Podcasts about product labs

Every founder I know has been wondering at some point or another how much other brands are making, what tech they're using, and how big their teams are. Everyone wants to see what other brands are doing and how they are successful.  Even though we know that every business journey looks different, it's natural to be curious. The product world is shifting so fast. Right now, we're seeing rising costs. We're seeing tariffs, supply chain delays, and changes to consumer buying habits. That's going to ultimately change how we are creating, marketing, and selling our products. We know that there are a lot of folks pivoting, a lot of people making changes to how things are going.  That is why I wanted to take another temperature check of our industry. We recently collected 400 responses to our state of the product industry survey. We had 400 brands that stretched a wide range of product categories, experience levels, and income levels, and they shared their insights and their business details so that we could create this collective report.  Now you can access this report at prooftoproduct.com/2025survey. I'm going to take this time on the podcast to walk you through the different sections and explain some of the findings that I had.   I do want to take a moment to thank everyone who contributed. Without your details, without you sharing so openly, we wouldn't be able to track these types of trends, challenges, or even opportunities that we can then supply back to the industry.  Your giving to us allowed us to give back to you, and I appreciate that. Also, I will be doing some further case studies and deep dives into the different revenue levels that were reported in this. This report is pretty long as it is, and I didn't want to bombard it with more. I will be doing these deeper dive case studies in our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. Get connected with more product-based businesses by owners by requesting your invitation below. REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/392  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

Do you have excess inventory that you have no idea how to move? On today's podcast, we have Melodie van der Baan, cofounder of Max Retail. It's a platform designed to help independent retailers and brands easily sell their excess inventory online.  During our conversation, Melodie shares how she started out as a sales rep, and then how she owned her own retail store in Palm Beach and how the challenges she faced with unsold inventory inspired the creation of Max Retail. She shares how Max Retail integrates seamlessly with popular sales platforms like Shopify, Square, and Lightspeed, and the innovative ways that it gives new life to seasonal or aged inventory through a vast network of e-commerce channels.  We also talk about the importance of inventory management, staying adaptable in uncertain markets, and why a strong partnership between brands and retailers is more crucial than ever. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!  REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/391  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

With everything going on in the global economy right now, there have been a lot of discussions about price increases. It's been a hot topic in Paper Camp, in our LABS community, and even in my Advisory Board mastermind.  People are asking about how to raise their prices, if they should raise their prices, and also how to communicate those price increases with your customers, whether you're selling retail or wholesale. And it's a great and valid question. I understand why people are asking it right now. So I'm bringing back an episode that we aired in 2022. It's called How to Communicate Price Increases with Your Customers, and this is honestly more relevant now than when I first aired this episode. With increasing tariffs and practically everything getting more expensive, a majority of you will need to increase your prices. I want your businesses to survive for the long haul. I want you to thrive. I want you to be building a profitable business that will continue for a long time. Understanding when it's time to raise your prices and how to do that is going to be a critical piece for you maintaining your business. I hope you find this episode helpful. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!  REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/389  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Have you ever thought about licensing your art, but have no idea where to start? Licensing can be a really great supplemental revenue stream for your business. Nowadays, there are lots of folks looking for art to apply to their products.  This week, we have Bonnie Christine on the show. She's an internationally renowned surface pattern designer, an entrepreneur, and an award-winning online educator. She's been creating artwork for brands and products around the world since 2009. She's a self-taught designer and runs the Surface Design Immersion program that's geared for creative entrepreneurs. She's also the host of the Professional Creative Podcast, I have an interview coming out on her show soon. During our interview, we talk about how making residual income through art licensing, how it can be lengthy, but also rewarding process, and also a great way to make extra income for your business. We also talk about the importance of being proactive, how to handle rejection as a creative, and a breakdown of how creatives can use an art agent. We'll also cover the benefits of in-house sales team and the evolving impact of AI on art and business. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!  REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/376  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

