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Katie Hunt
Ranked in the top 1% of ALL podcasts, the Proof to Product podcast is your trusted resource for sustainable business growth - especially if you make and sell physical products!
Join Katie Hunt, each week as she shares strategies & solutions to enhance your sales & marketing so that you’re building a business that supports your best life.
If you’ve ever asked yourself can I make money selling physical products? Am I ready to sell my products wholesale to stores like Target, Anthropologie, Nordstrom or Barnes & Noble? When should I consider hiring a sales team or sales reps? Can I really turn my passion into profits? Whether you’re a just starting out on your business journey or you’ve been at it a while growing an empire, this show is for you.
Proof to Product is like on-demand business school for product sellers spanning a wide range of industries. Whether you’re in home decor, apparel, beauty, food & beverage, hand-made items, jewelry, consumer gifts or the stationery world, you’ll gather new ideas each week to help you grow your profit, build your team and lead with integrity.
Host Katie Hunt and her guests bring you actionable ways to expand your product line, manufacturing overseas, optimize your e-commrce websites on Shopify, Faire, Etsy, Abound, Tundra, Squarespace or in brick & mortar locations. How to start or scale wholesale sales including pitching stores, wholesale outreach, trade show exhibition, working with sales reps, managing inventory, warehousing product, sales systems, wholesale follow-up strategies and working with key accounts. Marketing strategies for small businesses including content creation, leveraging tik tok and instagram tactics without feeling burned out, why you can’t rely solely on social media for sales and why email marketing systems on platforms like Klaviyo, Flodesk and Active Campaign are so powerful. Listen in as Katie and our guest experts help you strategize and tackle your biggest business goals.
Host Katie Hunt brings a unique perspective to entrepreneurship. Since 2011, she’s helped thousands of product brands get their products on the shelves of their favorite retail stores through her Paper Camp program (www.prooftoproduct.com/papercamp). Prior to that she worked in the corporate world for over a decade leading business development and marketing teams. She has two MBAs - one in finance and one in marketing. And, she owned & operated her own product based business for over 8 years, selling her products to stores throughout the world from her garage. Katie knows the struggles you face as a product based business and she’s here to pull back the curtain and share her best kept secrets so that you don’t have to learn things the hard way.
Find our free trainings & resources for product based business owners at www.prooftoproduct.com/resources
278 | What's New in LABS in 2023! 🎉
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. LEARN MORE You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/278
22:3203/01/2023
We’re on Winter Break!
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! JOIN THE WAITLIST 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
01:3320/12/2022
277 | Maximizing online sales on Amazon and Shopify with Grace Hayden | Shopify Simplified
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. DOWNLOAD NOW 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. JOIN THE WAITLIST 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
29:4613/12/2022
276 | Attracting customers, collaborations & partnerships with Kathy Cano-Murillo, Crafty Chica
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. JOIN THE WAITLIST You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/276
33:3606/12/2022
275 | How to Improve Your Customer Journey with Jordan Kentris, A Good Day
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. JOIN THE WAITLIST You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/275
30:3829/11/2022
274 | Focusing on SEO led to over 600% growth in website visitors with Ashley Jankowski | The Typeset Co
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. GET FREE ACCESS 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.
24:1822/11/2022
273 | How she found her overseas manufacturing partners with Ashley Jankowski, The Typeset Co
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. 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. JOIN THE WAITLIST You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/273
26:2415/11/2022
272 | Creating an entirely new product category with Kristina Schlegel, Make Bake
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! 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. GRAB THE GUIDE 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. JOIN THE WAITLIST
38:0208/11/2022
271 | Reducing Overwhelm with Hiring & Delegating with Katie Hunt
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! GET ACCESS NOW 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. JOIN THE WAITLIST
12:5401/11/2022
270 | Opening a Retail Store Front with Lisa DiVito, Tiramisu Paperie
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. 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. GRAB THE GUIDE You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/270 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. JOIN THE WAITLIST
40:2925/10/2022
269 | Over 150 Retail Markets in 3 Years with Danella Ruth McKinnon, McKinnon Collective
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. 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. 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! JOIN THE WAITLIST
35:0918/10/2022
268 | Why I'm not a fan of assorted products with Katie Hunt
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
09:3411/10/2022
267 | How she grew her email list to over 10,000 subscribers in a year with Shea Bailey-Burkett, Planned & Proper
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! JOIN THE WAITLIST
24:0204/10/2022
266 | How to Communicate Price Increases to Your Customers with Katie Hunt
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! GET ACCESS NOW
15:5227/09/2022
265 | 8 Tips to Prepare for Black Friday Sales with Mei Pak, Creative Hive Co.
