their work to stores?
What is something you wish more brands would celebrate when growing their wholesale sales?

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions.

We won't be offering another round of Paper Camp until 2025 so if you are listening to this episode and you missed this round, be sure to get on the waitlist by clicking the link below.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/362

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361 | Creating Products That People Want to Buy with Biff Ulm, Nice Enough Stickers

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0400

I love staying connected to our community while they're out exhibiting or attending trade shows throughout the year. One update that caught my eye this summer was from Biff Ulm of Nice Enough Stickers about his experience at the Las Vegas gift show. Now Biff is no stranger to the podcast. He's been sharing tips about leveraging point-of-sale systems back on episode 146, and we did a COVID check-in with him during episode 177 where he shared how things were going for his brick-and-mortar shop at the time.

Biff and I had a lot to catch up on in this episode, but one thing that stood out was that his observations at the Las Vegas gift show were about product development strategy. He has much to say about it, and I'm excited for you to listen in.

For background, Biff's stickers are now in over 3000 stores with 8,000 locations, so he knows a thing or two about creating products that people want to buy. Biff also owns a wildly successful retail shop, which provides him with a unique viewpoint as both a wholesale buyer and seller.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of patience, iteration, and customer feedback in developing successful products. We also discuss how to leverage data and understand buying behaviors.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/361

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360 | How Quitting Social Media Boosted Revenue with Brigida Swanson, Yardia

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Is it possible to have a thriving business and not be on social media? In episode 309, Brigida Swanson from Yardia joined me to discuss what it was like for her to leave social media.

We talked a lot about choosing contentment over business growth, and this episode was a listener favorite. We decided to invite Brigida back onto the podcast to check in and see how things are going 1 year later.

Brigida Swanson is a multiracial Chamorro watercolor artist from Seattle and the one-woman show behind her company, YARDIA. She creates watercolor-driven and Pacific Northwest-inspired art, stationery, and home goods that help folks to express their intersectional identities and love the places they live.

During this interview, we discussed how her business has thrived without the constant scroll. We talked about the positive impact the shift has made on her personal life and how her focused efforts on email newsletters and direct outreach for wholesale have helped her expand.

359 | Strengthen Your Brand Identity with Kiwi Schloffel [Inside Look at our LABS Program]

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400

We have all heard that we need to showcase our authentic selves for our businesses, but what does that actually mean? What does that look like in our business?

This week's podcast episode features a recent portion of a coffee chat hosted by Kiwi Schloffel held inside of our private LABS program. LABS is our membership for product-based business owners where we talk about how to work smarter, not harder within our businesses, including how we show up as a leader.

In this coffee chat, Kiwi touches on a variety of topics, such as the importance of staying true to your brand's identity, how to use personal interest to inject authenticity into your business, and more.

This week's podcast episode is brought to you by Kodi Collective, who is also a sponsor of our Paper Camp program. Kodi Collective is a leading omnichannel marketing company that supports B2C and B2B brands and publications. They offer a wide range of print, procurement, and creative production solutions, including digital and offset printing, sourcing, and logistics. They are focused on helping you achieve an integrated marketing mix to reach your audience in meaningful ways. You can learn more about Kodi's services by going to their website.

All of our Paper Camp and LABS students get access to a private Proof to Product portal with Kodi, where they get discounted rates on print services and a dedicated sales rep to help us with all of our project management.

They provide support throughout the process of getting your project off the ground. So if you are looking for a new print partner, our community has had great experiences working with Kodi Collective. And if you missed our latest round of Paper Camp, click here to get on the waitlist for our next round.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/359

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358 | Paper Camp Alumni Growth Stories

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400

We are gearing up for our next round of Paper Camp and we are so excited!

This is our wholesale intensive program, and I wanted to do something fun for this week's podcast episode to celebrate this milestone and the fact that enrollment for Paper Camp is currently open.

I asked our past Paper Camp students to answer 1 question: How have you and your business grown since participating in Paper Camp?

The responses we received were incredible. In this episode, you're gonna hear from 9 women who represent a small sampling of our community. They sell a wide range of home decor, jewelry, embroidery, stationery, and consumer gift products. They sell their products to stores big and small across the world.

Some came through Paper Camp several years ago while a couple just attended our latest round, and yet each of them took advantage of everything that Paper Camp had to offer: the coaching, the community, and the coursework.

They implemented what they learned, and now they are seeing incredible results. Check out the links of everyone featured below and be sure to head to this link to enroll in our next round of Paper Camp.

Businesses featured in this episode

Chelsea Ward, Sketchy Notions: Follow on Instagram
Christy Asper, Paper Baristas: Follow on Instagram
Riki Inge, Rikrack Embroidery: Follow on Instagram
Sandra Alcorn, Petals & Pins: Follow on Instagram
Shelley Schmidt, Sunny Day Designs: Follow on Instagram
Kate Murray, Quick Brown Fox Letterpress: Follow on Instagram
Nellys Siria, Cocoa Loves Grey: Follow on Instagram
Keli Change, PärdēPress: Follow on Instagram
Ashley Sutton, Hustle and Hope: Follow on Instagram

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/358

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357 | The Most Important Sales Tool for Wholesale with Katie Hunt

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400

A wholesale catalog's purpose is to sell your products, tell your story, and build a relationship with a buyer when you can't be there with them in person. Ultimately, the goal of your wholesale catalog is to sell your products, and it's important to build your catalog with your retailer in mind. Today I'm going to go through five quick tips for creating an effective wholesale catalog.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/357

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356 | Two Wholesale Metrics To Monitor with Katie Hunt

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400

There's no "easy mode" in business. Selling physical products is a lot of work and being a product entrepreneur requires grit, tenacity, and courage.

Today's episode is for seasoned wholesalers who might be experiencing a slower sales season this summer. If your sales have stalled, there are two metrics that you can tap into to build stronger relationships with your current accounts and sustainably scale your revenue for wholesale.

Tune in and you'll learn how to find opportunities for reorders, simplify your purchasing process, make small but impactful changes that improve cash flow for your business, and more. This episode offers some high-level number-crunching and practical sales strategies that will help you increase your wholesale revenue and get out of your sales slump.

Today's episode is brought to you by our signature program, Paper Camp, our 4-week program that takes the guess-work out of selling wholesale. When you follow the strategies and methods in Paper Camp, you'll not only feel more confident but you'll reach your wholesale goals faster. Come join the program now!

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

355 | How Big Box Stores Buy Wholesale with Sally Diguette, Anthropologie

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Today on the podcast, we're pulling back the curtain and explaining how it all works. My guest today is Sally Diguette, a home and lifestyle buyer with Anthropologie. Through an unpredictable path, Sally landed in the retail industry and has over 14 years of experience in buying, product development, and sourcing.

On today's episode, Sally shares about the buying process and schedule for Anthropologie. We talk specifically about the timelines that she's working with for both exclusive products as well as ready made products. And she offers advice for how to get your products in front of key account buyers.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/355

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354 | Paper Camp Alumni Panel with Janine Kwoh, Jesse Regis, and Lucia Saisse Morris

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400

This alumni panel features Janine Kwoh from Kwohtations, Jesse Regis from Virgins on Fire Candle Company, and Lucia Saisse Morris from Lucy Loves Paper.

Each of these Paper Camp alumni shares details about their brand, how many stores they're working with, what has been challenging about growing wholesale, and more.

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353 | How to Apply for a Paper Camp Scholarship with Katie Hunt

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400

If you're listening today that means you're likely interested in applying for our Paper Camp scholarship!

Giving back is one of our core values here at Proof to Product and we give back through our time, knowledge as well as financial scholarships.

It's never an easy choice, but we do put a lot of care into our selections. And, today I want to share 5 ways that you can stand out when submitting your Paper Camp application.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/353

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352 | 5 Myths About Selling Wholesale with Katie Hunt

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Selling wholesale can be a valuable and lucrative strategy for businesses of all sizes, but there are a few myths about the process that can discourage some entrepreneurs from exploring whether wholesale is a good fit for them or prevent some brands from pushing further into wholesale and expanding the revenue stream. Listen in to hear 5 myths about selling wholesale and the truths behind each!

Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right For You masterclass! During this free, on-demand masterclass, we'll walk through 12 questions to ask yourself to determine if you, your products, and your business are ready to sell wholesale. I'm sharing my own tips for you to move forward confidently with your next steps.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/352

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351 | Getting into Your Dream Store After Being Told No with Nellys Siria, Cocoa Loves Grey

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 13:00:00 -0400

It is so deflating when we put our work out into the world and either don't hear back or we're told that now isn't the right time. Our students feel this deeply when they are pitching wholesale accounts, but today's guest is reminding us that a no today doesn't always mean that it's a no forever.

Nellys Syria is the owner of Cocoa Loves Grey, a colorful accessories brand that sells very popular and beautiful laser-cut earrings. Nellys believes in the power of bright colors to draw people in and make them happy. She's always coming up with fun and unique items to keep her business fresh and interesting. She's a 1st generation Latina and the 1st business owner in her entire family. Nellys sells her earrings to both direct-to-consumer audiences and wholesale and her product line expanded when her husband bought a laser cutter for Christmas. We talk about how her dream store originally told her no, but eventually came back to purchase her gorgeous earrings.

Nellys shares how she was on the verge of burnout, but pushed pause to reset how she was running her business.

Today's episode is brought to you by our free, on-demand wholesale audio series. In this audio series, I'll walk you through the biggest mistakes and most common questions folks have when they are starting and scaling wholesale—so you don't make the same mistakes myself and others did. You can binge this audio series in less than an hour and you can listen on the go in your favorite podcast player. No fluff here, just concrete action steps and answers to help you simplify and strengthen your wholesale sales.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/351

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350 | How to Audit Your Product Line with Katie Hunt

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Today's episode is short but very detailed, so find a quiet place to listen and grab a notebook. This is a quick training that I recorded for our LABS members. Our LABS members are Paper Camp alumni, so they have been through our intensive program. This is something that we walk you through in Paper Camp as well, but I wanted to bring it up here publicly on the podcast because I know from the 2024 survey results that many of you need to do a product audit.

In this episode, I walk you through the step-by-step instructions on how to audit your product line, including how to collect the data and what data to collect, analysis and what to look for, as well as how to apply what you're learning from the data to your business moving forward.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/350

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

349 | Sales Rep Challenges & Opportunities with Keli Faw, Crow & Canary

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 13:00:00 -0400

I love bringing a variety of perspectives and people from the retail space to this podcast. Buyers, sales reps, you name it, they've been on the Proof to Product podcast.

This week's episode, I'm joined by Keli Faw, who is the owner of Crow & Canary. Crow & Canary might sound familiar as we've had the previous owner, Carina Murray, on the show in episode 232. Carina has also been a long-time Paper Camp speaker and supporter of our Proof to Product community.

Keli took over Crow & Canary in early 2023 after being a sales rep for the agency and a shop owner in Seattle. With over 13 years of experience as a retailer and a background in communications and PR, including stints at Microsoft and Nordstrom, Keli brings a wealth of knowledge to our conversation.

In this episode, Keli shares the challenges retailers face, from managing seasonal returns to making strategic buying decisions. We discuss the impacts of online platforms like Faire and Amazon on the wholesale markets and why there needs to be transparency and strong communication between buyers, reps, and brands.

Keli also shares her insights on navigating the sales rep relationship amidst the changes brought on by the pandemic and social media and the importance of understanding individual store dynamics and product diversification. Whether you are a retailer, a sales rep, or a brand owner, this episode offers valuable takeaways on optimizing those wholesale relationships and staying proactive in your business planning.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/349

Quick Links:

348 | Optimize Your Faire Shop with Kristin Fisher, Bocu

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 13:00:00 -0400

If you want to hear from someone who has more than 18 years of corporate retail buying experience and who knows what buyers are looking for when they are shopping on Faire, you are in luck because today's guest on the podcast is Kristin Fisher of Bocu.

Kristin owns the gifting brand, Bocu, and she is also a retail strategy mentor for brands and independent retailers, as well as the host of the Buyerside Chat podcast.

In this episode, Kristin and I discuss the essentials of optimizing your Faire shop, including how to avoid common mistakes that other brands are making, maintain strong buyer relationships, and stay ahead of your competitors with effective pricing.

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions. We will open enrollment for the 44th round of Paper Camp soon, and we sell this program out every time we run it. Join the wait list and you'll get early access to enroll.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/348

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We're on Summer Break!

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:00:00 -0400

The Proof to Product team is practicing what we preach and we are going on summer break for the next two weeks!

We will be back in your ears mid-July and we are so excited about our upcoming episodes.

In the meantime, we are gearing up for another round of our Paper Camp program which will start at the end of August. We only run Paper Camp twice a year, so if you are wanting to learn how to start with wholesale, click here to join the waitlist (we sell out every time!)

Have a great two weeks and we'll see you soon!

347 | State of Product Industry Survey with Katie Hunt

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Every day, I hear from product-based business owners who are curious about other people's business models, revenue streams, team structure, tech stack, how much revenue they're not only earning but what profit they're taking home, and how much they're paying themselves.

Although we know that every business is different, it is completely natural to want to see behind the scenes and the curtains of another brand in your industry. But more than ever, it's more than curiosity now. We know that our product industry has experienced major shifts over the last several years.

We've had supply chain issues, rising costs, and labor shortages. Everyone has been pivoting and recalibrating, and that has led to a lot of new normals. We're experiencing an entire shift in the industry and I know you wanted to know what was happening in the industry.

My team and I put together an industry-wide survey. We had 925 product-based business owners who anonymously shared their business details with us.

Today, we're going to dive into the details on the podcast.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/347

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347 | State of Product Industry Survey with Katie Hunt

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 13:00:00 -0400

My team and I put together an industry-wide survey. We had 925 product-based business owners who anonymously shared their business details with us.

Today, we're going to dive into the details on the podcast.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/347

Quick Links:

346 | Tripling Revenue by Focusing on Wholesale with Rachel Kroh, Heartell Press

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 13:00:00 -0400

What if you lived in a different state than your business? Meaning, all of your products, your inventory, your team, and your operations were in a completely different state.

For today's guest, Rachel Kroh of Heartell Press, this is her every day now. She lives in Washington with her family, while her team of 5 works remotely across the country. They're shipping cards and gifts to more than 1,000 stores worldwide.

In this episode, Rachel shares how she tripled her revenue by focusing on selling wholesale, strengthening her systems, and building the infrastructure of her business. Plus, Rachel reflects on the challenges of relocating her business, the impact of her art on emotional expression, and her exciting plans for the future, including a 10-year anniversary collection. She is one of our Paper Camp alumni and also one of our LABS members.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/346

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

345 | Redesigning Products to Create More Ease in the Business with Janine Kwoh, Kwohtations

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 13:00:00 -0400

We've been telling you a lot of stories here on the podcast about brands making big scary shifts in business, and part of the reason we're doing this is to normalize that it's okay to pivot when you need to.

In episode 342, Alyson O'Connor shared how she shut down a 6-figure revenue stream so she could focus on a revenue stream wholesale that better fit the day-to-day life she wanted.

In episode 338, Kiwi Schloffel shared how she made the tough decision to exit her business, and Meghan Hopkins Sokorai talked about why she chose to acquire Kiwi's business.

On this week's episode, Janine Kwoh of Kwohtations is back on the show to talk about some big shifts she recently made to her product line to ensure that her business was not only more sustainable but also easier for her to manage.

Janine is the owner and designer of Kwohtations, a Brooklyn, New York-based line of letterpress-printed greeting cards and gifts. Kwohtations cards acknowledge and celebrate people and occasions who are often underrepresented in the card aisle. She is also the author of Welcome to the Grief Club, an illustrated book on grief for anyone who has had a loss. Janine is a PaperCamp alumnus and a community leader in our Proof to Product Labs program.

She is an award-winning artist, an author, and a great friend to many in the industry. On today's episode, Janine shares how a key account ordered 4,300 hand-painted cards and how that pushed her to retire and rethink her entire product line. She talked about her decision-making process, how she prepared for the changes, and how she communicated these product changes to her customers.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/345

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344 | Normalizing the Hard Stuff in Business with Tammie Bennett, Show Up Society

Tue, 28 May 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Running a business sure is a roller coaster, isn't it? We have our ups and downs. We have to balance the future forecasting and envisioning while also putting out the day-to-day fires in front of us.

It takes a lot of grit and determination to be an entrepreneur, particularly when you're building something that aligns with your personal interests and values.

Today's guest is Tammie Bennett from the Show Up Society. Tammie is a certified mindset coach, podcaster, speaker, artist, and educator. She is obsessed with helping creators show up as themselves. For over 15 years, she has helped people accomplish more than they ever thought was possible by teaching them to feel safe in putting their work out into the world.

On today's podcast episode, we're talking about normalizing the hard stuff and taking responsibility for our business decisions. We talk about not relying on platforms or algorithms or other people's opinions to drive our business decisions. And Tammie shares why everyone needs a did-it list instead of a to-do list.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/344

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

343 | 5 Tips for Creating an Effective Wholesale Catalog with Katie Hunt

Tue, 21 May 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/343

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

342 | Replacing a 6-figure Revenue Stream with Ready-Made Products for Wholesale with Alyson O'Connor, Rust Belt Love

Tue, 14 May 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wanted to make a transition in your business, but you resisted because the thing you wanted to move away from brought in the largest chunk of revenue for your business? I have definitely been there, and so has today's podcast guest.

Alyson O'Connor is a classically trained visual artist specializing in nature-inspired illustrations, stationery, and gifts. She runs Rust Belt Love with her husband Nick in Buffalo, New York. Alyson draws and designs, and Nick prints, often on their 100-year-old letterpresses. After closing their retail stationery during the pandemic, they launched their wholesale line of heart center greeting cards and gifts in 2021. Alyson made an even tougher decision to close the wedding arm of her business, which we'll talk about today. Rust Belt Love's products can now be found in over 1,000 stores worldwide.

Alyson is a Paper Camp alum and a member of my Advisory Board mastermind. She's an active member of the Greeting Card Association of America,and she's the committee chair of the industry's Louie Awards.

Today, we're talking about how Alyson pivoted away from a 14-year career making custom wedding invitations, and how she replaced her 6-figure custom revenue stream with ready-made products sold to the wholesale market. Alyson candidly discusses the transformation of her business model in response to the challenges that the pandemic brought on, including how and why she embraced a wholesale approach. This strategic shift wasn't just about business survival, though. It was also driven by a desire to regain control over her work-life balance, especially given the demands of family life.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/342

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

Bonus | State of Product Industry Survey

Thu, 09 May 2024 13:00:00 -0400

We are seeking 1,000 product-based business owners who are willing to anonymously share their details for the 2024 State of the Product Industry Report: www.prooftoproduct.com/2024survey

The data will help you make stronger decisions in your business.
It will help you better understand the industry and your competition. It will help you identify growth opportunities.
The results will benefit us all.

BUT... in order to make this report truly successful, we need you to do the following:

Fill out the State of Product Industry survey at prooftoproduct.com/2024survey
Share the survey link with your product peers.

In exchange for your participation, we'll share the report with you when it is ready. All physical product-based business owners are invited to apply. No brand is too big or too small.

We want to hear from people making a wide range of products and in various stages of business.

Thanks in advance for your participation and for sharing this opportunity with your product peers!

341 | How Fashion Influences Her Product with Priyanka Batra, My Darlin'

Tue, 07 May 2024 13:00:00 -0400

I love using the podcast to spotlight our different community members and their unique businesses and stories because we know that no two businesses are the same. We all have our lived experiences and interests that play into the types of businesses we create and how we choose to run these businesses each day. Today's guest is Paper Camp Alumni Priyanka Batra from My Darlin', a colorful Brooklyn-based paper goods studio.

Through her work, she aims to romanticize everyday moments through a contemporary, but playful design aesthetic while simultaneously evoking a sense of nostalgia. Priyanka's line has grown steadily since 2019, and her products are now carried in more than 300 stores in the United States plus distribution in Australia.

On today's episode, Priyanka shares her love of fashion and how that influences her products, how growing up the daughter of immigrants influenced her career path, and she talks about overcoming imposter syndrome. We also talk about how she jumped into her first trade show too quickly with only 3 weeks to prepare and the lessons she learned the hard way in that experience.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/341

Quick Links:

You can click here to register for this free workshop.

340 | How To Pitch Holiday Gift Guides with Nora Wolf, Wolf PR

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 13:00:00 -0400

I know what you're thinking. Why are we talking about holiday gift guides when it's only spring? I know.

But just like how product development cycles require advanced planning, so does pitching the press and getting your products featured in holiday gift guides.

Today's guest is Nora Wolf from Wolf PR, a boutique public relations firm that she founded in 2011. Wolf PR specializes in furniture, textiles, lighting, and collectible design. In addition, they have consulted with a wide range of companies, big and small. In 2020, Nora and her business partner, Kristen Larson, launched a second business called WolfCraft.

WolfCraft's mission is to help creative businesses build brand awareness with actionable PR and content strategies that resonate with clients and the media. Nora is known for helping product-based business owners get their products featured in holiday gift guides.

During this episode, we're talking about your holiday gift guide pitching timeline, what you need to have prepared, and how to put your best products forward when pitching press for holiday gift guides.

If pitching holiday gift guides is something you are focused on for this year, I want to invite you to a free workshop that we're co-hosting with WolfCraft PR on May 7th at 9am PT/12pm ET.

They will share best practices for pitching your products to gift guides and tell you more about their upcoming program that helps you get your products featured in gift guides.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/340

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339 | New Laws about Independent Contractor with Kira La Forgia, Paradigm Consulting

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:00:00 -0400

If you work with independent contractors in your business, you will want to listen closely to this podcast episode. In March 2024, the US Department of Labor issued new stricter guidelines regarding independent contractor workers.

Today's guest is HR consultant and expert, Kira La Forgia of Paradigm Consulting. She is breaking it all down for us so we avoid penalties and audits.

We talk about new changes, how they affect you, and how to protect yourself if you currently have team members who may be misclassified.

You may remember Kira from episode 238 where we talked about how to build your dream team. If you do not yet have a support team in your business, I would start with that episode and then come back and listen to this one next.

Kira has a Future-Proof Your Team workshop that you can get $50 off of if you sign up via our link.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Deciding What to Delegate free workshop. As busy entrepreneurs, one of our biggest challenges is knowing where to dedicate our time and energy. We're usually so busy doing the work in our business that we have a tough time identifying what we can hand off to someone else. This on-demand free workshop will provide you with 3 simple steps so that you can identify what projects to outsource so that you can stop being the bottleneck in your business.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/339

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338 | Exiting and Acquiring a Business with Kiwi Schloffel & Meghan Hopkins Sokorai

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:00:00 -0400

If you have ever considered exiting your business or even acquiring another person's business, today's podcast episode is for you. My guests today are two of my clients and also friends: Meghan Hopkins Sokorai of And Here We Are, and Kiwi Schloffel of Your Gal Kiwi.

Last year, Kiwi made the decision that she wanted to exit her product-based business and specifically exit the day-to-day operations of manufacturing. During this episode, these ladies share their individual and collective stories about how the Your Gal Kiwi brand is now under the umbrella of And Here We Are. They'll share how this collaboration came to be, considerations and questions they both had as they structured this deal, and what it means for both brands moving forward.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/338

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

337 | Exclusivity and Ethics in Retail with Kimberley Yurkiewicz, Measure Twice

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 13:00:00 -0400

One of the things that sets Proof to Product apart from other people teaching about wholesale is the breadth and depth of not only my personal knowledge but also the fact that we bring in a variety of other perspectives from buyers to sales reps to consultants and manufacturers.

This wide lens allows us to share best practices and current trends that we're seeing in the market currently. We're not sharing one narrow viewpoint about how to sell wholesale. We have amassed decades of knowledge through the collaborations and inclusivity that we foster in our community, supporting thousands of product-based industry leaders.

This week's episode is an example of that. Our guest today is Kimberley Yurkiewicz, a 25-year veteran in the stationery industry. She has expertise from a variety of perspectives as a retailer and buyer, as a sales rep, as a manufacturer, and as a Paper Camp speaker. She's also been a previous guest on this podcast.

She was on episode 9 of Proof to Product way back in 2017, and that is still one of our most popular episodes to date. You can go back and listen if you want to hear why wholesale catalogs are an important sales tool.

Kimberley and her husband, Zach currently own Measure Twice, a paper and gift shop in Brooklyn, which was highlighted as one of New York City's best in New York Magazine last year. Kimberley has long been a proponent of an old-school approach to small business, cheerleading for brick and mortar, and making the effort to steer clear of Amazon. She also thinks it's okay, even essential, to include politics in your business plan.

On today's episode, Kimberley is sharing the challenges she faced having owned and operated 3 brick and mortar retail shops through challenging times, why she chooses not to use fair when making wholesale purchases, and her preferences for how she likes to be pitched by wholesale brands.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/337

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

336 | Utilizing Abandoned Cart Emails to Drive Sales with Katie Hunt

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Did you know that almost 70% of shoppers abandon their online shopping carts and don't follow through with a sale?

That is a whole lot of money. And yet, only some independent product brands are utilizing abandoned cart follow-up emails to recapture some of these sales.

On today's episode, I'm answering a question from our recent round of Paper Camp regarding abandoned cart email automations. If you have ever shied away from sending out these emails, you are going to want to listen to this one and rethink your strategy.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/336

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335 | In-Person Retail Markets with Emily Chiang, Danella McKinnon, and Kate Pinto

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0400

Our focus here at Proof to Product is teaching people how to successfully sell their products to the wholesale market. But many of our community members sell through multiple sales channels, including licensing, custom work, direct-to-consumer online sales, and in-person retail markets.

For today's episode, we're sharing a portion of a recent coffee chat that we hosted inside our LABS program. It was a roundtable on in-person retail markets, and we had 3 of our community members weighing in with their experiences and insights.

Today, you'll hear from Emily Chiang of Emii Creations, Danella McKinnon from McKinnon Collective, and Kate Pinto from Bean Horse Car Designs. They are sharing their thoughts surrounding the changing landscape in in-person retail markets, along with their best strategies, tips, and advice for people who are considering retail markets.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/335

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

334 | Expanding into 1,000 Stores with Brittany O'Brien, Brittany Paige

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0400

The last time Brittany O'Brien was on the podcast was back in 2022, and we were talking about how she scaled her business to 500 wholesale accounts.

Earlier this year, Brittany crossed a new milestone. Her products are now sold in over 1,000 stores, and today, we're going to dig into what the last year and a half has looked like for her. Specifically, we're talking about customer acquisition versus customer retention strategies, fair SEO, and how trade shows have played a part in her substantial growth.

Brittany is a New York City-based illustrator and the owner of the stationery and gift company, Brittany Paige. Originally a graphic designer in the corporate fashion world, she started her business as a side hustle while working full-time.

In addition to working on custom illustrations, she also creates witty and empowered goods for the unapologetic girl, including greeting cards, stickers, candles, pen sets, and more. Her products are inspired by current events, city living, and pop culture, and they can be found in over 1,000 retailers worldwide, including Macy's and Paper Source.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/334

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333 | Scaling without Employees with Beth Roszkowski, Tiny Hooray

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0400

We have shared many incredible business growth stories here on the Proof to Product podcast. One thing that I always try to emphasize is that business is not one size fits all. Every business will look different, operate differently, and have different goals they're working towards.

To build a profitable, successful long-term business, we have to be very intentional about the choices that we make. And that includes where we invest our funds, what type of support we bring into our business, the types of products we manufacture, and the revenue streams that we focus on.

Today's guest is Beth Roszkowski, the one-woman show behind Tiny Hooray, a small but mighty enterprise based in Arlington, Virginia. Beth creates stationery and gifts that say what we're thinking, but may not wanna say out loud. It's the tiny hoorays that keep us going each day and keep us connected to our people.

She's a Paper Camp alumni and a member of my advisory board mastermind. Wholesale is Beth's primary revenue stream, and she's currently working with sales reps and 300 stores, including key accounts and independent retailers.

On today's episode, Beth shares her business journey, why she doesn't want to hire employees, and how she's utilizing independent contractors for project-based and ongoing support for her business.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/333

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332 | Rebuilding Self-Trust and Confidence as a Business Owner with Ginny Krauss & Elli Runkles, Supported CEO (Part 2)

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:00:00 -0400

Last week on episode 331, you met my friends Ginny and Elli from the Supported CEO. They very candidly shared their stories of experiencing burnout in entrepreneurship, including what that was like, what they felt, and they shared their journey back from burnout and what they did to get to where they are today.

Today is part 2 in the discussion with Elli and Ginny, and they are sharing strategies and tactics to help you avoid burnout and rebuild self-confidence and trust.

You will learn what support pockets are and how to use them in your daily living to ease stress and protect your peace.

You can sign up for their free training on how to burnout proof your business by going to this link: https://supportedceo.com/burnout

Today's episode is brought to you by a brand new page on our website, where you can access our free and lower-priced products. Head to http://prooftoproduct.com/courses to learn more.

We want to make it easy for you to get the help that you need when you need it most. We have incredible resources including our wholesale audio series or our unlock buyer secrets interview series which sheds light on how the wholesale buying cycles and retailer buying preferences have changed (and is only $27!).

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/332

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331 | Back From Burnout with Ginny Krauss & Elli Runkles, Supported CEO (Part 1)

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0400

The topic of burnout is popping up a lot in my business circles. People are tired, and they are struggling with decision fatigue. Many people I talk to are questioning whether to even continue with their business or whether they should make an exit, but these types of conversations typically happen behind closed doors, or worse, they don't happen at all, and people end up struggling alone in silence, which is not what I want for any of you. That all changes today.

Ginny Krauss and Elli Runkles are sharing their journey back from burnout on the podcast. What it felt like, how they knew something needed to change, what type of help they sought out, and how they've gotten to their recovery point today where they're helping other business owners.

We also discuss decision fatigue, building self-trust as a business owner, and how your definition of "success" as a business owner can change over time.

Ginny Krauss and Elli Runkles are the cofounders of Supported CEO. Their mission is to help busy entrepreneurs thrive in both life and business without burning out by becoming a more supported version of themselves.

Ginny and Elli have over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience. Both of them had previous businesses before coming together to cofound Supported CEO in 2023. They are also both Americans who have had the unique experience of living abroad for over a decade. Ginny lives in Germany, and Elli lives in Portugal. They are also the hosts of the Supported CEO podcast.

Today's episode is brought to you by a brand new page on our website, where you can access our free and lower-priced products. Head to http://prooftoproduct.com/courses to learn more.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/331

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330 | How to Have Tough Conversations with Your Team with Tatiana O'Hara, T. O'Hara Consulting

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0400

If you're looking for ways to be a stronger leader within your business or you're considering expanding your team, please block off some quiet time to carefully listen today.

Our guest for this episode is Tatiana O'Hara, a team and leadership development consultant who helps successful yet overwhelmed online business owners create the structure needed for their team and daily operations so that they can focus on scaling sustainably.

As a corporate leader turned business coach, she has helped dozens of leaders optimize and build their teams and learn essential leadership skills that have yielded 100 of 1,000 of dollars in sales growth.

Overall, if you're ready to stop being the doer of all the things and you're ready to build a business that doesn't run you, Tatiana is your gal.

In this episode, we're talking about mistakes that folks make when they are hiring, how to identify appropriate KPIs, (key performance indicators for the individual roles you're hiring for), and how to have tough conversations when managing a team.

Tatiana also shares her personal story of laying off her higher team after having her first baby last year. It's a relatable story about how life circumstances shifted her priorities and her goals for the business, something I'm sure many of us have experience with.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/330

Quick Links:

Deciding What to Delegate free workshop

329 | How These 9 Businesses Have Grown Since Attending Paper Camp

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0400

We are gearing up for the 43rd round of Paper Camp and we are so excited!

This is our wholesale intensive program, and I wanted to do something fun for this week's podcast episode to celebrate this milestone and the fact that enrollment for Paper Camp is currently open.

I asked our past Paper Camp students to answer 1 question: How have you and your business grown since participating in Paper Camp?

Some came through Paper Camp several years ago while a couple just attended our last round in fall 2023, and yet each of them took advantage of everything that Paper Camp had to offer: the coaching, the community, and the coursework.

They implemented what they learned, and now they are seeing incredible results. Check out the links of everyone featured below and be sure to head to this link to enroll in the 43rd round of Paper Camp. Class starts on Monday, February 19th!

Businesses featured in this episode

Chelsea Ward, Sketchy Notions: Follow on Instagram
Christy Asper, Paper Baristas: Follow on Instagram
Riki Inge, Rikrack Embroidery: Follow on Instagram
Sandra Alcorn, Petals & Pins: Follow on Instagram
Shelley Schmidt, Sunny Day Designs: Follow on Instagram
Kate Murray, Quick Brown Fox Letterpress: Follow on Instagram
Nellys Siria, Cocoa Loves Grey: Follow on Instagram
Keli Change, PärdēPress: Follow on Instagram
Ashley Sutton, Hustle and Hope: Follow on Instagram

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/329

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328 | An inside look at what Paper Camp is like

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 14:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wondered what it's like to attend our Paper Camp program? If so, today's episode is for you!

I am sharing an inside peek into one of our Paper Camp coaching calls. This one is with Alex Gagne of Chez Gagné. Alex has been a longtime member of our Paper Camp community. When she first attended as a student, she had been in business a little less than 2 years.

She was working out of her living room and had designed a collection of 80 SKUs. Alex knew that wholesale was her end game, so she soaked up everything that Paper Camp had to offer and went home and put what she learned into practice.

As you will hear during the episode, Alex has done an incredible job of thoughtfully expanding her product line with an eye toward profit margins, sell-through rates, and intentional partnerships. We talk about the profit margins that she seeks when adding new product categories to her line. We also discuss discontinuing products and the pros and cons of working with big box retail stores among other things. This is just a tiny sliver of my conversation with Alex, and it's a tiny sliver of what the Paper Camp experience is like.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/328

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327 | How to apply for a Paper Camp scholarship with Katie Hunt

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0400

If you're listening today that means you're likely interested in applying for our Paper Camp scholarship!

Giving back is one of our core values here at Proof to Product and we give back through our time, knowledge as well as financial scholarships.

It's never an easy choice, but we do put a lot of care into our selections. And, today I want to share 5 ways that you can stand out when submitting your Paper Camp application.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/327

Quick Links:

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

326 | The State of Trade Shows in 2024 with Katie Hunt

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0400

I have been doing so much good content for other people and I'm doing my best to bring it back around so that you all have access to it and know about these resources.

Recently, the team of Aeolidia asked me to weigh in with my thoughts on the changing landscape of wholesale trade shows for their blog. The post features comments from Arianne Foulks of Aeolidia, Abby Glassenbeg of Craft Industry Alliance, Morgan Cros, the founder of Original's Duckhead, and myself — all of us shedding light on our thoughts about in-person wholesale trade shows as we head into 2024.

I used this post as a starting point for this week's podcast episode. We're going to dive deeper into my personal thoughts on the state of wholesale trade shows and elaborate on some of my comments made in the blog post.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/326

Quick Links:

Listen to the free Audio Series

325 | How To Plan Out New Wholesale Product Releases With Divya Guruju, Mellowworks

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0400

I've been thinking a lot about how our past work experience and general lived experience shape how we start and build our businesses. For me, I spent 12 years in the corporate world leading business development and strategic marketing teams for large law firms before starting my product line. That time in my life taught me about project management, budgeting, and how important relationships are in business. These are lessons that I carried into my product brand and also into the way we run Proof to Product today.

Our guest Divya Guruju of Melloworks, spent many years in the corporate world designing menswear in New York City. Today, she's talking about how her time in the fashion industry led her to create her bold, colorful, and modern stationery and gift line.

In this episode, we're talking about how Divya is expanding into textiles and home goods products. She shares how she plans out her new product releases based on logistics she learned in her corporate job. She also shares how Paper Camp provided her with a roadmap for the success she's had with wholesale.

Through Melloworks, Divya sells luxurious wrapping paper, colorful and eye-catching notebooks, fun greeting cards, and cool gifts. All are designed to be color-coordinated for a stunning presentation.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right for You private podcast!

This free 12-part audio series will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your specific business.

After listening to this audio series (in less than an hour), two things will be true. You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business, and you'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. Sign up for the private podcast today!

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/325

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324 | New Year Business Checklist for Product Brands

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0400

Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful and relaxing holiday season. I enjoyed a lot of downtime with my family and also worked on a few things behind the scenes to get Proof to Product ready for 2024.

I thought it might be helpful to share some of the things that I look at as I'm wrapping up one year and starting a new one.

So today's episode is going to focus on your New Year checklist. I'm going to share 10 things that work for me in hopes that they will work for you too.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/324

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We're on winter break!

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 14:00:00 -0400

The Proof to Product podcast team and I are practicing what we preach and the podcast is taking a winter break! We will be back with a new podcast episode on Tuesday, January 9, and we have some incredible things lined up for you!

While we're gone, be sure to dip back into the archives. We have over 323 incredible episodes to help you strengthen your business.

Have a great two weeks and I will see you on January 9th!

323 | 6 Reasons Why You Should Not Be Doing Monthly Wholesale Promotions

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:00:00 -0400

There is a lot of noise on the internet. Lots of gurus, experts, and other people claim you have to do things a certain way in order to be successful. We see ads on social media telling us there is a magic formula or 5-step process that will make all of our dreams come true.

It seems that a new business coach is popping up on the scene every day with some new system or lived experience that we have to follow.

I firmly believe that there is room for everyone and that we all have unique experiences and expertise to share that can benefit others.

However, I also know that as a consumer of content and someone looking for guidance in your business, it is hard to know who to trust. Especially when you feel like the entire internet is screaming at you about some new method or strategy that you need to implement. It can feel overwhelming.

This brings me to today's podcast topic… a question came up in our community about whether or not you should be doing monthly promotions for wholesale customers.

The answer is no, absolutely not, and we'll get into six reasons why you should not be doing monthly wholesale promotions for your business.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right for You private podcast!

This free 12-part audio series will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your specific business. After listening to this audio series (in less than an hour), two things will be true:

You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business
You'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/323

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322 | Navigating the Ups & Downs of Entrepreneurship with Katie Hunt

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Hey everyone! I was recently on Shirlee Fisher's podcast, The Tillage Podcast, where we talked about a variety of topics: how to navigate challenges during a crisis, how to make informed decisions with my four-factor framework, how to embrace knowing your numbers as a neutral tool for success and so much more.

I had such a good time that I asked Shirlee if I could air the episode on our podcast, so that's this week's episode!

You can check out more great episodes on Shirlee's podcast, just look up The Tillage podcast on whatever podcast app you listen to. You can also follow Shirlee on Instagram at @thetillagepodcast.

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321 | Wholesale Trade Shows & Buying Patterns with Retailer, Audrey Woollen, Urbanic

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 14:00:00 -0400

It's no secret that wholesale buying patterns and in-person trade shows have shifted substantially over the last few years. Where buyers were once placing fewer, but larger orders a couple of times a year - oftentimes at trade shows - they are now placing more frequent, smaller orders throughout the year both online and at in-person markets.

As someone who talks to both wholesale brands and buyers every single day, I have a unique viewpoint that lets me see some of these industry shifts at scale. I believe that it is really important for all of the wholesale brands in our community to hear from different buyers so that you can make informed decisions for your business, which leads me to share today's guest for the podcast.

Today's guest is shop owner Audrey Woollen of Urbanic. She is the founder and creative director of Urbanic a nationally and internationally recognized stationery and gift brand and independent boutique in Los Angeles.

With 17 years of establishment, Urbanic has developed collaborative signature lines with some of the nation's top designers as well as the development of an Urbanic brand. Audrey has been a board advisor at the National Stationery Show, a judge for the Louie Awards, a trends curator for Top Drawer London and is on the editorial board of Stationery Trends Magazine, as well as consulting for the pitch programs for the Noted Trade show and Paper Fest London. Audrey is considered an industry leader within the stationery and design community.

In this episode, Audrey shares her thoughts on in-person trade shows, the rise of Faire as a digital marketplace, and its effects on how she does business as a brick-and-mortar retail shop. She shares her appreciation for email marketing efforts of wholesale brands and also advice she would give her past self now that she's been in business for 17 years.

This episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers guide. 49% of our customers want to hear from us on a consistent basis, yet, only a small percentage of product-based business owners are actively sending monthly emails to their customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/321

Quick Links:

Purchase Unlock Buyer Secrets Today

320 | The challenges of bringing a new product to life with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 14:00:00 -0400

The best products solve a problem or create an emotional connection. The ideas for these products stem from our own pain points or challenges as well as the joys in our lives. That is what our guest today did when she brought a new product to market.

Today's guest is a scientist by training, a creative tinkerer, and a natural show entrepreneur. Zeba Parkar is the owner of Treleaf, a product line that was created from Zeba's own needs as a plant owner and lover during the pandemic.

Zeba was looking for beautiful and functional ways to support her plants, and after trying multiple products, she hopped on a laser cutter and created her own. Over the last 3 years, Zeba has grown Treleaf into a thriving brand, selling products through direct-to-consumer channels and wholesale channels.

Her products can be found in over 150 stores, and she's working with a distributor to expand her reach.

In this episode, Zeba shares about the early success of her business, including how she fulfilled orders 1 by 1 on a shared maker space laser cutter to now having a warehouse space that supports multiple laser cutters, a team, and her production space to service again the direct to consumer and wholesale customers. We also talk about the challenges of bringing a new product to life and how she's legally protecting her brand and the products that she creates.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets interview series.

To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well.

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us.
We need to have clear pricing and terms and conditions.
We need to clearly communicate and add value at every touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with those wholesale customers.

And all of that becomes infinitely easier when we actively listen to what our buyers need.

This on-demand interview series will give you a competitive edge by providing an exclusive window into what buyers want and need from you. And the best part, it's only $27.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/320

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 14:00:00 -0400

The podcast is taking a break this week so that our team can celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends. We will be back next week with an interview with Paper Camp alumni & LABS member Zeba Parkar of Treleaf who is going to share what it was like bringing her laser-cut wood trellises to market — a brand new product in the plant category.

If you're traveling this week, I'd love to keep you company. Be sure to dip back into the archives.

We have over 319 incredible episodes to help you streamline and strengthen your business.

In episode 318, I talk about how you can build your sales engine for the business.

In episode 307, I share two wholesale metrics that you need to be focusing on.

In episode 298, I share why you should never ever accept a $25 wholesale order.

Lastly, I want to remind you that there are millions of small brands competing for attention and your dollars this holiday season. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to shop small this season so we've put together a robust gift guide featuring almost 300 brands from our Proof to Product Community.

You can download this gift guide by going to www.prooftoproduct.com/giftguide

This gift guide truly has something for all your friends and family — plant lovers, readers, foodies, kids & babies, jewelry, apparel, plus a whole self-care section that includes eye pillows, mental health support decks, and more.

Many of the brands provided exclusive discount codes that you can use for your online purchases. When you shop from the Proof to Product gift guide, you know that you're supporting individuals, families and putting money back into local communities.

Happy Thanksgiving week to all our friends in the US who celebrate. I'll chat with you next week!

319 | 2024 Market Trends For Product Based Businesses with Jessica Totillo Coster

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:00:00 -0400

We recently did a two-part series on the State of Retail where I talked to two independent brick-and-mortar retail shop owners [episode 1] [episode 2]. This is important because we teach all of you how to sell wholesale to stores like Katie & Jen's shops and it is important that you understand the challenges that they are facing and how they are adapting to the market and how that will trickle down and affect you as a manufacturer.

Today I want to expand on that conversation with a colleague of mine, Jessica Totillo Coster of E-Commerce Badassery. Jessica is an ecommerce and email marketing strategist. You may also remember her from episode 195 of Proof to Product. Jessica works exclusively with product-based business owners — many of whom are also Paper Camp Alumni & LABS members.

Jessica and I have a unique perspective on what's happening in the product space right now — observing trends with sales, marketing and spotting issues before they become widespread. And, that's what our focus is on today's episode. We're sharing what we're seeing on the sales & marketing front for product-based businesses - what's working, what's not and sharing advice that you can implement right away.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/319

Quick Links:

PTP Episodes 316 & 317: State of Retail

Shop small this holiday season!

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Today I'm popping in with a call to action and that is… I want you to shop small this holiday season.

To make this as easy as possible for you, we've put together a robust holiday gift guide featuring almost 300 independent brands from our Proof to Product Community.

The Proof to Product gift guide includes a wide range of products including candles, apparel, jewelry, accessories, puzzles and games, home decor as well as gifts for pet lovers plant lovers, kids & babies and more.

There is truly something for everyone inside the Proof to Product gift guide.

Download your copy of the gift guide at www.prooftoproduct.com/giftguide.

Links:

PTP Episode 318: Why You Need to be selling everyday

318 | You need to be selling each and every day with Katie Hunt

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 14:00:00 -0400

You know we like to keep things real with you here at Proof to Product and the truth is, there will be a lot of businesses that will close their doors over the next year.

There will be lots of reasons for this.

Some business owners will decide that they no longer want to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Some will not be able to keep their doors open due to financial strain.

Some business owners will shut down entire revenue streams to focus on something new. Maybe even under a new brand.

Some doors will close because the business owner's life circumstances have changed.

So many unique and different reasons why this will happen. But we're about to see a cycle of small business closures.

Everyone I talk to in business right now is trying to reduce costs - for services, software, team and more.

But there is another side of this coin. It's something that will keep your business stable and strong. It is where you should be focusing your time, energy and effort.

It's selling.

Selling your products should be the main focus in your business always, but particularly right now.

During today's episode, we are discussing how you can make sure you are selling every single day. You'll learn why you need to sell every day and three actionable ways you can make sure you are doing so.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/318

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317 | The State of Independent Retail with Jen Palacio & Katie Wilson [Part 2]

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Today's episode is part 2 of a two-part series on the state of independent retail right now. If you missed last week's episode, I encourage you to check that one out first.

In that episode, Katie Wilson of Crush & Touch and Jen Palacio of Tiny Turns Paperie shared feedback on their summer 2023 sales season, how they are preparing for 2023 Q3 holiday season, how the current economic climate is affecting business and what's on the minds of shop keepers right now.

Today we're continuing the conversation. Katie, Jen and I talk about the importance of clear communication between vendors and shop owners, zip code protection and how these two shop owners are utilizing Faire to place orders with existing wholesale accounts.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/317

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316 | The State of Independent Retail with Jen Palacio & Katie Wilson [Part 1]

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Over the last few months, I've had a lot of private conversations with store owners about the state of independent retail. They've confided in me about a wide range of challenges that they are facing - individually as well as collectively. Things like the economy, less foot traffic in their stores, staffing and cash flow limitations - have forced them to rethink how they are running their businesses and also planning for the future.

Here at Proof to Product, we focus on teaching you how to sell wholesale and independent retailers make up the majority of our alumni community's wholesale revenue. Which is why it is important that we not only build strong relationships with these shop owners, but that we also take time to listen to the challenges that the are facing.

Over the next two episodes of Proof to Product, we're taking you behind the scenes into a candid conversation with two shop owners who are giving us an inside look at the state of independent retail and the challenges that many shop keepers are currently experiencing.

Our guests for two-part podcast series are Katie Wilson of Crush & Touch and Jen Palacio of Tiny Turns Paperie. Katie owns an art supply store in Southern California and Jen owns a stationery & gifts shop in Massachusetts.

In today's episode, we're talking about their summer 2023 sale season, how they are preparing for the Q4 holiday season, how the current economic climate is affecting their businesses and what's on the minds of shopkeepers right now.

Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touch point
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/316

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315 | His candles (and your products) aren't for everyone with Jesse Regis, Virgins On Fire Candle Co

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400

We are excited to host Jesse Regis from Virgins on Fire Candle Company and today, we talk to him about the evolution of his brand, the importance of finding community, and why your product is not for everyone.

There is a quote by Amy Poehler that we've used at our events in the past, and it really encapsulates today's discussion. She said, "Find a group of people that challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them and it will change your life."

The idea of finding your people and creating community is a common theme in today's episode. We also discuss why his products and yours are not for everyone and how finding his people positively impacted his business.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right for You private podcast! This free 12 part audio series will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your specific business. After listening to this audio series (in less than an hour), two things will be true. You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business, and you'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. Sign up for the private podcast today!

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/315

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314 | Shopify Invests in Faire. What this means for you with Katie Hunt

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400

News recently broke that Shopify was closing Handshake, its wholesale sales platform, and investing as a shareholder in Faire. Today's episode is bringing you the news mixed in with a few of my thoughts on the topic. I will be doing a deeper analysis and sharing some research I've done within our LABS program - so definitely look for that if you're one of our LABS members.

As you listen today, please keep in mind that I have no ties to Shopify or Faire, other than I coach thousands of people who use both platforms daily. The opinions expressed today are mine based off of information I've read in the news, research I've conducted and my general thoughts as someone entrenched in the wholesale world.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/314

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313 | How To Integrate Inclusive Marketing Into Your Customer Experience With Sonia Thompson

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Making your customers feel like your product or service is tailored specifically for them is the key to inclusive marketing. Inclusive marketing expert Sonia Thompson joins us today on the podcast to share more on how to integrate inclusive marketing into your customer experience.

Tuning in, you'll hear all about Sonia's career, how you can diversify your products and circle of influence, how to audit your customer experience to be more inclusive, the importance of considering how different people are and making them feel seen and heard, why you must stay true to your values, and much more!

We delve into some ways you can infuse inclusion in your marketing before discussing why your work environment needs to be inclusive in order for your customers to feel welcome. Finally, Sonia tells us how she can help in the ongoing evolutionary inclusion journey.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/313

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312 | Expanding into Licensing with Betsy Garcia, Bloomwolf Studio

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Licensing is an excellent opportunity to extend the reach of your brand and expand your business offerings. But finding the right partnership can be tricky, and it's not always easy knowing where to start.

Joining us today on the podcast to share her story and talk about her journey into licensing is return guest, Betsy Garcia. Betsy is the co-founder of Bloomwolf Studio, a paper goods company specializing in greeting cards, art prints, and other paper goods that she runs with her indispensable teammate and husband, Luis Sosa.

If you'd like to go back and hear our initial conversation with Betsy, check out Episode 173, where we talk about her startup story and her commitment to creating social change through her product line and intentional business practices.

In today's conversation, Betsy shares the story of how she first got into licensing, how her partnership with Recycled Paper Greetings came together, and why her experience has been overwhelmingly positive.

You'll also find out how the Proof to Product Advisory Board empowered her with the resources and advice she needed to navigate her first meetings with American Greetings and how their structured approach helped her as a newcomer to licensing. Join us for an informative case study on what it's like to venture into licensing and what it can do for you and your business!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/312

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311 | 4000% Increase in Wholesale Orders this Year with Lauren te Velde of Paper Farm Press

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Today's podcast guest, Lauren te Velde Paper Farm Press, a woman-owned stationery and gift design shop in Kingsburg, CA, is a big fan of having a brand story that is strong and simple. She is intentionally focused on authentically pursuing wealth and believes money will follow because she wholeheartedly believes in putting better products out into the world.

Each product Lauren creates expresses her great love for farming and her faith. Join the conversation as we hear from Lauren about her journey venturing into wholesale.

She recounts the rollercoaster of experiencing a 4000% increase in wholesale orders, and why she believes your brand story is crucial to your success. She expresses her thoughts on prioritizing relationships, why you can't just jump into wholesale, and the difference between pursuing wealth versus money.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/311

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310 | What is a SKU and why do I need them? with Katie Hunt

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Do you find yourself fresh in the wholesaling journey? Are you asking yourself whether you need stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers? And if you do, how do you create them?

In today's episode, I'm answering some frequently asked questions often heard at Paper Camp, regarding creating and utilizing SKU systems. Listen in to hear tips on setting up your SKU system early on in your wholesaling journey and why I believes you shouldn't overcomplicate your SKU systems.

Today's episode is brought to you by our free, on-demand wholesale audio series. In this audio series I'll walk you through the biggest mistakes and most common questions folks have when they are starting and scaling wholesale—so you don't make the same mistakes myself and others did. You can binge this audio series in less than an hour and you can listen on the go in your favorite podcast player. No fluff here, just concrete action steps and answers to help you simplify and strengthen your wholesale sales.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/310

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309 | Business Contentment Over Business Growth with Brigida Swanson, Yardia

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Choosing business contentment over business growth can be a great reminder to all of us that there are seasons in business, and sometimes what we have is all that we really need or want.

On this episode we have Brigida Swanson of Yardia, which is a nature-inspired gift and stationery company.

Bridiga shares the journey for starting her business, while still pursuing her teaching career. She dives into what it was like venturing into wholesale, how she has experienced rapid growth, and describes what happened after deciding to leave social media.

She shares some of her incredible wins with us and also discusses how, despite her business's expansion, she began questioning the need for more, realizing that she already had enough and desired a simpler more content life.

Consequently, Brigida made intentional shifts in her business and personal life to align with her desire and found that true fulfillment came from what brings happiness.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/309

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308 | Benefits & Challenges of Running Two Brands with Stephanie Clarke, Dahlia Press

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0400

If there's one constant in business, it's change. But making big shifts as an entrepreneur can be pretty daunting. After all, it's one thing to plan and strategize, but it's quite another to take the leap and start implementing those steps.

While we usually talk to people who are in the midst of making a big change, today we welcome a returning guest and Paper Camp alum, Stephanie Clarke, for a business update after making some major changes to her company back in 2019.

After a decade of running Dahlia Press, a letterpress greeting card company based in Seattle, Washington, Stephanie recognized the need to split the company in two and start a sister brand under the name Chloe Clarke, The Art of Paper, dedicated entirely to bespoke wedding invitations.

If you'd like to learn more about how and why she made that transition, you can check out our conversation in Episode 160.

In today's episode, you'll find out how things have changed since the transition and how Stephanie's brands are doing today. We delve into the challenges and benefits of running two brands, why she stands by her decision to diversify her business, and how she has matured as an entrepreneur.

Stephanie also shares the details of how she expanded her retail footprint post-COVID, what she's learned from hiring her team (and managing team dynamics), and why it can be so difficult to relinquish control of certain aspects of one's company. If you're interested in the logistics of managing two brands and what this decision can look like a few years down the line, be sure to tune in for an insightful and informative update with Stephanie Clarke!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/308

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307 | Elevate Your Sales with These Two Wholesale Metrics with Katie Hunt

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0400

There's no "easy mode" in business. Selling physical products is a lot of work and being a product entrepreneur requires grit, tenacity, and courage.

Today's episode is brought to you by our signature program, Paper Camp, our 4-week program that takes the guesswork out of selling wholesale. When you follow the strategies and methods in Paper Camp, you'll not only feel more confident but you'll reach your wholesale goals faster. Come join the program now!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/307

306 | Always learning, improving & evolving business with Jill Shephard, Ruff House Print Shop

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0400

You have heard me say it before, and I'm gonna remind you again, strong businesses are built through slow, steady, intentional growth. Today's guest is proof of that. Jill Shephard is the owner of Ruff House Print Shop. She started her business in 2009, initially specializing in custom wedding invitations. She then spent 14 years prioritizing professional development, refining her business model, expanding her team, and strengthening her customer experience. In the process, she built a profitable and sustainable company that she is proud of.

Today, Jill and I are talking about her entrepreneurial journey from custom wedding invitations to a brick and mortar retail shop to selling wholesale to over 3,000 shops around the world. Jill also reveals her strategies for maintaining a thriving business, the importance of continuous learning, and the impact of participating in programs like Paper Camp, even as a seasoned entrepreneur.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/306

Connect with Jill Ruffhouseprintshop.comInstagram: @ruffhouseprintshop Facebook: @ruffhouseprintshop Ruffhousepaperie.comInstagram: @ruffhousepaperie Facebook: @ruffhousepaperie

Mentioned in this Episode:

305 | Hiring Family & Creating Boundaries in Your Business with Katie Hart, Odd Daughter Paper Co.

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Today we are continuing our conversation with Katie Hart of Odd Daughter Paper Co. If you missed the first part of our conversation, head back and listen to episode 304. In that episode, Katie and I talk about how she got started with her product-based business, and why you don't necessarily need to exhibit at trade shows to be successful with selling wholesale. Katie waited 10 years to do her first show, and we're talking about it in episode 304.

For today's episode, which is part two of our conversation, Katie is taking us behind the scenes of her business and what it is like running this business with her sister by her side. We also talk about setting boundaries in business and how the best lessons truly come from just years of experience.

Katie Hart is a self-taught illustrator and the founder of a stationery brand called Odd Daughter Paper Co. She founded that company in 2013 and it began as a side hustle that she ran on the weekends and during her lunch hours; it evolved into a full-time brand that both Katie and her sister now work at. Michelle helped on the side for years and finally joined the team full-time in 2022. Katie does all the illustrating and hand lettering while Michelle handles operations, wholesale, and sales and marketing. They both love brainstorming sentiments for cards and their goal is to sound like a real friend in their products, whether that's clever, sincere, encouraging, or empathetic. Odd Daughter is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico and draws a great deal of creative inspiration from the desert.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/305

Connect with Katie Odddaughterpaper.com

Instagram: @odddaughterco

TikTok: @odddaughterco

304 |You Can Be Successful with Wholesale without Trade Shows with Katie Hart, Odd Daughter Paper Co.

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Yes, friend, you can be successful with wholesale without exhibiting at trade shows. This is a question that I frequently hear from our Paper Camp students and today's guest is a shining example of how slow, intentional growth without trade shows leads to success.

Today's guest is Paper Camp Alum & Advisory Board member, Katie Hart of Odd Daughter Paper Co. Katie launched Odd Daughter in 2013 as a side hustle. The brand evolved into a thriving product brand whose revenue primarily comes from wholesale and her products are sold in stores throughout the world.

This was such an inspiring conversation that I decided to break it up into two parts. On today's episode, which is part 1, Katie shares how Odd Daughter got started, the intentional decisions she's made along the way to make her business growth more sustainable, and we talk about her decision to exhibit at her first wholesale trade show in 2023—after 10 years of successfully scaling wholesale.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/304

Connect with Katie Odddaughterpaper.com

Instagram: @odddaughterco

TikTok: @odddaughterco

Mentioned in this episode:

303 | What Retail Shops Look for When Buying Wholesale with Ginger Diaz, Feliz Modern & Rancho Diaz

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Opening a retail storefront is no joke. It's a whole lot of work and a completely different business model than selling products online or to the wholesale market. Brick-and-mortar retail requires different strategies, operational systems, and of course staffing needs. I know there are many of you who dream of someday opening a shop, in fact, we have many product brands that also have brick-and-mortar shops in our Proof to Product community.

So today we're going to hear from Ginger Diaz, the owner of Feliz Modern and Rancho Diaz in San Antonio, Texas. Ginger Diaz came to retail to bring her favorite artists' and makers' works to a wider audience. What started as one brick-and-mortar shop in San Antonio has expanded to a second shop, as well as their online store at felizmodern.com, for those national customers that they service. All three shops are centered around products that bring joy and some cheeky fun to their customers. It's a small business full of hundreds of other small businesses and makers from around the globe.

On today's episode, we're talking to Ginger about motivations for opening her stores, how relationships played a key role in their survival during the pandemic, and how Ginger's incredible staff has helped improve efficiencies in her business. We also talk a little bit about her buying preferences and red flags that she sees in manufacturers' pitches or outreach, and what she looks for when she's purchasing from smaller independent brands.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/303

Connect with Ginger

Mentioned in this episode:

From the Archives | Scaling to 500 Wholesale Accounts with Brittany O'Brien, Brittany Paige

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

While we're on a short break for the summer, we're re-airing some of your favorite Proof to Product episodes, including this one with Brittany O'Brien!

Deciding to sell wholesale is the first step to scaling your business, but what are the next steps to being successful in it? Brittany O'Brien of Brittany Paige joins us to share the top three contributors to her wholesale success, how she overcame her fear of rejection, and a few tips she has for brands just getting started in wholesale. Plus, she's sharing a little insight on her experience in growing the retail side of her business while having fun with TikTok!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/258

Today's episode is brought to you by Paper Camp, our 4-week program that takes the guess-work out of selling wholesale. When you follow the strategies and methods in Paper Camp, you'll not only feel more confident but you'll reach your wholesale goals faster. Come join the waitlist to be the first to know when we open the doors for the next round of Paper Camp!

{JOIN THE WAITLIST}

From the Archives | Scaling Wholesale with Beth Roszkowski & Tiffany Grimes

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:00:00 -0400

While we're on a short break for the summer, we're re-airing some of your favorite Proof to Product episodes, including this one with Beth Roszkowski and Tiffany Grimes!

As a product creator, it's common to feel that success means building your own storefront and selling retail to earn the most profit for your business. While that's a great goal to strive for it doesn't mean you should let other selling options, like wholesale, fall off your radar.

In today's episode, Beth Roszkowski and Tiffany Grimes join us to share how wholesale has allowed them to scale their businesses. I'm excited to highlight the conversations to show how two different brands with different stories still find value, profit, and expansion in their businesses through wholesale.

For full show notes, head to prooftoproduct.com/234

Ready to prepare for your own booth at trade shows? Come join us at Paper Camp where we share everything you need to know about selling wholesale and exhibiting at trade shows. prooftoproduct.com/papercamp

We're on Summer Break!

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400

The Proof to Product podcast team and I are practicing what we preach and the podcast is taking a summer break! We will be back with a new podcast episode on Tuesday, July 25th, and we have some incredible things lined up for you!

While we're on hiatus, be sure you dip back into the archives of over 300 incredible episodes to help you streamline and scale your business. Plus, we'll even be sharing a few reruns of our favorite episodes as well!

If you've been thinking about joining us for Paper Camp to ramp up the wholesale portion of your business, get yourself on the waitlist at prooftoproduct.com/papercamp. Enrollment opens later this summer!

Have a great few weeks and I will see you on July 25th!

Work with Katie:

LABS: community & coaching for product-based businesses
Paper Camp: get your products on the shelves of stores big & small
Free Resource Library: classes, resources & tools to help you grow your product business

302 | Paid Advertising for E-Commerce Brands with Taylor Frame, Focus Funnels

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Today we're gonna talk about paid advertising. I have spent years searching for someone that has extensive experience in the e-commerce space, and who understands the unique challenges and needs of micro-businesses, solo entrepreneurs, and small businesses, particularly with paid advertising. What I found in my search was that there were a lot of people who were focused on paid ads, but for service businesses or for larger brands with huge budgets. There were people that only focused on ads, but did not look at the holistic marketing strategy that the ads were pushing to. I also encountered a lot of people who just didn't understand the nuances of e-commerce sales.

So this is a topic that our community has asked for over and over again, but I never felt like I could find the right expert to put in front of you. Until today—my guest today is Taylor Frame from Focus Funnels. Taylor is the co-founder of Focus Funnels, which is an e-commerce growth shop. He has consulted and worked with over 400 e-commerce companies including several from our Proof to Product community. Focused Funnels has launched and scaled over 100 brands to consistent six-figure months, finding creative solutions for bootstrap founders.

In addition to the overall success, Taylor's team has managed over $45 million in performance ad spend across a variety of niches. Taylor and his team specialize in working with women-owned e-commerce brands on holistic marketing that ties together both organic and paid advertising efforts. This is key—this is critical to success. As you will soon hear he breaks down complex ideas and strategies into easy-to-understand solutions, which I love. On today's episode, we're talking about trends in the marketing space, how much money you'll need to spend to get started in paid ads, and how to leverage different ad platforms for different outcomes.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. Taylor Frame will join us live in July to teach a training on quick win ad strategies that you can implement right away. He'll be back in August to offer ad audits to our members, so we can measure and track and see what's working and make shifts as we need to. These are member only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!

linkedin.com/in/taylor-frame

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/302

Connect with Taylor focusfunnels.com

instagram.com/focusfunnels

Mentioned in this episode:

301 | You Are Your Number One Resource with Michelle Angenent, 417 Press

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400

"You are your number one resource." This is a direct quote from today's guest, Michelle Angenent. Michelle is a Paper Camp alum, LABS member, and the fierce founder behind 417 Press, an award-winning letterpress greeting card company and paper goods brand based in Montreal, Canada.

Always observing life with a dash of humor. Michelle's product line is a direct reflection of the personal challenges she has faced from infertility to ADHD, midlife, divorce, and now midlife dating. Now in her fifties and a happily single mom to teen twins, Michelle is proof that everything is divinely timed for a reason and that it is never too late to pursue your passion.

Today Michelle and I are talking about navigating divorce as a business owner, overcoming and continually working on our mindset, and what to say when someone asks you proprietary questions about your business.

Proof to Product resource library

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/301

If you are ready to learn more about wholesale, I encourage you to download my free audio series, Is Wholesale Right for You? This free 12 part audio series will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your specific business. After listening to this audio series (in less than an hour), two things will be true. You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business, and you'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. Sign up for the private podcast today!

Connect with Michelle WEBSITE: 417press.com

INSTAGRAM: @417press

FACEBOOK: @417press

PINTEREST: @417press

Mentioned in this episode:

Is Wholesale Right for You

New York Now

300 | Lessons Learned from Successful Entrepreneurs

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 13:00:00 -0400

I am incredibly proud to share our 300th episode of the Proof to Product podcast! It's just incredible to me that we started this show in May of 2017 with one single goal in mind—to become an invaluable business resource for those starting and scaling product based businesses. I think it's safe to say that we have certainly hit that goal.

We have produced and published over 150 hours of audio content through this show. Our podcast has been downloaded over 1.1 million times. The Proof to Product Podcast is ranked in the top 1% of all podcasts. Our podcast and programming have helped not only shape the businesses, but also the personal lives of our listeners and our students—and that is something to be proud of.

We have used our platform to shine a spotlight on hundreds of our Proof to Product students to share their unique stories, products, and business perspectives, and today is no exception. On today's episode, you will hear from several of our Proof to Product students as they share lessons that they learned throughout their business journey, and more specifically, what they wish they had known when they were starting out.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/300

I'm so thankful for 300 episodes of the podcast and the community members and students who shared their thoughtful lessons here on the podcast today! If you want to help us celebrate this major milestone, would you mind leaving a five-star rating and writing a review for our podcast on your favorite podcast player?

RATE & REVIEW

Mentioned in this Episode:

Rust Belt Love Paperie

Proof to Product

299 | Supply Chain Issues, Paper Shortages & What to Expect Going Forward with Ronnie Williams, DeFrance Printing

Tue, 30 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Supply chain issues, paper shortages, production problems, shipping delays, and increased labor costs; these are just some of the issues that our community of product-based business owners have faced over the last few years. The problems extend well beyond our community of makers in that they also affect our manufacturing partners, suppliers, and vendors that we work with.

Today, Ronnie Williams from DeFrance Printing is back on the podcast to share his insights. He and I chatted back in 2018 on episode 60 of Proof to Product about how to save money on printing costs and today he's back to give us an update on paper shortages, shifts in the printing industry, and what we can expect going forward.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right for You audio series! This free 12 part audio series will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your specific business. After listening to this audio series, you'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business and you'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. Sign up for the private podcast today!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/299

Connect with Ronnie

Defranceprinting.com

Instagram: @defranceprint

Facebook: @DeFrancePrint

Mentioned in this episode:

298 | Why You Should Never Accept a $25 Wholesale Order with Katie Hunt

Tue, 23 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

I completely remember what it was like in the early days of selling wholesale. I felt like I was winging every single decision. I questioned everything I was reading on the internet. And, I was craving a community of other product makers that I could tap into for answers and to share resources.

Way back in 2008, that community didn't exist so I eventually created it. Since 2011, we have helped thousands of brands across industries and across the globe, get their products on the shelves of stores big & small.

Our Paper Camp alumni sell to big box stores like Anthropologie, Target, Macys and Barnes & Noble. But, our best customers are the independent brick & mortar retail shops located around the world. Small businesses, just like all the manufacturers that we support in our Paper Camp and LABS programs.

I very intentionally point this out, because I'm going to be answering some questions I received in an email about the importance of following industry standards, having strong wholesale terms & conditions, and why I never ever want you fulfilling a $25 wholesale order.

I feel it is important for you to understand that our community focuses our energy and efforts on the indie shops, so my feedback is coming from that perspective!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/298

297 | Building a Handmade Food & Beverage Brand with Ashleigh Evans, InBooze

Tue, 16 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Just follow your instincts that seems to be the thread throughout today's podcast episode. Paper Camp alum, Ashleigh Evans of InBooze, joins me to talk about how she started a handmade, locally sourced food and beverage brand from her home in 2018.

Her company has since expanded into a team working out of a commercial kitchen, warehouse, and a retail space, and they ship products to stores nationwide.

On today's episode, we talk about regulatory requirements for the food and beverage industry, why you need trusted mentors surrounding you as you're building a business, and she shares a fun story about how being included in Oprah's stocking stuffer guide crashed her website.

You can view full show notes and more at www.prooftoproduct.com/297

296 | Live from *Noted and SF Now

Tue, 09 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

I recently spent the day with many of our Proof to Product students at the *Noted & SF Now trade show in San Francisco, CA. Seventy-four of our Proof to Product LABS members and Paper Camp alumni were exhibiting at this show - which means our community accounted for 62% of all exhibitors. Pretty incredible!

Our community members won awards, secured major orders with key accounts, launched new products, connected with distributors and they grew their confidence as business owners.

It's such an honor and privilege to know that our community & programming played a small part in getting them there.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/296

If you are curious about what it takes to exhibit at a trade show I want to invite you to look into my Booth Blueprint Masterclass. This free class is available inside our resource library and walks you through three things that you need to know before you start exhibiting at a trade show.

Episode 2: Working with Sales Reps with Sam Kramer

Mentioned in this Episode:

Noted: https://www.greetingcard.org/noted/ SF Now: https://sfnow.com/ Guests:Kirstie Wang, A Jar of Pickles Karen Kennedy, And the moon will rise Ian Pribyl, Explicit Contents Brigida Swanson, Yardia Kate Murray, Quick Brown Fox Letterpress Krishna Chavda, Nanu Studio Alyson O'Connor, Rust Belt Love Paperie Lynn Jones, Lynn-oleum Nikki Tyler, Little Lovelies Studio Emily Chiang, Emii Creations Emma Lewis, The Twentieth Christine Nardone, Black Line Rainbows Lauren-Ashley Barnes, Pineapple Sunday Design Studio Christine Herrin, Everyday Explorers Co. Lindsay Henry, Inklings Paperie

295 | Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Hobby that They Aren't Monetizing with Sam Kramer, Near Modern Disaster (Part 2)

Tue, 02 May 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Welcome part two of my interview with Sam Kramer of Near Modern Disaster! If you have not yet listened to part one, make sure to check out episode 294 first! Sam gave us an update on her business and shared four things that have been critical to her business growth. In this episode, Sam and I are talking about how mental health is essential to being a smart and intentional business owner, and why every entrepreneur needs a hobby that they aren't monetizing!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/295

Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 294

294 | 4 Things that Made the Biggest Impact in Her Business Growth with Sam Kramer, Near Modern Disaster (Part 1)

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0400

You have heard me talk about this time and time again, but there is no singular pathway in business! Even though we may all be running physical product-based businesses, we each embark on a different journey working towards different goals and making different choices along the way.

One of my favorite parts about the work I do is seeing the transformation as folks continue their entrepreneurial journey, and in my position, I am lucky enough to have a lot of candid and confidential conversations about what that evolution includes, both the good and the bad. I wanted to bring you into one of those important conversations with both a friend and client of mine, Sam Kramer of Near Modern Disaster.

You may remember Sam from episode 2 of Proof to Product, which we recorded way back in 2016. So much has changed since then in Sam's life and in our business. Since that podcast aired, Sam moved to Florida, outgrew two studio spaces, and increased her team, including bringing her husband on full-time as the studio manager. Not only has her product line grown, but her confidence in her products has as well. Today is part one of a two part series. On today's episode, Sam is sharing some updated stats about how many stores she's carried in the number of skews she sells and how her wholesale program has evolved. She also shares four things that have made the biggest impact on her business growth.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/294

Mentioned in this episode:

Faire

If you are looking for a safe space to talk openly about the challenges and solutions needed to scale a product based business, look no further. We have carved out a space just for you! Our LABS community consists of brands across industries and across the globe, who are building profitable, sustainable businesses. We're talking about things like processes, systems, marketing strategies, and more. We have trainings, templates, coaching calls, and community connections to help you make forward progress towards your goals.

JOIN NOW

293 | Turn Trade Show Leads into New Customers with Katie Hunt

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0400

As you're getting ready for upcoming trade shows, I want to share how you can create a simple, but effective way to turn your trade show leads (people you meet at the shows) into new wholesale customers.

Spoiler alert: the success of what I'm teaching you hinges on one singular thing: the follow-through. You have to do the work to see results. In this episode, I'm sharing what you should do while you're on-site at the trade show to make the post-show follow-up easier and more profitable in 5 simple steps.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/293

Mentioned in this Episode:

Email Marketing for Product Makers

292 | Task Management vs. Energy Management with Ashley Brown, Routines & Things

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0400

We all have big goals, dreams, and plans for our businesses. In order to meet those milestones, we need to take action. What do you do when you look at your to-do list and everything starts to feel really overwhelming?

Today's guest is Ashley Brown of Routines and Things and this episode is an excerpt from a recent Coffee Chat that she led inside of our Proof to Product LABS program on time management. Ashley is our resident routines expert, teaching us how to establish and sustain routines in our life and our business, so that we're less stressed and more fulfilled.

On today's episode, you'll hear Ashley speak candidly about how she personally handles task management, as well as energy management in her life and business. We talk about mindset work, delegating and outsourcing, and how to conserve and restore our energy.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/292

JOIN NOW

291 | Working through feelings of failure & coming out better on the other side with Alyssa Manoleas, Grey Street Paper

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Many entrepreneurs are high achievers! We work hard. We go above and beyond. We care deeply about the work we do, whether it's for ourselves or for others.

So when things don't go as planned or are even outside of our control, we can sometimes feel like we're failing. Today's guest is Paper Camp Alum Alyssa Manoleas, who makes and sells hand illustrated greeting cards and gifts through her brand Grey Street Paper.

Prior to running her business full time, Alyssa worked as a fashion designer in New York, a job that she was great at. She was climbing the corporate ladder, earning more money, gaining titles, but despite being excellent at her job, she was furloughed and then laid off in 2020.

On today's episode, we're talking about the mental shift of moving from corporate to entrepreneurship. Alyssa candidly shares how she felt like a failure when she was let go from her corporate job, and how she had to carefully work through the grief tied to that. She also shares how she came out better on the other side with a profitable thriving business that allows her to make a bigger impact. Alyssa also shares the methods that she's using to work towards her goal of 500 wholesale accounts, and why Paper Camp was the best investment that she's made in herself and her business.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/291

290 | The Pros and Cons of Using Your Personal Name for Your Product Business Name with Katie Hunt

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Think back to when you started your business. Was choosing a name an easy or difficult task for you? I'm terrible at naming things—particularly my own projects, so this is something I labored over for too long.

In today's episode I'm replying to a question from Tiffany, one of our community members who is struggling with naming her business. She's unsure whether to name it after her personal name or create a unique business name. I'm going to run through some pros & cons of each, plus share 7 tips for naming your business if it is not your name.

If you've ever wanted to pick my brain or ask a question like this one, our LABS coaching program is the way to do it! Through our monthly group coaching calls and on-demand trainings, we're helping you scale your business.

Emily McDowell of Em and Friends

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/290

Mentioned in this Episode:

Emily Ley of Simplified

Episode 100: Listeners help us celebrate episode 100!

Episode 101: Why I Rebranded to Proof to Product

Episode 102: Logistics of Our Rebrand with Katie Hunt, Proof to Product

289 | Product photos & video made easy with Rikin Diwan, soona studios

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Way back in 2008, when I had my stationery brand I purchased a light box off of Amazon, borrowed my sister's DSLR camera and spent hours reading photography tutorials on blogs to learn how to use the camera and to get ideas for what my shot list should include! When I say hours, I literally mean dozens of hours were spent trying to learn how to take product photos that would make my brand look polished & professional. And, the results… Well, they were ok. Not great, but ok.

Then in 2010, I hired a professional photographer to take product photos for me. It was a big investment for my small business but I knew that if I had stronger photography, that I would likely sell more of my product and it would give me content to post on social media. Even with the professional photographer, there were still several aspects of the shoot that I was responsible for like a shot list, styling, and making sure we got everything shot that we needed. I remember feeling a lot of pressure to get it right, because I was investing a lot of time and money into this photo shoot.

Fast forward to today and thankfully there is a less expensive & convenient way for you to get your products photographed, styled and edited by professionals. Meet soona, a creative technology company that helps over 15,000 commerce brands with photo and video production. They are disrupting the industry with their innovative services, creative process, and use of technology.

Today's guest is Rikin Diwan, who handles sales & marketing at soona. We're talking about their scaleable creative process and how soona is alleviating pain points for ecommerce brands that need digital assets to sell more of their products. If you've struggled with product photography… this episode is for you.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers guide. This was a training I taught inside of our Proof to Product LABS program—where hundreds of product makers mapped out a year of emails in under an hour. If you've struggled with what to say, when to send or how to plan out your email marketing strategies for wholesale or direct to consumer audiences we've got just the tool for you. Grab our free guide that has helped hundreds of product makers plan out a year's worth of marketing emails in under an hour. We'll tell you what to say, when to send and help you create an email strategy that works for your specific business.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/289.

If you're ready to give Soona a try, they're giving our community an exclusive offer of your first photoshoot free! You can find that inside our LABS vendor directory! If you're not in our LABS community, this is our 12 month membership built specifically for product based business owners they're looking to streamline their business and boost their sales!

288 | SMS & email marketing strategies with Arianne Foulks, Aeolidia

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Research has shown that you have about 8 seconds to capture people's attention when they come to your website. That's the average attention span for your website visitors, and that's not a lot of time! If you fail to articulate what you sell, who those products are for and how you're different from your competitors, you may have lost your chance to convert that potential customer. We have to be intentional about how we're interacting & connecting with our customers so that we're not only keeping their attention, but also converting them to customers.

Today's guest is Arianne Foulks, of Aeolidia, a web and graphic design agency. Arianne and her team work exclusively with brands with a penchant for design and they have launched thousands of online shops. She loves having a problem to solve, and has focused throughout her career on building online homes for fascinating people.

You may remember Arianne from episode 114 of Proof to Product where we talked about abandoned cart emails.

On today's episode we're talking about common mistakes she sees product business owners making with their e-commerce site, SMS marketing strategies, and why you need automated email flows—like welcome and abandoned cart sequences—to better nurture and retain your current customers.

If you're a LABS member, Arianne will be joining us in April to lead us through achievable ways to optimize your e-commerce website for more sales. She'll also be back in July to do website audits for our LABS members! Keep an eye on our events calendar so that you don't miss these exciting trainings live!

If you're not already in our LABS program, head to prooftoproduct.com/labs to learn more. As a reminder, all past LABS trainings are available as replays (and we have a really rich archive of trainings)—but only active LABS members are able to attend our trainings live and ask questions.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS program. If you are looking to strengthen your business foundation and are looking for coaching and a trusted community for support, come join Proof to Product LABS. Our vault of on-demand trainings runs deep, but the incredible community, the connections, and the collaborations are like no other. If you sell physical products, come join us! This is a space that was intentionally built just for you.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/288.

287 | Preparing Your Handmade Product Business for Economic Downturns with Jess Van Den, Create & Thrive

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Does the economy have you worried? I know that the words inflation and recession have been hot topics in several small business groups that I'm in, and I know that people are worried. Today, Jess Van Den of Create and Thrive joins me to talk about how small businesses, particularly in the handmade space, can prepare for and survive through these types of economic downturns.

Jess is the founder of Create and Thrive, a community for handmade product makers where she teaches them how to craft the business they've dreamed of. Since 2013, Jess has helped 1000's of makers to create a thriving and profitable handmade business. Jess teaches what she knows. She owns and operates a successful jewelry business selling online and wholesale to shops.

On today's episode, Jess shares how she accidentally started two businesses with a startup story that is oddly similar to my own! Then we dove into talking about recession, inflation, and what business owners can do to adapt during these times. We specifically talk about ways to diversify your revenue streams, why you need to be auditing your expenses, and the importance of surrounding yourself with a trusted community.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS program. If you are looking to strengthen your business foundation and are looking for coaching and a trusted community for support, come join Proof to Product LABS. Our vault of on-demand trainings run deep, but the incredible community, the connections, and the collaborations are like no other. If you sell physical products, come join us! This is a space that was intentionally built just for you.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/287.

286 | Is it an accident or an intentional decision with Katie Hunt

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:00:00 -0400

When I talk to people about their business, they often say they "fell into business" or became an "entrepreneur by accident." It's a common story, especially in the creative online space that we all work in. These people solved a problem, likely for themselves, and then that solution led to something greater… whether it be a new business, new product or revenue stream.

One thing I always like to remind these entrepreneurs of… is that even though the idea or the initial spark of the solution may have been an accident, building, growing, sustaining that new business, product or program is never an accident. It is an intentional choice to continue and that intentionality is what leads to success and greatness over the long haul.

Today I want to share one of my stories… about my own "happy accident." I made an intentional decision that some considered to be a rash decision—it was scary, but necessary and the outcome has truly been beautiful.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product resource library. It's where you can get your hands on lots of free resources to help you start, streamline and scale your business in your own way and at your own pace.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/286

285 | Live from NY Now & Shoppe Object

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:00:00 -0400

I'm back from a whirlwind trip to New York where over 50 of our Paper Camp alumni were exhibiting at NY Now and Shoppe Object - two wholesale trade shows. It was such a treat to visit with everyone and to see their new products on display. Both shows were buzzing with buyers, press and brands looking to collaborate. The energy was high and orders were being written.

You know… at Paper Camp we like to talk about how selling wholesale is a marathon, not a sprint. And, exhibiting at wholesale trade shows is just one way to get your products in front of your buyers.

Exhibiting at a trade show is no small feat though. There are endless decisions, logistics and shows are a big investment of time, energy and money. When done well, the payoff of exhibiting comes not only through sales at the shows, but also new contacts we meet, conversations we have and face time with our buyers, which is where the long term benefits come into play. Those face to face connections with current and prospective accounts are priceless.

Today's episode is a compilation of short interviews I conducted on the show floors in New York. At NY Now I talked with Ashley Sutton of Hustle & Hope who shared how in within one year of selling wholesale her products are carried in Home Goods & TJ Max, Divya of Mellowworks who launched her Home Decor line at the show, and Desiree of Paper Anchor who moved from the Emerging artist kiosk to her own booth this year. At Shoppe Object I interviewed Jana of The Completist who traveled from the UK to showcase her new collection of desktop and paper goods and Katie of The Good Twin who shared what it was like moving from NY Now to Shoppe Object.

All of today's guests are alumni of our Paper Camp program. Our Paper Camp program is the longest-running, most trusted, results-driven wholesale training program. We combine expert coaching, comprehensive content and a rich community to guide & support you in building a profitable, sustainable wholesale brand.

https://hustleandhopecards.com/

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/285

Connect with our guests:

Ashley Sutton - Hustle & Hope

https://www.instagram.com/hustleandhope/

Divya Guruju - Melloworks

https://www.shopmellowworks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mellowworksart/

Desiree Perez - Paper Anchor

https://paper-anchor.com/

https://www.instagram.com/paperanchor.co/

Jana Starcevic - The Completist

https://www.the-completist.com/

https://www.instagram.com/the.completist/

Katie Wilson - The Good Twin

https://www.thegoodtwin.co/

https://www.instagram.com/thegoodtwinco/

284 | 4 Common Wholesale Mistakes and How to Correct Them with Katie Hunt

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 14:00:00 -0400

How did you decide that it was time to start wholesaling for your business? This is one of my favorite questions to ask my coaching clients, our Paper Camp students, and even our guests here on the podcast, because even though there are a lot of similarities between our stories, everyone's journey is so different.

In some cases like mine, deciding to sell wholesale was a very intentional and deliberate choice. For me, I knew when I started my stationery business, that wholesale would be the best business model for me. I had already dabbled in custom design and I didn't love it. I had an Etsy shop that was bringing in a decent volume of orders, but it felt like a slow grind. They were small orders one by one.

I was intrigued by wholesale, although I was a bit naive too! The idea of selling in higher volume, building relationships with other business owners—that felt right for me and it felt right for where I was in the season of life that I was at at the time.

Now some people get into wholesale because they feel like they have maximized their retail direct to consumer sales channel and they want to diversify. Other people got into wholesale because they were approached by stores and asked if they sold their products wholesale, so they figured out what that meant and how to sell wholesale on the fly. Whether it is an intentional or an accidental decision to move into selling wholesale, the most successful brands are those that have a strong wholesale foundation, meaning their product sales, marketing, and operations are ready for wholesale.

Today on the podcast, I want to share some of the biggest mistakes that I see new product brands making when they enter wholesale. And I will share our four part wholesale framework that we teach at Paper Camp so that you can avoid making these common mistakes and ultimately sell more of your products.

Today's episode is brought to you by Paper Camp. This is our signature program where we teach you how to scale your wholesale program through four weeks of live coaching calls, videos & community connections. Paper Camp has run 40 times in 11 years & we've coached 1000s of brands whose products are sold in Target, Nordstrom, Container Store, Barnes & Noble and independent boutiques all over the world. Make sure you're on our waitlist!

If you are listening to this episode the week that it airs, we are currently accepting scholarship applications for our 41st round of Paper Camp. The deadline is Friday, February 17 at 5PM PT! Learn more and submit your application today!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/284

283 | Monica Sharma-Patnekar, Business with Monica

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:00:00 -0400

How well do you know your customers and I'm not talking just their demographics or their buying preferences; I'm talking about their lifestyle, their desires, and why they make the choices that they make. Our guest today is Monica Sharma-Patnekar from Business with Monica. She is walking us through her three part framework for getting to know our customers better, so that e-commerce brands can build stronger connections and sell more of our products.

Monica is an e-commerce brand mentor and consultant, a purpose driven brand marketing and strategy professional with 17 years of global experience building brands. She's worked across different sectors and companies from Fortune 500 to starting and scaling companies as well. Monica offers high touch coaching and mentorship to small businesses, conscious ecommerce, and product based business owners. She is Dutch by birth and Indian by Heritage, global by choice and education. She's a creative thinker, a dancer, a chai fanatic, and a mom of two girls. I know you're going to learn a lot today from Monica.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Is wholesale right for you? private podcast. Yep, if you want me in your earbuds longer, you can have me. You can get access to this free on-demand private podcastat the link below. This is a 12-part audio series that will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your business. And the best part, you can binge it in less than an hour! After listening to this audio series, two things will be true: 1) You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business. 2) You'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. Sign up for the Is wholesale right for you? private podcast.