I'm coming to you on the heels of having a cold, and I'm here to remind you to take care of yourself. A lot is going on in the United States this week.  Plus, this time of year is hectic for all of my product-based business owners. I know you are working so hard and are likely wearing yourself out. I thought now would be a good time to share simple ways to practice self-care before and during a busy season. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!  REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/369  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

I feel like today's guest needs no introduction, but it would be a complete disservice to not share all of his accolades.  Today, I'm talking with Seth Godin. He's an author, entrepreneur, and most of all, a teacher.  In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 22 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, and This is Marketing, which was an instant bestseller in countries around the world.  His newest book, This is Strategy: Make Better Plans releases this week and offers readers a practical framework for what an effective strategy looks like and feels like in today's fast-moving chaotic, and diverse world. This strategy allows readers to zoom out and see the bigger picture and understand the systems that are shaping their lives at work, in business, and day-to-day challenges.  Seth contends that by recognizing and mastering these systems and prioritizing long-term thinking over instant gratification, we can make smart, purposeful choices today that will lead to long-term growth. In my conversation with Seth, he shares his motivation for writing this book, the four elements that are critical for an effective strategy, and the importance of identifying and connecting with our smallest viable audience. On a personal note, when I started my product business in 2008, Seth's work was a major catalyst in helping me gain marketing momentum. He has a no-nonsense approach. He's concise and clear with his thoughts, and that resonates and gets your wheels turning, which you will hear in today's episode. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!  REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/367  This episode contains affiliate links. You can view our affiliate disclaimer here. Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

Is it harder to start a business or scale a business? This was a question that someone posed over on Threads recently, and it got my wheels turning.  In 2024, scaling is harder. It is easy to start a business these days. However, most don't have the grit to keep going long-term and scale the business.  During this episode, I dive into why it's easier to start a business in 2024 but harder to scale a business. I touch on how different marketing is these days, the differences between finding manufacturing partners now vs in the past, changes in technology, decision fatigue, and more. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!  REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/366  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

Have you ever sold out of your inventory in a few days? Today's guest did that when they were launching their embroidery kits to the wholesale market through Faire.  Riki Inge of Rikrack had stocked up inventory. She'd prepped her Faire shop. She went live, and everything completely sold out in just a few days. While most people would see this as a good problem, it highlighted a lot of issues with Riki's packaging, her product details, and even her fulfillment workflow. And she's here today to share her story with us, how she navigated that situation and came out ahead.    Rikrack Embroidery creates kits that are not only beautiful and unique, but also fun and simple to stitch, as well as embroidery-inspired gifts that she's recently expanded into. Riki created embroidery art in college but stopped stitching while working as an in-house artist for more than 18 years. Rikrack combines the love of art making with the fun of embroidery to design kits that allow anyone to create their own special piece of art.  On today's episode, Riki shares why she felt like she was starting over when she moved from selling direct to consumer to selling wholesale. We talk about the challenges she faced and the solutions that she implemented when she sold out of all of her inventory in just a few days when launching wholesale. And we talk about why slow, steady, and intentional outsourcing have served Riki well in growing her business. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. If you have ever wanted to pick my brain or get my eyes and ears on your business, our LABS coaching program is the place to do that. One of our founding members, Cedric Victor of Special Orbit, said it best. He said: if you don't want to find out months or years down the line that there was a better way to run your business, get in LABS. We are constantly talking, figuring things out together, and sharing hard-won insights.  Cedric, thank you so much for this. I could not agree with you more. LABS is a special community that includes a wide range of product makers like Riki, our guest today. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!  REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/365  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

