Proof to Product

We're taking the next two weeks off for an end of summer break. While we're gone, we're bringing you four of our most popular episodes pulled from the archives. I hand picked these episodes based on feedback in our Proof to Product Facebook group , emails I've received from listeners and convos I've had with all of you. We hope you enjoy these episodes and learn something new! Heather Haynie and D...

We're taking the next two weeks off for an end of summer break. While we're gone, we're bringing you four of our most popular episodes pulled from the archives. I hand picked these episodes based on feedback in our Proof to Product Facebook group , emails I've received from listeners and convos I've had with all of you. We hope you enjoy these episodes and learn something new! Erin Ozer is the own...

We're taking the next two weeks off for an end of summer break. While we're gone, we're bringing you four of our most popular episodes pulled from the archives. I hand picked these episodes based on feedback in our Proof to Product Facebook group , emails I've received from listeners and convos I've had with all of you. We hope you enjoy these episodes and learn something new! Kristen Ley is the s...

Johnny and Joanna are the husband-and-wife co-founders of Letterfolk , a contemporary American brand whose mission is to create meaningful products inspired by simpler times. Letterfolk started in June 2015 while the couple searched for a unique way to capture their daughter's monthly baby milestone photos. They designed a modern, versatile letter board that was tailored and repurposed for today's...

Kate Woodrow is the founder of Present Perfect , a full service literary agency serving clients from across the globe. Kate launched the agency in 2015 with the goal of advocating for artists and creatives in publishing and is recognized as an industry leader in design driven nonfiction work. Kate specializes in developing visually arresting books that offer a unique perspective across a wide rang...

Don Hejny is the inventor of Nerdwax , a wax based product that keeps your glasses in place. Nerdwax was launched on Kickstarter in 2014 and featured on the hit television show Shark Tank the following year. Nerdwax is hand made in Nashville, TN and shipped all over the world. On today's episode we talked about managing risk, running a debt free business and why Don strives to work smarter, not ha...

Brittney Lynn a PR and marketing strategist who works with online entrepreneurs worldwide. She's also the host of Day in the Life podcast . Brittney has nearly 10 years of experience working in the online marketing industry, and has a passion for helping others grow their reach, their revenue, and impact through strategic PR. On today's episode of Proof to Product, we talked about the importance o...

During Episode 65 Katie Hunt sat down with Caroline Vasquez of Paloma's Nest and the topics of having a brand story and establish core values for the company kept coming up. Caroline talked about how it shaped the products they made, the story they told about the brand as well as the products and ultimately, how they communicate with their customers. When we're starting our businesses, most people...

TSBC Alum, Caroline Vasquez is the founder of Paloma's Nest , a family-run business, founded in 2007, that creates timeless, heirloom-quality pieces and new traditions for modern families to celebrate wedding, baby, home and holiday. The brand has been featured in countless publications including Martha Stewart, the New York Times, Magnolia Journal and more, and their work has been carried by Anth...

I've been thinking a lot about boundaries, particularly as it relates to what I say yes to and what I say no to in both my personal and business life. I don't know about you guys but I have a tendency to take one too much, or under estimate how long things will take. I mostly get excited about opportunities, say yes and then find myself over scheduled and stretched thin. I know I'm not alone in th...

Rosie O'Neill is the co-founder of Sugarfina , a luxury candy boutique that features the finest sweets from artisan candy makers around the world. Rosie and her fiancé Josh Resnick launched Sugarfina in July 2012. The idea for the company was inspired by their third date — when they watched the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and they were left wondering why their wasn't candy bouti...

There's a lot of talk on the internet about knowing your ideal customer, but a lot of it doesn't resonate with me. Maybe you feel this way too? On Episode 63, Mary Bruno shared how she is her ideal customer. And, that she focuses on creating things that she loves & that she finds funny even if it doesn't resonate with everyone. It got me thinking about something I've talked about in the past in my...