If you're ready to take the next step in getting to know your real clients through their personalized story, make sure you download Monica's checklist for the 4 D's to help you discover your customers' needs, wants, and desires!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/283.

282 | From Corporate Product Designer to Intentional Business Owner with Amy Frazer, Keller Design Co

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0400

If you've been listening to this podcast for a while, you know that one of my mantras is that slow, steady growth is how strong businesses are built. Well, they are also built with intentionality, connectivity, and care, which today's guest is a wonderful example of.

Amy Frazer is an author, illustrator and the founder of Keller Design Co, where she strives to empower you to make modern memories through craft, stationery, embroidery kits, and artful gifts to help you share stories, make connections, and communicate with simple, honest messages. Keller Design Co. helps customers connect with those they love and find connections to their own creativity.

On today's episode, Amy is sharing how 20 years in the corporate world designing products for brands like Nike, Old Navy, Starbucks, and Target! Those experiences truly helped shape how she runs Keller Design Co. Amy candidly discusses how personal loss and seasons of overwhelm caused her to push pause and take better care of herself. She talks about how community, connection, and continuing to put in the work motivated her to keep going.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product resource library, where we house all of my free workshops in one place. This includes my Delegating Masterclass, my How to Know If Wholesale is Right for You class and my Booth Blueprint Class for anyone wanting to exhibit at wholesale trade shows, I've got some new things that we'll be adding soon. To get instant access to this rich resource library, head to prooftoproduct.com/resources.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/282.

281 | 5 Myths about selling wholesale with Katie Hunt

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0400

If you're looking to grow your wholesale this year, be sure to join the waitlist for Paper Camp! This is our signature program where we teach you how to scale your wholesale program through four weeks of live coaching calls, videos & community connections. Paper Camp has run 40 times in 11 years & we've coached 1000s of brands whose products are sold in Target, Nordstrom, Container Store, Barnes & Noble and independent boutiques all over the world. Make sure you're on our waitlist!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/281

280 | Selling wholesale to Nordstrom, Anthropologie & REI with Lana Effron, Lana's Shop

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Don't you love hearing other people's business journeys? I sure do. Today I'm joined by Lana Effron of Lana's Shop. Lana is a Paper Camp alum and a member of our Proof to Product Advisory Board.

Today you'll hear why and how Lana made the jump from working as graphic designer at Vogue Magazine and Gap to opening her own design studio that now sells vibrant products in hundreds of stores around the globe, and partners with brands like Terrain, Anthropologie, REI, The Lumineers, and Lily Collins.

On this episode, we talk about how her business has evolved, how her partnership with Nordstrom came to be, and she shares strategies that have helped her grow the wholesale arm of her business.

If you're looking to expand your wholesale revenue—more orders, higher AOV, and stronger relationships with your wholesale accounts, be sure to join our waitlist for Paper Camp! Since 2011, we've helped thousands of brands get their products on the shelves of stores big & small, and we want to help you do the same.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/280.

279 | Shopify Apps & Strategies with Erin Alexander, Product Powerhouse

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Fun fact: Approximately 75% of our Proof to Product community sells their products through a Shopify site. One of the most commonly asked questions that comes up during Paper Camp is "What Shopify apps can I use to enhance the sales experience?"

Today's guest is Erin Alexander from Product Powerhouse and she's sharing her favorite Shopify Apps, including why she recommends them and how they can make your life easier. We're talking about apps to enhance your product listings, collect & share customer reviews and apps that will simplify referral, loyalty or affiliate programs.

Erin Alexander is a curly-haired, plant-loving, coffee maven, that helps shop owners show up online with confidence. Her design agency, Product Powerhouse, helps product sellers build, grow and scale their online shop with the power of Shopify. She also teaches how to grow the visibility and online presence of their store through her podcast, digital products and DIY courses.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/279

278 | What's New in LABS in 2023! 🎉

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0400

Our labs program is getting a major upgrade for 2023 with more accountability, incredible trainings, in-person meetups, and a wider range of support from our coaches, community leaders and your peers! Today's episode is actually a presentation that I recently shared with our LABS members, notifying them about all the incredible things that they can expect in 2023. It was too good to keep to ourselves, so we are sharing it here on the podcast with all of you!

If you are looking for strategy, solutions, and a stronger support system to help you grow your product-based business, come join us inside of LABS, our 12-month group coaching program that was built for product based business owners who want to streamline their systems and revenue.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/278

We're on Winter Break!

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 14:00:00 -0400

The Proof to Product podcast team and I are practicing what we preach and the podcast is taking a winter break! We will be back with a new podcast episode on Tuesday, January 3, and we have some incredible things lined up for you! Coming up in January, you'll be hearing from Erin Alexander of Product Powerhouse, Lana Effron of Lana's Shop, and Amy Frazer of Keller Design Co.

While we're gone, be sure to dip back into the archives. We have over 277 Incredible episodes to help you strengthen your business! Plus, if you've been thinking about joining us in our LABS program, get yourself on the waitlist at prooftoproduct.com/labs. Enrollment opens for LABS on December 28th, 2022!

Have a great two weeks and I will see you on January 3rd!

Work with Katie:

LABS: community & coaching for product based businesses
Paper Camp: get your products on the shelves of stores big & small
Free Resource Library: classes, resources & tools to help you grow your product business

277 | Maximizing online sales on Amazon and Shopify with Grace Hayden | Shopify Simplified

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 14:00:00 -0400

For those just starting out on their commerce journey, selecting a sales platform can sometimes be intimidating. Do they go with something like Amazon or Etsy where there is a built in audience, or should they build on Shopify where they then have to drive traffic to their site?

Today's guest is Grace Hayden, an e-commerce CEO and expert who has built and sold multiple products on platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon. She has over 20 years of retail experience including a degree in retail business. She now helps others build successful e-commerce businesses by focusing on the fundamentals and foundations of retail.

On today's episode Grace runs us through the 5 P's of e-commerce explaining how they work together to create a strong foundation for your e-commerce business. She shares the pros & cons of selling on a platform like Amazon and she shares two of her favorite Shopify apps that she can't live without!

Today's episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers guide. If you've struggled with what to say, when to send or how to plan out your email marketing strategies for wholesale or direct to consumer audiences we've got just the tool for you. Grab our free guide that has helped hundreds of product makers plan out a year's worth of marketing emails in under an hour. We'll tell you what to say, when to send and help you create an email strategy that works for your specific business.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/277

In today's episode, we mentioned a Customer Retention training inside of Proof to Product LABS, our 12-month group coaching program that was built for product based business owners who want to streamline their systems and revenue. The doors to LAB will be opening again at the end of December and everyone on our waitlist will get early access to secure your seat.

Work with Katie:

LABS: community & coaching for product based businesses
Paper Camp: get your products on the shelves of stores big & small
Free Resource Library: classes, resources & tools to help you grow your product business

276 | Attracting customers, collaborations & partnerships with Kathy Cano-Murillo, Crafty Chica

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Are you casting a big enough vision for your brand and are you considering all of the different ways to attract new customers and diversify your revenue streams as an artist? Today's guest dreamed big from the start—she modeled her business off of creative women such as JLo and Oprah, and she wants us to consider doing the same.

On today's episode, Kathy Cano-Murillo of the Crafty Chica and I are talking about how consistently showing up authentically, sharing her ups and downs, and having an abundant mindset have led to the successful career that she has today.

We talked about how she has diversified revenue streams and how she attracts customers, collaborations and partnerships. We also discuss Kathy's success with elevating awareness of Latino culture, heritage and her success and expanding access to these products available year round, not just during Hispanic Heritage Month. Kathy is a firecracker and a great example of a seasoned business owner who shows up diligently and consistently does the work and is now reaping the rewards.

Today's episode is brought to you by LABS, our 12-month group coaching program that was built for product based business owners who want to streamline their systems and revenue. We'll be opening up the doors again at the end of the year and everyone on our waitlist will get early access to secure your seat.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/276

275 | How to Improve Your Customer Journey with Jordan Kentris, A Good Day

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Are your marketing & sales efforts focused on customer acquisition or customer retention? This quarter inside of Proof to Product LABS, we've been focused on sales strategies with an eye towards customer retention. Meaning, how do we get our existing customers to buy more frequently and in higher volume; and how do we get them to refer their friends?

In October, I led a training on customer retention that included some eye opening statistics about why it is so incredibly important to focus on keeping our existing customers happy and I shared specific strategies for how to nurture those relationships.

Today's podcast episode folds nicely into this discussion topic—we pulled an excerpt from a past coffee chat inside of LABS with Jordan Kentris of A Good Day where we talked about enhancing our online customer experience and the steps a customer takes as they interact with us online.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS program. We hope you enjoyed this peek into one of our most popular Coffee Chats inside of Proof to Product LABS. Coffee chats in general are some of our best attended events because members get to share their knowledge, experiences and expertise with each other. Plus, we leave time for live Q&A, connection and collaboration. At Proof to Product, we truly believe that the more we share with one another the faster our individual businesses will grow—and these events are a piece of that. If you want to learn more about Proof to Product LABS, check out the full coffee chat with Jordan, or watch the trainings we mentioned by Myrna and Jessica head to prooftoproduct.com/labs.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/275

274 | Focusing on SEO led to over 600% growth in website visitors with Ashley Jankowski | The Typeset Co

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0400

When we allocate our time, money, energy and effort in specific areas of our business, we are guaranteed to see growth. For 2022, Ashley Jankowski of the Typeset Co chose to invest in and focus their marketing efforts on SEO and the results have paid off. They've seen over 600% more visitors to their website and their email subscribers have grown.

In this episode we're talking about how The Typeset markets their products including why she's investing in video, stop-motion video, SEO and copywriting support. We talk at length about why Ashley prioritized SEO for the business in 2022, what the process has been like, changes she made on her blog and to her product listing, plus she shares current results and next steps in their plans.

If you haven't listened to Part 1 of this 2-part series with Ashley, I encourage you to go back and listen to episode 273. In part 1 we talked about how she found her overseas manufacturing partners, what that process was like and lessons she's learned along the way. We also talked about how she has strategically expanded into new product categories.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers guide which will help you map out a year's worth of marketing emails in under an hour. If you've ever struggled with what to say or how many emails to send to either your wholesale or Direct to Consumer customers, then this tool is for you.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/274

The SEO for Product Based Businesses training replay mentioned in today's episode with Jessica Freeman is available for LABS members. You can find it in our Resources & Tools section within the LABS community.

273 | How she found her overseas manufacturing partners with Ashley Jankowski, The Typeset Co

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Manufacturing partners aren't simple or easy to find, but it becomes even more complex when you're trying to manufacture complex products that are best created overseas. In this episode, Ashley Jankowski joins us to share how she shifted from a branding agency into a product-based business, along with the journey to exploring manufacturers overseas.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/273

272 | Creating an entirely new product category with Kristina Schlegel, Make Bake

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Do you have a product idea that has never existed before? If so, you may be wondering what it takes to bring an entirely new product to market or how to find suppliers and manufacturers. How do you market and sell something that no one has ever heard about? Kristina Schlegel of Make Bake faced these questions and concerns when she created edible stickers. In today's episode, she's taking us behind the scenes of how she broke into a new category, challenges she faced with packaging, and how she sourced her manufacturing!

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You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/272

If you're currently feeling stretched thin, needing to refocus within your business, or you just want to connect with other product makers who are starting and scaling their sales and marketing, come join us in Proof to Product LABS. We'll be opening up the doors again at the end of the year and everyone on our waitlist will get early access to secure your seat.

271 | Reducing Overwhelm with Hiring & Delegating with Katie Hunt

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Are the tasks and projects that you have going on in your business leaving you feeling overwhelmed? In today's episode, I'm sharing how to reduce that overwhelm by deciding where to focus your time and energy, and identify areas where we can delegate responsibilities within our business. If you've been nervous to hire or delegate in your business, this episode is for you!

Today's episode is brought to you by our free, on-demand masterclass, Deciding What to Delegate in Three Simple Steps, which will teach you how to quickly and easily hone in on tasks that you can delegate to somebody else within your business. Grab free access to this class inside our resource library!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/271

If you have ever wanted to pick my brain, or get my eyes and ears on your business, Proof to Product LABS is the place to do it. We have monthly group coaching calls and a wide range of On Demand training specifically for product based business owners. We'll be opening up the doors again at the end of the year and everyone on our waitlist will get early access to secure your seat.

270 | Opening a Retail Store Front with Lisa DiVito, Tiramisu Paperie

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Is a retail store an avenue you've been wanting to explore in your product-based business? Lisa DiVito of Tiramisu Paperie joins us today to share her own experience in opening a retail store as an additional revenue stream to her already successful wholesale business. Listen in as she shares what she's learned through the process and shares advice for anyone looking to open a brick-and-mortar store.

GRAB THE GUIDE

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/270

269 | Over 150 Retail Markets in 3 Years with Danella Ruth McKinnon, McKinnon Collective

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

It's not often that we hear from product makers and businesses that are selling 100% retail here on the podcast, but at McKinnon Collective, Danella Ruth McKinnon and her husband have done over 150 retail markets since 2019 and their experience in this space comes with so much value! In today's episode, Danella is sharing why they don't sell wholesale for their handmade leather bags and how she's found success at retail markets, including her tips for standing out, merchandising, and inventory. Listen in as she highlights how they've also decided to incorporate an e-commerce store into their holiday sales with a limited time run over 4 days this November.

GRAB THE GUIDE

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/269

If you enjoyed today's episode, Danella will be leading a coffee chat on October 19th where she'll answer all your burning questions about exhibiting at markets inside of LABS, our 12-month group coaching program that was built for product based business owners who want to streamline their systems and revenue. If you're not a member, make sure you're on the waitlist for when we open enrollment!

268 | Why I'm not a fan of assorted products with Katie Hunt

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

If you're looking to develop a strong product line for your business, I highly encourage you to stay away from assorted products. While some brands can make them work well, I highly despise them. In today's episode, I'm sharing exactly why assorted products can hurt your business and why you should consider discontinuing any assorted products in your product line.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/268

Today's episode is brought to you by our free Is Wholesale Right for You? Masterclass! During this class, I'll walk you through 12 questions to ask yourself to determine if your products and your business are ready to sell wholesale, plus I'll provide tips so that you can move forward with confidence in your next steps. Get access to this free masterclass inside our resources library!

GET FREE ACCESS NOW

267 | How she grew her email list to over 10,000 subscribers in a year with Shea Bailey-Burkett, Planned & Proper

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Are you building a 90-day marketing roadmap that provides results in your business? In today's episode, LABS community leader and alum, Shea Bailey-Burkett of Planned and Proper joins us to share how her 90-day roadmap helped grow her email list to over 10,000 subscribers in one year! Listen in as Shea shares how she built and implemented her 90-day roadmap with LABS guest expert, Lyndsay Clements, and how it's helped keep simplified and improved her business' marketing efforts.

Inside LABS, our 12-month group coaching program, we focus on specific topics each quarter to push our businesses forward. Q1 was focused on hiring, where we shared sample job descriptions, pay structures, and even had a call with an HR compliance expert. Q2 focused on product development and talk through sourcing fulfillment and inventory management. Q3 was all about marketing and we learned how to create and implement our 90-day marketing roadmap with Lyndsay Clements. In Q4, we're focusing on sales.

The value in this ongoing group coaching program isn't just the education, but the opportunity to implement and get feedback. We offer this accountability and sharing through our peer mastermind, our accountability check ins, and our community coffee chats, which is where a portion of today's episode comes from.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/267

Today's episode is brought to you by LABS, our 12-month group coaching program that was built for product based business owners who want to streamline their systems and revenue. If you're already a LABS member, make sure you review Lyndsay's full training! If you're not a member, but want access to the full training and are ready to join, make sure you're on the waitlist for when we open enrollment!

266 | How to Communicate Price Increases to Your Customers with Katie Hunt

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 13:00:01 -0400

If you haven't raised your prices in the last 6-12 months, it's time for you to audit your product costs and pricing to see exactly what your profit margins are. It's likely that costs have risen and your profit margins aren't as high as they used to be. In today's episode, I'm sharing a few approaches you can take to communicate your price changes with your customers.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/266

Today's episode is brought to you by my free Email Marketing For Product Makers Guide, where you'll learn how to map out 12 months of emails in under an hour and learn more about strategies for wholesale and direct to consumer audiences!

265 | 8 Tips to Prepare for Black Friday Sales with Mei Pak, Creative Hive Co.

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 13:00:50 -0400

Have you started preparing your business for the holidays? In today's episode, we're sharing a portion of Mei Pak's holiday sales training that she shared with our LABS community. In this training, Mei shares 8 tips to prepare for Black Friday, how she structures her ladder sales strategy, and plans out her marketing leading up to the sales. Today's episode will walk you through the 8 tips to get your product business ready for holiday sales!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/265

Today's episode is brought to you by LABS, our 12-month group coaching program that was built for product based business owners who want to streamline their systems and revenue. If you're already a LABS member, make sure you review Mei's full training! If you're not a member, but want access to the full training and are ready to join, make sure you're on the waitlist for when we open enrollment!

264 | Looking Back at 10 Years in Business with Nikki Tyler, Little Lovelies Studio

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 13:00:11 -0400

There's a quote that reads something along the lines of "Remember that once you dreamed of being where you are now." Business growth and success looks a little different for everyone depending on where you are in your life and the goals you have for your business—but a past version of yourself has likely dreamt of being exactly where you are. It's so easy to keep grinding and moving along in our business, but today I want to encourage you to take some time to reflect on where you started in your journey and where your business is today.

In this episode, Nikki Tyler of Little Lovelies Studio joins us to discuss what the last 10 years of business has looked like for her, what her journey to wholesale entailed, and what she'd do differently if she was just getting started. Listen in as she shares how wholesale went from an idea to contributing to 95% of her revenue at Little Lovelies Studio!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/264

263 | Preparing Your Product Business for a Recession with Katie Hunt

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 13:00:50 -0400

As if business owners hadn't had enough of pivoting over the last two and a half years through the pandemic, now we are in the midst of a recession. Small businesses everywhere are worried about how to prepare and thrive during this time. As someone who has personally worked through three recessions now, I'm sharing my thoughts about what you can do to keep your business moving forward during this recession!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/263

Today's episode is brought to you by LABS, our 12-month group coaching program that was built for product based business owners who want to streamline their systems and streamline their revenue. If you're ready to join this program, make sure you're on the waitlist for when we open enrollment!

262 | Creating a Marketing Strategy Based on Your Personality Type with Brit Kolo, Marketing Personalities

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 13:00:20 -0400

Have you considered building a marketing strategy based on your personality type? If you've found that you don't enjoy the marketing you're doing in your business, you're struggling to manage it, or you don't think it is working for you, it could be that it does not fit your personality! Brit Kolo of Marketing Personalities has taken the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types and developed marketing plans that align with each. In today's episode, she joins us to share how you can remove the pressure that comes with marketing and build a marketing strategy that matches your personality, which ultimately feels more natural and delivers more results.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/262

261 | Selling to a National Retail Chain with Krishna Chavda, NANU Studio

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 13:00:28 -0400

Have you dreamt about your products being on the shelves of big box stores? In today's episode, Krishna Chavda of NANU Studio joins us to share her story of developing her brand, exploring wholesale, and landing her first purchase order from a big box store while exhibiting at New York Now.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/261

260 | 3 Ways to Outsource Sales with Katie Hunt

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 13:00:02 -0400

Is selling and managing your wholesale outreach not something your enjoy or are even good at? You have options to outsource sales in your wholesale business. In today's episode, I'm walking you through three types of sales reps that you can hire, the differences between them, and what you should expect in working with each one.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/260

Giving back is one of our core values here at Proof to Product—in time, knowledge as well as financial scholarships. Since 2011, we've awarded over $200,000 in scholarship funds to creative entrepreneurs who make physical products and have big dreams. If you're interested in joining Paper Camp, but do not have the funds to do so, please apply for our Paper Camp Scholarship.

APPLY NOW

259 | Launching Wholesale & Exhibiting at SF now with Christine Herrin, Everyday Explorers Co.

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 13:00:09 -0400

How do you know you're ready to exhibit at a trade show and begin selling wholesale? Christine Herrin of Everyday Explorers Co joins us today to give an inside look at how and why she decided to launch to the wholesale market and exhibit at her first trade show this year.

Listen in as she shares how selling direct to consumer and wholesale are different, along with a few of the lessons she learned about positioning, pricing and marketing her products to the wholesale market.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/259

You may remember Christine from episode 170 of the Proof to Product podcast where she talked about running her business remotely.

258 | Scaling to 500 Wholesale Accounts with Brittany O'Brien, Brittany Paige

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:00:12 -0400

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/258

{JOIN THE WAITLIST}

257 | Enhance Your Etsy Sales with Lauren Keplinger

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 13:00:45 -0400

Have you found success in selling your products on Etsy? Despite the changes that Etsy has made over the last few years, the search engine is full of value for small businesses to take advantage of in growing their brand. In this episode, Lauren Keplinger joins us to share how you can enhance your Etsy sales through your product listing, keywords, and even mindset about Etsy!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/257

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256 | 4 ways to measure trade show success excluding sales with Katie Hunt

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 13:00:52 -0400

If you've ever attended a trade show and felt disappointed in your sales, I have good news for you! The success of your trade show should not be solely measured by the volume of sales you get while you're there. In today's episode, I'm sharing 4 ways to measure your success at a trade show that don't rely on your sales. Trade shows offer you the opportunity to maximize your time to seek client feedback, have meaningful conversations, enhance your brand recognition and visibility, and ultimately build new connections.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/256

Today's episode is brought to you by our Booth Blueprint class, available in the Proof to Product resource library! During this class, I'll walk you through three secrets to maximizing your tradeshow investment, and I'll tell you how to keep your wholesale orders coming in long after your trade show ends! Get access to this class and my workbook inside the Proof to Product resource library!

Get Access Now

255 | Your Emotions Make Your Business Stronger with Kiwi Schloffel, Your Gal Kiwi

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 13:00:45 -0400

Being an entrepreneur is an emotional journey, oftentimes leading you to burnout. Kiwi Schloffel of Your Gal Kiwi joins me to talk about the many challenges that entrepreneurs face as they start and grow their businesses. Throughout this episode, Kiwi and I share personal stories to remind our entrepreneurial friends that you're not alone and that you should focus on building a business that fuels the life you want to lead.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/255

Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product resource library, which includes my Delegating masterclass, my How to Know If Wholesale is Right for You class, my Booth Blueprint class, and even more resources we'll be adding soon! Get access to all of these classes inside the Proof to Product resource library!

{Get Access Now}

We're on summer break!

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 13:00:13 -0400

The Proof to Product podcast team and I are practicing what we preach and are taking the next two weeks off to bask in the summer sunshine! We'll be back with a new episode on July 12 and we have some incredible things lined up for you.

Here's what you have to look forward to when we return: Kiwi Schloffel of Your Gal Kiwi and I talk about the emotional and mental load of running a business. I'll also be sharing four ways to measure tradeshow success that doesn't include sales. Plus, we've got some amazing case studies and updates from Paper Camp alumni Brittany Paige of Brittany Paige Designs, Nikki Tyler of Lovely Little Studios, and Christine Herrin of Everyday Explorers— you won't want to miss these!

While we're gone, be sure to dip back into the archives. We have over 254 incredible episodes to help you strengthen your business.

If you've been thinking about joining us for paper camp, go get yourself on the waitlist. You can do that at prooftoproduct.com/papercamp. We'll open enrollments later this summer. Have a great two weeks and I'll see you on July 12!

254 | Identifying & Overcoming Burnout with Valerie Hamaker, Generation Xhausted

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 13:00:17 -0400

When burnout hits us on our entrepreneurship journey, it's not only hard to see it coming, but is hard to manage and deal with it as well. In today's episode, Valerie Hamaker joins us to share how you can identify the signs of burnout and if it's happening due to underlying issues. Valerie Hamaker is a relationship and trauma therapist, who runs a membership community focused on helping individuals recover from issues of burnout. Listen in as Valerie shares two valuable and tangible ways that you can avoid burnout in your business.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/254

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253 | Manufacturing Overseas with Emily Chiang, Emii Creations

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:00:37 -0400

Have you weighed the pros and cons of sending your manufacturing overseas? While recently on the trade show floor, Emily Chiang of Emii Creations joined me for a quick conversation about her experiences with trade shows, but ended up diving into a rich conversation about manufacturing overseas. Listen in as her business model has evolved over the last two years and the role that her parents are playing in the manufacturing side of her business. If you're a member of Proof to Product LABS, Lyndsay will be joining us in July to help us map out our own 90 day marketing roadmap!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/253

Join the Waitlist

252 | Why you need a 90 day Marketing Roadmap with Lyndsay Clements, Ellen Grace Marketing

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 13:00:15 -0400

Are you strategically mapping out your marketing plans, efforts, and strategy? In today's episode, Lyndsay Clements of Ellen Grace Marketing joins us to share about the importance of a marketing roadmap! Listen in as she highlights why you need a marketing roadmap, how to utilize the data you have, and what the goals of your 90-day marketing roadmap should be!

If you're a member of Proof to Product LABS, Lyndsay will be joining us in July to help us map out our own 90 day marketing roadmap!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/252

{Join the Waitlist}

251 | Navigating Wholesale Exclusivity Requests with Katie Hunt

Tue, 31 May 2022 13:00:36 -0400

Are you offering wholesale exclusivity on your products for your wholesale customers? While I don't always encourage it, I do think it is important for you to understand what it means, how to navigate saying no, and what to include in it if you decide to offer it! In today's episode I'm answering all of these questions, plus share templates and steps to take in every situation!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/251

Today's episode is brought to you by our free Is Wholesale Right for You? Masterclass! During this class, I'll walk you through 12 questions to ask yourself to determine if your products and your business are ready to sell wholesale, plus I'll provide tips so that you can move forward with confidence in your next steps. Get access to this free masterclass inside our resources library!

{Get Free Access Now}

250 | How she added $55k in revenue by adding a digital product to her e-commerce shop with Dani Bruflodt, The Daily Page

Tue, 24 May 2022 13:00:25 -0400

Have you considered what expanding your business with digital products and offerings could do for your ecommerce brand? In today's episode Dani Bruflodt of The Daily Page shares how she created her first digital product as a happy accident, then proceeded to sell $15k in revenue on that product alone in the first year. Now, Dani has expanded her digital product line with only a full line of paid products, but also free products that she's used to grow her newsletter list!

Dani's desire to grow her email list came as she decided to move her shop from Etsy to owning her own ecommerce store on Shopify and realized she wanted to gather her customer's information, since she'd never had it with Etsy.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/250

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE

249 | Why you need to niche down with Sadie Teper, Twentysome Design

Tue, 17 May 2022 13:00:49 -0400

Are you trying to connect with a broad audience rather than niching down to a core group of customers to connect with? When it come to product creation, marketing and even the branding for your business, finding your niche can provide so much value. In today's episode, Sadie Teper joins us to share why it's important for you to niche down and know who your customer really is. When you get clear on who you're talking to… it's much easier to create, market and sell your products.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/249

Today's episode is brought to you by LABS, my 12-month group coaching program that was built for product based business owners who want to streamline their systems and streamline their revenue. If you're ready to join this program, make sure you're on the waitlist for when we open enrollment!

{Join the Waitlist}

248 | Live from the trade show floor at Noted & SF Now 2022

Tue, 10 May 2022 13:00:03 -0400

Selling wholesale in person, at in-person trade shows is a completely different experience than selling wholesale online. Here at Proof to Product, we truly believe in the benefits of trade show—from the sales, connections and new ideas to opportunities for collaboration and brand visibility, the benefits are endless.

In today's episode, I'm sharing a compilation of live interviews from the trade show floor while I was at the combined Noted & SF Now trade show last month. I talked with brand new exhibitors, as well as trade show veterans from our community.

Did you know that we had 54 Proof to Product students exhibiting at Noted & SF Now this year? Our members accounted for over a third of the overall exhibitors in attendance. If you're ready to learn more about exhibiting at trade shows and prepare your brand for wholesale, join the waitlist for Paper Camp!

{JOIN THE WAITLIST}

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/248

If you're considering exhibiting at a trade show, like Noted & SF Now, I'm so excited for you, plus I've created a resource just for you! Don't go into your first trade show without the proper knowledge like I did. In my free masterclass, The Booth Blueprint, I share three secrets to maximizing your trade show investment and keep wholesale orders coming in long after your investment. You can access this free class inside our free resources library!

{Get Access}

247 | How often should I release new products to the wholesale market with Katie Hunt

Tue, 03 May 2022 13:00:25 -0400

The frequency in which you should be releasing new products to the wholesale market used to be pretty straightforward, but with the introduction of Faire and other third party platforms, things have gotten a little muddy. In today's episode, I'm clearing things up so that your new products are ready for when buyers are primed to purchase, but you're also not burning yourself out!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/247

Today's episode is brought to you by Proof to Product LABS, where we're bringing together new and seasoned product based business owners to strengthen the way they run their businesses.

Within our LABS membership, we offer a monthly group coaching call where I offer strategic solutions for product based business owners. Additionally, you can personally ask questions within LABS that might make it onto the podcast, just like this one! Make sure you join our waitlist to be the first to know when the doors open!

Join the Waitlist

246 | NFTs for Artists with Jason Matias, Jason Matias Photography

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 13:00:34 -0400

Are you curious about NTFs, the blockchain and opportunities that Web 3.0 provides for creatives? Jason Matias joins us to break down how the NFT market and blockchain works, his experience in selling several hundred NFT artworks, along with mistakes and misconceptions you should avoid if you're just getting started! You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/246

Today's episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers guide. If you've struggled with what to say, when to send or how to plan out your email marketing strategies for wholesale or direct to consumer audiences we've got just the tool for you. Grab this free guide that has helped hundreds of product makers plan out a year's worth of marketing emails.

Grab the Guide

245 | Don't be afraid to take calculated risks with Lindsay Henry, Inklings Paperie

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:00:56 -0400

There are so many opportunities to take risks in your business in order to reach success, but is fear holding you back? In today's episode, Lindsay Henry of Inklings Paperie joins us to share how her business has evolved over the last five years and why you shouldn't be afraid to take calculated risks in your business!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/245

Today's episode is brought to you by our free resources library, where you can find the tools to start, streamline, and scale your product business. From determining if wholesale is right for you, to designing a tradeshow booth that won't break the back, to deciding what to delegate in three simple steps, we have the resources for you!

244 | How to Decide Which Product to Manufacture Next with Katie Hunt

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 13:00:51 -0400

Are you stuck trying to decide on which product you want to create next in your product line? I believe there are six very important considerations when selecting that product to ensure it's a good fit for you, your business, and your customers!

In today's episode, I'm walking you through all six of those considerations, why they're important, and how you can make an informed decision based on all six.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/244

243 | Building an Antiracist Business with Trudi Lebrón

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 13:00:01 -0400

Have you put in the work to build an antiracist business? In today's episode, Trudi Lebrón joins us to discuss how valuable DEI and antiracism work is in small businesses, along with what you can do to create an inclusive community for your business. Listen in as Trudi shares about what led her into DEI work, how business should be personal, and how building an antiracist business begins with self-reflection.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/243

242 | NY Now Show Results with Christy Asper, Paper Baristas

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 13:00:39 -0400

Did you listen to my conversation with Christy Asper of Paper Baristas back in episode 236? We discussed how preparing for NY Now was going for her as a pre-show interview! Now she's back for another conversation to share how the show went, what she learned, and what she'll adjust for future shows! Listen in as she explains why she believes catalogs are still relevant, what it was like to exhibit as part of the Greeting Card Association Village, and what her sales and success looked like!

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/242

241 | How to Determine Your Product Pricing with Katie Hunt

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:00:44 -0400

Are you leaving thousands of dollars or more on the table each and every year due to incorrectly pricing or underpricing your products? There are two critical numbers you need to know in order to avoid losing money and to properly determine your product pricing. In today's episode, we're reviewing how you can price your products by understanding your production costs and market rates, plus I'll even be sharing a real example with real numbers.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/241

Today's episode is brought to you by LABS, the 12 month group coaching program of robust support for your product based business. With a focus on foundational building in your business, you'll find support in patching the holes in your systems to build success in every aspect of your business.

If you're a product based business owner that wants to strengthen the foundations of your business, LABS is the program for you! Whether you're brand new or you've been in the game for a while, we offer a track for each that is catered to your needs in business. LABS fills in the holes and cracks in your business and opens quarterly for enrollment. If you're ready to enroll in LABS, make sure you're on the waitlist!

Join LABS Waitlist

240 | You're right on time with Amber McCue, The Modern CEO

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 14:00:55 -0400

Do things in your life or business feel like they just aren't happening fast enough? So many of us experience this year after year, but what if we could shift our mindsets to turn it into a positive? Amber McCue of The Modern CEO joins us to share how after experiencing this guilty feeling of things not happening fast enough, she opted for the mindset of "Right on time." No matter where you are in your business or life, you're right on time. She's sharing philosophies on releasing control, remaining flexible, and checking in with ourselves and our business when making big decisions. Listen in as she shares how valuable setting intentions multiple times a year is in her business.

You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/240

https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/how-to-create-a-wholesale-resource-page-with-katie-hunt

239 | Why You Should Be Tracking Inventory at All Stages of Business with Katie Hunt

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 14:00:40 -0400

Are you tracking your product inventory in one established place? Your inventory management and tracking system can make such a difference in your business—in any stage that you're in!

In today's episode, I'm sharing the benefits of tracking your inventory, what to consider when selecting your tool, plus a few tools you can check out!

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to prooftoproduct.com/239

238 | Building Your Dream Team with Kira La Forgia, Paradigm Consulting

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 14:00:56 -0400

Being an entrepreneur and business owner comes with a lot of perks and flexibility, but add in a team that can support you and scaling your business can feel limitless. When it comes to the actual hiring process, there is so much to consider, including what scaling looks like for you, how to manage your team, and if your team members should be hired as employees or contractors.

In today's episode, Kira La Forgia of Paradigm Consulting joins us to highlight how small businesses can take the first step in hiring and what they should be aware of in the process. Listen in as she helps identify the positions you may have in your business and if they should be classified as employee or contractor.

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to prooftoproduct.com/238

237 | Navigating supply chain issues & product expansion with Alex Gagné, Chez Gagné

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 14:00:50 -0400

The expansion of your business into wholesale and even new product lines can create exponential growth for your brand, but with that growth comes struggles. In today's episode, Alex Gagné of Chez Gagné joins us to share about her experience with supply chain issues over the last couple of years, how that created a cash flow issue for her team, and how product expansion unexpectedly saved her business in 2021!

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to prooftoproduct.com/237

Listen to Alex's previous conversation on the podcast at prooftoproduct.com/106

236 | Lessons learned exhibiting at Atlanta Mart, Noted & NY Now with Christy Asper, Paper Baristas

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Have you ever considered exhibiting at trade shows? As Christy Asper of Paper Baristas prepares her brand for exhibiting at NY Now, she felt it was important to share what goes on behind the scenes. In this episode, Christy is sharing about her experiences at Atlanta's Mart, Noted, and now preparing for NY Now—including the things that have gone wrong.

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to prooftoproduct.com/236

235 | How can I get more support from Proof to Product with Katie Hunt

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 14:00:14 -0400

At Proof to Product, we're committed to helping product based businesses succeed! We've created two programs that can help you strengthen your business foundations or scale with wholesale. In today's episode, I'm breaking down the difference between Paper Camp and Labs, which program is right for you, and how you can get started!

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to prooftoproduct.com/235

234 | Scaling Wholesale with Beth Roszkowski & Tiffany Grimes

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 14:00:47 -0400

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to prooftoproduct.com/234

233 | Sales results from exhibiting at Shoppe Object with Jodi Kostelnik, The Neighborgoods

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Trade shows are a big project to take on for product based businesses interested in wholesale. The biggest question I get: Is it worth it?

In today's episode, Jodi Kostelnik of The Neighborgoods joins us to share all about her experience with trade shows, specifically with Shoppe Object. Jodi opens up with transparency about the numbers she's experienced with trade shows, what her goals are as she heads into them, and even highlights different approaches she's taken to trade shows.

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to prooftoproduct.com/233

232 | Working with Sales Reps with Carina Murray, Crow & Canary

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 14:00:00 -0400

In an industry and business where your time is valuable and your products are essential for creating a successful and sustainable business, sales reps have your best interest in mind and serve a greater purpose than simply selling your products. A valuable sales rep is someone you can build a trusted relationship with who can navigate catalogs, inventories, deliveries, and even curate products just for you.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Carina Murray, founder of Crow and Canary, a sales rep group that works with a diverse line up of stationery and gift brands to sell their products and support their customers with top-notch customer service.

Listen in as we discuss how sales reps were affected by Covid, how wholesalers and sales reps can work with Faire and other third party wholesale platforms, plus we're highlighting unique benefits that sales reps bring to the sales process!

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to prooftoproduct.com/232

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

231 | 2021 Year-End Recap with Katie Hunt

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0400

With the new year right around the corner, my team and I have been making time to really reflect on the past year. It's been a year of introspection–about our businesses, about the state of the world, and about how we balance our work and personal lives. But I'm proud to say that Proof to Product and our students have grown and accomplished more this year than ever before.

In today's episode, I wanted to share all the milestones the Proof to Product team and our students have reached in the past year. Plus, I'm giving you a sneak peek at all the exciting things we're planning for 2022.

You'll learn:

How my team and I are reflecting on the year so far
Our LABS and Paper Camp students' big wins
What you can expect from us in the new year

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to bit.ly/PTPEp231

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

230 | You May Want to Turn Off Zip Code Protection on Faire with Genesis Duncan | Graphic Anthology

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0400

For most designers and makers, our relationships with retailers can make a major difference in our businesses. And while I know it can be discouraging to watch your outreach emails go unanswered, this kind of slow, steady work is the path to a sustainable and successful business. The key is to keep showing up, put your best foot forward, and get yourself seen by the right people.

In this episode, I'm talking to designer, illustrator, and store owner Genesis Duncan about her experience being both a retailer and a wholesaler. She's sharing the mindset shift that happened when she got to see the industry from the other side. Plus, she's explaining how zip code protection in Faire might actually be limiting your business.

You'll learn:

Making the mindset shift from "maker" to "business owner"
How your Faire zip code settings might be limiting or excluding buyers
Why it's so important to keep showing up, even if it doesn't feel like you're being heard

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to bit.ly/PTPEp230

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

229 | Which Business Insurance Do You Need? with Katie Hunt

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Insurance. It's admittedly one of the least fun parts of owning a business, but it's also one of the most important. Not only does it protect your business from misfortune, but it also protects you, the business owner. And with a little research, insuring yourself and your business isn't as expensive or complicated as you might think it is.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the different types of business and personal insurance that small business owners need. I'll explain how they're different, what they cover, and why they're each important. Plus, I'll share which providers I personally use to protect myself, my business, my team, and my family.

You'll learn:

Which types of business and personal insurance you should look into
Why both business and personal insurance are vital for small business owners
The companies and providers I use for my own insurance

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to bit.ly/PTPEp229

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

228 | 4 Strategies to Combat Imposter Syndrome with Katie Hunt

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Oxford Languages defines imposter syndrome as the persistent inability to believe that one's success is deserved.

Imposter syndrome is very common in the entrepreneur space. That feeling that we haven't truly earned the success we've had. Imposter syndrome can mean feeling like a fraud or phony — like we're not truly talented or good at what we do.

In this episode, I'm sharing a sneak peek into one of my monthly coaching calls inside the Proof to Product LABS program. During these calls, I answer pre-submitted member questions about how to run - and grow - a product based business. In this call, I shared four strategies for combating imposter syndrome, avoiding burnout, and building your confidence as a business owner.

You'll learn:

How imposter syndrome shows up in your businesses
Four strategies for combating imposter syndrome and avoiding burnout
How to rest and recover after an energetically-taxing launch

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to bit.ly/PTPEp228

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

227 | Paid Advertising for E-Commerce Brands with Alexander Rossman | Rossman Media

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Feeling confident with your organic digital marketing and ready to scale even further? Why not dip your toe into the world of paid advertising? Paid digital marketing might sound intimidating, but with a solid strategy and clear goals, it can truly help you increase exposure and leads for your e-commerce business.

In this episode, I'm talking to Alex Rossman, founder of Rossman Media, an award-winning social media agency, about the ways small e-commerce brands can leverage paid advertising in their businesses. He's sharing his tips for getting started with paid ads, which platforms are the most beneficial right now, and how much money you need to invest in your ads to see results.

You'll learn:

How to leverage TikTok for your e-commerce business
Three steps to getting started with paid advertising
The common mistakes small e-commerce brands make in their digital marketing
When to DIY your paid advertising and when to outsource it

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to bit.ly/PTPEp227

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

226 | Using SEO for Product Forecasting & Development with Jessica Freeman | Jess Creatives

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0400

We all know that Search Engine Optimization is vital to ranking on Google and attracting website traffic. But if you've never worked on your site's SEO, where do you start? How do you find the right keywords? And once you find those keywords, where do you put them?

In this episode, I'm talking to SEO expert Jessica Freeman of Jess Creative about how you can use SEO to attract new customers to your website. She's sharing her workflow for finding and implementing the right keywords, and she's also explaining how you can use SEO in your product development process.

You'll learn:

How to find and implement the right keywords
The three SEO tasks you should tackle first
How to use SEO to forecast trends and develop new products

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to bit.ly/PTPEp226

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

225 | 4 Steps to Optimize What's Already Working in Your Business with Katie Hunt

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Oftentimes in business, we set our sights on the next big thing–the next product, the next launch, the next program–that we forget to rethink the systems that are already working in our business. But most of the time, those systems could run even better and make us even more profit with just a few small tweaks. Take a listen for my four-step brainstorming exercise to help you identify what's working in your business and make minor adjustments to improve your systems even further.

You'll learn:

When it's best to make improvements to your current systems instead of starting from scratch
How to determine which systems could use optimizing
How to prioritize those improvements in your business

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to bit.ly/PTPEp225

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

224 | Find Hidden Money in Your E-commerce Shop with Reese Spykerman | Design By Reese

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Your business has a lot of moving parts. It's easy to let opportunities to make a little extra money (or eliminate sneaky expenses) slip right past your radar. So how can you optimize your revenue and minimize those "leaky pipe" expenses? The answer is right on your website!

In this episode, I'm talking to e-commerce conversion expert Reese Spykerman about all the hidden places you can find extra money in your business. She'll share her tips for crafting a beautiful and functional e-commerce website, and we'll chat about a few of the trends we're seeing in the online business world right now.

You'll learn:

Where to find extra money (and sneaky expenses) in your ecommerce business
Why you might be doing your business a disservice by making your website too pretty
How to put yourself in your customers' shoes and make them feel understood

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to bit.ly/PTPEp224

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

223 | Budgeting & Forecasting for Product Development with Katie Hunt [LABS sneak peek]

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0400

You want to develop a new product, but how do you know how much to spend on supplies? It can be tricky forecasting for upcoming product drops, especially for products you've never sold before. But with the right data, you can make educated estimates about your upcoming products to order supplies and budget with confidence.

In this episode, I'm sharing a sneak peek into one of our monthly coaching calls inside the Proof to Product LABS program. During these calls, I answer pre-submitted member questions about how to run - and grow - a product-based business. In this call, I helped members forecast their spending for project development and budget for upcoming launches - even years in advance.

You'll learn:

How to budget for product development and repeat launches
Tips for managing your books when you're buying supplies well in advance
Strategies for forecasting your next year's spending and revenue

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to bit.ly/PTPEp223

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

222 | Repurposing Your Instagram Video Content with Natasha Samuel, Shine with Natasha

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Do you feel like social media is a chore? Many people I talk with find Instagram to be draining but know it's an important part of their sales and marketing so they keep posting and creating content. But what if using Instagram could be a way for you to begin meaningful conversations with your audience?

In this episode, I'm joined by Natasha Samuel, host of The Shine Online Podcast and an Instagram Strategist that helps small businesses shine online. Natasha shares Instagram trends you should pay attention to, how to use video to showcase your products, strategies specifically for product based businesses and why even introverts can create videos with confidence.

You'll learn:

Instagram trends that are working for product based business owners
How to use Videos and Reels to showcase your products
Strategies and tools to help you create meaningful content on Instagram

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp222

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

221 | What It Takes to Run A Brick & Mortar Business with Jen Palacio, Tiny Turns Paperie

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0400

If you're like many of the people in our LABS and Paper Camp communities, you've probably pondered the idea of opening a brick & mortar shop for your business. In this episode, you'll hear from Jen Palacio, owner of Tiny Turns Paperie, a brick & mortar shop in Somerville, MA.

Jen uncovers what brought her to the idea of opening her own brick & mortar shop and some of the misconceptions people have about having a physical store. She talks about how she intentionally set boundaries and the shifts she made during COVID to ensure her business survived. She also shares her thoughts looking back and why she wishes she had prioritized hiring a team sooner.

You'll learn:

The top misconceptions about having a brick & mortar shop
Why hiring support is critical to growing your business
Shifts she made during COVID that helped her growth

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp221

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

220 | Navigating Supply Chain Issues, Shipping Delays and Labor Shortages with Katie Hunt

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The upcoming holiday sales season is upon us! The worldwide shipping delays, supply chain issues and labor shortages have been causing some massive challenges for small businesses everywhere, particularly for physical product businesses. Take a listen to hear my 5 action steps you can take to prepare yourself so you don't face as many disruptions in your sales as we head into the holiday season.

You'll learn:

How widespread the supply chain, labor shortage and shipping delay issues are
The 5 steps you can take to prepare for the holiday sales season
Why clear communication with your customers is so important

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp220

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

219 | Visibility Isn't Your Problem With Brittney Lynn, Human Connection Agency

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Think visibility is your problem? It's probably not! In this episode, I am welcoming back third-time guest, Brittney Lynn, CEO of the Human Connection Agency. We break down the core fears people have about being visible and how to make the most out of your visibility.

Brittney drops so many gems from her public relations knowledge about pitching, how to prioritize visibility and why the world needs your message. She and I chat about how PR has been during the pandemic and how you can use PR to reach your goals whether that be growing your brand authority or getting more sales for your business.

You'll learn:

The 2 primary reasons why visibility isn't your problem
How to leverage press opportunities to benefit your business
Every place you should share your press wins

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp219

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

218 | Over 50% Of Her Annual Profit Comes From One SKU With Megan Fowler, Brown Parcel Press

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

If you've been itching to grow your business then you'll love today's inspiring episode with Megan Fowler of Brown Parcel Press. In 2020, Megan's business exploded and she saw over 300% growth. Even more impressive, just one SKU accounts for over 50% of her business' annual profits.

In this episode, Megan shares how she leaned into her passion and ultimately started her now thriving business. She talks about her strategies for loving on her customers and how she's leveraged both our Paper Camp and LABS communities (along with a lot of hard work and determination) to build the business she has today.

You'll learn:

Why it's okay to stand out and not fit the "industry norms"
How growth is possible (even during the most challenging years)
Why experimentation is a key component to business growth

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp218

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

217 | How to Exit and Sell Your Business with Chelsea Clarke of Blogs for Sale

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Whether you're in the infant stages of your business or you've been running it for 10+ years, you might've had the thought at one point or another of making an exit.

Selling your business can be an appealing thought, but is it right for you? In this week's episode, I had a conversation with Chelsea Clarke of Blogs for Sale and Her Paper Route. Chelsea explains everything you need to know about selling a business and her tips on how to prepare your business for an eventual sale.

You'll learn:

The process of selling a business from listing to closing
5 tips to get your website ready to sell
The most common mistake business owners make when selling their business

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp217

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

216 | Feeling Stuck In the Messy Middle? with Katie Hunt

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The messy middle.

It's not a particularly fun place to be in business.

It can be fraught with feelings of doubt, fear and imposter syndrome. While at the same time, it is a phase of business where tremendous growth happens and confidence builds.

What is the messy middle?

The messy middle is when you're no longer a brand new business owner, eager with optimism and endless energy to tackle your to dos. In the messy middle, you've likely seen some success, but you haven't cracked the code on how to optimize or scale your business and you still have several goals you're working towards completing.

When you're in the messy middle you're stretching yourself as an entrepreneur — trying new sales channels, creating new products, developing new systems to streamline and possibly experimenting with hiring help.

In the messy middle you're learning to lead, refining your vision for the business and making an awful lot of decisions day in and day out to keep the business moving forward.

The messy middle has its highs and its lows.

But a common thread I see amongst small businesses who are in the messy middle is this…

They are trying to do too many things at one time.

Listen in for encouragement and advice on why focus is what you need, including:

- Being in the messy middle is nothing to be ashamed of, and you are definitely not alone.

- Sometimes the answer is right in front of us and it is a simpler solution than we realize. Get fresh eyes on your business.

- Give yourself space to really assess and identify what you want to accomplish with your business. When you know what you want, you can build a plan.

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp216

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

215 | Growing a Multi-Faceted Business while Managing a Chronic Illness with Morgan Swank, Morgan Swank Studio

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0400

The challenges of running a business can be numerous. For those living with chronic illness, there are even more nuances to navigate, especially when it comes to listening and working with your body's natural rhythm.

In this episode, I was joined by Morgan Swank of Morgan Swank Studio. Morgan is a longtime student of our LABS community and a Paper Camp alumni. She and I discuss what led to her decision to start her paper goods brand. Morgan also gives us insight into what it's like to be a business owner with a chronic illness and her journey of licensing her products in big retail stores.

You'll learn:

Why self-awareness and grace are an important part of entrepreneurship
How to identify licensing opportunities
How time blocking can make you more productive

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp215

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

214 | Leaving a Corporate Career with Desiree Perez, Paper Anchor

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Considering making an exit from your corporate career? If you feel like you're almost ready to make that jump then you'll want to take a listen to this episode to know exactly what to prepare for as you make the leap!

In this week's episode, I chat with Desiree Perez of Paper Anchor. Desiree made this transition herself in January of 2021 and she takes us through her journey of how she knew she was ready to do it, how her experience has been so far and what she's preparing for now as she is in the process of hiring her first employee.

You'll learn:

How to know when you're ready to take on your business full time
What to prepare for when making the transition
Tips for hiring your first employee

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp214

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

213 | 4 Ways To Increase Your Product Profit Margins With Katie Hunt

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Are you ready to put money back into your pocket? In this episode, I am uncovering how you can do just that by increasing your products' profit margins.

I will walk you through everything that you need to know about profit margins from a micro-level. As a business owner, you'll want to observe the profit margins for many reasons but it can be especially important when it comes to knowing what sells, what should be discontinued and to help fuel your strategic decision-making.

You'll learn:

What profit margins are
Why you should pay attention to your products' profit margins
4 ways that you can increase your product profit margins

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp213

For more support with your wholesale marketing & sales strategies, check out Paper Camp at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/papercamp

212 | The Art of Storytelling for Your Business with Michelle Knight, Brandmerry

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Storytelling is such a powerful way to connect with your customers. Our current and prospective customers want to know the people behind the brand, why you make the products you do and what your brand stands for.

In this week's all new episode of Proof to Product, I chat with Michelle Knight of Brandmerry. She takes us on the path to discovering how to create a more authentic connection with our customers through storytelling; and how this type of marketing will provide you with more income and impact.

You'll learn:

Common mistakes & misconceptions to avoid

5 types of storytelling you should be using in your marketing

2 key components for successful storytelling

For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp212

For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS: http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

211 | Why She Hired a Graphic Designer to Create Her Product Line with Ashley Brown, Routine & Things

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 08:00:00 -0400

One big lesson I learned over the past year: the importance of routines! I crave a routine and to be honest, before now, I don't know if I ever realized how deeply I needed routines. When we were thrown into the pandemic and our school, work and household routines were constantly in flux, I saw the influence that routines had.

In this episode, I'm chatting with routine expert, host of the Routine & Things Podcast and founder of Routine & Things, Ashley Brown. Routine & Things is a product based business company that equips women to consistently live their happiest life one routine at a time. She opens up about how she began this business based on her personal struggles as a stay-at-home mom.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Ashley's inspiration behind starting Routine & Things

Her original goal for starting her podcast

The story of her initial launch of the product line in 2020

How she found her graphic designer

Her tips for building connections with the media

How she overcame imposter syndrome

The Mother's Day giveback program they did with She Rises

Why she decided to go all-in on the product side

The struggle of running a product based and serviced based business simultaneously

How LABS has supported Ashley in making her product line a priority

Ashley's plans for growth and what she's working on next

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/why-she-hired-a-graphic-designer-to-create-her-product-line-with-ashley-brown-routine-things

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion. Inside Proof to Product LABS, you'll receive the support, education and accountability to move your business towards your goals.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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From the Archives | Wholesale sales tools & sales reps with Kimberley Yurkiewicz, Crow & Canary

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Kimberley is the New York sales representative for Crow + Canary. During her 15+ year career in the stationery industry, Kimberley has worked at Crane & Co., Kate's Paperie, as well as two of her own independent boutiques. She got her start running a letterpress studio, and has since worked all sides of the business – manufacturing, wholesaling, custom printing, multi-unit retail, buying, merchandising, and now repping. Kimberley's vast experience in the industry provides a unique and valuable perspective. On today's episode Kimberley talks about the role of sales reps, why you need a printed catalog for wholesale and the importance of giving back.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

[01:00] Kimberley's rich background in the stationery industry. [04:30] Meeting Carina Muray, her now boss, through Twitter.[07:30] Overview of a sales rep's role.[10:00] Tips for reaching out to retailers.[11:30] Keep track of contacts you meet & jot down details you can use in follow up.[12:30] What to end to retailers you're woo-ing.[13:00] Refining your line & honing in on your unique aesthetic[14:00] Why catalogs are important if you're selling wholesale[20:00] Line sheets vs catalogs[22:00] Releasing your products when buyers are buying[26:00] The importance of giving back to our industry[29:30] Kimberley is a champion for independent shops, only shops local.[32:30] How our experiences and interests shape us in our work.[36:00] Too much 'busy' in our lives.

For full show notes and resources, head to: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/009-wholesale-sales-tools-sales-reps-with-kimberley-yurkiewicz-crow-canary

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Proof to Product is hosted by Katie Hunt. Since 2011, Proof to Product has worked with thousands of product based businesses to help them up level, scale, and build profitable sustainable companies. You can find our show notes and additional resources at ProofToProduct.com. If you like what you heard today, please head over to Apple Podcast to leave a five star review and subscribe. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a new episode!

From the Archives | How to create a wholesale resource page with Katie Hunt

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 08:00:00 -0400

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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From the Archives | Strategies for pitching wholesale buyers with Rebekah Tennis, Wild Ink Press

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Rebekah Tennis is the founder of Wild Ink Press, a letterpress studio and retail storefront located in northern California. Rebekah started Wild Ink Press in 2009 and was part of our very first Tradeshow Bootcamp class in 2011. The Wild Ink Press brand offers witty and pretty greeting cards, stationery, and other paper goods that can be found in hundreds of retail shops nationwide including the Container Store, Papyrus, and Paper Source.

On today's episode, Rebekah talks about the power of slow, organic growth and why it's okay to not have all your ducks in a row when you're starting out. She also shares her thoughts on responsiveness, reliability, and why she likes sending catalogs and samples to prospective wholesale buyers.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Wild Ink Press got its start and what lead Rebekah to starting her own business
How she first got started with greeting cards
When she first hired a team member and how the Wild Ink Press team grew from there
The catalyst for wanting to open up the retail shop and the benefits it provides
How her wholesale marketing and outreach has changed due to the retail shop
The way she decides if she wants to carry someone's work
How long she recommends waiting to reach out to a retailer after you've mailed them a catalog and your samples
Her schedule for sending out catalogs
How she nurtures relationships with the stores that she's working with as a manufacturer
The way that she manages her business life and her family life
How she handles times of transition in her business
The advice she would give to someone just starting out in a product based business
What's next for Wild Ink Press

For Full Show Notes and Resources, head to https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/040-strategies-for-pitching-wholseale-buyers-with-rebekah-tennis-wild-ink-press

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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From the Archives | The Hourly Rate of Exhibiting at a Trade Show with Katie Hunt

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends, when you're building your wholesale business there's no doubt that you'll be headed to trade shows to get your product out there and in front of the right buyers. The reality is, trade shows are expensive and you don't want to waste a single minute while exhibiting.

In this episode, I reverse engineer what it really costs to exhibit at a trade show from an hourly rate perspective. This will help you to realize how much every hour counts while exhibiting and the importance of using your time to connect with others, write orders and doing market research. It's not the time to be admiring other people's products or talking to your booth neighbors (there's plenty of time to do that during break down or set up or even after hours). I talk about why you need to know your numbers, how Paper Camp helps attendees to know where to save money and where to splurge during shows and the importance of preparation.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Thinking about trade show expenses from an hourly rate perspective
A breakdown of how much it costs per hour to exhibit
Why you need to stay in your booth when exhibiting at tradeshows
The importance of knowing your numbers
How Paper Camp helps you become aware of where to save and where to splurge on shows
Why you should be prepared before investing in trade shows

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPep142

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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From the Archives | Product Diversification and Scaling Wholesale with Alex Gagne of Chez Gagne

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Today on Proof to Product we're welcoming Paper Camp Alum, and founder of Chez Gagne, Alex Gagne! Alex attended our Paper Camp Conference back in February of 2015 before debuting her wholesale line at the National Stationery Show. Since then, Alex has gone on to expand her product offering, add new team members, and achieve her vision for the Chez Gagne brand.

Chez Gagne is a paper and gift brand that offers greeting cards, wine and spirit tags, mugs, wine glasses, candles, and rocks glasses. Alex currently sells to 1,500 stores throughout the world, works with sales reps nationally, and exhibited at six trade shows this winter alone. With more than 93% of Alex's annual revenue coming from wholesale, much of her time is spent planning, prepping and traveling across the country for trade shows.

On today's episode, Alex is sharing with us how she does it all. We talk about how greeting cards became more than just her creative outlet and how Alex made the jump from paper goods to other products. We also how Alex decides which new product categories to pursue, challenges she faced in her business journey and key factors to Chez Gagne's exponential growth.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why Alex switched from software to stationery
How she decides to move forward with a product line
Her theory on making things nice or funny
Incorporating optics and organization into merchandising
Alex's process for research, development, manufacturing and pricing
Why everything Alex produces is something she uses
The importance of managing your margins
Challenges of storing hard goods vs stationery
Tactics for mitigating risk and designing sustainable products
How Alex grew to 1,500 active accounts in 4 years
Future plans and products Alex has in the works

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/product-diversification-and-scaling-wholesale-with-alex-gagne-of-chez-gagne

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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210 | How 2 Months on Tiktok Led to 40% Rise in Website Traffic & 25%+ Increase in Sales With Kyle Sommer, Sommer Letter Co

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Dream with me for a moment: what could happen if you committed to posting daily on TikTok for 2 months straight? Could you perhaps significantly grow your visibility, traffic to your website and even sales?

On this episode, I'm talking to Kyle Sommer of Sommer Letter Co. She's someone who did exactly that and her results were pretty incredible. Kyle and I dive deep into her TikTok growth including how she's grown her website traffic by 30%, and increased daily sales by 15%.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What Kyle creates at Sommer Letter Co

Which marketing platforms she focused on pre-TikTok

What drew her to TikTok and how she got started

Her experience of TikTok before using it for her business

Kyle's first TikTok video

Content that has worked well for her TikTok strategy

Why she creates longer videos opposed to shorter ones

Concerns she had before starting her TikTok journey

How she's found her community on the platform

Her strategy for including a call to action and leading people to her store

Kyle's thoughts on repurposing TikToks as Instagram Reels

What she measures to make sure the ROI on her time is worth it

Her experience with growing her business slowly and intentionally

How she's incorporated her slow growth philosophy into what she creates on TikTok

Misconceptions people have about TikTok

Advice for getting started on TikTok for your business

Her core messaging on TikTok

What she's working on next

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP209

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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209 | Should I Invest In an In-Person Trade Show Right Now with Katie Hunt

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Are in-person trade shows worth it right now? This is a question that came up in my community recently in my LABS group coaching call. Jodi, a member of Proof to Product LABS was feeling unsure of where to focus her efforts: trade shows? A big marketing push?

In this episode, I am going over my 4 ideas for this client to help her meet her goals within her budget. As more things begin to reopen it's no surprise that many are wondering where they should invest their time and energy.

You'll hear why you should first get clear on your bigger picture goals. I also go over my ideas for the suggested opportunities she could pursue along with the pros and cons of each.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why you should keep your goals top of mind when investing in your business [2:05]

Should I invest in an-in person trade show as the world starts to open up after Covid? [2:29]

My 4 ideas for Jodi meet her goals while staying within her budget [3:58]

The pros of doing a trade show [4:26]

Questions and cons to consider for trade shows [5:07]

What a road show is and the benefits of this option [5:43]

The cons of a road show [6:36]

Why I suggested a marketing campaign for her [7:16]

The pros of a big marketing push [8:03]

The cons of investing in a larger marketing roll out [8:30]

Why she should consider hiring an in-house salesperson [9:25]

Benefits of hiring someone to do sales in-house [9:36]

The downsides of hiring someone for in-house sales [11:02]

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP209

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

If you want support from our community, coaching with me and resources to help you continue thriving as you grow your business, be sure to check out my Proof to Product LABS program. It's my 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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208 | How winning the Minority Business Women's Grant fast forwarded her business with Tiffany Grimes, Posterity Paper

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Think back for a minute to April of 2020. We're all on lockdown from the pandemic and figuring out new routines and ways of life. Now, imagine that you're launching a business for the first time all while homeschooling your children and your business is taking off very quickly…

This was the reality for Tiffany Grimes, founder of Posterity Paper. After winning the Minority Business Women's Grant her business accelerated - she was able to collaborate with brands like A Beautiful Mess and Kids Made Modern.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What products she sells and her primary customers [3:25]

What it was like starting her business in the midst of April 2020 [4:37]

Challenges she faced when she launched her business [6:32]

How adopting creative practices and making meaningful connections has supported her growth [7:29]

How Tiffany incorporates "heart drops" into her life [10:22]

Her experience of being selected for the Minority Business Women's Grant [11:55]

What's surprised her about herself as a business owner [13:58]

How winning the grant changed the trajectory of her business [14:52]

How having support has changed her mindset on hiring [17:10]

Tiffany's thoughts on how this experience will change how she invests in her business [18:04]

Her licensing project with Black Joy Paper [20:24]

Tiffany's experience with Paper Camp [22:41]

What led to her decision to attend Paper Camp [23:44]

What she's focused on next in her business [29:54]

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP208

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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Welcome to Proof to Product

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 21:00:11 -0400

Proof to Product takes you behind the scenes of growing a product-based business. Join us each week as our Paper Camp alumni, speakers and friends share their successes, struggles and how they've made difficult but important transitions in their business to continue growing. You'll gather inspiration, learn about new resources, and hear new ways of scaling your creative business.

Proof to Product is hosted by founder, Katie Hunt. Since 2011, Proof to Product has helped thousands of product based business owners get their products on the shelves of retail shops big and small. Find show notes and additional resources at prooftoproduct.com.

207 | Why She Closed Her Successful Business with Tammie Bennett, Show Up Society

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Closing one chapter and deciding to put an end to things is never easy. Whether that's discontinuing a product line that was close to your heart or even shutting down your business entirely. In this episode, I had a conversation with Tammie Bennett of Show Up Society.

Tammie is a creative entrepreneur and mindset coach who closed down her business at the height of its success. In fact, during the pandemic, her business, Tiger Pocket Press tripled and had tremendous growth but that success didn't change her mind about where she was headed next. She followed her intuition and decided to close her product based business so she could help people through coaching.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

All about her business she closed, Tiger Pocket Press

What made her come to the decision to close her product based business

Why she started her podcast,

How she told her customers about closing and her process for getting rid of inventory

What she did on the coaching side to prepare for this transition

Her plan for services to offer and how to package her services

Why entrepreneurs and creatives tend to struggle with decision fatigue

Her thoughts on why newer entrepreneurs might be more fearless

Her tiny daily habits she does every day

What clients she typically works with and what she helps them through

Why this coaching work is important to Tammie

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP207

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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206 | How Far You Have Come with Morgan Harper Nichols

Tue, 25 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

How often do you take a step back to look at and soak in the goodness of how far you've come? That's exactly what guest, Morgan Harper Nichols encourages us all to do as she joined me to chat about the inspiration behind her new book, How Far You Have Come.

Morgan and I also dive into setting boundaries and upholding them, how she maintains being true to herself on Instagram and why she's a big advocate for collaboration.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What inspired Morgan to write How Far You Have Come

How it felt to go back and relive experiences as she wrote about them

Her experience getting diagnosed with autism

How she sets and holds healthy professional boundaries

What project she's most proud of

How she keeps her Instagram authentic to her

The heaviness of social media and its impact on people's mental health

Her advice for creatives working to make their big goals a reality

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP206

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/

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205 | Three Positions to Hire For In Your Product Business with Katie Hunt

Tue, 18 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Are you wearing all of the hats and juggling all of the balls in your business? That might be a sign that it's time to hire help and bring on support.

Your time as an entrepreneur is so valuable and you want to make sure that you are focusing on what you do best. Recently, my mastermind retreat clients and I got together virtually for a retreat and one of the big topics that came up was hiring. This has also been a hot topic within my Labs community so I wanted to create an episode to chat about it.

In this episode I talk about the pain points that lead to reactive hiring, why you need to shift your mindset about hiring and the 3 key areas you should hire for first in your product based business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Pain points that cause entrepreneurs to do reactive hiring

Fears that people have about hiring help

What 3 key areas you should hire for first

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP205

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

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204 | Marketing Data Points We Should Focus On with Maureen Mwangi, Startward Consulting

Tue, 11 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Have you ever taken a look at bigger brands or household products and considered, what are they doing that I could implement in my own business?

In this episode, I was joined by brand growth strategist and founder of Startward Consulting, Maureen Mwangi. She shares how big brands are humanizing their marketing and what data points we should (and shouldn't) be paying attention to. Spoiler alert: you can stop worrying about the number of followers you have on Instagram.

Maureen and I also chat about tech tools to use for measuring the ROI on your marketing, how you can leverage data and her tips on optimizing your brand!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What bigger brands are doing that smaller brands should pay attention to

Why big brands are "humanizing" their marketing efforts

Data you should be tracking and how you leverage that in your marketing strategy

Why you need to be ruthless when looking at your numbers and data

What data points seasoned business owners should look at

How to leverage data for positive change in your business

Tech tools you can use to see the ROI from marketing activities

What data you shouldn't care about tracking

Maureen's tip on optimizing your brand

How to get comfortable with integrating data into decision making

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP204

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/

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203 | How to Negotiate Licensing Contracts with Stacie Bloomfield, Gingiber

Tue, 04 May 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Considering additional revenue streams for your business? Ever thought about licensing? It's true that most of the seasoned product based businesses have multiple arms of their business: they might sell wholesale, retail, license art, have a brick & mortar shop or offer drop shipping….. there are a lot of ways to build a profitable, sustainable business.

That's why I brought on Stacie Bloomfield. Stace has an abundance of experience in licensing and has been creating artwork for brands and products since 2009. Her brand, Gingiber, has products sold in more than 800 stores. In 2020, Stacy began educating the creative community about licensing through her course Leverage Your Art AND she published her first book!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How she didn't always envision the business she runs today

Her path of starting her business

How she stumbled across her first licensing deal

Why you have to think of pitching as a numbers game

What artists need to prepare prior to pitching licensing deals

How Stacie approaches her art licensing

The pros and cons of licensing your art

Best strategies for getting in front of licensing partners

How to put your best foot forward when negotiating licensing deals

Ranges you can expect for rates for one off designs

How she had to adjust her business model in 2020

What she wishes she knew before licensing her artwork

Tools and systems she uses in her business

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP203

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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202 | Community & Coaching in LABS with Janine Kwoh, Kwohtations & Christy Asper, Paper Baristas

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! The doors to Proof to Product LABS are wide open. We are welcoming a new class to our community so on the podcast this week we wanted to highlight the growth of our community and how we've enhanced the program throughout its first year.

In this episode, I am joined by two people you might recognize if you're a longtime listener of the show, Janine Kwoh of Kwohtations and Christy Asper of Paper Baristas. Both of these ladies are founding members of our LABS program and have been active participants in our monthly masterclasses, group coaching calls and our peer masterminds and coffee chats.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What Janine loves most about LABS

Her favorite and most impactful masterclass

An aha moment Janine has had since joining LABS

The benefits of LABs she's enjoyed most

Why she enjoys the community aspect of being in the program

Christy's favorite class in LABS

Her aha moment that she had from LABS

The benefits that Christy's noticed from the community and coaching

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP202

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/

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201 | LABS Celebrates One Year with Madeline Hunt

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! This episode is a little different today. The roles were reversed and I was in the passenger seat as I was joined by my daughter, Madeline for an interview. Madeline asks me some of the most commonly asked questions I get about the Proof to Product LABS as we head toward the one year anniversary of the program. Take a listen to get a peek inside of what we do inside of LABS.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why Katie started Proof to Product LABS

When she started thinking about creating LABS

Her favorite part about LABS

What 3 things she's added to the program since it started

How LABS is different from Paper Camp

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP201

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/

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200 | The Most Common Thread Among Entrepreneurs (You Might Be Surprised!) with Katie Hunt

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Can you believe that it's the 200th episode of the Proof to Product podcast? Quick confession: I've been stewing over this episode and what I'd cover for weeks to celebrate this landmark 200th episode.

After grappling with this thought for a while, something happened at home that really put it all into perspective and brought me a lightbulb moment.

In this episode, I share that story with you and reveal the one common thread that ties all entrepreneurs together (and it might even surprise you!).

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The common thread that ties all entrepreneurs together

A personal story that demonstrates this skill

Some of the stories we've shared over 200 episodes

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP200

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

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199 | How to make your website diverse, inclusive & accessible with Myrna Daramy

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! In 2020, conversations around diversity, inclusion and equity rose to the forefront of conversations around how we're conducting business. Many entrepreneurs in the online space took time to reassess their company values to include more diverse images and copy while weaving more inclusivity into their brand, marketing and customer experience.

In this episode, I had on Myrna Daramy. Myrna is a friend of mine and a tech-savvy Digital Media Optimization Specialist who came on to talk about what has been missing from this conversation: technology.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Misconceptions about accessible and inclusive websites

What an inclusive website looks like

The risks of not having a diverse, inclusive and accessible website

How your customer experience can improve by having a more diverse, inclusive and accessible website

How she helps online business owners

Downsides to overlay technologies

How sites like Shopify are affected by accessibility overlay

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP198 Essential Web Accessibility Checklist: https://www.myrnadaramy.com/post-speaking-digital-inclusivity

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/

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198 | Pinterest trends & best practices with Kate Ahl, Simple Pin Media

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Are you ready to start getting more results from your Pinterest strategy? Then you'll love this conversation with guest, Kate Ahl. Kate is the owner and CEO of Simple Pin Media, a Pinterest management and marketing agency.

Kate and her team have worked with over 600 Pinterest accounts and consulted with thousands of people about how to best use Pinterest for their business or brand. In this episode, she talks about some of the upcoming trends she's seeing for Pinterest and how to rethink your Pinterest strategy to inspire and inform pinners.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Mistakes ecommerce businesses make on Pinterest

How to start building traction on Pinterest when starting out

How Pinterest has changed their ecosystem

Why you want pins to be evergreen

How much time you need to invest to get results from Pinterest

Why people have hang ups with Pinterest

Which analytics you need to pay attention to

How you can use UTM codes to track pins that lead to sales

When you should consider outsourcing Pinterest management

The advantages of using Pinterest over other platforms

Trends on Pinterest in 2020 and 2021

What you should know about repurposing Reels and TikToks on Pinterest

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP198

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/

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196 | When should you outsource social media with Andréa Jones, OnlineDrea

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! How are you feeling about social media these days? Is it lighting you up? Does it leave you feeling heavy? I personally have been on both sides of the pendulum and thought my guest in this episode would be perfect to help you determine if it's time to outsource social.

I had on Andréa Jone of OnlineDrea to walk us through everything we need to know. She explains the pros and cons of hiring a social media agency versus hiring a VA or freelance social strategist. We chat about what you need to know before you hire and how she tests potential hires with paid projects!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The biggest mistakes ecommerce brands make on social media

Signs it might be time to outsource your social media

The pros and cons of hiring an agency vs. a freelancer

How her agency helps clients formulate KPIs

How to make your hiring knowledgeable people

What a test project looks like when hiring someone for a role

Her onboarding process and how she gets to know clients and their brands

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP196

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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195 | Using Email Marketing to enhance your customer journey with Jessica Totillo Coster, Ecommerce Badassery

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! By now, you probably know that email marketing is very near and dear to my heart. It's a stronger marketing tool than any social media platform, it's less risky than paid advertising and it gives you a chance to speak human to human to your customers.

In this episode, I was joined by Jessica Totillo Coster of eCommerce Badassery. Jessica is an ecommerce and email marketing strategist that works with boutique owners and product based entrepreneurs. She helps scrappy female entrepreneurs take actionable steps and strategies to scale their business.

You're going to want a notebook handy as you listen today because Jessica shares some great tips and insightful examples that you can leverage as a part of your strategy. We covered a lot: everything from how email marketing fits into your customer journey to attracting the right people, nurturing those customers and engaging current customers so they continue to purchase from you.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Boundaries they've had to learn from using ClubhouseStrategies ecommerce brands an use to entice people to sign up for their email listThe best practices for welcome sequencesTips for communicating with your email list consistently for an eventual purchaseStrategies to keep customers coming back for moreMistakes product based businesses make when it comes to their customer journey and email process

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP195

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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194 | Hiring Soon? Do this first with Katie Hunt

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0400

I see how hard you have been working, but are not alone! Today's episode is all about how to prepare for hiring help for your business.

In this episode, I talk about some of the strategies that I use in my own business before bringing on new team members. As you explore the idea of bringing on help later this year, this quarter or even this month you'll want to make sure you are hiring right.

Whether you are hiring your first team member or your tenth, whether you're planning to hire employees or contractors — today's episode includes pre-work — so things you're going to do before you even advertise the job you're hiring for.

Flag it, come back to it, take notes and be sure to use the four T's framework to guide you along the way.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Different forms that help comes in

Pre-work you need to be doing before hiring

The four T's framework from Adrienne Dorison & Mike Michalowicz

Next steps after using the four T's framework

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP194

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

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Special Edition | Paper Source Files for Bankruptcy

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0400

I wanted to share this quick, informational episode on the recent announcement from Paper Source about them filing for bankruptcy on March 2, 2021.

In the last few weeks, members of our community have shipped hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of products to Paper Source. Paper Source placed large orders ($9K, $15K, etc) from small independent businesses and in many cases asked companies to move up their ship dates (send them sooner). With the recent news, this is a huge hit to independent brands who now don't know if they will get paid.

I'm not an attorney nor do I have experience with bankruptcy in a B2B setting but in this episode, I am sharing some thoughts and advice I have for those affected by this news.

Keep an eye on the show notes from today's episode and my Instagram feed @prooftoproduct. I'll share additional resources & information as they become available on the website at https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/paper-source-bankruptcy

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Advice for small business owners affected by Paper Source filing for bankruptcy

RESOURCES:

Instagram

193 | Creating paid memberships & communities with Joe Casabona

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! I know we can certainly all agree that if 2020 and 2021 have taught us anything it's that we need to get more creative and consider additional revenue streams.

This has led to more and more membership models and subscriptions popping up in not only the service space but the physical product space too. That conversation was prompted in our Proof to Product LABS community and is the reason behind this episode with Joe Casabona.

Joe's passion lies in teaching his knowledge about website development, podcasting and course creation with other business owners, entrepreneurs and freelancers. In this episode, we dive into creating paid memberships and communities for your customers.

We chat about how artists and creators can use paid memberships to nurture customers. He shares some simple ways to get started with tech platforms and content ideas so be sure to take notes!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How creators and artists can use membership communities to nurture existing customers

The biggest things that hold people back from starting their community

Pros and cons of using platforms like Patreon versus using your own website

Joe's ideas of content that creatives can make to lead people back to their business

Why you should ask your audience what they want and what type of content you need to generate sales

FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEp193

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

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192 | Attracting a diverse audience with visual branding with Dana Kaye, Bouquet Stock Photo

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! If you've used stock photography, you may have noticed how difficult it can be to find diverse imagery. Enter Dana Kaye of Bouquet Stock Photo.

Visual branding can be a huge factor in who we attract to our business. So how can we use visual branding to be more inclusive?

In this episode, Dana and I dig into the importance of visual branding and why creating meaningful connections with our customers is such an important piece of doing business. She also shares her definition of what makes a value based business.

We all want to see ourselves in the products and services we shop for. This is such an important conversation and there are so many actionable take-aways in this episode!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What led Dana to starting her stock photo company
Why diverse imagery is so important
The definitions of a value based business
Meaningful connections and why they are so powerful
How serving others is a form of networking

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp192

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

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191 | Why Your Email List Is More Important Than Any Social Media Platform with Meera Kothand

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Are you utilizing your email list to its full potential? If you aren't there yet then you're definitely going to want to tune into this episode with Meera Kothand, email marketing specialist and three-time Amazon best selling author.

This topic is so near and dear to my heart because email marketing is such a powerful tool yet it's so underutilized by independent brands that sell physical products.

In this episode, Meera and I dig into why your email list is the most valuable platform you have (yes, even more powerful than your favorite social platforms). She talks about how to build your email list with creative lead magnets and strategies for nurturing your audience through a welcome sequence and ongoing, consistent emails.

We also break down some key pointers on how you can get comfortable with selling to your email list so you'll want to stick around to the end to make sure you hear her advice on this!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Meera got started in the digital marketing space
Why product-based business owners should prioritize growing and nurturing their email list
How to intrigue people to opt-in to your email list
What to include in a welcome email sequence
Lead magnet ideas for product-based business owners
Why you should incorporate storytelling and get creative
How to get more comfortable with the selling process via email marketing

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp191

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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190 | 10 Lessons Learned Through 10 Years in Business with Katie Hunt

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! This week marks the 10 year business birthday of Proof to Product! It was 10 years ago that I opened up enrollment for my first program that is now Paper Camp. I didn't have a website, email list and Instagram wasn't even a thing yet.

Things have sure come a long way since then and I am so glad that I trusted my gut and stuck with it. Since 2011 we've helped thousands of product based business owners get their products on the shelves of their favorite retailers, big or small!

In this episode, I am walking you through the 10 lessons I've learned over the last 10 years in business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How I started my business and realized there was a proof of concept
10 lessons I've learned through 10 years in business

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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189 | How Art Can Inspire Change and Positive Action in the World with Danielle Coke, Oh Happy Dani

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! I am so excited for today's interview with Danielle Coke of Oh Happy Dani. If you lived through the year of 2020 and are active on social media, I'm willing to bet that you've seen Dani's beautiful and impactful art making waves across the internet.

Dani is an illustrator, social justice advocate and entrepreneur. Her illustrations aim to make complex issues more digestible and provide practical ways to help others make a difference in their spheres of influence. Dani also is the founder of a social media agency, So Happy Social where she helps positive mission-based brands use social media for good.

In this episode, Dani and I chat about what 2020 was like for her as her illustrations began to go viral online. She gets into how she stays inspired to create, her process for creating new illustrations and how she holds boundaries with her audience. Her episode is a strong reminder that art is powerful and can inspire change and positive action in the world.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Dani got started as an illustrator
Her experience with starting her social media agency
How her post went viral during the rebirth of the Black Lives Matter movement
Dani's advice for people who want to inspire their own audiences
The biggest concerns she had after going viral
How she remains creative while processing and centering herself
The feelings she has about sharing messages on racial injustice, being an ally, systemic racism, etc.
Why you have to do what you want, even if "nobody else is doing it"
What Dani is more hopeful for in 2021

For Full Show Notes and Resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp189

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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188 | Providing Comfort for Grief and Loss Through Products with Janine Kwoh, Kwohtations

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! It's no secret that grief is hard. It comes with so many unexpected feelings and emotions.

My guest in this episode, Janine Kwoh, the owner and artist behind Kwohtations is no stranger to grief. Her own loss is what inspired her to create a product line to comfort people dealing with the pain of losing a loved one.

In this episode, we chat about her business and how she took it from a hobby to side hustle to her full-time gig. She also shares her experiences running her business as a one-woman show.

Janine and I chat about her process (she actually letterpress prints each card on an antique printing press and hand paints them all). She even shares her advice for other entrepreneurs and how lack of knowledge can sometimes be a benefit as a business owner!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What her mission means to her and how it came about
How Janine uses her life experiences as the anchor for her products
The response she's gotten from her product line
What identity means to her
Her transitions from hobby to side hustle to full time in her business
Why you have to work on your mindset constantly as a business owner
Her production process for her products
Janine's long term vision for her business
What types of products Janine creates
Her advice for people who are building their businesses
How not knowing how to do things can benefit you as an entrepreneur
Janine's self-help book that she's working on

For Full Show Notes and Resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp188

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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187 | How should I follow-up after a wholesale order with Katie Hunt

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! We all know that follow up is a key part of the sales process. But what about after you've received and shipped the order? Should you follow up then? What should you say?

These are the questions that commonly pop up within our Paper Camp community so I wanted to share with you on this episode. I've had conversations with hundreds of buyers about their follow up preferences and the large majority of them don't like follow-ups after orders.

Take a listen to hear what you should do instead to help foster purposeful relationships (while making their lives easier)!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why the majority of buyers don't like follow-up check-ins
What you should do INSTEAD of following up
Four ideas for adding value and creating meaningful touchpoints

RESOURCES:Paper Camp Proof to Product LABS

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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186 | Ethical Sourcing with Christy Asper, Paper Baristas

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Have you ever considered how the products you use on a day-to-day basis are made?

In this episode, I was joined by Christy Asper of Paper Baristas to talk about her journey of finding ethical manufacturing partners.

Paper Baristas is a paper goods company run by Christy and her husband Jon. They started their business to create ethically sourced products by beautiful people for a beautiful cause. They are on a mission to help fight modern-day slavery in the supply chain industry.

Christy shares some of the biggest takeaways she's encountered on her journey to ethical sourcing. She gives us insight into her biggest accomplishments and how she defines success in her business. Christy also shares her own experience as a Proof to Products Lab member and what big benefits she's had from being a part of the program.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What prompted Christy to start her business
The biggest challenges she faced in growing her business
What kinds of questions she was asking her manufacturing partners
Red flags that prevent her from working with a partner
Why she's passionate about putting out ethical products
How she incorporates ethical manufacturing into marketing
The big problem with modern-day slavery and manufacturing
What she's most proud of in her business
How Christy defines success within her business
The biggest benefit of being inside of Labs
What she's working on creating right now

For full show notes and resources, visit bit.ly/PTPEp186

l they do and use their business as a platform to give back while doing what they love. Their desire to sustainably source has made a tremendous impact in what they create and how they create. Paper Baristas products are proudly made with fair trade practices, a love for details and value on the lives of the people creating their products.

CONNECT WITH CHRISTY AND JON:

Website: https://www.paperbaristas.com/

Facebook: @paperbaristas

Instagram: @paperbaristas

Twitter: @PBaristas

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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From the Archives | 167 | Marketing for Virtual Tradeshows with Katie Hunt

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Hi Friends, Happy New Year! This week on the podcast we're rerunning three of my top podcast episodes focused on sales & marketing for wholesale. If wholesale is a revenue stream that you're working to grow, I invite you to join me for Paper Camp. Head to prooftoproduct.com/papercamp to get all the details and join our waitlist so you're the first to hear when doors open.

---------------

Hey friends! As more and more of you are dipping your toes into the world of virtual tradeshows I've been receiving questions on how to build out strategic marketing plans for these events.

That's why today I am exploring the tactics you can implement to help reach more of your wholesale customers at a virtual tradeshow event. You'll learn how you can determine if a virtual tradeshow is the right fit for you and your budget. I discuss using a tiered outreach system and all of the different avenues I recommend using (plus tips for optimizing each one!)

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Questions to ask yourself when considering attending a virtual tradeshow
Why I recommend a tiered outreach system
The importance of email marketing and getting in touch with your leads
How you should be utilizing snail mail before and after the show (and things you can include in mailings)
How to leverage your social media and tips for what to post, repurposing and being active
Why you should be customizing your online showroom
How you can make the most out of your marketing by making sure that your branding is cohesive and aligned with your overall marketing strategy

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp167

Join the Paper Camp E-Course Waitlist!

Since 2011, we've helped thousands of brands get their products on the shelves of their favorite shops - big and small. Our Paper Camp alumni can be found in Target, Nordstrom, Container Store, Barnes & Nobles, Urban Outfitters and independent boutiques around the world.

In Paper Camp we teach industry standards for product development, pricing, where to source your products and wholesale sales & marketing strategies. And, this fall we're adding some special content for how to navigate wholesale during covid. Specifically, how to reach out to stores without feeling slimy or salesy, how to market for online trade shows and how to leverage online tools for more sales.

Paper Camp sells out every time we offer it, so be sure to jump on the waitlist to get first dibs on tickets!

Registration closes August 29th and class starts August 31st!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

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From the Archives | Katie Hunt talking all things wholesale on Creative Biz Rebellion

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0400

---------------

Big thanks to Kelly and Caroline for having me on their show. If you're not already familiar with Creative Biz Rebellion, go check it out. Kelly and Caroline do an amazing job of supporting product based businesses through their programs and podcast. They were also guests on Proof to Product — visit the links below to find them over at Creative Biz Rebellion and here on Proof to Product.

Links:

Creative Biz Rebellion

Proof to Product with Caroline Hull (Ep 45)

Proof to Product with Kelly Parker Smith (Ep 56)

From the Archives | 144 | Coaching with Katie Hunt: When should I launch to wholesale?

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 09:00:00 -0400

---------------

Hey friends! We're going to be switching things up a little for today's episode. I've decided that once a month we'll be airing a live coaching session with one of my coaching clients or a Paper Camp alumni on the podcast. It'll be a short, hot seat format coaching session where the guest will talk about what they're working on and what they need help with. I'll be giving them my candid off the cuff advice, recommendations and even some homework because we're all about taking action!