We've been telling you a lot of stories here on the podcast about brands making big scary shifts in business, and part of the reason we're doing this is to normalize that it's okay to pivot when you need to.  In episode 342, Alyson O'Connor shared how she shut down a 6-figure revenue stream so she could focus on a revenue stream wholesale that better fit the day-to-day life she wanted. In episode 338, Kiwi Schloffel shared how she made the tough decision to exit her business, and Meghan Hopkins Sokorai talked about why she chose to acquire Kiwi's business.  On this week's episode, Janine Kwoh of Kwohtations is back on the show to talk about some big shifts she recently made to her product line to ensure that her business was not only more sustainable but also easier for her to manage.  Janine is the owner and designer of Kwohtations, a Brooklyn, New York-based line of letterpress-printed greeting cards and gifts. Kwohtations cards acknowledge and celebrate people and occasions who are often underrepresented in the card aisle. She is also the author of Welcome to the Grief Club, an illustrated book on grief for anyone who has had a loss. Janine is a PaperCamp alumnus and a community leader in our Proof to Product Labs program. She is an award-winning artist, an author, and a great friend to many in the industry. On today's episode, Janine shares how a key account ordered 4,300 hand-painted cards and how that pushed her to retire and rethink her entire product line. She talked about her decision-making process, how she prepared for the changes, and how she communicated these product changes to her customers. Today's episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well: We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers. And all of this becomes infinitely easier when we actively listen to our customers. This on-demand interview series will give you a competitive edge by providing an exclusive window into what buyers want and need from you. And, the best part, it's only $27 bucks.  Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/345  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

In this Prime Talk Podcast Sponsored by Getida – Brad Moss - Founder and CEO of Product Labs - talks about the gamification of Amazon Seller Central, and also more information about his life's journey. About Brad Moss of Product Labs - https://www.productlabs.ai/ eCommerce is in our DNA, as we've helped industry giants create these systems. Knowing how to sell on Amazon is what we do – going beyond software and data to be your true strategic partner—that's Product Labs. Getida: https://getida.com/ Please subscribe to our channel and share your thoughts and comments below.

You know we like to keep things real with you here at Proof to Product and the truth is, there will be a lot of businesses that will close their doors over the next year. There will be lots of reasons for this. Some business owners will decide that they no longer want to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.  Some will not be able to keep their doors open due to financial strain. Some business owners will shut down entire revenue streams to focus on something new. Maybe even under a new brand. Some doors will close because the business owner's life circumstances have changed.   So many unique and different reasons why this will happen. But we're about to see a cycle of small business closures. Everyone I talk to in business right now is trying to reduce costs - for services, software, team and more. But there is another side of this coin. It's something that will keep your business stable and strong. It is where you should be focusing your time, energy and effort. It's selling. Selling your products should be the main focus in your business always, but particularly right now. During today's episode, we are discussing how you can make sure you are selling every single day. You'll learn why you need to sell every day and three actionable ways you can make sure you are doing so.  Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe.  REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/318 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Opening a retail storefront is no joke. It's a whole lot of work and a completely different business model than selling products online or to the wholesale market. Brick-and-mortar retail requires different strategies, operational systems, and of course staffing needs. I know there are many of you who dream of someday opening a shop, in fact, we have many product brands that also have brick-and-mortar shops in our Proof to Product community.  So today we're going to hear from Ginger Diaz, the owner of Feliz Modern and Rancho Diaz in San Antonio, Texas. Ginger Diaz came to retail to bring her favorite artists' and makers' works to a wider audience. What started as one brick-and-mortar shop in San Antonio has expanded to a second shop, as well as their online store at felizmodern.com, for those national customers that they service. All three shops are centered around products that bring joy and some cheeky fun to their customers. It's a small business full of hundreds of other small businesses and makers from around the globe.  On today's episode, we're talking to Ginger about motivations for opening her stores, how relationships played a key role in their survival during the pandemic, and how Ginger's incredible staff has helped improve efficiencies in her business. We also talk a little bit about her buying preferences and red flags that she sees in manufacturers' pitches or outreach, and what she looks for when she's purchasing from smaller independent brands. Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right for You private podcast! This free 12 part audio series will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your specific business. After listening to this audio series (in less than an hour), two things will be true. You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business, and you'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. Sign up for the private podcast today! SIGN UP You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/303 Connect with Ginger felizmodern.com  @felizmodern Ranchodiaz.com @rancho.diaz Mentioned in this episode: Proof to Product LABS  