Mary Bruno is the owner of Bruno Press , a printer, artist, and advocate for her local creative community. She grew up in a small town in central Minnesota and learned the love of printing from her father Don Bruno. Mary has an irreverent line of greeting cards that is sold nationwide and she teaches the old school art of letterpress printing the way her father taught her. Mary loves to collaborat...

On this mini episode, Katie Hunt reiterates something Brice McBeth of Reap marketing talked about on Episode 62 of Proof to Product — the difference between search engine optimization and conversion rate optimization. Here's what we learned from Brice: Search engine optimization is driving traffic to your website. Conversion Rate Optimization is getting people on your website to take action & buy....

Brice McBeth is the founder of Reap Marketing , the only digital agency that hired itself to build an e-commerce business and optimize its own conversations by over 950% on its way to creating a multi-million dollar store that disrupted the salon equipment industry. Brice also wrote about his journey in his book, Salon Chairs Don't Sell Themselves which is a fascinating read. He speaks and provide...

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/proof...

Rhonda Warren is the owner of Color Box Design & Letterpress , a letterpress studio located in Dallas Texas. Rhonda has a multi-faceted business. She has a line of paper goods that she sells to both the retail and wholesale markets; as well as a bustling custom invitation arm through which she creates wedding invitations, corporate event invitations and everything in between. On today's episode Rh...

Katie talks about the importance of building relationships with your manufacturing partners. She shares some of her own experiences, fears and missteps when searching for her own print partners. The risks she faced and what you should look for when reaching out to new manufacturing partners. Want to join the conversation in our free Proof to Product Facebook group? Join us: https://www.facebook.co...

Ronnie Williams is the owner of DeFrance Printing , which is a full-service commercial print shop located in Southern California. Ronnie grew up in the print industry and is the third generation to own and operate DeFrance. His grandfather began printing in the late 1930s, followed by his father in the early 1970s, and Ronnie was a fixture in the print shop by the young age of five. Ronnie's backg...

Suann Song is a graphic designer and founder of Appointed , an American-made brand of carefully designed desktop products that make utility look luxurious. Prior to starting Appointed, Suann conducted an exhaustive but unsuccessful search when she tried to find refined and well-made desktop products that are manufactured in the US, so she decided to create her own. In March 2015, Suann launched Ap...

I'm back with our third and final National Stationery show recap. Today you'll hear from four of our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni. We talk about sharing a booth, the benefits of planning ahead and how you gotta roll with the punches when things don't go quite as planned. Today's episode features interviews with Jessica of Little Well Paper Co , Robyn from Lake & Loft , Meghan from And Here We Are and...

I'm back with Part 2 of our National Stationery Show recap. Today you'll hear from three of our TSBC alumni about what went well at the show for them, where they skimped & splurged in their spending and benefits to being at a wholesale show like, National Stationery Show. Today's episode features interviews with Katie from Page Stationery , Monique from Violet Flamingos and Katie from The Good Twi...

I recently was in New York for the National Stationery Show where approximately 55 of our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni were exhibiting. And, I thought it would be fun to bring the show to you. While I was in New York, I chatted with a handful of exhibitors, everyone from first timers to seasoned pros. This episode is part one of a three part special edition series and it features interviews with Kath...

Chelsea Sonksen is the founder and Editor in Chief of Bossladies , a movement that began with a print magazine in 2016 and has grown into a vibrant in-person and online community of entrepreneurs through her monthly event series, Work Sesh . On today's episode we're talking about the mission behind Bossladies, how Chelsea is layering new products and services that will give her the freedom and fle...

TSBC alum, Christine Miller is the creator and designer of Bundle Design — home to cheerful, cheeky greeting cards, balloons, party supplies and Good Day Decals. On today's episode Christine shares her journey of turning her hobby into a business, lessons learned from exhibiting at the National Stationery Show and how being at the show opened the door to working with Paper Source. ON TODAY'S EPISO...