For our first live coaching episode, I was joined by Paper Camp alumni, Shirlee Fisher of Quiet Lines Design. She has a few hesitations and questions about the timing of her launch and the wholesale market. We work through the three things she needs to prepare and make ready before the launch so she can launch her products confidently.

In this episode, we chat about lining up your launch with the release cycles of the stationery industry, why having 40+ skews will help you get more customers and why sometimes you have to wait until things are ready.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Shirlee got started in her business, Quiet Lines Design
What she's currently working on in her business and what she needs help with
Planning to launch to coordinate with certain events and cycles
Why you need to feel confident in what you're creating
Why the PTP team recommends having 48 skews during Paper Camp
How sometimes it's necessary to wait until things are ready
The biggest fears that Shirlee has about product launches
Katie's homework for Shirlee and listeners
Getting strategic with a tiered outreach approach to building relationships

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp144

185 | 4 Questions to Jump Start Your Strategy Planning with Katie Hunt

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Have you started your 2021 strategy planning yet? This was a question that I asked my Proof to Product LABS community and 55% of people who responded said yes while 45% answered no.

I know this year has been very different and the thought of planning for next week or even next month can lead to total overwhelm but yearly business planning is essential for your business' livelihood.

That's why I walked you through 4 steps to getting started with a simple business audit including 3 questions you have to ask yourself when strategizing for the new year! This is phase one of strategy planning and I shared phase two inside of the LABS community so if you want to hear that be sure to join our community and look out for the December group coaching replay.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What's holding some people back from strategy planning for 2021
4 steps to doing a simple business audit
The 3 questions to ask yourself when reflecting on the year
How to set 3-4 overarching priorities for your business

RESOURCES:Paper Camp Proof to Product LABS

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

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184 | 18 Million Thanks with Juliana & Ryan Kissick, Good Juju Ink

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! You're in for a fun episode today. I have Juliana and Ryan Kissick on the show to chat about their business, Good Juju Ink. Juliana founded Good Juju Ink in 2014 and the company is now run by herself, husband Ryan and their dear friend Marina Lieban.

The trio attended Paper Camp Conference in 2018 and it has been so much fun to watch their business blossom since. I was thrilled to talk to them in this episode about an amazing campaign they've been working on since the start of the pandemic called 18 Million Thanks.

You'll hear how they've incorporated a give-back program into their business model, their experience working with sales reps and the challenges they've faced as their business has grown. Juliana and Ryan share their perspectives on how they divide their responsibilities among each other and how you can get involved in their campaign to send handwritten thank-you notes to America's 18 million healthcare workers.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Their why behind the brand and the products they create
Ryan's thoughts when Juliana said she wanted to start Good Juju Ink
The best piece of advice Juliana got in the early stage of her business
How Juliana, Ryan and Marina came together and their roles within the business
How the 18 Million Thanks campaign came about
Their process for getting this campaign started
How you can get involved with the 18 Million Thanks campaign
How good Juju brings even more good juju
What they have coming next in their business

RESOURCES:

Fat Bunny Press

National Stationery Show

MEET JULIANA: Based in Oakland, California, Good Juju Ink was founded in 2014 by CEO Juliana (Juju) Kissick. Good Juju Ink's greeting cards, desktop stationery, home goods, and gifts harken a storybook nostalgia, frequently highlighting intricate flora and fauna while tonally striking the delicate balance of funny but tender, silly but sweet. With regard to manufacturing, only the highest quality of printing processes are utilized, including foil-stamping, letterpress, hand-stitch binding, and die-cutting. Good Juju Ink strives to be eco-friendly across all of their paper products, and a portion of all proceeds goes to Good Juju Ink's partner charities.

CONNECT WITH JULIANA:

Website: https://www.goodjujuink.com/

Facebook: @goodjujuink

Instagram: @goodjujuink

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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183 | Selling Your Business with Mary Beth Storjohann, Workable Wealth

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Today's episode was actually recorded in March of 2020 and given the topic, we didn't feel it was appropriate to air it when it was originally scheduled to be released. However, the story is really powerful and important so I wanted to share it with you and hope you gain the inspiration for how you can grow your business any way you want!

Thinking about selling your business? Even if you're still in the early stages of entrepreneurship or if you've been at it for quite some time, it's never a bad idea to at least consider the thought of one day selling your company. That's why I invited on a past guest, Mary Beth Storjohann of Workable Wealth.

Mary Beth was on the podcast for episode 28 and we talked about money misconceptions and the importance of knowing your numbers in business… Well, that has all paid off for her and today we talked about what it was like to sell her business. She shares the nitty-gritty of the decision-making process, how she weighed out the pros and cons, concerns she had and what non-negotiables she made sure were included in the contract (like the ability to work remote and live in Italy for 3 months out of the year!)

We discussed how her definition of success has evolved from the early days of business to now. She shares how this process gave her a glimpse into who she was and what was most important to her and she ultimately shares her candid advice to those who may be thinking about selling their business one day (and why you absolutely need a lawyer to help you with the process).

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Mary Beth defined success in the early days of her business
Mary Beth's experience with being approached with inquiries of buying and merging
Her initial reaction to Abacus expressing interest in purchasing her business
The concerns that came up that made Mary Beth decline the merger
Being offered the role of the Chief Marketing Officer to revamp their marketing
Her fears and frustrations around letting go of Workable Wealth
Weighing each layer of her decision on whether or not to do the merger
The non-negotiables that Mary Beth insisted on having in the company merger
Planning her dream life and putting it all in her merger contract
Keeping her rights to be able to run Workable Wealth
Lessons that she's learned about herself through this process
How Mary Beth defines success now
Her advice for something thinking about selling their own business

RESOURCES:

028 | Money Misconceptions & Financial Accountability with Mary Beth Storjohann, Workable Wealth

Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person How are brick & mortar shop owners navigating Covid-19? Interview Series

MEET MARY BETH:

Mary Beth Storjohann is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM) and has been a partner and Chief Marketing Officer with Abacus since 2019, following the merger with her firm, Workable Wealth. With over 14 years of experience in the financial services industry, she works as an author, speaker, and financial coach to apply a fun, albeit no-nonsense approach in working with entrepreneurial women and couples in their 30s – 50s across the country, helping them make smart, educated choices with their money.

CONNECT WITH MARY BETH:

Website: https://abacuswealth.comBlog: https://workablewealth.com/blog/

Podcast: https://workablewealth.com/wywpodcast/

Facebook: @workablewealth

Instagram: @marybstorj

Twitter: @marybstorj

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

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182 | How She Got 34,000 More Views on Her Website Using Pinterest with Rachel Ngom

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! I am really excited to be sharing the conversation I had with Rachel Ngom who is a business and lead generation expert. Rachel has a super interesting backstory where she went from being on food stamps with negative $400 in her checking account to running a multiple six-figure online business.

Rachel shared her entrepreneurial journey and what led her to where she is today. She talks about how she increased her web traffic by 34,000 views per month using Pinterest! She also shares her advice on using content to create a strong customer experience and putting yourself into the mind of your audience.

She and I discuss the importance of mindset work and professional development and why this is incredibly important for business growth. You'll also hear her tips on tools to use in your Pinterest strategy, what challenges she faced within her own business and why she recommends people use Pinterest as a part of their marketing strategy.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What motivated Rachel to start her business
Her entrepreneurial journey of starting in network marketing and learning the business
What Rachel does now to help purpose-driven entrepreneurs get more leads and sales
Why she's a big believer in following your gut
The process she put in place to get 34,000 views a month to her website form Pinterest
Why your Pinterest strategy is a long game
How to hone in on the types of things your audience is searching for
The conversion rate differences she's seen on content vs. product pins
How content helps you build that know, like and trust factor
Why niching down can help you hone in on your audience
The challenges Rachel has faced as she's grown her business
Why Rachel is passionate about incorporating self-development work into her life
Her advice for what to do with your Pinterest strategy for your business
Why she prefers Pinterest to Facebook and Instagram

RESOURCES:

Tailwind

Free Pinterest Class

Activate

MEET RACHEL: Rachel Ngom is the host of the She's Making an Impact Podcast. She is a business and lead-generation expert, helping purpose-driven female entrepreneurs drive more traffic, leads, and sales through Pinterest, blogging, and strategic use of automation.

Rachel went from being on food stamps with negative $400 in her checking account to a multiple-6-figure online business. She now helps others do the same with her signature courses and programs.

Rachel has lived in Kenya, met her husband in Senegal, got married in Morocco, and spent 2 years in France.

CONNECT WITH RACHEL:

Website: https://www.rachelngom.com/

Instagram: @shesmakinganimpact

Facebook: @rachelngombiz

Pinterest: @rachelngom

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

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181 | 6 ways to sell physical products with Katie Hunt

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Last week I got an email asking, "Do people really make money selling paper products and gift items?" I was floored! Based on the latest stats that I saw, the consumer products industry accounts for more than $635 billion with stationery alone raking in $8 billion.

The answer is an astounding yes. There are so many opportunities in this industry to make a good living and build a profitable and sustainable business. Many independent brands are pulling in over six and seven figures annually.

Hear the 6 ways that people are making money selling their physical products in this episode. I break down each one and give a few thoughts on each strategy and give a little bit of advice on choosing a path to get started.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

6 ways people are making money selling physical products
The basics about selling retail
What it means to sell wholesale
Why I don't typically recommend consignment
What a custom work project looks like
What it means to do a licensing deal
How you can partner with other brands
The path to getting started: choosing the right sales strategy for you

RESOURCES:

Paper Camp Proof to Product LABS Thimblepress x Moon & Lola collaboration Autumn Witt Boyd The Contract Shop

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

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180 | Exhibiting as an Emerging Artist with Jean Marie Sanchez, Little Feet's Opus

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! I'm really excited for you to listen in on today's episode with Jean Marie Sanchez of Little Feet's Opus. The story behind Jean's products is truly remarkable - each of them stems from personal stories of the strong women in her life and spreads joy, empowerment and relatable life moments.

Jean made an intentional goal to create products that are both inclusive and diverse. In our conversation, she talked about the ah-ha moment she had where she realized there was space in the market for a line of products.

She shares her experiences in the Emerging Artists section of NSS for two consecutive shows including the pros and cons of exhibiting as an emerging artist versus having your own booth. We also talked about how Jean defines success through the impact she makes on others.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Jean started her business
Jean's first steps after attending the National Stationery Show
What led her to go the wholesale route rather than brick and mortar
How Paper Camp helped her learn the playbook of the industry
The initial quantifying goals she set for her business
The benefits and drawbacks of participating in the Emerging Artists' section of NSS
What inspires Jean in her initiative of adding diversity and inclusiveness into her products
How she defines success in her business
What's coming up next for Little Feet's Opus

RESOURCES:National Stationery Show Paper Camp

MEET JEAN: I was born in Spring Valley NY, and currently live in Hamden CT with my two boys and husband. I have a bachelor's degree in Architecture from The City College of New York in NYC and over 20 years' experience in the design and construction field. During my career in architecture, I have written poetry and created artwork in wide variety of painting media including watercolor, acrylic, and pencils. I am an artist and most recently have paired my artwork with my poetry to create delightful and inspirational greeting cards. My designs bring forth a sense of empowerment and good juju.

CONNECT WITH JEAN:

Website: http://www.littlefeetsopus.com

Instagram: @littlefeetsopus

Facebook: @Little-Feets-Opus-153008271531822

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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179 | How to Host an Instagram Giveaway with Becca Stevens & Alison Tsang

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! If you've considered joining the Proof to Product LABS community then you'll enjoy today's episode. It's a really fun sneak peek of what we're doing inside the LABS community as I shared a snippet of a live Coffee Chat we had with our members on the things that they're trying within their business.

Our Coffee Chat conversations cover a wide range of topics but in this episode, you'll hear a small segment from our most recent session focused on Instagram Giveaways. I spoke with two business owners who have experience in hosting giveaways, Alison Tsang of Love Through Letterpress and Becca Stevens of Botanical Bright.

These two generously shared their experiences with recent Instagram giveaways. They touched on their goals, the structure they used for the campaigns, technology tools they used to assist and the outcomes they had. We all shared our opinions on the best time to do a giveaway, group giveaways and strategies to incentivize your customers during the purchasing process.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Their goals for their Instagram giveaway campaigns
What type of giveaway they did and their structure for it
Technology tools they used to track their giveaway
The outcomes Becca and Alison saw from this campaign
Their thoughts on participating in group giveaways
Pre-launch, mid-launch or post-launch: when is the best time to host a giveaway
Strategies around using incentives or discounts

MEET BECCA: Becca is a plant lover, artist and designer. She has turned her art into enamel pins as well as jewelry that she sells. Becca's intention as an artist is to create pieces that serve as a positive reminder throughout our day and connects us with the beauty around us.

CONNECT WITH BECCA:

Website: https://botanicalbright.com/

Facebook: @botanicalbright

Instagram: @botanicalbright

MEET ALISON: Alison Tsang owns Love through Letterpress where she sells stationery, prints, pins and home goods. Love through letterpress believes that words have power to create human connections and lift each other up. With each product purchase, her companies donates to the fight against human trafficking and empowering individuals transitioning out of poverty with sill development.

CONNECT WITH ALISON:

Website: http://www.lovethroughletterpress.com/

Facebook: @lovethroughletterpress

Instagram: @lovethroughletterpress

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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178 | 7 Ways to Enhance Your Customer Journey with Katie Hunt

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Today's episode is focused on 7 ways you can enhance your customer journey. Oftentimes we're so focused on capturing the sale and everything leading up to it. In reality, your customers' journey begins the moment that they learn about you.

This means the customer journey could start weeks or months before they ever step foot into your store or open your website to look through your shop. That's why it's critical to nail down the customer journey so you can create a tribe of raving fans for your brand. Take a listen, jot down some notes and begin to think about some of these tips and how you can implement them in your business to strengthen your customer's experience.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why you need to create a positive pathway for your customers
The 7 ways to enhance the customer journey
Where you can gather analytics from your customers
Examples of how you can survey your audience
Why you should map out your customer journey
Ideas for saying "thank you" to your customers
Why you need to train your team to creatively handle customer service
Why you need to give your customers the tools to be your biggest ambassadors
Consider how you can make improvements

RESOURCES:

169 | Strengthening Our Customer Experience with Jordan Kentris, A Good Day

146 | Leveraging point of sale systems in a brick & mortar with Biff Ulm, MN Nice Enough

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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177 | Covid Check-in with a Brick & Mortar Shop Owner with Biff Ulm, MN Nice Enough

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Today's guest is a familiar voice on the podcast. This conversation was with none other than Biff Ulm of MN Nice Enough and retail shop Zaiser's. I had a conversation with Biff earlier this year, pre-COVID (episode 146 if you want to take a listen) and it seems like it was an eternity ago!

I was so happy that Biff agreed to come back on to discuss his personal journey of being a store owner during the time of COVID. In this episode, Biff shares how his store sales have fluctuated this year and how his buying strategies have shifted from larger orders that were further out to smaller, more consistent orders. Biff talked about the new marketing strategies that his team and he have implemented to build relationships with their shop customers.

Be sure to listen closely to the two golden nuggets that Biff shared on not being afraid to fail and making a statement with your products!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

A rundown of Biff's shop
Biff's experience with closing and reopening during the pandemic
The safety measures they put in place for the store re-opening
How he dealt with managing his team and bringing on additional support
How his sales have been this year compared to other years
Shifts he's made within his wholesale buying tactics and strategies
What product makers and manufacturers can do to support their wholesale customers
Where they're sourcing products from during this pandemic
Biff's thoughts on seeing manufacturing processes slow down
Why he decided to go live daily to reach customers at home
What "easy buying" looks like for Biff
His views on having a pre-pack

RESOURCES:

MEET BIFF: Hello! My Name is Biff Ulm. Yes, that is my real name. I am a husband, father, creator, entrepreneur who is inspired by the outdoors and traveling. I own a retail store, Zaiser's, and wholesale company, MN Nice Enough. I am based in the heart of the Lake Country in Northern Minnesota.

CONNECT WITH BIFF: Website: https://www.mnniceenough.com/ Facebook: @mnniceenough Instagram: @mnniceenough

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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176 | Stop Relying on Social Media to Pitch Your Products with Mei Pak, Creative Hive Co

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! I am super excited for you to listen in on today's conversation with Mei Pak, founder of Creative Hive Co. and Tiny Hands. She's been running her creative, handmade business since 2006 and coaching makers since 2014. She even taught her husband how to start selling personalized art and now makes over $55,000 per month in sales!

Mei is all about creating a consistent income without relying too much on social media. In this episode, you'll hear the 4 steps for pitching your products to media outlets and the difference of proactive versus reactive marketing.

She talks about leveraging Facebook ads to generate sales and why she recommends learning, testing and DIYing over hiring an agency. We also touched on why you HAVE to know your numbers and ensure that your products are priced correctly before jumping into paid advertising.

This episode is jam-packed with SO much tactical, strategic advice and concrete examples - so grab a notebook and let's dive in!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The biggest mistake product based business owners making as they try to grow and scale
How Mei leverages press outreach
The 4 steps she takes to get mentioned in the media
Why you have to follow-up after a pitch
When is the best time to pitch products for inclusion in gift guides
How Facebook Ads are an underutilized tool for artists and makers
The importance of knowing your numbers
A less intimidating way to get your feet wet with paid advertising
Why she's starting a sister brand for her business
What she's doing in her business to make the experience richer for students
Her vision with having a membership program

RESOURCES:Creative Live

MEET MEI: I teach makers, artists and designers how to start a handmade business from scratch and grow it into a full time living (and more) with consistent traffic and sales to your website. I've been running my own creative, handmade small business since 2006, started coaching in 2014 and in 2019, taught my husband how to start his own online store selling personalized art for the family, which now makes $55,000/month in sales. My goal is to help you make a consistent income from selling your handmade products online, without using Etsy or relying too much on social media!

CONNECT WITH MEI:

Website: http://www.creativehiveco.com

Website: https://tinyhandsonline.com/

Instagram: @creativehiveco

Facebook: @creativehiveco

YouTube: @creativehiveco

Email: mei@creativehiveco.com

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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175 | Feeling Fragmented with Katie Hunt

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 08:00:00 -0400

I know 2020 hasn't been an easy year for any of us so I wanted to share a quick episode with you today about feeling fragmented.

This was a vulnerable episode for me to record, because I'm sharing my personal experience of feeling depleted and unfocused.

But, having talked with close friends, colleagues, clients and members of my communities -- I know I'm not alone in this.

People are tapped out. We're exhausted. We're mentally, emotionally and physically drained.

Take a listen to hear my experience with feeling fragmented this year and 5 important things to keep in mind as we continue to navigate through this "new normal".

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

A personal story about feeling fragmented
How I know I am not alone in this feeling
5 things to keep in mind

RESOURCES:165 | Gaining Focus and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs with Jessica Eley Friends of Proof to Product Facebook group

MEET KATIE: Katie Hunt is a business strategist, podcaster, mentor and mama to four. She helps product based businesses build profitable, sustainable companies through her conferences, courses and coaching programs.

CONNECT WITH KATIE:

Website: prooftoproduct.com

Instagram: @prooftoproduct

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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174 | What are 3PLs or Fulfillment Centers with Allen Befort, Givington's

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Fulfillment has been a hot topic in our Proof to Product communities lately so I wanted to bring on a special guest to chat about how fulfillment works from the 3PL side of things.

I was joined by Allen Befort of Givington's, a fulfillment company that pays attention to the small details so you can focus on the bigger picture of your business. Allen jokes that he kind of fell into starting this business with a friend. Seven years later they've seen great success and pride themselves on the relationships they've built with their customers and the genuine, personalized experience that they can create with their partners.

Allen and I covered a lot of ground in this episode and it's rich with information for anyone who may be considering outsourcing their warehousing and fulfillment process. We went over the logistics of working with a 3PL including how to know if you're ready, technology integrations they have, questions to ask when interviewing fulfillment centers and common pricing models. We also talk about why it's critical to build trust and relationships when outsourcing fulfillment.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What a third party logistics company or fulfillment center does
How Allen got into this business
The types of companies they usually work with
Key indicators that you might want to outsource this part of your business
How most of his clients have come to him
What you can do to best prepare for outsourcing fulfillment
How having barcodes helps to reduce human error
How pricing works for fulfillment centers
The best platforms for automating the fulfillment process
Using 3PLs for marketplace selling
Questions you should ask when considering outsourcing
Misconceptions that people have when it comes with working for 3PLs
How his company works with customers who have bulk, once a month shipments
What's coming next for his business

RESOURCES:Shopify WooCommerce WordPress Squarespace

MEET ALLEN: Married to Meg, with two cute blonde-haired kids and a third on the way. We live in Fayetteville, AR, an amazing town with a great community of friends. We kind of fell backwards into helping start and build Givington's in 2013 when one of our best friends was launching it and asked if we wanted to come along for the ride. 7 years later...we're still here. Personally, I have a deep love for Chipotle and Tottenham Hotspur soccer.

CONNECT WITH ALLEN:

Website: https://givingtons.com

Instagram: @givingtons

Facebook: @givingtons

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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173 | Creating Social Change Through Products & Intentional Business Practices with Betsy Garcia, Bloomwolf Studio

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! I am really excited for you to listen in to today's episode with Betsy Garcia of Bloomwolf Studio. Betsy was on her way to medical school when she decided she wanted to pursue the small business life and sell her art. Bloomwolf Studio is a Latina owned & operated illustration and design studio based in Orlando that strives to create change through art and messaging.

In this powerful and transparent episode, Betsy and I talk about the mission behind Bloomwolf and how Betsy and her husband Luis actively weave their personal beliefs into their everyday business practices.

Betsy shares details about developing and expanding her product line, including mistakes they made in their first product runs.

We also talked about business finances. At the beginning of 2020, Betsy and Luis set out to increase their annual revenue by 25% and they exceeded this in the first 8 months of the year. Betsy talks about tools they use to track their financial progress and what they've done to pivot their business model to stay on track with these financial goals, despite the pandemic.

And, we capped off the convo talking about TikTok. How she's using it to promote her brand and products, how she gained 7,500 users in her first month on the platform and what she does to plan out her marketing for the year.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why she decided to start a business instead of pursuing medical school
How they got started with zero background in business
Their process of developing their first products
How Betsy decided which products to add into her line
Why she's decided to be more vocal about social issues and the action steps they're taking
Her process for planning out her marketing strategy
How she and Luis decided to reach for a 25% increase in annual revenue
What they've done to pivot this year to stay on track toward financial goals
New things they've implemented that weren't in their 2020 plan
Where they're currently at in their revenue goal
Tools they use to track their financial progress
Her experience with using TikTok for her business

RESOURCES:

Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine

MEET BETSY:

Bloomwolf Studio is a Latina owned & operated illustration and design studio based in Orlando, Florida.

Launched by husband and wife, Luis Sosa and Betsy Garcia, Bloomwolf Studio was started in November of 2015 after Betsy forewent her plans of applying to medical school. With the unwavering support of Luis, and no formal art training, Betsy began illustrating again in the summer of 2015, after not doing so for many years. This period helped renew her passion for art and helped cement her purpose, pushing her to follow her dreams of pursuing art as a career. Since then, thanks to Betsy's passion and determination and Luis's continued support, Bloomwolf Studio has evolved into the creative business it is today and has exhibited at national trade shows, participated in hundreds of pop-up markets, and their products are carried in over 400 small shops and boutiques nationwide. Bloomwolf's small, but mighty team of three is now based in sunny Orlando.

CONNECT WITH BETSY:

Website: https://bloomwolfstudio.com

Instagram: @bloomwolfstudio

Facebook: @bloomwolfstudio

TikTok: @bloomwolfstudio

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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172 | Faire Summer Market Recap with Katie Hunt

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Today I want to chat with you about the recent Faire Summer market and share both insights and concerns after leading hundreds of people through what is likely our first of many online trade shows.

I'm happy to report that our Paper Camp alumni community and LABS members had some strong sales during the show. Some received a handful of orders, while others secured more than 40 orders in a two day span. In addition to the cash influx, I was pleased to hear that many in our community received wholesale orders from new stores they had never worked with and many had reorders from past accounts who were reconnecting.

In this episode I'm walking you through pros and cons of these types of shows, why I'm not a fan of discounting your products to get sales and why you should continue your marketing post-show.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Benefits of the Faire Summer Market
Concerns about the Faire Summer Market
Why I don't like discounting to get sales
My reasoning behind why you shouldn't be overly reliant on a single tool for your business.
Why you should continue your marketing efforts beyond any specific show
The non-financial benefits of doing a show

RESOURCES:The Glory Days Co.

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

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171 | How to Take Professional Product Photos with Your Smart Phone with Chaitra Radhakrishna, PinkPot Studio

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! With the world being such a visual place, more and more of our customers are relying on product photography to tell them a story. We only have a few seconds to quickly grab our customers' attention and get them engaged in what we're selling.

That's why in this episode I'm talking with Chaitra Radhakrishna. Chaitra is the founder of PinkPot Studio, a Shopify design and photography studio specifically for product-based business owners.

Chaitra shared so much valuable information in this episode about how to nail your product photography. You'll hear about the 7 different product shots that you can take (and tips on deciding which shots to take). She also shares her 5 step process for taking photos with your smartphone which, spoiler alert: you don't need to invest in fancy equipment or tools.

Be sure to listen with a notebook handy because she gives us so many insider tips on using the "rule of thirds", apps she recommends for editing photos and her secret formula for editing photos in lightroom: making the whites low, turning the highlights up, going high on shadows and low on blacks.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Common mistakes business owners make when it comes to product photography
The 7 different product shots all business owners need to know about
Her 5 step process for taking product photos with your smartphone
Why she recommends shooting on cloudy days
What the "rule of thirds" is and why you need to keep it in mind when shooting product shots
Her app recommendations for editing photos
Chaitra's opinion on using Lightroom presets
What tools she suggests you use in Lightroom instead of presets
Her advice on not over editing your photos
What services she offers in her business, PinkPot Studio

RESOURCES:Rifle Paper Co. Instagram Bloomwold Studio TikTok Snapseed Adobe Lightroom Free 5 Day Product Photography Course

MEET CHAITRA: Chaitra is the founder of PinkPot Studio, a Shopify design + photography studio for product-based businesses. With over 4 years of experience in web design & development in the software industry, she started her own design studio in 2015 when she moved from India to the United States. New country, new business - it was nerve-wracking, but luckily her business took off and she never looked back. She thrives on helping women entrepreneurs create a bigger visual impact online and grow their businesses through conversion focused Shopify design and product photography. She has been featured and spoken at Alt summit, Craftcation, Snap conference, ConvertKit and Creative market among others.

CONNECT WITH CHAITRA: Website: https://www.itspinkpot.comInstagram: @pinkpot.studio Facebook: @pinkpotxo Pinterest: @pinkpotxo

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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170 | Running a Business Remotely with Christine Herrin, Everyday Explorers Co.

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Ever considered what it might be like to run a business remotely? Or even in a completely different country? That's exactly what today's guest, Christine Herrin did when she moved to the Philippines for a year while continuing to run her business in the United States.

Christine has such a cool story and was actually chosen to participate in the Adobe Creative Residency Program in 2016 which is where she initially began building her product-based business, Everyday Explorers Co.

Christine and I covered a lot in this episode around what that residency program was like and how she got started in her business. She shares what processes and systems she put in place to run her business while living overseas. She talks about how she leveraged her strong relationship with her manufacturer and outsourced fulfillment while she was abroad.

Christine is a member of our PTP LABS community and a Paper Camp alumni. It's been so amazing to watch her business grow and evolve. There's a lot to learn in this episode -- systems, processes as well as how she created a monthly release cycle for her direct to consumer sales channel Listen in for all her tips!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Christine's experience of being chosen to be in the Adobe Creative Residency program
How she started working on her business during the residency program
What types of products and how many SKUs she has within her business
How she merged her scrapbooking and travel interests with the business needs
Her process of managing new product releases
How she keeps up with discontinuing products with frequent launches
How she's used assets from past stamp kits for new product development
What systems and processes she put in place when moving from the U.S. to the Philippines
What it was like working with a fulfillment center and how she decided which one to use
How she set up a production schedule for herself
Her marketing strategy for the one-month release cycle of products
Why she feels like product makers shouldn't be afraid to innovate and push beyond "industry standards"
What's coming next with Christine and Everyday Explorers Co.

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp170

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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169 | Strengthening Our Customer Experience with Jordan Kentris, A Good Day

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Have you ever considered what it might be like to marry your interests and passions within your business? In this episode, I brought on Jordan Kentris of A Good Day, a bespoke experience studio specializing in custom stationery, events, branding and user experience.

Jordan has taken his love for physical products and his background in User Experience (UX) to create a better customer journey for his clients. We talk about what he's done to create this process for his customers and the benefits that come with developing a strong focus on customer experience.

He gives us a better look into how you can incorporate this into your email marketing strategy and what data you should be looking for to create change within your business. Be sure to take notes because Jordan shares a few concrete strategies you can implement and his favorite tech tools for tracking customer engagement on your website.

If you want to learn more from Jordan, join us in Proof to Product LABS. He's one of our LABS members and we have a special Coffee Chat coming up where he'll answer user experience questions for the group!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How he's begun to merge the two sides of his business together
Why this work is important to Jordan
How he goes about creating a strong user experience
What you can do to create and market your products in a way that relates to your ideal customer
Why Jordan doesn't like focus groups
The direct benefits he's experienced by placing a strong focus on customer experience
What you should be looking for within your analytics to create change
His recommendations on the UX, user experience and customer journey for people on your email list
How email marketing can give the feeling of a one on one conversation with customers
How Jordan defines success in his business and life
What he's focusing on for the rest of the year within his business

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp169

SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT

Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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168 | Reframing a 'No' Into a 'Not Right Now' with Tiffany McGraw, Paper Rehab

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! It's no secret that putting yourself out there can be a huge hurdle for many entrepreneurs. In today's episode, I was joined by Paper Camp Alum and LABS member, Tiffany McGraw of Paper Rehab. Tiffany gives us insight into her own experience of overcoming the vulnerability of pitching herself as an entrepreneur by reframing the word "no" to "not right now" in her mind.

Tiffany has a wonderful mission behind her brand which was designed to normalize and focus on mental health care, especially for those in the African American community. She initially started her business to fulfill her dream of seeing herself reflected on greeting cards.

She shares so much wisdom in this episode about how she overcame challenges that she's faced in her business, mindset changes she made around making a living selling greeting cards and why you need to know your "why" for doing what you do.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

One thing Tiffany wishes she knew before starting her business
What she was doing before starting Paper Rehab
How her calling of creating a greeting card line followed her into all of her positions
The main focus and mission of Tiffany's product line
Where she pulls inspiration from for her greeting cards
Challenges that she faced within her first year of business
How she discovered PaperCamp and made the decision to do it
Mindset shifts she's had to overcome around making a living in this career path
Revenue streams that she's set up for her business
Tiffany's thoughts on knowing your "why"
Why she reframes "no" to "not right now"
What's next for Tiffany and Paper Rehab
Her advice on taking opportunities and being consistent

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp168

Join the Paper Camp E-Course Waitlist!

Paper Camp sells out every time we offer it, so be sure to jump on the waitlist to get first dibs on tickets!

Registration opens August 24th and class starts August 31st!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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167 | Marketing for Virtual Tradeshows with Katie Hunt

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! As more and more of you are dipping your toes into the world of virtual tradeshows I've been receiving questions on how to build out strategic marketing plans for these events.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Questions to ask yourself when considering attending a virtual tradeshow
Why I recommend a tiered outreach system
The importance of email marketing and getting in touch with your leads
How you should be utilizing snail mail before and after the show (and things you can include in mailings)
How to leverage your social media and tips for what to post, repurposing and being active
Why you should be customizing your online showroom
How you can make the most out of your marketing by making sure that your branding is cohesive and aligned with your overall marketing strategy

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp167

Join the Paper Camp E-Course Waitlist!

Paper Camp sells out every time we offer it, so be sure to jump on the waitlist to get first dibs on tickets!

Registration closes August 29th and class starts August 31st!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

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166 | Connecting with Customers with Kate Murray, Quick Brown Fox Letterpress

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! As we all continue to navigate through this pandemic it's important that you continue to connect with your customers and build strong relationships with them.

Something as simple as checking in with your wholesale clients or retail customers can go a long way in making them feel cared for. That's exactly what today's guest, Kate Murray of Quick Brown Fox Letterpress has done to make sure she's supporting her customers.

In this episode, Kate shares her story of how she got started in the printing industry. She talks about how she saved an old letterpress from the scrapyard and spent three months bringing it back to life. Kate and I talk about the various trade shows she's done and her different revenue streams. She also discusses the biggest challenges she faces within her business and her plans for expanding her product line beyond just stationery.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Kate got started with Quick Brown Fox Letterpress
Her process for finding her first letterpress
Kate's experience of doing a kick starter campaign
The restoration process of the letterpress she purchased
How Kate got into wholesale and her first tradeshow from the beginning
What revenue streams Kate has within her business
Her experiences with doing trade shows
What types of marketing she uses to reach her customers
Why now is the time to check up on and support each other
How she's built a community for stationery designers
The most challenging part of running and building her business over the last 5 years
What she's most proud of in her business
What's next for her business

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp166

Join the Paper Camp E-Course Waitlist!

Paper Camp sells out every time we offer it, so be sure to jump on the waitlist to get first dibs on tickets!

Registration opens August 24th and class starts August 31st!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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165 | Gaining Focus and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs with Jessica Eley

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Does being an entrepreneur ever make you feel overwhelmed? Maybe you're having tons of business success and checking things off of your to-do list but you still don't feel satisfied at the end of the day.

I'm a firm believer in creating strategic plans and taking action in business. Sometimes, however, our mindset, boundaries, personal beliefs and the stories we tell ourselves can make executing those plans harder than necessary. In this episode, I was joined by Jessica Eley, a mindset coach that helps high-achieving entrepreneurs get where they want to go (while enjoying the path there).

We explore the practices and strategies you can use to boost your confidence and change your mindset. Jessica shares why it might be success that's actually holding you back in business and why you must always remind yourself that you have options!

Jessica and I discuss pushing forward, what to do if you're feeling stretched thin and taking the time to understand what you truly want to be doing.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Who Jessica works with and how she helps them
Her advice for people who are feeling maxed out and stretched thin
How to shift the way you're thinking into a more positive outlook
Why it's essential to consider all of your options
Why Jessica believes that success holds people back more than failure
How to push forward into the success you want to build
Why you have to let go of identities that you feel like you have to have
Tools you can use to boost your confidence and mindset
How "or thinking" is slowing you down
What types of programs Jessica offers

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp165

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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164 | Building a Multi-Faceted Creative Business with Amber Kemp-Gerstel, Damask Love

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:09:12 -0400

Hey friends! Have you ever wondered what it might be like to turn your hobby into a business? That's exactly what today's guest, Amber Kemp-Gerstel did and today she came on to talk about her journey in the crafting industry.

Amber is a powerhouse. Not only does she have a blog called Damask Love but she also runs YayDay Paper Co., selling digital products and leveraging a subscription model. You might recognize her from NBC's TV show, Making It (she was a finalist in 2018) or from being the host of Disney Family Sundays on Disney+.

In this episode, she talks about how she got into her business and how she was able to start working with big brands in the industry. She shares some tips for how she sends pitches and why you have to make it really easy for people to say, 'yes!'

We also talk about why representation matters and how the creative community can step up to uplift other artists, crafters and makers of color. This is very important work that we're taking seriously at Proof to Product and I appreciated her for sharing her thoughts and opinions about how we can take steps forward with grace (even though we may make mistakes along the way).

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Amber went from working in family and child psychology to being a strong force in the crafting world
The lightbulb moment where she realized it was time to quit her job
How she got into working with brands like JoAnn Fabrics and Martha Stewart Living
What Amber includes in pitches she sends to brands
Why you should make it simple for people to say "yes" to you
Why she decided to do a business model built off of digital products and leveraging a subscription model
Her tips for marketing your products to your audience
How Amber makes her voice heard despite the lack of diversity and visibility for women of color in the crafting space
Why representation is needed in every industry
Why you should do the things you can practically do to better the community for everyone
What Amber is working on right now in her businesses

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp164

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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163 | Coaching with Katie Hunt: Which Revenue Stream Should I Focus On?

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! I know right now has been a very confusing time for so many of us... I actually brought on Meg Sutton today for a hot seat episode to really dive deep into where she should be focusing in her business.

You might be familiar with Meg as she has been on the podcast a few times before and is a long time client of mine. Meg Sutton is the boss lady and doodler behind Belle and Union and As her company has evolved and COVID has changed the economy, she's felt unsure of where she should be focusing her time and energy to ensure long-term stability for her business.

We take a look into her numbers including income percentages, expenses, the challenges she's facing and her future goals. We did an exercise and I gave her some of my best advice to help her gain some clarity around what channels of her business she should make her priority.

The chat I had with Meg revealed some things that she could focus on and think about over the next few months. I advised her to take a deep look at what she could do to cut down expenses in her brick and mortar shop and why she should do some forecasting when looking into her next brick and mortar location. I know many seasoned business owners are facing similar situations to what Meg is going through right now so I wanted to share this conversation in hopes it could inspire you and help bring clarity for you in your own business!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What Meg does in her business, Belle & Union
What she's working on and what she needs help with right now in her business
The things that Meg is hoping to rethink business-wise
What her business revenue looks like for the wholesale, retail and custom channels
What her time, money, heart and impact looks like in relation to those channels
Katie's advice for Meg about referring out for the custom side of her business
What Katie advised Meg to do about the wholesale and retail side of her business
Meg's experience with the landlords for her retail space and thoughts about moving spaces
Katie's homework for Meg around vision planning, trimming expenses and forecasting

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp163

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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162 | Pinterest Strategies with Diana Keeler, A+ Pins

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Does Pinterest sometimes feel like just another social media platform you have to keep up with? I'm here to tell you this: it's so much more than that. Pinterest is a powerful search engine, much like Google and by leveraging your Pinterest strategy, you could potentially be bringing tons of traffic to your website.

That's why I wanted to bring on Diana Keeler. Diana has worked for and contributed to some of the biggest editorial outlets in the world and now works with retailers and editors to capture the attention of new readers and potential buyers on Pinterest.

Today Diana and I talk about playing the long game of Pinterest. We talk about everything from how to get started, why you need to optimize your pins and keywords and what tools to use to create a consistent pinning strategy. We also chat about the Verified Merchant Program that Pinterest recently rolled out and why you should consider investing in advertising on Pinterest.

If you're ready to up your Pinterest strategy or want to learn how to bring over more people to your website from Pinterest then this is the episode for you!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Misconceptions that people have about using Pinterest
How she got nearly 150,000 sessions to her blog from Pinterest
How she's seen growth on her email list with little incentives
Mistakes that people make when getting started on Pinterest
Why you need to have clear descriptions for your pins
Why your Google Analytics is more valuable than Pinterest's analytics tools
The tool she recommends to simplify your Pinterest strategy
The type of graphics you should focus on when creating pins
Why you need to claim your website and have a business account on Pinterest
How Pinterest is upping their game for product makers using the Verified Merchant Program
What Diane does to help people grow a stronger Pinterest presence
Her thoughts on why you should be using Pinterest ads

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp162

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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161 | Optimizing Our Website with Jessica Freeman, Jess Creatives

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Did you know that when someone lands on your website you only have 5 seconds to capture their attention? That's not a lot of time, so I wanted to bring on an expert to help you better understand how you can maximize those 5 seconds and get people to stick around longer.

Whether you've been in business for many years or are just getting started you're in for a treat with this guest, Jessica Freeman. Jessica Freeman is the founder of Jess Creatives. She is a web designer, tech strategist, and an expert in all things SEO and website optimization. Jessica is someone who has a wealth of knowledge in this field and has been a huge help to me and my business for the last five years.

She shares so much helpful insight today about leveraging keywords for SEO (including how to research keywords and where to put them on your website). We talk about the mistakes many business owners make on their websites so you know exactly what to avoid!

We chat about everything from navigation bars and product thumbnails to her thoughts on using carousel images. She also shares tools you can use for research and analyzing your audience's behavior. Be sure to stick around to the end to hear the three takeaways that I want you to get from this episode!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The biggest mistakes she sees people making on their websites
Strategies you can utilize to maximize the first 5 seconds that a visitor arrives on your website
Why Jessica doesn't recommend using carousel images on your website
Her advice on minimizing the number of navigation buttons
Jessica's thoughts on putting product thumbnails on your homepage
Why SEO is important for online businesses (especially product-based business owners)
How to do keyword research for your SEO strategy
The details you should be looking for when doing your keyword searches
Where you should include keywords on your website
How often you should look at Google Analytics and the things you should analyze
Her thoughts on heat map tools and how to use them to better understand your audience
Jessica's advice for new business owners on optimizing their websites from the start
The advice she has for seasoned business owners on gaining more visibility on Google searches

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp161

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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160 | Creating Sister Brands with Stephanie Clarke, Dahlia Press & Chloe Clarke Paper

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Splitting your company into two sister brands is not for everyone. However, it could be an option for you if you are finding yourself with very different product offerings (and a discrepancy in exactly who you're targeting). That was the case for today's guest, Stephanie Clarke.

Some of you might remember Stephanie as she's been on the podcast before. If you need a refresher, make sure to go back and listen to Episode 21 where we talked about how she's built her team and her packaging solutions. Stephanie is the founder of two sister brands, Dahlia Press and Chloe Clarke Paper. Dahlia Press is her wholesale and direct to consumer business and her new brand, Chloe Clarke Paper was created for custom work such as wedding invitations and branding projects.

In this episode, you'll get to hear her story of what inspired her to split her company into two different brands. This has been a great move for Stephanie both personally and professionally and she shares how it's improved the quality of her life and business.

Stephanie gives us insight into what she did to make this dream a reality including who she leaned on for support during this transition and the things she did to make it go as smoothly as possible. If this is something you've been considering for your business, you'll want to listen closely as she shares her advice on moving forward with this transition.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Stephanie's business model has changed over the past year
How separating the brands has helped to smooth processes of marketing, communication and more
Stephanie's decision of deciding to split the brands
How her decision has improved her quality of life and the ways the business runs
Her reasoning behind the naming of her businesses
What tactics and messaging she used for her rollout
The timeline of creating the sister brand, Chloe Clarke Paper
What kind of help Stephanie hired to make this vision a reality
The things she did early on to make this transition seamless
What tools she uses for her social media strategy
Her advice for someone who is considering making a similar transition
What's in the works for Dahlia Press and Chloe Clarke Paper

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp160

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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159 | How & When to Discontinue Product with Katie Hunt

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0400

We spend years growing our product lines, working hard to add more SKUs and expanding into new product categories. But at what point is it too much? How much product is too much? On today's Proof to Product episode, Katie Hunt talks explains when you should consider discontinuing product. She also offers strategies for what to do with your discontinued inventory to recoup some costs. ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

When is an appropriate time to discontinue products
When you shouldn't discontinue something
How to get rid of inventory when you decide to discontinue a product
An example of a flash sale or fire sale
Why donating discontinued products might be a good option for you
Why you might want to bring in someone else for a fresh perspective

Full show notes at: https://bit.ly/PTPEp-159

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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158 | Creating Workflows for Her Business with Stephanie Harvey, exit343design

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Slow and steady growth is how strong businesses are built. This is something that I strongly believe and is exactly what today's guest, Stephanie Harvey has done as she has grown her business.

Stephanie Harvey is the artist and entrepreneur behind exit343design. She's a Paper Camp alumni who's been in the business since falling in love with screen printing during college in 2007. What first started as a passion project and side hustle evolved into her full-time gig after a 10 year slow and organic growth.

She and I dive deep into the marketing strategies she uses to nurture the retail and wholesale sides of her business including how she leverages email and why she's gotten into blogging.

We also explore why she's building an operations manual to document the systems and processes within her business. You'll get to hear what tools she recommends for building these systems and how she uses them to set up her processes. Stephanie also shares what she wishes she knew before starting her business and why it's important to be frugal, but not cheap when making investments into your business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Stephanie started her business and what products she sells
Why Stephanie believes in slow, organic growth
What sales channels Stephanie uses for her business
How Stephanie has built the retail side of her business and what marketing tactics she's used
Stephanie's experience of using blogging to grow her business
How she leverages email for her retail and wholesale business
Incorporating workflows to make things run more smoothly
What Stephanie does to approach her workflow process
The tools that she uses to manage her inventory
What Stephanie wishes she knew before starting her business
Stephanie's plans for what's next in her business

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp158

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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From the Archives | Why you can't rely solely on social media for sales with Nicole Walters, The Monetized Life

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0400

This week, we are amplifying the voices of black artists and business leaders by re-running three of our previous episodes.

Have you ever come home from a long day at your corporate job and realized like, "Okay, so my job is feeding my family, but definitely not my soul." What do you do? Well, today's Proof to Product guest is telling us how she figured it out. By age 28, Nicole Walters was a highly-paid executive at a Fortune 500 company, managing multibillion dollar accounts, but something wasn't right. So Nicole quit her corporate job, and she made waves when she quit in front of 10,000 people while live streaming on Periscope. She went on to open her own private business and product development consulting firm, The Monetized Life.

As Nicole's audience ramped up so did her revenue—she made $11,000 in the first three weeks of working with small business clients full time. Now, when she's not hanging out with her husband and their three foster kids, she shares her secrets to earning "passive income" with other entrepreneurs through her wildly popular online course, 1K1Day. "I teach people how to add commas to their bank accounts," says Nicole. "They learn that they don't have to trade time for money."

On today's episode, Nicole and I sit down to talk about common mistakes she sees eager entrepreneurs making and why old school sales strategies still work. We also talk about why you can't rely solely on social media for sales, the importance of having multiple revenue streams and why you need to treat your business like a business from day one.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Common mistakes Nicole sees eager entrepreneurs making
Tips on where to focus your marketing time and money
The problem of relying on social media platforms
Benefits of sticking with the old school methods
What really gets customers in the door
How to make a 40-50 hour work week feel like 4 hours
The lessons Nicole took from corporate life and applied as an entrepreneur
Her strongest marketing tool today
Nicole's favorite success stories
How saying no is a form of self care
Advice for brand new business owners and entrepreneurs experiencing growing pains
The importance of acting like a business from the get-go
What success looks like for Nicole today

For full show notes and resources, head to https://bit.ly/FromtheArchives

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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From the Archives | Shifting the maker mindset with Genesis Duncan, Graphic Anthology

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0400

This week, we are amplifying the voices of black artists and business leaders by re-running three of our previous episodes.

When we first start our businesses, more often than not, we don't have the big picture idea of what our brand or business will look like down the road. So many of us embark on this so-called maker's journey, where we truly discover our strengths, opportunities, and long term vision for our business. Lucky for us, one of our talented Paper Camp alumni, Genesis Duncan of Graphic Anthology, is joining us today on Episode 138 of Proof to Product to share her experience and advice for other makers on the path.

Based in Portland, Oregon, Genesis started Graphic Anthology in 2010 with just three art prints and an Etsy shop. Almost a decade later, her product line has grown to include a wide range of greeting cards and gift items that focus on joy, simplicity, and strengthening relationships with those you love most.

Today's episode is a powerful one and I know it will resonate with many of you. We talk about how Genesis started her business as a creative outlet and hobby, and why she had to shift her mindset and step into her role and title as an entrepreneur and business owner. Genesis also shares how adding a line of Spanish greeting cards was not only beneficial to her business, but also her personal development.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What products Genesis makes and sells
The sales channels she utilizes
How she decided to start her own business
Life's hurdles and how they led Genesis to where she is today
Finding silver linings and following your heart
Advice for shifting your mindset from maker to business owner
How Genesis manages the tactical aspects of Graphic Anthology
The importance of picking deadlines and sticking with them
How Paper Camp helped solidify her business mindset
What Genesis does to differentiate her products in the market
Testing products, taking risks, and discovering new segments
Advice for other small business owners and creative CEOs

For full show notes and resources, head to https://bit.ly/FromtheArchives

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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From the Archives | The long game of licensing & surface pattern design with Jeanetta Gonzales

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0400

This week, we are amplifying the voices of black artists and business leaders by re-running three of our previous episodes.

Today we have a great episode in store for you with guest Jeanetta Gonzales, a Los Angeles-based graphic designer, and illustrator. Jeanetta began her career as a graphic designer working for corporate companies such as WedMD, Mattel and The Disney Store. She later parlayed her digital and fine art skills into surface design working as a textile designer and style guide designer for consumer products and creating illustrations and art that she licenses to manufacturers for products sold online and in major retail stores. On top of all of this, Jeanetta also runs her own online store where she sells her art on print items, mugs, fabric, home decor items and more.

On today's episode, Jeanetta shares her experience with licensing and tells us why you have to be in it for the long game. We talk about why relationships are so important in business, why it's necessary to create art and products with a unique point of view, and her goal to spread joy through a variety of creative means.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Common misconceptions that creative entrepreneurs have about licensing their work
Tips for people that are putting together their portfolio
How Jeanetta defines her artistic style and keeps it original
The importance of experimenting
What it took to overcome fears of failure and success
Her 10 year journey of learning and creating
When Jeanetta started to see traction in own design work
What she learned from tradeshows
Being okay with not being perfect
Pivoting from her day job and shifting into licensing
Jeanette's favorite products to produce
Her advice for other creative entrepreneurs and what's coming up next

For full show notes and resources, head to https://bit.ly/FromtheArchives

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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157 | How Do I Pay Myself As A Business Owner with Katie Hunt

Tue, 26 May 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Are you making sure to pay yourself for your work? There's often a big misconception that only new business owners struggle with how to pay themselves for their time, effort and expertise. However, it's no secret that both new and experienced entrepreneurs run into this problem from time to time.

I wanted to make things a little easier for you so in this episode I shared two simple strategies for how to pay yourself based on where you're at in your business. You'll hear why you need to pay yourself, how to choose a format of payment that works for you and why you should get on a payment schedule. I also explored why you should keep it simple (and automate where possible), the importance of revisiting your numbers as things change and of course, why you should seek advice from a CPA or financial planner.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The misconception that only new business owners struggle with paying themselves
How I paid myself at the beginning of my business
My recommendations for paying yourself as an experienced business owner
How you can look at data and analytics as a point of reference in when making decisions about how much to pay yourself
What to look at when deciding how to use your profits

For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp157

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join the wait list for Proof to Product Labs, our new group coaching experience coming soon!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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156 | Successful Hiring Strategies with Natalie Gingrich, The Ops Authority

Tue, 19 May 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Are you ready to get back time in your business to work on the projects and tasks that you really love? The ones that will help you to move the needle further toward your goal?

If you've been busy doing all of the things then you might be wondering if now is the right time to hire in your business. That's why I brought on Natalie Gingrich from The Ops Authority. Natalie has been in operations for two decades and now she helps online business owners with support and strategy for the operational side of their business.

We get into everything you could possibly want to know about the best hiring practices. She shares how you'll know when is the right time to hire and how you can get crystal clear on the job you're looking to hire for. Natalie explains why this is critical and how an application is a key component in finding the right team member for the role.

She and I discuss how to measure the value that team members are adding to your business. She also discusses why you'll want to invest a good amount of time in hiring to avoid mishaps like turnover or unrealistic expectations on either side of the hiring process.

This episode is packed with so much hiring wisdom so grab a notebook, listen closely and be sure to download Natalie's free hiring guide for the next time you're looking to outsource in your business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Natalie knew she was ready to hire her first team member within her business
Pain points and indicators to be on the lookout for when deciding if it's time to hire
What you should think about when deciding what to DIY and what to outsource
How to get crystal clear on what the needs are in your business
Why you need to create a true job description to reduce turnover
How to find the right people for the job
Her advice on choosing the right candidate at the right price for the job
How to measure your return on investment using key results areas
Natalie's thoughts on trial periods and onboarding processes
How you can use the Hiring Plan for your next hire
Her plans for launching an association and what's coming next in her business

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp156

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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155 | Using a Fulfillment Warehouse with Jomana Siddiqui, Pences Design Studio

Tue, 12 May 2020 08:00:00 -0400

How amazing does it sound to have someone else take over your packing and shipping needs? Think about it… How many hours a day (or even a week) could that save you?

Having a fulfillment warehouse that takes care of this for you could lend you time in your busy schedule. It might even be able to save you money in the long run. In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking about that with Paper Camp Alum, Jomana Siddiqui.

Jomana is the creative behind 3, yes you heard that right, 3 different businesses. She runs a graphic design business called Pences Design Studio, a retail business named modernEID all while authoring a lifestyle blog.

We get into what her experience was with working with a manufacturing company in China. Plus, the hiccup she faced after working with them. She shares how using a fulfillment center changed her business for the better. Jomana also discusses how connections and being in the right place at the right time can help land partnerships with brands you dream of working with.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Jomana got started with her three different businesses
How she balances the time she spends on each of her companies
Using content batching to get work completed
Her manufacturing process and how it's evolved over time
How working with a fulfillment center was a huge turning point in her business
Jomana's worries about using a fulfillment center
Her experience of working with a manufacturing company in China
The process she went through to find new manufacturers
How her partnerships with Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Walmart came about
What she wishes she'd have known when starting her businesses
What's next for Jomana's brands

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp155

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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Special Edition | Taking our Business Temperature with Katie Hunt & Kristen Ley

Thu, 07 May 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Earlier this week, my friend Kristen Ley of Thimblepress and KristenLey.com and I hosted a free webinar where we talked about taking our business temperature. As small business owners so much of our time is spent working with our head down working on the most urgent and pressing things that need our attention. Taking your business temperature means that you're intentionally making time to stop and look at the bigger picture vision, strategy and execution of your business plans.

Today's episode is a replay from the live webinar we hosted. We talked about how often you should be taking your business temperature, where to start if you've never taken your business temperature, and Kristen and I share examples of things we've learned about ourselves and our business by doing these check-ins. I also share the four key factors I consider when making decisions in my business and explain how you can leverage them, too.

Before we jump in, I wanted to remind you that May 8th is the last day to join Proof to Product Labs as a Founding Member. Founding members get 5 incredible bonuses including my profitability calculator and production schedule planner AND they lock in our discounted rate of $49/month for as long as they are a member. The bonuses will go away and the price will jump to $79/mo starting May 9th. So head to prooftoproduct.com/labs to secure your founding member spot!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How often we should be taking our business temperature
What types of things we should review & look at in our business
Examples of something I started doing more of based on these check-ins
Examples of things I started doing less of
Four key considerations for making business decisions
Where new businesses should start with their business check-ins
When to hire a bookkeeper

RESOURCES:Kristen Ley's free Facebook Group PTP Podcast episode with Greg Higdon of Grow the Books

CONNECT: Kristen Ley, Thimblepress - @kristen_ley and @thimblepress

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS ALONE!

Get 12 months of coaching & community inside Proof to Product Labs

✔ Live monthly masterclass✔ Live monthly group coaching calls✔ Resources & tools built for product businesses✔ Private community (not on Facebook!)✔ Exclusive discounts from our PTP Partners

Plus 5 Founding Member bonuses that will save you time, money and effort!

All for only $49/month through May 8th! Join us!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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154 | Writing Copy That Converts with Prerna Malik, Content Bistro

Tue, 05 May 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Are you ready for copy that converts? If you said yes, which I am sure you did then I am positive you'll enjoy today's episode. I had a conversation with Prerna Malik, a certified conversion copywriter and co-founder of Content Bistro.

Prerna has mastered the recipe for writing copy that balances persuasion and personality with the scientific precision of conversion science to ensure that you are maximizing sales.

Prerna shares some of her BEST copywriting tips (and mistakes to watch out for!) She goes in-depth on how to use tools such as heat mapping to measure if your copy is working for you. You'll hear what you should look for when hiring a copywriter including what you should have in place beforehand. She also shares why your copy needs personalization to be effective.

If you've got copy that just isn't giving you the results you desire then you'll definitely want to hear this episode.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The most important piece of content for your website
How Prerna got into conversion copywriting
What conversion copywriting is
The types of projects Prerna does for product based business owners and eCommerce shops
Why you must personalize copy if you want to build relationships and see results
How to know if a copywriter will be a fit for your brand voice
Why your copy needs to have the same vibe throughout platforms
The assets and details you need to have ready before hiring a copywriter
Why every email sequence needs to have a marketing goal
Why you need to have your audience established before writing copy
Mistakes that product based business owners are making with regards to their copy
Tools to pay attention to and how to leverage measuring metrics
What Prerna's working on for Content Bistro

For full show notes and resources head to bit.ly/PTPEp154

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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153 | Coaching with Katie Hunt: How to Set Financial Goals for Your Business

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! You might know that you need to set financial goals for your business. But maybe you feel like you have absolutely no idea where to start. Maybe you feel overwhelmed even thinking about it? Whatever the case, if that sounds like you then you're in for a treat with today's live coaching session. I caught up with Paper Camp alumni, Jessica Baskin to give her the low-down on setting financial goals for your business.

Jessica got real about the financial mindset challenges she's been facing and together, we broke them down. I offered her a few actionable steps she could take to get her more aligned with her numbers. We talked about how she could get clear on who she's speaking to which would improve her marketing efforts (and in turn get her closer to those financial goals).

This conversation uncovered a few of the best practices for determining what your highest and best use products (or services) for your business. Of course, I also gave Jessica some homework around her financial goals where she'll be taking a look at the good, better and best financial number goals. This is essential because if you know your goals, you know exactly what to aim for.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Jessica got into her business and started Joy Lark Studio
Jessica's main goal that she wants to improve upon on in her business
The two ways that Katie advises companies to approach their finances when setting financial goals
Creating good, better and best number goals for yourself so you know what to aim for
Identifying the revenue streams that are the highest and best use for your business
Katie's advice for Jessica about getting crystal clear on which audience to speak to first
Why your outreach strategy may be different depending on your audience
Making a marketing plan to help you hit your financial goals
Why you should have a backup plan for slower months of business to continue pushing toward your financial goals

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp153

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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152 | Chasing the Bright Side with Jess Ekstrom, Headbands of Hope

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! With the current state of our world, I thought it'd be great to bring someone on the podcast who radiates optimism and confidence. In this episode, you'll be hearing my conversation with Jess Ekstrom, founder of Headbands of Hope and the author of Chasing the Bright Side.

Jess and I dive deep into how she's built her business and it's growth over the past eight years. Through her years in business, she's learned how to find new solutions to support her customers on both the retail and wholesale side.

We also talk about how she's had to pivot her business during this time which prompted her to host a virtual conference. She shares how she got the co-founder of Netflix to speak at her conference (pretty cool, right?!) She also talks about why she believes in "throwing darts and seeing what sticks" in her business.

We get into what it truly means to chase the bright side. She gives her advice about maintaining your childlike optimism throughout life. Jess and I discuss how to use downtime to recenter yourself (which can bring forth more creativity and innovation!)

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What prompted Jess to write her book, Chasing the Bright Side
Being optimistic about your products and the impact they have on the world
Her advice on the steps to take to become more optimistic
Why Jess believes confidence is more important than knowledge
Maintaining a childlike optimism as you get older
Why Jess started Headbands of Hope
Trusting your gut when making decisions
How she's shifted her mission for her business over the past year
How Jess has built her business on "throwing darts and seeing what sticks"
Hosting a virtual tradeshow on YouTube
Figuring out how to continue to provide value during this time
Pivoting their donation model to help overcome the mask shortage that hospitals are facing
Using your downtime to recenter yourself to help spark creativity and innovation
What the My Bright Side campaign is and why she started it
What's coming next for Headbands of Hope
How Jess got the cofounder of Netflix to be a speaker at her virtual conference

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp152

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join the wait list for Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience coming soon!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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151 | Proactively innovating through tough times

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Last week I shared how I'm getting back to basics and what I'm focusing on in my business right now. And, today I'm bringing some of my mastermind clients back on the show to talk about how they are proactively taking steps to diversify and strengthen their business.

Today's episode features Lisa Sarmento from Tiramisu Paperie, Kiwi Schloffel from Craft Boner and Sara McNally from Constellation & Co. and Snail Mail Superstar

Some key take-aways that I want to point out from today's episode:

This episode is a great example of how different companies have been affected by covid-19.

It is also a great reminder that while there are a lot of things happening around us right now that we CAN NOT control. There are a lot of things we do control. We do have power to make changes to our products, shift our messaging and pivot how we're supporting our customers.

I'm really proud of these ladies, and everyone in my mastermind group for being agile and creative in how they are doing business right now. We all need to keep pushing forward — and they are doing just that.

Be sure to check out our #papercampalum hashtag on Instagram to see new products, promotions and behind the scenes of the small businesses in our Paper Camp community.

I've also included the links to today's guests in our show notes -- thanks for supporting small businesses!

LINKS:

Proof to Product Mastermind

Lisa Sarmento, Tiramisu Paperie - www.tiramisupaperie.com | @tiramisupaperie

Kiwi Schloffel, Craft Boner - www.craftboner.com | @craftboner | Youtube

Sara McNally, Constellation & Co - www.constellationco.com | @constellationco | Snail Mail Superstar

Follow the small businesses in our Paper Camp Community on Instagram by using the #papercampalum hashtag

SMALL WINS LEAD TO BIG WINS

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join the wait list for Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience coming soon!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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150 | Getting Back to Basics

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! As much of the world is currently in isolation and practicing social distancing, I wanted to encourage you. I hope this episode will help you find direction in this uncertain time and remind you to keep pushing forward. To be completely honest, my head was spinning with things that I wanted to say but I know we're all facing completely different circumstances.

None of us have ever faced something like this before and we're all going through something different from one another. Business advice isn't a one size fits all and what works for one person may not work for someone else so today I want to share what I'm doing in my business in case it's relatable or helpful for you.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How right now is an unprecedented time and we're all dealing with this in different ways
Setting priorities within the business
Taking a look at your business finances to examine your runway and unnecessary expenses
Stripping down to the basics of executing certain processes
Connecting with your people - clients, colleagues, community members

For Full Show Notes and Resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp150

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join the wait list for Proof to Product Labs, our new group coaching experience coming soon!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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Special Edition | CARES Act Resources for Small Businesses

Sat, 04 Apr 2020 00:01:36 -0400

I sat down with my financial planner, Mary Beth Storjohann today to talk about financial relief and resources for small businesses available through the CARES Act.

Today we're talking about the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (also called EIDL), the Paycheck Protection Program (also called PPP) and the Deferral of Payment of Payroll Taxes.

This is an ever evolving situation right now, so Mary Beth is sharing the current details with us today, April 3rd.

Remember to stay calm, I know things feel stressful right now but there a a variety of options and forms of aid available to all of us. I encourage you to reach out to your CPAs & financial planners to figure out which plans are best for you. And, if you decide to apply for PPP, apply with the bank that you're currently doing your business banking with.

Check the links below for more information:

LINKS:

EIDL:https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianthompson1/2020/03/29/getting-cash-for-your-small-business-through-the-cares-act/#c053e4d43a0a

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

Lender Match:https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Info: Borrowershttps://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP--Fact-Sheet.pdf

https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/023595_comm_corona_virus_smallbiz_loan_final.pdf

https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/2/9/29fc1ae7-879a-4de0-97d5-ab0a0cb558c8/1BC9E5AB74965E686FC6EBC019EC358F.the-small-business-owner-s-guide-to-the-cares-act-final-.pdf

https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-anatomy-of-the-2-trillion-covid-19-stimulus-bill/

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join the wait list for Proof to Product Labs, our new group coaching experience coming soon!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

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149 | Let's encourage one another with Katie Hunt & Friends

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Kristen Ley recently asked me and our peer mastermind group to come together for a free webinar to support & encourage other small business owners. It was such an amazing conversation that I asked Kristen if we could rerun the audio version here on our podcast, so today's episode is just that.

Today's episode features feedback from me, Kristen Ley of Thimblepress, Tonya Dalton of Inkwell Press, Jenn Jett of The Well Summit and Myrna Daramy of Myrna & Co.

We discuss how we're handling COVID-19 in our own businesses, recommendations for other small business owners, how to serve your customers, what to prioritize right now and we even share how we're navigating working from home with children.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How small businesses can navigate COVID-19
Why community is so important
Why now is the perfect time to invest in yourself & your business
What we're prioritizing in our own businesses
Tips for working at home with children
What we're optimistic about during this weird & crazy time.

For full show notes and resources, visit bit.ly/PTPEP149

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins

Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.

Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there.

Join the wait list for Proof to Product Labs, our new group coaching experience coming soon!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

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Special Edition | Greetabl Rolls Out Platform Partner Program

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 08:00:00 -0400

I was on the phone with Zoe Scharf of Greetabl this morning and we decided to hit record on our conversation.

As you may remember, Zoe is one of our Paper Camp alumni and she was on episode 50 of Proof to Product telling her start up story, then she came back for episode 88 where she talked about email sequences and how they love on their clients.

Today we're talking about a new program that Zoe and the team at Greetabl are launching to support small business owners and independent makers called The Platform Partner Program.

Listen on for details about how the program works, how you can apply and what Zoe feels optimistic about during this Covid-19 pandemic.

RESOURCES:

www.greetabl.com Application | www.greetabl.com/apply 050 | How angel investing fueled their business growth with Zoe Scharf, Greetabl 88 | Email Sequences, Sales Funnels and Facebook Ads with Zoë Scharf from Greetabl

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148 | Coaching with Katie Hunt: Expanding Into New Product Categories

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! Has the thought of expanding into new product categories crossed your mind lately? You aren't alone! In fact, today I had on a Paper Camp alumni for a live coaching session where we chat ALL about her hopes to expand into new product categories. It can be pretty scary to try to logistically plan for expansion but I think today's episode will be really helpful for all of you who are looking to bring on more products to serve your people.

What are the first steps to this process? For today's guest, Tomi Hill of Little Happy Things, we broke down the steps she needs to take to make this happen and since it was a coaching episode, I gave her my advice and some homework so she could start taking action right away! I challenged her to start thinking and dreaming big about the new product category she'd want to layer in and to start setting some goals around that.

We broke through some of the barriers that have been holding her back and had a frank discussion about diving deeper into the people you really want to serve. At the end of the day, it's about recognizing WHO your customer is at the core - what kind of solutions are you providing for them? What problems do they have that your products solve? What stores do they shop at? We also touch on digging into the financials (because knowing your numbers is key to success) and looking through your numbers from both a retail and wholesale lense.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why Tomi got into her business, Little Happy Things
Transitioning away from wooden dolls into enamel pins, stickers and other gift items
Making the leap from an Etsy shop to a wholesale model
Making all of your products cohesive with one another
Determining which products sell the best (and honing in on those)
Looking at your products from a financial and passion perspective
Layering in one new product category at a time to figure out the manufacturing process, fulfillment and the numbers (and of course, profits!)
Getting to know your audience personally and finding out what they want and need
Dialing it back to the basics, no matter how new or seasoned your business is

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp148

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147 | Expanding Products Enhanced Her Brand with Rebecca Townsend, Seaside Designs

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Have you ever considered how building a strong brand can make you stand out and ultimately help your business stand the test of time? Today's guest is Paper Camp alumni Rebecca Townsend. Rebecca is the owner and creative director of Seaside Designs. She literally built her whole business around her love for the beach and sea. Pretty fascinating, right?

The business didn't always come easy and she's had to overcome many ups and downs through her entrepreneurial journey. She rode the rocky tides of being a business owner and now she's riding the waves of success. In this episode, she shares her story of navigating a huge rough patch that made her shut down her business and the story of her resurrecting it and bringing it back to life.

We talk about her experience of overcoming burnout and figuring out a way to work smarter, not harder. She shares her research and development process for products and how she balances the financial risks of expansion (you might be surprised to hear how she does it). Rebecca gives her advice for other business owners who want to expand into new product categories and shares what's next for Seaside Designs including why she's decided to focus on sustainable packaging.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why Rebecca has kept her brand identity the same throughout the years in her business
How she's built her brand based on her vision
The evolution of her product mix
How she got into wholesale after being discovered by local retailers at craft shows
Going through a rough patch, being burnt out and closing her business
Making a plan to bring her business back in a more sustainable way
How Paper Camp helped her to streamline processes for inventory and production
Bringing more products back into the mix and designing her products to be a cohesive line
Her process for research and development of products
How she balances the financial risk of expansion
The benefits she's seen with widening her product mix
Tactics she uses to leverage social media as a marketing tool
Using social media to connect with both retail and wholesale customers
Rebecca's advice for business owners considering new product categories
What Rebecca has coming up for her business, Seaside Designs

For full show notes and resources, head to http://bit.ly/PTPEp147

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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We're worried too. Tips for preparing your small business for a crisis.

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 23:11:41 -0400

Hi Friends — I know that things in the world feel heavy and uncertain right now, so I wanted to share some important reminders and tips: This won't last forever. Stay calm and remember that this won't last forever. I know the uncertainty is unnerving, and we all have different circumstances that we're dealing with — but this will end at some point. Understand your finances. Take a look at what you have in your business and personal reserves. Look at your monthly expenses and see what you can curb temporarily (tech, supplies, reduce or postpone your next new release, etc). We don't know how long this will last, so be conservative in your spending. Assess your income streams and anticipated revenue for the next 3-6 months. What orders or projects may be postponed? How can you incentivize your current customers? Do you have savings to lean on? Identify supplemental income options If product sales are down, think about picking up design work or other freelance gigs on Upwork, Fiver or through your local communities. Consider small business loans - SBA loans, Fundbox, Kabbage, even PayPal offers small business loans if you need some extra cash temporarily. As a last resort, you can also pull money out of a retirement account or 401k. There are large fees associated with early withdrawal and the market is down right now, so I don't recommend this unless absolutely necessary Have a back-up / continuity plan Who can you trust to run things if you or a family member gets sick and you're unable to work. My financial planner recommends identifying a few people who understand the business and who you trust to step in if you need to step out. This could be family, a friend, or even a colleague. Use this time to work on your business. Back-end systems & processes, update our website, play creatively, design new products, take photos, update your catalog, pre-plan social media content or write emails…. All of the things that you've been putting off, use this time to prep what you can for when things get back to normal. Change your messaging. Remember that many of your customers are also small business owners and they are feeling their own stress & anxiety. If you're sending out marketing emails, change your messaging — acknowledge what's going on in the world, how we're all in this together and ask how you can support them. Sales are going to be slower right now because people are concerned about their personal lives and their own businesses. But, reaching out to clients and letting them know you care will help to build the relationship — which they will appreciate when this is all over. Give yourself time to process your feelings. We all react to stressful situations in different ways. We all are dealing with different personal and business circumstances. Give yourself time to process how you're feeling, what your concerns are and how you want to proceed. Take care of yourself, your family and your team — that is the main priority right now. Leverage our community You have a whole group of people here who understand what it's like to run a small business. We're all feeling the crunch & uncertainty — but we have each other. Share what's working. Check in with each other. Let's help to keep each other calm and focused on getting through this together. We will get through this. We will be ok.

146 | Leveraging point of sale systems in a brick & mortar with Biff Ulm, MN Nice Enough

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends, have you ever considered how you could leverage point of sale systems for trend tracking and buying decisions? Biff Ulm, founder of MN Nice Enough came on the podcast today to share how he uses technology to help grow his business and how he relies on the help of sales reps to ensure his store is stocked with products that are a fit for his customers.

Biff has a rich background in the product based business industry and has seen all sides of it including owning his own brick and mortar business, selling eCommerce, doing wholesale, as well as creating his own products. He's done it all and has a vast wealth of knowledge in this line of business.

In this episode, we talk about everything from the challenges he's faced from having multiple streams of revenue, what numbers he tracks, how he cultivates wholesale relationships and the importance of studying what bigger brands are doing in their businesses.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Biff's background in the product based business industry
His experience in selling retail at a brick and mortar, online sales, wholesale and creating his own products
Challenges he's faced from having different streams of revenue
His three key principles and the motivator that keeps him going
The technology he uses to help guide his business decisions and how he leverages data to pick up on trends in his store
What numbers Biff tracks on a regular basis
His preferred method for cultivating wholesale relationships and finding new products
Biff's experience with using sales reps for his business
Studying what bigger companies are doing in their business
What's coming next for MN Nice Enough

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp146

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145 | Transitioning From Etsy to Your Own Website With Rebecca Inkrote, Bex Marie

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Today's guest Rebecca Inkrote has a fantastic story that I can't wait to share with you guys. She gives her insight on the best ways to transition from a third party platform to your own website (plus how to build brand recognition and steps to make it go smooth).

Rebecca got her start in the creative entrepreneur space when she started making soaps as a hobby. It quickly turned into a business that brought her into Facebook groups with other handmade business owners and it was there where she recognized how much she could help entrepreneurs in this space.

As a graphic designer, she was well versed in the areas of technology and found this niche of hers to be an area she could stand out in. In this episode, Rebecca shares how she stumbled into this path, the growing pains one can face when transitioning from a third party platform to their own website and the benefits of having your own eCommerce website.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The biggest mistakes that Rebecca sees product based business owners making on their website and eCommerce shop
How Rebecca stumbled into teaching others and helping them build their own website
Growing pains from transitioning from a third party platform to your own website
Benefits of having your own eCommerce website
Steps to take when transitioning to your own eCommerce platform
How getting your domain to match your brand name helps with brand recognition
What services and digital products Rebecca offers for clients
Educating and empowering her clients to take charge of their own websites
Rebecca's thoughts on Shopify, WordPress, Squarespace, etc. and choosing what systems to use
Where Rebecca sees her business moving going forward

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp145

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144 | Coaching with Katie Hunt: When should I launch to wholesale?

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0400

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Shirlee got started in her business, Quiet Lines Design
What she's currently working on in her business and what she needs help with
Planning to launch to coordinate with certain events and cycles
Why you need to feel confident in what you're creating
Why the PTP team recommends having 48 skews during Paper Camp
How sometimes it's necessary to wait until things are ready
The biggest fears that Shirlee has about product launches
Katie's homework for Shirlee and listeners
Getting strategic with a tiered outreach approach to building relationships

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp144

Special Edition | NY Now & NSS 2020 (Part 2)

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Part 1: Last week I took a whirlwind trip to New York to visit with more than 40 of our Paper Camp alumni who were exhibiting at NY Now and the National Stationery Show. It was so exciting to see everyone's hard work live and in person — their new products were innovative, their booths were beautiful and their confidence was shining through. It was awesome.

While I was there, I was able to grab some time with a handful of our alumni to talk shop about the show, goals they set and how they plan to follow-up after the show.

We're breaking this into a two-part series. The first part features several of our veteran exhibitors from the Paper Camp family including Rebekah from Wild Ink Press, Christina from Public School Paper Co, Beth from Little Goat Paper Co, Jeni from E. Frances Paper and Juliana from Good Juju Ink.

In Part 2 on Thursday, we're sharing interviews with Paper Camp alumni who were exhibiting in the emerging artists' section as well as first-time exhibitors! Today's show features Rachel from Hazel & Dolly, Chandler from Joy Paper Co, Lisa from Rhino Parade, Janine from Kwohtations, Tammie from Tiger Pocket Press and Juana from Loteria Press.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE :

Rachel Barlock: Hazel + Dolly
Chandler Cooksey: Joy Paper Co.
Lisa Mohar: Rhino Parade
Janine Kwoh: Kwothations
Tammie Bennett: Tigerpocket Press
Juana Meneses: Loteria Press

RESOURCES:

Paper Camp E-Course

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Special Edition | NY Now & NSS 2020 (Part 1)

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0400

While I was there, I was able to grab some time with a handful of our alumni to talk shop about the show, goals they set and how they plan to follow-up after the show.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE :

Rebekah Tennis: Wild Ink Press
Christina Williams: Public School Paper Co.
Beth Roszkowski: Little Goat Paper Co.
Jeni Laundon: E. Frances Good Paper
Juliana Kissick: Good Juju Ink

RESOURCES:

Paper Camp E-Course

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143 | Bootstrapping Success with Cecily Moore, The Paper Curator

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0400

For Cecily Moore, her business, The Paper Curator, started as a blog and over time, transitioned into a product based business. She first began her journey while working at a job and trying to find the next step in her career. She thought, "why not start a blog?" From there she began to document the creative endeavors she pursued in her everyday life before launching her first products.

She gives us a breakdown of her first craft show experience, her Paper Camp journey and what she's learned from attending the show. We chat about how putting ample effort into her research and development has helped her build a sustainable business.

Today's episode dives deep into what it means to bootstrap your business and build everything from the ground up. She talks about how she decides whether to invest in equipment to help her create her products, how bootstrapping has integrated into her wholesale strategy and budget and what it's been like scaling her handmade products into wholesale.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Cecily started a blog before transitioning to a product-based business
Learning to hold herself accountable by structuring her posting schedule
Making the shift from being a hobby to a full-fledged business
Her first craft show experience and how she prepared to launch her products
How Cecily ended up coming to Paper Camp and her goals for attending the show
How taking her time on research and development paid off when getting inventory and fulfillment in place
Why Cecily believes in bootstrapping success and how this looks in her day-to-day business operations
How Cecily makes decisions on whether or not to invest in equipment for creating products
What has made wholesale an easier process for her
How her bootstrapping mentality has been integrated into the wholesale strategy and budget
Making a long-lasting impression in her first trade show
Cecily's advice for someone starting a creative business
What's coming for The Paper Curator

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPEp143

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142 | The Hourly Rate of Exhibiting at a Trade Show with Katie Hunt

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0400

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Thinking about trade show expenses from an hourly rate perspective
A breakdown of how much it costs per hour to exhibit
Why you need to stay in your booth when exhibiting at tradeshows
The importance of knowing your numbers
How Paper Camp helps you become aware of where to save and where to splurge on shows
Why you should be prepared before investing in trade shows

For full show notes and resources, head to bit.ly/PTPep142

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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141 | Bookkeeping Strategies with Greg Higdon, Grow the Books

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Does the thought of bookkeeping make you feel uneasy? I know that for so many creatives, knowing your numbers and doing your bookkeeping can feel a bit overwhelming. That's why I brought on today's guest because let's face it... The reality is that even though numbers aren't always our favorite, they are essential for knowing your business' financial health and profitability.

Today you'll hear from Greg Higdon, founder of Grow the Books, a bookkeeping company for small businesses. Greg helps entrepreneurs with a done for you service but he also helps those who want to DIY to understand what they need to know about reconciling their numbers.

We explore the topic of bookkeeping and how you'll know when it's time to outsource this task to someone else. We also talk about what questions you should ask before hiring a bookkeeper, the importance of setting aside time to do your bookkeeping and why sometimes you need to have someone outside of your business looking at the numbers.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Misconceptions that small business owners have on bookkeeping and knowing their numbers
How often a bookkeeper reconciles for their clients
Programs and systems that Greg recommends for bookkeeping
Having extra reconciliation to verify transactions are correct
Problems that can occur when you don't reconcile with the bookkeeping software
What you should have in place before hiring a bookkeeper
Knowing your numbers so you can get a good idea on your return on investment
Questions you should ask before hiring a bookkeeper
Greg's advice for people who want to DIY their books
Setting aside time to do your own bookkeeping
Why it's beneficial to have someone outside of your business looking at the numbers
Leaning into your weaknesses and asking for help in those areas
What's next for Grow the Books

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"A bookkeeper is the one that does the day to day, like categorizing your transactions. Anything going in and out of your bank accounts or credit card counts is what a bookkeeper does." - Greg Higdon

"It's good to have that extra reconciliation in there just to make sure you're verifying everything's correct." - Greg Higdon

"Looking at where the money's coming in and going allowed me to make better decisions in my business and I put it off because I was intimidated by it. I didn't want to deal with it. I had other things that felt like they were more important. But the minute I did start paying attention to it, I felt like my business grew." - Katie Hunt

"I definitely recommend bookkeeping software." - Greg Higdon

"I think it's very helpful to have someone just kind of walk you through the steps of what you need to be doing monthly." - Greg Higdon

"Once you have the technology and once you've got the training on how to do it, then it's about leveraging that and making sure, well, doing the work and making sure you've got it all there, but then leveraging it for your business so that you're making smarter better decisions." - Katie Hunt

"I know even with my own business, what I've realized is just putting something on my calendar is big." - Greg Higdon

"We make time for all of our clients and all of our customers and yet we have a tough time making time to do these things for ourselves." - Katie Hunt

"I know that as a business owner there are a lot of things that you have to do. I know that from my own business and it's hard to get to certain things in your business." - Greg Higdon

"When I hired a bookkeeper, it opened my eyes to the possibilities of how I could grow my business better. It opened my eyes to where my money was truly coming from revenue-wise and which portions of my business were most profitable." - Katie Hunt

RESOURCES:

Quickbooks Online

Xero

MEET GREG:

Greg Higdon is the Founder of Grow the Books, a bookkeeping company for small businesses. With over 13 years of experience in education, he teaches his clients so they are empowered and armed with a clearer understanding of what their numbers mean for their business decisions. When he isn't balancing books and helping clients you can find him roasting coffee, drinking coffee, and reading about coffee.

CONNECT WITH GREG:

Website: http://www.growthebooks.com

Facebook: @growthebooks

Instagram: @growthebooks

Pinterest: @growthebooks

Email: greg@growthebooks.com

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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140 | Adding products to a service based business with Robin Long, The Balanced Life

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Today we're so happy to have Robin Long on for Episode 141 of Proof to Product. Robin is the founder of The Balanced Life, a website that provides quick and effective Pilates workouts for busy women. Robin made the transition from the traditional teaching model of working in studios, gyms and training private clients to serve her clients online.

On today's episode, Robin shares how she shifted from the more traditional service offering into a successful membership model for her service based business. She tells us why she has decided to grow her business slowly and organically - ensuring that she's building a business that fits her lifestyle and brings her joy.

Robin and I dive into how she's used drop shipping to add additional income streams to her business and why she decided to create physical products for her service based business. She opens up about her experience with building her team including why going on maternity leave has helped her to put more strategic systems in place. We talk about setting boundaries, hesitations she had before moving to a membership model and her advice for someone who is just getting started in business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why Robin shifted from the traditional teaching model of pilates to serving clients online
How she came to have a membership model, community-based program
Hesitations that Robin faced when moving to a membership model
Setting boundaries for yourself as an entrepreneur
How Robin uses the drop shipping method in her business
Robin's thought process behind adding products to her service-based business
Using products as a membership perk
Challenges she's had since adding products to her business
Why Robin believes in slow, intentional growth for her company
Robin's experience of growing from a solo entrepreneur to building a team
How being forced to give up control has been a blessing for her
Taking a sabbatical and putting systems in place for a seamless workflow
Robin's advice for the business owner who is just getting started
Gaining inspiration from other industries and taking that into the fitness world to do her own thing
What's next for The Balanced Life

RESOURCES:

Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself

MEET ROBIN:

Robin Long lives and works in sunny Santa Barbara, CA as the founder and CEO of The Balanced Life – a website that provides quick & effective Pilates workouts for busy women. She is a certified Pilates instructor and passionate about creating programs that empower, strengthen, restore, and rejuvenate her clients from the inside out. She believes in a guilt-free, balanced approach to health & fitness and is passionate about helping women love and care for their bodies in the midst of busy lives. Outside of The Balanced Life, she can be found chasing her 6- year-old daughter, 3-year-old son, and 1-year-old twins, sneaking in 10-minute workouts during the kids' bath time, and spending time at the beach.

CONNECT WITH ROBIN:

Website: https://thebalancedlifeonline.com/

Facebook: @thebalancedlife

Instagram: @thebalancedlife

Pinterest: @robinlong

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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From the Archives | Special Edition | NSS / NY Now 2019 - Part 1

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 20:51:33 -0400

Hey Friends! Winter show season is kicking off so we thought we would re-run this episode from last year. We have alumni going to Atlanta, Japan, Las Vegas and of course NY Now and NSS in February. It is show season so we wanted to get this front and center for you so you could get ready for your show or just here what is going on at market. Enjoy!

--------------

Hey Friends! I just got back from NY Now and the National Stationery Show in New York where more than 39 Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni and speakers exhibited this year. It was an incredible trip, for everyone from first timers to seasoned pros, and I'm so excited to share the highlights with you on the Podcast this week!

This year is the first time that these two shows have run at the same time. The National Stationery Show has typically been held in May, but moved for February to co-locate with NY Now. The move of NSS caused a bit of a stir within our industry, and our Tradeshow Bootcamp community and the move of the show is one of the topics we're addressing on the episodes this week.

We had alumni exhibiting at both NY Now and the National Stationery show, so we decided to break up this week's episode into two parts.

On Part 1, airing today, we revisit the best parts of the National Stationery Show with Cecily Moore of The Paper Curator, Jenna Puente of Paper Wilderness, Rosanna Kvernmo of Iron Curtain Press, Genesis Duncan of Graphic Anthology, Krystal Whitten of Krystal Whitten Studio and Joe Mihalow of XOU.

139 | Letting go of sales reps, employees & downsizing her product line with Kristen Ley, Thimblepress

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Happy 2020 friends! For our first episode back in the New Year, my friend Kristen Ley of Thimblepress is back on the show. Kristen was first featured on Episode 4 of Proof to Product back where we talked about how she fell into business backwards and discussed tips on partnerships and collaborations. That episode was recorded back in early 2017 and since then, Kristen has done a lot of soul searching and ridden the waves of transition and upheaval in both her business and personal life.

On today's episode, Kristen bravely shares what she learned from her journey. She talks about why she decided to let go of all her sales reps, say goodbye to 15 employees, downsize her warehouse and office space and discontinue over a hundred SKUs in the Thimblepress line. Kristen not only shares her journey of reevaluating what she wanted to get out of her business, but also how she implemented those changes.