Today we're gonna talk about paid advertising. I have spent years searching for someone that has extensive experience in the e-commerce space, and who understands the unique challenges and needs of micro-businesses, solo entrepreneurs, and small businesses, particularly with paid advertising. What I found in my search was that there were a lot of people who were focused on paid ads, but for service businesses or for larger brands with huge budgets. There were people that only focused on ads, but did not look at the holistic marketing strategy that the ads were pushing to. I also encountered a lot of people who just didn't understand the nuances of e-commerce sales.  So this is a topic that our community has asked for over and over again, but I never felt like I could find the right expert to put in front of you. Until today—my guest today is Taylor Frame from Focus Funnels. Taylor is the co-founder of Focus Funnels, which is an e-commerce growth shop. He has consulted and worked with over 400 e-commerce companies including several from our Proof to Product community. Focused Funnels has launched and scaled over 100 brands to consistent six-figure months, finding creative solutions for bootstrap founders.  In addition to the overall success, Taylor's team has managed over $45 million in performance ad spend across a variety of niches. Taylor and his team specialize in working with women-owned e-commerce brands on holistic marketing that ties together both organic and paid advertising efforts. This is key—this is critical to success. As you will soon hear he breaks down complex ideas and strategies into easy-to-understand solutions, which I love. On today's episode, we're talking about trends in the marketing space, how much money you'll need to spend to get started in paid ads, and how to leverage different ad platforms for different outcomes. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. Taylor Frame will join us live in July to teach a training on quick win ad strategies that you can implement right away. He'll be back in August to offer ad audits to our members, so we can measure and track and see what's working and make shifts as we need to. These are member only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below!  REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/302 Connect with Taylor focusfunnels.com linkedin.com/in/taylor-frame instagram.com/focusfunnels Mentioned in this episode: Proof to Product LABS  

I recently spent the day with many of our Proof to Product students at the *Noted & SF Now trade show in San Francisco, CA. Seventy-four of our Proof to Product LABS members and Paper Camp alumni were exhibiting at this show - which means our community accounted for 62% of all exhibitors. Pretty incredible! Our community members won awards, secured major orders with key accounts, launched new products, connected with distributors and they grew their confidence as business owners. It's such an honor and privilege to know that our community & programming played a small part in getting them there. Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right for You private podcast! This free 12 part audio series will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your specific business. After listening to this audio series (in less than an hour), two things will be true. You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business, and you'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale.  Sign up for the Is Wholesale Right For You private podcast! You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/296 If you are curious about what it takes to exhibit at a trade show I want to invite you to look into my Booth Blueprint Masterclass. This free class is available inside our resource library and walks you through three things that you need to know before you start exhibiting at a trade show. LEARN MORE Mentioned in this Episode: Noted: https://www.greetingcard.org/noted/ SF Now: https://sfnow.com/ Guests:Kirstie Wang, A Jar of Pickles Karen Kennedy, And the moon will rise Ian Pribyl, Explicit Contents Brigida Swanson, Yardia Kate Murray, Quick Brown Fox Letterpress Krishna Chavda, Nanu Studio Alyson O'Connor, Rust Belt Love Paperie Lynn Jones, Lynn-oleum Nikki Tyler, Little Lovelies Studio Emily Chiang, Emii Creations Emma Lewis, The Twentieth Christine Nardone, Black Line Rainbows Lauren-Ashley Barnes, Pineapple Sunday Design Studio Christine Herrin, Everyday Explorers Co. Lindsay Henry, Inklings Paperie  

Pathfinder Product Labs is a consulting group that helps companies embrace proven, repeatable methodologies for embracing uncertainty and defining product direction. Brett Buchanan founded the company with fellow co-founder Nick Baker in 2019, and today he leads the company as a Product Management Consultant and CEO.

