Proof to Product

I have been doing so much good content for other people and I'm doing my best to bring it back around so that you all have access to it and know about these resources. Recently, the team of Aeolidia asked me to weigh in with my thoughts on the changing landscape of wholesale trade shows for their blog. The post features comments from Arianne Foulks of Aeolidia, Abby Glassenbeg of Craft Industry Al...

I've been thinking a lot about how our past work experience and general lived experience shape how we start and build our businesses. For me, I spent 12 years in the corporate world leading business development and strategic marketing teams for large law firms before starting my product line. That time in my life taught me about project management, budgeting, and how important relationships are in...

Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful and relaxing holiday season. I enjoyed a lot of downtime with my family and also worked on a few things behind the scenes to get Proof to Product ready for 2024. I thought it might be helpful to share some of the things that I look at as I'm wrapping up one year and starting a new one. So today's episode is going to focus on your New Year checklist. I'm goi...

The Proof to Product podcast team and I are practicing what we preach and the podcast is taking a winter break! We will be back with a new podcast episode on Tuesday, January 9, and we have some incredible things lined up for you! While we're gone, be sure to dip back into the archives. We have over 323 incredible episodes to help you strengthen your business. Have a great two weeks and I will see...

There is a lot of noise on the internet. Lots of gurus, experts, and other people claim you have to do things a certain way in order to be successful. We see ads on social media telling us there is a magic formula or 5-step process that will make all of our dreams come true. It seems that a new business coach is popping up on the scene every day with some new system or lived experience that we hav...

Hey everyone! I was recently on Shirlee Fisher's podcast, The Tillage Podcast , where we talked about a variety of topics: how to navigate challenges during a crisis, how to make informed decisions with my four-factor framework, how to embrace knowing your numbers as a neutral tool for success and so much more. I had such a good time that I asked Shirlee if I could air the episode on our podcast,...

It's no secret that wholesale buying patterns and in-person trade shows have shifted substantially over the last few years. Where buyers were once placing fewer, but larger orders a couple of times a year - oftentimes at trade shows - they are now placing more frequent, smaller orders throughout the year both online and at in-person markets. As someone who talks to both wholesale brands and buyers...

The best products solve a problem or create an emotional connection. The ideas for these products stem from our own pain points or challenges as well as the joys in our lives. That is what our guest today did when she brought a new product to market. Today's guest is a scientist by training, a creative tinkerer, and a natural show entrepreneur. Zeba Parkar is the owner of Treleaf , a product line...

The podcast is taking a break this week so that our team can celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends. We will be back next week with an interview with Paper Camp alumni & LABS member Zeba Parkar of Treleaf who is going to share what it was like bringing her laser-cut wood trellises to market — a brand new product in the plant category. If you're traveling this week, I'd love to keep y...

We recently did a two-part series on the State of Retail where I talked to two independent brick-and-mortar retail shop owners [ episode 1 ] [ episode 2 ]. This is important because we teach all of you how to sell wholesale to stores like Katie & Jen's shops and it is important that you understand the challenges that they are facing and how they are adapting to the market and how that will tri...

Today I'm popping in with a call to action and that is… I want you to shop small this holiday season. To make this as easy as possible for you, we've put together a robust holiday gift guide featuring almost 300 independent brands from our Proof to Product Community. The Proof to Product gift guide includes a wide range of products including candles, apparel, jewelry, accessories, puzzles and game...

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 bus...

Today's episode is part 2 of a two-part series on the state of independent retail right now. If you missed last week's episode, I encourage you to check that one out first . In that episode, Katie Wilson of Crush & Touch and Jen Palacio of Tiny Turns Paperie shared feedback on their summer 2023 sales season, how they are preparing for 2023 Q3 holiday season, how the current economic climate is...

Over the last few months, I've had a lot of private conversations with store owners about the state of independent retail. They've confided in me about a wide range of challenges that they are facing - individually as well as collectively. Things like the economy, less foot traffic in their stores, staffing and cash flow limitations - have forced them to rethink how they are running their business...

We are excited to host Jesse Regis from Virgins on Fire Candle Company and today, we talk to him about the evolution of his brand, the importance of finding community , and why your product is not for everyone. There is a quote by Amy Poehler that we've used at our events in the past, and it really encapsulates today's discussion. She said, "Find a group of people that challenge and inspire you, s...

News recently broke that Shopify was closing Handshake, its wholesale sales platform, and investing as a shareholder in Faire. Today's episode is bringing you the news mixed in with a few of my thoughts on the topic. I will be doing a deeper analysis and sharing some research I've done within our LABS program - so definitely look for that if you're one of our LABS members. As you listen today, ple...

Making your customers feel like your product or service is tailored specifically for them is the key to inclusive marketing. Inclusive marketing expert Sonia Thompson joins us today on the podcast to share more on how to integrate inclusive marketing into your customer experience. Tuning in, you'll hear all about Sonia's career, how you can diversify your products and circle of influence, how to a...

Licensing is an excellent opportunity to extend the reach of your brand and expand your business offerings. But finding the right partnership can be tricky, and it's not always easy knowing where to start. Joining us today on the podcast to share her story and talk about her journey into licensing is return guest, Betsy Garcia. Betsy is the co-founder of Bloomwolf Studio , a paper goods company sp...

Today's podcast guest, Lauren te Velde Paper Farm Press , a woman-owned stationery and gift design shop in Kingsburg, CA, is a big fan of having a brand story that is strong and simple. She is intentionally focused on authentically pursuing wealth and believes money will follow because she wholeheartedly believes in putting better products out into the world. Each product Lauren creates expresses...

Do you find yourself fresh in the wholesaling journey? Are you asking yourself whether you need stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers? And if you do, how do you create them? In today's episode, I'm answering some frequently asked questions often heard at Paper Camp, regarding creating and utilizing SKU systems. Listen in to hear tips on setting up your SKU system early on in your wholesaling journey an...

Choosing business contentment over business growth can be a great reminder to all of us that there are seasons in business, and sometimes what we have is all that we really need or want. On this episode we have Brigida Swanson of Yardia , which is a nature-inspired gift and stationery company. Bridiga shares the journey for starting her business, while still pursuing her teaching career. She dives...

If there's one constant in business, it's change. But making big shifts as an entrepreneur can be pretty daunting. After all, it's one thing to plan and strategize, but it's quite another to take the leap and start implementing those steps. While we usually talk to people who are in the midst of making a big change, today we welcome a returning guest and Paper Camp alum, Stephanie Clarke, for a bu...

There's no "easy mode" in business. Selling physical products is a lot of work and being a product entrepreneur requires grit, tenacity, and courage. Today's episode is for seasoned wholesalers who might be experiencing a slower sales season this summer. If your sales have stalled, there are two metrics that you can tap into to build stronger relationships with your current accounts and sustainabl...

You have heard me say it before, and I'm gonna remind you again, strong businesses are built through slow, steady, intentional growth. Today's guest is proof of that. Jill Shephard is the owner of Ruff House Print Shop. She started her business in 2009, initially specializing in custom wedding invitations. She then spent 14 years prioritizing professional development, refining her business model,...

Today we are continuing our conversation with Katie Hart of Odd Daughter Paper Co. If you missed the first part of our conversation, head back and listen to episode 304 . In that episode, Katie and I talk about how she got started with her product-based business, and why you don't necessarily need to exhibit at trade shows to be successful with selling wholesale. Katie waited 10 years to do her fi...