Today's episode is a heartfelt one full of advice, wisdom and encouragement for anyone feeling stuck in their business or worried about the changes they need to make. Friends, remember this is your business. You set the rules and at any time you can decide to go a different way. I hope Kristen's story helps you and I hope you enjoy it.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

- What external success can look like from an internal perspective

- Big wake-up calls and dealing with worse case scenarios

- Differentiating personal success from society

- Advice for individuals and business owners walking through tough times

- Getting back to the basics & reevaluating the model

- How to avoid social media comparison traps

- Why Kristen decided to cut all her sales reps and get back to the drawing board

- The importance of keeping direct communication with wholesale & retail partners

- Having the courage to say goodbye

- The heart-wise money tool

- How to deal with feelings of imposter syndrome

- What's selling and how to deal with what's not

- Balancing wellness and business

- Kristen's big plans for 2020

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"It was keep going, go, go, go, go, keep achieving, keep achieving, keep achieving. And I don't think I even registered how I was functioning in my daily life until I had a really big wake up." – Kristen Ley

"I got to a point I was so sad that I was like, "All I can do is pray and move forward." – Kristen Ley

"I really looked to the world to define what is successful. I looked at others to define what I should be doing. I looked at everybody else except for me to say what do you want? So I had to redefine what I wanted." – Kristen Ley

"I just love to make products. I love to draw art. I love to create. And I love to create joy in other people's lives. That was my why. " – Kristen Ley

"In the world we live in, we get so caught up in what other people are doing on social media. It's just the world we live in. We see the beautiful pictures, but we don't see the things behind those photos." – Kristen Ley

"It is easy to get wrapped up in feeling like you're chasing the next thing in your business, especially when you're just hustling and growing." – Katie Hunt

"It's not about getting off the phone quickly, it's about asking, "What's going on in our world, in our economy? Tell me about your life." Because at the end of the day it's all about relationships." – Kristen Ley

"We need to regularly be reassessing why we're doing this. To make sure that we are on the right path and we're focused on the right things." – Katie Hunt

"If it's not taking up a whole lot of time and it's not draining you emotionally, and it's still making good money. That's where you need to be spending your time." – Katie Hunt

"Working with female entrepreneurs has been one of my most cherished heart passion projects of my life. It brings me so much joy, and if I can prevent one person from walking through that struggle that I walked through, let's rock and roll." – Kristen Ley

"Don't put yourself into shock by trying to do all the changes at once. Give yourself grace." – Kristen Ley

"Don't go just dumping energy into things without walking through the journey of how it will impact your person." – Kristen Ley

"Running a business is hard work. You can't change that, but you can change your mentality of how you approach things, and you get to choose." – Katie Hunt

LINKS

Website: https://kristenley.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/thimblepress

Https://instagram.com/kristen_ley

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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2019 Look Back & Look Forward with Katie Hunt

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0400

As we head into the holidays, I want to take a moment to reflect back on 2019 and look forward to what's in store for 2020. I encourage you to do the same! 2019 was an amazing year around here. We published 58 podcast episodes this year and surpassed 400,000 downloads. This show has been live for almost 3 years and during that time we've taken very few breaks. We bring you fresh, new content weekly and sometimes multiple times a week and I have a small team of highly talented people that ensure each episode gets to your ears — and I'm eternally grateful for each and every one of them. This podcast wouldn't exist if it weren't for them. We welcomed over 150 new students to the Paper Camp family through our conference and online course. Our conference moved to a new venue that gave us more room to spread out both inside & outside — and lots of amazing natural light. I often joke that I want people that come to Paper Camp to feel like they are being welcomed into my home and surrounded by new friends — this venue is a great spot for us to connect, learn and grow together. And, this year, we underwent a major rebrand transitioning my 8 year old business from its original name Tradeshow Bootcamp to our new name Proof to Product. This project stretched me in so many ways as a business owner — I re-evaluated our audience, our programming and we made some major shifts to ensure that we're serving our audience and making the biggest impact possible. We built out a new website that has a ton of resources specifically for product based businesses — we have three free masterclasses, the blog, podcast episodes, case studies & alumni highlights, plus our favorite tools & vendors that we love. 2019 was a year of reflection and stripping away the things that were no longer working for me, the business and all of you so that we can bring you even more in 2020. Looking ahead — We have some incredible things lined up for all of you in 2020. For the podcast, we'll be back on January 7th with a new episode featuring my friend and Paper Camp alumni, Kristen Ley of Thimblepress. Kristen has made some incredible and intentional shifts in her business Ince the last time she was on the show. She let go of her national sales reps, downsized her product line and reduced her team of employees. She re-evaluated what she wanted in her life & her business, then made changes that have led to beautiful results. I'm excited for you to hear her story. We'll host our Paper Camp conference February 25-26th in Los Angeles to talk about product development, selling wholesale, sales & marketing strategies as well as exhibiting at trade shows. This is more of a workshop vibe than a conference — we cap the program at 30 people so that you can get to know everyone there and we have time dedicated to 1-1 time with our speakers. February will be the only time we offer our Paper Camp program in-person. But, we will have the 4-week online course available twice in 2020 — once in the Spring and once in the Fall. Stay tuned for more detail there. And, we're bringing you something brand new in 2020 that we're still working on and I can't share, yet. But it will involve live trainings with me and guest experts on things like marketing, sales and scaling your business, regular office hours where you can pick my brain and ask me questions and access to a wider community of product developers across multiple industries. I'm not quite ready to spill the beans on this one, but we'll share more details as its ready. And, lastly as we head into the holidays I want to thank all of you for being here and making Proof to Product what it is. I firmly believe that by sharing our stories, our expertise and resources — all of our businesses will thrive. So, thank you for being here, thank you for listening, for sharing the show with your friends. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season surrounded by family and friends. I'll see you in 2020!

138 | Shifting the maker mindset with Genesis Duncan, Graphic Anthology

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0400

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What products Genesis makes and sells
The sales channels she utilizes
How she decided to start her own business
Life's hurdles and how they led Genesis to where she is today
Finding silver linings and following your heart
Advice for shifting your mindset from maker to business owner
How Genesis manages the tactical aspects of Graphic Anthology
The importance of picking deadlines and sticking with them
How Paper Camp helped solidify her business mindset
What Genesis does to differentiate her products in the market
Testing products, taking risks, and discovering new segments
Advice for other small business owners and creative CEOs

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I think in the back of my mind I always wanted to run my own business, but I will say I resisted it a lot in the beginning." - Genesis Duncan

"I am a child of entrepreneurs. Both my parents had their own businesses, so from an early age knew what I would want to do." - Genesis Duncan

"I became an entrepreneur by accident actually." - Genesis Duncan

"Business started to dry up and stuff, and so I kind of really was like, "I need to do something. I need to do something creative, I need to do something for me."- Genesis Duncan

"People come to greeting cards because they're trying to say things or they are trying to feel more connected." - Genesis Duncan

"I am a firm believer that all of the different things we experience in life are there for a reason." - Katie Hunt

"There is this shift, where you go from making something for someone to asking how can I do that efficiently? How can I do that sustainably? Yeah, it was the game changer." - Genesis Duncan

"I know a lot of us with small businesses don't really resonate with the title, CEO. It just feels so corporate and so big. But really, but we are. We're the visionaries for these brands, and that sometimes means the creative aspect of our business becomes a smaller piece of what we do on a day to day basis." - Katie Hunt

"After doing Paper Camp, it just really gelled a lot of things in my mind. I realized, "All right. We got to get serious here." Like this is happening." - Genesis Duncan

"Paper Camp made me realize how hungry I was to grow my business. I met other people who were ahead of me and they weren't in suits and ties. They were very fun people talking about how they were making their business work and they were starting families or whatever." - Genesis Duncan

"My favorite thing is that we don't have to follow the same path. We can make this whatever we want.

We can make things fit with the life we want to have." - Katie Hunt

"There's always going to be more opportunities that are going to come down the pipeline." - Genesis Duncan

LINKS

Website: http://graphicanthology.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/graphicanthology

Facebook: http://facebook.com/graphicanthology

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Those old-school, clunky payroll providers just weren't built for the way modern small businesses work. But Gusto is. Now is the best time to get set up for the new year. Don't wait.

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Try a demo and see for yourself at http://www.gusto.com/proof

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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137 | How I juggle day to day work & family life with Katie Hunt

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Hey Friends, in episode 136 I walked you through how I do my annual strategic planning for the business. I got into the weeds sharing what reports I look at, how I analyze that data and then how I schedule things out to ensure that I'm not overloading myself, my team or my family with my grand plans! Ha!

Now that we've covered the question about big-picture planning, I want to circle back on the requests I received to share how I manage my day to day flow of family life & business life. For episode 137, I'm sharing what my day to day looks like with four young children (currently ages 3 to 9 years old), a growing business and an active family life.

I talk about strategies I use to make my shortened workdays more productive including batching tasks, delegating more and not checking my email a million times a day. And, the biggest tip I can offer is to remain flexible -- because my day to day is constantly changing and I'm guessing yours is too. What works for me now, wouldn't have worked a few years ago and may not work for us one year from now. But, give yourself space and permission to make changes as you go.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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136 | How I do my annual strategy planning with Katie Hunt

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends, I have been getting a lot of requests from people curious about how I map out my annual plan for the business, and how I work my family schedule into that. I'm going to be honest, balancing a busy family schedule and a very busy business schedule can be hard. There's a number of things that I need to consider and weigh in on when I'm making decisions in my business. And that really ties into how I plan my year because I don't want to overload myself with too many things, only to do all of them less than stellar. I want to do my best at everything.

In this episode, I get granular about how I do my big picture, strategic planning each year for my business so that I'm not overloading myself, my team or my family. I talk about what reports I look at, how I analyze what's working and what's not working to decide which programs, products and services we'll offer the following year.

Reports I pull:

2019 YTD Profit & Loss statement

2018 Profit & Loss for year over year comparison

2019 Marketing calendar so I can see where income coordinated with program sales

Things I look at for each revenue stream (including any sub-categories):

Profitability

Time spent

Excitement / Passion Level

Impact

Tools I use:

Quickbooks online

Downloadable Calendar from MaylemMade on Etsy

Huge wall post-its

Quick links to thinks I talked about:

Friends of Proof to Product Facebook group

Mastermind

Proof to Product on Instagram

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Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Try a demo and see for yourself at http://www.gusto.com/proof

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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135 | The economics of selling products with Michelle Loretta, Sage Wedding Pros

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Remember your high-school economics class? Okay good, because today's episode is going to be nothing like that. Today we're making numbers, margins, pricing and market metrics fun with Michelle Loretta, a business consultant, financial strategist and founder of Sage Wedding Pros. Before launching her own business, Michelle worked as an accountant for Deloitte, sales and marketing manager for DDLA and merchandiser for Coach. Since then, she's applied her corporate and entrepreneurial expertise to wedding businesses worldwide and launched herself onto the live-event space as a frequent speaker at professional conferences.

Through Sage Wedding Pros, Michelle also produces her own next-level summit known as The Be Sage Conference. I have had the privilege of attending twice, once as a speaker, and it truly is an amazing program. For those of you who don't want to miss it, Michelle's next conference is coming up in Austin in February of 2020.

On today's episode, Michelle and I talk about business planning, the economics of selling products and how financial decisions in your business affect your operational plans. We promise, whether you're creative or business minded, this episode will inspire you to start drafting all of your next big business plans.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Michelle's journey and background
What inspired her to start her own stationery business
How blogging evolved into hosting workshops
Benefits of getting your business plan on paper
Reframing your financial goals as business milestones
The economics of selling products
Trading margins for volume
Considerations for pricing physical vs digital products
Common mistakes made during go-to-market
Tips for pricing your products
Numbers. Numbers. Numbers.
What's up next for Michelle & the Be Sage Conference

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Everyone has a backstory that we weave into the businesses we're creating and in that way we can help one another." - Katie Hunt

"The wonderful thing about the traditional business plan is that it really forces you to look at all aspects of your business, not just the ones that come comfortably." - Michelle Loretta

"You can't make a marketing decision without thinking of the financial aspects. Every financial decision links to an operational and marketing decision." - Michelle Loretta

"Every decision needs to come back to how does this fit with the overall goals, the overall focus." - Katie Hunt

"When you're selling direct to consumer, that's one thing, but moving from 5,000 to 15,000 orders you have to ask, 'do I have an operational structure that can support that?' - Michelle Loretta

"If you price it too low, you won't make any money on your products. If you price it too high, you'll price yourself out of the market and nobody's going to buy. So you really need to know your personal numbers." - Katie Hunt

"Pricing is actually a marketing decision. It's not a financial decision. It's a marketing decision that you test financially." - Michelle Loretta

"Knowing what your numbers are doing is so critical from season to season, month to month, quarter to quarter, year to year." - Michelle Loretta

"It's hard to be good at all things. My recommendation is create your first channel, and then only after you're profiting and you're thriving with it, expand into the second channel." - Michelle Loretta

"If you're not happy with what you're earning, that's the red flag that you need to be aware of. That's when you need to boost profit margins by 2% to 5% in the next year." - Michelle Loretta

"You need to know your margins, you need to create benchmarks. You need to try to best your benchmarks." - Michelle Loretta

LINKS

Conference: besageconference.com

Website: http://www.sageweddingpros.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SageWeddingPros

SPECIAL OFFER: 3 Free Months of Gusto!

Those old-school, clunky payroll providers just weren't built for the way modern small businesses work. But Gusto is. Now is the best time to get set up for the new year. Don't wait.

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Try a demo and see for yourself at http://www.gusto.com/proof

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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From the Archives | Prioritizing profitable projects with Kelly Parker Smith, The Homebody Society

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Happy almost-Thanksgiving Proof to Product Friends! This week we're taking a break to spend time with loved ones and we hope you are all able to do the same. In case you find yourself on a road trip, waiting to catch an airplane or with some much-needed downtime, we're sharing three great episodes from the archives.

It's a binge-worthy week starting on-

Tuesday you'll hear how Johnny & Joanna at Letterfolk reinvented the Letterboard

Wednesday Nicole Walters will remind us why we can't rely on social media for sales

And on Thursday, I'll talk with Kelly Parker Smith about prioritizing profitable projects.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our listeners in the United States. I'm grateful for all of you and I hope you have a wonderful week. Thank you for listening and supporting Proof to Product. We'll be back with a new episode on December 3rd!

From the Archives | Why you can't rely solely on social media for sales with Nicole Walters, The Monetized Life

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0400

It's a binge-worthy week starting on-

Tuesday you'll hear how Johnny & Joanna at Letterfolk reinvented the Letterboard

Wednesday Nicole Walters will remind us why we can't rely on social media for sales

And on Thursday, I'll talk with Kelly Parker Smith about prioritizing profitable projects.

From the Archives | Reinventing the letter board market with Johnny & Joanna Galbraith, Letterfolk

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0400

It's a binge-worthy week starting on-

Tuesday you'll hear how Johnny & Joanna at Letterfolk reinvented the Letterboard

Wednesday Nicole Walters will remind us why we can't rely on social media for sales

And on Thursday, I'll talk with Kelly Parker Smith about prioritizing profitable projects.

134 | How to pitch yourself to podcasts with Caroline Hull & Brittney Lynn (Part 2)

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Okay, so did you catch Episode 133 (Part One) with Caroline Hull and Brittney Lynn on Tuesday? We talked about the dos and don'ts of pitching and podcasting. Caroline and Brittney shared real stories, tips, and advice from their experience in the podcast world. If you missed it, definitely push pause and go back and listen to that episode first, because today we're catching up right where we left off.

Today, Brittney, Caroline and I are sitting down to continue our conversation about podcasting. We're talking about how to pitch yourself, how to prepare for a podcast interview, and how you can support the show when your episode airs!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Next steps after you've landed the interview
The importance of following technical instructions
How to maximize your messaging
What to do the day of recording
Why you should always share your experience
Gratitude that goes a long way
Tips so that everything goes smoothly
Pep talk & positivity

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"If I send you the technical information, I would like you to follow it. There is a reason why I am asking you to wear headphones with a microphone, in a quiet room, please." - Caroline Hull

"The last thing I want to do is say, "We can't use your episode because you weren't prepared." That's really difficult." - Caroline Hull

"Bring real-life examples. Storytelling is effective because people like to hear about what other people's experiences are." - Brittney Lynn

"Know the takeaway or call to action, that one thing you want to drive the audience to do." - Katie Hunt

"Sometimes it takes a long time to see a listener turn into a customer, so know the metrics and know what you're doing." - Katie Hunt

"Most podcasters are not making money podcasting, and we are doing this because we love it, because we want to share your story." - Caroline Hull

"Even if you just share it in your stories on Instagram, it means the world to us, because again, we put so much time and energy into these podcasts." - Caroline Hull

"You never know who is connected to who, so you just want to treat everyone with respect." - Brittney Lynn

"Just keep it cool. Build relationships, make connections, do your part to help promote it. Do your part." - Katie Hunt

"This media is growing so much, and if you're not involved in podcasting in some way, now is the time to jump in." - Caroline Hull

"Podcasts help you connect more intimately with someone that may be new to you, because putting in your headphones and listening to a podcast episode, you feel like you get to know a person even though you've never met them." - Brittney Lynn

"We all have our own story and path and experiences. The more that you're willing to share, the higher the probability that you're going to get onto podcasts. You are the only person that has experienced your own experiences. Nobody can take that away from you because you are the only you in the world." - Brittney Lynn

LINKS

Caroline

Website: https://www.wildhomepodcasting.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildhomepodcasting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildhomepodcasting/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/wildhomepodcasting/

Brittney

Website: https://brittneyllynn.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittneyllynndotcom/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/brittneyllynn/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/brittneyllynn/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/brittneyllynn

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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133 | How to pitch yourself to podcasts with Caroline Hull & Brittney Lynn (Part 1)

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0400

I am really excited about our topic and guests for this week because two of my team members, Caroline Hull and Brittney Lynn, are joining me for two special episodes about how to pitch yourself to podcasts. Caroline and Brittney both have experience working in the podcasting world. Caroline owns her own podcast editing company, Wild Home Podcasting, and Brittney Lynn specializes in PR management. Today's we're covering everything what to do and what not to do, how to prepare for an interview and what you can do to spread the word once the podcast airs.

For some background on the amazing ladies who help me run Proof to Product, Caroline Hull has seen all sides of podcasting. As the co-host of the Creative Biz Rebellion podcast, she's been on the receiving side of many podcast pitches. Caroline has also been featured on dozens of podcasts by other people, including Episode 45 of Proof to Product where she talked about the importance of taking a break in business.

Brittney Lynn also knows the ins and outs of podcasting. As my PR manager, Brittney sees all the incoming pitches from people who want to be on Proof to Product. She also regularly pitches media opportunities to her clients for Podcasts and traditional media. You can hear more about the type of work Brittney does on Episode 66 of Proof to Product.

We hope you enjoy Part 1 today and stay tuned for Part 2 on Thursday!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The best and worst podcast pitches
Advice to make your pitch really stand out
Why you should always relate back to the listener
How to personalize your pitch
How to handle follow-ups
Why you should know exactly who you're addressing
Tips for avoiding acting like a robot

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"You can't just go in and be like, hey, my product is awesome and like you should have me on your podcast." - Brittney Lynn

"When I can tell that they've actually listened to the podcast, that's a really huge thing." - Caroline Hull

"Businesses are built on relationships, so take a little bit more time to customize what you're saying to people and refine the ask." - Katie Hunt

"Include the topics of what you can talk about on that podcast and how you can bring value because that's really what's going to differentiate you from other pitches." - Brittney Lynn

"Keep it short and sweet and get to the point and go from there." - Brittney Lynn

"Come at it with the perspective that you're communicating with another human being. How would you want to be communicated with?" - Brittney Lynn

"Just because they come on the podcast doesn't mean that everybody's going to go run and buy their product because that's not what the purpose of our podcast is." - Caroline Hull

LINKS

Caroline

Brittney

SPECIAL OFFER: 3 Free Months of Gusto!

Those old-school, clunky payroll providers just weren't built for the way modern small businesses work. But Gusto is. Now is the best time to get set up for the new year. Don't wait.

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Try a demo and see for yourself at http://www.gusto.com/proof

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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132 I Creating great photos & social media content with Alisha Cohen of LISH Creative

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Today we're lucky to have Alisha Cohen on Episode 132 of Proof to Product. Alisha is the founder and creative director of LISH Creative, a content agency for vibrant lifestyle and hospitality brands. Alisha took the leap to found her company in 2016 when she realized she had to leave agency life to break out on her own. Since then, Alisha and her team have created content for some of the world's leading brands including Nickelodeon, Nestle, General Mills, Facebook, Dunkin' Donuts, Delta Airlines, and Benefits Cosmetics.

On today's episode, Alisha shares her start up story and how she grew her business through determination and grit. She tells us how she taught herself to take professional photos using just her iphone and to create engaging content for social media. Alisha and I also talk about tips for preparing for photo shoots, the importance of having a shot list and helpful photo editing apps. We dive into what's working and not working on social media today, how Alisha has now moved from having an in person team to a virtual team and all of the challenges that go along with that.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What Alisha does and what a content agency is
How she got into the field and what she did before content creation
Where Alisha gets her grit and drive
How she connects with big brands and what collaboration looks like
The importance of putting out good work, consistently to build your brand
Alisha's number one tip for other creatives
What's working right now in the online space and what's not
Advice for taking great photos without all the fancy gear
Questions to ask before scheduling a photoshoot
Avoiding pitfalls
The fine line between inspiration and replication
Reality vs perception of running a small business
What's next for LISH

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"When you can bring on different team members that specialize in different areas, you are ultimately producing better work for your clients." - Alisha Cohen

"When you do good work, it's a lot of word of mouth." - Alisha Cohen

"Businesses are built on relationships, and the contacts you make on a project today may lead to additional work down the road." - Katie Hunt

"We only put out the kind of work that we want to come in." - Alisha Cohen

"I sign contracts that say influencer agreement, so I have to take on that term as much as I don't like it. No one loves the term, but what else do you call it?" - Alisha Cohen

"Social media is evolving so quickly and there's different roles that people are playing and different ways that we can get involved." - Katie Hunt

"You find what you like and what you don't. Management was definitely something that wasn't my cup of tea. So I kind of just hand it off, and don't really worry about the metrics too much." - Alisha Cohen

"It's unbelievable how much trial and error can go into one shot. So don't expect your first try to be awesome." - Alisha Cohen

"You want to know what you're going to be using these photos for and what the goal is, and then have a list of everything you want to capture so you don't forget anything. That was my big mistake. I kept forgetting things because I didn't have a list." - Katie Hunt

"If you look at our client journey that we have with each person, 80% of the work is the pre-work, is the shot lists and everything. So don't underestimate the time that needs to go into that." - Alisha Cohen

"It can be tough to do the virtual thing, especially when you've been in person, and the type of work you is real in-person high touch." - Katie Hunt

"It is so important to continually post and to continually interact with your community, whether that's reactively or proactively." - Alisha Cohen

"One thing I face on social media quite a bit is I think people think my business is a lot larger than it is. It's myself and a handful of contractors, and I want people to realize we're a small business just like them." - Katie Hunt

"It's a lot different than what you see on the internet, that's for sure." - Alisha Cohen

LINKS

Website: http://lishcreative.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/alishylishy

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/alishyishy

SPECIAL OFFER: 3 Free Months of Gusto!

Those old-school, clunky payroll providers just weren't built for the way modern small businesses work. But Gusto is. Now is the best time to get set up for the new year. Don't wait.

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Try a demo and see for yourself at http://www.gusto.com/proof

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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131 | Deciding what to delegate with Katie Hunt

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Hey friends, it's just you and me today on a special mini episode of Proof to Product! This week, I want to talk to you about delegating. There comes a time in most businesses where you are going to want to start hiring a team. For some of us, we hit a wall, we start to realize we're overwhelmed, and we just simply cannot do it all. If you want your business to grow, delegating is a key skill that I want you to have. So I recently did a free master class about delegating where I identified four steps to figuring out what you need to delegate. I realize not everyone is able to watch masterclasses, so I want to run through some of these strategies here. Now, the master class covers these in more depth and I'll show you examples, but for right now, let's run through these key points.

Step One: Track your time.

Before you can hire someone, you need to know where you currently spend time in your business. Ideally, I'd like you to spend a week tracking everything you do, and that includes how much time you spend on social media, talking to clients, checking email, engaging with your clients or your customers. Whether you're updating your online site or packaging product, track it. You can use time trackers online, like Toggl, or use a spreadsheet to check off what you're doing throughout the day. It's really up to you how detailed you want to get. I don't want you to analyze the time yet, just track it. As you're doing this, you may see some habits that you can adjust to save you some time. For example, maybe you're spending too much time on social media. Any hands raised? Mine is.

Step Two: Get Organized

So in this step, you'll want to organize your time blocks into what I'm calling buckets. Create some very high-level buckets of where you spend your time. This could be product development, marketing, accounting, administration, or even family, personal things. I usually have a bucket for that, but feel free to make these what you want and what suits your life. Add any others that work for your business, too. Use the information you collected in Step One to help you decide what buckets you need and group similar types of projects together. Within these bigger buckets, I want you to break things down into smaller tasks. In the accounting bucket, for example, you might have bookkeeping and taxes, payroll, invoicing, all of those things, right? In the marketing bucket, you'll probably have writing your product descriptions, writing your social media captions, content scheduling, research, advertising that you're doing. All of that would fall under marketing. Get all of your time tracking information organized.

Step Three: Analyze It

This is the step where we look at where you're spending your time and how these buckets fit together. Here are some questions I want you to ask.

What is taking up the most time in your business?
Which tasks do you love to do?
Which ones are your favorites?
Which tasks feel like they drain you?
Which tasks are revenue generating?
Which ones are bringing money into the business?
Which tasks do you not need to do yourself?

There's a lot of things that we do in our business. Most of the time, most of us are working just one person shop and we're handling all the different things, but there's a lot of things that we're doing on a day to day basis that we could be delegating to somebody else.

Keep in mind that what works for one company may not work for you. So don't jump on the bandwagon and hire somebody for let's say social media marketing just because some of your friends are. Really focus on what is going to make the biggest impact for your business. Once you've determined where you're spending your time and which tasks you want to take off your plate, it is time to think about bringing people onto your team.

Step Four: Hiring

It is important to hire people who have specific expertise, especially if it's a project-based thing or they have a very specific role. For example, you would not want to hire a general virtual assistant to take care of your books for you. You would want to hire somebody that has a bookkeeping background, or is an accountant, or has done this for other small businesses. You wouldn't want to hire a social media manager as a full time employee without first trying her out as a contractor. So really focus on hiring the right people in the right roles for your business to make delegating more comfortable for you, and it will make it more successful as you bring on new teams.

Delegating can feel scary. It can feel scary relinquishing control, giving other people responsibilities within your business. Start to peel back the layers small. Pick small projects to offload first. As you start to get more comfortable, you'll gain confidence, and then you'll honestly want to outsource everything, including things in your personal life. If you want to learn more, I encourage you to watch my free master class for more information on how to delegate. This is the perfect time of year to start thinking about what kind of team members you will need so that you can hit the ground running and streamline into the new year. You'll be amazed at how much more you can get done when you start delegating to others!

To learn more about delegating, check out our FREE masterclass, DECIDE WHAT TO DELEGATE IN 3 SIMPLE STEPS.

SPECIAL OFFER: 3 Free Months of Gusto!

Those old-school, clunky payroll providers just weren't built for the way modern small businesses work. But Gusto is. Now is the best time to get set up for the new year. Don't wait.

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Try a demo and see for yourself at http://www.gusto.com/proof

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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130 | Balancing a Brick & Mortar Shop and Wholesale Line with Meg Sutton of Belle & Union

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Are you ready for round two? Because we are! This is the second of two special episodes this week, featuring Paper Camp alumni who are taking us behind the scenes of what it's like to run a manufacturing business and brick and mortar retail shop simultaneously. Yesterday, on Episode 129 we heard from the Los-Angeles based, Katie Wilson. Now today, on Episode 130, I'm sitting down with Meg Sutton, the founder of Belle & Union, based in San Antonio Texas.

Meg first shared her startup story back on Episode 7. If you're curious about how Meg launched Belle & Union and the motivation behind her products, definitely head back to give that episode a listen. Today we're diving even deeper into Meg's business journey. We're sitting down to talk about how Meg decided to open her brick & mortar shop, how she layered that into her existing business model, and how she keeps perspective through it all.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

- How Meg balances time between wholesale and her shop

- The importance of great employees

- What Meg does to carve out time for creativity

- Some misconceptions about stocking for retail vs wholesale

- How Belle & Union has evolved over the years

- What Meg wishes she knew before opening her shop

- Choosing your location wisely

- Advice on how to deal with the unexpected

- How diversifying revenue streams has impacted neighborhood visibility

- What's up next for Meg and Belle & Union

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I need to be better about saying, "Okay, Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 to 1:00, that's my creative time. But as any creative knows, you can't really force it." – Meg Sutton

"I'm not a great people manager. I can be a leader. But when it trickles down, like I kind of need somebody else to handle that." – Meg Sutton

"Having a good support system truly helps, especially as you start to scale your business. You can't do it all. You shouldn't be doing it all." – Katie Hunt

"I will be the first to admit I have not been the best about figuring out that balance with my time to the point that I know our product line has suffered because of it." – Meg Sutton

"There are things we're not good at. There are things that drain us. There's things that just we shouldn't have our hands on, or we don't need to have our hands on." – Katie Hunt

"No matter what your business is. Wholesale, retail, pantomiming on the sidewalk, whatever it is, know your numbers." - Meg Sutton

"It's totally appropriate to keep something in the retail space, even if you're not selling it in the wholesale space. I think that's another misconception." – Katie Hunt

"As hard as this last year has been in retail, I don't regret it. I love having the store." - Meg Sutton

"I love the community that we've built, and I want to be able to expand on that even more." – Meg Sutton

LINKS

KENDRA SCOTT HOW I BUILT THIS

WEBSITE: Belle and Union Co.

FACEBOOK: @belleandunionco

INSTAGRAM: @belleandunionco

TWITTER: @belleandunionco

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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129 | Owning 2 brick & mortar shops and wholesale business with Katie Wilson, Crush, Touch & The Good Twin

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0400

This week on Proof to Product we're bringing you not just one, but TWO episodes with two special Paper Camp Alumni who are sharing what it's like to run a manufacturing business and brick and mortar retail shops simultaneously. Today on Episode 129, Katie Wilson, founder of The Good Twin, and owner of two Los Angeles-based retail shops, Crush and Touch, returns to the show to share what it's like to be a buyer, how being a retailer has changed over the years, and how she markets her own wholesale line to other buyers.

You might remember Katie from Episode 6 of Proof to Product where she first shared her startup story with us. If you haven't heard that episode yet, it's definitely worth heading back for a listen. Katie's had an amazing business journey, and over the years, she has been a contributor to many tradeshow recap episodes, a frequent speaker at our Paper Camp conference and an incredible mentor to many in our industry. We're thrilled to have Katie back today to share more of her experience and we hope you take away some great nuggets of advice. Coming up tomorrow, Episode 130 with Meg Sutton of Belle & Union.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

- Katie's first shop

- What inspired her to expand

- The types of products sold at Crush and Touch

- How Katie decides what to stock

- Dealing with concerns about competition

- Forging a unique experience for customer retention

- Calculating risk

- The importance of knowing what you want & need

- Making the most of handiwork & imagination

- Startup costs and maximizing labor hours vs dollars

- Planning for the best and the worst

- The do's and don'ts of pitching and presenting to stores

- Reframing failure to make improvements

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I smash everything in, and I get it all done, and I really love it, but it's amazing how much your hours in a day can expand if you need them to." - Katie Wilson

"Sometimes when we want to do something, we kind of undermine ourselves in terms of how much work, how much time, how much energy this really, truly takes." – Katie Hunt

"I actually carry nail polish, because I'm a big proponent of nail art is actual art." – Katie Wilson

"It's a very fun little baby, but it's a totally different side of my brain that I have to access to run it." ¬- Katie Wilson

"I love the things that I make, but I'm really passionate about a lot of the things that my friends make, or other people that I admire make." – Katie Wilson

"I'm okay with a healthy amount of financial risk. But in terms of the entrepreneurs that I know, I would say that I tend to go small and steady versus just jumping in with both feet." – Katie Wilson

"My mantra is, always play the long game. You want to make sure that you know what's right for you, that you know what you need, and what your expectations are out of your businesses, and what you need to survive, and also what you need to be happy. Because those are two different things." – Katie Wilson

"That initial push is a lot of money, and you got to stock that store, and even if you're doing bonkers business, that's a slow game to earn that money back." ¬- Katie Wilson

"I always plan for my absolute worst month, and I say like, "Okay, if I can run on this, then I can do anything," – Katie Wilson.

"I'm living out here. I'm just trying to do my thing, and not to hurt your feelings, but I have days when I'm back there, I'm not wearing lipstick. Don't call me. I don't want to see you right now. I'm not public ready." – Katie Wilson

"If you are going out and leaving samples, or if you're mailing samples to stores, only send two to three at most. Do not send your entire product line, especially if you're selling something other than paper products." – Katie Hunt

"Following up is key. And so is taking cues." – Katie Wilson

"Just remember that everyone's human, the buyers are human, we're human. Sometimes we need those reminders." – Katie Wilson

"That not so good stuff is how we make improvements, and it's how we build stronger business. So they're not failures. It's just another way to expand what we're doing and do it well." - Katie Hunt

LINKS

Website: http://thegoodtwin.co

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thegoodtwinco

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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128 | Utilizing an Ambassador Program with Danielle Nagel, Dazey LA

Tue, 22 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Being a product based business owner takes a lot of creativity on all fronts- in your designs, in operations, your marketing and how your reach people and tell your story. Now there are so many different platforms and technologies it can be hard to know where to start or which platform to choose. On today's Proof to Product episode with Dani Nagel, the founder of Dazey LA, we sit down to talk about the importance of finding platforms that work best for your creativity and that start your kind of conversation.

Dani founded Dazey LA as a fashion brand focused on empowering women through conversation and community. She intentionally built a business that supports her personal values. Each design is hand drawn by Dani and then manufactured to order in Los Angeles, California.

On today's episode, Dani and I talk about how her corporate and startup experience shaped her business perspective. We discuss sustainability, community building, and how Dani built Dazey LA from the ground up. Dani talks about how transparency and showing behind the scenes processes of her marketing and product development has helped her business. And we dive into Dazey LA's ambassador program, which tools they use, how they structure it, and how it has helped them build the retail side of their business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The spirit and inspiration behind Dazey LA
How Dani uses her clothing designs to start a conversation
Making the switch from corporate life to full-time freelance
What Danielle learned working for a start-up company
How Dazey grew out of Dani's studio apartment
Using Instagram to tell the real Dazey LA story
Coping with copy-cats and look-alikes
Dazey's daily marketing tactics
Why Danielle decided to start an ambassador program
How the ambassador program took off
The size of the Dazey team today
Dazey's make to order model and zero-waste goals
Advice for new product designers and what's up next for Dani & Dazey

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Every step of the way with Dazey, I've just been very intentional about aligning my messaging and my values along with my brand and my aesthetic. And somehow it worked out." - Danielle Nagel

"I really try to design things that I want to wear, and I want to promote. I just follow what feels right to me. I try to stay true to myself in everything that I do." - Danielle Nagel

"So through Instagram Story I just started to transparently share the highs and lows of running a business, the fun behind the scenes, and all the nitty gritty I remember wishing I could see when I was working for these corporate companies." - Danielle Nagel

"When we're just starting out, we want to look bigger than we are because we want to be taken seriously, and we want people to purchase our products. But then it gets to a point to where maybe we want people to know we're small and nimble." - Katie Hunt

"At the end of the day, I feel like my art stands on its own, and my messaging and branding is really strong. I know that the sharing transparently has been what has helped my business grow." - Danielle Nagel

"At my corporate job I was always trying to push the rules, always getting in trouble. So it's really fun having control of my own brand and be able to say, "Screw it, I'm going to share everything. I'm going to share designs before they're released. I'm going to share how I made them." - Danielle Nagel

"When I started Proof to Product, I felt like if we all get together and share what we know all of us will thrive. All of us will grow stronger together. And now, we've got this great amazing community." - Katie Hunt

"We use our platform as a space to create conversation, and we really want that to be a back and forth conversation. We design along with our audiences. I ask their opinions." - Danielle Nagel

"I'm okay with sacrificing crazy profit margins to be able to have a company that aligns with my values, and create something our community really cares about, that's a great conversation starter." - Danielle Nagel

"I'm always chasing what's next and what's new. So whenever I get to refresh the brand it's so exciting for me." - Danielle Nagel

LINKS

Website: http://www.dazeyla.com

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

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

https://www.refersion.com/

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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127 | How I moved our team's emails & drive files to a new domain in under an hour with Katie Hunt

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0400

If you were following our rebrand earlier this year, you probably remember that there were two technical pieces that really scared me as we were rolling out the rebrand.

The first was switching over our Instagram handles and making sure that we were keeping our larger account as our primary account for Proof to Product going forward. You can hear how I did that here on a past podcast episode.

The second thing was switching over our email accounts. And I don't know why this made me so nervous. I think it was because we were on the Google platform and we had so many files in Google Drive -- calendars, files, etc. I felt like it wasn't just switching the emails, it was also making sure all of those files migrated over to wherever we needed it to go. I basically wanted everything packaged all nicely under our new Proof to Product domain.

After several months of dragging my feet, I made the switch in two phases.. I did it myself in Google Suites and it took me less than an hour. I was pleasantly surprised with how simple the process was, so I want to share the steps with you here:

Adding the new domain to your existing Google Suite Account

Sign into your G Suite Account
Add your new domain as a secondary domain in your account. You will need to verify that you own the domain and the steps are different depending on who you host with.
Once verified, make the new domain your primary account in G Suite.

Changing our Team Emails

Go into the Users section of G Suite (in your admin panel)
Select one user at a time. You'll have to manually do this for each person and repeat the process.
Once in their user profile, you'll see their name@ your old domain. Click the drop down menu that shows your old domain and choose the new domain for the email.
Click "OK" to save the new email.
After you click Ok, it will ask you if you want to add an alias so that any emails that are sent to the old domain (tradeshowcamp.com in our case) will be forwarded to the new domain (prooftoproduct.com in our case). Say Yes.

Once you make this switch any emails sent to your old domain or your new domain will still go to that individual.

Everyone will also still have access to their old emails, Google drive files, Google calendars and anything else that had access to previously within your Google Suite.

Key-take aways:

Leverage help. The G Suite Customer Service was incredibly helpful and provided solutions that I wouldn't have thought of on my own.
Don't be intimidated by Tech. Block off time to do the hard things that make you nervous. You may be pleasantly surprised by how easy it is

126 I Knowing your "enough" number with Kelly Higdon of Calibrate Your Year

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0400

A few weeks ago I posted a poll on Instagram asking how many people out there were also feeling pulled in too many directions. More than 50 responses came in, 100% agreeing they felt overwhelmed and overscheduled. It might be the time of year, it might be the season of business, but I think we can all agree we need to find a way to create some blank space on the calendar. To handle this situation, I asked my friend Kelly Higdon of Calibrate Your Year to join me on Episode 126 of Proof to Product.

For some background, Kelly is a former psychotherapist turned business coach who helps entrepreneurs grow their business without the soul suck. She believes that a successful business is one that contributes to a happier life and when she isn't working, she's traveling with her family, dabbling in art and listening to live music.

On today's episode, Kelly and I talk about burnout. We talk about knowing you're enough within your business, and Kelly share how she manages to block off over 200 days a year for rest and family time. Yep… you read that right… 200!!!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Misconceptions people have about building downtime into their life & business
The unintended side-effects that can come from hustling too hard
Looking back on make it or break it moments
Why it's important to always, continuously check-in with yourself
Steps you can take to safeguard your wellbeing and balance business
How to embrace minimalism
Questions to ask yourself in critical moments
Tips for prioritizing relationships
Why you should schedule life before business
What Kelly's working on for 2020

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I exhibited at a trade show five days after I miscarried because I felt like I had to be there, which is so ridiculous. In hindsight, I should have taken time for myself to rest and heal and take care of my body and my family." - Katie Hunt

"Life presents things. Your health will present things, your relationships will present things. And then you have to decide, based on your values, based on who you are, what needs to shift to sustain a good life." - Kelly Higdon

"I was teaching and speaking at conferences all over the place, running through airports with my breast pump. It was insane and I got to the end of the year and realized this is not sustainable. I can't keep doing this." - Katie Hunt

"There are lots of different ways to serve, lots of different products to create. So it's really about getting down to the essence of what you want to do and what you want to be known for." - Kelly Higdon

"Planning ahead, I know what days I have to fit my business into. From there I can figure out when I'm going to host events, what the launch cycle looks like for that. And it has to fit into those spaces." - Kelly Higdon

"I will tell you straight up, I'm a recovering workaholic. It is an addiction. I have to just always be aware of that." - Kelly Higdon

"Define whatever it is that you want to have a good life. And deconstruct it to find that number your family needs to live a good life." - Katie Hunt

"I'd rather have simple businesses that provide a good living than wreck myself." - Kelly Higdon

"People, when they don't address who they are as a person, they'll repeat this in all their relationships, particularly in their business." - Kelly Higdon

LINKS

Website: http://calibrateyouryear.com

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

Instagram: http://instagram.com/kellyhigdoncoaching

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125 | Moving from wholesale to licensing with Erin McManness of Paper Raven Co.

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0400

As product-based business owners and entrepreneurs, so many of us are under constant pressure to juggle the design and operations sides of our businesses. It can be hard to focus on both moving product and creating the designs for that product, especially when we're juggling online, wholesale and licensing accounts. Turns out, you don't always have to do it all. Today's Proof to Product guest, Erin McManness, is a Paper Camp alumni who's lived every side of the business and decided to stick to the parts that are most fulfilling for her. I'm excited for you to hear her story.

Erin is an illustrator working in Atlanta, Georgia. She's been freelancing full time for five years under her brand Paper Raven Co., which started as a small greeting card line and now includes licensing for an assortment of cards, gifts, fabrics, and home décor. Erin incorporates her values and love for the environment in her work by printing all of her cards on 100% recycled paper in the United States. She also donates $1 from every sale to her reforestation partner, One Tree Planted. Over the course of her career, Erin has collaborated on projects with companies like Macy's, Target, Trader Joe's, Publix, and Aldi. In October, she's releasing her second book, The Art Starts In The Heart: An Inspirational Guide To Making Meaningful Art.

On Episode 125, Erin and I sit down to cover all of the above. We talk about how Erin has built the licensing arm of her business, the pros, and cons of flat rate and royalty payments and why she's made the decision to ramp up her licensing arm and slow down on the wholesale side. We also talk about Erin's new book, so enjoy!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

- The inspiration behind Paper Raven Co.

- How Erin's evolved from one stationery line, to multiple product categories, licensing and more

- What it's like to collaborate and design for big brands

- The importance of going out and asking for what you want

- The difference of working with both smaller and larger brands

- Advice on how to navigate negotiations and creative collaborations

- How to trust your gut and choose the right projects

- Flat rate fees vs royalties

- The 3 questions Erin asks herself before choosing to work with brands

- Making room for life beyond work

- Why you should double check a company's tracking & metrics before signing a royalty deal

- What inspired Erin to make the switch to 100% recycled paper products and partner with One Tree Planted

- How to research, evaluate and choose ethical companies to work. with

- Tough decisions, book celebrations, and what's next for Erin

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"You need to go for what you want and if you want something, tailor your portfolio and go ask for it." - Erin McManness

"At tradeshows, and Instagram, too, you never know who's watching. You never know who's paying attention to you or where the next great opportunity will come from." - Katie Hunt

"I love to work with smaller brands because they can be really flexible and they're not this big, huge company. There's a lot of creative freedom and things like that." - Erin McManness

"My rule is that if I get excited and I listen to my body, and my body is like, 'Yeah, whoa, let's go. This is so exciting, I'm so inspired by this,' I'm like, "Yeah, let's do it." - Erin McManness

"Saying no is difficult for a lot of people, myself included. But when we say yes to everything, we run ourselves ragged and we're not focused on the things that are really the most important." - Katie Hunt

"I really try to be intentional about structuring my business with what brings me the most joy, what I absolutely love doing." - Erin McManness

"I was ready to move on, but I was so worried about proving that I was a financial success out on my own that I just hustled and hustled and hustled, and I put things off to the side." - Erin McManness

"I realized making art is really what I want to do. Making the art is the most important thing to me." - Erin McManness

"I just want it to be me, I don't want an empire. I just want to be happy, make art, make things that make other people happy." - Erin McManness

"I try to do my research about companies that I work with. Are they ethical? Do they have practices that I can be proud of to be associated with?" - Erin McManness

"It's super important that there are shared values between us and those we're partnering with or collaborating with." – Katie Hunt

LINKS

Website: http://www.ShopPaperRavenCo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperraven.co/

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

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

https://onetreeplanted.org/

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124 | How do I know if a store is a good fit for my products with Katie Hunt

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0400

You've likely heard me say this here on the Proof to Product podcast and in our emails, but I'm a firm believer that relationships are they key to running and building a successful business.

Everyone from our team, to our customers, to our colleagues, to our vendors plays a significant role in our personal growth as well as the development of our company. Your relationships with wholesale buyers, are no exception.

BUT HOW DO YOU FIND THE RIGHT STORES?

HOW DO YOU CONNECT ON A PERSONAL LEVEL WITH THE BUYER?

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A STORE IS A GOOD FIT FOR WHAT YOU SELL?

These are common questions, so let me share some ideas:

FOCUS ON QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.

I often hear people say that they want to be in hundreds of stores. But, I'd argue that it is more beneficial (especially in the beginning) to work with a smaller group of stores that order from you regularly. It's much easier to provide great customer service and build meaningful relationships with a smaller pool of customers. And, it gives you time to refine your internal systems and build a strong foundation so that if you do grow your wholesale line to a point when you have hundreds of stockists, you'll be able to keep up. Set realistic goals when you're starting out and remember that fewer customers isn't necessarily a bad thing.

GO BEYOND THE WEBSITE.

The internet is a fantastic place to research potential wholesale partners, but there is so much more to a business than just their website. How is the store showing up on social media? Who are their customers? What other brands do they buy from or do they engage with on social media? Which shows are they attending and talking about? What types of products do they feature? I'm not advocating stalking, but the more you know about a potential shop the more effective your first point of contact will be. You'll also have a clearer idea if your products would work in that store.

START A CONVERSATION.

Again, don't stalk. But don't be afraid to engage with people in your industry, particularly shops you admire. Comment on their social media, like their posts, send an email introducing yourself and your line. Or, send a note (on one of your cards!) and let them know you've enjoyed their emails / social media posts / their window display was cool. Relationships take time to build and I know you're busy juggling one thousand other things on a daily basis. But, if stores don't know about you, they aren't going to buy from you.

And that brings us back to relationships.

These stores are your customers. Focus on customer experience, building real connections and delivering on your promises.

Be professional, polite and use every point of contact as an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your buyers.

At Paper Camp we'll dive deeper and explain how to identify the right stores for your products, then we'll provide you with strategies for how to reach them. Our Paper Camp E-Course starts on September 30th and we'd love to have you. Enroll or join the wait list at www.prooftoproduct.com/papercamp.

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123 | Packaging Your Products without breaking the bank with Katie Hunt

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Can we talk about product packaging for a minute? You want your products to look unique and stand out from the crowd, but you don't have to break the bank to do it.

There are so many packaging options available, and it's important to know when to follow the crowd and use standard packaging and when to get creative and do your own thing.

Ultimately, your product packaging must make it easy for the end customer to understand what your product is and how they can use it. And, from a business standpoint, you want to ensure that your packaging looks great, is scalable and doesn't cut into your profit margins. Here's where to focus.

- Keep it Simple

- Keep it On-Brand

- Keep Costs Down

We dive into each of these during today's episode.

Also, our Paper Camp E-Course starts on September 30th and we'd love to have you. Enroll or join the waitlist at www.prooftoproduct.com/papercamp.

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122 | Four key take-aways from Paper Camp

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0400

I'm recording this on a Sunday evening, just two short days after I finished hosting our 16th Paper Camp conference and I'm just now getting a chance to reflect on everything we did at Paper Camp and the amazing feedback we had from our students. In this episode, I want to share some of their key take-aways with you here on this episode.

But first I want to preface this conversation by saying we cover a lot of ground at Paper Camp. This is our signature program and we've helped over 1,000 small businesses on how to get their products on the shelves on their favorite retail shops. We talk about product development, sales tools for wholesale, sales strategies - working with reps and tech solutions like Faire, marketing to wholesale buyers and the nuts and bolts of exhibiting at shows.

As you can imagine, it is a very rich, full two days.

I tell you all of that to let you know that we modify each Paper Camp conference for the cohort that is there. They tell us where they are in their business and what they need help with. So, we tailor each conference and course to the attendees that are in attendance; and that is what is reflected in these student take-aways

Now, let's get to the meat of it. Here are the top four take-aways our students left with:

Validation. They are on the right track, making smart decisions in their busines and they are not alone. They left feeling validated in the decisions they've made thus far and confident in the steps ahead.
Road Map. They have answers and know where they are going next. They were given strategies, tools and next steps for their specific business at Paper Camp and now they just need to do the work. Many of them felt relief knowing they have a road map in place.
Community. So often creative entrepreneurs feel like they are working in silos. So, to sit in the same room as people who understand them, are working towards similar goals and building similar businesses is refreshing. Having an safe space to openly share resources and strategies without feeling like you're in direct competition is a special thing.
Options. They realized they have a lot of options for how to create their work, diversify their revenue streams and build a sustainable company. There is no one size fits all approach, but now they have information to make the best decisions possible for the business they want to build

In addition to the student's takeaways, I also want to share with you our speakers' final parting words of wisdom:

Rachael Hetzel from Pistachio Press reminded people that there is no one way to build a business. We all do things differently, and that's what makes our products & business unique. Doing what you love and being confident in your decisions is what will make your business grow stronger. We're in a unique and supportive industry that o

Kimberley Yurkiewicz from Crow & Canary reminded people that they are not alone. If they have a question, its likely someone else has that same question. So, reach out to the community, lean on your peers and leverage the Paper Camp community as you continue to grow.

Katie Wilson from The Good Twin encouraged our students to embrace incremental growth. She acknowledged that everyone is building their businesses in a unique way and there is no "right way" to launch to wholesale or release new products. She reminded everyone that even though they all have the same tools, advice and strategies from Paper Camp, that their journeys will be unique. Take comfort in your path and be proud of what you're building.

Carina Murray from Crow & Canary advised people to push themselves to cultivate a unique point of view with their products. While there is an insecurity around being different, embrace it -- buyers are hungry and want to see innovation.

And, I reminded everyone that slow steady growth is how strong businesses are build. Be intentional, strategic and confident once they decided on a path. Trust yourself to make the right decisions

These are just some of the things we talked about at Paper Camp. I wanted to take you behind the scenes as to what we do at Paper Camp as well as what our key take-aways were. I hope you find it helpful as you're navigating decisions in your own business.

And, I want to remind you that our online program -- the Paper Camp E-Course is open for enrollment and we only have a few seats left. Registration will close this week and we'll start classes on September 30th. Get more information and register at proooftoproduct.com/papercamp. I look forward to working with you!

121 | The Joy of Missing Out with Tonya Dalton

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Do you ever sit down at the end of a long day of work, after checking box after box off your to-do list and still think, wow, I have so many more things I should get done. This feeling of overwhelm is common for small business owners and mompreneurs alike and it's the reason today's guest, Tonya Dalton, was inspired to write her new book, The Joy of Missing Out.

You may remember Tonya from Episode 26 of Proof to Product, where she shared her start-up story of founding inkWELL Press and how she built systems and processes for both work and home. Since then, Tonya has been featured on Real Simple, Entrepreneur, Inc., Apartment Therapy, Lauren Conrad, and HGTV. In 2019, Tonya received the Enterprising Woman of the Year Award and was named North Carolina's Female Entrepreneur to Watch by The Ladders. Tonya is truly a productivity expert and has made it her mission to help other women reduce and remove the overwhelm in their lives through her inkWELL Press products, liveWELL Method Course, Productivity Podcast, and book that comes out October 1st.

On today's episode, Tonya takes us behind the scenes of The Joy of Missing Out. She shares her motivations for writing the book, why she chose to weave stories in as lessons, and the power of saying yes and no. I also discuss a personal story of my own that Tonya shares in her book. If you're looking for ways to reduce overwhelm in your life and carve out more time for the things that matter most, this one's for you!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What inspired Tonya to write The Joy of Missing Out
The importance of being raw and honest
Where to start when you get feel caught spinning in circles
How to identify your priorities and true North Star
Misconceptions about what's urgent vs important
Letting go of the idea of balance to embrace the idea of movement
Advice for coping with feelings of guilt
The value of free-time and white space to boosting productivity
Ultradian rhythm is and why it's important
How Tonya uses her white-space and free time
The sandwich strategy and how to use it
Tools, resources and bonuses being released with The Joy of Missing Out

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"We're overwhelmed by our tasks, overwhelmed by our own to-do list. And I wanted women to see that it is possible to live the life you want and to achieve greatness without spreading yourself so thin, without making yourself do everything." - Tonya Dalton

"It's not always easy to say no, to live with intention, or to let go of the guilt that we feel making these choices. And I think was really important to just be raw and honest about that." - Tonya Dalton

"The best teachers are those that have been through difficult times and are open to sharing both how they got through it as well as the messy parts of dealing with it." - Katie Hunt

"None of us get through life with all successes, without any failures. It's the things that we stumble on, the things that we fail at, those are the things that make us resilient." - Tonya Dalton

"Instead of trying to go the 50 different steps, why not choose to do five? Why not do less and focus in on what's important." - Tonya Dalton

"If everything is perfectly equal and even, there's no movement. You have to have some imbalance in order to move forward." - Tonya Dalton

"I think that's the problem is when we are trying to do everything, we end up doing nothing." - Tonya Dalton

"The biggest mistake some people make is thinking periods of rest are a reward for great work, but periods of rest are actually a requirement for great work to happen. We need some white space in our lives, some breathing room where we can actually innovate and be creative." - Tonya Dalton

"Often the grace we give to others far exceeds the grace we give ourselves." - Tonya Dalton

"I am so guilty of putting out the fires and letting that pull focus, because it's right in front, whether it's my kids or my team or whatever it is. But using the priority list over the to-do list recently has shifted my mindset around that." - Katie Hunt

LINKS

Website: https://inkwellpress.com/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/tonyaidalton

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonya_i_dalton

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonya_i_dalton

Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400214335

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120 | Managing a wholesale & retail e-commerce shop with Kaitlin Fontenot, Kait Studio

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0400

On the Proof to Product Podcast we cover so many topics, from marketing and operations to tradeshows and product launches, but today I'm super excited to have Kaitlin Fontenot on the show to talk about what every product-based business absolutely needs to be successful in our modern world - a well-built eCommerce platform. Kaitlin is the founder and lead designer of Kait Studio, a branding and web design company specializing in retail. Kaitlin is passionate about helping entrepreneurs feel more confident with their online presence so that they can show up in other areas of their business where they are needed daily. In addition to running a successful studio that develops e-commerce sites, as well as digital marketing, social media, and branding strategies, Kaitlin is also a mom and head of a rapidly growing team.

On Episode 120, Kaitlin and I sit down to talk about how you can best prepare before building an e-commerce site and ways to manage both online wholesale and retail shops. We talk about hiring, building a team with intention, and the importance of delegation. Kaitlin and I also discuss some misconceptions some product-based business owners have about e-commerce platforms and she shares a few important social media marketing strategies you definitely should start leveraging today.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Kaitlin built her business and the kind of work Kaitlin specializes in today
Her favorite projects to work on
The importance of integrating your website into your strategic plan
Misconceptions about managing an online presence
Strategies for driving and maintaining traffic on your ecommerce site
What types of product pictures work on various social media platforms
How Kaitlin plans and executes the web build process
The pros/cons of various e-commerce platforms
Best practices for brands selling in both retail and wholesale
How to get more eyes on your site & tips for widening your reach
Hashtags, videos and other tactics you shouldn't be ignoring
The life-changing benefits of delegation

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"If I had to pick one aspect of my business that I completely loved and was so passionate about, it would be the design development side" - Kaitlin Fontenot

"People would ask, "Who's growing your Instagram account? Who's helping you with all of this? Is it just you?" And I would just say, "Yeah, you know, it's me. I built the site. I'm doing all of this myself." - Kaitlin Fontenot

"You need to be leveraging your website in a very strategic way to not only get people coming through to your site, but to get them engaging with your products and purchasing your products and engaging with your brand." - Katie Hunt

"You have to think about the amount of time people are spending on social media and how they're getting to your website. There's so much that goes into it, and you have to know your customer 100%." - Kaitlin Fontenot

"I truly believe that if you're solving problems for people, especially through your website or your online shop, they will convert into paying customers." - Katie Hunt

"Everyone's customers are different. Everyone's audience is different. So really, it's all about what your audience is responding to the most." - Kaitlin Fontenot

"Once the build phase is done sometimes people get stuck. They don't move forward with any other strategies. So I always recommend the website is done, step away. Let's try some other things. Go to Instagram, go to Pinterest, see what you can do." - Kaitlin Fontenot

"Hiring a team, it's really scary. But as a mom and a business owner, it has been the most life-changing thing for me." - Kaitlin Fontenot

"I was doing everything myself for a very long time, had small children at home and when I started delegating and outsourcing, even just small pieces, it changed my life. I was able to do more in the business and focus on the high-level strategic things that needed my attention." - Katie Hunt

"Find someone you feel comfortable with, that's okay with answering your questions no matter how crazy you think they are. Find someone who understands where you're coming from because it is a big investment and anyone you work with should understand as a business owner themselves." - Kaitlin Fontenot

LINKS

Website: http://www.lovekait.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/kaitstudio / http://instagram.com/kaitlinfontenot

https://tsbc.teachable.com/p/delegating

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119 | Sustainable sourcing in fashion with Kelly Shanahan, The Ziran

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Behind every great business is an even better story. Kelly Wang Shanahan, creative director and founder of the Ziran fashion design company has just that - an amazing story. Kelly officially started her line in June, 2016 after becoming disillusioned with the luxury fashion industry, particularly it's waste and fast fashion mentality.

While researching ancient fabric techniques in China, Kelly discovered a special fabric called Xiang Yun Sha silk and instantly fell in love with its luxurious beauty and cultural significance. Today all Ziran pieces are made from this special silk, which is imported from China, and designed and manufactured locally by Kelly in Los Angeles.

Today on Episode 119 of Proof to Product, Kelly shares the long process of finding the silk, building a relationship with the silk boss in China, and gaining exclusive rights to use it with our products. Kelly shares her passion for sustainability, what inspired her to keep going through this long process, how she leverages story and influencer marketing, and why relationships are a key component to business success.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The Ziran products and what makes them unique
How Kelly traded "the lawyer plan" for fashion entrepreneurship
Hurdles that product based businesses face
Finding customers and leveraging social media
The sales channels and marketing channels Kelly utilizes
How Kelly got connected with the right vendors and manufacturers
Misconceptions about influencer marketing
The importance of building relationships for the long term
Building a network in the fashion industry
Kelly's advice for others starting out in the business
Coming up next for The Ziran...

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I went to China, I visited the silk farm. I saw how they made it. I was completely blown away, and then that's when I was like, this is what I want to do." - Kelly Shanahan

"I feel like especially with social media, there's so much noise, so I try to make everything ... every collection or drop have a deeper story and have a meaning behind it." - Kelly Shanahan

"I've tried to be more strategic with the influencers that I align with to make sure that they are actually supporters of the brand in an authentic way, and they actually vibe with it." - Kelly Shanahan

"I'm proud that I've been able to do that and help bring this ancient thing into modern times and make it relevant today." - Kelly Shanahan

"You work so hard on this thing and then you send it off into the world and you hope it brings everyone else just as much joy as it did you." - Katie Hunt

"What kept me going is just wanting to continue ... wanting to preserve and save this craft." - Kelly Shanahan

"In a world where everybody is consuming everything so quickly, lots of machines are making things, there's just a tangibleness to these handcrafted products, I know it's something different, there's nothing else like it." - Kelly Shanahan

"There's kind an openness among those of us who are making clothes in Los Angeles where we're open to share what we know, because we all know how hard it is and we're in it together." - Kelly Shanahan

"When one of us finds success, all of us gain success from that. And the more we can share, the stronger all of our individual businesses will become." - Katie Hunt

"You got there for a reason on your own, so you should follow your gut and your intuition too." - Kelly Shanahan

LINKS

Website: https://theziran.com/

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

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

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118 | NY Now & National Stationery Show Summer Recap with Katie Hunt

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0400

This past week I traveled from Los Angeles to New York for two trade shows — the National Stationery Show and New York Now. We had just over 35 alumni exhibiting between the two shows, and while I was there, I had the chance to catch up with them about their exhibiting experiences.

Today's compilation episode features interviews with 8 of our Paper Camp alumni. We talk about why each chose to exhibit where they did, they walk us through their decision-making process, what their goals were for the show and… tips they want to share with you all! Hope you enjoy!

NY Now:

Shayna from Steel Petal Press
Sarah from Fancy Seeing You Here
Jodi from the Neighborgoods

National Stationery Show:

Alicia from Slightly Stationery
Beth from Little Goat Paper
Shannon from Shannon Kirsten Illustrations
Brittany of Brittany Paige Designs
Jane from Greetings from Bergen Street

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117 | How to Time Your New Product Releases with Katie Hunt

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Creating new products and tinkering with new design ideas is why most of us went into business. It's the draw of the creative process. We love to brainstorm, create and then create some more. And it keeps our businesses exciting and alive—for us and for our bank account.

Releasing new products is our ticket to business growth. It sets us apart from the competition and shows retailers that we're serious about our business and our product line. But it's important to realize that timing is a major factor with new releases, particularly when you're selling wholesale.

At Paper Camp, we talk a lot about scheduling and timing, but the three things we need to consider are:

- Timing

- Frequency

- Reorders

We dive into each of these during today's episode.

Don't forget to download our free workbook: How To Build a Profitable Product Line or connect with us in our Friends of Proof to Product Facebook Group

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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116 | How to know if you're ready for an Integrator with Kristin Kaplan

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0400

As entrepreneurs and product-based business owners, there comes a time for all of us when we have to make the decision to pivot. The pivot period can be a tough and turbulent time, but today on Proof to Product, my friend Kristin Kaplan is here to tell us how she managed to gracefully pivot away from her successful wedding planning business after 10 years to begin working as an integrator for online entrepreneurs. Kristin now creates strategic plans, action steps and manages profitable, sustainable businesses. She is also the host of the Planning for Profit Podcast, the creator of The Pricing Workbook and the founder of Plan to Profit, a monthly program to help visionary business owners reach their goals. On top of all that, Kristin also balances life as a wife, mother to three kiddos, organization addict, beauty & skincare lover, marathoner, and wine drinker (she needs at least one vice to manage all of the above).

On today's episode, Kristin and I are talking about what it means to be an Integrator - what they do and how to know if you're ready for one. We also talk about pivoting in business - the fears surrounding it but also how it shows growth as a CEO and money mindset, particularly how to positively frame your thoughts around money. If you're looking for advice on how to manage it all, or how to make your pivot period easier, this episode is 100% for you!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Kristin's entrepreneurial path
The difference between Project Managers and Integrators
Why Integrators are often born out of Virtual Assistant roles
Her areas of expertise and how she helps clients
The importance of focusing on revenue-generating tasks
Tips to improve your goal setting
How to know if you're ready for an Integrator
The pricing range for hiring an Integrator
Why it's natural to pivot in your business
How little nudges can lead you in a whole new direction
The exciting parts of closing one business to open another
Strategies for resolving your money hangups
Advice for first-time entrepreneurs
What's up next for Kristin

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"My job is to come into someone's business, help plan out all the processes and systems and everything. My job is to make everything happen." - Kristin Kaplan

"Money is just a tool. It's not the scary evil thing that we all have to be afraid of. It's okay to build a profitable business that makes you some." - Kristin Kaplan

"My biggest strength is being able to take a really big goal or vision and then break it down into pieces so that it actually gets done." - Kristin Kaplan

"It's so helpful to get an outside perspective on what your goals are, what your financial goals are, what you're trying to accomplish, what kind of impact do you want to make in your business." - Katie Hunt

"Sometimes as creatives, everyone wants to chase the new shiny object that's right in front of them." - Kristin Kaplan

"I wish people would play a little more and set bigger and bigger goals because once you start setting huge goals, even if you don't meet most of them, you play at a different level, take bigger risks and invest more." - Kristin Kaplan

"It's super fun to do the vision board, but then, how exactly are you going to make that happen...like specifically?" - Kristin Kaplan

"A piece that a lot of creative entrepreneurs just struggle with is how to create the stepping stones they need to get to the final product or end goal that they want." - Katie Hunt

"Once you hit that point of like, all right, I'm looking to bring on my second or third team member, I'm ready to operate as the CEO, that's the time to think about hiring an integrator or project manager." - Kristin Kaplan

"It is hard to stay in the exact same place for decades on end. It gets old for most of us. I feel like we're all in this natural journey." - Kristin Kaplan

"It's natural to pivot. We have to continue to stay relevant in our businesses and that's what pivoting is. It's just continuing to evolve as a person, as a CEO, as an entrepreneur, and how we interact with our customers." - Katie Hunt

"Pivoting is evolving." - Kristin Kaplan

"Just focus your attention on being positive, being grateful, feeling abundant, and try to move away from any feelings of negativity and scarcity." - Kristin Kaplan

LINKS

Website: https://www.kristinkaplan.com/

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

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

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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115 | Scaling a handmade jewelry business with Dani Paquin of Agapantha

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0400

We've heard a lot of fun origin stories on the Proof to Product Podcast, but today's episode with Dani Paquin, founder of the jewelry company Agapantha, is an extra sweet and serendipitous start-up story. Dani founded her jewelry company in 2004 somewhere on a dusty road as she was touring the United States as a singer-songwriter. Between tours, Dani worked at her home in Brooklyn assembling jewelry for other designers, but at that moment on the road, she finally realized she had to bring her own designs to life. So Agapantha was born and an important artistic shift was made.

What does Agapantha mean? It's the first flower that Dani's grandmother taught her to say. Today, Dani pays homage to her and the inspirational women in her life by naming each collection after someone special. Her delicate, minimalist layering jewelry that is sold in boutiques around the world and Agapantha recently celebrated 15th years of business.

On today's episode, Dani shares her start-up story. We talk about how she slowly and thoughtfully grew her jewelry line over the years and how she scaled production for a handmade product. Dani also encourages all of us to just keep going - because you never know where things will lead.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Dani got started making jewelry
What inspires her work
The way Agapantha has evolved over the years
How frequently Dani releases new pieces
Pain points of catering to both retail and wholesale
The first role Dani hired for
The importance of training and trusting your team
How Dani shifted her business model and scaled up
What she learned from 15 years of entrepreneurship
Beneficial mistakes and resources that helped Dani get where she is today
Advice for individuals just starting out

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Let's be real. We're all trying to do the job of about one million people." - Dani Paquin

"I've been working really hard to find great people that I can trust and I can give things away. To try to start focusing more on what I'm really good at and what I want to do." - Dani Paquin

"There are times where even if we have a team, we still have to get our hands dirty. It's still our company. We have to do the work." - Katie Hunt

"It took me a long time to be okay with having someone in my space that I didn't feel like I needed to talk to or feel like I had to entertain. That's a big change when you're used to working alone." - Dani Paquin

"Manufacturing is one of those big pivots decisions. It's an opportunity for growth but it can be scary." - Kaite Hunt

"I'm in the midst of my first project where I'm manufacturing overseas for a much larger scale project than we could do on our own here. It's really exciting and really scary. But I feel like a doorway into something new." - Dani Paquin

"Ultimately it always comes back to how much I love what I do and I don't want to do anything else. Just to just keep going, one day at a time. One foot in front of the other. You do your best." - Dani Paquin

"Once you embrace making mistakes and failing, not as a failure, but as an opportunity for growth, then you know what not to do. You have to get through that In order to go farther. There's no way to do it without that." - Dani Paquin

"If you meet someone and you have an instinct about them, that you're not going to get paid or something's off, trust your instincts. Don't be in a store just to be in a store." - Dani Paquin

"We're artists and designers and that doesn't mean we're bad at business. But often it means that the business side is not what we're focusing on." - Dani Paquin

"It's always nice to have an outside perspective weighing in on your business decisions because it's so personal to you. It's so close to you. It is your art." - Katie Hunt

"It's okay to say "no" to some things that don't feel right. Keep going. Or know when to quit." - Dani Paquin

LINKS

Website: http://www.agapantha.com

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

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

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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114 | E-Commerce Strategies & Abandoned Cart Emails with Arianne Foulks, Aeolidia

Tue, 30 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Has being an entrepreneur and your own boss helped unlock new skills or uncover new parts of your personality? It definitely has for Arianne Foulks, founder of Aeolidia, a design studio specializing in designing and developing custom e-commerce websites using Shopify, as well as logo design, product packaging, product photography, content creation, and business naming. Before starting Aeolidia in 2004, Arianne was shy and avoided talking to clients over the phone. Today, after 15 years in business and growing her team to more than twenty-three employees, Arianne is bold in her business. She speaks and teaches at events, hosts business owner brunches, and looks forward to talking with people about their companies.

On today's episode, Arianne and I chat about how she built her agency and grew her team over the years. We talk about common misconceptions some creative entrepreneurs have, the advantages of using Shopify, and the importance of abandoned cart emails. Arianne also shares details about the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program, an investment program that helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses through education, capital and support services.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Common misconception creative entrepreneurs have about branding, marketing, and websites
What really goes into a logo and behind a brand
How Arianne moved into the branding, marketing, website world
Aeolidia's e-commerce checklist
The importance of digging into data and analytics and knowing what's working and not working
Why Arianne is a fan of Shopify for product based businesses
Advice for shop owners on how to prevent abandoned carts
What sets Aeolidia apart from the competition
How Arianne helps clients stick to their deadlines
The balance between business results and personal service
How having a baby forced Arianne to grow and delegate in her company
Resources, mentors, and programs that have contributed to Arianne's success

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"The logo is the very tip of the iceberg of your brand. But when you know what's going on with an iceberg, most of it is underwater. At Aeolidia it's all the underwater stuff that we love people to get started with first." - Arianne Foulks

"Customer service is really the foundation of building a good business." - Arianne Foulks

"I'm a firm believer in hiring people that are smarter than me and that can teach me a thing or two." - Katie Hunt

"I was a customer service pro by the time I got started working with clients, and that gave me such a huge leap in being able to just jump into it and do a good job." - Arianne Foulks

"It turns out that running a business is a very creative pursuit whether you're designing things or not, and I really find it satisfying the whole way through." - Arianne Foulks

"One of the quotes that's always in my head, I just think all the time is 'What got you here will not get you there." - Arianne Foulks

"There are some people that feel like, "Well, I hired you to design it and develop it. Just create it." It's like, "Well, no. You as a business owner have to tell us what kind of copy, what kind of images, what kind of details you want on that." - Katie Hunt

"You have to remember that people who are almost buying something from you are really into it. It's something they actually want, so they're not unhappy to see it again." - Arianne Foulks

"You should be fairly aggressive about sending people the emails because they're already not buying the product from you. They've already decided not to. It's not like you can lose them any more than that." - Arianne Foulks

"If people don't know about your products, they're not going to purchase them." - Katie Hunt

"I started realizing it's really fun to just run the business. It actually is a creative pursuit." - Arianne Foulks

"I think my husband's least favorite words for me are, "I have an idea." - Katie Hunt

LINKS

Website: https://aeolidia.com/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/aeolidia

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aeolidia.shipshape/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/aeolidia

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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113 | Why you can't rely solely on social media for sales with Nicole Walters, The Monetized Life

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0400

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Common mistakes Nicole sees eager entrepreneurs making
Tips on where to focus your marketing time and money
The problem of relying on social media platforms
Benefits of sticking with the old school methods
What really gets customers in the door
How to make a 40-50 hour work week feel like 4 hours
The lessons Nicole took from corporate life and applied as an entrepreneur
Her strongest marketing tool today
Nicole's favorite success stories
How saying no is a form of self care
Advice for brand new business owners and entrepreneurs experiencing growing pains
The importance of acting like a business from the get-go
What success looks like for Nicole today

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"If the only place that you're selling is on your social media platform, well guess what? It's not yours. You don't own it." - Nicole Walters

"Word of mouth is still good. So all that matters that you're actually able to get to people who have mouths and are able to spread the word. Old School still works." - Nicole Walters

"Make sure that you're telling your story authentically and being honest about who you are. Because if you do that, if you tell your true story, well guess what? You'll never get it wrong." - Nicole Walters

"Wear your heart on your sleeve, because it's that same heart that'll put cash in your pocket." - Nicole Walters

"It was time for me to quit and I decided to do in grand fashion. I decided that I wasn't just going to burn the bridge behind me. I was going to singe it and blow away the ashes." - Nicole Walters

"I was ready to become an entrepreneur. So instead of taking those tools to fat cats at multi-billion dollar companies, I'm taking them to everyday entrepreneurs who are using them to feed their families and their souls." - Nicole Walters

"I get to see the change and the transition and the transformation in people's families and livelihoods. Being able to really put money into people's pockets instead of watching it go to a new Gulfstream jet or a new golf membership at a country club, you know, it's really, really rewarding. And I love it." - Nicole Walters

"I'll be the first one to tell you if I'm doing my job well, guess what? We shouldn't work together forever." - Nicole Walters

"Look at the quarterlies, look at your revenue and your expenses, all of it. There might be certain quarters that are slow, but if you can plan for that and know about that in advance, it just sets you up for the longterm." - Katie Hunt

"I'm a mom and I'm married and the other side of it is honestly, I couldn't keep up with my business if I didn't get healthy. That's the reality of it." - Nicole Walters

"There's this misconception of self care, that it's going and getting a manicure and/or like, you know, or going to get coffee or whatever and it's like self care comes in so many different forms." - Katie Hunt

"I'm allowed to say no to things that don't serve me because if I say no, then I'm taking care of the things that do serve me. And that is a form of self care." - Nicole Walters

"You want to seize opportunities, but at the same time you need to protect your time and your sanity." - Katie Hunt

"Act like a business if you want to get paid like one, get out there and get your legal stuff in order. Make sure that you understand the importance of finances, quick books, getting all that stuff done and I know it's big and scary." - Nicole Walters

"The minute you take a dollar, you are acting like a business and you need to get paid like one." - Nicole Walters

"Sometimes we get in our own way, we overthink things or we don't relinquish control when we need to or we're afraid to bring on more team members to handle things because we think nobody can do it the way we can." - Katie Hunt

LINKS

Website: http://nicolewalters.tv

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

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

Periscope: https://www.periscope.tv/NapturalNicole

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/napturalnicole

Twitter: https://twitter.com/napturalnicole

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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112 | Scaling a Subscription Based Business with Samantha Barnes of Raddish

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends, have you heard of Raddish? It's a super cool monthly cooking club that empowers kids to build confidence in the kitchen and beyond. Today's guest, Samantha Barnes the CEO and founder of Raddish, founded the company after working as a middle school teacher. A mom of two, Samantha realized the kitchen was the best place to connect with her kids in a meaningful way, and in true entrepreneurship fashion, she was inspired to start her own company. Samantha's passion for family is visible in every aspect of her company. As a female founder, she is committed to running results-oriented and flexible company built on autonomy, working smart, and a positive work/life balance.

On today's episode, Samantha and I dive into her subscription based business model and how it has evolved over time. The two of us talk about her business journey, how the company started out of her garage, how her team has evolved, the logistics of getting her product to market. We also talk about the pros and cons of running a subscription based business, how she learned how to delegate, what she does when she's feeling burnt out.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Samantha got the idea for Raddish
Why she decided to go with a subscription model
The benefits of growing slow and working by trial and error
Creating continuous content and dealing with unexpected hurdles
The steps Samantha took to scale up
Her decision to keep her team lean and mean
How Raddish cultivates the customer experience
Learning to delegate when it's not your strength
Avoiding shiny distractions for the long term goal
Lessons Samantha learned in her business journey
Two things she does to stay grounded in the chaos

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"We did not go into it having some large strategy. We learned by doing. We launched on Kickstarter in October and we shipped our first kit in January." - Samantha Barnes

"In the beginning, we were simply finding the right tool and trying to get the right quantity and have it delivered at the right time. And now we're able to go out and we custom-create our tools." - Samantha Barnes

"I live in a small house in Los Angeles. So it had its own challenges. We would have easy ups all throughout the backyard and our production line had to go out into the backyard because we couldn't fit in the garage anymore." - Samantha Barnes

"Because we are self-funded we are really careful about how we grow. Making sure we have the great product, making sure that we're minimizing our churn and really keeping members for longer is important." - Samantha Barnes

"It's a critical growth step as an entrepreneur. It's like, okay, I need to start delegating more and releasing control so that we can grow and so that we can get more done in a day." - Katie Hunt

"We call our Facebook group users the Raddish army because they come to bat for us, you know, they really want to help families understand exactly how great the product is." - Samantha Barnes

"We're definitely a word of mouth product and started that way, and that is definitely how we got off the ground." - Samantha Barnes

"Delegating is not my strength, it's something I have had to learn and I continue to learn." - Samantha Barnes

"I have the right people in the right seats and I just have the expectation that somebody is going to get that done and I don't micromanage or oversee the process." - Samantha Barnes

"My whole motivation was hiring people that were smarter than me that could teach me things. Take the tasks, run with them, and I trust them to do it well and do what we need to head towards the goal." - Katie Hunt

"Learning from others and being open to learning and talking to as many people as you can and experiencing as many opportunities is really important. That's the big picture idea." - Samantha Barnes

"I mean, I love baths and manicures and pedicures, but if I have free time, I'm thinking what can I do that's really going to inspire me and make me feel better and make me kind of reset. Reading has been a big one for me over the last couple of years because it does feel indulgent too." - Katie Hunt

LINKS

Website: http://Raddishkids.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/raddishkids

Facebook group: http://facebook.com/groups/raddishfoodandfamily/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/raddishkids

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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111 | Realizing You Don't Want an Empire with Kiwi Schloffel, Craft Boner

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0400

On today's episode of Proof to Product I'm sitting down with a gal I greatly admire, who I have had the pleasure of working with for a few years now through Paper Camp and my Proof to Product Mastermind coaching program. Meet Kiwi Schloffel, the brains and brawn behind Craft Boner, a stationery gift brand with the sole focus of making people chuckle. That's a common theme in greeting cards, Kiwi takes it seriously. Her goal, in her own words, "Is to make you laugh. Not in the ha-ha-I'm-being-polite kind of way but actual big belly laughs that make your eyes water and give you an annoying stomach cramp because you just can't stop."

Over the course of the last eight years, Kiwi opened a retail space then decided to leave that retail space. She expanded her product line to more than 300 SKUs across multiple product categories and then recently discontinued over half of those products. She amassed an Instagram following of over 16,000 people just like that, and today we are talking about all of it. Kiwi and I sit down to talk about the transitions, the fears, and how making these shifts have allowed her to do fewer things even better within her business. Kiwi acknowledges that she's still figuring out her next steps, and that's why this interview is so important. At the end of the day, no matter how successful, aren't we all just trying to figure it out? I hope you enjoy this fun episode!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What led Kiwi to start Craft Boner
How she turned her blog into a product based business
The first products Kiwi ever sold
Transitioning into wholesale
Balancing the love to create and the reality of outsource to scale
How Kiwi decided which skews to keep and how cutting skews can lead to greater freedom
The importance of intentional business shifts
Benefits of embracing the way your individual, unique brain works
How Kiwi realized she didn't want a business empire
Logistics of switching

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"In my heart I'm just an introvert who wants to make things." - Kiwi Schloffer

"When I moved home I was like, you know what, I'm going to be that millennial cliche. I'm going to live in my dad's basement and try to do my own thing." - Kiwi Schloffer

"It's something a lot of people don't realize. When you first start a business, it's so, so slow. You can always find stuff to do, but there's just not usually a lot of money coming in." - Kiwi Schloffer

"When I started in my dad's basement, the dream was always to make this my full time gig. But I honestly never thought it would happen." - Kiwi Schloffer

"I didn't even have any framework. I didn't even know what the ladder was. I didn't even know, I knew what a skew number was, but I was like, I don't know what that has to do with me." - Kiwi Schloffer

"We don't know what we don't know at the beginning." - Katie Hunt

"My experience is never, ever, ever been from a business perspective, it's never been about margins. It has always been about what can I make and how can I make it fun? " - Kiwi Schloffer

"I'd stay up until four in the morning because I had a full time job at that point, and I was like, I can not keep doing this, something has to change." - Kiwi Schloffer

"Business is not one size fits all. It is not a step ladder that we're all climbing with the same steps. It's truly like a rollercoaster with zigzags where we take two steps to the right and then go up and back or whatever." - Katie Hunt

"I've always approached something like, I can do this myself, and not finding people that can do it for me. So now it's been a weird shift to realize I can design this thing and someone else can make it. That's crazy. " - Kiwi Schloffer

"I told myself I can figure out inventory systems, the accounting. I can figure out all this stuff. I can hire people, add more products, more overhead, I can be a boss. I can be a CEO, I can manage people, and look at spreadsheets and figure out orders. And I hated that idea." - Kiwi Schloffer

"I still don't have it figured out. I'm still in my exploring phase and figuring out what I like, what I don't like. But it's been really exciting." - Kiwi Schloffer

LINKS

Website: http://www.craftboner.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/craftboner

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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5 tips when applying for scholarships with Katie Hunt

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Welcome! If you're listening today that means you're likely interested in applying for our Paper Camp scholarship! Giving back is one of our core values here at Proof to Product and we give back through our time, knowledge as well as financial scholarships. Since 2011, we've awarded over $250,000+ in scholarship funds to creative entrepreneurs who sell physical products to the wholesale market.These brands had big dreams of seeing their products on the shelves of their favorite stores and they have obtained huge results. Our scholarship recipients sell products to Starbucks, REI, Land of Nod, Barnes & Noble, Anthropologie and more. They've built profitable, sustainable companies. They've built businesses that serve the life they want to lead. And, they are active contributors to our Proof to Product community. These scholarships are a big deal and we treat them that way. Last round we reviewed 89 scholarship applications and it took my husband and I three days to all the videos, read the applications, review website and ultimately whittle it down to one full tuition scholarship winner. It's never an easy choice, but we do put a lot of care into our selections. And, today I want to share 5 ways that you can stand out when submitting your Paper Camp application:

Tell us WHY and HOW Paper Camp will positively impact your wholesale business. Be specific. Are there certain strategies or tactics that you need help implementing? Be open to sharing what's working and what's not working your business. We've been where you are and if we know where you're struggling, we can identify whether we can help.
Your story is important. Why do you do you the work you do, what inspires you when you're creating and what are your goals for the business. You only have 2 minutes in your video to talk about your products, your business needs and where you want to go next. Use that time wisely and connect the dots about how Paper Camp will help you reach those goals. Please do not use this time to tell us about financial or personal difficulties you are facing or have faced. Talk about your dreams & aspirations for the business. Be specific in how Paper Camp can help.
If you listen to the Proof to Product podcast, if you've utilized our free resource library, if you're a member of LABS, if you're friends with Paper Camp alumni… tell us! Particularly if you've utilized our podcast and free resources to make positive changes in your business. Our scholarship recipients are proactive, they are resourceful, they understand the value of our community and the educational resources available through Proof to Product. They understand that business growth takes time and hard work… show us you've utilized alll the incredible free resources we share to take forward action in your business
We want our scholarship recipient to understand the value of what they are winning. Meaning, the value of the education, coaching and community they receive by attending Paper Camp far exceeds the price tag of our tuition. We expect our scholarship winner to show up, ask questions, participate in live calls, connect with other members of our community, to pay it forward in different ways and take advantage of everything Paper Camp has to offer. If you can not be an active participant in Paper Camp, then please do not apply for scholarship.
Lastly, please follow instructions carefully. This includes answering all questions thoroughly and changing video settings so that anyone can watch it. If you submit an incomplete application or we can not view your video, we will not consider your application and its always a bummer when this happens.

To sum it up, we want to hear about your business. We want to know why you're building the business you are, where you need help in your business and how Paper Camp fits into your next steps. Easy enough, right? If you'd like to apply for our Paper Camp scholarship, head over to www.prooftoproduct.com/scholarships. Also, if you're listening when applications are closed, I strongly recommend joining our email list so that you're notified of upcoming scholarship opportunities and you'll get our emails each week with important strategies and tactics to grow your business. Sign up for that at www.prooftoproduct.com/newsletter That's all I have for you to day. Good luck and thanks for listening!

110 | Business partnerships with Minna Khounlo-Sithep & Jacqueline Snyder, The Product Boss

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0400

So many of us are solopreneurs, but have you ever met another small business bad-ass and totally clicked? That's what happened for today's guests, Minna Khounlo-Sithep and Jacqueline Snyder, voices behind The Product Boss Podcast.

For some background, after Minna had her first child she was inspired to start Lil' Labels, write-on kids labels that are sold at retail giants like Amazon, Walmart and Jet. At the same time, Jacqueline was running her own product based business, Cuffs Couture, and growing her international sales. Jacqueline reached out to Minna in a business Facebook group, and the two totally hit it off. Today, Jacqueline and Minna work together to teach business owners how to grow their product-based businesses with smart strategy and a community around them. In addition to running the podcast, they each still own their own businesses.