We all have big goals, dreams, and plans for our businesses. In order to meet those milestones, we need to take action. What do you do when you look at your to-do list and everything starts to feel really overwhelming?  Today's guest is Ashley Brown of Routines and Things and this episode is an excerpt from a recent Coffee Chat that she led inside of our Proof to Product LABS program on time management. Ashley is our resident routines expert, teaching us how to establish and sustain routines in our life and our business, so that we're less stressed and more fulfilled.  On today's episode, you'll hear Ashley speak candidly about how she personally handles task management, as well as energy management in her life and business. We talk about mindset work, delegating and outsourcing, and how to conserve and restore our energy. This episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers guide. 49% of our customers want to hear from us on a consistent basis, yet, only a small percentage of product-based business owners are actively sending monthly emails to their customers.   If you've struggled with what to say, when to send, or how to plan out your email marketing strategies, we've got just the tool for you. This tool and the optional training have helped hundreds of product makers plan out an entire year's worth of emails.  And, the best part… they are creating templates that they can rinse & repeat year after year.   DOWNLOAD NOW You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/292   If you are looking for a safe space to talk openly about the challenges and solutions needed to scale a product based business, look no further. We have carved out a space just for you! Our LABS community consists of brands across industries and across the globe, who are building profitable, sustainable businesses. We're talking about things like processes, systems, marketing strategies, and more. We have trainings, templates, coaching calls, and community connections to help you make forward progress towards your goals.    JOIN NOW  

Way back in 2008, when I had my stationery brand I purchased a light box off of Amazon, borrowed my sister's DSLR camera and spent hours reading photography tutorials on blogs to learn how to use the camera and to get ideas for what my shot list should include! When I say hours, I literally mean dozens of hours were spent trying to learn how to take product photos that would make my brand look polished & professional. And, the results… Well, they were ok.  Not great, but ok.   Then in 2010, I hired a professional photographer to take product photos for me. It was a big investment for my small business but I knew that if I had stronger photography, that I would likely sell more of my product and it would give me content to post on social media. Even with the professional photographer, there were still several aspects of the shoot that I was responsible for like a shot list, styling, and making sure we got everything shot that we needed. I remember feeling a lot of pressure to get it right, because I was investing a lot of time and money into this photo shoot. Fast forward to today and thankfully there is a less expensive & convenient way for you to get your products photographed, styled and edited by professionals. Meet soona, a creative technology company that helps over 15,000 commerce brands with photo and video production.  They are disrupting the industry with their innovative services, creative process, and use of technology. Today's guest is Rikin Diwan, who handles sales & marketing at soona. We're talking about their scaleable creative process and how soona is alleviating pain points for ecommerce brands that need digital assets to sell more of their products. If you've struggled with product photography… this episode is for you. Today's episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers guide. This was a training I taught inside of our Proof to Product LABS program—where hundreds of product makers mapped out a year of emails in under an hour. If you've struggled with what to say, when to send or how to plan out your email marketing strategies for wholesale or direct to consumer audiences we've got just the tool for you. Grab our free guide that has helped hundreds of product makers plan out a year's worth of marketing emails in under an hour. We'll tell you what to say, when to send and help you create an email strategy that works for your specific business.  GET FREE ACCESS You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/289. If you're ready to give Soona a try, they're giving our community an exclusive offer of your first photoshoot free! You can find that inside our LABS vendor directory! If you're not in our LABS community, this is our 12 month membership built specifically for product based business owners they're looking to streamline their business and boost their sales!  LEARN MORE  

