Proof to Product

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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! 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!

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/ For full show notes and resources, head to: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/how-to-create-a-wholesale-resource-page-with-katie-hunt 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! 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!

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 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! 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!

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 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! 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!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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.

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

Hey friends! I recently sat down and had a conversation with Micala Quinn on her show, the Live Free Podcast to have a conversation about how virtual support professionals could support e-commerce and product based businesses. I wanted to bring a piece of that conversion to my podcast. In this episode, I am exploring the 4 areas of your business where virtual, freelance support could make a positive impact for you. If you've been wondering how you can get some remote, flexible, rockstar team members to support you while you grow your business then tune in! ON TODAY'S EPISODE: 4 areas in your business that would benefit from help Hiring help dependent on your business model and needs A mistake I've seen from business owners when hiring for a virtual role FOR FULL SHOW NOTES AND RESOURCES, HEAD TO BIT.LY/PTPEP197 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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

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 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 FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ 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. Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

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 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. 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! 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!

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 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. 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! 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!

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 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. 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! 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!

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 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. 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! 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!