On Episode 110, we're all sitting down to talk about the pros and cons business partnerships, how Minna and Jacqueline divide responsibilities, and what to look for if you're considering taking on a new partner. We also talk about how Minna and Jacqueline juggle their multiple businesses, and they share their top tips for product based business owners.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What inspired Minna and Jacqueline to start their own businesses
The evolution and importance of celebrity endorsement
How Minna and Jacqueline met
Moving from online, becoming friends, and deciding to partner up
Hesitancies of forming a partnership
Dividing responsibilities
How Jacqueline and Minna balance their individual businesses with The Product Boss
The importance of implicit trust
Questions to ask yourself before finding a business partner
Strategies for dealing with day to day stressors
Shifts Jacqueline and Minna have seen in the industry
Alternatives to tradeshows and advice for scaling your business
What's up next for The Product Boss

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I dug in and I figured it out, and I had the tenacity of a pregnant woman going to give birth. So the rest from there just was it seemed easy." - Minna Khounlo-Sithep

"I'm very much a book learner. So it was in my mind that I could just learn all about Amazon. I was already a fan of Amazon, so I basically schooled myself on Amazon." - Minna Khounlo-Sithep

"I was in my 20s and going out and wanting to dance and have no purse. I always hated having to put my purse under like a jacket in the corner at bar. And so I created Cuffs Couture, which were fashionable, chic wrist wallets." - Jacqueline Snyder

"We started a business without realizing we were starting a business, and yeah. She's not a serial killer. So at least a good thing, right?" - Jacqueline Snyder

"We get so many ideas going as entrepreneurs. We just know how to do things. We kind of know how to execute or figure it out along the way. And then on top of it, we really did have a great connection." - Minna Khounlo-Sithep

"We approach things very differently, and the thing is we get along really, really well. But I think the key is we trust each other implicitly." - Minna Khounlo-Sithep

"Big brands are not as agile as a smaller entrepreneur. We can try something today and if it doesn't work tomorrow, we can shift gears, or we can try again in a different way." - Katie Hunt

"My biggest thing with being a partner is like, "Am I doing enough? Am I showing up and handling my role? Am I doing enough?" - Jacqueline Snyder

"It's highly psychological, lots of mindset, and you have to be able to see that other person as a full partner that has all these fears and joys too. So you're always trying to balance that out." - Minna Khounlo-Sithep

"We're complete opposites as far as personality wise or approaches. But we definitely have the same love for so many things. We love our families. Our why is exactly the same." - Minna Khounlo-Sithep

"I don't think I would work well with a partner. Maybe I'm too bossy, I don't know. Too decisive. But I think that's why I find partnerships so fascinating because when you have two of the right people together, amazing things can happen." - Katie Hunt

"The face of product entrepreneurship and a product business is really changing, which is why you can see why stories are so important. Learning how to sell with your story and those personal brands is more important than ever before." - Minna Khounlo-Sithep

"The opportunities have shifted for product based businesses, and the customer has changed quite a bit too. So it's an interesting dynamic how we have to adapt as product based business owners." - Katie Hunt

LINKS

Website: http://www.lillabels.com; http://www.theproductboss.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/lillabelsco; http://instagram.com/theproductboss

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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109 | Discontinuing an entire product line & starting over with Alicia Heater, Slightly Stationery

Tue, 25 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Do you remember when you first started your business? How about your first card? Do you ever go back and look at work you were doing in those early stages and wonder, what was I thinking?! I know from experience it can be cringe-worthy or just hilarious, but that's the beauty of the business journey!

Today on Proof to Product we're welcoming Paper Camp alum, Alicia Heater of Slightly Stationery, to share her business beginning. When Alicia started Slightly Stationery, it was with the belief that women be encouraging and loving to each other through the timeless art of handwritten notes (Oh, and that these handwritten notes should make people chuckle, and also be super cute, too.) Today, continuing this spirit of mutual support, a portion of all Slightly Stationery proceeds go to the Malala Fund to help girls around the world receive a good education.

On Episode 109, Alicia talks about how she started her first line, the changes she made along the way and what she learned at Paper Camp. We discuss the financial challenges of business and why giving back is a key part of Slightly Stationery's mission and values. Alicia also shares the importance of taking advice, not being afraid to start over, and what it's like today to have cards in more than 400 stores throughout the U.S. including Paper Source and Anthropologie.

We hope you enjoy this fun episode, and that it inspires you to look back at how far you've come in your business journey too!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What prompted Alicia to start her stationery line
Why she pivoted from custom wedding invitations to greeting cards
Following your heart and making decisions based on your strengths
Starting from scratch
Taking advice and knowing where to improve
How to hone in on your audience
When Slightly Stationery releases new product
Mistakes Alicia made when she first started with wholesale
Changes she made to her business after Paper Camp
The importance of patience and persistence
Differences between big and small company buying cycles
The steps Alicia took so she could start pulling a salary from her company
How she chose a philanthropic organization to give back to
What Alicia is most proud of in her business

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I was doing a lot of custom work and not making any money on it, so I wondered is there's something out there that I can design one time and sell it a whole bunch times?" - Alicia Heater

"It's an experiment in those early years in business. How do I want to structure this? How can I make it sustainable for the long term? And profitable and make it my full-time gig." - Katie Hunt

"When you're buying a card in a store, you're buying it because this is perfect for this one person. I had this thought of like I'm trying to design for everybody, so I wasn't designing those kind of cards." - Alicia Heater

"I scrapped the idea of trying to design cards that are going to be so generic and good for everybody, because then they're not really special for any one person, and those are the ones that sell." - Alicia Heater

"When it feels like you're selling the same thing as everybody else, you need to really find what's unique about your products, and really promote that." - Katie Hunt

"When I turned that filter off of my ideas, it opened up a lot of things." - Alicia Heater

"People will pick up a card for the way it looks, if it's cute, but they'll buy it because of what it says." - Alicia Heater

"I had no idea, so I went and did a bunch of Google searches on like how to sell wholesale and learned so much more about that when I did Paper Camp" - Alicia Heater

"Right after Paper Camp, I went out and was working harder at going to get more reps rather than going to get more stores, and it really empowered me to go do the right things. It was a chain reaction." - Alicia Heater

"Now they're emailing me, and Anthropologie's like, 'Oh, this card's doing so well for us. Can we carry some more stuff, too?' and I'm like, hmm. Let me think about that for a second. Yes!" - Alicia Heater

"Being able to have a business where I can do what I like doing, and it pays the bills, too, is really incredible, and I feel really blessed to have that, so I'm proud of that." - Alicia Heater

"Even when you're not making much money, you can still give back." - Alicia Heater

LINKS

Website: http://www.slightlystationery.com

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

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

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/slightlypaper

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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108 | Shifting our definition of success with Ginger Lyons, Buffalo Girls Salvage

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends, welcome back to Proof to Product! Today's guest is Ginger Lyons, a serial entrepreneur who believes positive attitude, abundance mindset, and perseverance are the keys to a successful business model. A military veteran, Ginger is the creator behind Buffalo Girls Salvage, a jewelry design company that transforms salvaged copper, metal and bullet casings into beautiful, handmade pieces.

Since 2012, Ginger's company has been inspiring women and honoring law enforcement officials through creative designs. She is also passionate about investing in mainstreet America, supporting small businesses and coaching female entrepreneurs.

On today's episode, Ginger and I talk about her incredible "backward" business journey. She shares what it was like to have a storefront, employees, national manufacturing network and the opportunity to appear on Shark Tank, and why she pivoted her business to stay true to her 'why'. We talk about how our definition of success often changes over the course of time, how entrepreneurship is always a choice, and the importance of sharing our journey to help others.

I hope you enjoy Ginger's story of growth, strategic pivoting, and the lessons she learned along the way!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Ginger's first business
What she learned about herself from her experience in the military
Her job as a main street manager in Texas
The types of products and core customers at Buffalo Girls Salvage
Why Ginger treats her wholesale and shopify accounts as two separate companies
The materials and process that goes into creating jewelry
Advice for entrepreneurs trying to do it all
Fears Ginger had about expanding her team and ensuring quality control
Ginger's backward business journey
Important questions to ask yourself as a small business owner
How Ginger said "no" to Shark Tank and stayed true to her "why"
What's next for Ginger, Buffalo Girl Salvage and how she's encouraging more women entrepreneurs

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I think some of us were just born with it. And we discover later in life that's what it is. But there's this feeling of entrepreneurship." - Ginger Lyons

"As an entrepreneur in general, I love the idea that we can all contribute to ... I know it sounds cliché, but the American dream. I love that we can all make an impact." - Ginger Lyons

"As a main street manager for a city in the state of Texas, I discovered how important main street is in America. We need small businesses and we need to keep them alive. " - Ginger Lyons

"If I can give any advice ... it's start asking for help as fast as you can, and getting help in the things that you know you can afford to get. Even in the smallest details, it's important to have others alongside you and not be the-everything-girl." - Ginger Lyons

"As entrepreneurs, we're doers. We want to do all the things and it's hard to give up control." - Ginger Lyons

"It's hard to give up the control. In the early stages we worry about paying somebody else and we worry about delegating and having the management skills to manage another person too." - Katie Hunt

"I believe in the main street, and I believe in us bringing up boutiques, and helping our fellow entrepreneurs develop their businesses. We have to do as much as we can in the US so that we can build up that together." - Ginger Lyons

"That's just life as an entrepreneur. We're faced with adversity, we're faced with challenges, we're faced with tons of decisions and we just have to choose to keep going." - Katie Hunt

"I firmly believe we are all born with what our path is in life. And our job is to figure out what that is. And so if you spend too much time looking at the path of everyone else around you, you are never going to find the success that you were supposed to find for yourself." - Ginger Lyons

"If you're being told "no", fine. Move on. Seriously. Just get over the "no's". And put yourself in positions to do hard things that are uncomfortable." - Ginger Lyons

LINKS

Website: https://buffalogirlsjewelry.com/

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

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

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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107 | The long game of licensing & surface pattern design with Jeanetta Gonzales

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to Proof to Product, all you small business hustlers, and creative entrepreneurs! Today we have a great episode in store for you with guest Jeanetta Gonzales, a Los Angeles-based graphic designer, and illustrator. Jeanetta began her career as a graphic designer working for corporate companies such as WedMD, Mattel and The Disney Store. She later parlayed her digital and fine art skills into surface design working as a textile designer and style guide designer for consumer products and creating illustrations and art that she licenses to manufacturers for products sold online and in major retail stores. On top of all of this, Jeanetta also runs her own online store where she sells her art on print items, mugs, fabric, home decor items and more.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Common misconceptions that creative entrepreneurs have about licensing their work
Tips for people that are putting together their portfolio
How Jeanetta defines her artistic style and keeps it original
The importance of experimenting
What it took to overcome fears of failure and success
Her 10 year journey of learning and creating
When Jeanetta started to see traction in own design work
What she learned from tradeshows
Being okay with not being perfect
Pivoting from her day job and shifting into licensing
Jeanette's favorite products to produce
Her advice for other creative entrepreneurs and what's coming up next

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I don't really think it's necessary to spend a whole year working on a portfolio or something like that. It's fine if you just have several collections that you're really proud of and get them out there." - Jeanetta Gonzales

"You don't want to be a copycat. You really just want your own work and your own vision and you're own visual point of view to come through." - Jeanetta Gonzales

"I really encourage people to experiment a lot, because that's where the happy accidents happen and that's where you're going to find the things that you really love to do." - Jeanetta Gonzales

"I always had this fire in me since I was a little kid to just do something different. To kind of go against the norm and it took me a long time to really get there." - Jeanetta Gonzales

"Even if you do a show and you're ready for that, and you put heart and soul into it, it's never perfect. You're never going to be as ready as you think you want to be." - Jeanetta Gonzales

"Just when we start to get comfortable in one thing, that's where things take a little bit of a turn. It's part of the growth process, but it is uncomfortable and there is that underlying fear, am I making the right choices?" - Katie Hunt

"I'm a firm believer that things happen on the time frame they should. Yeah sure, we could go back and change things, but would we still be where we are today if we did?" - Katie Hunt

"In my own journey I've had to go around and around a lot, but it's all good. Now I'm older I can definitely see how it's all coming together." - Jeanetta Gonzales

"It is a long game. You just have to see how that plays out, and just know that if you're going to commit to something like licensing that it's not an overnight thing." - Jeanetta Gonzales

"So much is relationship based. If people know they like you and can trust you and you'll do a great job, it's going to open the door for more licensing opportunities." - Katie Hunt

"When we know where we want to go, it makes it easier to build that path to get there." - Katie Hunt

LINKS

Website: http://JeanettaGonzales.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettdesigns

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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106 | Product diversification and scaling wholesale with Alex Gagne of Chez Gagne

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -0400

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why Alex switched from software to stationery
How she decides to move forward with a product line
Her theory on making things nice or funny
Incorporating optics and organization into merchandising
Alex's process for research, development, manufacturing and pricing
Why everything Alex produces is something she uses
The importance of managing your margins
Challenges of storing hard goods vs stationery
Tactics for mitigating risk and designing sustainable products
How Alex grew to 1,500 active accounts in 4 years
Future plans and products Alex has in the works

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"It's strange to look back now, but I've actually always made greeting cards for people. I've always sent Valentines Day cards. And that's been something that I've done for years." - Alex Gagne

"It came full circle.I found something I was able to communicate my sense of humor with, as well as greet people and make them laugh." - Alex Gagne

"Our business is based on the model of, "If you can't make it nice, make it funny." So we have a little bit of everything." - Alex Gagne

"Everything we've ever brought into the line has been something that I want to use. We will never bring anything into the line that is something that I wouldn't use. That, for me, is totally disingenuine." - Alex Gagne

"The agility of being a business owner is a very special thing, in that we can decide to move forward with something or we can decide to cut it from the line. We can't always do that in corporate America." - Katie Hunt

"There's only so much risk you want to take with a new product category." - Alex Gagne

"We pulled our best selling phrases from our greeting cards, and put them on mugs. And now we're putting them on wine glasses, they're on rocks glasses, they're on candles." - Alex Gagne

"As a business owner. I don't want to put anything out there, that I know is never going to be used again. We're producing so much crap as a society, that it's hard sometimes to put out gift items, because you feel like it's going directly to a landfill." - Alex Gagne

"Bottom line is, people want to have an experience these days. They don't necessarily need a lot of junk in their lives, but they want to have an experience, and I think people have an experience with our products." - Alex Gagne

"Once we get something set up, then we can turn, and focus on other aspects. But it's always shifting." - Katie Hunt

"It's been a lot of hustle. It's been a lot of late nights, and I'm really fortunate to not have to really do that as much anymore. There was definitely a time there, where I was staying up until 2:00 in the morning, every night, reaching out to retailers, finishing out orders, just trying to make it work." - Alex Gagne

"It's hard to delegate. I am a control freak. And I think being a letterpress printer is probably really a good indication of that." - Alex Gagne

"The brand perception for people who are very wary of curse words, or snark and sassy humor, has been a challenge for us. But it's also been a reason we've done incredibly well." - Alex Gagne

LINKS

Website: https://www.chezgagne.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/chezgagne/about/?ref=page_internal

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

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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How I swapped my Instagram handles with Katie Hunt

Fri, 31 May 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Katie Hunt walks us through how she swapped her Instagram handles during the Proof To Product rebrand and shares three lessons she learned in the process. Find us @prooftoproduct on Instagram and tell us what you thought of the episode! And check out our new site and resources at www.prooftoproduct.com

105 | Digital marketing strategies for product businesses with Allie Morris Nute, Verb House Creative

Tue, 28 May 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Our guest today is Allie Nute, the creative lady behind Verb House Creative. Allie provides content creation, digital marketing management and consulting services to incredible, creative businesses - businesses with personality, heart and dedication. Allie calls them her client-friends.

On this episode, we are talking about misconceptions that creative entrepreneurs have around marketing and how Allie helped one of her customers increase their wholesale sales by 250%. We also find out why fewer emails is often-times more impactful, why you don't need to be focusing on all of the social media platforms, and when it's best to pick one and run with it.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What types of services Verb House Creative offers
The difference between social marketing and digital marketing
How Allie got started with her marketing career
Common misconceptions product based business owners have about creating and executing a marketing plan
The benefits of getting an outsider's perspective
Advice for handling marketing logistics
How Allie helps clients transform their businesses
Simple steps and tips you can implement in your business today
The importance of knowing your audience and product cycles and avoiding "vanity metrics"
How having a family has changed her approach to business
The Bespoke Content Club and what's coming up next for Verb House Creative

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I wish I could tell everybody in every industry in the world, try to pick the channel that's gonna be best for you. Is it gonna be Facebook or is it gonna Pinterest?" - Allie Moris Nute

"It's really key to get some outside help, because marketing is hard, it is paralyzing and you have a million other things to do, but this really has to get done." - Allie Moris Nute

"We can undersell ourselves, or undersell our successes we've had, but somebody coming from the outside can take a look at the bigger picture and bring a unique perspective to it." - Katie Hunt

"Too many people are trying to do too many things." - Katie Hunt

"We all feel like we are really, really busy, and that's because we are. But if you don't sit down to actually make time for strategic marketing, it's just not gonna get done." - Allie Moris Nute

"We can tell if a brand or retailer is just sending out emails just because they feel like they need to hit that certain mark, or if they're really taking the time to create content that we really care about and that their customer really cares about." - Allie Moris Nute

"I'm a firm believer that it takes a solid, good two to three months to really see the effects of good marketing, good content and good strategy." - Allie Moris Nute

"I wanna make sure that we're a good fit in terms of how this person's fitting in with the group but also that their business is at a point where they'll be able to really, truly leverage the group and all that we're doing to enhance their business." - Katie Hunt

"When you're a small business owner it's not just your business, you are so wrapped up in your business, and your business is so wrapped up in every other aspect of your life, it really extends to everything." - Allie Moris Nute

LINKS

Website: http://www.verbhousecreative.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/verbhousecreative

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

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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104 | Turning a hobby business into a thriving retail shop with Audrey Woollen, Urbanic

Tue, 21 May 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Hey Friends, have you had the chance to visit the famous Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Los Angeles? This mile long street located in Southern Venice is home to amazing creative galleries, internationally recognized brands and one-of-kind local shops like, Urbanic Paper Boutique. Audrey Woollen founded Urbanic thirteen years ago, and since then, her original lifestyle brand and retail shop has attracted a great deal of press, a large social media following, and has developed collaborative signature lines with some of the nation's top designers.

On today's episode, Audrey shares how she discovered her passion for paper and product based business. She tells us how she got started, how Urbanic has evolved over the years, and how she turned her weekend hobby into a thriving retail shop. Audrey also talks about the challenges she faced along the way, including an IRS audit in her third year, and the store getting robbed at times. Audrey brings us into her journey, talking about the passion she has for her industry, the creative community which she's in, and why creating a strong customer experience is so important to her and the brand.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The inspiration and motivation behind Urbanic
How Audrey found her true passion in Los Angeles
The benefits of working festivals and farmers markets
Establishing a customer base and curating your brand
Giving up a big paycheck for a bigger dream
The types of products merchandised at Urbanic
Choosing specialty items that keep things exciting
Making the most of a small space
How Urbanic has evolved since opening 13 years ago
Creating events that bring the LA design community together under one roof
The power of a positive customer experience
How Audrey balances business and motherhood
The challenges of running a brick-and-mortar store
Seeking out new lines, tradeshows, and what Audrey looks for in submissions
What's up next for Urbanic and what Audrey has planned for next year

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Ever since I was a little girl, I had a huge passion for paper products, whether it be sending people cards or picking out my back to school supplies. I took that very seriously." - Audrey Woollen

"I remember having the moment, literally stopped in my tracks, and tears came to my eyes, I'm like, "This is what I wanna do." I would feel so happy to create an environment for people to come shop, and to be able to curate that." - Audrey Woollen

"It was all really a hobby at that point, it was just something I loved, and it wasn't generating much income at all. But it was pushing me closer to wanting to do more." - Audrey Woollen

"I was getting more and move involved in the industry, and seeing what was out there, and falling more in love with what I was finding, and wanting to have a, create a bigger experience." - Audrey Woollen

"When we're in a corporate job or a freelance job and we're trying to build our business on the side, there's no perfect time to go all in the business, right? There's usually something that pushes us over."- Katie Hunt

"Because I was on Main Street and Santa Monica, I was able to set up at the Santa Monica Farmer's Market each Sunday. I could do more in that day than I did, like, an entire week." -Audrey Woollen

"It was completely a huge risk. But the spot opened up, and I just sorta got there at the right place and time, and just sort of went for it." - Audrey Woollen

"I knew that if I was gonna continue just doing that for a paycheck, then I was gonna lose out an opportunity to do something that I really wanted." - Audrey Woollen

"We have a customer base of people that are faithful to us and have made it a destination even in greater LA." - Audrey Woollen

"In the industry that I'm in, and this avenue that I picked, there's always something that is a feel good moment, not to mention babies and birthdays and celebrations and weddings, it's like all the best stuff in life." - Audrey Woollen

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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103 | Marketing our Rebrand with Katie Hunt, Proof to Product

Thu, 16 May 2019 08:00:00 -0400

This is Part 3 of our three-part series exploring Proof to Product's exciting new rebrand. On Part 1, which was Episode 101, guest host Caroline Hull and I talked about why I decided to change my business name from Tradeshow Bootcamp to Proof to Product. On Part 2, we dove into the logistics, business formation, legal decisions, and building out the new website. If you missed those two episodes, I encourage you to head back and listen to 101 and 102 first!

On today's episode, Caroline and I are breaking things down to talk about the marketing plan. Specifically, how we rolled out the new site and the news about the Proof to Product name change.

Our audience has been such an important part of this process, and I'm so excited to share all of these new changes with you. I hope you enjoy Part 3 of this three-part series and be sure to check out our new online home at prooftoproduct.com!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How to communicate a big business change to your audience
Why Katie decided it was important to tell alumni first
Creating the I Am Proof to Product Campaign
Identifying and marketing high impact programs
Doing fewer things better
Why Katie is offering more free content
Storytelling instead of selling
How to join the #iamprooftoproduct celebration

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"It's a celebration of our community that we're all growing up because we are all growing up together." - Katie Hunt

"Proof to Product brand is not just about me. It's about all of us." - Katie Hunt

"I love in-person events, I love live classes where people are on live and asking their questions and we have the back and forth collaboration and conversation about it." - Katie Hunt

"I want to make sure that we're putting our time and attention into the things that are making the biggest impact for our community and allowing me to serve them the best." - Katie Hunt

"I want to show that we're just growing up, we're tightening things so that we can do a better job." - Katie Hunt

"Everyone should go back to the beginning and look at why they're doing what they're doing because it really will help shape what you do moving forward." - Caroline Hull

"Highlighting our community members is truly what we're all about." - Katie Hunt

"I want to just give. I want to give, give, give, give, give as much as we possibly can to our audience." - Katie Hunt

"We just want people to tell friends. We want people to go sign up for the new options that we have, watch the videos we have, really engage with what we built." - Katie Hunt

"If my story can help somebody else, that's what I'm here for. That's the whole reason I do this podcast and why we do the programming that we do." - Katie Hunt

LINKS

Squarespace Web Developer: Susannah Carpenter

SEO Consultant: Myrna Daramy

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Proof to Product is brought to you by Tradeshow Bootcamp and hosted by Katie Hunt. Since 2011, TSBC has worked with hundreds of product based businesses to help them up level, scale, and build profitable sustainable companies. You can find our show notes and additional resources at ProofToProduct.com. If you like what you heard today, please head over to Apple Podcast to leave a five star review and subscribe. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a new episode!

102 | Logistics of Our Rebrand with Katie Hunt, Proof to Product

Wed, 15 May 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Welcome to Part 2 of a three-part series exploring Proof to Product's exciting new rebrand. On Part 1, which was Episode 101, guest host Caroline Hull and I talked about why I decided to change my business name from Tradeshow Bootcamp to Proof to Product, and all the fears I had going into the transition. So if you haven't caught that episode yet, I encourage you to go and start there!

Today, on Episode 102, Caroline and I are diving into the logistics behind the rebrand, from the business formation and legal decisions to marketing planning and building Proof to Product's new website. Tomorrow, on Episode 103, I share our marketing plan, how we're rolling out the new name and the best parts of our beautiful new website.

Our audience has been such an important part of this process, and I'm so excited to share all of these new changes with you. I hope you enjoy Part 2 of this three-part series and join in to celebrate with us!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The value of starting with a website analysis
How Katie tackled the new web build and transition
Her decision to switch from Wordpress to Squarespace
Choosing the right web developer for the job
The importance of breaking tasks up into manageable chunks
Why Katie started the rebrand process by getting advice from an attorney
What goes into a trademark
Little logistics that pop up along the way
How to dream big without getting overwhelmed

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I looked through all of the blog posts and looked at the traffic of like how many people were really looking at these things. And we narrowed it down to our top performing content." - Katie Hunt

"One of my motivations for wanting a new site was just a clean slate. I wanted to start over on a new host where things were secure and everything felt good." - Katie Hunt

"I had done so much work. I wire-framed the whole thing, I knew exactly what I wanted on the site, and I just needed somebody that could build it." - Katie Hunt

"It's like anything you're hiring for, you know, you want to make sure that it's a good fit, whether it's a long-term position or routine or position or even just a per project. You know, you want to make sure you're getting the right people on the bus. " - Katie Hunt

"When you have these big projects that take up so much time, it's really nice to have that help." - Caroline Hull

"I will say it's a huge team project… everyone had their piece and it wouldn't have been possible without everybody." - Katie Hunt

"If you're considering changing a name like this, you want to make sure you have your ducks in a row, that your business is being treated like a business and you want to make sure you get that right before you launch." - Katie Hunt

"It's ironic because I've done this for other people, helped build and figure this out for other people, but sometimes it's so hard to do for yourself." - Katie Hunt

"You do the best you can. You get the big pieces done and out there. Then, if there are other things that you can tackle, you can do those later." - Caroline Hull

"One thing I would tell people, whether it's a rebrand or launching a new site or whatever it is, take that time to dream big, map out your big wishlist as if time and money and everything were no option." - Katie Hunt

LINKS

Squarespace Web Developer: Susannah Carpenter

SEO Consultant: Myrna Daramy

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

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101 | Why I Rebranded to Proof to Product with Katie Hunt

Tue, 14 May 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Hey Friends, it's so good to be back! Did you catch yesterday's announcement? We have BIG news! Tradeshow Bootcamp is now Proof to Product, and we've launched a brand new website for the Proof to Product brand. To celebrate, we are doing things a little bit differently on the Podcast! We are turning the tables and I'll be your guest for the next few days. TSBC Alum, Caroline Hull guest hosts and we go behind the scenes for three full episodes, unveiling the exciting shifts I made in my business.

This week, on Episodes 101, 102 and 103, Caroline and I dive headfirst into the Tradeshow Bootcamp to Proof to Product rebrand. Today, on Episode 101, we're talking about why I decided to change my business name and all the fears that were behind it. Tomorrow on Episode 102, Caroline and I tackle the logistics including Proof to Product's new website, the legal decisions, and the business model. Then on Thursday, during Episode 103, I share our marketing plan, how we rolled out the new name and the new website.

Our audience has been such an important part of this process, and I'm so excited to share all of these new changes with you. I hope you enjoy this episode, and listen in to find out how to get involved to celebrate with us!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why Katie made the decision to rebrand and change her business name
How Tradeshow Bootcamp evolved over eight+ years
Facing fears around outgrowing and rebranding
What Katie did to find the right look and feel for Proof to Product
Finding the confidence to lean into growth
The importance of getting back to basics
Katie's process for reconnecting with the audience
How Katie handled the switch
The amazing new resources available at prooftoproduct.com

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I'm going to get super vulnerable here with all of you guys. Because all of you are my people and this has been a process." - Katie Hunt

"I felt like, 'Gosh, Tradeshow Bootcamp just doesn't articulate all the different things that we do and how we help business owners.'" - Katie Hunt

"I worked with, no joke, four different designers who I highly respect and admire and I love their work. And we just couldn't land on anything that felt right." - Katie Hunt

"I felt we're outgrowing the brand. I felt it was growing up and yet I kept hitting walls." - Katie Hunt

"We had all these resources available on all these different ways, but we weren't communicating it. And that was really frustrating for me." - Katie Hunt

"We started Proof to Product and that kind of took a life of its own." - Katie Hunt

"I broke it down to the basics. I went back to whose our audience? What kind of programming do they need? What kind of problems do we need to solve for them?" - Katie Hunt

"Rebranding isn't just about picking a new name and picking a new logo. This is about looking at the entire picture. And making sure that it all works and fits together and makes sense for your audience." - Caroline Hull

"I'm a firm believer that we need to go back as entrepreneurs and constantly be reevaluating. Who are we working with? And what are we giving them and how are we providing maximum value to them?" - Katie Hunt

"We grow and evolve as people, and our businesses grow and evolve too." - Caroline Hull

LINKS

Squarespace Web Developer: Susannah Carpenter

SEO Consultant: Myrna Daramy

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

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ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Katie Hunt | Spring Break + Big News Coming!

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Over the next few weeks, the podcast will be taking a Spring Break. No, we won't be lounging on the beach, or having cocktails by a pool. Although we hope that all of you are able to build in some rest and relaxation into your days! Instead, the Proof to product team and I are busy cooking up something big that will enable us to serve all of you better and help you build your businesses faster. Our small but mighty team will be putting all of our time into this super secret project, so we won't be airing new episodes of the podcast for a few weeks. While we've got our heads down working hard, I want to encourage you to go back and listen to some of our most popular episodes of so far this year. I've included links in the show notes so you can find them quickly and easily. Also, if you could take two minutes to leave us a 5-star rating or write a review in Apple Podcasts, I'd greatly appreciate it. Reviews and ratings help us get more eyes on Proof to Product, which provides more opportunities for fresh content, discounts and resources for all of you. Thanks so much for listening, for supporting me and the show. We'll be back soon with some exciting news! Fan Favorites: Megan Auman on product photography and leveraging Pinterest for sales Tanya Wheeless on why never wanted to be an entrepreneur and the value of investing in professional development Lichia Liu, Gotamago on pursuing her passion, building a team and creating systems and why she thinks it is important to jump before you feel ready Sara McNally, Constellation & Co. on juggling a manufacturing business and retail shop, utilizing interns and falling in love with letterpress Lillian Farag on licensing, collaborations and the growing pains of being an entrepreneur

100 | Special Edition | Proof to Product's 100th Episode

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends, can you believe it?! This is Proof to Product's 100th Episode! It's been amazing to watch this podcast, which began as a creative way to connect with members of the stationery community, grow into so much more - a platform, resource, and launching point for stationery and creative entrepreneurs alike.

Over the last year and a half, we've heard some incredible, inspiring startup stories from entrepreneurs making physical products, just like you. We have talked about successes and struggles, mindset shifts, and the importance of taking action to reach your goals. Entrepreneurs like Katie Wilson of The Good Twin, Rachael Hetzel of Pistachio Press, Mary Phan of Very Mary Inspired, Ronnie Williams of DeFrance Printing, Taylor Elliot of Taylor Elliott Designs, Natasha Case of Coolhaus, and Viola Sutanto of Maika Goods, just to name a few, all shared their stories, struggles and advice of growing and thriving in business.

To celebrate this 100th milestone, we're revisiting our favorite episodes and the Proof to Product lessons that continue to inspire our lives and business. We're honored to share the personal stories of our amazing audience members and hope you enjoy this special edition episode!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Jean Marie Opus, Little Feet's Opus

Amanda Farrand, Grief Biscuit

Elana Hopman, Annabel Reese

Christina Green, The Cardinal Collective

Mele Williams, Plucky Press

Brooke Spare, Cheeky Beak

McKinley Bryson, Lucky Bat Paper Co

Janine Kwoh, Kwohtations

Lauren Ashley Barnes, Pineapple Sundays Design Studio

Rongrong Devoe, Rongrong Illustration

Mackenzie Vance, Smitches

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

099 | Emily Asher, Emily Rose Ink on shifting her focus to custom wedding work and creating a better client experience

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Today on the 99th Episode of Proof to Product I'm joined by our friend and Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni, Emily Asher. Emily is an artist, calligrapher and the owner of Emily Rose Ink, a boutique wedding stationery studio based in Chicago. Emily started designing wedding stationery as a side hustle while working as a high school English teacher, but since taking the leap to make it her livelihood, her wedding stationery has been featured in countless publications and blogs, including Vogue, Martha Stewart, Style Me Pretty, and Oh So Beautiful Paper.

Early on in her business journey, Emily made the decision to intentionally narrow her focus, from art prints and greeting cards, to custom wedding stationery. Although this felt like a risk at first, this allowed Emily to perfect her design aesthetic, grow customer relationships, and solidify her business foundation. As a result, Emily's wedding stationery business took off and her designs made celebrity status. Seriously... She just did Hillary Swank's invites!

On today's episode, Emily shares her startup story. She talks about how she got her foothold in the stationery industry, what inspired her to dive fully into her business, and why it was important for her to narrow her focus to solely doing custom wedding work. Emily also shares what she learned from celebrity weddings, how she manages her growing business today, and what's coming up next for Emily Rose Ink!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Emily got into hand lettering and calligraphy
The turning point when she decided to start her own business
Her decision process for focusing solely on weddings
How she streamlined and strengthened her business foundation
Emily's favorite project management tool
The importance of continuing to evolve
What it was like to do Hillary Swank's wedding invitations
What she learned from celebrity weddings
How Emily manages her team and employees
What's up next for Emily Rose Ink

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I was thinking, "Oh, it'll be something fun and creative for me to do on the side." The more I got into it, I was really struck by how awesome it was that you could actually make a living doing something creative." - Emily Asher

"Paper Camp was actually a big turning point for me because I met so many other people who were making a living and supporting themselves full-time with stationery." - Emily Asher

"As I started to get more wedding clients, who are really my ideal clients, I started to be more inspired." - Emily Asher

"I felt I was splintering my marketing a little bit by doing greeting cards and art prints, and the wedding stuff, because they weren't necessarily geared towards the same person. So I decided to just try and pursue the wedding thing and that really exploded for me." - Emily Asher

"By focusing on weddings, it allowed me to really fine tune all my systems and focus on what was going to serve the clients better." - Emily Asher

"There's so many details that go into starting a business; logistics and organization, and the systems. I feel like it took me two years to get all my systems down and I'm still constantly changing them." - Emily Asher

"Take a look at how you can automate, streamline and build systems or step-by-step processes so that you can easily bring people on board to help with things." - Katie Hunt

"Just being able to say that I did that level of wedding helps me have confidence in charging my worth for projects that are really time-consuming." - Emily Asher

"It's good to take some time to reflect on, "What am I doing this business for? What's my main motivation here? Is it freedom or flexibility? Is it the money?" because those priorities will shift at different times in the business depending on your own personal circumstances." - Katie Hunt

"It's all about figuring out what are your employees strengths and skills and how can you best apply them to the things that need to be done in the business. Sometimes it takes a little while to figure out." - Emily Asher

"You wanna have the right people on your team, but you also wanna make sure that the work that they're doing is aimed at their areas of expertise, and their skill sets." - Katie Hunt

CONNECT WITH EMILY ASHER:

Website: http://www.emilyroseink.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/emilyroseink

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/emilyroseink

JOIN US FOR OUR FREE MARKETING CLASS APRIL 10th!

Did you know 98% of visitors are leaving your site without taking action? It can be SO frustrating when visitors come to your site, look at all the amazing things you have going on, and don't take the next steps you want them to – like buying your product or joining your community. It can feel impossible sometimes, like all the people you drive to your site are slipping through your fingers like sand. But – there's a solution!

Lindsey Morando from Hello Bar is presenting LIVE on the next steps to turn those visitors into sales and long term customers. Sign up to save your FREE spot for April 10th, 2019 at 12PM PST!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

098 | Lindsey Morando, Hello Bar on how to simplify your marketing

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Lately, I've had lots of feedback and questions from our audience regarding the struggles of marketing strategy. It can be so hard to know where to direct your time and energy with so many social and marketing channels available now, and that's why I'm really excited for you to hear this week's episode with Lindsey Morando, the Director of Marketing for Hello Bar. Lindsey has more than fifteen years of experience in business development and marketing that spans multiple industries including health & wellness, SaaS, lifestyle, and hospitality. No matter which industry she is focusing on though, Lindsey prides herself on the creation and implementation of engaging grassroots and online marketing tactics that convert fans into paying, happy customers. When Lindsey is not moving the marketing needle for businesses, she is a marketing professor at the San Diego Fashion Institute and the author of It's Just the Beginning, Break Up, Get Up & Walk Away.

Today, on Episode 98, Lindsay is sharing a ton of great marketing and business advice. She talks about the number one challenge she sees small business owners facing today, her three strategies for simplifying marketing and ... (drumroll please) together we announce our free marketing class coming out on April 10th. This class is specifically designed to help you Capture More Emails on Your Website, and make the most of your marketing efforts. Head to the link to find out more and register, and happy listening!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The number one challenge Lindsey sees in small businesses
3 Steps to simplifying your marketing strategy
Free offers that work well for e-commerce
How to identify your strongest channels
Advice for elevating key products
What streamlining does for profits
How Hello Bar supports small biz marketing efforts
Ways to make pop-ups less annoying
A sneak peek at our free April 10th marketing class

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"The biggest challenge is people are feeling overwhelmed and trying to figure out what is the best way to actually get more sales and get more leads in the door." - Lindsey Morando

"When we try to do it all ourselves, we not only spread ourselves too thin but we kinda take away the specialness or the effectiveness of all of them." - Katie Hunt

"The people that I find that are most successful are the ones who hone in on one or two marketing channels and make them their absolute best marketing channel." - Lindsey Morando

"It's not just double tapping a picture, it's actually commenting, asking questions, engaging - and if you can do that consistently you're going to see some huge traction in your business." - Lindsey Morando

"Whenever you offer, and whatever you're using to collect information should ultimately either be a part of your free product or something that leads someone down the path to buying from you because at the end of the day, you are a business and that's what you need to do." - Lindsey Morando

"Always be thinking about ways that you can interact and engage your audience, and then get them to start thinking a little more." - Lindsey Morando

"What it's really about, is what is your signature item that brings in the most cash for your business?" - Lindsey Morando

"When you're focused on one thing you can serve your audience so much better." - Katie Hunt

"How do you get people? Is it about the design? Is it about the headline? We really focus on the education behind that so our users don't even have to think twice about how to actually start collecting more leads." - Lindsey Morando

"If you really take the time to get to know your ideal client, who's coming to your website and put the right offers in front of them, with the right timing - they're going to be far more likely to take it." - Lindsey Morando

"Look at the user experience and make sure that it feels really seamless. It should a part of your customer journey, not a big stop sign that's really annoying in your customer journey." - Lindsey Morando

"We need to be thinking very strategically about how we're not only bringing those new customers into the fold and onto our email list but then how we're nurturing them afterward and creating that journey for them." - Katie Hunt

CONNECT WITH LINDSEY MORANDO:

Website: http://hellobar.com

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

JOIN US FOR OUR FREE MARKETING CLASS APRIL 10th!

Lindsey Morando from Hello Bar is presenting LIVE on the next steps to turn those visitors into sales and long term customers. Sign up to save your FREE spot for April 10th, 2019 at 12PM PST!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

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Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

097 | Ilana Griffo on pivoting, hiring a licensing agent and rethinking failure

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Welcome back to another episode of Proof to Product! Today's guest is Ilana Griffo, an illustrator, designer, author, and Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni! Like so many of you fellow entrepreneurs, Ilana built her business from the ground up. She began by launching her own stationery line, moved into designing her own product lines, signed major licensing deals with nationally recognized brands like Pier 1, Homegoods, and Michaels, and just published her first book, Mind Your Business. The key to Ilana's success? She points to the way her business is always transitioning, pivoting to get to where she wants to go!

On today's episode, Ilana and I sit down to talk about her career journey and the lessons she learned along the way. She talks about how she got her start in the stationery industry, why she decided to hire a licensing agent, and how that has freed her up to do more creative work. We also talk about pushing yourself to create for fun, fighting for your value, and rethinking failure. Ilana shares some examples of tough situations she went through in her business and how they resulted in some of her proudest moments.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Misconceptions people have about the small business life
How to ask for what you want
The difference between giving up and letting go
Tips for putting together a first portfolio
What happens after you sign with an agency
How Ilana turns comparison into inspiration
Finding silver linings in self-doubt
The importance of fighting for your value
Ilana's intention behind Mind Your Business
Celebrating then and now

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"One of the biggest philosophies I have is that you need to ask for what you want." - Ilana Griffo

"I always wanted to create artwork that makes me happy, that makes other people happy." - Ilana Griffo

"These pivots haven't been, I'm going to give up. They've just been, I'm going to let go of this so that I can move on to something better." - Ilana Griffo

"It's always scary to make a change, it's always scary, because we don't know what's on the other side. We don't know if that's going to end up being more successful, or if we're going to feel like we fell flat on our face." - Katie Hunt

"Transitioning into a new role is always a conversation, it's always making a list, it's always the pros and cons, and you will never feel 100% ready." - Ilana Griffo

"Licensing has been a whole new world that I didn't know existed, and now that I'm doing it more, I'm just learning so much about the industry." - Ilana Griffo

"It's amazing to see my work on products that I know I couldn't manufacture on my own. I can make a greeting card, but I can't make one that has a popup and holographic foil and all these things." - Ilana Griffo

"Do things for fun, and then turn them into collections that you would want to buy." - Ilana Griffo

"If you don't feel that self-doubt, then you don't have the fire of an entrepreneur, because that's what keeps us going every day. It's that fire that's saying, work harder, or smarter. Do more. Reach for what you want." - Ilana Griffo

"Before, I put my value into how happy the client was, or how many clients I had booked, or things like that. And now I put it into how I feel about myself." - Ilana Griffo

"We will get through this, and you'll figure it out, and it will lead to another experience, a notch on your belt of how you're going to handle things going forward." - Katie Hunt

"Share the process, share the ups and share the downs, just makes it so real and makes people want to follow along." - Ilana Griffo

"I want to write down my goals and make sure I'm in line with those, but I also want to sit back and enjoy the ride, and feel really proud about what I did." - Ilana Griffo

CONNECT WITH ILANA GRIFFO:

Website: http://www.ilanagriffo.com

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

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sugarandtype

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

LINKS

For another great episode on licensing - Episode 84

JOIN US FOR PROOF TO PRODUCT'S 100th EPISODE!

Over the last year and a half, Proof to Product has shared almost 100 startup stories from entrepreneurs making physical products, just like you. We have talked about successes and struggles, mindset shifts, and the importance of taking action to reach your goals. We are quickly approaching our 100th episode and we want to do something special to celebrate all of you, our listeners.

We want to hear your proof to product story and share it with our audience. To participate, head over to http://tradeshowcamp.com/ptp100/ and leave us a voicemail with YOUR story. Then tune into episode 100 to find out if we included you!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

096 | Julie Richardson, Unblushing on rebranding to a new name and fresh look

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Hey Friends, it's Tuesday! Which means we're back with another episode of Proof to Product, and this week I'm sitting down for a very fun interview with former PTP guest, Julie Richardson. You may remember Julie from Episode 20, where she shared her startup story and told us how she built her Etsy shop, Julie Ann Art, into a successful wholesale enterprise. If you haven't heard her story, it's definitely worth heading back for a listen!

For some background- Julie founded Julie Ann Art shop in 2008 and quickly gained the attention of the internet with her combination of raw illustrations and irreverent wit. Her brand brought a refreshing take to stationery, and with features in People, Bored Panda, Refinery and more, her side hustle hobby grew into a national lifestyle brand.

In 2019, Julie Ann Art rebranded as Unblushing to better represent the strong-willed, unapologetic voice that is quintessential to her stationery and gift brand. On today's episode, Julie and I dive into this recent rebranding experience. We talk about how she knew she was ready for a new name and a fresh look, how she narrowed down potential names, and how she ultimately decided on Unblushing. Julie pulls the curtain back on what happens behind the scenes during a rebrand, shares her roadmap for planning the transition and tells us how she dealt with the unexpected details she never saw coming.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why Julie decided to rebrand after 10 years
How she went about selecting a new name
Her action plan for orchestrating the transition
Tips for other entrepreneurs planning to rebrand
What she did to keep customers in the loop about the switch
The benefits of hiring out specific projects
Julie's plans to connect locally
What's up next for Unblushing

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I started Julie Ann Art as a creative hobby. There was no intention. It was just for fun. That was 10 years ago, we're not a hobby anymore." - Julie Richardson

"I definitely had fear going into it, but at the same time, I just knew that I was ready to take that leap and take that risk." - Julie Richardson

"I basically started a list, went to thesaurus.com and just tried to think about what the brand had become, who our customer was, what traits they had, or how I considered them to be" - Julie Richardson

"Rebranding helped me to look at social media in a different way, because just with my brand, it's witty, short captions. It was nice to see people's response to me writing in paragraphs and telling stories." - Julie Richardson

"I tried so hard to get everything right. At the same time, I expected something to go wrong. Not everything can be perfect. You can't think of every little detail." - Julie Richardson

"it was a huge product, but it's been really rewarding to get the response, and people are as excited as we were, so that makes me feel good." - Julie Richardson

"Sometimes we're a little too close to these things, and somebody else can come in with their fresh eyes, and build something even better than we could envision." - Katie Hunt

"Make a list. Make lots of lists. That was my number one go-to." - Julie Richardson

"When you talk about something, you need to light up and love it. If you're not completely happy in what you're doing, it is time to pivot and find the next direction." - Julie Richardson

"My inspiration was coming from the brand that was already created. I was just renaming it after what it already was." - Julie Richardson

"I feel like my customer is basically living next door to me. I just need to meet them, you know?" - Julie Richardson

CONNECT WITH JULIE RICHARDSON:

Website: https://unblushing.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/unblushingco

Instagram: http://instagram.com/unblushingco

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095 | Amy Tan , Amy Tangerine on customer engagement, collaborations and her book, Craft a Life You Love.

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 08:00:00 -0400

Hey friends! This week on Proof to Product I'm sitting down with Amy Tan, founder of the creative lifestyle company, Amy Tangerine. I'm really excited to have Amy on the show, because not only is she a creative entrepreneur that designs online content as well as fun, tangible products like t-shirts and craft supplies, she also teaches workshops around the world, makes YouTube videos, consults with awesome brands and wrote the book, Craft a Life You Love. Amy believes everyone has a story to tell, and her mission is to inspire women everywhere to feel joy and confidence by infusing creativity, fun, and intention into the everyday.

On today's episode, Amy shares how she got her start as an entrepreneur and how her business has evolved over time. She gives advice for curating an authentic and organic social media presence, and the best way to approach contracts and collaboration. We also talk about her favorite mediums, how she connects with her audience and how she decides which partnerships and collaborations to say yes to.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why Amy enjoys Instagram as a medium
Her perspective on vlogging
How she keeps her YouTube channel authentic
The importance of separating self-worth from "likes"
What Amy did to monetize her Instagram organically
How she learned to negotiate contracts
Amy's three criteria for collaboration
Legal advice for freelancers and influencers
How writing a book helped Amy heal and deal in difficult times
A sneak peek at what Amy's got going on in 2019

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"My parents always instilled this value of you can do anything you put your mind to and your heart in, they really had this vision that the American dream was to work for yourself." - Amy Tan

"I had all these ideas for side hustles, without knowing that that's what they were. I magically somehow ended up turning a lot of hobbies into work. " - Amy Tan

"It's so valuable to try different things and you don't actually have to go all in on something. You can dabble." - Amy Tan

"There's so many things that you can learn and I just think that experimentation is the best way to do so." - Amy Tan

"I really wanted people to get a feel of what it was like as a small business owner, as a creative entrepreneur who sits in a studio working and have that dialogue and that feeling that you're right alongside me in the studio creating, and on the adventures that I take." - Amy Tan

"I feel like it's still me being on Instagram. I'm still authentic, I'm still real. I'm still the same person. Even though the content that I share might vary to a certain degree, I just love being able to do that in such a fun format." - Amy Tan

"I experimented with different types of videos. Sometimes I would do a tutorial, sometimes I would talk straight to camera, sometimes it would be short, sometimes it'd be longer. I played around and I took the pressure off of myself for making things perfect." - Amy Tan

"You're trying to be true to yourself and you're not trying to create an image just to appease people." - Katie Hunt

"Sometimes I actually don't want to post that many pretty things because I don't want people thinking that all I'm focusing on is the pretty aspects and nothing bad is happening in my life. That is so untrue." - Amy Tan

"Show the type of work you want to be doing and then that'll ultimately attract the same type of people that are interested in it." - Katie Hunt

"I do love helping people and working with people. But at the same time, I realize that my time is really limited and I can't be spread too thin because I've been there before." - Amy Tan

"Why are you starting this business to begin with? Who do you want to serve and how you want to make an impact in their lives? Because if you don't have a reason for starting this business, then it's not truly a business, if you're not solving problems." - Katie Hunt

"I don't have a rate sheet. I don't believe in her rate card. I believe everything is a conversation." - Amy Tan

"I don't know if you know this, but you can't really tell an entrepreneur what to do." - Amy Tan

CONNECT WITH EMILY MARKS:

Website: http://amytangerine.com/

YouTube: http://youtube.com/amytangerine

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

JOIN US FOR PROOF TO PRODUCT'S 100th EPISODE!

PAPER CAMP E-COURSE

Many of you have been patiently waiting for the return of our Paper Camp E-course and I'm excited to tell you that it's here. This is a 4-week online program that kicks off March 18. You'll get new videos to watch each week on your own and we'll have a live Q&A call every week with me and special guest experts.

But you've got to act fast, because registration closes on March 16. If you've want to see your products on the shelves of retail stores big & small, if you want to launch or refine your wholesale program, or maybe you want to exhibit at large scale trade shows, this is the program for you! We'll cover product development, sales tools for wholesale, working with reps, marketing to retailers and exhibiting at shows.

To learn more and register, head to http://bit.ly/pce2019 I look forward to having you there!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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094 | Emily Marks, Carina Paper Co on why discomfort can lead to personal growth & how she strategic plans for her business.

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 09:00:00 -0400

This week we have a great episode in store for you - one that will definitely resonate with any of you who are hustling through a day job to fund your dream job. Emily Marks, once a forensic accountant, took the leap and left a stable job to pursue her passion. She is now the businesswoman behind Carina Paper Co., a stationery company inspired by her Italian heritage and from her heart as a new mom, wife, daughter, and friend.

On today's episode, Emily gives us all the details on how she turned her side hustle into a full-time gig. She tells us the reason she left her job with a major accounting firm and how her former role actually helps her in business now. We talk about the importance of strategic planning, project management, and how being in a state of discomfort provides space for personal growth. Finally, we talk about the danger of overthinking things and why sometimes, you just have to go for it.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Emily's pivot from accounting to stationery
Her business launch timeline
Planning ahead vs being in the now
How she deals with frustrating aspects of the business
The need to celebrate what we've accomplished
Growing into your strengths
The importance of prioritizing for future growth
When to take that chance

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Getting the designs out of my head and onto actual products definitely took the longest time, but then all the details came together." - Emily Marks

"I like to try to look at it like my biggest competition is myself." - Emily Marks

"There's enough people in this industry and in this world, and we all can make a good product, if you have something that resonates with people." - Emily Marks

"You can't focus just on today. You have to look at the whole, the last few months, and also give yourself a little bit of a break." - Emily Marks

"Sometimes in that hustle for the next thing, we forget to celebrate what we've accomplished along the way... We need to celebrate the successes that we're having right now." - Katie Hunt

"I'm a firm believer that you only grow and you only learn when you're uncomfortable because I think when you're comfortable, no matter what you're doing in life, it's just status quo." - Emily Marks

"As small business owners, we don't always have a ton of time, or a ton of money, and so how do we balance the different needs in our business, and what we should keep on our plate as the CEO?" - Katie Hunt

"You have to make sure every time you're reaching out, you're reaching out with valuable information ." - Emily Marks

"Marketing is just an interesting beast, and I think it's something that is always going to be a challenge for me because it's not as systematic." - Emily Marks

"Marketing is not a one and done type of thing, it's constantly reiterating what you're doing and changing things for the different ways that we can communicate with people." - Katie Hunt

"Especially in the small business world, I think if we spend too much time thinking about it, I won't do it." - Emily Marks

"Let's get stuff out in the world and see what happens, and then go from there." - Katie Hunt

"My biggest piece of advice is, make sure the time is right for you, but just do it. Go out there" - Emily Marks

CONNECT WITH EMILY MARKS:

Website: http://www.carinapaperco.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/carinapaperco

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/carinapaperco

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/carinapaperco

JOIN US FOR PROOF TO PRODUCT'S 100th EPISODE!

PAPER CAMP E-COURSE

Many of you have been patiently waiting for the return of our Paper Camp E-course and I'm excited to tell you that it's here. This is a 4-week online program that kicks off on June 4th. You'll get new videos to watch each week on your own and we'll have a live Q&A call every week with me and special guest experts.

But you've got to act fast, because registration closes on June 2nd. If you've want to see your products on the shelves of retail stores big & small, if you want to launch or refine your wholesale program, or maybe you want to exhibit at large scale trade shows, this is the program for you! We'll cover product development, sales tools for wholesale, working with reps, marketing to retailers and exhibiting at shows.

To learn more and register, head to https://tsbc.teachable.com/p/pce. I look forward to having you there!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

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093 | Mary Phan, Very Mary Inspired on fears, pivots and growth through 10 years in business

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Hey Friends! I can't wait for you to hear this week's episode with entrepreneur extraordinaire, Mary Phan. Mary owns a multi-faceted business which includes — Very Mary Inspired and The Sketchbook Series, illustration courses for designers and event planners. Mary is also a TSBC Alumni and just recently published her first book, The Artful Sketch, a gorgeous how-to sketchbook for beginners and experts alike.

Mary has always been drawn to the arts. After beginning her career as an interior designer, dabbling in fashion and staging model homes, she launched Very Merry Events in 2008. Mary enjoyed creating memorable experiences filled with atmosphere and feeling, but she became known for the beautiful, custom illustrations that were an indispensable part of her design process. In 2013, Mary took that love of illustration to the next level, launching The Sketchbook Series to help other event planners and designers master creative drawing.

Today Mary tells us all about her entrepreneurial journey, and how she went from being an interior designer getting laid off, to starting her own business. We talk about the real fears, pivots, and transitions that come with running your own business, and the joy of stepping into your true passion.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How she got started with event planning
Dealing with the fear of the unknown
Mary's natural process of sketching and design
What motivated her to start The Sketchbook Series
Her thoughts on navigating transition periods
How Mary uses sketching as a form of communication
Advice to anyone else looking to make the leap
Balancing life outside of business
Writing your own definition of success

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"My friend asked me to be her wedding planner and designer and I said, "Okay, let's just do it and let's figure it out." - Mary Phan

"Any new thing that I do is always surrounded with oh my gosh, what is gonna happen? It's the fear of the unknown." - Mary Phan

"That's the true spirit of entrepreneurship. We don't know everything, none of us know everything. We have to just put ourselves out there a little bit and take that risk." - Katie Hunt

"There are benefits to keeping a day job while you're also starting your business." - Katie Hunt

"I didn't look at business as like competition or people as competition. I was very much about supporting and about the community and how can I help?" - Mary Phan

"Entrepreneurship is a huge marathon and it's this huge journey. As soon as I figured out what my "thing" was, that was when things started to change for me." -Mary Phan

"It was less about how do I serve an audience, it was what's gonna make me happy because this next season of my life is changing and it's changing without me getting to plan for it." - Mary Phan

"If I could sketch and nobody paid me for it, I could still do it. I could do it if it was for free." - Mary Phan

"My thing is stick to what you know, then it became super fun and natural for me." - Mary Phan

"It's so easy to get deterred by requests from people or things we want to be doing… there's all these things I have my hands in, but that's not my zone of genius or that's not where my passion truly is. - Katie Hunt

"I took the leap in starting the business but this was a huge leap I felt, because I really didn't know ... nothing like this existed." - Mary Phan

"The hard part of it is there is nobody to measure the success after, you're creating it as you go along." - Mary Phan

"That's the part about business that's fun. It's the evolution, even bit by bit day by day that we're changing and improving." - Katie Hunt

CONNECT WITH MARY PHAN:

Website: http://www.verymaryinspired.com/

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

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

THE SKETCHBOOK SERIES:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesketchbookseries

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesketchbookseries/

LINKS

The Artful Sketch : https://www.amazon.com/Artful-Sketch-Step-Step-Artistic-ebook/dp/B07DTF6NF4

JOIN US FOR PROOF TO PRODUCT'S 100th EPISODE!

PAPER CAMP

What if you could sit in a room with 30 other product makers who are doing exactly what you're doing -- building a business they love! You could share resources, leverage each other's experiences and learn from those who are where you want to be. Imagine the growth potential!

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

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Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

092 | Paul Jarvis, Company of One on creating a minimalist business and knowing your "enough"

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Paul Jarvis, entrepreneur and author of the book Company of One: Why Staying small is the next big thing for business. I read this book over the winter break and so much of what Paul talks about resonated with me. We live in a world where we're conditioned as entrepreneurs to strive for more — more revenue, more products, more customers, more followers, more visibility and notoriety. While it's true striving for bigger isn't always better, I know many of us still struggle with the big question - How do we grow strong, profitable businesses but in a way that feels good and sustainable?

In his book Company of One and during today's interview, Paul challenges us to explore a different way of thinking about business. During this episode, Paul and I discuss the contrarian view that business growth isn't always good, and isn't always required. We also talk about being a solopreneur, why that doesn't necessarily mean your working alone, and why we need to know our "enough." If you're trying to break the mold, embrace minimalism and find balance in your own biz, trust me, this episode and book will help a ton!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Why Paul decided to write a book
The truth about the single business narrative
Examples of how different people define business
How to play to your strengths
Making decisions based on your best use of time
Paul's perspective on hiring
His definition of a minimalist business
The benefits of investing in talent
Why he works in flexible processes
The importance of interacting with your audience

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I've never wanted to grow a bigger business. I actually really like doing the work, so I don't want to ever stop doing that. " - Paul Jarvis

"It's always like a personal decision of like, "Is this a skill that I can use? Is this a skill I want to have? Is this a skill that helps anything else in my business?" And if it's not, and I can afford to outsource it." - Paul Jarvis

"I'm not going to hire somebody for $5 an hour off of Fiverr. I would rather find the best person that can do the job with no management." - Paul Jarvis

"I believe wholeheartedly in hiring experts, people that can do the work. " - Katie Hunt

"I believe in hiring people that are smarter than me, that can like improve upon what I already know or teach me things in the process." - Katie Hunt

"I always try to be the best client. I'll get an invoice, and I'll be like, "I got to pay this in like five minutes or less." Because I know how important that is. I've been on the other side of that." - Paul Jarvis

"Minimalism for me is figuring out what's needed and cutting out what's not. That makes so much sense in business." - Paul Jarvis

"Anything that I can make easy or take off my plate is better. So I like to always come up with things that are replicable and simple." - Paul Jarvis

"I love that the biggest expense in my business is hiring other freelancers. I feel actually really good about that." - Paul Jarvis

"I think the first time you launch, you're guessing at most things. … But then once you've launched it the first time, then you've got data. Then you can look like did this work?" - Paul Jarvis

"We all want to launch like the next biggest thing, but I think it's faster and easier and better if we launch small at first, iterate, and then grow it slowly based on the market and based on customers instead of just guessing at every single thing right in the beginning." - Paul Jarvis

"Whether we're providing products or services, we can constantly be improving upon what we're already doing and if we're serving our audience even better, then they're going to want to keep coming back for more from us." - Katie Hunt

CONNECT WITH PAUL JARVIS:

Website: http://ofone.co

Twitter:: http://twitter.com/pjrvs

LINKS

Company of One on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RzLv9

Convert Kit: http://mbsy.co/convertkit/26032885

JOIN US FOR PROOF TO PRODUCT'S 100th EPISODE!

043 | Renee Griffith, HeartSwell Co on changing her business name, finding a voice within your brand and why she scraped her product line and started anew

PAPER CAMP

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Special Edition | NSS / NY Now 2019 - Part 2

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Today we're back with Part 2 of our NY Now and National Stationery Show recap!

As you may have heard, NSS which was previously held in May, moved to February this year to co-locate with NY Now. 39 of our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni were exhibiting at the two shows and one of the main questions I had for them was -- how have the shows merging affected you?

It was interesting to see the different responses.

If you listen to Part 1 of this series, you'll hear the that the NSS exhibitors mentioned specific pros and cons of the shows co-locating. But, when I asked the NY Now exhibitors about the effects, they didn't notice much of a difference.

Many of our NY Now exhibitors have been exhibiting at NY Now for several shows, doing both the summer and winter show. Most used to also do the National Stationery Show when t was in May -- so three large NY shows a year. In these interviews you'll also hear how they are branching out to other shows, and they'll talk about the difference in these shows and why they ultimately chose NY Now over NSS.

Today's episode features interviews with Lindsay Henry of Inklings Paperie, Kathryn Hunter of Blackbird Letterpress, Erika Caskey of Chez Gagne, Danelle Bliss of Wishbone Letterpress, Rebekah Tennis of Wild Ink Press, and Victoria Venturi of Paper Epiphanies.

I hope you enjoy this special series!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Lindsay Henry, Inklings Paperie

Kathryn Hunter, Blackbird Letterpress

Erika Caskey, Chez Gagne

Danelle Bliss, Wishbone Letterpress

Rebekah Tennis, Wild Ink Press

Victoria Venturi, Paper Epiphanies

PAPER CAMP

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Special Edition | NSS / NY Now 2019 - Part 1

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0400

We had alumni exhibiting at both NY Now and the National Stationery show, so we decided to break up this week's episode into two parts.

Part 2 will air on Thursday and features alumni that exhibited at NY Now

I hope you enjoy this special series!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Cecily Moore, The Paper Curator

Jenna Puente, Paper Wilderness

Rosanna Kvernmo, Iron Curtain Press

Genesis Duncan, Graphic Anthology

Krystal Whitten, Krystal Whitten Studio

Joe Mihalow, XOU

PAPER CAMP

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

091 | Viola Sutanto, Maika Goods on building a team, time blocking and simplicity in business

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0400

My guest this week is Viola Sutanto and she's here to tell us how she made the leap from solopreneur to serial creative entrepreneur, and how she successfully runs multiple product-based businesses. I first met Viola in 2008 or 2009 when she owned the brand Chewing the Cud, a letterpress greeting card company that also sold reusable fabric gift wrap, which distributed to more than 1000 stores nationwide.

Since then Viola has founded MAIKA, a stylish and sustainable soft goods brand inspired by delightful trade and everyday living, and co-founded LimeLoop, a recently launched full-circle shipper packaging company. What impresses me most about Viola, in addition to her superhuman ability to run multiple businesses is how she manages to maintain the same core values across all three companies- although unique in their offerings, each represents a desire to create sustainable, well designed, products that solve problems for their customers.

On today's episode, Viola and I talk about transitioning from one business to the next, using trial & error to find manufacturing partners overseas, building a team, and time blocking. We also discuss Viola's perspective on managing transition, how she aims for simplicity in business and what's up next for her new ventures.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Viola evolved as a creative entrepreneur
Transitioning from stationery into textiles
Viola's process for sourcing global manufacturing partners
The importance of cultivating the right production partnership
The core values that anchor Viola's three business
How she shifted her mindset in order to scale fast
Viola's journey from solopreneur to creative co-founder
Her best approach to running multiple businesses
Why streamlining systems and processes is crucial in transition
What's up next for Viola and her multiple ventures

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I love product, and I have always dreamed of creating my own." - Viola Sutanto

"I'm especially inspired by my dad. He really started with nothing, and I mean nothing. He had a little stall in a flea market and then kind of built a business empire out of that." - Viola Sutanto

"My true passion is creating textile-based products and products that people could use every day, products that are simple and functional and not too precious." - Viola Sutanto

"There were definitely some unexpected challenges that I wasn't ready for when I first started. Anything could happen along the way. And distance was a challenge." - Viola Sutanto

"I wanted to make sure that the materials I was using could be certified, that I could very proudly say my materials and my processes are sustainable." - Viola Sutanto

"You want to know who you're speaking to has their finger on the pulse of what's going on there, and obviously the owner is going to have that." - Katie Hunt

"So much of growing our businesses, particularly product-based business, is trial and error when it comes to outsourcing and manufacturing." - Katie Hunt

"I ended up keeping that little envelope, thinking "Someday, we're going to do something with this." And sure enough, when Ashley and I reconnected … that all blew up into LimeLoop today." - Viola Sutanto

"We knew from the start this could be a really big idea. We knew we needed to scale fast, and we knew we needed investors. So that was the mindset going in." - Viola Sutanto

"With every hire I've had at MAIKA, I've always made it a habit to have them document their role so that if a transition were to happen, the next person stepping into their role would require minimal training from me." - Viola Sutanto

"I'm a firm believer in keeping things lean and mean as best you can. We are small businesses. We need to keep things simple. When we start adding too many layers or too many people, it gets too complex." - Katie Hunt

"Keep it as lean and as simple as you can from the beginning, and also talk to as many people as you can, people who have been doing this for a while. Ask them for their advice." -Viola Sutanto

CONNECT WITH VIOLA SUTANTO:

Website: https://www.maikagoods.com/

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

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

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

LINKS

Lime Loop: https://www.thelimeloop.com/

Indiegogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/limeloop-reusable-shippers#/

SPECIAL OFFER: 3 Free Months of Gusto!

Those old-school, clunky payroll providers just weren't built for the way modern small businesses work. But Gusto is. Now is the best time to get set up for the new year. Don't wait. Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Try a demo and see for yourself at www.gusto.com/proof

PAPER CAMP

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

090 | Part 2 - Rachael Hetzel, Pistachio Press and Briana Feola, Brainstorm on why bigger doesn't always mean better and communicating your core values to attract the right clients, customers and team members

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Today is Part 2 of a two-part interview with Rachael Hetzel of Pistachio Press, and Briana Feola of Brainstorm. On Part 1, which was Episode 89, we talked about freedom versus stability, keeping up with the Joneses and overcoming FOMO. If you missed it, I'd recommend heading back to listen to that one first because today we dive into the details of communication, team dynamics, and client and customer relationships, and much more!

On Part 2, Rachael and Briana share their thoughts on why bigger doesn't always mean better, knowing your why and communicating your company's core values so that you're attracting the right type of clients, customers, and team members. We also talk about not being afraid to revise your business vision, focusing on projects that align with your ethos and hiring for an overall skill set rather than specific ability.

Rachael and Briana have been on the podcast before to share their startup stories. Rachael Hetzel is the owner of Pistachio Press, a boutique letterpress printing and design studio based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pistachio Press produces a wholesale line of sweet and slightly snarky stationery products that are sold nationally and internationally. Pistachio Press also creates social invitations, business stationery, and prints commercially for a variety of clients. If you want to hear Rachael's start-up story, head back to check out Episode 11.

Briana Feola is the co-owner of Brainstorm, a print shop and collaborative design studio working from a historic mill in Dover, New Hampshire. Brainstorm is rooted in the production of original art prints inspired by science, nature, and the outdoors. They design for people and companies that appreciate the creative process, enjoy collaboration, and want to make something tangible in an increasingly digital world. Briana and her husband, Jason Snyder shared their co-founding story back on Episode 8, so put that one on your listening list too!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The truth about staying small
How to get better at saying no to hiring
The intricacies of inviting new employees into your creative space
Knowing your strengths and opportunities as a manager
The benefits of metrics and benchmarks
Why it's important to find a system that works for you
The pros and cons of being your own boss
Finding sustainability and satisfaction within

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"It's very difficult to explain our vision, and our life as an art piece to somebody who just sees it as a business. It's just different." - Briana Feola

"I've had multiple right arms of my business, and I try to separate out roles, but it works best for me to have someone that can do all aspects of the business." - Rachael Hetzel

"After 10 years of doing this I know when to say no and this isn't a job I can do. Actually, it's not a job I want to do." - Rachael Hetzel

"Our internal values that we have of my family comes first, and all these different things that are important to me. I think we need to be communicating them in our brand messaging out into the world, to customers and clients." - Katie Hunt

"We do projects when they're fun and if it fits with our schedule ... if it fits within what we are capable of doing, and if we could do it really well." - Briana Feola

"I would respect somebody for saying no, because I know that that was probably a difficult decision for them to make." - Katie Hunt

"We're not out to blanket the world in our products." - Briana Feola

"It''s hard to say no for yourself in some of those circumstances because there is pressure to bend, there is pressure to maybe go against your priorities, and your values for the business too." - Katie Hunt

"Ultimately it does comes down to gut instinct, and gut feeling, and whether or not we really want to do it." - Briana Feola

"When I'm doing strategic planning for my business I'm not just looking at the numbers...I'm also looking at what's the time commitment that is going to be required of me. What's my excitement level for this project?" - Katie Hunt

"Being deliberate is one of the biggest things, and staying true to who you are." - Rachael Hetzel

CONNECT WITH BRAINSTORM:

Website: http://wearebrainstorm.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/wearebrainstorm

Instagram: http://instagram.com/wearebrainstorm

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wearebrainstorm

CONNECT WITH PISTACHIO PRESS:

Website: http://www.pistachiopress.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/pistachiopress

Instagram: http://instagram.com/pistachiopress

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pistachiopress

PAPER CAMP

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

089 | Part 1 - Rachael Hetzel, Pistachio Press and Briana Feola, Brainstorm on freedom versus stability, keeping up with the Joneses, overcoming FOMO

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0400

This week I'm sitting down for a special two-part interview with two incredible entrepreneurs - Rachael Hetzel of Pistachio Press and Briana Feola of Brainstorm. Both have been on the podcast before to share their startup stories and I'm really excited to have them both back to shine a spotlight on what it means to keep things small and intentional as business owners and still grow in revenue and creativity.

Today is Part 1 of my interview with Rachael and Briana. On this episode, we talk about freedom versus stability, why there is pressure to keep up with the Joneses and why we can't worry what others are doing. We also talk about overcoming FOMO, letting go of constantly optimizing and not being afraid to stick to what works best for your business.

On Part 2 which will air on Thursday, we're talking about why bigger doesn't always mean better, knowing your why and communicating your company's core values so that you're attracting the right type of clients, customers, and team members.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Misconceptions about being an entrepreneur
The difference between expanding and burning out
What finding homeostasis in life does for business
How saying "yes" teaches you when to say "no"
The reason you should trust your gut instinct
How business decisions come down to relationships
Finding your business balance

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"There's a stigma for entrepreneurs that there's just endless pursuit of growth. Like that's the answer." - Briana Feola

"Everything in our life just seemed to kind of come together when we made freedom a priority." - Briana Feola

"We actually say that it's lifestyle versus bottom line. So we're trying to maintain this lifestyle of simplicity because it's a choice." - Briana Feola

"I think it is being flexible in order to see what the opportunities are and I'm able to make things because I'm the maker in small quantities." - Rachael Hetzel

"I'd like to say I'm trying to honor my revisionist nature and looking at everything that we do on a day to day basis and get really good at making decisions quickly." - Rachael Hetzel

"I don't want that empire. I just want my own little piece of whatever my bliss or happiness happens to be." - Rachael Hetzel

"We've tasted a little bit of everything because we've stayed so small, we've been able to be nimble so we could try lots of things." - Briana Feola

"You get those experiences so that hopefully down the road you can learn when to say no to things and to maybe figure out what your personal ideals would be. " - Rachael Hetzel

"For me it comes down to, is this a one time thing or is it going to be an ongoing partnership?" - Rachael Hetzel

"It's just something that comes with time and just experience. You learn and then you adapt and then you're able to say yes or no based on those things. " - Briana Feola

"We're micro businesses and our businesses tend to be wrapped up in our identities and they're part of our life. And so for me, business decisions are also lifestyle decisions." - Rachael Hetzel

CONNECT WITH BRAINSTORM:

Website: http://wearebrainstorm.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/wearebrainstorm

Instagram: http://instagram.com/wearebrainstorm

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wearebrainstorm

CONNECT WITH PISTACHIO PRESS:

Website: http://www.pistachiopress.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/pistachiopress

Instagram: http://instagram.com/pistachiopress

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pistachiopress

PAPER CAMP

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

088 | Zoe Scharf, Greetabl on email sequences, sales funnels and Facebook ads

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Zoë Scharf is the Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer at Greetabl, a totally unique gifting service that makes it fun and easy to send creative personal gifts. You might remember Zoë from Episode 50 where she shared her start-up story. If you want to hear more about how Greetabl started and the process of seeking angel investors, I recommend checking out that episode. Today we're shifting gears though and geeking out on marketing strategies, tactics and how Zoe and the greetabl team make customer experience a top priority.

On this episode, Zoe gets granular telling us how Greetabl uses segmenting to add value to their customer experience. She talks about email sequences, sales funnels through Facebook ads and why Greetable is choosing to optimize select marketing channels rather than spreading themselves thin. We also talk about discovering and engaging with new audiences and even drop in a few trade secrets.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The importance of genuine interaction with customers
Why Greetabl isn't afraid of emojis
How to identify and speak to new segment groups
Her tips for differentiating audiences
How Greetabl uses email flows to see what's working and what's not
Creative ways to upsell and add value
The pros and cons of hiring outside ad agencies
What Greetabl is launching next

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"It's always better if people can understand that there are human beings behind the products that they enjoy" - Zoë Scharf

"We're not afraid of emojis, we're not afraid of saying weird acronyms. We throw a LILAS in there every now and then because we do love our customers like a sis." - Zoë Scharf

"Every time that we identify sort of a different segment or group within our main target demographic, we always try to make sure that we're talking to them too and the way that they want to be spoken to." - Zoë Scharf

"Trying to figure out how to really provide the value that people want in the places that they want is an ongoing kind of challenge for us." - Zoë Scharf

"We offer people 10% off their first order when they sign up for our welcome flow, or for our emails. We don't say sign up for our welcome flow." - Zoë Scharf

"It's not really pushing, like buy, buy, buy. It's more like get to know us, get to know our brand." - Zoë Scharf

"If you've bought from us once, the first email you'll get, besides the shipping confirmation or an order confirmation, is a thank you email and it's literally just ... it's for fun. It's just a GIF of our entire team high-fiving." - Zoë Scharf

"We consider customer happiness to be our number one marketing tool." - Zoë Scharf

"I've learned over time that spreading ourselves out too thin is just not the way that we're able to do it." - Zoë Scharf

"I'd rather get really good at two or three channels and be diverse enough that we're not completely reliant on one channel but also be focused enough that we can do a good job." - Zoë Scharf

"I don't know if I'm doing the best job that anyone could ever do, but we're doing better than we did with a lot of the agencies and we're not spending money on them. Right now that's what makes sense." - Zoë Scharf

CONNECT WITH GREETABLE:

Website: http://www.greetabl.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/greetabl

LINKS:

Klaviyo

PAPER CAMP

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

087 | Part 2 - Natasha Case, Coolhaus on messaging and storytelling, why leadership and managing are different skills and why its good for entrepreneurs to dream big

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Natasha Case is the CEO of Coolhaus, a Los Angeles based ice cream company specializing in unique, sweet-meet-savory flavors. This is Part 2 of her interview. If you missed Part 1 which was Episode 86, I recommend you head back and listen to that one first.

In Part 2 of her interview, Natasha talks about her approach to scaling, how she tackled grocery and scoop shops at the same time, and how she continues to entwine the three arms of the business to support each other. We talked about how she balances deadlines and creativity, the importance of thinking outside the box, and how Natasha's perspective of leadership and management has changed over the years. Natasha also shared the importance of building new relationships and innovating ideas that keep Coolhaus on top of its game as zealous expansion continues.

Here's the background scoop on Coolhaus in case you missed it earlier- Natasha first began exploring the concept of "Farchitecture" – or, Food + Architecture – in her graduate architecture program. She started baking cookies, making ice cream, and combining them into "cool houses". In 2009 she met co-founder Freya Estreller, and together they staged Coolhaus' unforgettable launch in a refurbished postal van at the famous Coachella Valley Music Festival.

In less than ten years, Coolhaus has snowballed into a nationwide company. They now distribute to 6,000+ grocery stores ranging from Whole Foods to Safeway to Publix markets with 30 SKU's including hand-crafted ice cream sandwiches, artisan pints, and chocolate-dipped bars. Natasha has been named Forbes 30 Under 30 for food and beverage and Zagat's 30 Under 30 in New York City. She is also the co-host of the Start to Sale podcast, where she invites the brightest entrepreneurial minds to discuss all that it takes to build a company from launch to exit.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How the three arms of her business support each other
The importance of tapping into your purpose
Why leadership and managing are different skills
How the Coolhaus team has grown over the years
Why thinking outside the box is critical in a new era of marketing
How Natasha's Angeleno roots influence Coolhaus's diversity and inclusion
Her advice for other entrepreneurs just starting on their journey
What's up next for Coolhaus

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Just grinding and doing the work with a sense of purpose, and with a sense of like, "This is something I love and I really want to get it out there." That's the most important thing ." - Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"I just literally wandered into my local Whole Foods and I found the guy stocking the freezer shelf and I asked him, "How do I become a brand that you sell?" -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"At that time we didn't know what's going to hit, so we said let's do a little bit of both ." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"What has made that work is the trucks being that activation, private event, really, that specialty experience. And the shops having that element as well, but being a place to test ideas." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"You have to really learn to understand people and what motivates them and what about what you're doing is going to speak to them." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"As the company grows and you can afford to hire stronger and stronger people, it becomes this snowball effect and I think you learn from them and you become better at what you're doing." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"So trust your instincts, listen to the experts and know when to take the advice, but also know when to trust your gut." - Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"What does this mean for you in five, 10, 20 years? If this thing went all the way, if it was the biggest it can be, what does that look like? Where does that put you personally?" -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"Always trying to think outside the box. That's definitely a big, big part of the marketing these days. And frankly, you often don't have a choice." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"There are so many different ways to put it out there. I think you kind of pick where you can really shine. And anything that you do, how does it align with your messaging and your storytelling? Every single time. You have to hammer it home so hard." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"I think leadership is more kind of in your DNA, like, you instinctually love to lead or know how to inspire people, because that's a lot of what business is, "Are people really believing in your mission?" -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

CONNECT WITH COOLHAUS:

Website: https://cool.haus/

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/COOLHAUS

Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/coolhausla

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

086 | Part 1 - Natasha Case, Coolhaus on launching with a minimum viable product and balancing data with intuition in product development

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Natasha Case is the CEO of Coolhaus, a Los Angeles based ice cream company specializing in unique, sweet-meet-savory flavors. The inspiration for Coolhaus started when Natasha was exploring the concept of "Farchitecture" – or, Food + Architecture – in her graduate architecture program. She began baking cookies, making ice cream, and combining them into "cool houses". In 2009 she met co-founder Freya Estreller, and together they staged Coolhaus' unforgettable launch in a refurbished postal van at the famous Coachella Valley Music Festival.

Natasha has been named Forbes 30 Under 30 for food and beverage and Zagat's 30 Under 30 in New York City. She is also the co-host of the Start to Sale podcast, where she invites the brightest entrepreneurial minds to discuss all that it takes to build a company from launch to exit.

We covered a lot of ground in this interview. So much so, that we're going to break it up into two separate episodes. Episode 86 is Part 1.

On today's episode, Natasha tells us how studying architecture led her to discover her entrepreneurial spirit and how she turned her side-hustle hobby into a national business. She shares why product development and innovation is not just about market research and data but also about trusting your intuition and how Coolhaus launched with a minimum viable product.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Natasha's background in architecture and how it inspired her entrepreneurial spirit
How working at Disney Imagineering helped her conceptualize brand storytelling
The pros of combining strengths with a business partner
How Coolhaus is reinventing classic flavors for a new generation
Why trusting your intuition is just as important as market research
The importance of launching with a minimum viable product
How the Coolhaus food truck got 100 miles to Coachella Music Festival without an engine

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"There's always that element of surprise and just trying to be as educated and tactical and excited about really meeting that demand as you can be." - Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"We have so much in common with the people that we're really trying to target, and I think that creates a lot of authenticity in all aspects of the brand." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"No spreadsheet will ever tell you the thing that was the hugest risk with the biggest reward, and that's so much of what entrepreneurship is about." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"The entrepreneur will have a little bit of that crazy factor and think, "Well, I can do it and I want to create something from nothing." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"I always thought of myself as getting the skills of architecture in a way I would in my head say, or even out loud, that's beating the system from within. Taking these rules, learning them, mastering them the best I could, and breaking it apart." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"Even in the traditional sense of architecture there is entrepreneurship because I think you are... One, you're an artist, but within this building has to stand up." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

" I'm a big believer in when things are fun, actually, ironically, so much more can get done. So much more work can get done." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"You put food in front of people and it's exciting, it's memorable, it brings people together." - Natasha Case

"There was nothing on shelf that spoke to us as millennials, and definitely not as women. And so we saw this big opportunity." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"We were actually going to be the first food truck to sell at Coachella. And so, now you remember the truck has no engine. How are we going to get to Coachella?" -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

" It was just nonstop and then 5,000 Twitter followers in one afternoon. It was like, clearly there's demand for this." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

"There were no bells and whistles. I mean it was just putting this idea out there and showing that we had this vision." -Natasha Case, Coolhaus

CONNECT WITH COOLHAUS:

Website: https://cool.haus/

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/COOLHAUS

Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/coolhausla

SPECIAL OFFER: 3 Free Months of Gusto!

Those old-school, clunky payroll providers just weren't built for the way modern small businesses work. But Gusto is. Now is the best time to get set up for the new year. Don't wait.

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Try a demo and see for yourself at http://www.gusto.com/proof

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

085 | Katie Hunt on the three seasons of business

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0400

Happy New Year, friends! On this episode Katie Hunt is sharing the three phases of business that every business goes through - often multiple times. These three phases include: growth, maintenance and streamlining phase.

Growth is when we're adding new products, services, systems. We're in building and expansion mode. One misconception about the growth phase is that its reserved for the early years of business. But, in reality, the growth phase can happen in the beginning, middle and even the end of our business life cycle.

Maintenance is when we take a look at everything we've been building during the growth phase and we realize we need to stop adding 'new' and instead optimize what we've already created. This could include diving deeper into a specific product category or giving a team member additional responsibilities. Maintaining and optimizing our existing products, services and internal processes is a really important step, but often overlooked.

Streamlining is where we clear the clutter from our business -- products that aren't selling or that no longer fit our brand aesthetic; reassessing our client on boarding process for custom work, or our outreach to wholesale accounts we think we'd be a good fit for. The streamlining phase can be a really powerful one, in that you're creating white space and removing things that are not pushing your business towards your goals.

Some things to note about these three phases:

I believe each company goes through each and everyone phase, likely multiple times.
These seasons are not sequential, meaning you won't necessarily go from growth to maintenance, then streamlining. You may jump from one to the other, then back to the first again.
None of these three seasons are "better" than the other -- but they are all necessary for building a healthy business
Each season contains its own challenges, rewards and involves its own transitions and discomfort.

Tell us, which season are you in for 2019? Join our Proof to Product Facebook group and weigh in with what you're working on this year. We'd love to hear!

SPECIAL OFFER: 3 Free Months of Gusto!

Those old-school, clunky payroll providers just weren't built for the way modern small businesses work. But Gusto is. Now is the best time to get set up for the new year. Don't wait.

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Try a demo and see for yourself at http://www.gusto.com/proof

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

From Katie Hunt | 6 things I wish for you as we finish 2018

Fri, 21 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0400

As we head into the holidays, the Proof to Product team and I will be taking a break. While we're gone, I want to encourage you to go back and listen to some of this year's most popular episodes. I've included links to our top 5 episodes at the bottom of our show notes here so you can find them quickly & easily.

But all in all, we covered a lot of ground in 2018 talking about business finances, licensing opportunities, marketing strategies, selling wholesale, finding manufacturers, exhibiting at shows and the ups and downs of running a business.

Our guests were vulnerable, I was vulnerable. In fact, there were a few episodes I was nervous to air — it felt too raw - but we did it anyway! Because that's what this show is about… sharing our struggles, successes, and strategies so that all of us can continue to grow our businesses in a way that feels good to us.

I'm really proud of how Proof to Product has grown and I'm overwhelmed (in a good way) when I receive messages from all of you or read the reviews you leave for the show. I appreciate you listening and am so glad that the show has positively influenced your life and your business.

As we head into the holidays and 2019, I want to share some important reminders and six things that I wish for each and every one of you...

I want you to continue to make intentional decisions in your business. Decisions that get you closer to your business goals. Decisions that reflect the season of life that you're in. And, decisions that further ignite your passions even more.

I want you to make time for yourself and the things that bring you joy in life. As an entrepreneur it is easy to overwork ourselves. We love what we do and we should. But, I want you to carve out time over the next few weeks for play. For hobbies. For time with friends and family.

I want you to spend some time reflecting on the progress you've made this year. Remember that success doesn't happen overnight. It happens little by little, step by step. But we need to celebrate our progress along the way. You worked hard this year and you deserve to be celebrated.

Friends, I want you to remember that you set the rules for your business. You decide what products to sell, whether to sell retail, wholesale or both. You decide whether to go to shows or hire a team. You hold the power, never forget that.

I want you to remember that if you're in an uncomfortable state of change, that this usually means you're in a growth period and that you're onto something exciting and new. Don't let fear hold you back. Try it out and see what happens. If it doesn't go as planned you can always change direction and try again.

And, I want you to remember that we see you doing amazing work and pouring your heart and soul into your products. This entrepreneurial journey can be tough but also very rewarding. Remember that you're not alone. We see you.

I want you to know that i'm grateful for you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for listening. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season surrounded by family and friends.

I'll be back with a new episode on January 8th. Until then, happy holidays and happy new year.

Proof to Product | Top 5 Episodes of 2018

053 | Megan Auman on product photography and leveraging Pinterest for sales

046 | Richele Silva, Richie Designs on leveraging past work experiences and the benefits of growing our businesses slow and steadily

049 | Emily Thompson, Being Boss on why being boss requires vision and hustle, the importance of setting boundaries and being open to saying yes to the right opportunities

051 | Kim Burks, Ramona & Ruth on changing her business name, growing her wholesale program and how reps have enhanced her business

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

084 | Jennifer Morgan, A Fresh Bunch provides a licensing overview

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Jennifer Morgan is the brains behind A Fresh Bunch, a creative licensing agency where designers and clients collaborate and create something big together. Jenny began her journey into creative licensing in 2002 when she founded Hen and Barley Press, her own successful wholesale stationery business focused on personalized stationery goods.

Jennifer soon realized just how much of her time was spent on everything in her business except design, and discovered many other creative people in the industry were burnt out just like her. Inspired by the opportunity to bring designers and clients together, Jenny founded A Fresh Bunch in 2010.

On today's episode, Jenny shares how she shifted away from wholesale manufacturing and into creative licensing. She talks about misconceptions that artists have about licensing and provides overview of how licensing works, who it is for, and how a licensing agency, like A Fresh Bunch can help artists diversify their revenue streams.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Jenny pivoted her business from wholesale to licensing
Her steps to learning about the licensing industry
Knowing when to embrace quitting as a strategy for future growth
The benefits of collaborating with an agency
How Jenny chooses artists to represent
Tips and pointers on how to create a strong and consistent portfolio
The best time to submit your artist application to A Fresh Bunch
How royalties and compensation structures typically work
What projects Jenny is most proud of
Upcoming Blueprint Shows
What's next for A Fresh Bunch

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Back in the day when there was no SP inkjet, printing was still kind of picking off. Digital printing was not even a thing and really the only way to get product out into the world was to manufacture it yourself." - Jennifer Morgan

" I think at that time, other stationery designers and I we're all kind of scratching our heads trying to figure out, well what do we do now?" - Jennifer Morgan

"Once A Fresh Bunch found its footing as licensing brand and fit for the artists working under the A Fresh Bunch umbrella, the decision to shut down Hen And Barley Press felt very easy." - Jennifer Morgan

"I could not have started A Fresh Bunch without having had the experience I had and making the contacts I did with Hen And Barley press." - Jennifer Morgan

"If I could do anything over again, it would probably be that I would have embraced the notion of quitting as a strategy much sooner than I did." - Jennifer Morgan

"It's really about consistency and discipline as much as anything else." - Jennifer Morgan

"In theory you should be pitching to somebody at a time when they are looking for that art, when you're kind of new to the industry, it's hard to know when that is. " - Jennifer Morgan

"We're always looking for a really unique style, a unique voice, a consistent style." - Jennifer Morgan

"We try to provide like checklists and best practices, things that we know from experience have made artists successful." - Jennifer Morgan

"I am super proud of our artist's ability from all these points around the world, to collaborate online with each other to create a diverse collection of looks that is still cohesive." - Jennifer Morgan

"As with anything at a certain point that often comes down to making the difficult choice of, 'What I'm going to be When I grow up, am I going to be a licensed artist or am I going to run a company?'" - Jennifer Morgan

CONNECT WITH JENNIFER MORGAN

Website: http://www.afreshbunch.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/freshbunch

SPECIAL OFFER: 3 Free Months of Gusto!