Research has shown that you have about 8 seconds to capture people's attention when they come to your website.  That's the average attention span for your website visitors, and that's not a lot of time!  If you fail to articulate what you sell, who those products are for and how you're different from your competitors, you may have lost your chance to convert that potential customer. We have to be intentional about how we're interacting & connecting with our customers so that we're not only keeping their attention, but also converting them to customers. Today's guest is Arianne Foulk, of Aeolidia, a web and graphic design agency.  Arianne and her team work exclusively with brands with a penchant for design and they have launched thousands of online shops.  She loves having a problem to solve, and has focused throughout her career on building online homes for fascinating people. You may remember Arianne from episode 114 of Proof to Product where we talked about abandoned cart emails.  On today's episode we're talking about common mistakes she sees product business owners making with their e-commerce site, SMS marketing strategies, and why you need automated email flows—like welcome and abandoned cart sequences—to better nurture and retain your current customers. If you're a LABS member, Arianne will be joining us in April to lead us through achievable ways to optimize your e-commerce website for more sales. She'll also be back in July to do website audits for our LABS members! Keep an eye on our events calendar so that you don't miss these exciting trainings live! If you're not already in our LABS program, head to prooftoproduct.com/labs to learn more.  As a reminder, all past LABS trainings are available as replays (and we have a really rich archive of trainings)—but only active LABS members are able to attend our trainings live and ask questions. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS program. If you are looking to strengthen your business foundation and are looking for coaching and a trusted community for support, come join Proof to Product LABS. Our vault of on-demand trainings runs deep, but the incredible community, the connections, and the collaborations are like no other. If you sell physical products, come join us! This is a space that was intentionally built just for you.   ENROLL NOW   You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/288.  

Does the economy have you worried? I know that the words inflation and recession have been hot topics in several small business groups that I'm in, and I know that people are worried. Today, Jess Van Den of Create and Thrive joins me to talk about how small businesses, particularly in the handmade space, can prepare for and survive through these types of economic downturns.  Jess is the founder of Create and Thrive, a community for handmade product makers where she teaches them how to craft the business they've dreamed of. Since 2013, Jess has helped 1000's of makers to create a thriving and profitable handmade business. Jess teaches what she knows. She owns and operates a successful jewelry business selling online and wholesale to shops.  On today's episode, Jess shares how she accidentally started two businesses with a startup story that is oddly similar to my own! Then we dove into talking about recession, inflation, and what business owners can do to adapt during these times. We specifically talk about ways to diversify your revenue streams, why you need to be auditing your expenses, and the importance of surrounding yourself with a trusted community.  Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS program. If you are looking to strengthen your business foundation and are looking for coaching and a trusted community for support, come join Proof to Product LABS. Our vault of on-demand trainings run deep, but the incredible community, the connections, and the collaborations are like no other. If you sell physical products, come join us! This is a space that was intentionally built just for you. ENROLL NOW You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/287.  

Fun fact: Approximately 75% of our Proof to Product community sells their products through a Shopify site. One of the most commonly asked questions that comes up during Paper Camp is “What Shopify apps can I use to enhance the sales experience?” Today's guest is Erin Alexander from Product Powerhouse and she's sharing her favorite Shopify Apps, including why she recommends them and how they can make your life easier.  We're talking about apps to enhance your product listings, collect & share customer reviews and apps that will simplify referral, loyalty or affiliate programs. Erin Alexander is a curly-haired, plant-loving, coffee maven, that helps shop owners show up online with confidence. Her design agency, Product Powerhouse, helps product sellers build, grow and scale their online shop with the power of Shopify. She also teaches how to grow the visibility and online presence of their store through her podcast, digital products and DIY courses.  Today's episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers guide. This was a training I taught inside of our Proof to Product LABS program—where hundreds of product makers mapped out a year of emails in under an hour. If you've struggled with what to say, when to send or how to plan out your email marketing strategies for wholesale or direct to consumer audiences we've got just the tool for you. Grab our free guide that has helped hundreds of product makers plan out a year's worth of marketing emails in under an hour. We'll tell you what to say, when to send and help you create an email strategy that works for your specific business.  DOWNLOAD NOW You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/279