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! JOIN THE WAITLIST
24:5120/09/2022
264 | Looking Back at 10 Years in Business with Nikki Tyler, Little Lovelies Studio
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 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! GET ACCESS NOW
29:4313/09/2022
263 | Preparing Your Product Business for a Recession with Katie Hunt
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! JOIN THE WAITLIST
15:5406/09/2022
262 | Creating a Marketing Strategy Based on Your Personality Type with Brit Kolo, Marketing Personalities
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 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! GET ACCESS NOW
34:0630/08/2022
261 | Selling to a National Retail Chain with Krishna Chavda, NANU Studio
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 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
29:2323/08/2022
260 | 3 Ways to Outsource Sales with Katie Hunt
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 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 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
14:3016/08/2022
259 | Launching Wholesale & Exhibiting at SF now with Christine Herrin, Everyday Explorers Co.
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. 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
32:5509/08/2022
258 | Scaling to 500 Wholesale Accounts with Brittany O'Brien, Brittany Paige
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}
31:3002/08/2022
257 | Enhance Your Etsy Sales with Lauren Keplinger
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 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! Get Access Now
26:0926/07/2022
256 | 4 ways to measure trade show success excluding sales with Katie Hunt
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
10:1619/07/2022
255 | Your Emotions Make Your Business Stronger with Kiwi Schloffel, Your Gal Kiwi
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}
47:4012/07/2022
We're on summer break!
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!
01:1028/06/2022
254 | Identifying & Overcoming Burnout with Valerie Hamaker, Generation Xhausted
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 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
34:0221/06/2022
253 | Manufacturing Overseas with Emily Chiang, Emii Creations
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 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! Join the Waitlist
17:3114/06/2022
252 | Why you need a 90 day Marketing Roadmap with Lyndsay Clements, Ellen Grace Marketing
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 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! {Join the Waitlist}
34:2207/06/2022
251 | Navigating Wholesale Exclusivity Requests with Katie Hunt
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}
13:1931/05/2022
250 | How she added $55k in revenue by adding a digital product to her e-commerce shop with Dani Bruflodt, The Daily Page
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 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! DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE
26:2324/05/2022
249 | Why you need to niche down with Sadie Teper, Twentysome Design
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}
32:3217/05/2022
248 | Live from the trade show floor at Noted & SF Now 2022
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}
43:1210/05/2022
247 | How often should I release new products to the wholesale market with Katie Hunt
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
06:0303/05/2022
246 | NFTs for Artists with Jason Matias, Jason Matias Photography
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
44:0426/04/2022
245 | Don't be afraid to take calculated risks with Lindsay Henry, Inklings Paperie
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! Get Free Access Now
33:0819/04/2022
244 | How to Decide Which Product to Manufacture Next with Katie Hunt
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 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! Get Free Access Now
06:5612/04/2022
243 | Building an Antiracist Business with Trudi Lebrón
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 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! Get Free Access Now
29:2005/04/2022
242 | NY Now Show Results with Christy Asper, Paper Baristas
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 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! Get Free Access Now
29:1029/03/2022
241 | How to Determine Your Product Pricing with Katie Hunt
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
10:5922/03/2022
240 | You're right on time with Amber McCue, The Modern CEO
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 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! Get Free Access Now
29:0515/03/2022
239 | Why You Should Be Tracking Inventory at All Stages of Business with Katie Hunt
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
08:1408/03/2022
238 | Building Your Dream Team with Kira La Forgia, Paradigm Consulting
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
34:4801/03/2022
237 | Navigating supply chain issues & product expansion with Alex Gagné, Chez Gagné
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 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
36:3522/02/2022
236 | Lessons learned exhibiting at Atlanta Mart, Noted & NY Now with Christy Asper, Paper Baristas
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 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
32:1715/02/2022
235 | How can I get more support from Proof to Product with Katie Hunt
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 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
16:1708/02/2022
234 | Scaling Wholesale with Beth Roszkowski & 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, resources and a transcription, please 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
31:1701/02/2022
233 | Sales results from exhibiting at Shoppe Object with Jodi Kostelnik, The Neighborgoods
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 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
39:0325/01/2022
232 | Working with Sales Reps with Carina Murray, Crow & Canary
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
27:1418/01/2022
231 | 2021 Year-End Recap with Katie Hunt
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
09:1917/12/2021