Those old-school, clunky payroll providers just weren't built for the way modern small businesses work. But Gusto is. Now is the best time to get set up for the new year. Don't wait.

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Try a demo and see for yourself at http://www.gusto.com/proof

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

083 | Danni Hong, oh hello friend on exhibiting at craft shows, owning a brick & mortar store and her journey of scaling up & down to make her business fit her life

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Danni Hong is a designer, business owner, and lover of all things paper. She started oh, hello friend in 2008 and has been hustling ever since at craft shows and trade shows worldwide! Her ultimate goal thru her business is to convey joy thru oh hello friend products and brighten someone's day.

Danni attended Tradeshow Bootcamp's Paper Camp prior to exhibiting at her first wholesale show, but she has a lot of experience exhibiting at craft shows near and far which she talks about in today's episode. We also talked about Danni's journey of scaling up and scaling down. She shares her experiences exhibiting at craft shows near and far. She also talked about her experience opening a brick and mortar shop and how she decided which products to carry in her store. Danni also discussed what it was like operating three different arms of her business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The types of products oh, hello friend offers
The steps she took after opening her Etsy shop to grow her business
Danni's experience with craft shows & how they benefited her business
Her tips & tricks on streamlining processes to be able to do shows
How she determines how much product to bring to craft shows
Danni's experience opening a brick and mortar shop
How she decided which products to carry in her store
Her experience managing multiple arms of her business at once
The way that owning a store impacted her customer service & the way she develops her product line
What she would go back and change about her business if she could
What's next for oh, hello friend

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"There's potentially thousands of people coming through these shows, and even if a small percentage is taking your business card, that's still your business card going into the hands of potential customers, and them telling their friends." - Danni Hong

"I think there's so much value in going to other cities if you can." - Danni Hong

"I always wanted to open a store." - Danni Hong

"I had been doing craft shows for a few years and I was able to save up enough money to not have to take out any loans or really go into any debt to open the store." - Danni Hong

"When making a decision of what to carry, we carried a lot of brands that are actually friends from the industry, they're all made locally, or letterpressed, hand-lettered, all supporting small artists." - Danni Hong

"I just get a lot of joy from finding something and then bringing it back into the store and then seeing other people's reaction or responses to it." - Danni Hong

"Nothing can really truly succeed when you're just being pulled in so many directions." - Danni Hong

"Take a step back and really examine things that bring you joy, and do more of those things. I'm not saying you can't work hard, I think it's so admirable to work hard, but I just think I just really lost myself in it." - Danni Hong

"Hard work is how we build these businesses and it's how we become successful, but you don't need to be in a constant state of hustle." - Danni Hong

"I think at the end of the day, I just want to be creating products that bring people encouragement or joy." - Danni Hong

CONNECT WITH DANNI HONG

Website: http://ohhellofriend.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ohhellofriend

Instagram: http://instagram.com/ohhellofriend

SPECIAL OFFER:

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Go to www.gusto.com/proof for more information

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

082 | Part 2 - Sarah Parrott Bianculli, Parrott Design on hiring a team, managing multiple businesses and defining success

Thu, 06 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Sarah Parrott is the founder of Parrott Design Studio and this is Part 2 of her interview. If you missed Part 1 which was Episode 81, I recommend you head back and listen to that one first.

Here on Part 2, Sarah talks about hiring a team, how she started slowly delegating and fears she had around letting go of things in her business, we talked about her multiple revenue streams and the pros / cons of having multiple businesses, navigating tough seasons in life while owning a business and how Sarah's definition of success for her business has changed over the years.

As background, Parrott Design Studio is a letterpress studio in Sebago, a lake town in Western Maine. The studio was established in 2007 by Sarah Parrott with a small Print Gocco, an inexpensive and easy to use screen printing tool that originated in Japan. That same year she took her first course in letterpress, learning to use a Vandercook press.

In 2008 she purchased her own press, an 1898 Golding Jobber platen press. At the time there were no courses to learn on that type of press, and she spent a year teaching herself how to use it. She fell in love with the centuries-old artisinal printing technique and the process of feeding the press one piece at a time, one color at a time. In 2010 she left her job as an event planner to pursue Parrott Design Studio full time. Sarah is one of our original Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni. She attended our very first round of Tradeshow Bootcamp classes in 2011 before exhibiting at the National Stationery Show in 2012.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How her team has shifted during different seasons
The event space Sarah & her husband opened
How her multiple revenue streams are intertwined
The pros and cons of running three businesses at one time
How she managed her businesses through a difficult season in her personal life
Sarah's definition of success and how it has changed over the years
Her advice for someone just starting out in a product-based business

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"There's a lot of benefit to hiring people that already understand your business or have followed you for a while." - Katie Hunt

"I always love weddings, no matter what I'm doing, and still doing wedding-related things." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

"It's so funny because we never set out to be in weddings or even to be entrepreneurs, and it all seemed very natural. Nothing's been forced. It just worked." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

"They kind of all have different times where they are busy, so I'm not depending on just one of them as my main source of income." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

"It's okay to say no and it's okay if something doesn't work or it's okay to walk away from something because it's your business and you can make that decision for what works the best, because if you don't, why are you doing it?" - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

"One person's startup story is not the same as another person's story, and neither one is right or wrong. It's whatever works for you." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

"When you're first starting, you're looking to a lot of people because they're your inspiration, and you just have to know that how they did it might not work for you. It might, but it probably won't." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

CONNECT WITH SARAH PARROTT BIANCULLI

Website: http://parrottdesignstudio.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Parrott-Design-Studio-245078337090/

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

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

SPECIAL OFFER:

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Go to www.gusto.com/proof for more information

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

081 | Part 1 - Sarah Parrott Bianculli, Parrott Design on shifting her business model, finding manufacturing partners and discontinuing product

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Sarah Parrott is the founder of Parrott Design Studio and I'm excited for you to hear her story. Parrott Design Studio is a letterpress studio in Sebago, a lake town in Western Maine. The studio was established in 2007 by Sarah Parrott with a small Print Gocco, an inexpensive and easy to use screen printing tool that originated in Japan. That same year she took her first course in letterpress, learning to use a Vandercook press.

Sarah is one of our original Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni. She attended our very first round of Tradeshow Bootcamp classes in 2011 before exhibiting at the National Stationery Show in 2012.

We covered a lot of topics in this interview. So much so, that we're going to break this up into two separate episodes. Episode 81 is Part 1.

On this episode, Sarah shares how she started her business with a Gocco printer and Etsy shop, how her business model shifted from retail to custom to retail and wholesale, how she expanded into new product categories, why she strives to find local manufacturing partners and we also talked about her process for deciding which products to discontinue.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How she got started with a Gocco printer
When she transitioned into letterpress
When Sarah realized she was going to pursue this as a business instead of just a creative outlet
The evolution of her business over time
The three arms of her business and the products she currently offers
How she came up with the idea of acrylic cake toppers and how she brought them to market
The specific challenges she faced when starting to offer pencil pouches
How she manages inventory
How she decides to discontinue a product or design
The confidence she feels in her business and how it is impacting next year's release

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I really just learned by doing." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

"All of a sudden I realized, I'm set to make more money doing this than my current day job." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

"As my business has gone on, I'm trying to have as many of my suppliers be as local as possible and that's been, it's 11 years, I'm still working towards that goal and constantly searching." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

"It's very rare that the first person we work with on a project is going to be the person we work with long-term." - Katie Hunt

"I'm pretty ruthless every year cutting out anything that's not working." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

"My style has absolutely changed since I started this. I look at things when I first started to what I'm doing now, it doesn't even look like the same person." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

"It just doesn't make sense to keep these things that aren't selling and it just allows more room for new things as well." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

"I feel the best I've ever felt in all the businesses I've had and I'm working on next year's release and it's looking a lot different than anything I've ever done before." - Sarah Parrott Bianculli

CONNECT WITH SARAH PARROTT BIANCULLI

Website: http://parrottdesignstudio.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Parrott-Design-Studio-245078337090/

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

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

SPECIAL OFFER:

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Go to www.gusto.com/proof for more information

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

080 | Christina Stembel, Farmgirl Flowers on how she has built a $23M business with $49k of her personal savings.

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Christina Stemble is the founder of Farmgirl Flowers, which she started 7 years ago from her living room table. She invested $49,000 of her personal savings to start the business and Farm Girl Flowers is projected to hit $23M in revenue for 2018.

Christina disrupted the floral industry with new options for consumers, less waste and higher quality products. Farmgirl Flower arrangements are designed by hand, in-house in San Francisco California.

On today's episode, Christina is sharing why it is so important to know your numbers, the struggles of scaling and how she's pivoted more times that she can count. We also talked about how she's been proactive about business education and why she focuses on caring about people, but not what they think about her.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Her career background prior to starting Farmgirl Flowers
The research that lead her to an e-commerce floral boutique
How her business model has changed over the years
The importance of knowing your numbers as an entrepreneur
How she predicted numbers at the beginning of her business
The advantages of pivoting often in your business
Her attitude towards copycats
The very first position Christina hired for & how adding team members impacted her business
Farmgirl Flower's marketing strategy
What success looked like for Christina in the early days & what it looks like now
How she learned business concepts
Lessons Christina has learned as an entrepreneur
The importance of focusing on team culture to avoid burn out
Her advice for someone just starting out as an entrepreuneur
What's next for Farmgirl Flowers

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Younger consumers, it's not rocket science what they want. They want something that's beautiful, they want to feel like they weren't ripped off or robbed in the process. They want a good value for the money." - Christina Stembel

"There's 27 million new box companies or socks companies or toothbrush companies, but there's nobody that's reinvented this space yet, so let me see if I can be the one to do it." - Christina Stembel

"My goal from day one was to build a billion dollar company, and I have no qualms saying that." - Christina Stembel

"Everybody always asks if we're profitable. We have to be profitable." - Christina Stembel

"As an entrepreneur, you have to know your numbers. You have to know your forecast. You have to know your projections, and you have to go back and check them often." - Christina Stembel

"Our consumers are telling us what they like and don't like, and so listening to them, seeing what's selling, not selling, and then pivoting." - Christina Stembel

"Every two weeks, our company looks different than it did two weeks ago." - Christina Stembel

"I think the fact that we can change so quickly without any red tape allows us to ensure that we are a very healthy, financially healthy company." - Christina Stembel

"If everybody's making things that look strikingly similar to us and creating businesses that look strikingly similar to us, that means we're the best." - Christina Stembel

"I think part of the thing that makes us different and more special than our competitors, in my opinion, is that we have a heart." - Christina Stembel

"The number one thing that to me means that I'm being successful is that I don't run out of money." - Christina Stembel

"I think if we focus on building a business that we believe in, that has the core values that really mirror our own personal core values, then that'll breed success." - Katie Hunt

"You can learn anything you want just on the internet now." - Christina Stembel

"The number one thing that I've learned from it is that it doesn't matter if you make mistakes. The only thing that matters is that you get back up." - Christina Stembel

"Just because they say it doesn't make it true." - Christina Stembel

CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA STEMBEL

Website: http://www.farmgirlflowers.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/farmgirlflowers

SPECIAL OFFER:

Proof to Product listeners get 3 free months of Gusto when they run their first payroll. Go to www.gusto.com/proof for more information

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Katie Hunt talking about tradeshows on Creative Biz Rebellion

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 09:00:00 -0400

For our Thanksgiving break, we've lined up something special just for you. We'll be airing two episodes I recorded with my friends Kelly and Caroline at Creative Biz Rebellion.

These ladies were kind enough to have me on their podcast, not just once, but twice. The first time we talked about all things wholesale, and then then invited me back to talk about trade shows. This week we're running both episodes over here on Proof to Product.

Links:

Creative Biz Rebellion

Proof to Product with Caroline Hull (Ep 45)

Proof to Product with Kelly Parker Smith (Ep 56)

Have a wonderful week friends and thank you for listening to and supporting Proof to Product. I'm so grateful for each and every one of you!

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Katie Hunt talking all things wholesale on Creative Biz Rebellion

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 09:00:00 -0400

For our Thanksgiving break, we've lined up something special just for you. We'll be airing two episodes I recorded with my friends Kelly and Caroline at Creative Biz Rebellion.

Links:

Creative Biz Rebellion

Proof to Product with Caroline Hull (Ep 45)

Proof to Product with Kelly Parker Smith (Ep 56)

Have a wonderful week friends and thank you for listening to and supporting Proof to Product. I'm so grateful for each and every one of you!

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

079 | Alison Prince on how she leverages influencers to sell her products and why testing your product is the most important thing you can do in e-commerce.

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Alison Prince is an e-commerce expert and a woman on a mission. She is a business-savvy determined woman who knows how to create something amazing out of nothing. Over the last seven years, Allison has started eight e-commerce businesses, many of which are multi-million dollar brands. She's sold everything from apparel to technology to household items — she's sold everything under the sun — growing dollars into millions and pennies into thousands.

On today's episode, we talk about how Allison built her deal of a day website and then leveraged best selling products to create their own site and brand. She also shares how she leverages influencers to sell her product and why testing your product is the most important thing you can do in e-commerce.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Alison's career background
Why she left the classroom for entrepreneurship
Her first experience selling products online
The different types of products she has sold online & how she decides what to sell
How & when she first introduced her daughters to entrepreneurship
Where she is selling products
The benefits of testing a product before investing in a large quantity
What she does with overstock of products
How she uses influencers in her marketing
Alison's tips on approaching influencers
How she leverages discounts on her products
The biggest driver of Alison's success in business
How she uses ClickFunnels & the success that she has had with it
What's next for Alison

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I started going to the library and checking out books and magazines on how people made money." - Alison Prince

"I realized the entrepreneur journey isn't a straight line. It is literally a rollercoaster ride, and if I got in, I'm going for that ride." - Alison Prince

"Remember the school teacher who was qualified for food stamps? Like, I had a multimillion-dollar business because I didn't give up." - Alison Prince

"I think that's where a lot of people can flub up, is they go and they buy a couple grand in product. Don't do that." - Alison Prince

" I couldn't go and build a huge eCommerce site with a whole bunch of SKUs and a whole bunch of variations, because I literally could not afford to do that, so I could only put up one product a day." - Alison Prince

"Just test it. Buy a small amount, get a small amount, and then send out an email list. If it doesn't sell, that's fine; you've got Christmas presents for all your friends and family." - Alison Prince

"I think the reason why I succeeded is because I failed so much." - Alison Prince

"Don't be so confident and stuck in your head that you're not willing to test. You have to test your product, and then you can invest the money." - Alison Prince

"The key to success is a micro-influencer. Don't go after the big guys." - Alison Prince

"The more engagement you can have, the better results you're going to have. It's not about the numbers anymore; it's all about community." - Alison Prince

"I have to make sure my product's good, I have to make sure my pricing's good, I've got to make sure it will convert, because an influencer can drive traffic, but it's up to you to make sure that you've got a good offer." - Alison Prince

"I love discounts because it helps me to control my lifestyle." - Alison Prince

"I feel like you can create a Black Friday special any day of the year." - Alison Prince

"I'm not afraid to test. I'm not afraid to fail. I'm not afraid to be a hot mess, because that's just who I am, right?" - Alison Prince

"With ClickFunnels, you can put blinders on your customers to help them focus." - Alison Prince

"We don't have to go out and get big huge bank loans anymore. We don't have to have brick and mortar, we don't have to go to China anymore to manufacture our products. We've got technology, we've got the Internet right here in our hands to be able to use." - Alison Prince

'My heart is in watching others succeed." - Alison Prince

CONNECT WITH ALISON PRINCE

Website: https://www.alisonjprince.com

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIRyTXZMYxyyhB8VTpthLpw

LINKS

Shopify

ClickFunnels

PickYourPlum

PTP Episode 067 | Don Hejny, Nerdwax

Nerdwax

Fiverr

Because I Can Clan

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

078 | Taylor Elliott, Taylor Elliott Designs on working with a fulfillment house and sales reps

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Taylor Elliott is the founder of Taylor Elliott Designs, a fun desk accessory and gift company. Taylor started this company as a side hustle while working a full-time job, but through a lot of hard work and persistence, she has grown this into a thriving gift company whose products are sold in more than 450 stores nationwide.

On today's episode, Taylor talks about why she decided to use a fulfillment house to store and ship her products, what questions she asked when she was choosing a partner and what her priorities were for outsourcing this piece of her business. She also talks about how she's brought on 40 sales reps and how working with them and attending markets with her reps has enhanced her business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The products Taylor Elliott Designs offer
How Taylor originally started her business as a side hustle while working a full-time job
How her product offerings have evolved over the years
What systems she has in place to streamline both the retail and wholesale arms of her business
Why she decided to outsource her shipping to a fulfillment house
How she found the fulfillment house she is currently working with
The questions she asked during the process of finding a fulfillment house
How pricing works for a third party warehouse
The time that she saves by outsourcing her shipping
How she found the 40 sales reps that she is working with
How going to market with her sales reps has enhanced her business and her reach to new wholesale accounts
The upfront cost of working with 40 sales reps and how she determined it was worth it
How she nurtures relationships with her sales reps & the tools she provides them with
Taylor's advice for someone just starting out in a product-based business
What's next for Taylor Elliott Designs

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I started with my laptop and an inkjet printer from college, and I started making customized stationery on Etsy." - Taylor Elliott

"It was a nights and weekends hustled for quite a while until it wasn't, and it became my full-time job." - Taylor Elliott

"I've tried very hard to keep true to me and what I love, and I've tried to stay true to the bright colors and very upbeat and motivational products." - Taylor Elliott

" I really try to work smarter and not harder, and one of the ways that have streamlined my process is by outsourcing all of my shipping to a third party fulfillment house." - Taylor Elliott

"It was also very important to me that they handled my products with care. My brand is very girly and it's very fun, we package a lot of our products in hot pink bubble mailers." - Taylor Elliott

"In general, the more simple the pricing is, the more I liked the warehouses. If it was just easy and clear to understand." - Taylor Elliott

"I think as a small business, that's one of the things that help set me apart from much larger businesses is that we're able to be so efficient and so quick." - Taylor Elliott

"We calculated it right after we transitioned to the fulfillment house and it saves me about 25 hours a week." - Taylor Elliott

"I really feel like by outsourcing fulfillment that that has really allowed me to work on the business and not as much in the business." - Taylor Elliott

"I love how Instagram, it's a great market for selling things, but it's also a great way to connect with other people in the industry whether it's buyers, or reps, or even just colleagues." - Katie Hunt

"Market is an amazing exposure especially like these gift markets, there are so much foot traffic. During markets, wholesalers are looking to buy, they're looking for new brands to bring into their store, they're looking for new products." - Taylor Elliott

"Attending market and working with rep groups has helped me grow my wholesale business so much." - Taylor Elliott

"Don't go into debt buying the fancy stuff, you don't need it." - Taylor Elliott

"You have to keep showing up. Consistency is one of the most important things in starting a business." - Taylor Elliott

"Very rarely does opportunity come knocking, but you have to go out and make that opportunity for yourself." - Taylor Elliott

CONNECT WITH TAYLOR ELLIOTT

Website: http://www.taylorelliottdesigns.com

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

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

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

LINKS

The E Myth by Michael Gerber

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

077 | Tanya Wheeless, Happy Grace on why she never wanted to be an entrepreneur and the value of investing in professional development

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC Alum, Tanya Wheeless is the founder of Happy Grace and author of three workbooks on soulful living. She has leveraged her decades of experience as a CEO, senior executive in the NBA, and community leader to teach women how to live the good life while struggling to balance work and family.

In 2016, Tanya saw a need in the market for physical products that busy women could use daily to motivate and center themselves. With that, Happy Grace was born! She took all of her coaching goodness, combined it with her love of paper and created a beautiful line of guided journals, inspiration decks, lip balms and more. When she's not working, you can find her traveling the globe with her husband and son.

On today's episode, Tanya shares why she never wanted to be an entrepreneur, how she's weaved both products and services into her business and why she prioritizes and invests in professional development.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How she became an entrepreneur when she didn't originally want to be one
The catalyst to starting her own business
The first service she offered
The physical products that Happy Grace offers
Why design almost kept her from pursuing physical products
What the design process is like for her products
Tanya's coaching services and how they have shifted over time
The importance of wellness self-care
Happy Grace's new digital membership program
Why it's important for her to invest in professional development
What Tanya finds most challenging about being an entrepreneur
How she has updated her brand story
Tanya's advice for someone just getting started in a product-based business
What's next for Happy Grace

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"In my mind, I wanted to show up every day, know what I was supposed to do, know that the paycheck was going to be there, and have a ladder that I could climb because I'm all about climbing ladders." - Tanya Wheeless

"I can't figure out Asana. I can't do Trello. And you know what? We got through. We used Google Docs. We used Gmail. It was all fine." - Tanya Wheeless

"Timeout on the "shoulds" and really get clear about what you actually need, because I think every team's different, and I do not believe there's one way to do this whole entrepreneurship thing." - Tanya Wheeless

"Product's a whole different ballgame because I had to outlend a lot of money before I ever had anything to sell — designers, production, and my coaching funded that." - Tanya Wheeless

"We tend to think that there are two of us. There's work Katie, and then there's mom Katie, and there's not. There's just one Katie." - Tanya Wheeless

"It feels safe for people to hire a leadership coach or an executive coach but what I know most of us really need is more of that wellness self-care." - Tanya Wheeless

"Mental health, self-care, just being kind to ourselves is such an important facet for all of us regardless of whether we're an entrepreneur or not." - Katie Hunt

"It's okay to have your hands in multiple things until you find the thing that really excites you, and that you can make sustainable and fuel yourself financially as well as like in your heart." - Katie Hunt

"If you are a newbie, go to Paper Camp because the women and the men that you are going to meet, some of them will be at your level, but so many are going to be far ahead." - Tanya Wheeless

"There's so much value in being curious and learning about things that may be of interest to you because even finding out, "No, that's not for me," is incredibly valuable." - Katie Hunt

"One of the things that I did not appreciate when I started, Katie, was the importance of me and my brand, and people having a connection with who I was and what I was about." - Tanya Wheeless

"When people were exposed to me, when they got my personality, when they saw my passion what I was doing, they lined up to buy my product." - Tanya Wheeless

"Know that everyone started exactly where you started with an idea, with your computer, and with a hope that someday someone was going to send your card to someone for a meaningful birthday." - Tanya Wheeless

"Be patient with yourself because it's not as easy as everyone else is making it look." - Tanya Wheeless

CONNECT WITH TANYA WHEELESS

Website: http://www.happygrace.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyHappyGrace

LINKS:

The One Thing: https://amzn.to/2NNYj6E

Essentialism: https://amzn.to/2wKR9ti

Big Magic: https://amzn.to/2wH1ju8

Soul Pancake: http://soulpancake.com/

Funny or Die: https://www.funnyordie.com/

Indigo Faire: https://www.faire.com/

Pinners Conference: https://www.pinnersconference.com/

Magnolia: https://magnolia.com/

Digital Lizard: http://www.digitallizard.com/

PAPER CAMP

Join us March 14-15th in Los Angeles for our Paper Camp Conference.

Over 800 brands have attended Paper Camp. Brands that sell to stores like Target, Paper Source, Container Store, Anthropologie and independent boutiques internationally.

This program is for you if you're a stationery or gift company interested in selling wholesale, exhibiting at trade shows or looking to expand your outreach to wholesale customers.

We believe in the power of community, collaboration and sharing everything we know. Get all the details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

076 | Kaye Putnam on building a strong brand and how she has created an independent location business.

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Kaye Putnam is a psychology-driven brand strategist for entrepreneurs. Through work with hundreds of clients from global brands to solo business owners, she developed The Clarity Code. She believes that when you have a clear brand, that your clients love and respect, they will be willing to pay premium prices for your work. Kaye believes that a strong brand gives you the clarity and confidence to scale your impact and income. When she's not transforming brands, she's exploring the world with her husband and two little ones. They love eating their way across their home of Naples, Italy.

On today's episode, we talk about key components of a strong brand, how Kaye has created a location independent business and she shares a branding exercise that you can do right now!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

A misconception that online business owners have about branding
How Kaye helps clients define their unique brand advantage
How she works with companies to figure out their "why" and the meaning behind what they're doing
What key components that go into creating a strong brand
The common fears she sees among her clients
The challenges Kaye faced early on in her business
How her brand culture impacts her hiring decisions
How moving every few years has impacted her business and how she works with her clients
Kaye's experience with transitions and how she handles things when they don't go as planned
The things Kaye tells people to take a look at first and foremost to strengthen their brand
What's next for Kaye

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Instead of trying to mold your brand or mold your business into what you thinking that the market wants from you, it's actually much, much more productive to first figure out who you are at your best, at your strongest." - Kaye Putnam

"Let's name your strength so that you can step into it, and own it." - Kaye Putnam

"You want to build your brand on a truth not trend." - Kaye Putnam

"When you're building a brand, you're building a long-term relationship with your clients and customers." - Kaye Putnam

"It's a feedback loop where you're putting stuff out into the market, you're getting responses from the market, and then you're continually getting better and better being your brand." - Kaye Putnam

"Once we're consistent and cohesive and compelling, then people start to pay attention." - Kaye Putnam

"Scale has always been my arch nemesis, and it's actually where my focus is now." - Kaye Putnam

"Figure out what that higher order movement is behind your brand and that's what also gets your team really excited about building this bigger thing." - Kaye Putnam

"We've been traveling all over Europe for the last couple of years, two toddlers in tow, because this business is set up this way." - Kaye Putnam

"I've had times in my business where I'm really focusing on the business and then you also need to have times where you're really just focusing on life." - Kaye Putnam

"There's a lot to be said for building up your own website or creating the blog post because you own that space, it's not at the mercy of algorithms or Facebook rules or whatever it might be." - Kaye Putnam

"I think people are fearful of repelling people that aren't the right fit but really, it just enables you to take to the right people more clearly and speak to their needs better." - Kaye Putnam

CONNECT WITH KAYE PUTNAM

Website: http://kayeputnam.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/marketingkaye

Instagram: http://instagram.com/kayeputnam

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kayeputnam

LINKS

Free Five Day Challenge: https://kayeputnam.com/miniclass

BOOTH BLUEPRINT

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

I'm sharing my three secrets to maximize your trade show investment and keep wholesale orders coming in long after you trade show end. To join me for this FREE workshop, head to www.theboothblueprint.com to register!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

075 | Shelley Seguinot, I'm Inkpressed on shifting selling wholesale to licensing her art.

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC alum, Shelley Seguinot began her creative journey in 2013 when she opened I'm Inkpressed, a wholesale stationery company specializing in children's products. As the paper industry evolved and she saw the digital market expanding, she adjusted her business to focused her effort on the art licensing world. She now licenses her art to various companies that put her work on a wide range of products.

On today's episode, Shelley shares how she left a 20-year career in law enforcement to start her businesses. She tells us how she got her first licensing deal, fears she had when she first started licensing her art and why it's so valuable to find mentors and community if licensing is something you want to pursue for your business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Shelley's career path prior to starting her stationery business
How she knew she wanted to jump into her business full-time
When she realized licensing was a potential revenue source for her
Her first licensing deal
The fears she had surrounding licensing her art
The process of licensing artwork
When she transitioned her business to solely licensing work
How she makes it easier for people to see her work & the importance of seeking out companies for licensing opportunities
The buying seasons for licensing art
Whether she likes working within parameters or having freedom and flexibility in her work
What a buyout is versus a limited buyout
The industry standard price ranges
Shelley's favorite licensing project
Her advice to someone just getting started in licensing
The common misconceptions around licensing
What's next for Shelley

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I just don't mind putting myself out there and speaking to people and just digging in and getting to the root of things." - Shelley Seguinot

"I saw a big change in the paper industry. Everything was starting to go digital." - Shelley Seguinot

"This affords me the opportunity to still make money while I'm mostly just producing art." - Shelley Seguinot

"For artists like myself who aren't represented by an agent, you really have to go out there and seek these companies." - Shelley Seguinot

"It's a lot of follow up. It's just about building a relationship, because there's a lot of artists and they have a lot of places where they can go and buy their art." - Shelley Seguinot

"I like freedom. I definitely like freedom because I have a color problem." - Shelley Seguinot

"Everyone has their own model and not everything's licensing. A lot of them just want to buy the art outright." - Shelley Seguinot

"Once you're in front of the customer, you really just have to wing it and come up with your own. You have to price out how attached you are to the art." - Shelley Seguinot

"I'm one of those diehard snail mail people, so I know that paper is where my heart is at. It's what gave me my start. So, designing greeting cards and designing invitations is still my passion." - Shelley Seguinot

"The best money you could ever spend if you're trying to make it in that industry is just get someone to give you professional advice." - Shelley Seguinot

"It takes a lot of research. It's a lot of making connections and building that community and finding people to guide you." - Shelley Seguinot

CONNECT WITH SHELLEY SEGUINOT

Website: http://www.shelleyseguinot.com

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

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

LINKS:

Blueprint

Ronnie Walter

Shelley's Skillshare Courses

BOOTH BLUEPRINT

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

074 | Elle Drouin, Styled Stock Society on using stock photography to streamline social media and why our products & services need to solve a problem

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Elle Drouin is the founder of three businesses that she currently runs — wonderfelle MEDIA, Styled Stock Society and she's the human behind @mochiandthecity. After several years working as the Director of Marketing & Digital Strategy for e-commerce businesses, Elle launched her own business to focus on helping other women build brands that are as profitable as they are pretty. Elle currently runs the Styled Stock Society, a stylish stock photography membership for women entrepreneurs, as well as works as a commercial photographer for beauty and lifestyle brands.

Elle's dog Mochi is a 4 year old maltipoo model and influencer with over 100,000 Instagram followers. Elle and Mochi have been featured on Entrepreneur, CNBC, the Today Show, and a number of other media outlets. They've collaborated with brands like American Express, Disney, Google, and The Ritz-Carlton and also use their platform to raise awareness for organizations like the Humane Society and local shelters.

On today's episode we talked about the benefits of using stock photography, strategies, processes and tools for streamlining social media and and why we need to focus on solving a problem as we build our products and services.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Her three business & what she does for each
Her career path prior to becoming an entrepreneur
The types of customers Styled Stock Society caters to
How her customers are using her images and how she customizes her photos for specific brands and needs
The aesthetic of her photos & collections
When she realized that Styled Stock Society was going to be successful
How Mochi became a social media influencer
Mochi's online persona
How Elle came up with who Mochi's ideal follower is
The processes and programs Elle uses for social media scheduling
Which social media platform has been the most profitable for Elle
Her advice for entrepreneurs
What's next for Styled Stock Society & Mochi

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I wanted to figure out a way that I could help people with their marketing that didn't involve me talking all-day long." - Elle Drouin

"You're solving a problem for these business owners that are wearing so many hats, and they just can't do all of these things themselves." - Katie Hunt

"There are a lot of different ways you can customize the photos to be more specific to your brand." - Elle Drouin

"One of the things that we try to do is have a lot of negative space in certain photos in our collections so that there is room if you have maybe a desktop that has a few different items on it. You could actually drop a product image in it so it would look like it's sitting on the desktop with the rest of the other things." - Elle Drouin

"The level of effort that I put into the business just makes so much more sense to me than all the time I was spending doing things that were more one-on-one versus one-to-many." - Elle Drouin

"Mochi is a very Cosmopolitan dog in New York. She dresses up. She goes out for cocktails. She's currently in the middle of a summer in the Hamptons." - Elle Drouin

"Similar to creating any other type of brand for business or your person, just really thought about who the people are that were following her at that point and decided to be more strategic about creating content specifically for them." - Elle Drouin

"It's less about her real life, because her real life is 90% napping, and more just like a fun, creative outlet and a way that we have found to connect with people all over the world." - Elle Drouin

"I would say 80% of the time, we are trying to create engaging content, trying to get to know our audience, trying to relate to them and find ways that we can help them. Then, that 20% is the more obvious promotional sales focus." - Elle Drouin

"I'm creating visual content and selling photos to people, so people are more likely to find me on visual platforms." - Elle Drouin

"Solve a problem. Don't start with an idea because it's just something that you want to do but really think about who you want to serve and how you're helping them." - Elle Drouin

"The types of content that you create, everything you put out there is going to be affected by your why and what you're just trying to do." - Elle Drouin

CONNECT WITH ELLE DROUIN

Website: https://elledrouin.com/

Elle's social media:

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/elledrouin

Mochi's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mochiandthecity/

Styled Stock Society social media:

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

BOOTH BLUEPRINT

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Special Edition | Reaching Wholesale Buyers

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0400

This week is a special one in that we're bringing you a series of episodes that closely mirror what we teach during our our signature Paper Camp program.

We've cut together some of our favorite episodes featuring our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni and speakers where we discuss product development, sales strategies for wholesale and exhibiting at wholesale trade shows.

During this episode we hear from:

Kimberley Yurkiewicz, Crow & Canary

Katie Wilson, The Good Twin

Rebekah Tennis, Wild Ink Press

Rosanna Kvernmo, Iron Curtain Press

Jeanette Champion-Fanning, Sweet Perversion

I hope these compilation episodes inspire you to push forward in your business, and if you need a helping hand we invite you to join us for the Paper Camp E-Course which starts next week. It's a four week course featuring live group coaching calls with me and some of my favorite guest experts including Kristen Ley of Thimblepress, Carina Murray of Crow & Canary, Rachael Hetzel from Pistachio Press and Heather Haynie of Rock Paper Scissors. For more information head to http://www.tradeshowcamp.com/pce. Registration closes on Friday and this is the last time Paper Camp will be offered in 2018! Join us!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

Special Edition | In the Trade Show Trenches

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0400

This week is a special one in that we're bringing you a series of episodes that closely mirror what we teach during our our signature Paper Camp program.

During this episode we hear from:

Kathryn from Blackbird Letterpress

Kim from Ramona & Ruth

Pippi from E. Frances Paper

Stefanie from Halifax Paper Hearts

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

Special Edition | Product Development Strategies

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0400

This week is a special one in that we're bringing you a series of episodes that closely mirror what we teach during our our signature Paper Camp program.

During this episode we hear from:

Katie Wilson, The Good Twin

Heather Harris, Copper Bottom Design

Sara McNally, Constellation & Co

Cara Underwood, Underwood Letterpress

Kimberley Yurkiewicz, Crow & Canary

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

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073 | Catherine Hildner, Kitty Meow Boutique on launching to wholesale

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Catherine Hildner is the founder of Kitty Meow Boutique, an online stationery show where you can peruse beautifully designed paper goods based on your many moods. Catherine came through our Paper Camp conference in 2017 and since then she's undergone a rebrand, built a new retail website, revamped her product line and she launched to the wholesale market!

On today's episode Catherine shared how her product line has shifted over the years, fears she's had during the last year of growth and how she combatted them and how she reaches out to her wholesale buyers.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What motivated Catherine to start Kitty Meow
The products that she offers now & how that has shifted over the years
What the rebranding process Kitty Meow looked like
The fears and doubts Catherine had to work through during the rebranding process
Her experience entering into the wholesale market & the three things she did to prepare her business for wholesale
Catherine's process for outreach to retailers
How she manages marketing both the wholesale and the retail sides of her business
The tasks that Catherine's VA is responsible for
Her advice for someone just starting out in a product based business
What's next for Kitty Meow

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I'm really grateful that I've been able to take Kitty Meow with me wherever the heck we've been, and it's come a long way since that lonely little baby shower design in my sad little Etsy shop." - Catherine Hildner

"I said, "If I'm going to invest money, I just want to do it right", and I'm not a website designer, so I'm not even going to waste my time doing something that's not my strengths." - Catherine Hildner

"I wasn't foolish enough to think that if I build it they will come, because I don't think it's just as easy as that." - Catherine Hildner

"I want my two little girls to know that they can do anything. It doesn't matter what other people think. If they care, that is enough." - Catherine Hildner

"None of this stuff happens overnight, and it's a daily struggle no matter how pretty pictures might look on Instagram or any of that garbage." - Catherine Hildner

"If I didn't do the Tradeshow Bootcamp, I would just be looking around, not knowing what the hell I'm doing because there's so many things you need to do, and you don't know what you don't know." - Catherine Hildner

"I don't have time to do all the things that maybe I would make time to do before I had children." - Catherine Hildner

"There was a long time I didn't even know that there was this creative community of women who were totally killing it." - Catherine Hildner

"Having a professional who's doing what you want to do, that can give you advice and feedback, so you're not wasting your time doing stuff that's just a waste of your time is so valuable." - Catherine Hildner

"I've been an entrepreneur for 10 years now. There's always ways that we can improve our businesses. There's always ways that we can streamline things or improve." - Katie Hunt

CONNECT WITH CATHERINE HILDNER:

Website: http://www.kittymeowboutique.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/kittymeowboutique

Instagram: http://instagram.com/kittymeowboutique

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kmeowboutique

PAPER CAMP E COURSE

I'm thrilled to tell you that the fall session of our Paper Camp E Course is now open for enrollment! This is our four-week program that includes a mix of do-it-yourself videos and live coaching calls with me and some pretty amazing guest experts. We will cover developing your product line, wholesale sales tools, working with sales reps, and marketing to retailers. Classes will begin on October 8th, and this will be the very last time that Paper Camp is offered in 2018. So if you're doing any winter shows like New York Now, Las Vegas Market, or even the Stationery Show in February, you want to sign up for this program because we're not going to offer it again before those shows.

To register, head to http://www.tradeshowcamp.com/pce If you have any questions, or if you're wondering if this is the right program for you, feel free to email me Katie@tradeshowcamp.com.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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072 | Danielle Spurge, The Merriweather Council on Etsy strategies and why its a good platform for young companies.

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Danielle Spurge is a maker and craft business consultant who loves iced lattes and pop music. Through her work at The Merriweather Council, Danielle teaches creative people how to turn their crafty tendencies into profits. On her blog and podcast, Danielle aims to inspire and support makers in business and share insights from her eight years of experience selling handmade work online. Danielle believes in celebrating the reality of gainful self employment through craft and wants to help more artists, crafters and designers share their work with more confidence.

On today's episode we talk about Danielle's journey of starting her business, how she manages both a product and service based business and she shares why Etsy is a great platform for makers.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How she got started with her business, The Merriweather Council
What she sold in her original Etsy shop
Her favorite materials to work with
The educational curve you have with customers when introducing something that's new to them
How she has created a community of makers that she supports
How she splits her attention to give both sides of her business the attention they need
What kind of makers are in her community and the services she provides them
Why Etsy is a good option to get your products out into the market
How can makers ensure their listings are being seen on Etsy
Danielle's tips for getting selected to be promoted by Etsy on their social media channels
A common mistake people are making on Etsy
Her thoughts on all of the recent Etsy changes
What inspires her to create new products or services

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I really just love fabric, love embroidery floss, I love to cut things up and sew them back together. I love anything really colorful and soft materials." - Danielle Spurge

"I don't have a lot of patience for giant projects. I like to be able to sit and finish something and it's over. I love the instant gratification." - Danielle Spurge

"There's really no way for me to do 50/50 but I've always been happy with the amount of product work I was doing because it fit really well into the amount of other work I was doing." - Danielle Spurge

"With Etsy or your own site with your products, if you're not doing a ton of wholesale, you can kinda throttle how much you produce. You have a lot of control over what are you offering." - Danielle Spurge

"I want to be the person who makes my products. I want to make however many I want to make of them." - Danielle Spurge

"I always wanted to maintain my product business because it helps me relate to my students." - Danielle Spurge

"We can provide better service and we can create a better product when we are more thoughtful in our approach for things." - Katie Hunt

"Most of us don't want the stress of a seven figure business. That's a whole other ball game." - Danielle Spurge

"Let's never send our hard earned traffic to Etsy. Because that traffic is going to disperse. There's no guarantee that that traffic's gonna stay with you." - Danielle Spurge

"I will never shut up about this until it's not true anymore. Etsy is the best tool." - Danielle Spurge

"You can appeal to Etsy's systems to get seen." - Danielle Spurge

"Etsy cares about your titles, and your tags, and all the little things you fill in as you're listing." - Danielle Spurge

"No one goes on Instagram with the intent to buy something the way that people go on Etsy with the intent to buy something. So that's really why I think Etsy is such a useful tool for a new seller because people are going there, looking to buy things, and they're the kind of people who want to buy the kind of products that you are selling." - Danielle Spurge

"The biggest mistake I see people make on Etsy is that they just don't list enough." - Danielle Spurge

"Etsy is really a numbers game. The more listings you have, the better your chances are of showing up, and being found, and being seen, and making sales." - Danielle Spurge

"It's still one of the cheapest ways that you can sell online. Amazon's fees are more. If you had your own website, up front it's more." - Danielle Spurge

" I want to help people be who they want to be." - Danielle Spurge

CONNECT WITH DANIELLE SPURGE:

Website: http://merriweathercouncil.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/merriweathercouncil

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativelifehappylife/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/merriweatherc

LINKS

Free Etsy Lesson Email Series

IS WHOLESALE RIGHT FOR ME?

Many of you are in the process of contemplating whether wholesale is the right next step for your business. I get it, I know that it feels like a big scary decision and there are lots of things to consider.

That's why I'm offering a free online workshop to help you determine "Is Wholesale Right For Me". I'll walk you through 12 questions that I want you to ask yourself before you jump into wholesale and why each is important.

This free workshop will take place on Thursday, September 20th at noon Pacific and space will be limited.

To snag your seat, head to tradeshowcamp.com/wholesale to register. A replay will be available for everyone that registers ahead of time.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

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Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

071 | Amber Rae on strategies for combating worry, fear and anxiety while infusing more wonder and creativity into our days

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Today I sat down with Amber Rae, an author, artist and speaker. Her recent book, Choose Wonder Over Worry invites you to live your truth, befriend your emotions, and express your gifts. Her writing has reached over 5 million people in 195 countries, her public art has spread to over twenty countries, and she's spoken to and collaborated with brands like Kate Spade, Apple, Amazon, and Unilever. She's been featured in The New York Times, TIME, Fast Company, BBC, ABC World News, Tim Ferriss's blog, and more. Previously, Amber helped launch six best-selling books as Chief Evangelist of Seth Godin's publishing experiment.

On today's episode, Amber shares strategies for combating worry, fear and anxiety and infusing more wonder and creativity into our days.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

A misconception that people have around the feelings of fear and doubt
Her career path and what lead her to be an author, an artist, an inspirational speaker
Amber's experience working with Seth Godin
What motivated her to write Choose Wonder Over Worry
Her advice for working through imposter syndrome
The two types of worry
What wonder is and how it is a counterpart to worry
How we can infuse more wonder into our lives and work
The effect worry and fear have on us
The importance of making friends with our feelings and questioning our feelings
How we can infuse more positive feelings and more creativity in our day to day
Amber's advice for product-based business owners who have anxiety, worry, and fear
What's next for her

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"When I was able to detach it from being a reflection of my self-worth, whether or not things go how I wanted, but rather just a better story, that created so much more wonder, and fun, and freedom." - Amber Rae

"He [Seth Godin] wasn't going to hand us approval, but he was going to push us way pass what we thought we could do and show us that we were capable of much more." - Amber Rae

"I had all these limiting stories inside of my head about who I thought I was, and what I thought I was capable of that really paralyzed me creatively, and paralyzed what I decided to go after or whether or not I spoke up." - Amber Rae

"I'm the only one who thinks I'm not worthy enough. No, actually, most people struggle with that. That's actually what unites us as humans." - Amber Rae

"If the impostor syndrome is coming up for you, that means you're outside your comfort zone and growing." - Amber Rae

"Worry protects us, keeps us safe, keeps us accountable. Where it becomes toxic worry is when it says obsessive looping thoughts where we ruminate and ruminate and stay stuck on these thoughts that really hold us back and paralyze us." - Amber Rae

"Before we can step into really embody and embrace wonder, it's about really checking worry." - Amber Rae

"When we name it, we tame it. Name when that worry is showing up so that we can put it in its place, set a boundary and really create space for our creative artist to step up and thrive." - Amber Rae

"I literally think that the world will change when we can have a healthy relationship with our feelings and ourselves." - Amber Rae

"Infusing play and white space in our day also helps with addressing the feelings and also inspiring that creativity and the wonder." - Katie Hunt

CONNECT WITH AMBER RAE:

Website: http://choosewonder.com

Website: http://amberrae.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/heyamberrae

Twitter http://twitter.com/heyamberrae

LINKS:Choose Wonder Over Worry

War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Do the Work by Steven Pressfield

Elizabeth Gilbert's TED Talk

IS WHOLESALE RIGHT FOR ME?

This free workshop will take place on Thursday, September 20th at noon Pacific and space will be limited.

To snag your seat, head to tradeshowcamp.com/wholesale to register. A replay will be available for everyone that registers ahead of time.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Katie Hunt | Getting clear on what you need before you hire

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Katie Hunt shares why she pushed pause on replacing her operations manager earlier this year and why its important to get super clear on what your business needs before you hire someone. When you know what you want in terms of skills, experience and fit it makes for an easier hiring process and ensures that you're bringing the right people on the team. The Tradeshow Bootcamp and Proof to Product team are currently hiring an operations manager with strong project management, online marketing and team management skills. For more information about the job, please go to www.tradeshowcamp.com/joinourteam.

070 | Lillian Farag on licensing, collaborations and the growing pains of being an entrepreneur.

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Lillian Farag is a free-form and free-spirited artist, with a love for all things playful and expressive. Pulling inspiration from colors found in life and nature, she adds her own twist and perspective to each aspect of her work.

Along with offering unique hand-painted leather accessories and products, Lillian Farag works on collaborations with both leading industry and boutique brands including: Papyrus, Urban Outfitters, Oh Joy!, Osh Kosh, Flagpole Swim, Talking out of Turn, as well as her recent artist collaboration with Anthropologie.

On today's episode we talk about her multiple revenue streams, licensing & collaborations as well as growing pains of being an entrepreneur.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The types of products Lillian creates
Where she gets her inspiration when she's creating
What prompted her to start this business & how it started out as a hobby
When Lillian realized she wanted to have her own line
The collaborations she has been able to do with influencers and brands
How certain collaborations came to be and what manufacturing look liked for those
The growing pains of being an entrepreneur
Her considerations while weighing hiring decisions
Lillian's challenges with social media and how she has approached it
The advice she would give herself when she had just started her business
What's next for Lillian

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Going into freelance, I knew I would be able to have a little bit more flexibility and control over the jobs that I was taking on." - Lillian Farag

"A lot of my partnerships come through my work on Instagram." - Lillian Farag

"I love collaborating. That's one of the main reasons I chose to keep my print business as a part of my business now, is because I really love to work with other brands and collaborate on ideas." - Lillian Farag

"I needed to stick to what I knew best, which was creating artwork and creating it for myself. And then those other things would come later in forms of collaborations." - Lillian Farag

"The growing pains never go away. I feel like you're always restructuring, rethinking about how you want to grow." - Lillian Farag

"I want to find somebody that's excellent in the areas where I'm weak." - Katie Hunt

"It's really important to continue your education in whatever it is that you do." - Lillian Farag

"It's really important to be around other people who are also creative. It's beneficial in ways you don't realize for creativity, and also to connect with other people. You never know what kind of partnerships will come out of it later." - Lillian Farag

CONNECT WITH LILLIAN FARAG:

Website: http://www.lillianf.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lillian-Farag-1331313560221126/

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

LINKS:Surtex: https://www.surtex.com/

NEED 1-1 HELP?

If you need help in your business growing your product line, getting ready for wholesale shows, or maybe you want some help on the operation side - hiring a team, refining your systems, looking at your finances, we have experts and mentors available to help you.

I personally take on a very limited number of new coaching clients each month, and I have one spot left for September and two for October. If you are interested in working with me or one of our other Tradeshow Bootcamp speakers that offers coaching, head on over to tradeshowcamp.com/coaching and let me know what your current struggles are, so that we can get you paired with the right person.

You don't have to go it alone. We have people and resources here to help you!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

From the Archives | Briana & Jason of Brainstorm on infusing personal interests into your creative work, using a strong brand to attract the right clients and why your business should always be in some state of transition.

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0400

We're taking the next two weeks off for an end of summer break. While we're gone, we're bringing you four of our most popular episodes pulled from the archives.

I hand picked these episodes based on feedback in our Proof to Product Facebook group, emails I've received from listeners and convos I've had with all of you.

We hope you enjoy these episodes and learn something new!

Owned and operated by Briana Feola and Jason Snyder, Brainstorm is a print shop and collaborative design studio rooted in the production of original art prints inspired by science, nature, and the outdoors. Briana & Jason have done some creative collaborative projects with big brands such as Lollapalooza, Patgonia, Airstream trailers and an upcoming project with L.L. Bean. On today's episode Briana and Jason talk about how their love of learning inspires their work, using a strong brand to attract the right clients and why your business should always be in some state of transition.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

[01:00] Building a business out of a recession. [03:00] Working side hustles while growing the business.[05:00] Working with a significant other.[07:00] How their life interests & love of learning inspire their work.[11:00] Professional collaborations & partnerships with Lollapalooza, Patagonia and Airstream.[12:00] Custom clients found them through their print work[19:00] Attracting the right clients using a strong brand.[20:00] Hiring their first employee & the importance of finding someone with flexibility [24:00] Winning the airstream trailer design competition[29:00] Summer travel plans in the Airstream trailer[32:00] Transitions they've experienced as they've grown[36:00] Benefits of staying small and nimble.[37:30] Focusing on what is going to work, and not letting failures get you down.[39:00] Upcoming project with L.L. Bean[32:30] What's next for We Are Brainstorm

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"We always dig deep into our own lives for inspiration" - Briana Feola

"We're eternal students and want to keep learning no matter what the subject is" - Briana Feola

"As entrepreneurs, we tend to be more critical of ourselves than anyone else is" - Katie Hunt

"Going to Tradeshow Bootcamp was an eye opening experience that was necessary to set us in motion for the next four, five years now." - Briana Feola

"I feel like your business should always be in some state of transition" - Jason Snyder

"One benefit of being a small business owner is that we can be nimble and make our own decisions, shift gears however we need to" - Katie Hunt

"We pride ourselves on the fact that we stay super small and adaptable" - Briana Feola

'I need to get out of my own way, sometimes" - Briana Feola

LINKS:

Brainstorm National Park series

Brainstorm's work for Lollapalooza

C3 Presents

Brainstorm for Patagonia

Airstream Trailer Contest

Mama's Sauce

Adobe Max

Renegade Craft Fair

Brainstorm for L.L. Bean

MEET BRIANA & JASON:

Brainstorm is a print shop and collaborative design studio working from a historic mill in Dover, New Hampshire. Owned and operated by Briana Feola and Jason Snyder, Brainstorm is rooted in the production of original art prints inspired by science, nature, and the outdoors. They also design for people and companies that appreciate the creative process, enjoy collaboration, and want to make something tangible in an increasingly digital world.

Website: http://www.wearebrainstorm.com

Facebook: @wearebrainstorm

Instagram: @wearebrainstorm

Twitter: @wearebrainstorm

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Interested in learning more about launching or refining a wholesale line or exhibiting at trade shows? Join us for our next Paper Camp conference in Los Angeles. Get more details and register at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

From the Archives | Heather Haynie & Dani Antol, Rock Paper Scissors on running a brick & mortar shop, dividing responsibilities and how they've overcome personal and business challenges together

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 12:34:52 -0400

We're taking the next two weeks off for an end of summer break. While we're gone, we're bringing you four of our most popular episodes pulled from the archives.

I hand picked these episodes based on feedback in our Proof to Product Facebook group, emails I've received from listeners and convos I've had with all of you.

We hope you enjoy these episodes and learn something new!

Heather Haynie and Dani Antol are the owners of Rock Paper Scissors, a custom invitation and paper goods shop in Charlottesville, Virginia. Rock Paper Scissors is the go-to destination for locals and visitors alike looking for laugh-out-loud greeting cards, journals, dec accessories, calendars, planners and modern gifts.

On today's episode we talk about a wide range of topics including what it takes to run a retail storefront, how they divide responsibilities as business partners and what success looks like for each of them. We also got personal. Dani shares her story of battling cancer. We also discuss how Heather & Dani were able to unify their local community after the hateful rallies in Charlottesville.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What prompted Heather & Dani to go into business together
What their day-to-day looks like running a retail storefront
The custom design side of their business
The benefits of buying an existing storefront and how they made it their own
The growth of Rock Paper Scissors over the years
How Heather & Dani divide responsibilities and how it has changed over the years as they have grown
The things people should think about before jumping into a business partnership with someone
Dani's battle with breast cancer and why she decided to share her story publicly
How breast cancer changed Dani's perspective and her motivations
Heather & Dani's involvement in the C'ville Heart Project & the purpose behind it
The things they have accomplished in their business that they are very proud of
What's next for Rock Paper Scissors

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I'm extremely thankful that we purchased the business because as Dani said, there were so many things that were already in place that were really helpful for us, from the relationships with vendors, as well as relationships with existing clients." - Heather Haynie

"We trust each other in those roles because we know that that's what we're good at." - Dani Antol

"One of the greatest benefits [of our partnership] is that we don't have the same strengths." - Heather Haynie

"I mean, she [Dani] would have chemo and then be sending me proofs. This girl's work ethic is amazing." - Heather Haynie

"Some really terrible people came to our town and invaded our town and that's something that we always want to be really clear about. They are not Charlottesville and that's not what our town is like at all." - Heather Haynie

"We've grown our business every year, some years higher percentage than others. But every year we have grown and I'm super proud of that." - Heather Haynie

"Running a small business is hard and it is time consuming. There's always a million hats that we're wearing, and so I think it's important to remind ourselves that, "No, we set the rules here and we can decide what we do and not do to some extent." We do need to carve out that time for our personal lives." - Katie Hunt

LINKSWebsite: www.thinkrockpaperscissors.com

Website: www.rpscvilleheart.com

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

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

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

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

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

Our newest on demand program, Paper Camp+ can help you with all of these things and more. The program includes 5 keynote presentations and 2 panels from a wide range of business experts. You can watch what you need, when you need it most and revisit the videos as often as you'd like.

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

From the Archives | Erin Ozer, Knot & Bow on her humble beginnings, manufacturing challenges and the benefits of strategically and slowly adding members to your team

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0400

We're taking the next two weeks off for an end of summer break. While we're gone, we're bringing you four of our most popular episodes pulled from the archives.

I hand picked these episodes based on feedback in our Proof to Product Facebook group, emails I've received from listeners and convos I've had with all of you.

We hope you enjoy these episodes and learn something new!

Erin Ozer is the owner of Knot & Bow. Erin got her start on Etsy in 2010 and has had tremendous, but organic growth, over the last seven years. Her stationery, gift wrap and party goods can be found in more than 1500 retail shops around the world, including Paper Source, Anthropologie, Container Store, and Hallmark just to name a few. On this episode Erin talks about her humble beginnings, manufacturing challenges she experienced, and how she slowly but strategically added members to her team.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

[01:30] Building a business while staying home with the kids and with $200. [03:30] Starting on Etsy.[05:30] Adding new products to the line.[07:30] Utilizing customer feedback in product development.[09:30] Manufacturing challenges as Knot & Bow grew.[12:00] Picking & choosing which products to move forward with.[13:00] Expanding to wholesale.[15:30] Selling to Terrain -- her first wholesale order![17:00] Selling wholesale before doing trade shows[18:00] Working with Sales Reps[22:00] Hiring her first employee & growing her team[24:00] Hiring Process & having an operations manual[28:00] Knot & Bow retail shop & selling retail vs selling wholesale[30:00] What's next for Knot & Bow

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

'It is always a challenge to bring new product to the market and be innovative in some way but you also have a budget and spatial constraints to take into account' - Erin Ozer

"Housing 1000 greeting cards is one thing. Housing 1000 plates is a totally different thing." -Erin Ozer

"The numbers can get really, really big with custom manufacturing sometimes and it can be tough when you're really small." - Erin Ozer

"The wholesale side of our business grew pretty dramatically when we first signed with reps." - Erin Ozer

MEET ERIN OZER:

Knot & Bow is a line of simple and stylish paper goods and party supplies. Erin Ozer started the brand as a solo venture in 2010, inspired by simple gifts wrapped with kraft paper and twine. The line has developed to include a wide variety of paper goods and colorful party supplies, and is now sold at more than 1500 stores around the globe. Products are manufactured in the United States and assembled in Knot & Bow's Brooklyn studio. Knot & Bow also launched a flagship retail location in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn in late 2015.

Website: https://www.knotandbow.com/

Facebook: @knotandbow

Instagram: @knotandbow

Twitter: @knotandbow

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

From The Archives | Kristen Ley, Thimblepress on hiring from within, fostering a team environment, partnerships & collaborations and how she fell into business backwards.

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0400

We're taking the next two weeks off for an end of summer break. While we're gone, we're bringing you four of our most popular episodes pulled from the archives.

I hand picked these episodes based on feedback in our Proof to Product Facebook group, emails I've received from listeners and convos I've had with all of you.

We hope you enjoy these episodes and learn something new!

Kristen Ley is the sole owner and founder of Thimblepress, a lifestyle brand that focuses on creating products and experiences that make you smile and want to celebrate life's moments, big and small. Kristen created Thimblepress out of her garage in 2012 and the company has seen tremendous growth since then. She now has a team of 15 full-time and part time employees and the company occupies 7000 square feet that includes 2 brick and mortar retail locations. Kristen's products are now sold in over 1500 retail stores internationally and she continuing to work with brands to create unique collaboration and partnership opportunities! Kristen attended Tradeshow Bootcamp in 2013, prior to launching to the wholesale market. On today's episode we're talking about hiring from within, fostering a team environment, things to consider when entering professional partnerships and how she fell into business backwards.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

[01:00] Thimblepress' story[02:00] Two ways to start a business: Intentionally or falling in backwards.[03:00] Naming Thimblpress[05:30] Making the jump to wholesale & googling what wholesale means.[08:00] HIring and growing the Thimblpress team & promoting from within.[12:30] Using partnerships & collaborations to diversify revenue streams[13:00] Setting clear expectations in partnerships with contracts.[15:30] Collaborating with Hallmark[17:00] Negotiating & protecting yourself when big brands want to work with you.[18:30] Transitions, shifting in business & what she credits her success to.[23:00] Kristen's advice on product development and how she gathers new ideas.[26:00] Thimblepress' social media tips, planning tools & how far out they schedule their posts.[33:30] Creating sub-brands to reach different markets[39:00] Taking a break from trade shows this year.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I think there's two ways you start a company. You literally fall into it from a hobby or you start with a purpose of wanting to start a company." - Kristen Ley

"Sometimes our line is very eclectic and just all over the place. Honestly, that's my personality. I used to get really down and out about it. I was like, "Man, I wish I had a more cohesive look to all my products, like Megan Bellannion." I feel like she has a great cohesive look. I sat there one day and I thought, "You know what though? This is totally my personality." I'm wacky, and crazy, and weird. I love lots of color. I love drawing. I love painting. I love trying new things. Truly, this line is my personality come to life.

Because I never wanted to ask for help, but I've learned how to now." - Kristen Ley

"We're very picky with all of our products and make sure they're the highest of quality standards." - Kristen Ley

"I never want to stop learning and stop trying to make Thimblepress better. Because I think when you stop, you become complacent." - Kristen Ley

Running a business can get very uncomfortable at times because you are making tough decisions that play into the longevity of the business, the sustainability of the business. If you're not feeling a little uncomfortable in whatever you're doing, then you're doing something wrong. - Katie Hunt

"Your products need to solve a problem for your customer" -Katie Hunt

"Social media is intended to be social. It is a place to have conversations" -Katie Hunt

"You don't need to do trade shows to have a successful wholesale line." - Katie Hunt

"I've always done things how I wanted to do it. March to the beat of my own drum and not let the industry decide for me." -Kristen Ley

LINKS:

Episode 64 with Rosie of Sugarfina

Thimblpress ShopThimblepress for Target (the secret March release she alluded to!)

Grum.co

MEET KRISTEN LEY:

Kristen Ley is the sole owner and founder of Thimblepress®, a lifestyle brand that focuses on creating products and experiences that make you smile and want to celebrate life's moments, big and small. I created the company out of my garage in 2012 and since then have been going strong, growing my team, and continuing to develop products that I truly love. I create all the art for every single one of our products. Thimblepress now has a team of 15 full-time and part time team members, occupies 7000 square feet, has 2 brick and mortar retail locations, is sold in over 1500 retail stores and is continuing to work with other brands to create unique collaboration opportunities!

Website: thimblepress.com

Facebook: @thimblepress

Instagram: @thimblepress

Pinterest: @thimblepress

Twitter: @thimblepress

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

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069 | Johnny & Joanna Galbraith, Letterfolk on reinventing the letter board market, thoughts on copy cats and how they leverage social media to nurture their customers and share their company story.

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Johnny and Joanna are the husband-and-wife co-founders of Letterfolk, a contemporary American brand whose mission is to create meaningful products inspired by simpler times. Letterfolk started in June 2015 while the couple searched for a unique way to capture their daughter's monthly baby milestone photos. They designed a modern, versatile letter board that was tailored and repurposed for today's home. Letter boards are now a staple of social media art direction, home decor, and milestone photography.

As Letterfolk has grown, so has the brand vision and product offerings. Letterfolk products are proudly made in the United States with premium materials, craftsmanship, and processes.

On today's episode we're talking about how Johnny & Joanna reinvented the letter board market, their thoughts on copy cats and how they leverage social media to nurture their customers and share their company story.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The most unique and interesting way they've ever seen a letter board used
How Johnny & Joanna came up with the idea for Letterfolk
The light bulb moment they had when they knew they wanted to create a business
The original letter boards they started Letterfolk with
When they decided to branch out into other product categories
What Johnny & Joanna learned about wholesale and how not all of their products work as wholesale products
How they nurture a strong community within their customers online
How Johnny & Joanna feel now vs. how they felt at the beginning when people started copying their products
The way their vision for Letterfolk has changed as the company has grown
Johnny & Joanna's advice for someone just starting out in a product-based business
What's next for Letterfolk

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"It's so humbling to see our product involved in these life changing moments." - Johnny Galbraith

"To be honest, we were so in over our heads in the beginning with trying to keep up with demand that there was just no time for product development." - Johnny Galbraith

"If your margins don't work, if your pricing doesn't work, you don't have to sell everything you create to both the wholesale and the retail market." - Katie Hunt

"Words are our business." - Johnny Galbraith

"Johnny and I have tried to insert ourselves as part of the brand as well just so that people remember that it's a human brand. It's a brand that there are people who actually care who are buying it." - Joanna Galbraith

"It [copycats] started motivating us and making us just want to put blinders on and still move forward as a brand and figure out how we were going to become a lasting brand." - Joanna Galbraith

"We've got to move forward, we've got to build a brand that's bigger than letter boards and prove that we're more than a one hit wonder." - Johnny Galbraith

"It's given us pretty thick skin in this mentality that we should just expect that everything's going to be ripped off. So, how are we going to make it X times better from the outset so that when the knockoffs do come knocking, we'll already have a product differentiation right from the outset?" - Johnny Galbraith

"Our focus is keeping our mission the same, but just broadening our product categories." - Joanna Galbraith

"I think it's a good test to say, "If I'm passionate enough about this product or this idea, then I will put in the hours when I don't have them." If you don't, then I don't think you're passionate enough about it and you probably shouldn't quit your day job and just go full speed into the world of entrepreneurship." - Johnny Galbraith

CONNECT WITH JOHNNY & JOANNA:

Website: https://letterfolk.com

Facebook: https://facebook.com/letterfolk

Instagram: https://instagram.com/letterfolk

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

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068 | Kate Woodrow, Present Perfect on how to find a literary agent and pitch your book to publishers

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Kate Woodrow is the founder of Present Perfect, a full service literary agency serving clients from across the globe. Kate launched the agency in 2015 with the goal of advocating for artists and creatives in publishing and is recognized as an industry leader in design driven nonfiction work. Kate specializes in developing visually arresting books that offer a unique perspective across a wide range of topics, particularly art, lifestyle, personal growth, and anything with a practical bent.

Before becoming an agent, Kate was an acquisitions editor at Chronicle Books where her experience spanned 10 years and hundreds of books and gift products. Bringing that many projects from a simple brainstorm to the bookshelf gave Kate a keen sense of what makes a book commercially successful and how to be a professional collaborator.

On today's episode, we're talking about the process for finding an agent, how to create your pitch, and how to find the right publishers. If you have ever wanted to write a book or wondered what the process was like, this episode is for you.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The misconceptions people have in regards to writing a book
Kate's career path & how she ended up starting her own business
When she knew it was the right time to go out on her own
Her role as a literary agent
The benefits of an author hiring a literary agent and how to find one
What Kate looks for when she is scouting artists to work with
How she finds the right publishers for her clients
What goes into a pitch
A typical payment structure for an author & industry standards with regards to royalty percentages
What's next for Present Perfect

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"One of the hardest things about writing a book is the maintaining momentum and enthusiasm for the project across a really long period of time." - Kate Woodrow

"I had my first kid and I slowly started to realize that my priorities were shifting and that my dream had changed, so I needed to find something else to support my new dream and my new lifestyle." - Kate Woodrow

"I represent authors and artists and across the globe and help them get book deals. That's the main part of it, but the bigger picture is that I am their advocate and coach and guide and I help them navigate the very opaque world of publishing." - Kate Woodrow

" I work with my clients to develop their book ideas and I sell them to major publishers and I help my clients strategically build their publishing career beyond just that one book idea." - Kate Woodrow

"Most often authors thank their agent in their acknowledgements so you can start compiling a list of the relevant agents who might have the category expertise that you're looking for and start targeting them." - Kate Woodrow

"The first step is finding an agent with the right category expertise." - Kate Woodrow

"Showing that you can thoughtfully articulate a specific book concept is going to go a long way in capturing the agent's attention." - Kate Woodrow

"When I send the proposal and that lands in an editor's inbox, I know she's going to open it right away and respond right away. Whereas if you're sending to a generic submissions, email address, not so much." - Kate Woodrow

"We feel putting together a very thoughtful, compelling vision from the get go is going to get you the best possible deal with the best possible publisher." - Kate Woodrow

"Publishers are really looking for authors who are motivated to help make the book a success and reach a wide audience." - Kate Woodrow

"An author should expect to get an advance in royalties. The advance is money that's paid up front and is the author's to keep, no matter if the publisher sells zero copies or a million copies." - Kate Woodrow

"One important thing about putting together a pitch for an agent or for a publisher is you want to look professional and polished, but don't feel the need that you need to figure everything out." - Kate Woodrow

"There are a lot of cooks in the kitchen developing the idea and to the strongest possible book, and so I think entering into it with truly a genuinely open mind about making the strongest book is going to set you up for success." - Kate Woodrow

CONNECT WITH KATE:

Website: http://presentperfectdept.com/

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

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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067 | Don Hejny, Nerdwax on managing risk, running a debt free business and why success can sometimes lead to failure

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Don Hejny is the inventor of Nerdwax, a wax based product that keeps your glasses in place. Nerdwax was launched on Kickstarter in 2014 and featured on the hit television show Shark Tank the following year. Nerdwax is hand made in Nashville, TN and shipped all over the world. On today's episode we talked about managing risk, running a debt free business and why Don strives to work smarter, not harder.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Don came up with the idea for Nerdwax
Starting a Kickstarter campaign & what his experience was with it
The timeline for fulfilling orders after the Kickstarter campaign
The importance of planning for success
What the Shark Tank experience was like & what his goals were for it
How they handled the influx of orders after their episode aired
The infrastructure of Nerdwax & how they have approached scaling
Why Don strives to work smarter, not harder
Don's priority to stay debt-free
How Don creates a great customer experience
Don's advice for someone just starting out in a product-based business
The fact that many entrepreneurs over-think things, especially at the beginning
What's next for Nerdwax
When they decided to branch out into other product categories
What Don has learned about himself through starting and growing Nerdwax

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I thought if surfers use wax on their boards in the water, I bet I can make something like that for your glasses." - Don Hejny

"That's really the power of the internet, if you really put yourself out there, and you do it in a way where people get it, you can have that energy and it doesn't all have to be manufactured." - Don Hejny

"With the Kickstarter community if you tell your story, it's a community of people like you who have ideas, who love new ideas, who love adopting new ideas, and they're totally willing to take that risk with you, as long as it's a manageable risk." - Don Hejny

"The thing about Kickstarter though is, even though we pushed that deadline, if you are honest and open, and you keep people updated, and you keep people engaged, there's so much forgiveness within that community." - Don Hejny

"You can never mitigate risk entirely." - Don Hejny

"That was one of the most nerve wracking parts about Shark Tank is that you don't know what piece of that puzzle they're going to actually air." - Don Hejny

"Once we aired on Shark Tank, that episode, we had like $130,000 in sales. We did that in the weekend after we aired on Shark Tank. So, it was just like rocket ship." - Don Hejny

"One of the things that happens on Shark Tank all the time, is companies get this huge influx in orders, and then they just totally screw their people because they don't prep for it." - Don Hejny

"We've just DIYed it from the beginning, and stayed scrappy, and kept going within our means." - Don Hejny

"You're going to reach a point where you just can't throw more bodies at it. You can't throw more time at it. You can't throw more energy at it, you've got to work smarter. Then there's times where it's like, no, you've just got to put your shoulder down and just dig in and do some work." - Don Hejny

"Figure out how to create the business that allows you to have margin to grow more efficiently." - Don Hejny

"If you don't like it, you just let us know, we'll shoot you a refund, super easy." - Don Hejny

"If you can give yourself more margin, and you can assume positive intent, I think you can just treat people the way that you want to be retreated." - Don Hejny

"If you think you're going to make one thing and you don't have the resources for that, think, what could I make with what I have today, and how do I transition it into that?" - Don Hejny

"Being four years into this, I've learned a lot to just fail quicker, don't drag things out. If it's not working, figure out a new path, and transition quicker." - Don Hejny

"When you're climbing the mountain, and all you see is the rocks in front of you, and all of you see as the challenges, and you got to turn around and look out once in a while." - Don Hejny

"If you're sitting out there trying to make waves in the ocean, you're never going to get anywhere. You have to wait for the wave to come." - Don Hejny

CONNECT WITH DON:

Website: http://www.nerdwax.com

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbqydh_ENh0SkU37Ka1Kc-Q

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nerdwax

LINKS:

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To learn more and register, head to https://tsbc.teachable.com/p/pce. I look forward to having you there!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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066 | Brittney Lynn on PR strategies, building a brand story and how to gain visibility for your brand

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Brittney Lynn a PR and marketing strategist who works with online entrepreneurs worldwide. She's also the host of Day in the Life podcast. Brittney has nearly 10 years of experience working in the online marketing industry, and has a passion for helping others grow their reach, their revenue, and impact through strategic PR.

On today's episode of Proof to Product, we talked about the importance of building a brand story, how to find the right media opportunities for you, and strategies for gaining visibility for your brand.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The type of work Brittney is doing & how she helps creative entrepreneurs
Her career history & how she started her own PR business
Why it's important to know your story when you're reaching out to press
How you can be leveraging your story in your marketing
The biggest misconception about PR
The steps creative entrepreneurs can take to make their products & services more visible
An example of how honing in on your story & knowing your audience can lead to the perfect press mention
What's next for Brittney
How PR is a long game & an ongoing process
The importance of following up

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"This job, what I do right now, it just didn't really exist when I graduated." - Brittney Lynn

"About half the clients that I currently work with, they have worked with an agency in the past, and they felt like it wasn't a good use of money because they [the agency] didn't really understand what the creative entrepreneur community was like." - Brittney Lynn

"You probably saw a need in the market, otherwise you wouldn't have created these products in the first place." - Brittney Lynn

"Humans relate more to stories than they do to a sales pitch." - Brittney Lynn

"Really strong stories and knowing who you are, who you serve, how your product stands out from your competitors -- that's gonna catch a journalist's eye, or a podcast host." - Brittney Lynn

"I'm always checking in and making sure that what we're doing from a PR perspective is in line with what your business's goals and mission is." - Brittney Lynn

"Most times when people are getting press. They're going after it." - Brittney Lynn

"It's the long game, so if you're not committed to really doing it and seeing it through, maybe you're not quite ready to do PR and press." - Brittney Lynn

"Follow up, please please follow up." - Brittney Lynn

CONNECT WITH BRITTNEY:

Website: http://brittneyllynn.com

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

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

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

Twitter:https://twitter.com/BrittneyLLynn

Links

Day in the LIfe Podcast

Episode 65 with Caroline from Paloma's Nest

Episode 7 with Meg from Belle & Union Co

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To learn more and register, head to https://tsbc.teachable.com/p/pce. I look forward to having you there!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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Katie Hunt | Identifying your core values

Fri, 20 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0400

During Episode 65 Katie Hunt sat down with Caroline Vasquez of Paloma's Nest and the topics of having a brand story and establish core values for the company kept coming up. Caroline talked about how it shaped the products they made, the story they told about the brand as well as the products and ultimately, how they communicate with their customers. When we're starting our businesses, most people skip over the part where we identify our mission, core values and long term goals for our business. We get excited about the process of creating, selling and connecting with customers. But, having a strong brand story and leveraging your company's core values within this story are going to help you in several ways. It will provide clarify in your decision making, hiring processes and long term goals for your business. Our core values at Tradeshow Bootcamp are: Community, Collaboration, Education and Giving Back. We treat everyone in our community like family and want to foster a collaborative and supportive network for people to lean on as they grow their business. We educate entrepreneurs so they can make the best decisions possible for their business and I believe in giving back to our community and supporting other entrepreneurs. If you don't have a clear brand story or set of core values. Katie wants you to ask yourself these three questions:

What does the company stand for & value
Where is the company going & what impact does it want to make?
Why does this company exist?

Without clarity around these questions, you may struggle in your decision making and stay stagnant. What are your core values? I'd love for you to join us in our free Facebook Group for Proof to Product and weigh in with what your core values and brand. https://www.facebook.com/groups/prooftoproduct/

065 | Caroline Vásquez, Paloma's Nest on staying true to your brand story and why it is important to know who your customer is.

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC Alum, Caroline Vasquez is the founder of Paloma's Nest, a family-run business, founded in 2007, that creates timeless, heirloom-quality pieces and new traditions for modern families to celebrate wedding, baby, home and holiday.

The brand has been featured in countless publications including Martha Stewart, the New York Times, Magnolia Journal and more, and their work has been carried by Anthropologie and Nordstrom.

Today, Caroline combines her education as a professional counselor with her experience and passion for small creative business through Handcrafted Consulting, where she provides education on the marketing, growth and management of online business to clients worldwide. She also serves as the marketing consultant for the web design firm, Aeolidia. All while also running Paloma's Nest and nurturing her family.

On today's episode, Caroline talks about the growth of Paloma's nest, staying true to your brand story in both your messaging and the products you sell, why we need to be proactive in press and marketing outreach and why it's so important to know who your customer is.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

When Caroline & her husband decided to start Paloma's Nest
Her experience when she started selling her products on Etsy
How she came up with the name Paloma's Nest
Her product line & how it has grown over the last 11 years
The steps she takes to protect her product line from copycats
The importance of expanding to different product categories
How Caroline and her husband split responsibilities & balance each other out when they are working together
The press mentions that Paloma's Nest has received & Caroline's proactive approach towards getting her name out there
Her mentoring & coaching business
The types of services she offers in her coaching business
Caroline's advice for entrepreneurs just starting out in a product based business
What's next for Paloma's Nest

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Our kids were definitely raised in the studio. To this day they're right by our sides every day." - Caroline Vásquez

"A dove represents peace, and hope, and all of those wonderful things that we really do think comes through in our collection, and in our product." - Caroline Vásquez

"Our mission, our tagline, the essence of what we do is to create modern heirlooms." - Caroline Vásquez

"I've always sort of had a reverence for that, and for creating things that have so much meaning that families want to hang onto them, and want to pass them on to generations." - Caroline Vásquez

"We really pay attention to the core values of our brand in creating items that are going to be passed on, and we look to see where we can create products that will add to traditions, or create traditions in their own rights." - Caroline Vásquez

"One of the frustrations of being in the creative world is having your ideas stolen, or taken, or recreated, however you want to put that nicely." - Caroline Vásquez

"While people might sort of take your design, or take your idea, they can't take your brand. And they can't take your target customer." - Caroline Vásquez

"The ideas come and go. Trends and styles come and go and as long as you continue to offer the best possible quality product, and you're known for the service, and for the ideas and things that you're known for everything else will follow. - Caroline Vásquez

"I think most importantly in working with your spouse is, we share the same work ethic for better or for worse. We're both really driven, we tend to let work consume us quite a bit, but at least we're doing it together." - Caroline Vásquez

"There's something really neat about knowing that the two of us fully created that together from scratch." - Caroline Vásquez

"It's important to develop your own brand aesthetic and to understand that may vary from your own personal preferences." - Katie Hunt

"You can't really do anything new for your business if you're not open to the process of change." - Caroline Vásquez

"The most successful businesses are successful because they focus on doing one thing and doing it really well." - Caroline Vásquez

CONNECT WITH CAROLINE:

Website: http://Palomasnest.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/palomasnest

LINKS:

Handcrafted Consulting

FREE WORKSHOP ALERT!

SEO is a HOAX: Why search ranking should NOT be a priority for creative entrepreneurs

Join us for a free live workshop with Brice McBeth of Reap Marketing. You may remember Brice from episode 62 of Proof to Product!

During this free one-hour workshop, Brice will uncover the traps of traditional SEO methods. Things he has experienced first-hand with his own startups. He'll reshape our thinking and teach us some unconventional methods to use great content to get more customers quickly.

Space is limited and a replay will be made available but only to those that register. Save your seat at www.tradeshowcamp.com/convert.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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Katie Hunt | When to say yes, and when to say no.

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0400

I've been thinking a lot about boundaries, particularly as it relates to what I say yes to and what I say no to in both my personal and business life. I don't know about you guys but I have a tendency to take one too much, or under estimate how long things will take. I mostly get excited about opportunities, say yes and then find myself over scheduled and stretched thin. I know I'm not alone in this. But here's the deal. We all have the same amount of hours in the day, and as entrepreneurs we have a lot of different things pulling on us for our time — projects, family, friends, exciting opportunities, daily grind of running a business. Its exhausting trying to do all these things, keep everyone happy and yet still have time for ourselves. When I interviewed Rosie from Sugarfina on episode 64 she stressed how important self care is, why we need to take action before things are perfect, and we both acknowledged that its difficult to protect our time because as entrepreneurs the running to do list is never ending. Rosie shared how she decides what to say and what to say no to, and I thought it might be helpful to share some of the things I consider with you This is something I'm working on, and I've definitely been more diligent in protecting my time in recent months. But here are some of the questions I ask myself when I'm considering whether to say yes to something or no to something:

Does this align with my long term goals?
Does this align with my short term goals?
What is the time commitment?
What are the benefits for me, my business, my family?
What is my excitement level?

I'd love to hear from your in our Proof to Product Facebook group. What questions do you ask yourself when you're deciding whether or not to move forward with a project? Weigh in and let me now. You can join our free Facebook group by going to tradeshowcamp.com/join.

064 | Rosie O'Neill, Sugarfina on creating boundaries, scaling and infusing your core values in hiring.

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Rosie O'Neill is the co-founder of Sugarfina, a luxury candy boutique that features the finest sweets from artisan candy makers around the world. Rosie and her fiancé Josh Resnick launched Sugarfina in July 2012. The idea for the company was inspired by their third date — when they watched the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and they were left wondering why their wasn't candy boutiques for grown ups.

Rosie was named to Fast Company's "100 Most Creative People" list, and Goldman Sachs' "100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs,". She is disrupting the sweets space with an innovative approach to confections and retail.

Before candy, Rosie played with dolls for 7 years as Director of Marketing for Barbie at Mattel, where she led a global business unit that sold more than 50 million Barbie dolls annually. She received her MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a BA in Communication Studies from UCLA. Her favorite candies are Champagne Bears, Peach Bellini and Sparkle Pops.

On today's episode, Rosie shares her start up story as well as lessons she learned as they scaled Sugarfina into the large brand it is today -- with wholesale and retail channels, a bustling online shop, 50 retail locations and a range of licensing collaborations. Rosie offers some really great suggestions — including the importance of self-care, why we need to be careful about which opportunities we say yes and no to and things she looks for when hiring members of her team.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Her favorite Sugarfina candy right now & the most popular flavors with customers
How much she loves getting to dream up & invent different candies
Rosie's background prior to Sugarfina
Her transition to entrepreneurship & how she decided upon luxury candy
The hurdles at the beginning & how she navigated that
How her previous position at Mattel helped her start & scale Sugarfina
What her early goals were for the business
The experience of adding brick & mortar stores very quickly
Her first hires & what she looked for in an employee when she first started hiring
Whether or not she fears hiring people who one day might become a competitor
The fact that they did not have a business plan when they first started & why she thinks it can be beneficial sometimes not to have one at the start
Moments and decisions that propelled her business forward
The criteria she uses for deciding to pursue an opportunity or not
How she cultivates a positive work culture
An important lesson Rosie has learned through her entrepreneurial journey
Rosie's advice on creating your product & getting your product to market
How she decides when to discontinue a product
What's next for Sugarfina

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"It's like we get to play Willy Wonka because we dream up and invent all these crazy, fun flavors and cute shapes and fun colors, and then we get to bring them to life." - Rosie O'Neill

"I had always in the back of my head wanted to do something entrepreneurial, but I thought I was going to do it in my fifties. It came way, way, way sooner than I imagined, but I think sometimes you just have those moments of luck where everything kind of comes together and you just don't overthink it." - Rosie O'Neil

"It [Sugarfina] is a dream and I love it but it's also the absolute hardest thing I've ever done and just exhausting at times." - Rosie O'Neil

"I'm really proud of the fact that as we have grown, we have always been able to deliver on that quality and that amazing customer experience, but everything under the surface has just been chaos and a mess." - Rosie O'Neil

"I'm always kind of looking at what's coming up but it's important to take a moment and look back on how far we've come and it's pretty cool." - Rosie O'Neil

"We love to bring in people who one day want to start their own company but they're not quite ready and Sugarfina can be a learning environment for them." - Rosie O'Neil

"I want to make sure that we have an environment where people want to stay because they're continuing to grow, and learn, and feel empowered." - Rose O'Neil

"I am all for people going out and starting their new company if they want to, but stay with us as long as you can and really get to know all the things you're going to need to know to start a business because it's hard." - Rosie O'Neill

"I think sometimes you got to just go for it and be willing to put out something that's not perfect and then learn and continue to perfect." - Rosie O'Neill

"You really need to create a culture where people feel connected to the big picture and like they're really making an impact." - Rosie O'Neill

"I don't care if you have hours that are slightly different than a normal working day, I just care about the output of your work and that's how I'm going to look at things." - Rosie O'Neill

"We have a no assholes policy." - Rosie O'Neill

"You really have to take care of yourself because there is an endless amount of work to do when you run your business." - Rosie O'Neill

"Get your product out in front of the real world as quickly as you can." - Rosie O'Neill

"Even though there's all these great data analytics and all these tools, you can't lose touch of the human connection and I think a lot of companies let that fall by the wayside and you really have got to prioritize that." - Rosie O'Neill

CONNECT WITH ROSIE:

Website: http://sugarfina.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sugarfina

LINKS:

Sugarfina Rewards

BOOTH BLUEPRINT:

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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Katie Hunt | Your products aren't for everyone. And, that's ok.

Fri, 06 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0400

There's a lot of talk on the internet about knowing your ideal customer, but a lot of it doesn't resonate with me. Maybe you feel this way too? On Episode 63, Mary Bruno shared how she is her ideal customer. And, that she focuses on creating things that she loves & that she finds funny even if it doesn't resonate with everyone. It got me thinking about something I've talked about in the past in my emails, but I'm not sure I've talked about it on the podcast. Your products aren't for everyone. And, that's ok. In fact, it's fantastic. You don't want to be everything to everyone. Just like Mary talked about past ideas falling flat, sometimes you're going to make duds. Or, sometimes what you make is going to appeal to a smaller audience. You make beautiful products, that are likely hand crafted or personally designed by you. You have your own unique style & aesthetic that you're continuing to develop. Instead of feeling like you need to appeal to the masses, I want you to focus on four key areas: - I want you to focus on reaching your unique customer base — fill a void or provide a solution specifically for the - I want you to focus on developing your own style, point of view and a strong, extensive product line. - I want you to focus on creating work that feels good to you, that you're proud of and that you want to put your name on. - I want you to focus on making the best decisions for your business, without worrying what everyone else thinks. I want you to make decisions for your business without looking around at what others are doing in their businesses or feeling like you need to follow the crowd. I know these things are easier said than done, but the strongest brands, the ones that build profitable, sustainable businesses are creating unique products that they are passionate about. They put their heads down when they are designing and try not to be influenced by others. They also recognize that their work is special and may not resonate with everyone. And, that's ok. I'd love to have you weigh in on this discussion in our free Proof to Product Facebook group. How do you stay motivated and create work you love and build a brand that includes that work. How do you tune out the noise and ensure that you're not being influenced by others when you're designing new work. Join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/prooftoproduct/ But you guys. Please remember, that your products aren't for everyone. And, that is more than ok.