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

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

Today's guest is a former Amazonian and the CEO of Product Labs, one of the top Amazon Management Consulting companies which offers innovative software that allows sellers to extract demographic information from Amazon customers. Currently, Brad is also a part of the Executive Team at Brandless, one of the world's fastest-growing omnichannel commerce platforms. Takeaways:With the right tenants, you can build, it will keep your vision straight and organize all of your data. You create this press release of like, what are the key benefits of whatever this thing is that you have in your mind, but it's not even as much for everyone else around you. Do not ask questions when they tell you to do something, do not push back and ask questions, because they're gonna tell you you're supposed to know the answer to that. Focus on the Amazon customer, when you try and catch Amazon and things that they are doing that are bad for their customers will usually fall on deaf ears, because the folks that you're dealing with are not the folks that are going to change those systems inside of Amazon. Here's four things that really make up your conversion rate, your images, text content including your title, what your price is, and then what your reviews are. Quote of the Show:Amazon has 3 tenets, the foundational principles of any business you are running or operating. With the right tenet, you can build anything and it will keep your vision straight and organize all your data. That way you can make sense of the chaos. Links:Personal – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradmoss/Personal – IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1053663/Product Labs – Website: https://www.productlabs.ai/Brandless – Website: https://brandless.com/ Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcast (Leave a Review)iHeart RadioPodchaser (Leave a Review)Amazon MusicAudibleSpotifyGoogle PodcastStitcherYoutubeAmazon Legends is sponsored by Argometrix, the authority on, and leading supplier of, competitive intelligence for online retail. To learn more, head over to https://argometrix.com/ 

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

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

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

In today's episode, we're talking about becoming data-driven in financial services. Our guest is Tanvi Singh. At the time of this recording, she was wrapping up nearly eight years with Credit Suisse, most recently as Managing Director of Digital Transformation and Product Labs. She is now the Group Head of the ADA Foundations Hub at UBS. There are two critical takeaways from this episode. The first is a view of the world of data and the future of financial services where data can be leveraged for AI value, drive value for customers, and operational efficiencies. The second half of the episode is about building that robust data mesh and becoming data-driven in a way that also sees a near-term value. Tanvi paints a picture of how to bear both near-team value and long-term value in mind and the long lumbering path from where banks are today to a place of real digital fluency.

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  

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}

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

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

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

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!

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!

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! 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!

Brad talks about what aggregators are looking for when investors buy businesses. Learn that when you are building your brand, it can prove to be more beneficial in the long term.   You'll Learn: What you can outsource and still have a sellable business That investors aren't just buying the operations side, but the cashflow How to build a brand The issues that sourcing creates How to create the best operations for managing an E-commerce business

Brad talks about what aggregators are looking for when investors buy businesses. Learn that when you are building your brand, it can prove to be more beneficial in the long term.   You'll Learn: What you can outsource and still have a sellable business That investors aren't just buying the operations side, but the cashflow How to build a brand The issues that sourcing creates How to create the best operations for managing an E-commerce business

Brad Moss founder of Product Labs, provides managed solutions (technology as well as management) for Amazon sellers and brands selling on Amazon they also operate and acquire own brands on and off the Amazon platform.    Everybody underestimates running how hard Amazon businesses are! Whereas Brad's team knows how to run Amazon.   You'll Learn: What it takes to get your business sellable If you are building a cashflow machine or a brand How to identify who wants your land or who wants your brand The to identify the value of the deal

Brad Moss founder of Product Labs, provides managed solutions (technology as well as management) for Amazon sellers and brands selling on Amazon they also operate and acquire own brands on and off the Amazon platform.    Everybody underestimates running how hard Amazon businesses are! Whereas Brad's team knows how to run Amazon.   You'll Learn: What it takes to get your business sellable If you are building a cashflow machine or a brand How to identify who wants your land or who wants your brand The to identify the value of the deal