063 | Mary Bruno, Bruno Press on growth through hard work, managing critics and knowing our ideal customer

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Mary Bruno is the owner of Bruno Press, a printer, artist, and advocate for her local creative community. She grew up in a small town in central Minnesota and learned the love of printing from her father Don Bruno. Mary has an irreverent line of greeting cards that is sold nationwide and she teaches the old school art of letterpress printing the way her father taught her. Mary loves to collaborate with other printers, poets, musicians, kids, designers, you name it. And, we'll talk about some of those collaborations today.

On today's episode Mary tells it like it is, shares her story and how she organically grew her business through hard work and learning as she went. We also talked about her personal growth—why she no longer let's the criticism of one person overpower the praise of hundreds. She also shares about why she's her ideal customer.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The oldest piece of machinery that she has in her print shop
Where she learned her love of printing
Her background prior to starting Bruno Press and how losing her dad lead her to taking over his print shop
How she decided on the product line she wanted to create
The backstory behind her logo
How she essentially fell into wholesale & working with sales reps
Her personal journey to not letting the criticism of one person overpower the praise of hundreds
Her first experience at the National Stationery Show
What the design process looks like for Mary
Mary's work as an advocate for her local creative community
How Kid Collab got started
Mary's advice for anyone just starting out in a product-based business

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

" I inherited my love of big iron machines from my dad. I dig how machines like this were built to last." - Mary Bruno

"This ain't Hallmark. I want to print the cards that nobody else is printing." - Mary Bruno

"Sometimes I feel like if I don't offend someone my shit ain't doing its job." - Mary Bruno

"I didn't know there was other people making cards like me so I felt super alone in that for a long time. I just kept my head down and kept printing and people kept buying." - Mary Bruno

"If I'm not goo goo staring at this card for the next three days then I shouldn't even bother printing it." - Mary Bruno

"A lot of the success that I've had with my business has been because of the support of my community and I don't want to take that for granted and I want to give back and I want to make this community better." - Mary Bruno

"The working with kids thing has been awesome. That's something that fills my cup." - Mary Bruno

"It's interesting when you get into because it's what was presented to you rather than something you sought out because you were so into it. The fact of the matter is that if my dad was a shoe cobbler or like a freaking offset printer my life would be a lot different. Maybe I'd be cobbling some shoes right now. I can't say for sure that I wouldn't." - Mary Bruno

"I say my target audience is me. It has been from day one and it is still. I think that is sort of what defines my work." - Mary Bruno

"I print what I think is cool or funny or needed or lacking in stores or whatever the case may be." - Mary Bruno

"A lot of people helped me along the way and I want to be like that as well for people coming up because hopefully people will continue this forever and snail mail won't ever go away and tangible cards will be a forever thing." - Mary Bruno

CONNECT WITH MARY:

Website: http://www.mcbrunopress.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bruno_Press?lang=en

LINKS:

Kid Collab

BOOTH BLUEPRINT:

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

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Katie Hunt | Search Engine Optimization vs Conversion Rate Optimization

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0400

On this mini episode, Katie Hunt reiterates something Brice McBeth of Reap marketing talked about on Episode 62 of Proof to Product — the difference between search engine optimization and conversion rate optimization. Here's what we learned from Brice: Search engine optimization is driving traffic to your website. Conversion Rate Optimization is getting people on your website to take action & buy. Brice shares a lot of great ideas and strategies in episode 62, if you haven't listened yet I highly recommend it. There's so much more to dive into here, so Brice and I will be hosting a free online masterclass next month to talk about why SEO is a hoax. And, how you can be leveraging your existing marketing to get more customers. If you to be notified about the details when we open registration. Head to http://www.tradeshowcamp.com/join and make sure you're on our mailing list.

062 | Brice McBeth, Reap Marketing on how his digital marketing agency built a company that sold salon chairs and optimized its e-commerce conversions by over 950%.

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Brice McBeth is the founder of Reap Marketing, the only digital agency that hired itself to build an e-commerce business and optimize its own conversations by over 950% on its way to creating a multi-million dollar store that disrupted the salon equipment industry. Brice also wrote about his journey in his book, Salon Chairs Don't Sell Themselves which is a fascinating read. He speaks and provides education on the topic of Conversion Rate Optimization to help companies, like us, get better results from their current marketing efforts.

On today's episode, Brice explains the difference between conversion rate optimization and search engine optimization and why you need to be thinking about both. He shares a shocking statistic, that typically 99% of your online shop visitors aren't buying from you and why slick and sexy websites don't always sell more of your product.

I wanted to let you in on a secret. We're going to be doing a free online masterclass with Brice next month, where we'll talk about why SEO is a hoax and he'll teach us some unconventional ways to use great content to get more customers. If you want to be notified about the details when we open registration, head to tradeshowcamp.com/join and make sure you're on our mailing list.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

A common misconception people have around digital marketing
The difference between search engine optimization and conversion rate optimization
The industry standard for conversion rates on eCommerce sites
The concept, four pillars of optimization, developed to help guide people through discovering what is going on with their website
What prompted Brice to do a live case study & how he landed on salon furniture as the product
The first steps he takes to ensure that a site is focused more on the conversion aspect than about the aesthetics
Why he had to forfeit some of the aesthetic of the Standish site for functionality
The common fears of his clients as they make changes to their sites to increase conversions conversions
Brice's book, Salon Chairs Don't Sell Themselves
The most important data points to collect through Google Analytics
What surprised Brice most through the testing they ran on Standish
How to determine a reasonable amount of time to test something on your site
Brice's advice for increasing CRO on your website
The services that Brice offers & how you can work with him

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"CRO and SEO are two different things and they shouldn't be confused with each other." - Brice McBeth

"SEO refers to the practice of writing content on your website for the purpose of getting indexed by search engines like Google." - Brice McBeth

"CRO refers to the process of exploring ways to get more people or to convince more people who are already on your website to do business with you." - Brice McBeth

"There's not really just one definition of what a conversion is, but certainly getting people to engage and become a customer is the endgame." - Brice McBeth

"It seems we sort of glorify this serial entrepreneur, but it can be really difficult, and we forget to glorify the people who can keep it real and have a good of work-life balance." - Brice McBeth

"Nobody comes to a marketing agency and asks for ugly website. Has anybody said, "Hey, I want my website to look just like Wikipedia's website"?. That would be amazing, but you're talking about one of the highest converting websites on the planet." - Brice McBeth

"As long as you know beauty isn't the only purpose driving the design, you can usually get the job done." - Brice McBeth

"We had to really kind of take a hard look at that [the Standish site] and kind of change the aesthetic and forfeit some of the aesthetic for functionality and something that was a little bit more familiar for our audience. " - Brice McBeth

"It [Salon Chairs Don't Sell Themselves] is definitely a story of the journey that we went through to optimize our own conversions and sort of the pitfalls we fell into along the ways and how we got ourselves out of those pitfalls." - Brice McBeth

"People are six times more likely to watch a video than read the same exact content that's written on the page and after having watched the video, they're 65% more likely to buy from you." - Brice McBeth

CONNECT WITH BRICE:

Website: https://reapmarketing.com/

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

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reap-marketing/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/reapmarketing

Website: http://bricemcbeth.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bricemcbeth/

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bricemcbeth

LINKS:

Salon Chairs Don't Sell Themselves

BOOTH BLUEPRINT:

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Katie Hunt | How to create a wholesale resource page

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Katie Hunt, founder of Tradeshow Bootcamp dives deeper into how to create a wholesale resource section on your website, something she and Rhonda Warren talked about briefly on episode 61. Katie shares what to include in your resource center, how to structure things and why it is important to make it easy for your wholesale customers to buy. Listen to Episode 61 Here: http://tradeshowcamp.com/prooftoproduct061/ SUBSCRIBE To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app. WRITE A REVIEW Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies. FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST If you'd like to receive more information about our upcoming episodes of Proof to Product including show notes and information about our guests, head over to www.prooftoproduct.com and sign up for our email list. SHARE Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

061 | Rhonda Warren, Color Box Design & Letterpress on how word of mouth referrals make up almost 70% of her business, why she'll never give up custom work and how she knew it was time to hire a team.

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Rhonda Warren is the owner of Color Box Design & Letterpress, a letterpress studio located in Dallas Texas. Rhonda has a multi-faceted business. She has a line of paper goods that she sells to both the retail and wholesale markets; as well as a bustling custom invitation arm through which she creates wedding invitations, corporate event invitations and everything in between.

On today's episode Rhonda jokes that she accidentally started this business that is still going strong after 13 years. She shares details about the custom side of her business and why relationships with local vendors and word of mouth referrals make up almost 70% of her business. Rhonda also shares information about her team - how she knew it was time to hire, everyone's roles and why she wished she had hired sooner.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What Rhonda was doing before Color Box Design & Letterpress
How she first go into letterpress by accident
Where she gets her inspiration from
How Color Box marries three different design styles and aesthetics into one brand
Her team's roles & how she splits up responsibilities
How her business & products have shifted over the years
Her experience with certain products being a good fit for retail but not wholesale
The need to educate consumers, store owners, & wholesale customers on what a product is and how it is supposed to be used
What Rhonda loves about custom work
The importance of networking and how she meets people and establishes relationships
How she balances all three arms of her business -- custom, retail, and wholesale
Rhonda's advice to those just starting out in custom work
How she defines success
The advice she would give to someone just starting out in a product-based business
How she knew it was time to hire a team

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I fell into letterpress by accident." - Rhonda Warren

"We're kind of an eclectic brand, which is how we marry it together." - Rhonda Warren

"We come up with ideas and at the end of the day we honestly don't know who came up with the idea and who finished it." - Rhonda Warren on how she designs with her team.

"You don't have to sell everything to both wholesale and retail. If it doesn't work for your margins to wholesale it, you don't need to sell it there." - Katie Hunt

"It's a little bit of trial and error, trying to explain your product when you're not there to explain it." - Rhonda Warren

"I love getting to hear about an event and then having that come to life in someone's mailbox so it's an introduction to the event." - Rhonda Warren

"I don't think we'll ever give up that [custom] side of the business just because we all love it and it's the money maker." - Rhonda Warren

"The [wedding] planners are key just because of the repeat business." - Rhonda Warren

"If the clients happy, I'm happy." - Rhonda Warren

"It's good to step out there before you think you're really ready to do it." - Rhonda Warren

"When you need to hire people you should hire people. It's only going to help you. It's scary at first but it always gets easier." - Rhonda Warren

"As we would get where we just couldn't handle it all then we would bring on another person." - Rhonda Warren

CONNECT WITH RHONDA:

Website: www.colorboxletterpress.com

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

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

BOOTH BLUEPRINT:

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Katie Hunt | Choose your manufacturing partners wisely

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Katie talks about the importance of building relationships with your manufacturing partners. She shares some of her own experiences, fears and missteps when searching for her own print partners. The risks she faced and what you should look for when reaching out to new manufacturing partners. Want to join the conversation in our free Proof to Product Facebook group? Join us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/prooftoproduct/

SUBSCRIBE To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app. WRITE A REVIEW Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies. FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST If you'd like to receive more information about our upcoming episodes of Proof to Product including show notes and information about our guests, head over to www.prooftoproduct.com and sign up for our email list. SHARE Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

060 | Ronnie Williams, DeFrance Printing on ways to save money on printing costs, common mistakes people make in their file set-up, and why its important to build relationships with your manufacturing partners.

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Ronnie Williams is the owner of DeFrance Printing, which is a full-service commercial print shop located in Southern California. Ronnie grew up in the print industry and is the third generation to own and operate DeFrance. His grandfather began printing in the late 1930s, followed by his father in the early 1970s, and Ronnie was a fixture in the print shop by the young age of five. Ronnie's background brings a unique perspective, in that he has expertise in both the print process, as well as the outcome.

This episode is a little bit different than most, in that we're diving into some of the technical aspects of printing, common mistakes that people make in file setup, ways to save money on your print runs, and how DeFrance helps a wide range of industries with packaging, catalogs, marketing materials, and more.

Ronnie, and the team at DeFrance, have recently expanded their services to include warehousing and fulfillment, helping independent brands with not only printing, but also storage, fulfillment, and distribution of their products. They have particular expertise handling orders for big box stores, such as Paper Source. Ronnie, and the team at DeFrance, have been strong supporters of our Tradeshow Bootcamp community and advocates for education around the print process. I know you'll learn a lot from Ronnie!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The history of DeFrance Printing and how long Ronnie's family has owned it
Their core clients and the type of work they do for them
All of the different print methods DeFrance offers
The fulfillment services that they offer
Paper Source's specific rules and regulations as to how things need to be shipped
Ronnie's favorite projects to print
The things that people should figure out before reaching out to a printer
Some common mistakes he sees people making when submitting art files
A Pantone color versus a CMYK color and what the benefits are to both
Turnaround times and the expectations people should have
When he recommends getting proofs versus not
The materials, other than paper, DeFrance prints on
The types of products they are getting the most inquiries on right now
How DeFrance prints gift wrapping
Some cost-cutting or cost-saving tips to maximize print runs
Products outside of the stationery world that DeFrance prints
What's next for DeFrance Printing

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Most people carry low inventory because they don't want to prepay for all the cards, not knowing whether the order's coming. When they get one that's 500, 1000, 4000+ , they then come to us, and we can print the job, sleeve it, package it, UPC barcode it again, and get it out to Paper Source in time. It's something we do very regularly, and our bindery guys have it down pat. " - Ronnie Williams

"You can market your business, create new products, and sell more product, while we worry about all the other work and get it off your back, so you're not up until midnight or 1:00 a.m., sleeving cards the night before it's got to go," - Ronnie Williams

"They don't see the value in [our services], until they start doing it themselves, and then they realize the time it consumes. It's the same as when people are printing for themselves. It's amazing that they can learn these trades and they can do it, but at some point it does cross over and start to consume their time, rather than allow them to grow the business." - Ronnie Williams

"Greeting cards, letterpress, and foil are still some of my favorite. I do get on press still every once in a while. I was just on press last week, doing some art prints." - Ronnie Williams

"I just love the process of seeing how it comes together and gets completed." - Ronnie Williams

"Specs are very important, to make sure we're talking "apples to apples" to each other." - Ronnie Williams

"I find that you're not just a printer. You're not just taking the jobs as they come and just pushing them out. You're trying to make sure that you're maximizing the time,the money, and the effort and energy that everyone's putting forth to create the best possible product." - Katie Hunt

"The first time we produce or make anything, we like an extra day or two to make sure we're double-checking." - Ronnie Williams

"Paper adds up to a lot of money in this process, and so if you're in love with a high-end paper, it's going to make the job more." - Ronnie Williams

"I've seen you try to bend over backwards to help people make their dreams come true. " - Katie Hunt

CONNECT WITH RONNIE:

Website: http://www.defranceprinting.com

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

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

BOOTH BLUEPRINT:

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT

Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

059 | Suann Song, Appointed on launching a brand through Kickstarter, the process for redesigning her website and why fresh products are at the core of a successful product based business

Tue, 05 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Suann Song is a graphic designer and founder of Appointed, an American-made brand of carefully designed desktop products that make utility look luxurious. Prior to starting Appointed, Suann conducted an exhaustive but unsuccessful search when she tried to find refined and well-made desktop products that are manufactured in the US, so she decided to create her own. In March 2015, Suann launched Appointed through a kickstarter campaign reaching her goal of $25,000 dollars in the first five days.

On today's episode, Suann is sharing what it was like to launch a brand and product line through Kickstarter. She's also sharing some behind the scenes info on why she's redesigning the Appointed website and what that process has looked like. Suann also reminds us that relationships and fresh product are at the core of a successful product based business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Suann got started in this creative field
Transitioning from a service-based business with Simple Song Design to a product based business with Appointed
Why she chose to launch Appointed with Kickstarter and what the process was like
What surprised her about the Kickstarter campaign
How her background in PR has helped her strategize and build momentum
The motivation behind launching a brand new website for Appointed
Why she decided to outsource the whole website -- the redesign and the development
Her experience being on the "other side" of the design process
Missteps that Suann sees product-based business owners make when they're redesigning their websites
How she is sharing the news of their new website with wholesale clients versus with retail clients
Suann's advice for product-based business owners who are just getting started

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I got the idea for Appointed about five years ago where I saw a need in the market for just gender neutral, really well-made, American made products." - Suann Song

"I spent a solid year of researching, finding manufacturers, figuring out how much money I would need, figuring how much money I would need in year one, two, and three." - Suann Song

"If the Kickstarter was going to be a flop, and I literally put everything out there, invested in a video, produced a video, put all of the information on the Kickstarter page, and if people weren't going to support it, then I thought, 'Okay, maybe this isn't a good idea.'"- Suann Song

"I think that there is definitely a market for men in stationery paper goods, office." - Suann Song

"I really believe people buy from people." - Suann Song

"Business is all about the relationships we're building. You never know when somebody in your life is going to come back in and be a buying customer or have a referral for you." - Katie Hunt

"We're very proudly American made, every single component of our products." - Suann Song

"It was really important that we show the depth of our story, but it really is about the user experience and making it enjoyable, easy, and most importantly, convenient." - Suann Song

"You have to keep it fresh. You have to have something to talk about, and not for the sake of just doing that, but you just need to keep your product line relevant and interesting and release new products." - Suann Song

LINKS:Kickstarter

CONNECT WITH SUANN:

Website: https://www.appntd.com/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/appointedco

http://instagram.com/suannsong

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/simplesong/pins/

BOOTH BLUEPRINT:

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass.

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Special Edition | 2018 National Stationery Show Recap - Part 3

Thu, 31 May 2018 08:00:00 -0400

I'm back with our third and final National Stationery show recap. Today you'll hear from four of our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni. We talk about sharing a booth, the benefits of planning ahead and how you gotta roll with the punches when things don't go quite as planned. Today's episode features interviews with Jessica of Little Well Paper Co, Robyn from Lake & Loft, Meghan from And Here We Are and Allison from The Social Type.

Before we get started, I wanted to let you know that we're running our first ever summer session of the Paper Camp E-Course. This course will help you get your product line ready for wholesale, refine your sales tools, strengthen your marketing and exhibit at shows. We helped over 800 brands launch or refine their wholesale program. Brands that you'll find on the shelves of Target, Anthropologie, Container Store, Paper Source and independent boutiques internationally. If you want to build a strong wholesale foundation and see your products on the shelves of retail shops, I invite you to join us. Classes start on June 4th. Learn more and register here.

Special Edition | 2018 National Stationery Show Recap - Part 2

Wed, 30 May 2018 08:00:00 -0400

I'm back with Part 2 of our National Stationery Show recap. Today you'll hear from three of our TSBC alumni about what went well at the show for them, where they skimped & splurged in their spending and benefits to being at a wholesale show like, National Stationery Show.

Today's episode features interviews with Katie from Page Stationery, Monique from Violet Flamingos and Katie from The Good Twin.

Also before we get started, I wanted to let you know that we're running our first ever summer session of the Paper Camp E-Course. This course will help you get your product line ready for wholesale, refine your sales tools, strengthen your marketing and exhibit at shows. We helped over 800 brands launch or refine their wholesale program. Brands that you'll find on the shelves of Target, Anthropologie, Container Store, Paper Source and independent boutiques internationally. Classes start on June 4th! Learn more and register here.

Enjoy Part 2 of our National Stationery Show special series.

Special Edition | 2018 National Stationery Show Recap - Part 1

Tue, 29 May 2018 08:00:00 -0400

I recently was in New York for the National Stationery Show where approximately 55 of our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni were exhibiting. And, I thought it would be fun to bring the show to you. While I was in New York, I chatted with a handful of exhibitors, everyone from first timers to seasoned pros.

This episode is part one of a three part special edition series and it features interviews with Kathryn from Blackbird Letterpress, Kim from Ramona & Ruth, Pippi from E. Frances Paper and Stefanie from Halifax Paper Hearts.

Before we get started, I wanted to let you know that we're running our first ever summer session of the Paper Camp E-Course. This course will help you get your product line ready for wholesale, refine your sales tools, strengthen your marketing and exhibit at shows. This isn't your ordinary online course where you're left to do everything yourself. The class runs for four weeks and every week we'll have a live coaching call with me and special guest experts. Classes start on June 4th! Learn more and register here.

Enjoy Part 1 of our National Stationery Show special series.

058 | Chelsea Sonksen, Boss Ladies Magazine on layering in new products and services, working towards a freedom business model and why making a good first impression is so important.

Tue, 22 May 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Chelsea Sonksen is the founder and Editor in Chief of Bossladies, a movement that began with a print magazine in 2016 and has grown into a vibrant in-person and online community of entrepreneurs through her monthly event series, Work Sesh.

On today's episode we're talking about the mission behind Bossladies, how Chelsea is layering new products and services that will give her the freedom and flexibility to work from both California and Maine. Chelsea also shares her thoughts on why making a good first impression is so important.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Chelsea's motivation for starting Bossladies and why she choose publishing as her method for sharing her message with the world
Her background as an editorial assistant
Why she decided to stop reading other publications for the first six months of Bossladies
The mission behind Bossladies
How she decides which women to feature and which brands to include in each issue
How Chelsea is layering in new products and services while staying true to the mission of Bossladies
What Work Sesh is, how she facilitates it, and what the goal is
Chelsea's experience working with a significant number of contractors all over the country
How she has found her contractors
The way Chelsea decides what questions to ask the women featured in Bossladies
How she defines success
The advice she would give to a new entrepreneur
What's next for Bossladies & Work Sesh

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I try really hard to take a month before we start designing the magazine, not to actually look at any publications for that month because I find that my design preferences and tendencies get swayed by whatever I'm seeing at that time. I think it's just easier to be original when you have periods of time where you sort of hibernate and block out all of the input." - Chelsea Sonksen

"The Bossladies mission has three parts. It's to inspire, educate, and provide community for the growing group of women who are wanting to create their own businesses." - Chelsea Sonksen

"I feel like that's really important for founders, as you're starting a company, it has to be what you want to be doing and what you want spending your hours doing and the people you want to be spending your hours with." - Chelsea Sonksen

"My company is a people first company." - Katie Hunt

"I love seeing the natural progressions that happen when people come together, when women come together, entrepreneurs. There's just so many things we have in common, and so many ways that we can leverage each other's experiences for good. We can help each other where we feel weak in something, we can leverage other people's skills and experiences, and also give back ourselves." - Katie Hunt

"Communication is always the most important thing and I've learned how to be a more efficient and effective communicator before launching into a project." - Chelsea Sonksen

"I find that whenever it's time to do the interviews, I'm usually in a certain season of life and I'm interested in certain kinds of things. So that's where I start every interview, what are the things that I'm most interested in in that moment and what are their thoughts on those things." - Chelsea Sonksen

"I view success as freedom." - Chelsea Sonksen

"It's really important to study other companies. You have to learn from people that are experts at what you are trying to do." - Chelsea Sonksen

"You have one opportunity to make a first impression, and your branding and what you present of your brand, is that first impression." - Chelsea Sonksen

LINKS:I Love Creatives Upwork

CONNECT WITH CHELSEA:

Website: http://bossladies.us

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bossladiesmag

PAPER CAMP ECOURSE:

Many of you have been patiently waiting for the return of our Paper Camp E-course and I'm excited to tell you that it's here. This is a 4 week online program that kicks off on June 4th. You'll get new videos to watch each week on your own and we'll have a live Q&A call every week with me and special guest experts.

To learn more and register, head to https://tsbc.teachable.com/p/pce. I look forward to having you there!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

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057 | Christine Miller, Bundle Design on turning her hobby into a business, lessons learned from the National Stationery Show and how exhibiting at NSS opened the door to working with Paper Source

Tue, 15 May 2018 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC alum, Christine Miller is the creator and designer of Bundle Design — home to cheerful, cheeky greeting cards, balloons, party supplies and Good Day Decals.

On today's episode Christine shares her journey of turning her hobby into a business, lessons learned from exhibiting at the National Stationery Show and how being at the show opened the door to working with Paper Source.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What Christine was doing before Bundle Design
How starting her family influenced her decision to step away from her full time job
Starting her business a hobby and a creative outlet after having her son and transitioning it to a business a few years ago
Opening her Etsy shop in 2011 and what made her realize that Etsy may not be the best path for her
Making the decision that wholesale was the direction she wanted to go
The difficulty she faced in establishing her own brand identity and creating products that had a cohesive aesthetic
How her style has changed over the years
The fears and concerns she had going into her first National Stationery Show and the mistakes she made
The importance of sending out mailers and advertising your booth number to anyone and everyone prior to the show
The changes Christine made her second year at the National Stationery Show
Meeting the Paper Source buyer at the show and how it has been fruitful even years later
The advice Christine would give to someone just starting out in a product based business
The goals she is setting for herself and for Bundle Designs
What's next for Bundle Designs

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"My mentality is, "Well, if I just make it people will just buy it." Unfortunately it doesn't quite work that way." - Christine Miller

"When you're developing a line, one of the most important things is to have a unique style, a brand that's recognizable." - Christine Miller

"The biggest fear is no one is going to buy anything." - Christine Miller

"That first year, my mantra was, 'Okay, I want to make sales but if I don't make sales at least I'm still learning this and I'm making connections and I'll know more for the next year.'" - Christine Miller

"Your booth number is your address on the show so you want to make sure that you're telling everyone where you're going to be at all times, add it to your social media profile, your bio. Make sure you're sending out those mailers, include it in the footer of your emails that go out. Don't keep that a secret, shout it from the rooftops where you're going to be." - Katie Hunt

"I never would've made that connection had I not been to the show. I'm sure I could've found out her information another way, LinkedIn or asking around and things like that, but I think her maybe seeing it in person gave it a little bit of an edge when they made their final selections." - Christine Miller

"I've always had the mentality of slow and steady. So, if I'm making steps, even if they're small steps, I'm moving in the right direction then that's what I'm always striving for." - Christine Miller

LINKS:Portfolio Center National Stationery Show Paper Camp Paper Source Farewell Paperie

CONNECT WITH CHRISTINE:

Website: http://bundledesign.com

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

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

THE BOOTH BLUEPRINT:

If you're gearing up for trade show season and need help creating a beautiful booth that doesn't break the bank, I want to invite you to my free masterclass. I'm sharing my three secrets to maximize your trade show investment and keep wholesale orders coming in long after you trade show end. To join me for this free workshop, head to www.theboothblueprint.com to register!

To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.

WRITE A REVIEW

Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies.

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Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates.

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

056 | Kelly Parker Smith, Hello World Paper Co. on prioritizing profitable projects, setting boundaries to protect our time and three strategies for enhancing your Etsy shop

Tue, 08 May 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Kelly Parker Smith is a multi-talented business owner and creative artist. Kelly is a rubber stamp designer and manufacturer living just outside St. Louis. She has grown her shop, Hello World Paper Co., with the idea that great products become even better when paired with top-notch customer service, a little surprise and delight, and the perfect packaging!

Kelly is also the co-host of the Creative Biz Rebellion podcast where she and Caroline Hull show other business owners how to build, maintain, and grow a profitable online shop through their podcast and online workshops. In her free time Kelly enjoys painting and drawing on her iPad Pro and is soon to release her second fabric collection with Sweet Bee Designs fabric company.

On today's episode Kelly is sharing how she juggles multiple arms of her business - manufacturing stamps, designing fabric and mentoring through her podcast. We also talked about time management, prioritizing profitable tasks and setting boundaries to protect our time. Kelly also share three strategies for enhancing your Etsy shop.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

All of the different arms of her business
How she got started designing a fabric collection
The benefits of trying something new and how it influences all areas of her business
How Kelly balances all of the different aspects of her business
The way that she maps out her week & how she prioritizes tasks
The importance of setting boundaries and saying "no"
The responsibilities of Kelly's office manager and why she decided to hire her from the beginning
Why she decided to have a secondary site in addition to Etsy
Kelly's tips on enhancing your Etsy listings
Her advice for someone just starting out in a product based business
What's next for Hello World Paper Co.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"When you feel stuck in one area of your life creatively, it's so important to try something new." - Kelly Parker Smith

"For me, money talks. What do I need to get done first? Who's paying me to do what that I have to get done? Then, when I have that scheduled out for the week, I look at what do I need to do to move forward in my business? Then, I schedule that out." - Kelly Parker Smith

"When our calendar gets so full it doesn't leave a space to breathe. It doesn't leave a space to think and to plan and to really execute on the high priority things." - Katie Hunt

"I don't have notifications on for my Etsy shop, I don't have notifications on my phone for my emails." - Kelly Parker Smith

"Every time I brought somebody on my team, my business grew, my revenue grew, and my sanity came back." - Katie Hunt

"Etsy is amazing. It's a great place to start, it's a great place to be. We'll never leave Etsy as long as it's there, but the thing is that you can't put everything you have into one platform, especially if you don't own it." - Kelly Parker Smith

"You have to think like a buyer." - Kelly Parker Smith

"I went in the direction that my business was telling me to go in. I listened to where the money was coming in, I was very meticulous in my bookkeeping, and I really looked at patterns and what was selling and what was making me profit and what wasn't. I just followed essentially what my business and my customers were telling me." - Kelly Parker Smith

LINKS:Lisa Congdon's Creativebug Classes Pattern Camp with Jessica Swift Inkwell Press Planner

CONNECT WITH KELLY:

Website(s): http://www.helloworldpaperco.com

http://www.creativebizrebellion.com

http://www.kellyparkersmith.com

Social Media Links:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/helloworldpaperco

http://www.instagram.com/creativebizrebellion

http://www.instagram.com/kellyparkersmith

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/helloworldpaperco

http://www.facebook.com/creativebizrebellion

http://www.twitter.com/creativebizreb

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/helloworldpaper

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/helloworldpaper

FREE TRADESHOW WORKSHOP:

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055 | Lisa Sarmento, Tiramisu Paperie on 'entrepreneurial gardening', fast paced growth and what she skimped and splurged on at her first wholesale trade show

Tue, 01 May 2018 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC alum, Lisa Sarmento is the owner of Tiramisu Paperie a sassy brand located in Nashville that sells greeting cards, gift wrap, pencils and other gift items. Lisa has had tremendous growth in her business over the last two years. She attended our Paper Camp conference in February 2016 and describes those two days as the launching point for Tiramisu Paperie. Her products are currently carried in hundreds of retail shops throughout the United States. Lisa works with sales reps nationally and has exhibited at several trade shows including NSS, Las Vegas Market and Dallas Market.

On today's episode, Lisa shares her personal story of getting laid off from her high level advertising agency and how 'entrepreneurial gardening' and motivation from her son prompted her to start this business. She shares how she connected with sales reps, what she skimped and splurged on at her first trade show and reminds us to not let fear hold us back from what we want in life and business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Her time at a graphic design agency and how that led to her becoming her own boss
How losing her mom allowed to recognize a need for honest cards
Her season of entrepreneurial gardening
The importance of having an inner circle of friends and family supporting and pushing you
The why behind her business and the motivation her son prompted in her
Finding and building connections with the right sales reps
Lisa's experience at trade shows & how she decided on which ones to attend
The pros and cons of doing a showroom booth with reps versus a booth on your own
What she skimped and splurged on at her first wholesale trade show
The advice that Lisa would give to someone just starting out in a product based business
What's next for Tiramisu Paperie

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Just plant the seeds, see what grows. Water it all equally, and whatever you're supposed to do is going to rise to the top." - Lisa Sarmento

"I started watching him work, and then it just dawned on me. I'm like, "I think I know why I'm going to do this." Because once he turns 18, all services go away. The college education life he's going to have is going to be different from somebody else. His work or career path is going to be different, so I'm like, "I think I know what I'm going to do. I'm creating this company for him." - Lisa Sarmento

"The way I look at my reps is, 'You're part of my family. Be honest with me and I'll be honest with you. Whatever you need, I'll help you and you help me.'" - Lisa Sarmento

"I splurged because I was putting up the stuff by myself." - Lisa Sarmento

"Lighting's super important, but you need to find something that works in your budget and highlights your products in the best possible way." - Katie Hunt

"If you know you want to do it, just do it. Just jump. If you don't try, you'll never know." - Lisa Sarmento

CONNECT WITH LISA:

Website: http://www.tiramisupaperie.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tiramisupaperie

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054 | Jessica McSweeney, Little Well Paper Co. on shifting from a service based business to a product based business and why relationships are critical in business

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Jessica McSweeney is the owner of Little Well Paper Co, a letterpress greeting card company aimed at celebrating and deepening the connections between loved ones. Prior to starting Little Well she taught herself calligraphy and offered wedding calligraphy and invitation services. Jessica's calligraphy work has been featured in The Knot, Southern Weddings Magazine, and Once Wed. Jess attended Paper Camp in fall 2016 when Little Well was just a spark of an idea, and she launched to the retail and wholesale markets in fall 2017.

On today's episode we're talking about shifting from a service based business to a product based business, her vision for Little Well Paper Co., and why relationships are critical to building a successful business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How she got started her calligraphy business & Little Well Paper Co.
Taking online courses to learn calligraphy
The impact relationships within the wedding industry had on her business
What the calligraphy side of her business looks like now
What prompted Jessica to create Little Well Paper Co.
The most challenging part of adding a second brand and a new business model
How she manages both the retail side and the wholesale side of her business
Fostering relationships with her wholesale customers
Her decision to do New York Now last minute & her experience sharing a booth
The advice she would give to someone just starting out in a product based business
What's next for Jessica McSweeney & Little Well Paper Co.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I'm a big believer that business is 90% relationships." - Jessica McSweeney

"To me, to have a card that can be a vehicle to help somebody else start a conversation with someone they love about something that might be really hard like that is just the best thing." - Jessica McSweeney

"So many of the logistical things were things that if I hadn't gone to Paper Camp, I would have no idea about." - Jessica McSweeney

"I felt if I don't change this, I will be way more uncomfortable than if just taking this leap of maybe this won't work out, this new venture." - Jessica McSweeney

"It's important to have a brand voice that carries through everything, that brings in retail people and wholesale people alike." - Jessica McSweeney

"Make sure that what you're doing is something that feels good for you that you can be passionate about that also is not something that is already saturating out there." - Jessica McSweeney

CONNECT WITH JESSICA:

Website: http://www.littlewellpaperco.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/littlewellpaperco

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/littlewellpaperco

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053 | Megan Auman on product photography and leveraging Pinterest for sales

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Megan Auman is a designer, metalsmith, educator, and entrepreneur who has built a multi-faceted business around her passion for art, commerce, and visual content creation! (Which is just a fancy way of saying she's obsessed with Instagram and Pinterest.) In addition to running her Megan Auman jewelry line, she runs the site Designing an MBA, where she writes and teaches about the intersection of art and business.

On today's episode we're talking about product photography and why you should be leveraging pinterest to get more sales.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

A common mistake that Megan sees product-based business owners making around marketing strategies
When she started her jewelry line and how it lead to her starting her Designing an MBA program
Her product photography & the importance of having high quality photos of your products
Megan's tips on preparing for a photo shoot
The editing software that Megan uses
How she is leveraging her product photography and Pinterest for sales
Some of Megan's struggles when she first got started on Pinterest
How she measures conversions and the effectiveness of her Pinterest strategy
Utilizing Pinterest scheduling apps to batch content
Megan's experience with Pinterest ads
The advice she would offer to someone just starting out in a product based business
What's next for Megan

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"It's really easy to get sidetracked just by all the information online about running a business, and trying to know what applies to you and what doesn't." - Megan Auman

"You have to show your customers how it fits into their lives, otherwise they're not going to buy it." - Megan Auman

"Your life will be so much easier if you batch your photography, whether that's product photography or social media photography, it doesn't matter, the easiest thing is to batch." - Megan Auman

"Shoot like crazy and then pick your best ones and delete everything, because it's better to have a lot of options when you're editing." - Megan Auman

"Shoot from far away and then get in and shoot the detail, and shoot somewhere in the middle. Shoot from those different distances and you going to have a lot more options." - Megan Auman

"One of the reasons that people get frustrated with Pinterest, is sometimes they just pin their product photography directly from their online shop, which is good, but it's not ultimately the best way to use it, especially if your price point is higher." - Megan Auman

"If you're starting out and you're only putting your images with your images, and no one else is pinning your content, Pinterest isn't showing it to anybody." - Megan Auman

"As soon as you start putting your content across other boards with other people's pins, it greatly increases the chances that Pinterest is going to show them to other people." - Megan Auman

"More often than not, stuff doesn't go viral immediately, people call it the Pinterest lag." - Megan Auman

"The biggest challenge with Pinterest ads is that, they're better at keyword targeting than audience targeting." - Megan Auman

"You really cannot compete if you don't have that email list and you're not using it regularly." - Megan Auman

LINKS:

Afterlight: https://afterlight.co/

Snapseed: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/snapseed/id439438619?mt=8

Retouchup.com: https://www.retouchup.com/

Viraltag: https://www.viraltag.com/

Tailwind: https://www.tailwindapp.com/

CONNECT WITH MEGAN:

Website: http://designinganmba.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/meganauman

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/meganauman

Twitter: http://twitter.com/meganauman

Market Your Selfie: http://www.marketyourselfie.com

Megan Auman's Pinterest for Makers class on CreativeLive

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Katie Hunt, TSBC on why she needed to refocus her priorities and how she did it

Fri, 13 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0400

On this episode, Katie shares how she overextended herself in 2016 and how it caused her to refocus her priorities and make some difficult decisions about her business. If you've ever felt stuck, stretched thin or pulled in too many directions, this episode is for you. Katie talks about how she realized she was over scheduled and how she fixed things — including discontinuing manufacturing, pushing pause on speaking at conferences and asking for help / investing in a team.

052 | Lichia Liu, Gotamago on pursuing her passion, building a team and creating systems and why she thinks it is important to jump before you feel ready

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Lichia Liu is the founder and creative director of Gotamago, a stationery & gifts brand based in Toronto, Canada. A self-taught illustrator, Lichia took a detour from her urban design career in 2013 to start Gotamago when she realized that she needed more authenticity, autonomy and artistic exploration in her work. Besides running Gotamago and being a mom, Lichia is a musician, an urban sketcher, a member of a Japanese Taiko drumming group, and a foster dog parent.

On today's episode we're talking about how Lichia left her day job to pursue her passion, how she involves her team in building systems to automate and streamline her business and why she thinks it is important to jump before you feel ready

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What Lichia was doing before she started Gotamango & how that lead her to start her business
The first time she was reached out to by a retailer who wanted to carry her line & what her reaction was
When she decided to leave her full time job
Where Lichia gains inspiration for her work
How she makes time for designing while trying to balance the rest of Gotamago
How becoming a mom has changed her routines and schedules within her business
Lichia's team & the systems she has in place that allow her to step back and prioritize her family
The types of canned email responses that she has written
How her team grew slowly over time
Some of the challenges that she faces being a Canadian exhibitor at U.S. based shows
How preparing for her second National Stationery Show is different from preparing for her first
The advice she would give to someone who is just starting out in a product based business
What's coming up for Gotamago

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I was working on weekends and I thought, what am I doing? I really need to be grabbing this creative force that I have inside of me and giving it a chance." - Lichia Liu

"It's just such a different feeling when you know that strangers who don't know you at all are really liking your products, it gave me a lot of confidence." - Lichia Liu

"Everything I've done is pretty much a reflection of what I've been going through in my life." - Lichia Liu

"I was kind of a workaholic before I had my baby." - Lichia Liu

"Leading up to the baby being born, I really took time to start to systemize everything and delegate it out." - Lichia Liu

"Because I feel so much emotional attachment to my products that I'm not the best person to be dealing with things when things go wrong." - Lichia Liu

"The first lesson I learned was that when you take your stuff across the border you have to have all your forms filled. So make sure you get your forms filled." - Lichia Liu

"If I had waited until I thought it was perfect, I would have spent way more time on getting it to what I thought people wanted rather than actually making a good product that people actually will want." - Lichia Liu

LINKS:

Website: http://gotamago.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/shopgotamago

Instagram: http://Instagram.com/go.tamago

Twitter: http://twitter.com/shopgotamago

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051 | Kim Burks, Ramona & Ruth on changing her business name, growing her wholesale program and how reps have enhanced her business

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC alum, Kim Burks is the founder of Ramona & Ruth is a boutique letterpress studio located in Omaha, Nebraska. Kim started Ramona & Ruth in 2009 with her tabletop letterpress in a spare bedroom of her home. Kim makes simple and thoughtful letterpress greeting cards and a variety of other paper goods including gift wrap, notebooks and planners. Ramona & Ruth products can be found in retail shops across the country.

On today's episode we're talking about Kim's decision to change her business name after being in business for five years, how her design aesthetic has evolved and how bringing on sales reps has enhanced her business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Kim's business journey and whether she always wanted to be an entrepreneur
How she learned to do letterpress
When she decided to take her new hobby and make it into a business
The catalyst for changing her business name & why it was a difficult decision
The story behind the name Ramona & Ruth
How she communicated her name change to retailers
What inspires Kim the most when creating her work & how that has changed over the years
How she manages doing most of her own printing, designing new ideas, and running her business
When she first entered into the wholesale market and how she has grown her wholesale program
The factors Kim considered when going to her first stationery show
The impact sales reps have had on her business
How to nurture relationships with sales reps & the tools that she provides her reps
Kim's advice to anyone starting out in a product based business
What's next for Ramona & Ruth

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"It was a super scary thing to do and probably pretty risky, but I'm glad that I did it. I feel so comfortable with my new business name. I'm proud of it." - Kim Burks

"It took me a while to figure out that I needed help... but it has been amazing asking for help. ." - Kim Burks

"You can send out mailers and emails until you're blue in the face, but there's something about a real person, a rep, going to that store physically."- Kim Burks

"It's so valuable to have our reps' input when they're on the front lines." - Kim Burks

"Working with reps has made me hone down on systems even more and how can we get an order out the door the quickest" - Kim Burks

"The most important thing is to really hone in on your voice and your aesthetic, because honestly, there's so many of us." - Kim Burks

"It's easy to see some sort of style doing well and say, "Oh, maybe I should do that because that's selling," but I think when it comes down to it, you have to be true to your own voice and really focus on developing that, and that'll set you apart." - Kim Burks

LINKS:

Website: http://www.ramonaandruth.com/

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

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

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

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050 | Zoe Scharf, Greetabl on chasing wholesale, identifying core customers and how angel investing fueled their business growth

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC alum Zoe Scarf is the co-founder and Chief Brand Officer at Greetabl–a personal and easy way to make your friends feel super loved. If you're not familiar with Greetabl, you should be. It's an impressive gifting service where you choose your packaging, gift and personalize your message and they take care of the rest — getting it in the hands of your recipient. Greetabl has delivered 200,000 happy moments and is continuing to quickly grow.

On today's episode Zoe shares how they unsuccessfully chased wholesale, struggled with figuring out who their audience was and how impactful their fulfillment relationships have been. We also spent a good amount of time talking about how Greetabl sought funding from angel investors. They achieved three rounds for $50k, $750k and most recently $1.5M — we talked about how the process worked, what they did with the money and she shared some resources for those interested in learning more.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Zoe and her business partner, Joe, came up with the idea for Greetabl
Her background as a graphic designer
Their experience in the wholesale industry and why they decided to pivot to retail
Narrowing down their audience & identifying their core customer
How customers order their gifts through Greetabl
The process of finding a fulfillment partner & how they landed their current partnership
How Zoe & Joe decide what gift items to purchase & what their requirements are
How featuring products on Greetabl has helped other small business grow
The number one requested product
What the Greetabl team look like & when they started bringing people on
The fundraising process & how they decided to work with angel investors
What they had to provide to the angel investors to get them interested
What it looks like if an angel investors decide they want to move forward with you
The importance of women investing in and pouring into other women
Resources out there to help entrepreneurs connect with angel investors
The benefits of a mastermind group
What's coming up for Greetabl

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Buyers need simplicity, and they need to really clearly understand the product." - Katie Hunt

"We really wanted to help those women fill what we call the gifting gap. That $15-30 price point where you want something that's really personal, really beautiful, and not gonna break your bank." - Zoe Scharf

"Greetabl is like a greeting card that you customize with your photos and a message and then it folds up to become this gift box." - Zoe Scharf

"We love these makers and empowering them, and helping them as much as we can, because we were and are in the same boat." - Zoe Scharf

"The more connections we can make, and the more we can be involved with companies, the happier I personally feel." - Zoe Scharf

"The most effective way to do things was to work with Angel groups, because that's when you talk to anywhere from 10-50 Angel investors at once." - Zoe Scharf

"Because our product is very unique, if it sees as much success as we want it to, there are gonna be other people out there who try to do the same exact thing, and it's just up to us to do the best job fastest." - Zoe Scharf

"We need more women investing in other women's businesses." - Katie Hunt

"I feel very strongly that designers and women just need some more examples to know that it's possible for them to do this stuff." - Zoe Scharf

LINKS:

Website: http://www.greetabl.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/greetabl

Sequoia Capital resources for business planning, writing a pitch deck and pricing your products: https://www.sequoiacap.com/build/

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus!

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049 | Emily Thompson, Being Boss on why being boss requires vision and hustle, the importance of setting boundaries and being open to saying yes to the right opportunities

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -0400

Emily Thompson is an author, educator and web designer. She's the founder of Indie Shopography and co-host of the Being Boss podcast, where she inspires, writes and curates content to help creatives own their path and be more boss. With over 3 million listens, the impact of the podcast inspired Emily and her business partner and co-host on Being Boss, Kathleen Shannon to write their first book called Being Boss: Take Control of your Work and Live Life on your Own Terms.

This episode is a fun one and we talked about some key topics in the book. Emily shared her thoughts on why being boss requires vision and hustle, the importance of setting boundaries that align with your values and why you need to do the work.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The biggest misconception that people have around being an entrepreneur
The career path that has led Emily to multiple businesses, an amazing podcast, and a book
How she met her podcast co-host, Kathleen Shannon, and how they grew their "business bestie" relationship
Starting the Being Boss podcast & the inspiration behind it
What lead to Emily & Kathleen deciding to write a book & how their experiences shaped it
How Emily balances being both a visionary and an implementer
How values set the stage for decision making within business
The advice Emily has for people pleasers who want to say "yes" to everything
The red flags people experience when they need to set better boundaries
Emily's definition of success
What's next for Emily and the Being Boss brand

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"My life probably looks a lot easier to some people than it actually is." - Emily Thompson

"Most successful people have super windy roads that get them to the place they are now." - Emily Thompson

"Once you make that first leap, all the other leaps are easier. " - Emily Thompson

"I understand that I have to know what those day to day tasks are, in order to reach that big vision, and so it was a practice of finding a system that worked for me, and then just implementing it, day after day after day." - Emily Thompson

"As creative entrepreneurs, we live our work, and our work in a lot of ways, defines who we are." - Emily Thompson

"If you have some good parameters around what you allow yourself to say yes to, you can say yes with confidence and no resentment, to things that are going to fit, and you can say no with confidence and no fear, to the things that don't fit." - Emily Thompson

"Once you are good at holding your boundaries, it's so much easier to be fluid and maintain control." - Emily Thompson

"Just because somebody else is doing it, does not mean you need to do it. You need to do what is best for you, your company, your business, your circumstances, your family." - Katie Hunt

"My success looks like doing whatever I want to do, but also being super productive while I'm doing it." - Emily Thompson

LINKSBook: https://www.amazon.com/Being-Boss-Take-Control-Terms/dp/0762490462/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1520391475&sr=8-1&keywords=being+boss+kathleen+shannon&dpID=51hskd%252BskIL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch&linkCode=sl1&tag=tradesbootc07-20&linkId=82b7a7e0f16f088a9455de3037cfc23c

Website: https://beingboss.club

Facebook: https://facebook.com/beingbossclub

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/beingbossclub

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus!

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048 | Laura Hooper Leader & Alyssa Bobbett, Laura Hooper Calligraphy on diversifying income, pricing custom projects and engaging with their 318k instagram followers

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC Alums Laura Hooper Leader and Alyssa Bobbett of Laura Hooper Calligraphy have served clients with hand calligraphy and stationery needs for weddings, showers events & more since 2002. These sisters have grown a dynamic business that includes their custom work, ready made product, calligraphy kits, offer in person and online educational programs and these girls wrote a book last year.

On today's episode we're talking about their business model including their process for adding new revenue streams. We dove deep into their custom work regarding pricing and how they've set better boundaries to provide a better experience for their customers. And, we talked about their strategies and goals for engaging with their 318k instagram followers! A little side note here — but they aren't happy with the IG algorithm changes either!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Laura got her start in calligraphy and how her love for hand lettering turned into a business
When Alyssa joined her sister at Laura Hooper Calligraphy and how she defined her role
How having people on her team handling very specific tasks frees Laura up to focus on the creative side of the business
The importance of investing in your business & outsourcing when possible
What led to the diversity of Laura Hooper Calligraphy's product offerings and how they determined what direction to go in
The start of their calligraphy workshops & why they decided to "train the competition"
The custom work they are doing
The systems & boundaries they have in place to standardize their custom work
The strategies they use to engage with their followers on social media
Laura & Alyssa's thoughts on the Instagram algorithm
How they measure conversions from Instagram
What's coming up next for Laura Hooper Calligraphy

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I'm very logistical and Laura is very artistic. You could say that it was a good little marriage of skills." - Alyssa Bobbett

"I've never been afraid to take risks and step out and try something new. I like to look at what we're doing, what's working, what isn't working and what do we need to change." - Laura Hooper Leader

"You could spend a week researching something and figuring it out and doing it, but think of all the other ways that you could put your actual skills to use during that week if you outsource something." - Alyssa Bobbett

"We kind of let the people tell us what direction to go in. We listen to what our clients or potential clients are asking for." - Laura Hooper Leader

"People talk about the market being so saturated, which it is, but at the same time it allows you to kind of streamline what you want to do." - Alyssa Bobbett

"There's an endless number of weddings. There's an endless number of greeting cards at Paper Source or wherever. There's plenty of work to go around." - Alyssa Bobbett

"I want everyone to be happy, and that's just not 100% feasible. You have to have policies or you're just going to be miserable all the time. You need to enforce them or else people walk all over you." - Laura Hooper Leader

"We like to use our social media as an extension of our brand." - Alyssa Bobbett

"We don't consider followers or likes to be the goal. We consider conversions to be the goal." - Alyssa Bobbett

"We're not always trying to sell to our followers. We want people to follow because it's beautiful, but we don't want them to feel like we're just using them to make money." - Laura Hooper Leader

LINKSWebsite: http://lhcalligraphy.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/lhcalligraphy

Instagram: http://instagram.com/lhcalligraphy

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lhcalligraphy

Twitter: http://twitter.com/lhcalligraphy

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus!

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047 | Autumn Witt Boyd on understanding, protecting and enforcing your copyright and trademark rights

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Meet Autumn Witt Boyd, an attorney who specializes in helping ambitious entrepreneurs reach their big goals faster and smarter — guiding them as they go. Autumn loves helping creatives put together collaborations and partnerships, grow their brand with trademarks, and protect their content with copyrights. Autumn is also the host of the Legal Road Map podcast, which teaches business owners about legal issues they may face as they grow profitable companies.

On today's episode we're talking about the difference between copyright and trademarks, the process for protecting your work and how to handle copycats. Autumn does a fantastic job of breaking this complex topic into bite size pieces and provide tangible steps that you can take in your business now.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The most common mistake Autumn sees product-based businesses making
The difference between copyright and trademarks and where to start when working to protect your work
Copyrighting multiple pieces as a collection-- when you can do it and when you cannot
The importance of copyrighting your work earlier rather than later
Autumn's opinion on when to pursue legal action
The steps a product-based business owner can take when they find a copycat online that is worth putting the time, energy, and effort into shutting down
What information a cease and desist letter contains and whether you need a lawyer to send one
How to ensure that you're not inadvertently influenced by things like social media or other people's work
Utilizing song lyrics or quotes in your work and the potential consequences you can face
The process of protecting and fighting for you trademark
Legal document templates that would be helpful to product-based business owners
When to start looking for an attorney and how to find one
Autumn's firm and the companies that she works with
The five minute IP audit worksheet that Autumn has put together for businesses
Her podcast, The Legal Road Map Podcast

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Under US law, you cannot file a lawsuit for copyright infringement without having a copyright registration." - Autumn Witt Boyd

"Think of copyrights as protecting creative works." - Autumn Witt Boyd

"If you're registering something, you're really kind of buying the right to stop other people from using your stuff." - Autumn Witt Boyd

"You just have to make a judgment call of how much time and energy it's worth, and money, because lawyers are not inexpensive. And it also takes a lot of your energy and time to gather all the evidence and do all the work to try and shut them down." - Autumn Witt Boyd

"Make sure that you either take screenshots or save whatever evidence you can find that they're infringing your stuff, because once you get in contact with them, often it will disappear." - Autumn Witt Boyd

"You don't poke the bear when you're trying to get the bear to do something nice for you." - Autumn Witt Boyd

"I always say stay in your own lane, make up your own stuff. You're going to be safest that way." - Autumn Witt Boyd

"I do like to recommend that people work with an attorney who has some experience, either with a specific issue that you're having or with your particular industry." - Autumn Witt Boyd

LINKSWebsite: http://awbfirm.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AutumnWittBoyd

IP Audit Worksheet: http://awbfirm.com/free-legal-guides/

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus!

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046 | Richele Silva, Richie Designs on leveraging past work experiences and the benefits of growing our businesses slow and steadily

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Richele Silva is the founder of Richie Designs, a boutique design and letterpress studio located in Long Beach, California. Richele is an art director, stylist, designer and printer. She founded Richie Designs 12 years ago, first as a side hustle while she worked at an advertising agency. Richele's products are sold at Paper Source, Urban Outfitters and Sugarfina along with hundreds of independent boutiques across the U.S.

On today's episode we're talking about leveraging past work experiences in business and the benefits of moving slowly and steadily in your business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Her career path and how her previous stationery business led to Richie Designs
Walking her first National Stationery Show in 1990
Her first greeting card company, Three Mulligans
How her background in advertising helped prepare her for being a business owner
Starting Richie Designs as a side hustle and then transitioning into it being her full-time gig
How her background as a printer shaped the decisions she's made for her business
The "tipping points" in her business that helped her realize she could do this full-time
Richele's slow and steady approach to growing Richie Designs
Her approach to social media and how it has changed over the years
The advice she would give to people early on in their product-based businesses
Richele's favorite resource for her business
What's next for Richie Designs in 2018

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I remember having a conversation sitting with college girlfriends and we were talking about our dream jobs and greeting card designer was mine." - Richele Silva

"I want to meet everyone in their journey exactly where they are and I want to help them with whatever phase they're in." - Katie Hunt

"Having printed for other designers who don't print, I feel like it shapes my design for sure. Somebody who doesn't print is going to dream up three-color designs versus somebody who has to stand there and actually print it." - Richele Silva

"I just know I have to work slowly." - Richele Silva

"I don't think it's a bad thing to sit back and take a little breath." - Richele Silva

LINKSWebsite: http://www.richiedesigns.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Richie-Design-Letterpress-164221064003/

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/richiedesigns

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Katie Hunt | 3 things I learned from selling girl scout cookies

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Katie Hunt, Founder of Tradeshow Bootcamp and Host of Proof to Product shares three important business lessons that her daughter used to sell Girl Scout cookies — things we should all remember in our own businesses. Listen to more episodes of Proof to Product at www.prooftoproduct.com

045 | Caroline Hull, Caroline Creates on pivoting, taking breaks in business and how our past experiences shape who we are today

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 09:00:00 -0400

TSBC alum Caroline Hull is the founder of Caroline Creates. A designer and owner, Caroline has a background in music and was actually a ballet dancer at the University of Oklahoma before finding her niche in design and podcasting. Caroline has a passion for helping other small business owners like herself through her podcast, Creative Biz Rebellion.

On today's episode, we're talking about switching gears in business, the benefit of taking a break to really reassess how you're feeling about things and she also shares how past experiences shaped who she is and what she's doing today.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Caroline's career path and what motivated her to start Caroline Creates
Her custom wedding invitation designs and how the word got out about her Etsy shop
Making the transition from working Caroline Creates part-time to full-time
How her move to Nashville impacted her business and her decision to transition to the wholesale market
The pain points that made her realize she needed to make some changes in her business
Her decision to homeschool her children and how that impacted her decision to pivot in her business
Taking a break in her business to evaluate how she felt and what she wanted to change
Transitioning her Etsy shop to all downloadable products or drop ship
The start of her podcast, Creative Biz Rebellion and how she met her co-host, Kelly
How community and professional development have impacted her business
How Caroline became a podcast producer and editor
The growth of her podcast business
Caroline's advice to anyone just starting a product-based business

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"The business itself started to feel more like a chore and a burden and it felt very hard and it felt like I was constantly having to fight to get to where I wanted to go." - Caroline Hull

"It's hard to make changes sometimes in our business unless we're forced to." - Katie Hunt

"I would not have that podcast [Creative Biz Rebellion] and the success of that podcast is having and the joy that it brings to me if I hadn't have had the business in a way that I had it." - Caroline Hull

"I think that is super important is to be able to say, 'You know what, things aren't working. I need to take a step back and see how I feel.'" - Caroline Hull

"These print-on-demand services and the drop shipping options, they're really great especially for people that work at home and are still at the beginning stages of their business or scaling back and don't want to have a whole manufacturing warehouse." - Katie Hunt

"When I could feel like my business was hitting a point where I needed to grow but I wasn't sure how to do it, that was when I knew that I needed to go do something and be around people who knew more than I do." - Caroline Hull

"I've become like this mini podcast launch cheerleader and helping people figure out all the pieces that they need to get going." - Caroline Hull

"Podcasting was a hobby and now it's my business and doing the shop and the design was my business and now it's gone back to being my hobby." - Caroline Hull

"It is so just amazing that by opening myself up and being open to new possibility that I've ended up with this business that I love that to me is so similar to the original thing I had set out to do when I was a young 18-year-old." - Caroline Hull

LINKSWebsite: www.carolinecreates.com

Website: http://creativebizrebellion.com/

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

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/carolinecreates

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus!

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044 | Heather Haynie & Dani Antol, Rock Paper Scissors on running a brick & mortar shop, dividing responsibilities and how they've overcome personal and business challenges together

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 09:00:00 -0400

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What prompted Heather & Dani to go into business together
What their day-to-day looks like running a retail storefront
The custom design side of their business
The benefits of buying an existing storefront and how they made it their own
The growth of Rock Paper Scissors over the years
How Heather & Dani divide responsibilities and how it has changed over the years as they have grown
The things people should think about before jumping into a business partnership with someone
Dani's battle with breast cancer and why she decided to share her story publicly
How breast cancer changed Dani's perspective and her motivations
Heather & Dani's involvement in the C'ville Heart Project & the purpose behind it
The things they have accomplished in their business that they are very proud of
What's next for Rock Paper Scissors

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"We trust each other in those roles because we know that that's what we're good at." - Dani Atol

"One of the greatest benefits [of our partnership] is that we don't have the same strengths." - Heather Haynie

"I mean, she [Dani] would have chemo and then be sending me proofs. This girl's work ethic is amazing." - Heather Haynie

"We've grown our business every year, some years higher percentage than others. But every year we have grown and I'm super proud of that." - Heather Haynie

LINKSWebsite: www.thinkrockpaperscissors.com

Website: www.rpscvilleheart.com

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

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

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

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

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus!

043 | Renee Griffith, HeartSwell Co on changing her business name, finding a voice within your brand and why she scraped her product line and started anew

Tue, 06 Feb 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Renee Griffith, the founder of HeartSwell, designs and creates her products using her original hand lettering style, incorporating patterns, colors and textures inspired by her deep love of the ocean and lush landscape where she lives in South Florida. Renee is a TSBC alum who has attended our Paper Camp Conference twice, once when she was starting her business and a second time after she had revised her line and rebranded her company.

On today's episode we're talking about why she changed her business name, how she nurtures relationships with customers and the importance of finding your voice within your product and brand.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How she got into the world of entrepreneurship and product creation
The beginnings of her Etsy shop, Perro Paper
What inspires Renee when she's creating and developing new products
The catalyst for changing the name of her business from Perro Paper to HeartSwell
The process of brainstorming new names and how she came to HeartSwell
Bringing other people into the naming process
How she handled the rebranding process once she had decided on a name
How Renee communicated the name change to her customers
Whether changing the name of her business enhanced her confidence as a business owner
The steps she took to refine her product line
How she manages the day-to-day logistics of different sales channels
An accomplishment in the last year that she is proud of
The advice she would give to someone just starting out in a product-based business
What's next for HeartSwell

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"It's important to see what you like doing, and see what you want the vibe of your business and your brand to be." - Renee Griffith

"[my new company name] was a combination of what I want my voice and my company to be, which is making people feel very loved and make their hearts swell as cheesy as that is." - Renee Griffith

"I just feel like way more confident with [my new company name] because it's just me. My colors. It's the same colors I have in my home. It's the same colors I wear. It truly is me out on paper." - Renee Griffith

"Keeping that tight color palette for me has enabled me to really keep a cohesive brand." - Renee Griffith

"To have that product recognition is really an important part of growing your business." - Renee Griffith

"It is so important to know the reasoning behind why you're running this business, why you started it to begin with, and why you want to continue doing it, because it does drive your decision-making as an entrepreneur." - Katie Hunt

LINKSWebsite: http://www.heartswellco.com

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

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

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus!

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042 | Beth Penn, Bneato Bar on misconceptions around clutter, tips for tidying and the benefits of decluttering your home and business life

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Beth Penn is a professional organizer, speaker and life hacker. She is the founder of Bneato Bar, a professional organizing service whose clients range from corporations looking for big-picture management solutions to busy individuals simply flooded with email, paper or stuff in their home. Beth has been featured in Real Simple Magazine, Oh Joy!, DesignLoveFest, and more, and has collaborated on projects with Style by Emily Henderson and Apartment Therapy.

On today's episode we're talking about misconceptions people have around cluttering and organization, and how to get started with decluttering.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Some of the common misconceptions that people have around clutter and organization
What got Beth started in this business and if she always knew she wanted to help people reduce overwhelm
Systems to help reduce inbox overwhelm
Beth's new book "The Little Book of Tidying" and where most people get hung up in the decluttering process
What advice she gives to people who just aren't sure where to start when it comes to decluttering
How tidiness can affect somebody's overall life and happiness
How the space around you directly affects the way you think
Applying tidying principles to businesses and how we can be maximizing our workspaces and productivity
Beth's definition of success for her clients
The services Beth offers and what's next for her
How she knew she wanted to write a book and the process of getting her book published

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"A huge misconception is that people think an organizer's going to show up, take away everything, put things back into place, and you're never going to have to touch it again." - Beth Penn

"It's really important to not be a slave to your email inbox." - Beth Penn

"Start simple and start easy." - Beth Penn

"When you are constantly playing catch up, there's no extra time to do the things that you want to do." - Beth Penn

"Tidying doesn't have to mean physically putting things away. It could mean just trying to be creative in not bringing extra stuff or having to buy stuff." - Beth Penn

"Success for my clients would be being able to maintain and then as well being able to pivot." - Beth Penn

LINKSBook: The Little Book of Tidying

Website: www.bneatobar.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BneatoBar

Business Camp Program (Beth gave us tips for zero inbox here!): www.TSBCbizcamp.com

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus!

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041 | Melanie Karlins, Grey Moggie on retail craft markets, overcoming creative blocks and redefining success for different seasons in life

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0400

TSBC alum, Melanie Karlins of Grey Moggie started letterpress printing in 2008 as a creative outlet while she was in law school, and later taught letterpress classes at a local art center. In 2011 she started selling her products at local craft fairs and picked up wholesale accounts through her Instagram feed. Today, Grey Moggie is Melanie's full-time job and her greeting cards are sold in stationery and gift shops all over the United States, including Paper Source

On today's episode, Melanie is sharing how retail craft markets shaped her business and product line, how she overcame creative blocks, and why her definition of success shifts with different seasons in her life.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Melanie's motivation for starting Grey Moggie
How she began teaching letterpress classes
The types of products she creates and the motivation behind them
How craft shows shaped her business and how it shaped her product line
Merchandising tips for people considering retail shows
The benefits of selling her products at a weekly market
How she determines if a retail market is a good place for her to be
Managing her wholesale line and the retail line and how she does it on a day to day basis
How being a mom has impacted the way she runs her business and how she prioritized her time
Melanie's definition of success in her business
The advice she would give to someone just starting out in a product based business
What's next for Grey Moggie

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"The day after exams my second year of law school, I took a letterpress class and I just couldn't give it up." - Melanie Karlins

"That was one big thing I learned from customer feedback, was that everyone's looking for something new." - Melanie Karlins

"You can kind of tell upfront before you even get to the show what kind of help you're going to get onsite or what the scene is going to be like onsite." - Melanie Karlins

"My biggest takeaway is through really trying to make my business a business and becoming a mom at the same time was just that everything has a season and you can't necessarily plan ahead for it." - Melanie Karlins

"Self-care is so important to the creative process and the decisions that we're making within our business." - Katie Hunt

"It's important to revisit our definition of success and what we hope to achieve with our business and with our time and the effort that we're putting into these things." - Katie Hunt

LINKS:

Website: http://greymoggie.com

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

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

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Our signature Paper Camp program is back and we're now enrolling for Winter 2018!

We're talking about product development sales tools, trade shows, marketing, working with buyers, sales reps and the press. Attend live or online. It's the similar content, available in different formats.

We have two seats remaining for our Paper Camp Conference, March 1-2 in Los Angeles.

Join us here!

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040 | Rebekah Tennis, Wild Ink Press on responsiveness, reliability and how she pitches wholesale buyers

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0400

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Wild Ink Press got its start and what lead Rebekah to starting her own business
How she first got started with greeting cards
When she first hired a team member and how the Wild Ink Press team grew from there
The catalyst for wanting to open up the retail shop and the benefits it provides
How her wholesale marketing and outreach has changed due to the retail shop
The way she decides if she wants to carry someone's work
How long she recommends waiting to reach out to a retailer after you've mailed them a catalog and your samples
Her schedule for sending out catalogs
How she nurtures relationships with the stores that she's working with as a manufacturer
The way that she manages her business life and her family life
How she handles times of transition in her business
The advice she would give to someone just starting out in a product based business
What's next for Wild Ink Press

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I'm making a card because I think, this is real to me and funny to me or interesting to me or I would send this to somebody." - Rebekah Tennis

"Hiring anyone for your team is definitely a risk and it feels very big." - Katie Hunt

"I try to find what my employees enjoy doing." - Rebekah Tennis

"What's amazing is, I didn't expect what a beautiful benefit it [the retail shop] would be to our business. I did not know that it would just automatically pay for itself. I did not know that customers would love coming in to see our work. There's all these things that were just surprises because you think it's going to be a hassle." - Rebekah Tennis

"I feel like the biggest way you can show someone respect, value, and nurture relationship is to be so responsive." - Rebekah Tennis

"I want people to know starting Wild Ink Press and all the various things that I do, we never had a smash hit. We never had a viral card. We never were the "it" person at the show." - Rebekah Tennis

"Each of the times that I found that I'm under more stress, I found that you find something in yourself to rise to the occasion." - Rebekah Tennis

"Don't be afraid to not have your ducks in a row." - Rebekah Tennis

LINKS:

Website: http://www.wildinkpress.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/wildinkpress

Instagram: http://instagram.com/wildinkpress

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wildinkpress

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Our signature Paper Camp program is back and we're now enrolling for Winter 2018!

We have two seats remaining for our Paper Camp Conference, March 1-2 in Los Angeles.

Join us here!

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039 | Nicole Block, The Nic Studio & Tyles on how her life inspires her work, benefits of getting a workspace outside of her home and challenges she faced when creating a new product category

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Nicole Block is the owner of The Nic Studio a stationery, design and illustration studio. She's also the founder of Tyles, which is a line of sophisticated, removable wall decor made from cut vinyl! Nic and I first met on Twitter back in 2009 and she's been a part of the TSBC community since we started in 2011!

On today's episode Nicole shares how her life inspires her work, the benefits of getting a workspace outside of her home and the logistical challenges she faced when creating a new product category — including how she was turned down by more than 75 manufacturers she approached to help make her Tyles!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Nicole's career path
Entrepreneurial grit and figuring things out as you go
How Nicole & Katie met industry colleagues on Twitter
Why Nicole is allergic to 'trends'
Recognizing that your style and skills will evolve over time & how you need to create products that your audience will love
Why she created Tyles and the story behind it.
Transitioning from stationery market to home decor with Tyles
Challenges when entering a new industry
Sourcing & scaling manufacturing
Getting turned down by 75 manufacturers
Moving her business out of her home and into a studio space
Creating for your audience
Recognizing that we can't all be good at everything

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Things have evolved over the years and I've realized how to do it better and within my style, but it takes a while." - Nicole Block

"Sometimes you forget that you're not just creating things that you like. You have to remember that there's an audience out there that also has to like what you do." - Nicole Block

"You have to remember that you can't force something to happen, especially if you're creating a completely new product. That's a hard thing to make work. You have to be willing to do a lot of trial and error and spend some money, not necessarily that much money, but some money trying to get the product right and find the right fit for you." - Nicole Block

"if you're not a natural marketer for your product, that you need to either learn fast or bring somebody onboard that can help you with that." - Nicole Block

"You can't be good at everything" - Nicole Block

LINKS:

Website: http://thenicstudio.com, http://tyles.co

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicstudio

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Our signature Paper Camp program is back and we're now enrolling for Winter 2018!We're talking about product development sales tools, trade shows, marketing, working with buyers, sales reps and the press. Attend live or online. It's the similar content, available in different formats.

Paper Camp Conference: an intensive 2-day program taking place March 1-2 in Los Angeles.

Paper Camp E-Course: 4-week online program with live Q&A calls starting January 16th.

Figure out which program is best for you and grab your seat at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

From the Archives | Katie Wilson, The Good Twin on trendsetting, sticking to your core values and the importance of slow sustainable growth

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Happy Holidays friends! This episode with Katie Wilson of The Good Twin is a crowd favorite and I'm so excited for you to listen to it again! Katie is one of our TSBC alumni and she has such a unique story and fresh perspective on small business life. Katie is inspiring in how she runs her business; balancing her love of art and creativity with savvy business smarts.

I love sharing the stories of our alumni because it reminds us that there is no singular one way to run our businesses. Katie reminds us that it's ok to do our own thing, to forge our own path and to not fall into the comparison trap. A #peptalk we all need at times. Enjoy the show!

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Katie Wilson is the owner of The Good Twin, a stationery company known for its playful illustrations and hand-rendered type. Katie's story is a unique one in that The Good Twin is her second successful business in the stationery industry. On today's episode, Katie and I will talk about the pros and cons of being ahead of trends, the importance of slow sustainable growth and why we should never ever compare ourselves to other people's businesses.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

[01:00] Katie's story & how she started The Good Twin. [04:30] Reflecting on brands that came before her in the stationery industry.[06:30] Getting back to the night time hustle of designing.[09:30] Winning the Paper Camp scholarship.[11:00] Exhibiting at NSS was a big scary unknown, lots to learn.[13:30] Katie's inspiration when she's creating new products[16:30] Being on the front end of a trend, the pros and cons[21:30] Finding manufacturers for new product lines.[22:00] Determining how much product to order & how much money to invest.[26:00] Manufacturing overseas & the debate of whether to go overseas.[30:00] Keeping open lines of communication with your buyers[32:00] Working with big box stores & how that helps fund new products for her business.[34:30] Appreciate your peers in the business, rely on them for support & share information.[35:30] Having slow, sustainable growth is essential. Don't compare yourself to others.[34:30] Building a business takes time, don't rush it.[38:00] What's next for The Good Twin[40:00] Deciding What to Delegate Course

[36:30] Focusing on the higher level, revenue generating projects and hiring for the rest.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

" Sales rep knowledge is so valuable. They are on the ground with people just really getting it done." - Katie Wilson

"You think it's fun to be on the front end of a trend, and be the cool kid. It's not." - Katie Wilson

"It is scary to lay out that cash, out way at the beginning for something that you're not sure if it's gonna sell." -Katie Hunt

"If you can't make your margins work on a reasonably small amount, you probably shouldn't be making the products." -Katie Wilson

"If you shine, I shine." - Katie Wilson

"Having slow, sustainable growth is so essential." - Katie Wilson

LINKS:

Dude & Chick Crow & Canary Greenwich Letterpress

Paper Camp Pinnacle DeFrance Printing Mama's Sauce Belle & Union Co.

TSBC Deciding What to Delegate Course - Free!

MEET KATIE WILSON:

Katie Wilson is the owner of The Good Twin, a stationery company known for playful illustrations and hand rendered type. With the help of her right hand pug, Peggy Day, Katie (who is really a twin, and a good one at that) has grown her Los Angeles based brand into a full line of greeting cards, office supplies, and enamel pins. She has over ten years of experience in the paper goods world, working as an illustrator, shopgirl, and co-founder before striking out on her own in 2014. After attending Paper Camp in September 2015, The Good Twin debuted at the National Stationery show in 2016.

Website: http://www.thegoodtwin.co/

Facebook: @thegoodtwinco

Instagram: @thegoodtwinco

Twitter: @thegoodtwinco

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

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From the Archives | Tonya Dalton, inkWELL Press on systems, automations and prioritizing your home and business life

Tue, 02 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0400

Happy Holidays friends! You may want to relisten to this episode with Tonya Dalton of Inkwell Press twice! Seriously. Tonya is the queen of productivity and goal setting -- fitting topics as we enter the new year! Tonya is an incredible businesswoman and a natural teacher, I'm thrilled to reshare this episode with you. Enjoy the show!

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Tonya Dalton is the owner of Inkwell Press and host of Productivity Paradox. Tonya is a productivity expert who believes that too many women feel overwhelmed with all that they have to do each day. She helps women use productivity to pursue their big goals and end each day feeling satisfied and successful.

On today's episode we're talking about systems, automations and prioritizing at both home and in your business. She's an amazing business woman who tells us her story of building her business from her kitchen table and gives more details on the new course that she is offering through inkWELL Press.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Tonya's background prior to starting inkWELL Press
The motivation and inspiration behind inkWELL Press
The systems Tonya put into place to take her kitchen table hobby into a huge business
How her background as a teacher helped her set up systems & run her business efficiently
What overwhelm is & how to overcome it
Common pain points Tanya sees in entrepreneurs when it comes to productivity in systems and automations
The need to come up with an action plan to meet your goals
Creating priority lists instead of to-do lists
How Tanya breaks down her priorities for the week
Preventing "urgent fires" from popping up by prioritizing
Systems she has built into the inkWELL Press team
What success looks like to Tanya
What's next for inkWell Press

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"That is really what started inkWELL Press, was figuring out what were the things I was passionate about? How was I going to make these things work so I could do something that fulfilled me?" - Tonya Dalton

"One of the mistakes a lot of people make is they think, "I need to create all the systems all at once and try to implement them" and then because that becomes so overwhelming, it just falls apart." - Tonya Dalton

"Overwhelm is not having too much to do. It's not knowing where to start." - Tonya Dalton

"People get really caught up in more is more, and so often less is more." - Tonya Dalton

"Productivity is velocity, and that means you're moving in one direction, instead of trying to move in all the directions." - Tonya Dalton

"It's really important that you are always making an action plan and stopping to assess." - Tonya Dalton

"We need to be focused on the things that are going to have the biggest impact, and make the most strides in your business." - Katie Hunt

"To me, success looks like harmony." - Tonya Dalton

"My definition of productivity is not getting more things done in less time. It really is getting the important things done." - Tonya Dalton

LINKS:

The liveWELL method course: http://inkwellpress.com/course

Podcast: http://inkwellpress.com/podcast

CONNECT:

Website: http://inkwellpress.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/inkwellpress

Facebook: http://facebook.com/inkwellpress

Twitter: http://twitter.com/inkwellpress

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you enjoy listening to our Podcast and learning from our guests as they discuss how they grew their businesses? Interested in learning more actionable steps that you can implement into your business? Check out our Business Camp E-Course.

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From the Archives | Jen Gotch, Ban.do on building and leveraging a strong brand, the importance of self-reflection at all phases of business and how she built Ban.do into the lifestyle brand it is today

Thu, 28 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Happy Holidays friends! Oh boy, this episode with Jen Gotch was one of my favorites and I'm excited to reshare it with you. Not only is Jen an inspirational business woman, but she's honest, open and real with sharing both her successes and her failures. This episode is a great reminder that we all start in the same place -- the beginning. Enjoy the show!

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Jen Gotch is the chief creative officer and fearless leader of Ban.do. Jen founded the company in 2008 with no prior business experience and was able to transform it from a small, vintage, one-of-a-kind hair accessory company into a million dollar brand within years. I had the pleasure of working with Jen when she was a speaker at our Tradeshow Bootcamp Business Camp conference. She not only offers a wealth of information, but she's passionate about helping creative entrepreneurs succeed. On today's episode, we're talking about how Ban.do evolved into the lifestyle brand it is today, why having a strong brand is the best thing you can do for your business and the importance of making time for self-reflection no matter how many years you've been in business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The evolution of Ban.do
Selling to Lifeguard Press and how this enabled further growth
Hard lessons Jen has learned in business
Why having a strong brand is important and affects other aspects of business
How and why Jen gives back to other entrepreneurs
The importance of focusing on top level projects as the founder of your business
Advice for entrepreneurs
What's upcoming for Ban.do

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I'm a problem solver by nature. I walk towards them, not away from them. But I have no business walking towards half the problems I do." - Jen Gotch

"Sheer will will not allow me to do it all and be great at everything." - Jen Gotch

"Being able to have a voice that stands outside of the product makes it easier for people to attach to your business and makes it easier for your business to pivot" - Jen Gotch

"People have questions that are different than the questions they used to have. They hold companies and brands accountable for things they never had to be accountable before. It's a very interesting time to be in business."- Jen Gotch

"Retailers were wanting newness more often." - Jen Gotch

"It is really easy to focus on medium level shit, because those things tend to have a beginning, middle and end and we can check it off our list. Hold yourself accountable to not get into the minutia" - Jen Gotch on focusing on high level shit

"The faster you can figure out where you add the most value and what you should be doing and what someone else should be doing, you'll grow and scale" - Jen Gotch.

MEET JEN:

Jen Gotch is a creative powerhouse who brakes for yard sales and unicorns. She founded ban.do with a friend in 2008, and with no prior business experience, was able to transform it from a small, vintage, one-of-a-kind hair accessories company into a multimillion dollar brand within years. After a long (and winding) road of jobs that led her to where she is today, she's now the chief creative officer and fearless leader of the ban.do team. She's passionate about continuing to grow ban.do while sharing the experience with her many Instagram followers (and anyone else who's interested), because she wholeheartedly believes that you don't get anywhere in life without the help and kindness of others.

CONNECT WITH JEN & BAN.DO:

Website: https://www.bando.com/

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

Ban.do's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopbando/

Jen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jengotch

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopbando

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Need help streamlining your business operations? Are you feeling a bit stuck in your business? Maybe you're worried about things like marketing, technology, or hiring a team. If so, you are not alone, and we've got a course for you. The Business Camp e-course includes lessons from Tara Gentile, Jen Gotch of Ban.do, Chelsea of Sugar Paper, as well as experts in public relations, websites, email marketing, and much, much more. This course includes eight hours of video content, and a 30 page workbook. You will finish this course feeling confident, energized, and armed with concrete information to help you refine your business systems. Plus the on-demand format lets you jump around to topics that are most relevant to you when you need them most

As you guys know by now, I'm a firm believer in working smarter, not harder, and this course is gonna help you streamline your business, whether you're product-based, or service-based business. Head over to tsbcvizcamp.com. That's TSBCbizcamp.com for more information. And for a limited time, our proof to product listeners will receive $50 off with promo code prooftoproduct.

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From the Archives | Kimberley Yurkiewicz, Crow & Canary on sales reps, why you need a printed catalog for wholesale and the importance of giving back

Tue, 26 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Happy Holidays friends! I'm so excited to reshare this episode with Kimberley Yurkiewicz with you. Not only is this one of our most downloaded episodes, but its hands down the one I get the most emails about -- podcast listeners praising Kimberley and telling me how helpful the episode was in building their catalogs. <3 Kimberley is one smart cookie and incredibly generous with sharing what she's learned over the years. She's mentored hundreds of Paper Camp alumni over the years and I'm so excited that she'll be back to join us in March 2018 as a Paper Camp speaker. Enjoy the show!

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ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"We look at ourselves as sort of a seamless, internal sales mechanism for the lines." -Kimberley Yurkiewicz on her role as sales rep.

"I asked myself what do I want to be doing, what elements of this am I good at, what are my strengths, what am I not interested in pursuing anymore, or what am I too junior for, what am I too senior for, all of those things." -Kimberley Yurkiewicz

"My buyers love to get things in the mail, they love to be able to see things and touch them as if they were having an appointment with you." - Kimberley Yurkiewicz

"My buyers want to see things that are not the same as every other thing on Etsy or Instagram" - Kimberley Yurkiewicz

"Catalogs are your best friend because they take the place of you when you're not there" -Kimberley Yurkiewicz

MEET KIMBERLEY YURKIEWICZ:

Kimberley is the New York sales representative for Crow + Canary. During her 15+ year career in the stationery industry, Kimberley has worked at Crane & Co., Kate's Paperie, as well as two of her own independent boutiques. She got her start running a letterpress studio, and has since worked all sides of the business – manufacturing, wholesaling, custom printing, multi-unit retail, buying, merchandising, and now repping. She has attended tradeshows as both a buyer and exhibitor. Kimberley's vast experience in the industry provides a unique and valuable perspective.

Website: http://www.crowandcanary.com

Instagram: @kimberleycanary

Twitter: @kimberleycanary

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

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038 | Erin Dollar, Cotton & Flax on navigating licensing partnerships

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Erin Dollar, the owner of Cotton & Flax is an artist and textile designer, focused on creating home goods and bold surface pattern designs. Her background as a printmaker guides her work for Cotton & Flax, and the entire collection of Cotton & Flax home goods are designed, silkscreen printed, and sewn in California.

On today's episode we're talking about how Erin licensed her artwork for a line of fabrics manufactured by Robert Kaufman. She'll share her story of how this licensing partnership came to be, considerations when partnering with other brands and things she learned along the way.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Cotton & Flax's product offerings
What motivated Erin to start Cotton & Flax
How she came up with the name when she decided to re-brand
How the collaboration with Robert Kaufman came about and why she chose to work with them
How she crafted her licensing pitch
Considerations smaller companies should take into account when looking at a partnership with a larger company
Red flags when it comes to contracts
Flat rate compensation versus royalty compensation
Brand strategy when co-marketing your products with a larger company
How diversifying her income has allowed her to feel more confident in her ability to be self-employed
What she would do differently on her next licensing deal
How Erin defines success in her business
The advice she would give to someone starting out in a product-based business

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Cotton & Flax was a weird experiment that got out of control. It was almost completely accidental." - Erin Dollar

"I wanted to explore working with manufacturers who have that expertise, have that ability to scale up and really create a quality product but without having to do it all myself." - Erin Dollar

"Thinking about the way that I could craft a pitch that would be appealing to their end use customer was really important." - Erin Dollar

"It has to be a blend of the strength of your work and your ability to get that message across in an effective way." - Erin Dollar

"It's really about that partnership. It's not, 'What can I get out of it?' It's, 'How can we work together to have a successful collaboration?'" - Erin Dollar

"If you don't feel comfortable looking over legal documents and really feel like you can understand those documents, get someone to help you" - Erin Dollar

"Licensing has been a way for me to really grow my brand beyond my own product line while holding onto the rights to my work to be able to use in other ways." - Erin Dollar

"If you're not comfortable with what's in the agreement, ask for more of what you want. Don't be afraid to speak up." - Katie Hunt

"The diversification in income is something that's really helped me to feel more confident in my ability to be self-employed." - Erin Dollar

"Success to me means freedom to do the type of creative work that I want to do." - Erin Dollar

"I feel like we're all our own worst critics. We need to get ourselves out of that mindset and give ourselves more credit for the amazing things we're doing." - Katie Hunt

"Having a network of folks that you can turn to who care about you and want to see you succeed is so vital." - Erin Dollar

LINKS:

Website: https://cottonandflax.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cottonandflax

Instagram: http://instagram.com/cottonandflax

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/cottonandflax

Twitter: http://twitter.com/cottonandflax

Ethical Pricing Guidelines Handbook for Designers -- new 2018 version available for presale here.

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Our signature Paper Camp program is back and we're now enrolling for Winter 2018!

Paper Camp Conference: an intensive 2-day program taking place March 1-2 in Los Angeles.

Paper Camp E-Course: 4-week online program with live Q&A calls starting January 16th.

Figure out which program is best for you and grab your seat at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

037 | Sarah Edmonds and Tammy Lawrence, Banquet Atelier & Workshop on taking risks with new products, letting passion steer business decisions and why this Canadian company exhibits at U.S. based wholesale shows

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Sarah Edmonds and Tammy Lawrence are the owners of Banquet Atelier & Workshop, a Vancouver-based design studio. All of Tammy and Sarah's products are conceived, designed, printed and produced in Canada with a fine attention to affordability and environmental sustainability. They offer screen printed signed and dated prints, stationery, textiles as well as clothing and jewelry. They've also licensed work and collaborated with large brands such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Terrain, Anthropologie, Land of Nod and others to create exclusive products and designs.

On today's episode we're talking about taking risks with new products and why it took them over 4 years to bring their textiles to market. We also discuss why you need to follow your passions when making business decisions and why this Canadian company chooses to exhibit at US wholesale shows.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Sarah & Tammy first met
What prompted them to start Banquet Atelier & Workshop
Making Banquet Workshop their full-time gig from the outset
Utilizing their maternity leave to focus on and grow their businesses
Balancing being a mom & running a business
How they split responsibilities within their business
The products they started with and the motivation to expand into other areas
The reasons it took 4-5 years to get their textiles to market
How they decide which new products to take action on
Sarah's difficulty with letting go of creative ideas she's in love with
Licensing work and collaborations and how they got those opportunities
The wholesale side of Banquet Workshop and the challenges of doing US shows
What advice they would give to someone just starting out in a product-based business
What's next for Banquet Workshop

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"We left the other jobs. It was definitely the intention to work for ourselves and build the dream." - Tammy Lawrence

"As somebody that's so go, go, go, that [maternity leave] was a really nice time to focus on my family and also focus on building the businesses that I was trying to run because I wanted that to be my full time that I was working on." - Katie Hunt

"You just make due in those beginning stages of being a mom and starting a business. It's kind of a deadly combo, but an amazing combo at the same time." - Tammy Lawrence

"We want to try everything, and we want to make what we love." - Sarah Edmonds

"It does take a long time to bring new things to market. I think it's very important for people listening to hear there are a multitude of challenges." - Katie Hunt

"What we want to make, we just make it. Sometimes that's not the smartest business move but it's really being true to ourselves." - Tammy Lawrence

"Paper pays the way for us to move into these other categories." - Tammy Lawrence

"Ultimately, we're a business, we want to make money. We want to support our families." - Sarah Edmonds

"To be creative, to be an artist, you have to be somewhat self-indulgent, and I can't always." - Sarah Edmonds

"Being able to work with these companies is such a great opportunity to make things that we just don't have the resources to make." - Tammy Lawrence

"If you're going to make a go of doing the trade shows, you have to commit to being there for more than one year." - Sarah Edmonds

"Be weird. Stay weird. Follow your dreams." - Sarah Edmonds

LINKS:

Website: https://banquetworkshop.com/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/banquetworkshop

Instagram: http://instagram.com/banquetworkshop

Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/banquetworkshop

Twitter: https://twitter.com/banquetworkshop

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Our signature Paper Camp program is back and we're now enrolling for Winter 2018!

Paper Camp Conference: an intensive 2-day program taking place March 1-2 in Los Angeles.

Paper Camp E-Course: 4-week online program with live Q&A calls starting January 16th.

Figure out which program is best for you and grab your seat at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

036 | Cara Underwood, Underwood Letterpress on outsourcing manufacturing, building relationships and living life with no regrets

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Cara Underwood is the owner of Underwood Letterpress which is a lifestyle brand offering custom work and stationery & gift products to the wholesale and retail markets. Cara attended Paper Camp in 2014 when she was undergoing a transition in her business - shifting from custom work and deciding whether wholesale was something she wanted to go into. Since then, Underwood Letterpress' greeting cards, paper goods and gift items can be found in stores nationwide. Cara and her products have been featured in major design publications including Domino Magazine, Design Love Fest, Apartment Therapy and Martha Stewart Weddings.

On today's episode we're talking about outsourcing manufacturing, building relationships and living life with no regrets.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Underwood Letterpress got its start
Transitioning from her full time job to her business full time
The products she offered originally
How Paper Camp impacted her business
How she juggles wholesale, retail, and custom work
Cara's process for finding manufacturing partners
Learning experiences Cara had when she transitioned to outsourcing
Why living life with no regrets is one of her core values
What success looks like to her
How she schedules her time between her family and her business
What's next for Underwood Letterpress

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

" I knew I was not going to get into the greeting card business because I had cheeky phrases or funny things to say, but I really was interested in developing a design aesthetic." - Cara Underwood

"I just try to use some restraint when it comes to how much I bite off on either side." - Cara Underwood

"I think if you can really dive deep into certain systems, and certain technologies to help you scale, they can really ease a lot of the workload or just make that system a lot more streamlined." - Katie Hunt

"I'm using individuals as contractors, to help me print the larger rounds." - Cara Underwood

"The thought of trying to do it all in-house is overwhelming." - Cara Underwood

"It is so important to be professional and respect everyone's efforts and the kind of business they're running." - Cara Underwood

"We're on a very windy, loopy road, and you might as well enjoy it. It could stress us out, or cause us to feel regret, but it could also just be a really fun adventure." - Cara Underwood

"It's important to acknowledge and nurture your passions, and allow space for them, and not look back because there's just so much ahead of us that we don't even know about." - Cara Underwood

"There's so much out of your control, that if you don't allow for chaos and flexibility, then you're going to have a hard time." - Cara Underwood

"I want this business to grow and continue to grow, as long as it's also supporting the happiness and the balance that I currently have with my family." - Cara Underwood

LINKS:

Website: www.underwoodletterpress.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/UnderwoodLttr

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Our signature Paper Camp program is back and we're now enrolling for Winter 2018!

Paper Camp Conference: an intensive 2-day program taking place March 1-2 in Los Angeles.

Paper Camp E-Course: 4-week online program with live Q&A calls starting January 16th.

Figure out which program is best for you and grab your seat at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

035 | Gia Graham, Betsywhite Stationery on Pinterest, faking it until you make it and why she chose to discontinue her wholesale line

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Gia Graham is the founder of Betsywhite Stationery. Gia started her first stationery business in 2005 and has been undergone major transitions over the last 12 years. She's renamed and rebranded her business, shifted from custom work to ready-made products, ramped up wholesale to the point she was working with big box stores and multiple reps and most recently she's scaling back and slowing down.

On today's episode we're talking about how pinterest helped her business, the importance of faking it until you make it, and why she chose to discontinue her wholesale line.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What prompted Gia to launch her business
How her business first began
Rebranding her business as "Betsywhite" and the transitions her business underwent
How Pinterest impacted and enhanced her business
Learning how to create Pinterest ads
The importance of having beautiful pictures of your products
How fakin' it 'til you make it really does work
Creating a line that could be sold wholesale
Making the decision to discontinue selling on the wholesale market
How her life and business has changed since discontinuing her wholesale business
What's next for Betsywhite
The importance of determining what success looks like for yourself
The advice that she would give to someone just starting out in a product-based business

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I chose Betsywhite because it linked to my heritage; I'm from Barbados and I had this book of Barbadian dialect and "betsywhite" was in there. It refers to the chirp of a local bird that we have in Barbados." - Gia Graham

"Pinterest came on the scene, and that made a big change in how I was able to connect with customers." - Gia Graham

"It wasn't as easy to connect with customers with just the wedding invitations anymore, so I realized that I needed to pivot a little bit so that I stay afloat." - Gia Graham

"If you can style your photos and your products in ways that people can see themselves using them or having them in their home, they want to buy." - Katie Hunt

"The "fake it 'til you make it" absolutely works." - Gia Graham

"I was forced to step outside of the hustle and look at it from the outside, and you know, that helped me to really take stock and think about what I really wanted." - Gia Graham

"I loved designing products, I loved all of that, but what I didn't love was the never-ending churn." - Gia Graham

"You cannot look at what anybody else is doing because you have no idea that's going on behind the scenes." - Gia Graham

"It's weird that it took me forever to realize that, 'Hey, you're your own boss. Do what works for you.'" - Gia Graham

"The goal now is to figure out how to work even smarter rather than working harder." - Gia Graham

"You have to determine for yourself what success looks like." - Gia Graham

LINKS:

Website: https://betsywhite.com/

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopbetsywhite

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Our signature Paper Camp program is back and we're now enrolling for Winter 2018! We're talking about product development sales tools, trade shows, marketing, working with buyers, sales reps and the press. Attend live or online. It's the similar content, available in different formats.

Paper Camp Conference: an intensive 2-day program taking place March 1-2 in Los Angeles.

Paper Camp E-Course: 4-week online program with live Q&A calls starting January 16th.

Figure out which program is best for you and grab your seat at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

034 | Adam Smith, Life is Funny Press on pursuing entrepreneurship, juggling family & business and why it's important to not force yourself into creative work that doesn't feel right.

Fri, 24 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Adam Smith is the founder of Life is Funny Press, a letterpress greeting card company based in Los Angeles. Adam worked a pressman for Sugar Paper before branching out on his own to start Life is Funny Press. Adam's passion for printing, his family and making products with purpose really shines through in this episode.

Adam came to Paper Camp in 2014 before jumping into trade shows. He currently sells his products via wholesale, retail and custom channels.

On today's episode we're talking about leaving a full time job to pursue entrepreneurship, a dad's perspective on juggling family & business, plus why it's important to not force yourself into creative work that doesn't feel right.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

When Adam first grew an interest in letterpress printing
When and how he started Life is Funny Press
The benefits of working at Sugar Paper while building his business
The things that motivate him when he is creating new products
Printing in small batches at first to test products before printing large quantities
Pricing letterpress cards with multiple colors
How he balances his roles as a dad and a business owner
How Adam defines success and how that has changed over time
The retail portion of Life is Funny Press
Transitional times in his business and how he handled them
The advice he would give to anyone starting a product based business
What's next for Life is Funny Press
How often he does product releases

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"We need to stay true to who we are and I think that the best work we produce comes from just our natural interests." - Katie Hunt

"I might love an idea and think that it's like the best thing that I've ever come up with but I don't want to print like a thousand and then find out that it's just it's only funny to me or it doesn't work so well." - Adam Smith

"I absolutely love being on the press and wouldn't ever want to take myself away from that." - Adam Smith

"When's going to be a good time for anything? Let's just do it and then adjust on the back end." - Adam Smith

"Choose what you want your brand to represent." - Adam Smith

"If it doesn't work, don't force it." - Adam Smith

"There is a market for everything and you need to be true to what you want to do." - Adam Smith

LINKS:

Website: https://www.lifeisfunnypress.com/

Facebook: @LifeisFunnyPress

Instagram: @LifeIsFunnyLA

Pinterest:

Twitter: @LifeIsFunnyLA

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Our signature Paper Camp program is back and we're now enrolling for Winter 2018! We're talking about product development sales tools, trade shows, marketing, working with buyers, sales reps and the press. Attend live or online. It's the similar content, available in different formats.

Paper Camp Conference: an intensive 2-day program taking place March 1-2 in Los Angeles.

Paper Camp E-Course: 4-week online program with live Q&A calls starting January 16th.

Get all the details and grab your seat at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

033 | Samantha Barsky, Noteify on sourcing new manufacturing partners, leveraging passive income streams, and starting small when branching into new products

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Since 2010, Samantha Barsky, the founder of Note•ify has combined her love of travel, photography, and entrepreneurship into making paper and textile goods. She has had success growing her business through a wide range of sales channels including Etsy, craft shows, her own website, as well as licensing and collaborations.

On today's episode, Samantha talks about sourcing new partners for manufacturing and how tough it is, leveraging passive income streams, and the importance of starting small when branching into new products.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

When Samantha knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur
Her background prior to starting her business
Note•ify's products and the basis for the design elements
How she decides what products to pursue and which ideas to drop
Researching manufacturers and how to decide who to use
How Samantha has nurtured her retail clients through her online shop and craft fairs
Her strategy on where to direct customers to purchase products when selling from multiple platforms
The necessity of managing two stores
The statistics she looks at and why
Samantha's advice for those starting out in the product industry
How she leverages passive revenue streams
What's coming up for Note•ify

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I'm done working for the people. I'm going to try this stationery thing. See what happens." - Samantha Barsky

"My products are based off all of my original photographs." - Samantha Barsky

"Obviously paper is and was my first love." - Samantha Barsky

"I think it's important to remind people that you don't always get it right the first time. Sometimes, you gotta work through a few different print partners or manufacturing partners or whatever it might be." - Katie Hunt

"I think we all, we start ourselves, but there comes a point where we need to outsource it and pass it off to somebody else." - Katie Hunt

"I do think that they're [Craft Shows] the best way to get direct feedback." - Samantha Barsky

"I have everything on Etsy as well as on my website. I just think it's what you gotta do. I mean, there's traffic there. Why not?" - Samantha Barsky

"I will order in smaller quantities at the beginning just to test them and see, and obviously, I'm paying a little bit more, and so my profit margin isn't as great, but I don't want to be stuck with a whole lot of extra inventory." - Samantha Barsky

"I'm a huge proponent of passive income." - Samantha Barsky

LINKS:

Website: http://www.noteify.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/noteify

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Our signature Paper Camp program is back and we're now enrolling for Winter 2018!

Paper Camp Conference our 2-day, intensive conference focused on wholesale and tradeshows will take place March 1 - 2, 2018 in Los Angeles.

Our Paper Camp E-Course starts on January 16th and is a 4- week online program with live Q&A calls.

Both programs dive deep into product development, sales tools, trade shows, marketing and working with buyers, sales reps and press.

Our Paper Camp conference will only run ONCE in 2018, which is a change from previous years. And, we like to keep things intimate so you can get all your questions answered.

Get all the details and grab your seat at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

032 | Jeanette Champion-Fanning, Sweet Perversion on gaining momentum in business, running a debt-free company and owning our mistakes

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0400

TSBC alum, Jeanette Champion-Fanning is the founder of Sweet Perversion a quick witted line of stationery and gift products. Jeanette got her start on Etsy in 2006 and has had over 20,000 sales there. She attend Paper Camp twice, once was to refine her wholesale program, and the second time was to figure out whether wholesales shows like the National Stationery Show were right for her.

She's had a lot of growth over the last few years and on today's episode we're talking about gaining momentum in business, running a debt-free company and owning our mistakes in business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Sweet Perversion got its start
Gaining momentum on Etsy
Seeing results from injecting her humor into her work
The sales channels Jeanette is using
How her focus in her business shifted at different times to accommodate life circumstances and the direction she wants to take her business
Determining how much of a product to order, specifically when breaking into new categories
Becoming more comfortable spending money in her business
The importance of not comparing yourself to others on social media
Pivotal times where Sweet Perversion received a lot of attention
How she nurtures relationships with new clients
Learning to outsource and being ok with it
Why Jeanette came to Paper Camp twice
The community she has gained through being a part of Paper Camp
Her mindset towards copycats and how she avoids becoming one
The advice she would give to someone starting a product-based business

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Making money, and making smart decisions in your growth, bringing in new product categories is a big deal." - Katie Hunt

"I try and keep myself out of debt with this business. I don't want to be in debt with it." - Jeanette Champion-Fanning

"Social media is a stupid place to look at stuff because we all are working really hard to make ourselves look amazing on social media." - Jeanette Champion-Fanning

"We all make mistakes. We all make mistakes in our business every single day. Small, big, we all do." - Jeanette Champion-Fanning

"I have to keep reminding myself that honestly, the only goal for Sweet Perversion was so that I could work from home once we had kids. That was literally the only goal at the beginning, was to make enough money to work from home, and I'm doing it." - Jeanette Champion-Fanning

"I think the first time [at Paper Camp] was so good for me because I didn't know what I didn't know. I didn't realize I wasn't in industry standard for a lot of things." - Jeanette Champion-Fanning

"When you work by yourself, it's very easy to become stagnant, and it's nice to be around your people." - Jeanette Champion-Fanning

"I feel great about it [Paper Camp] because they came and spent two days with us, and they spent a lot less money than time and energy than they would've spent if they spent a year preparing for a show, and getting their wholesale line ready and thousands and thousands of dollars to only find out then that isn't something that they wanted to do." - Katie Hunt

"I try to remind myself that I am me, and nobody else is going to do things the way I do it, nobody's going to create the work I create, or design the things I design." - Katie Hunt

"When I have a new card design, sometimes I go and just Google it, and see is it possible that I saw this somewhere and that's why it's in my brain. Because I don't want to use something that I saw." - Jeanette Champion-Fanning

"Do your research, find out what industry standard is, keep yourself in line with cost too and with pricing." - Jeanette Champion-Fanning

"If you are new and starting out, don't randomly email someone and ask them where they get their stuff made, do the research." - Jeanette Champion-Fanning

LINKS:

Website: http://sweetperversion.com

Instagram: @sweetperversion

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Our signature Paper Camp program is back and we're now enrolling for Winter 2018!

Paper Camp Conference our 2-day, intensive conference focused on wholesale and tradeshows will take place March 1 - 2, 2018 in Los Angeles.

This program dives deep into product development, sales tools, trade shows, marketing and working with buyers, sales reps and press.

Our Paper Camp conference will only run ONCE in 2018, which is a change from previous years. And, we like to keep things intimate so you can get all your questions answered.

Get all the details and grab your seat at www.tradeshowcamp.com/papercamp

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

031 | Heather Lins, Heather Lins Home on licensing opportunities, pitching the press and how being busy doesn't always equate to being productive

Tue, 21 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Heather Lins is the founder of Heather Lins Home, a textile and home goods business. Heather comes from a design background and has a fascinating story of starting her business before she even had products to sell.

On today's episode we're talking about licensing opportunities, simple strategies for pitching the press and why hard work and being busy doesn't always equate to being productive.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Heather got into this business & Heather Lins Home's product offerings
Thinking about wholesale and outsourcing from the beginning of her business
Entering a competition for a spot in Accent on Design before even having product made
Heather's experience with licensing
Her advice on how to structure the licensing aspect of your business
How Heather pitches to the media
Diminishing the fears of not selling enough or selling too much when seeking press coverage on your products
Heather's experience as an American Made Award
Incorporating ideas from Tim Ferriss's Four Hour Work Week into her business and life
Her definition of success
What's next for Heather Lins Home

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I kind of took a different route of thinking about wholesale from the beginning and pricing it accordingly, and also about outsourcing from the beginning." - Heather Lins

"I thought to myself, the only way I'm going to get 20 years' experience is screen-printing for 20 years. That's part of the beauty of outsourcing or delegating. You get 20 years' experience when you didn't have to wait that long to get it." - Heather Lins

"You need to know where your customers are and how to find them." - Katie Hunt

"If you outsource, you can have more variety in the materials you're working with." - Heather Lins

"There's a lot of value in putting yourself out there even though it's sometimes hard to hear no." - Katie Hunt

"To get press on a product is great, but to get press on the right product is super awesome." - Heather Lins

"When I approach bloggers, I don't send my whole line. I just send what works for me and what's timely." - Heather Lins

"When you're reaching out to your customer, to the press, whatever it is, talk about how people are feeling when they use your product, how it's going to benefit their life, and how it's going to impact them." - Katie Hunt

"My ideal is really a 20 hour work week. I've told myself, I'm looking for a full-time salary, full-time payment from a part-time job. I can't run my business how most people run their businesses. I'm going to have to make different decisions." - Heather Lins

CONNECT:

Website: http://heatherlinshome.com

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

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

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

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Katie Hunt, TSBC on camaraderie not competition

Mon, 20 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Katie Hunt, founder of Tradeshow Bootcamp on why she chose to share her business experiences and resources with her 'competitors' and the importance of community over competition.

030 | Kyle Durrie, Power and Light Press on tradeshows, transitions and how she raised $80,000 for Planned Parenthood

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Kyle Durrie is the founder of Power and Light Press, a ship-shape letterpress print shop built to handle all of life's messy emotions. On today's episode we covered a lot of ground including the pros & cons of different trade shows, how Kyle has grown her team and why she makes travel and down-time an important part of her life. We also talked about how Kyle has donated over $80,000 to Planned Parenthood through the selling of her Stand with Planned Parenthood Tote bags - how she did it, her motivations for giving back and how she dealt with public backlash.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Power and Light Press, and the products they make
Hiring on help when you can't do it all anymore
Kyle's background and what led her to letterpress
What lead her to start her own business & her favorite part of being a business owner
Her Power and Light Press team and the roles they play
The pros and cons of different trade shows
Donating $80,000 to Planned Parenthood and her motivations behind it
How Kyle handles negative attention and "trolls"
How she structured the tote and the donations
Why she makes travel and downtime an important part of her life
The advice she would give to somebody wanting to start a product based business
What's next for Power and Light Press

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"You need to balance between what your interests are, what your passion is, but then also, what's the best use of your time." - Katie Hunt

"I do love being my own boss. I love setting whatever weird schedule I want to stick to." - Kyle Durrie

"When I step back and think that I make a living and help support other people's lives by making stupid greeting cards, I'm constantly blown away by that." - Kyle Durrie

"It makes such a difference to have a team you can trust, that you have confidence in, for when you can't be there." - Kyle Durrie

"It was all for a good cause and I still believe in it and I am really proud of what we've done and what my team has managed to do." - Kyle Durrie

"I made this product and I better stand behind it and know what I'm talking about because I was being challenged, and I think that was really useful for me to not just throw some meme up online and then walk away." - Kyle Durrie

"It's got to make sense for your business because all the good will in the world, if it ends up putting you out of business, it maybe isn't ... Maybe it wasn't the best idea." - Kyle Durrie

"You can do good in the world without it being a drain on your business or without it negatively impacting the sustainability of your company." - Katie Hunt

"It's always been a really important part of my life to kind of resettle me and to re-inspire me to just make me feel like a complete human being." - Kyle Durrie

"It's really such a good time for me to reflect and step away from my personal life, from my work life, and just kind of re-figure myself out." - Kyle Durrie

"It makes such a huge difference when you're not stressed out because your rent is $1500. You don't need that right away. Start in your closet or wherever you have some space and then just kind of grow as it demands" - Kyle Durrie

" I think there are a lot of people nowadays that want just the playbook or whatever it might be, and the fact of the matter is, even with a playbook you've still got to go through the trial and error of learning and figuring out what works best for you." - Katie Hunt

LINKS:

Website: www.powerandlightpress.com

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

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

029 | Sean McCabe, SeanWes on getting unstuck in your business, the power of masterminds and overlapping a day job and a side hustle.

Tue, 07 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0400

Sean McCabe is the author of Overlap: Start a Business While Working a Full-Time Job. He has helped tens of thousands of students with his courses on copywriting, client work, pricing, and marketing. On a daily basis, he runs seanwes.com: a learning community for entrepreneurs looking to do fulfilling and meaningful work.

On today's episode we're talking about getting unstuck in your business, overlapping a day job and a side hustle and the power of masterminds.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Sean's background and career path
His book Overlap: Start a Business While Working a Full-Time Job
How he managed all of his overlapping jobs at the beginning
The financial benefits of transitioning rather than leaping
The concept of curation
The thing that responsibility and excuses have in common
Why is it important for business owners to hone in on their passion
What Sean is most passionate about right now
The inspiration behind his book
How his mastermind group has helped him
How Sean defines success in his business
Revising business practices or systems when something is not sustainable
What is next for Sean and the SeanWes community

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Show up every day for two years and don't expect any results during that time because it really is just being consistent." - Sean McCabe

"What might look like an overnight success is really this culmination of a lot of things over time." - Sean McCabe

"I would start with client work and get that cash that you can later invest in products." - Sean McCabe

"Overlapping is about starting a business while you're working a full-time job." - Sean McCabe

"If your bills are covered, you can let this build up however you want. You can say yes to the clients you want. You can say no to the clients you don't want. That kind of selectivity is going to allow you to enjoy it." - Sean McCabe

"My day job allowed me to do things I wouldn't have otherwise been able to do in my business." - Katie Hunt

"If you're looking for ways to take responsibility for your life and where you're at? You can find ways to do that. If you're looking for ways to find excuses and say why it's not your fault, you're also going to find that." - Sean McCabe

"Passion is what allows you to keep going when you encounter resistance." - Sean McCabe

"Success to me would be getting to do what I want, when I want, where I want, on my terms." - Sean McCabe

LINKS:

SeanWes Community

Overlap Book

CONNECT:

Website: https://www.seanwes.com

Facebook: https://facebook.com/seanwes

Instagram: https://instagram.com/seanwes

Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanwes

Youtube: https://youtube.com/seanwestv

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

028 | Mary Beth Storjohann, Workable Wealth on money misconceptions, financial accountability and why you need to know your numbers

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Mary Beth Storjohann of Workable Wealth is an author, financial planner and accountability coach working to help clients in their 20s-40s make smart, educated decisions with their money. I met Mary Beth at a conference last year and was so impressed how she spoke about money from a place of confidence and power. We were honored to have her speak at our Paper Camp+ conference and I'm excited for you to listen to this episode.

Today we're talking about money misconceptions and fears, common reasons people seek out a financial planner and why it's important for you to know your numbers!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

A misconception that business owners tend to have about money
Mary Beth's core client base
Helping her clients with both professional and personal finances due to the intersection of both
The importance of reassessing where your business is often
Her role with her clients
Her philosophy on keeping overhead expenses down
The importance of being aware of and managing subscriptions
Having a goal when you are reviewing your spending
What SMART goals are and how to utilize them
Not comparing yourself to other people's highlight reels
Listening to constructive criticism but not allowing it to take you off course
What you should be focusing on
The importance of accountability when working towards your financial goals
Having two numbers in mind when setting your goals
Creating structure around pro bono work
What's next for Mary Beth & Workable Wealth

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"A lot of people think that they'll never have financial success, financial clarity, or financial peace, and that's a huge misconception, because although it does take work ... there's no magic pill ... it's just really about taking small steps." - Mary Beth Storjohann

"You want to reevaluate where your business is at and what your goals are for yourself on a consistent basis." - Mary Beth Storjohann

"I like the numbers, I am in the numbers, but I still need somebody else to bounce ideas off of and to help hold me accountable for getting things done." - Mary Beth Storjohann

"Let's not make that investment until you are certain that this new side project is actually up and running and worth it." - Mary Beth Storjohann

"Instead of paying this subscription $50, pay yourself $50 because you deserve to be paid more."- Mary Beth Storjohann

"We're cutting back so that you can meet your personal goals, not just to be frivolous."- Mary Beth Storjohann

"There's lots of goals, and so before you dive into reviewing your spending, one of the things that is important is having that goal around what you're looking for." - Mary Beth Storjohann

"Focus on what your net revenue is. What are you taking home?"- Mary Beth Storjohann

"At the end of the day, what everybody else is doing doesn't matter. It's not going to affect your bottom line; it's not going to affect your retirement savings."- Mary Beth Storjohann

"It's important to remind people that there's different seasons in life; that number may be changing; the goals may be changing; but it's just important to constantly be considering them and thinking about them." - Katie Hunt

"This is a business, and you want it to be successful, and you want it to sustain your goals and your lifestyle and your family, and without you getting paid, you're really just creating stress and taking yourself even further away from those things that matter to you on the personal side." - Mary Beth Storjohann

CONNECT:

Book: Work Your Wealth: Nine Steps to Making Smarter Choices with Your Money

Podcast: Work Your Wealth

Website: http://workablewealth.com

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marybstorj

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Do you want to scale your business and add new revenue streams? Are you ready to get a handle on your cash flow and tuck money away for retirement?

Maybe you are interested in increasing your visibility and fine-tuning your marketing outreach? Perhaps you have a team that you want to nurture or need help building your team?

This course was built for anyone running a product based business, and extends way beyond the paper industry. Enroll at www.tradeshowcamp.com/pcplus

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026 | Tonya Dalton, inkWELL Press on systems, automations and prioritizing your home and business life.

Tue, 17 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0400

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Tonya's background prior to starting inkWELL Press
The motivation and inspiration behind inkWELL Press
The systems Tonya put into place to take her kitchen table hobby into a huge business
How her background as a teacher helped her set up systems & run her business efficiently
What overwhelm is & how to overcome it
Common pain points Tanya sees in entrepreneurs when it comes to productivity in systems and automations
The need to come up with an action plan to meet your goals
Creating priority lists instead of to-do lists
How Tanya breaks down her priorities for the week
Preventing "urgent fires" from popping up by prioritizing
Systems she has built into the inkWELL Press team
What success looks like to Tanya
What's next for inkWell Press

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Overwhelm is not having too much to do. It's not knowing where to start." - Tonya Dalton

"People get really caught up in more is more, and so often less is more." - Tonya Dalton

"Productivity is velocity, and that means you're moving in one direction, instead of trying to move in all the directions." - Tonya Dalton

"It's really important that you are always making an action plan and stopping to assess." - Tonya Dalton

"We need to be focused on the things that are going to have the biggest impact, and make the most strides in your business." - Katie Hunt

"To me, success looks like harmony." - Tonya Dalton

"My definition of productivity is not getting more things done in less time. It really is getting the important things done." - Tonya Dalton

LINKS:

The liveWELL method course: http://inkwellpress.com/course

Podcast: http://inkwellpress.com/podcast

CONNECT:

Website: http://inkwellpress.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/inkwellpress

Facebook: http://facebook.com/inkwellpress

Twitter: http://twitter.com/inkwellpress

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025 | Debbie Lee, Penelope's Press on prioritizing, saying no and not letting comparison deter her from slow growth.

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0400

On today's episode I'm interviewing Debbie Lee of Penelope's Press, a letterpress print studio founded in Chicago and now based in Southern California. Debbie opened her business in 2009 selling on Etsy and doing custom wedding work, then later launched to the wholesale market. She shares her important story of how getting sick forced her to scale back in her business and gave her a newfound perspective of how she was spending her days. She talks about her struggle to say no to new opportunities, why her family is at the center of her business decisions and why she didn't let comparison deter her from her path of slow growth.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What motivated Debbie to start letterpress printing
How she balances marketing to different audiences
The things that inspire Debbie when creating new products and how she comes up with new concepts
Her cross-country move & how she prepared
Balancing being a mom and being a business owner
The importance of not letting comparison deter your growth or your priorities
Making the tough decision to pull back when her stress was impacting her health, her business & her family
The importance of saying no
Debbie's advice for a young entrepreneur starting a product based business
How she handles the concern of copycats or people taking inspiration from her work
What's next for Penelope's Press

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"All these things in my life have brought me to the point I'm at." - Debbie Lee

"There's always a little backstory to every item that I sell." - Debbie Lee

"It was really important for me to stay grounded and to know what my focus was and what my goals were for my business and for my family." - Debbie Lee

"Everyone's businesses are different. Everyone's circumstances are different." - Katie Hunt

"Time is not going anywhere. I have plenty of time to grow my business. There's no race. The race is with myself." - Debbie Lee

"I think it's important to know what you can handle." - Debbie Lee

"It doesn't define us to be busy every second. You're not better because you're busier than the next." - Debbie Lee

"Be friendly and give back." - Debbie Lee

"During the thick of it, when I'm tired, and I don't want to be doing this anymore and I tell my husband I'm going to shut down the business, I think why I got in the business in the first place." - Debbie Lee

"Just because everybody's doing something doesn't mean that you need to be doing that thing too, even though it's trendy." - Debbie Lee

"We shouldn't look at each other as competitors. We should look at each other as colleagues and leverage each other's strengths and knowledge and experiences to better what we're doing in our own business." - Katie

"You have art that needs to get out there, and by you being scared that somebody's going to copy you, that doesn't do anything. You don't gain anything from that." - Debbie Lee

"For those that are creating new work and trying to figure out their own unique voice and their own aesthetic, just be cautious of looking around too much and make sure that you are really trying to hone in on your unique voice instead of mimicking somebody else's work." - Katie

CONNECT:

Website: http://www.penelopespress.com

Facebook: @penelopespress

Instagram: @penelopespress

Pinterest: @penelopespress

Twitter: @penelopespress

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024 | Adina Segal, Bunny Bear Press on accountability, shifting focus, doing one thing well

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Adina Segal is the owner of Bunny Bear Press, a letterpress studio based in Seattle, Washington. Adina attended Tradeshow Bootcamp in the fall of 2013, prior to exhibiting at the National Stationery Show in 2014 in a shared booth with The Ladies of Letterpress. Since then, Adina has rebranded, built out her product line and is focused on turning customers into good friends.

On today's episode, Adina is sharing the evolution of her business, including why she underwent a complete rebrand and redesigned all of her products. We also discuss shifting her focus to do one thing and to do it well and how she's keeping herself accountable by sharing her goals on her blog.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

What led Adina to start her own business
How she decided upon the name "Bunny Bear Press" for her business
Getting started in hand lettering and when she started incorporating it into her products
The products that Bunny Bear Press offers
Her decision to focus on one product on a time and do that really well before expanding into other product offerings
The catalyst behind re-designing her greeting card line
Adina's inspiration behind the re-design of the Bunny Bear Press products
How sharing her goals publicly and providing status updates every month has affected her business
What's next for Bunny Bear Press

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I made a decision to just focus on one thing and do that really well. Then once that builds momentum, it'll afford me the opportunity and ability to kind of expand out into some other items, because I feel like doing all these different things, you get spread really thin." - Adina Segal

"I think before I was just making things to be pretty. I wasn't really making them for a specific person." - Adina Segal

"It's like having that written history of your friendship, I think it's a beautiful thing." - Adina Segal

"I decided to get really clear about what my goals were for the year, and not only that, break it down in such a way that I was checking back with myself, periodically every month." - Adina Segal

"Being able to actually tally mark everything, I am being very honest with myself about how much work I did that month for trying to reach my wholesale goals." - Adina Segal

"But I need to not let the crickets make me quit." - Adina Segal

"The only time you lose and you fail at something is when you quit and you walk away." - Adina Segal

"If nobody knows you, they're not going to buy from you." - Adina Segal

CONNECT:

Website: http://bunnybearpress.com

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bunnybearpress/

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023 | Jon Acuff on misconceptions around productivity and goal setting, how to set yourself up for success and why it's ok to let yourself be bad at certain things!

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 08:00:00 -0400

New York Times Best-selling author, Jon Acuff has written five books including his most recent, FINISH which focuses on goal setting and follow-through . Jon has helped some of the biggest brands in the world tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and the Dave Ramsey Team. He's spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at companies such as Microsoft, Nissan and Comedy Central.

On today's episode we're talking about misconceptions around productivity and goal setting, how to set yourself up for success and why it's ok to let yourself be bad at certain things!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The biggest misconception that people have about productivity and goal setting
Jon's career path and how he wrote five books & made the New York Times best-seller list
How his life has shaped what he writes about in his books
Why he wrote Finish
Why Jon thinks that perfectionism kills productivity
The benefits of being bad at certain things
The role data and measurement play in reaching goals
Jon's thoughts on whether utilizing past data is helpful
The social media platform that Jon thinks is most effective in growing your business
Mapping out action steps to get to his bigger goals
When do you need to plan and at what point do you just need to jump in and start things
Jon's advice to to product-based business centers who struggle with the follow-through on projects
The two main forms of motivation
The balance between money and passion
How shame influences setting goals, reaching those goals, and running businesses
Accountability and its influence on goal setting
The role that luck plays in growing a business

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I would say one of them is the myth of the huge, massive, scary goal. People say, "Aim for the moon, because even if you fail, you'll land amongst the stars," but that's not what really happens, either in research or in real life." - Jon Acuff

"Most people grade on a pass/fail scale when it comes to goals." - Jon Acuff

"Grow something or build something, that even if it's not wildly successful, your life is better." - Jon Acuff

"Starting is fun, but the future belongs to finishers." - Jon Acuff

"When you go to a race, you stand at the beginning or the finish. The middle is pretty lonely. That made me want to write a book that would help somebody get through the middle." - Jon Acuff

"Every book I've ever written hasn't been perfect. I like to say it this way. Amazon has never sold a perfect book. They have just sold millions of books by brave, imperfect people." - Jon Acuff

"The longer you wait to get something perfect, you're going to miss your window of opportunity." - Katie Hunt

"Perfect to me means you're not trying hard enough and you're not doing new things." - Jon Acuff

"You have a choice, shame or strategy. Shame says I should be able to get it all done and then when you can't, you feel ashamed. Strategy says, these three things, I'm not even going to care about them." - Jon Acuff

"What I like about data is, data tells the truth. Data is not swayed by emotion." - Jon Acuff

"If you're a small business, there's actions you can do every day, even as you plan." - Jon Acuff

"Almost every business I work with undercharges. Especially if it's a small business." - Jon Acuff

"The balance is, you don't get to do the passion very long if the profit isn't there." - Jon Acuff

"The problem is, a lot of us have trouble starting goals because we've lied to ourselves so many times that we don't even believe it." - Jon Acuff

"We're not supposed to do this alone. Running a business is a very isolating experience". - Jon Acuff

CONNECT:

Buy Finish: http://amzn.to/2jpW7XZ

Jon's Website: https://acuff.me/

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonacuff

You can purchase Jon's Books on Amazon using the links below:

Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done

Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, and Do Work That Matters

Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work, and Never Get Stuck

Quitters: Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job & Your Dream Job

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Katie Hunt, TSBC on gratitude, thanking your mentors & a heartfelt thank you to our TSBC speakers

Fri, 22 Sep 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Katie Hunt, founder of Tradeshow Bootcamp takes a minute to thank the TSBC speakers who have helped shape Tradeshow Bootcamp into what it is today.

022 | Emma James & Bailey Rivera, Antiquaria on pivoting in business, prioritizing personal happiness, and working with a business partner

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Emma James and Bailey Rivera are the owners of Antiquaria. These savvy business women have made some big transitions in their business over the last 7 years. They started selling vintage pieces, hand calligraphic work and now focus their product line on stationery products such as gift wrap, notebooks and greeting cards.

They attended our Paper Camp E-Course in 2013 prior to launching wholesale. Their products are currently carried in Anthropologie, BHLDN, Paper Source, Terrain and independent boutiques internationally.

On today's episode, they'll tell their story of starting the business, talk about how pivoting at different points strengthened their business model and how prioritizing their personal happiness has enabled them to grow too. They also shared nuggets about what inspires them when creating new products as well as logistics for how they determine which product categories to tackle next.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

How Emma & Bailey first met
The history of Antiquaria and the pivots they have made in their product offerings
What inspires you when you're developing new artwork and new products
Emma & Bailey's thoughts on how much inventory to order & how much they keep on hand
The importance of knowing your numbers and ensuring you maintain your profit margins
How Emma & Bailey share the responsibilities of Antiquaria from different cities
Working through transitional periods together
How they make their packaging stand out while also still being conservative with production costs
How they define success in their business
What's next for Antiquaria

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Bailey and I are really good at knowing when to make changes and not being scared to do it." - Emma James

"The cost of expanding, adding a new product, is super expensive, so we try to be smart and conservative about where we expand" - Emma James

"It's okay to start small. And as your business grows and you start to hone in on your numbers, and you start to see what your selling patterns are, that's where you want to reassess and start to increase your production amounts, your volume." - Katie Hunt

"We're all running businesses, and therefore, we need to look at the hard costs, and we need to be paying ourselves, and we need to be thinking about things like retirement, or just scaling the business, and all of these different things that, when you're just starting out, it might feel a little overwhelming." - Katie Hunt

"We have to make sure our margins work on every new product." - Emma James

"When there's something that's not working for one of us, we actively work for a solution to it." - Emma James

"How can we get all the information that's needed on there without having to pay for an additional labor or people and the labor of putting it on? That's just a graphic design challenge." - Bailey Rivera

"If you're not making money on this, you shouldn't be selling it. It's not a viable business at that point." - Katie Hunt

"I want to both fulfill my creative desires and create a very successful business that can continue to grow." - Bailey Rivera

"Success for us is getting reorders and knowing that, not only buyers like our stuff, but people are going into stores and picking our products over all of the other products in that store." - Emma James

"Success for me is having a healthy work, life balance." - Emma James

MEET EMMA & BAILEY

Emma has a BFA from Parsons the New School for Design, The New School for Design, and worked as a trend forecaster for several years before co-founding Antiquaria. Emma loves art, design, horses and resides in Austin, Texas with her daughter, Sydney.

Bailey has a BS in Retail Merchandising from the University of Texas at Austin and was a stylist in her former life. Bailey gets teased endlessly for being the old lady of the duo she loves to knit, garden, and bake homemade bread (yum!). Bailey lives in Littleton, Colorado with her husband and two cats.

CONNECT:

Website: www.shopantiquaria.com/

Facebook: @antiquaria

Instagram: @antiquariadesign

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Our Paper Camp E-Course is now enrolling! If you'd like to see your products on the shelves of your favorite retail shops or if you're considering exhibiting at large scale wholesale shows, join us this fall for our virtual Paper Camp course. Get more details and snag your seat here.

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021 | Stephanie Clarke, Dahlia Press on transitioning from a side hustle, working with reps and her system for outsourcing product packaging

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC alum, Stephanie Clarke is the founder of Dahlia Press, a boutique design and letterpress studio that offers custom design for events, as well as, a wide variety of stationery accoutrements for the retail and wholesale channels. Stephanie participated in our Paper Camp E-Course in 2014 before selling wholesale and exhibiting at the National Stationery Show.

On today's episode, Stephanie and I are talking about how her business transitioned from a side hustle into a full time gig, how sales reps have enhanced her business and she shares her system for outsourcing packaging of her products.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Stephanie's background as a designer in a corporate environment

Starting Dahlia Press as a side hustle while she worked a corporate career
The benefits of keeping a full-time job while growing Dahlia Press
Current product offerings and how this has changed over the years
How Tradeshow Bootcamp prepared her for NSS
Working with sales reps and how they have enhanced her business
The complexity of working with more sales reps as Dahlia Press has grown
The importance of communication & camaraderie with your sales reps and your entire team
Stephanie's process for outsourcing packaging
Starting new team members, regardless of role, in the fulfillment process to help them understand the whole process of getting product in customers' hands
Stephanie's advice to someone wanting to start a product based business
How she makes the decision to retire products
What's coming up for Dahlia Press

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Really, those six years, I don't think I've ever touched any of the money that was coming in from Dahlia Press, it just went right back into the business. Then, when I was going out on my own, I had a nice little cushion." - Stephanie Clarke

"I love working with the reps who are out of state and areas that I just don't have a reach. They're the ones who have the relationships with the buyers, they understand the dynamics of the stores that are next door to one another and who's buying what, and how to deal with that." - Stephanie Clarke

"I try to kind of spoil my reps. They're working hard for me. I want to make sure that they know I appreciate what they do." - Stephanie Clarke

"I feel like that sense of communication and camaraderie is important in all relationships in business, you don't necessarily have to send them all gifts, but it's important to stay in contact." - Katie Hunt

"Having that time to actually have those conversations [with sales reps or retailers], it helps you in your planning and determination of what you're going to be offering, and what product categories you want to go into, and how you can better serve your audience, and give them the things that they need." - Katie Hunt

"Outsourcing your packaging is probably the simplest thing you can do." - Stephanie Clarke

"I think everyone needs to have a good understanding of not only how the product works, and it goes together, and the whole process of getting them from A to B." - Stephanie Clarke

"Do research as to where you fit in the market and how you can make your products unique and stand out. See what's out there and where there are holes and try to figure out how you can fill those as best as possible." - Stephanie Clarke

"I think taking that time to figure out what your voice is and how to really stay true to that, it's important." - Stephanie Clarke

"I think that is the benefit of having the full-time job and doing this on the side when you're starting a business, not putting the pressure on yourself to be everything all at once. You can have that time, that flexibility and that's huge." Stephanie Clarke

"If it's not moving, and I'm sitting on a stack of those cards, and I'm not getting good feedback on them, and no one seems to be missing them, then, yeah, it's time to let it go." - Stephanie Clarke

"Really take a good look at your line before you start your next catalog and decide like, 'Okay, this one doesn't need to be included.'"- Stephanie Clarke

MEET STEPHANIE CLARKE:

Located in Seattle Washington, Dahlia Press is a boutique design and letterpress studio founded in 2008 by designer Stephanie Clarke. After years of providing happy couples and families with custom invitations and announcements, in the summer of 2014, Dahlia Press began a small line of greetings and social stationery in order to expand their current offerings. Today their growing line includes over 200 greetings, and incorporates a variety of stationery accoutrement such as wrapping paper, notepads and gift tags.

In addition to her stationery company, Stephanie is an accomplished commercial designer. With 15 years of design experience, Clarke has an extensive portfolio of impactful visual identities, logo strategies, interior store environment design, brand websites and digital content for several top companies in the United States, including Starbucks, ThaiFusions, ExOfficio, and Marmot among others.

CONNECT:

Website: http://www.dahliapress.com/

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dahliapress

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Katie Hunt, Tradeshow Bootcamp on hosting live events.

Fri, 08 Sep 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Katie Hunt, founder of Tradeshow Bootcamp has hosted 13 live events over the last five years for Tradeshow Bootcamp and even more when she was in the corporate world. Today's mini episode focuses on four key tips for hosting live events: 1. Focus on your content first 2. Be mindful of your budget 3. Involve your audience in the planning proces 4. Set realistic goals for your event. If you're looking for more information about how I plan Paper Camp and build live events into my business model, check out my interview with Tara Gentile on Profit Power Pursuit podcast. Look for episode 96 at www.taragentile.com/podcast

020 | Julie Richardson, Julie Ann Art on building community with customers, dealing with copy cats and why she's focused on creating products with purpose

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC alumni, Julie Richardson started Julie Ann Art in 2008 as a side hustle and has seen great success over the last nine years. She got her start on etsy where she's had almost 70,000 sales to date! Julie also sells to the wholesale market.

On today's episode, we're talking about building community with customers, how she handles copy cats and why she's focused on creating products with purpose.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The start of Julie Ann Art as a side hustle while she worked a corporate career
The catalyst for Julie Ann Art becoming a full-time job
Julie's decision to start wholesaling & what caused her to go in that direction
The benefits of craft shows
Her inspiration for new designs & sayings for her products
Making the decision to move forward on new products
Dealing with people who copy her work
Nurturing her online following to make them really feel a part of the Julie Ann Art brand
Making the transition to outsourcing work
What's coming up for Julie Ann Art

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"...It's a combination of doing the hard work and trying to be as strategic as we can, but there is an element of luck to it, as well." - Katie Hunt

"Some people are like, "Ugh, craft shows are so much work," but to me, I feel like they are my bread and butter, because there's nothing like seeing a person's reaction to your product." - Julie Richardson

"If you've seen my stuff, I go a little outside the box, and I enjoy doing that. It's a little risky, but I would rather take the risk than be the same as everything else." - Julie Richardson

"If it's one thing that I've learned through all of this, it's that regardless of what they're doing, my business is just fine. I'm doing okay. They're not taking me down." - Julie Richardson

"I feel like I know so many of them, people that I have never met, because of what I have shared with them and their response to it." - Julie Richardson

"We needed to know that what we were doing had a purpose and was good for something that we're passionate about." - Julie Richardson

MEET JULIE RICHARDSON:

Julie Richardson created Julie Ann Art in 2008 as a creative outlet on the side of a corporate 9-5 job. With her refreshingly honest take on life's occasions in greeting card form, people began to take notice. What began as a hobby organically grew to a budding business thanks to the support of a wide social media fan base. Today, Julie Ann Art products are sold internationally, and can be found in stores across the country.

CONNECT:

Website: https://julieannart.com

Facebook: https://facebook.com/julieannart

Instagram: https://instagram.com/julieannart

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julieannart

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019 | Victoria Venturi, Paper Epiphanies on marketing to multiple sales channels, building relationships with press and the importance of honing your brand voice and messaging

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC Alum, Victoria Venturi is the founder of Paper Epiphanies, a paper and lifestyle brand that empowers women. Prior to being her own boss, Victoria worked in PR Marketing for really large brands such as FOX, Disney, Warner Bros., and Hilton Hotels.

On today's episode, we're talking about balancing wholesale and retail outreach, how to build relationships with the press and the importance of honing your message and articulating the why of your business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Victoria's background in stand-up comedy and public relations
The beginning of Paper Epiphanies
The mission and vision behind Paper Epiphanies
Focusing on your core audience and accepting that her products are not for everyone
The value of knowing your why
Paper Epiphanies business model & launching both retail and wholesale simultaneously
Why it was important for Victoria to launch wholesale from the beginning
The differences in marketing to wholesale clients and retail customers
Creating cohesion in your brand
How to approach press outreach
Victoria's best practices in following up with media contacts
Call to actions for day to day life in business
How Paper Epiphanies has navigated transitional times of major growth
The benefit of adding rep groups slowly
Victoria's advice for up and comer entrepreneurs in the product space
What's next for Paper Epiphanies

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I wanna write for women and I 90% of my buyers are female, so, I don't care if I'm alienating men. Screw 'em like this is a line for women, about women." - Victoria Venturi

"I think for me the company really came full circle when I launched Kiss My Pumps, 'cause I was able to have that fun irreverent side with our greeting cards, but then also really tap into that mission, and that why for our company, which is empowering women." - Victoria Venturi

"There's some people that don't like our brand and that's okay because we're not for everyone." - Victoria Venturia Venturi

"It's really important to have an authentic voice and know why you're doing what you're doing." - Victoria Venturi

"It doesn't have to be some huge over powering existential point, it just has to be your why. What motivates you, and what makes you unique." - Victoria Venturi

"Every decision you make should be driving back to that same goal, or that same mission, or whatever it might be." - Katie Hunt

"I would say that saying no to things is almost more important than saying yes, or deciding on how to say no to things is more important because every day we're inundated with opportunities but choosing, which ones are the right ones." - Katie Hunt

"A media list with 10 people that's well thought out that has specific references to articles is way more effective than a hundred-person media list where you're just sending blank mass emails." - Victoria Venturi

"Grow your business at your pace, with what you're comfortable with, and success is year over year growth-- doesn't matter if it's five dollars, or if it's 500% year over year growth." - Victoria Venturi

"...each time you have one of these new projects you learn how to do it better, and it's not as scary. As you grow the things you do down the road you're gonna be amazed at yourself." - Victoria Venturi

MEET VICTORIA VENTURI:

Victoria is the founder of Paper Epiphanies. Prior to launching Paper Epiphanies, Victoria was a communications and marketing executive and spent more than ten years launching successful campaigns for big brands including FOX(r), American Idol, GLEE, Disney(r), Nickelodeon(r), Warner Bros.(r), Hilton Hotels and many more. Spoiler alert: she may have spent a few years dabbling in stand-up comedy on the side. In 2014, she followed a life-long dream to create a lifestyle and paper goods company. Her vision? A beautiful and feminine line of stationery and office goods that pushed the envelope and didn't need to play by the rules. Thus, Paper Epiphanies was born! Victoria lives in Portland, OR with her husband and fur baby, Twinkie.

Paper Epiphanies is a two-time Louie Award winner, including the recipient of the coveted Rising Star Award. Paper Epiphanies can be found in more than 500 stores around the world.

CONNECT:

Website: www.paperepiphanies.com

Facebook: @paperepiphanies

Instagram: @paperepiphanies

Twitter: @paperepiphanies

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Paper Camp is all SOLD out, but we'll be opening up our Paper Camp E-Course in the next few weeks! Join the waitlist online here to get all the details!

ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Katie Hunt, TSBC on the benefit of mastermind groups

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0400

About a year ago, I was in a funny place.. I was coming back from maternity leave and feeling a bit lost. My business was growing, I was finding my new normal juggling work and family and I had BIG goals I wanted to tackle for TSBC. Yet I was feeling all kinds of resistance and was struggling to take action. Then, I was asked to join a mastermind group with six insanely talented women and my life changed. What's a mastermind? It is a small group of entrepreneurs who are at similar levels in business. The group fosters community, provides accountability and is often led by an expert who provides coaching, guidance and structure to the program. Serious magic happens when I get together with these ladies. Ideas take flight. Challenges feel less burdensome. Resources are shared. Action is taken. Progress is made! My Proof to product podcast is a great example of how influential my mastermind has been in my business. Recording a podcast is something I've wanted to do for years, but never made it a priority until my mastermind group gave me a nudge. I started recording episodes before I even knew what to call the show or when it would launch! I struggled for months to name the podcast on my own, yet in 45 minutes with my mastermind group we came up with the name Proof to Product, sketched the cover art and reserved the URL and social media handles. Something I had been agonizing over for way too long was solved in under an hour! After that, I grew my team, we set up systems for the podcast and we launched the podcast 6 weeks later. Everything fell into place. Momentum propelled me forward. It was magical and I had never experienced anything like it. I was hooked. I strongly encourage all of you to join a mastermind group - whether it's mine or another one. Amazing things happen when we put our heads together. Learn more about our TSBC Group Coaching and Mastermind program at www.tradeshowcamp.com/coaching

018 | Bryn Chernoff, Paperfinger on transitioning from your day job into your business full time, finding your unique voice and refueling with business retreats

Tue, 22 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Today's guest, TSBC Alum, Bryn Chernoff is the owner, calligrapher and creative director of Paperfinger. Paperfinger offers a range of distinctive and elegant contemporary calligraphy for weddings, events, branding & design. Bryn also teaches calligraphy on Skillshare and in workshops across the country. Bryn's work has been featured in numerous publications including Martha Stewart Wedding, Real Simple, Esquire and Brides to name a few.

During this episode we talk about transitioning from a day job into your business full time, finding your unique voice and point of view when creating your work and how business retreats are a great way to refuel and find clarity in your business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Bryn's interest in calligraphy & how she got started
Transitioning to a part-time day job to allow for more margin to work on Paperfinger
Creating and building up her portfolio
How her product & service offerings have expanded using her skill set
Her advice on how to handle a client asking for something that does not fit with your style or artistic direction
Bryn's courses on Skillshare
Her ready-made, semi-custom collection available to her clients and how she pivoted to make it more successful
Bryn's philosophy on retreats
How she defines success in her business
Her advice to those who want to turn channel their love of calligraphy into a business

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"Unless you really want to get asked to do it, don't make that, and put that up on your website." -Bryn

"There's nothing in it for me, I feel like I've ruled out a lot of things that are not worth it at all anymore, which is doing something that doesn't feel like it's coming from me, or Paperfinger authentically." - Bryn Chernoff

"If you're just starting out and there's things that you don't want to be doing in your business, find a way to say no, but in a way that truly articulates your why's, and gives them a reason behind it." - Katie Hunt

"Most solo business owners like being boss, so you like your ideas, and you like that you get to make all of the decisions. But, I really had to practice just getting some more input. Actually getting more perspectives on what I'm doing, because I think I can get a little lost in my own little vacuum of ideas." - Bryn Chernoff

"I felt a deep craving for a pause on the daily grind, and that there were all these questions that I literally just couldn't answer for myself and the business, unless I stepped out of the routine." - Bryn Chernoff

"If you're not in touch with why you're doing it, one of the main things I like to do, is to stop and make myself examine what is the point? What am I doing this for?" - Bryn Chernoff

"I feel like a retreat seems like something reserved for a big company, and there's so much we need to do to allow ourselves to feel legitimate, even if you're one person, you know. You're still a business." - Bryn Chernoff

"Feeling pride about the kind of work that's going out there makes me feel successful." - Bryn Chernoff

"I love being the boss." - Bryn Chernoff

MEET BRYN CHERNOFF:

Bryn Chernoff is the owner, calligrapher and creative director of Paperfinger, a House of Calligraphy. Paperfinger offers a range of distinctive and elegant contemporary calligraphy for weddings, events, branding & design. Bryn also teaches calligraphy on Skillshare and in workshops across the country. Paperfinger has been featured in numerous print and online publications including Martha Stewart Weddings, Martha Stewart Living, New York Mag Weddings, Town & Country, Real Simple, Esquire, Brides, The Knot, Cool Hunting, Refinery 29 among many others.

CONNECT:

Website: http://www.paperfinger.com/

Facebook: @paperfinger

Instagram: @paperfinger

Pinterest: @paperfinger

Twitter: @paperfinger

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Paper Camp is all SOLD out, but we'll be opening up our Paper Camp E-Course in the next few weeks! Join the waitlist online here to get all the details!

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017 | Rosanna Kvernmo, Iron Curtain Press on her experience as both a wholesaler & a store owner, product development and finding your unique voice.

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC alumni, Rosanna Kvernmo is the owner of Iron Curtain Press, a letterpress studio in Los Angeles. In the spring of 2016, she and her husband, Joel, are also opened Shorthand, a little store specializing in beautiful supplies for your desk. On today's episode, Rosanna and I talk about her experience as both a wholesaler & a store owner, product development and finding your unique voice in your products and business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The start of Iron Curtain Press as a side business making invitations for her friends
Lessons she learned in the first several years of business
Refining the services offered by Iron Curtain Press
Rosanna's experience in the retail space as both a wholesaler & a store owner
Her advice for people pitching retail stores
Opening her retail shop, Shorthand
The types of products sold at Shorthand and where Rosanna finds them
The National Stationery Show
Planning & launching new product lines
The importance of knowing why you are adding a new product
Understanding that every business is unique & finding your own voice

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"It's important for people to remember that they are in control, that they set the rules for their business and if something's not quite working the way they want it to, they can pivot and change gears and make those decisions." - Katie Hunt

"Here's the bare bones honest truth, as a person with a store like mine, that when you add product categories in a hurry and haven't thought through what it is, it's pretty apparent to me on my end." - Rosanna Kvernmo

"If you're going to invest in something and go into a new product category, you need to do your homework." - Katie Hunt

"With my very small business, every decision that I make really matters. The passion behind what I do is what makes my business stand out from a mass market store." - Rosanna Kvernmo

"No two people, no two companies are going to make the same decisions. Their paths are going to be different." - Rosanna Kvernmo

"But I think finding your voice is really important because that's the quickest killer to your line, is being too similar to anybody else." - Rosanna Kvernmo

MEET ROSANNA KVERNMO:

Rosanna is the owner and designer behind Iron Curtain Press, a letterpress studio in Los Angeles with products sold in cute boutiques world-wide. In the spring of 2016, Rosanna and her husband Joel opened Shorthand, a little store in the heart of Highland Park specializing in beautiful supplies for your desk.

CONNECT:

Website: ironcurtainpress.com | shopshorthand.com

Facebook: @ironcurtainpress | @shopshorthand

Instagram: @ironcurtainpress | @shopshorthand

Twitter: @ironcurtainpress | @shopshorthand

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016 | Shayna Norwood, Steel Petal Press on balancing a wholesale business and retail storefront and how to pitch your products to retailers.

Tue, 08 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC Alumni, Shayna Norwood of Steel Petal Press owns letterpress studio and retail store front in Chicago. Shayna started Steel Petal Press in 2008 as a side hustle and it became her full time gig in 2010. In 2016, she opened her flagship retail shop selling her own products as well as stationery and office goods from other independent brands.

On today's episode, Shayna shares how she manages both a wholesale busienss and a retail storefront, the challenges she's faced while growing her business and her advice to designers who are pitching their products to wholesale buyers.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The start of Steel Petal Press as a side hustle.
Feature in Daily Candy & faking it til you make it.
Her first year at the National Stationery Show & exhibiting with Ladies of Letterpress.
How opening up the retail shop was a happy accident.
Managing both sides of her business & the challenges that causes.
Shayna's team and the roles they fill.
Merchandising the store & learning to buy for the store
Advice for people pitching retail stores
How much follow up is too much?

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"When you're at the National Stationery Show, you really need to stand out in certain ways." - Shayna Norwood

"I have to be really intentional about setting aside time to work on the wholesale side of the business." - Shayna Norwood

"I have learned to trust my instincts." - Shayna Norwood

"Do your research. Be as prepared as possible for any situation before you go into it" - Shayna Norwood

MEET SHAYNA NORWOOD:

Steel Petal Press is a Chicago based letterpress studio owned and operated by Shayna Norwood. What began as a part-time endeavor in 2008 has grown to include three presses, a paper cutter, and a small + awesome team. Together we print, package and ship each item by hand. Shayna Norwood is a professionally trained visual artist with a BFA from San Francisco Art Institute. She's been letterpress printing since 2004, and Steel Petal Press has been her full time gig since 2010. In 2016 she opened her flagship retail shop. Our shop carries Steel Petal Press greeting cards printed by hand in house and other gift items from independent designers around the country.

CONNECT:

Website: http://www.steelpetalpress.com

Facebook: @steelpetalpress

Instagram: @steelpetalpress

Pinterest: @steelpetalpress

Twitter: @steelpetalpress

www.instagram.com/steelpetalpress/

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015 | Allison Brennan & Jessica Tree, The Social Type on their inspiration for creating new products, how they split responsibilities as business partners and the importance of slow, but steady growth in their business.

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC Alums, Allison Brennan & Jessica Tree are the owners of The Social Type. They launched their foil-pressed greeting card line in 2010 and have since expanded into other gift categories including their very popular matchboxes. On this episode, Jess and Allison talk about their inspiration for creating new products, how they split responsibilities as business partners and we talk about the importance of slow, but steady growth in business.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Life before The Social Type and how they decided to create the business.
How they balance responsibilities as business partners.
How she helps product makers manufacture overseas.
How they strive to differentiate themselves in the market.
Overcoming issues with their match boxes.
Deciding how much product to order & discontinuing products.
Opening their retail storefront
Their advice for other entrepreneurs

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"We're constantly searching for something that's unique and different to set us apart from everybody else." - Jessica Tree

"We're always working on quality and making our products better and better" - Jessica Tree

"Initially we tend to order a bit lower to see how a product does and then when we know they sell really well, our quantities get larger" - Jessica Tree

"We've learned our lesson, too. Not every product sells." - Allison Brennan

"Our brand has grown and we've developed an aesthetic. Some of thes tuff we designed five years ago doesn't fit anymore" - Jessica Tree

"Literally, just go for it. Start." - Jessica Tree [on offering advice to entrepreneurs]

"You don't have to kill yourself but at the same time if you want to get from point A to B it requires hard work and some late nights." - Allison Brennan

MEET ALLISON & JESSICA:

The Social Type was founded by paper and design enthusiasts Allison Brennan & Jessica Tree. They first launched their own line of foil pressed greeting cards in 2010, and have since expanded into other paper goods and their popular matchboxes. The Social Type is sold at stores & boutiques globally.

CONNECT WITH ALLISON & JESSICA:

Website: https://thesocialtype.com/

Facebook: @thesocialtype

Instagram: @thesocialtype

Pinterest: @thesocialtype

Twitter: @thesocialtype

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

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014 | Heather Harris, Copper Bottom Design on how to know if you're ready for overseas manufacturing, how the whole process works, and common errors people make when they're creating day planners.

Tue, 25 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0400

TSBC Alum, Heather Harris has been designing day planners and desk products since 2004 for clients including momAgenda, Barney's, Brooks Brothers, and Tiffany & Co. In 2015, she branched out on her own to start Copper Bottom Design Co. where she and her team help product based businesses with design, proofreading and overseas production. On today's episode, we're talking how to know if you're ready for overseas manufacturing, common errors people make when creating day planners and how her past experiences and skills have led her to create a thriving, enriching business for herself.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Heather's rich background in the industry & what led her to starting Copper Bottom Design.
Manufacturing overseas & what the process looks like.
How she helps product makers manufacture overseas.
Fears surrounding manufacturing overseas.
Benchmarks or metrics to determine if manufacturing overseas is right for you.
Common mistakes she sees when people create day planners.
What's upcoming for Copper Bottom Design Co.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"There are strategic reasons for choosing overseas manufacturing" Heather Harris

"When I went out on my own it was lonely. Then I met the Paper Camp community and I craved a team again." - Heather Harris

"Manufacturing overseas is just like getting ready to hire an employee. You're at a certain point where you've grown so much that you can't handle it anymore, and you're looking to outsource." - Heather Harris

Ask for samples. You can't create a product without seeing it. - Heather Harris

RESOURCES:

Ultimate Holiday Guide E-Book

MEET HEATHER:

An avid organizer, list maker, and devoted print girl, Heather has been designing day planners and desk products since 2004. She arrived at the world of fine stationery by way of Graphic Image, where she learned the ropes designing planners internally and for clients like Barney‰Ûªs, Brooks Brothers, and Tiffany & Co. Her love of high-end paper products is a near obsession, shaped by how a carefully crafted design becomes a beautiful, functional part of our daily lives. Her time as Director of Creative Services at momAgenda further expanded this passion to product development; aside from leading all design, she spent years managing the editorial process and overseas production.

In 2015, Heather decided to expand her client base and founded Copper Bottom Design Co., where she and her team take the helm of design, proofreading, and overseas production for growing stationery companies.

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

Website: http://www.copperbottomdesign.com/

Facebook: @copperbtmdesign

Instagram: @copperbtmdesign

Pinterest: @copperbtmdesign

Twitter: @copperbtmdesign

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

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013 | Jen Gotch, Ban.do on building and leveraging a strong brand, the importance of self-reflection at all phases of business and how she built Ban.do into the lifestyle brand it is today.

Tue, 18 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0400

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

The evolution of Ban.do
Selling to Lifeguard Press and how this enabled further growth
Hard lessons Jen has learned in business
Why having a strong brand is important and affects other aspects of business
How and why Jen gives back to other entrepreneurs
The importance of focusing on top level projects as the founder of your business
Advice for entrepreneurs
What's upcoming for Ban.do

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I'm a problem solver by nature. I walk towards them, not away from them. But I have no business walking towards half the problems I do." - Jen Gotch

"Sheer will will not allow me to do it all and be great at everything." - Jen Gotch

"Being able to have a voice that stands outside of the product makes it easier for people to attach to your business and makes it easier for your business to pivot" - Jen Gotch

"Retailers were wanting newness more often." - Jen Gotch

"The faster you can figure out where you add the most value and what you should be doing and what someone else should be doing, you'll grow and scale" - Jen Gotch.

MEET JEN:

CONNECT WITH JEN & BAN.DO:

Website: https://www.bando.com/

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

Ban.do's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopbando/

Jen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jengotch

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopbando

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

Need help streamlining your business operations? Are you feeling a bit stuck in your business? Maybe you're worried about things like marketing, technology, or hiring a team. If so, you are not alone, and we've got a course for you. The Business Camp e-course includes lessons from Tara Gentile, Jen Gotch of Ban.do, Chelsea of Sugar Paper, as well as experts in public relations, websites, email marketing, and much, much more. This course includes eight hours of video content, and a 30 page work book. You will finish this course feeling confident, energized, and armed with concrete information to help you refine your business systems. Plus the on-demand format lets you jump around to topics that are most relevant to you when you need them most

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012 | Tara Gentile, CoCommercial on overcoming mindset obstacles, proactive decision making in business and how to align yourselves with partners that elevate your brand.

Tue, 11 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Tara Gentile is the founder of CoCommercial, a digital small business community for entrepreneurs serious about making money, impacting their communities, and transforming the lives of those they love. She's also the host of Profit. Power. Pursuit., a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of successful small businesses. Entrepreneur named it one of 24 top women-hosted podcasts for business owners. Tara's work has been featured in Fast Company, Inc, DailyWorth, Forbes, and The Huffington Post.

On Today's episode we're talking about overcoming mindset obstacles, proactive decision making in business and how to align yourselves with partners that elevate your brand.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

[01:00] Misconceptions people have about running a business.[04:00] How mindset plays into business decisions, growth and general success.[10:00] How Tara tackles mindset concerns.[12:30] Making decisions now for what you want your business to be in the future.[18:30] How to decide on your long term goals.[20:30] Five year plans aren't set in stone & business isn't a straight line.[23:00] Benefits of dreaming bigger than you can imagine.[25:30] Ruthlessly auditing the way we present our products and services so that they align with our brand story.[30:00] Importance of research when building your products & services[33:00] Determining which strategic partnerships align best with your brand.[38:00] How strategic partnerships have elevated Tara's brand.[43:00] How Tara defines success for her business[45:00] What's next for CoCommercial.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"If you truly believe that you are taking action and things aren't happening, traction isn't there, it's really time to examine that mindset stuff." - Tara Gentile

"I have to build something a lot bigger than what I'm building right now and I have to build something that's just not designed to make me a lot of money, but that's actually designed to create something huge." - Tara Gentile

"Research, research, research and don't be afraid of research. One of the things that I find both in the product world and in the service world is that people are really afraid of researching their "competition". - Tara Gentile

"Pricing tells a story." - Tara Gentile

"Get out in the world and look at what things are selling for in a broader scope." - Katie Hunt

CONNECT WITH TARA:

Website: http://cocommercial.co

Facebook: http://facebook.com/taragentilebusinessstrategist

Instagram: http://instagram.com/taragentile

Twitter: http://twitter.com/taragentile

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

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011 | Rachael Hetzel, Pistachio Press on the mindset shifts, juggling business and babies and why its important to give back to our industry.

Tue, 04 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0400

Rachael Hetzel is the owner of Pistachio Press, a boutique letterpress printing and design studio based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 2007, Pistachio Press produces a wholesale line of sweet and slightly snarky stationery products that are sold nationally and internationally. Pistachio Press also creates social invitations, business stationery, and prints commercially for a variety of clients. She's been a Tradeshow Bootcamp speaker since 2011 and is an excellent teacher and mentor for creative entrepreneurs. On today's episode Rachael and I dish about mindset shifts that come with more experience as a business owner, juggling running a business with small children in tow and why we feel it is important to give back to our industry.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

[01:30] Pistachio Press turns 10 this year! [04:00] Transitioning from custom work into wholesale.[06:30] Trouble-shooting & being flexible.[07:30] Moving her business across states.[10:00] Having a baby and how it changed her workflow.[14:00] Making time for work & family.[15:00] Setting boundaries about the work we say yes or no to.[18:30] Avoiding comparison.[21:00] Goal-setting[22:30] Why it is important to give back to our industry.[26:30] Benefits of sitting down & talking about your business with others.[28:00] Everyone has different stories & experiences to share.[29:00] Running a small business is hard, but rewarding.[31:00] Rachael's advice: research, flexibility and set goals

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I think you still have energy and excitement for whatever you're doing. You can weather all of those initial storms with starting something new when you don't know everything about it and you're still" - Rachael Hetzel

"Having the baby, I now have a much better work life balance. I know that I'm in the studio and I need to focus and then when I'm home, I'm home." -Rachael Hetzel

"I can structure my life the way I want it to go, instead of trying to keep up with the ball that's already rolling." - Rachael Hetzel

"I needed to set real goals so that I would know when I was hitting them, other than just having this loose idea of what success meant." - Rachael Hetzel

"I remember that feeling of not knowing anything, or feeling like I didn't know anything that I was doing. I want others to know that you don't have to know." -Rachael Hetzel

"Having that time to even just sit down with someone and talk about why you make things, helps you solidify things in your own mind." - Rachael Hetzel

"I want people to understand that there's no straight line in business. We all are making our own decisions based on our own circumstances." - Katie Hunt

"As hard as small business is and running these businesses are, it's so rewarding." - Katie Hunt

"Having flexibility is probably the biggest key to having a business." - Rachael Hetzel

"Do your research, be flexible, and set your goals" - Rachael Hetzel

"I had no idea where this business would go when I started it. I think being a little naïve is a good thing." - Rachael Hetzel

MEET RACHAEL HETZEL:

Rachael grew up reading books in the woods of a small town in upstate New York. She completed a BFA and MFA in printmaking and was a university art professor for ten years, during which time she launched Pistachio Press. When she isn't printing, Rachael likes to cook elaborate meals with her husband, play peek-a-boo with their six-month-old son, and cuddle with their two rescue dogs.

Website: http://www.pistachiopress.com

Facebook: @pistachiopress

Instagram: @pistachiopress

Twitter: @pistachiopress

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010 | Erin Ozer, Knot & Bow on her humble beginnings, manufacturing challenges and the benefits of strategically and slowly adding members to your team

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0400

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

'It is always a challenge to bring new product to the market and be innovative in some way but you also have a budget and spatial constraints to take into account' - Erin Ozer

"Housing 1000 greeting cards is one thing. Housing 1000 plates is a totally different thing." -Erin Ozer

"The numbers can get really, really big with custom manufacturing sometimes and it can be tough when you're really small." - Erin Ozer

"The wholesale side of our business grew pretty dramatically when we first signed with reps." - Erin Ozer

MEET ERIN OZER:

Website: https://www.knotandbow.com/

Facebook: @knotandbow

Instagram: @knotandbow

Twitter: @knotandbow

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009 | Kimberley Yurkiewicz, Crow & Canary on sales reps, why you need a printed catalog for wholesale and the importance of giving back.

Tue, 20 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0400

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"We look at ourselves as sort of a seamless, internal sales mechanism for the lines." -Kimberley Yurkiewicz on her role as sales rep.

"My buyers love to get things in the mail, they love to be able to see things and touch them as if they were having an appointment with you." - Kimberley Yurkiewicz

"My buyers want to see things that are not the same as every other thing on Etsy or Instagram" - Kimberley Yurkiewicz

"Catalogs are your best friend because they take the place of you when you're not there" -Kimberley Yurkiewicz

MEET KIMBERLEY YURKIEWICZ:

Kimberley is the New York sales representative for Crow + Canary. During her 15+ year career in the stationery industry, Kimberley has worked at Crane & Co., Kate's Paperie, as well as two of her own independent boutiques. She got her start running a letterpress studio, and has since worked all sides of the business – manufacturing, wholesaling, custom printing, multi-unit retail, buying, merchandising, and now repping. She has attended tradeshows as both a buyer and exhibitor. Kimberley's vast experience in the industry provides a unique and valuable perspective.

Website: http://www.crowandcanary.com

Instagram: @kimberleycanary

Twitter: @kimberleycanary

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008 | Briana & Jason of Brainstorm on infusing personal interests into creative work, using a strong brand to attract the right clients and why your business should always be in some state of transition.

Tue, 13 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0400

For full show notes and access to additional resources for this episode, visit: prooftoproduct.com/008

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"We always dig deep into our own lives for inspiration" - Briana Feola

"We're eternal students and want to keep learning no matter what the subject is" - Briana Feola

"As entrepreneurs, we tend to be more critical of ourselves than anyone else is" - Katie Hunt

"Going to Tradeshow Bootcamp was an eye opening experience that was necessary to set us in motion for the next four, five years now." - Briana Feola

"I feel like your business should always be in some state of transition" - Jason Snyder

"One benefit of being a small business owner is that we can be nimble and make our own decisions, shift gears however we need to" - Katie Hunt

"We pride ourselves on the fact that we stay super small and adaptable" - Briana Feola

'I need to get out of my own way, sometimes" - Briana Feola

LINKS:

Brainstorm National Park series

Brainstorm's work for Lollapalooza

C3 Presents

Brainstorm for Patagonia

Airstream Trailer Contest

Mama's Sauce

Adobe Max

Renegade Craft Fair

Brainstorm for L.L. Bean

Dude & Chick Crow & Canary Greenwich Letterpress

MEET BRIANA & JASON:

Website: http://www.wearebrainstorm.com

Facebook: @wearebrainstorm

Instagram: @wearebrainstorm

Twitter: @wearebrainstorm

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007 | Meg Sutton, Belle & Union Co., on research & development of new products, working with sales reps, goal setting and why it is important to remember that running a business is a marathon, not a sprint.

Tue, 06 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0400

For full show notes and access to additional resources for this episode, visit: prooftoproduct.com/007

Meg Sutton of Belle & Union Co., started her business in 2012 with a focus on creating handmade, American-made goods. Belle & Union has seen a ton of growth in their business in the last five years expanding from the world of letterpress greeting cards into textiles, home goods, kitchen wares and paper gift products. On today's episode, Meg and I talk about research & development of new products in the handmade space, working with sales reps, goal setting and how running a business is a marathon, not a sprint.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

[01:00] Meg's story of starting Belle & Union Co. [03:00] Diving head first into her business, launching wholesale & retail at the same time.[05:00] Finding her niche and expanding into gift and foodie products.[07:30] Why B&U focuses on creating handmade, American made products.[9:00] Research & development of new products. Determining if profit margins work for new items.[10:30] Struggles of making American made goods while maintaining profit margin.[11:30] Costs is a large factor in determining what new products to move forward with.[13:00] Focus on handmade allows Meg to control quality of her products.[15:00] Working with sales reps & why she waited to sign with one.[18:00] Providing sales reps with the right sales tools to do the job.[22:30] Trade shows are a marathon, not a sprint.[26:00] Systems around new product releases[27:00] Outsourcing social media management & planning out content.[29:00] Goal setting and what that looks like for Meg.[32:30] What's next for Belle & Union Co.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I wanted one order. That's all I wanted. And I walked away I think with close to 50 orders at that show, it was an incredible feeling" - Meg Sutton on her first trade show

"I can tell you personally, there is an end to Google, it does end." - Meg Sutton on research & development.

"Our American-made goods are going to be around the same cost as something made overseas. And I think that's a really big accomplishment." - Meg Sutton

"We did cutting boards for a little while and I loved them, they fit the brand great but we really just weren't making our margins on them. So at the end of the day it just didn't make sense [to produce them]." - Meg Sutton

'Your sales reps are part of your team, and you need to make sure they have the tools that they need to do the job" - Katie Hunt

"It's a marathon not a sprint." - Meg Sutton

"A lot of us wear a lot of hats, so we juggle all of them and keep the business moving forward" - Meg Sutton

"Now we plan out content, we have a content calendar and a schedule that we follow. And it shows. We've seen growth in the last six months not only in our followings but that translates to sales." - Meg Sutton

I would encourage people to take the time to write out their purpose or their mission statement. Writing it down completely changed my perspective and enabled growth. - Meg Sutton

MEET MEG SUTTON:

It all started in 2012 with a relationship: a Southern art student and a Northern soldier fell in love along the sandy beaches of Tybee Island and the shady moss-draped oaks of Savannah, Georgia. Everything you'll find at Belle & Union Co., is steeped in Southern hospitality, from the deepest grooves of our letterpress greeting cards to the very (literal) fiber of our signature tea towels: all proudly American made. We've got a soft spot for vintage American wit and wisdom and goods that tote a bit of a foodie twist. To us, nothing says home and comfort quite like the scents of Mawma's kitchen; it's the heart of the home and the memories made in it feed our souls.

Website: http://www.belleandunion.com/

Facebook: @belleandunionco

Instagram: @belleandunionco

Twitter: @belleandunionco

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NSS Part 2 | Interviews with Parrott Design, Iron Curtain Press, Lana's Shop, Julie Ann Art, Reyn Paper Co., Banquet Workshop

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 14:05:08 -0400

For full show notes and access to additional resources for this episode, visit: prooftoproduct.com/nss2017part2

I'm back with Part 2 of our National Stationery Show recap. We're talking with six of our TSBC alumni hearing what went well at the show, how the show has evolved and a couple will weigh in on how the show differs from NY Now and Atlanta's Mart. Today's episode features interviews with Sarah from Parrott Design Studio, Joel from Iron Curtain Press, Lana from Lana's Shop, Julie from Julie Ann Art, Kristen & Pam from Reyn Paper Co., and Tammy from Banquet Workshop.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Sarah Bianculli from Parrott Design (4th year in 5 years at NSS)

[01:30] How this show compared to previously shows she's done. [02:00] Expanding into more gift categories including canvas pouches, notepads, pens and pencils[03:00] Benefits of attending the show and meeting people face to face[04:00] Licensing projects with Papyrus and interest from Kodak; other benefits of being at the show.[04:30] Importance of follow-up after the show[05:00] Do a lot of research for the stores that are a good fit for you, quality over quantity.[05:30] Persistence and patience pay off. Don't give up and stay in front of the buyers you're a great fit for.

Joel Kvernmo from Iron Curtain Press (5th year at NSS)[06:00] Hard wall booths and changing up their design year after year.[07:00] Reusing booth materials to keep costs low, including foam tiles, shelving and storage[08:00] New product releases for this year: reporter notebooks, task pad, pencil bags[08:30] Best selling products at the show.[09:00] Don't overextend yourself financially as you're starting a business. Baby steps and slow growth is better than a big jump, then a big fall.

Lana from Lana's Shop (2nd year at NSS)[10:00] How Paper Camp helped her coming into her second year.[10:30] Continuing the momentum from her first year into the second year. [11:00] Unexpected mishaps: their crate was damaged in shipping[12:00] Opportunities she experienced being at the show: meeting artists & designers in person and potential collaborations[13:00] Go all out. Have confidence and stay true to your own designs

Julie Richardson from Julie Ann Art (2nd year at NSS)[13:30] Second year feels more prepared. Logistics get easier.[14:00] Creating unique decor for her booth that didn't take away from the product.[15:00] Lighting mishap and how she handled it. Resources are available on site.[16:00] NSS is a special atmosphere. [16:30] Advice: Join Tradeshow Bootcamp. Do your research. Don't be intimidated. We're all in this together.

Kristen & Pam from Reyn Paper Co. (3rd year at NSS)[17:00] Difference between types of buyers at NSS vs Atlanta Mart. Orders are typically bigger for Reyn at Atlanta (volume-wise). [19:00] Logistical difference between New York & Atlanta[19:30] Types of buyers they are seeing at National Stationery Show.[20:30] Different shows have different types of buyers. Find the best show for you and your products.[21:00] Find your right audience and get your products in front of them. [22:00] Looking at your return on investment.

Tammy Lawrence from Banquet Workshop (6th year at NSS)[22:30] How NSS compares to NY Now from an exhibitor stand point.[23:30] Types of buyers that shop NY Now vs Stationery Show.[24:30] She's seeing more and more exhibitors branching out into gift products because that is what the buyers want.[26:00] Make half your line birthday cards.[26:30] Branching out into textiles, more cards, etc. [27:00] All buyers buy different product mixes for their stores.

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NSS Part 1 | Interviews with Dahlia Press, The Good Twin, Fugu Fugu Press, Meeschmosh, Friendly Fire Paper and Sugar Paper

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 13:58:27 -0400

For full show notes and access to additional resources for this episode, visit: prooftoproduct.com/nss2017part1

I recently was in New York for the National Stationery Show where myself and approximately 70 of our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni were exhibiting. And, I thought it would be fun to chat with a handful of exhibitors, everyone from first time exhibitors to seasoned pros. This episode is part one of a two part special edition series and it features interviews with Stephanie from Dahila Press, Katie from The Good Twin, Shino and Ken from Fugu Fugu Press, Michelle from Meeschmosh, Denise from Friendly Fire Paper and Chelsea from Sugar Paper. Enjoy!

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

Stephanie Clarke from Dahlia Press (3rd year at NSS)

[01:00] How the show has changed year over year for Stephanie. [02:00] Increased confidence that comes with exhibiting multiple years.[02:30] Being able to say no to things that aren't the right fit for her business.[03:00] Licensing, custom projects and other opportunities that evolved being at NSS in 2017.[03:30] Making time to connect with industry colleagues and peers[04:00] Unexpected issues with shipping to the show and how she handled it

Katie Wilson from The Good Twin (2nd year at NSS)[04:30] Recap of relationships and opportunities she experienced being at the show.[05:00] Thoughts on NSS moving to a lower level at Javits (we like it!)[06:00] Building on relationships with retailers and meeting buyers from big box stores [06:00] Potential licensing projects with Penguin and Random House [06:30] Connecting with industry colleagues at the show[07:00] Industry specific shows vs shows with wider range of vendors[07:30] Standing out amongst others in the industry

Shino & Ken Charlson from Fugu Fugu Press (10th year at NSS)[08:00] How the show has evolved over the last 10 years.[08:30] Reaffirming relationships with current accounts & growing the size of orders. [09:30] Benefits of using face time at the shows to get feedback on your products.[10:30] New accounts vs fostering relationships with current accounts.

[11:00] Jitters before you write that first order at a show. [12:00] Trying new things with their line and feeling validated when people buy[12:30] Putting yourself and your work out into the world[13:00] Established companies still feel the jitters

MIchelle LaRocca from Meeschmosh (3rd year at NSS)[13:30] Smooth sailing during set-up at the show[14:00] Other opportunities at the show: Licensing possibilities with Hallmark, Harpers[14:30] Benefits of being at a show

Denise from Friendly Fire Paper (1st year at NSS)[15:00] First year at the show reached & exceeded her goals[15:30] Benefits of being at the show aside from sales [16:00] The unknowns of set-up went smoother than she expected[16:30] Rules change year to year; stay flexible and keep an open mind.[17:00] Meeting independent boutiques like Cursive and big box stores like Paper Source[18:00] Research, ask questions, don't be afraid to reach out.

Chelsea Shukov from SugarPaper Los Angeles (6th year at NSS)[18:30] Learning as they went when they first started selling wholesale and exhibiting.[20:00] Get your pricing right, do your research and know what the market will bear[20:30] Converting their Target customers into luxury planner customers[21:00] Differentiating yourself & maintaining a clear identity in your business[21:00] As a buyer she wants to see authentic work[22:00] How the show has evolved: It's tiny but mighty.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

My confidence has grown in many ways - Stephanie Clarke, Dahlia Press

"I like to think that even if I'm in a sea of stationers, my stuff will stand out and fill a need for my retailers." -Katie Wilson, The Good Twin

We reaffirm relationships by being at the show. Our buyers are growing with us. And we value that. -Ken Charlson, Fugu Fugu Press

"Stay flexible and keep an open mind." -Denise, Friendly Fire Paper

"Shipping product that is not making you any money, is not doing you any favors. You're working for free." - Chelsea Shukov, Sugar Paper

"Maintain a clear identity in your business" -Chelsea Shukov, Sugar Paper

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006 | Katie Wilson, The Good Twin on trendsetting, sticking to your core values and the importance of slow sustainable growth.

Tue, 30 May 2017 08:00:00 -0400

For full show notes and access to additional resources for this episode, visit: prooftoproduct.com/006

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

[36:30] Focusing on the higher level, revenue generating projects and hiring for the rest.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

" Sales rep knowledge is so valuable. They are on the ground with people just really getting it done." - Katie Wilson

"You think it's fun to be on the front end of a trend, and be the cool kid. It's not." - Katie Wilson

"It is scary to lay out that cash, out way at the beginning for something that you're not sure if it's gonna sell." -Katie Hunt

"If you can't make your margins work on a reasonably small amount, you probably shouldn't be making the products." -Katie Wilson

"If you shine, I shine." - Katie Wilson

"Having slow, sustainable growth is so essential." - Katie Wilson

LINKS:

Paper Camp Pinnacle DeFrance Printing Mama's Sauce Belle & Union Co.

TSBC Deciding What to Delegate Course - Free!

MEET KATIE WILSON:

Website: http://www.thegoodtwin.co/

Facebook: @thegoodtwinco

Instagram: @thegoodtwinco

Twitter: @thegoodtwinco

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005 | Sara McNally, Constellation & Co. on juggling a manufacturing business and retail shop, utilizing interns and falling in love with letterpress

Tue, 23 May 2017 08:00:00 -0400

For full show notes and access to additional resources for this episode, visit: prooftoproduct.com/005

Sara McNally is the owner of Constellation & Co., a letterpress studio and retail shop based in Seattle. She attended Paper Camp in 2013 prior to jumping into wholesale and doing her first trade show. On today's episode Sara talks about juggling a manufacturing business and retail shop, utilizing interns and falling in love with letterpress.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

[01:00] From design school to Constellation & Co. [04:30] Falling in love with letterpress and following a dream.[06:30] Jumping into wholesale, moving away from custom work.[09:30] Product development & adding new product categories.[12:30] How running a retail shop has changed the way she manufactures products[16:00] Starting the Constellation & Co retail shop[20:00] Managing a manufacturing business & retail shop in tandem[22:00] Roles & responsibilities of the Constellation & Co staff.[23:30] Hiring for family help helps the business too.[27:00] Utilizing interns[29:30] Using the interview & application to hone in on the right candidates[35:00] Don't get in over your head with inventory.[36:30] Focusing on the higher level, revenue generating projects and hiring for the rest.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"I'm too passionate and I'm too driven to allow someone else to burn me out at 23" - Sara McNally

"I just feel really grateful, that there were buyers that invested in me, when I had no idea what I was doing." - Sara McNally

"Like everything else that I've done in my business, my shop has been a learning experience and a little bit of kismet." - Sara McNally

I'm a big fan of delegating, whether it's for your personal life, or your business life or culmination of the two. - Katie Hunt

We always need to be professional, because this is a business but also realize that life happens. - Katie Hunt

You can't teach passion, you can't teach business acumen but you can teach technical skills. - Katie Hunt

"Don't get yourself in over your head with that overhead" - Sara McNally

LINKS: