Proof To Product

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 that was created from Zeba's own needs as a plant owner and lover during the pandemic.  Zeba was looking for beautiful and functional ways to support her plants, and after trying multiple products, she hopped on a laser cutter and created her own. Over the last 3 years, Zeba has grown Treleaf into a thriving brand, selling products through direct-to-consumer channels and wholesale channels.  Her products can be found in over 150 stores, and she's working with a distributor to expand her reach.  In this episode, Zeba shares about the early success of her business, including how she fulfilled orders 1 by 1 on a shared

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 you company. Be sure to dip back into the archives. We have over 319 incredible episodes to help you streamline and strengthen your business. In episode 318, I talk about how you can build your sales engine for the business. In episode 307, I share two wholesale metrics that you need to be focusing on. In episode 298, I share why you should never ever accept a $25 wholesale order. Lastly, I want to remind you that there are millions of small brands competing for attention and your dollars this holiday season. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to shop small this season so we’ve put together a robust

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 trickle down and affect you as a manufacturer.  Today I want to expand on that conversation with a colleague of mine, Jessica Totillo Coster of E-Commerce Badassery. Jessica is an ecommerce and email marketing strategist. You may also remember her from episode 195 of Proof to Product. Jessica works exclusively with product-based business owners — many of whom are also Paper Camp Alumni & LABS members. Jessica and I have a unique perspective on what’s happening in the product space right now — observing trends with sales, marketing and spotting issues before they become widespread. And, that’s what our focus is on today

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 games, home decor as well as gifts for pet lovers plant lovers, kids & babies and more. There is truly something for everyone inside the Proof to Product gift guide.   Download your copy of the gift guide at www.prooftoproduct.com/giftguide.  Links: PTP Episodes 316 & 317: State of Retail PTP Episode 318: Why You Need to be selling everyday

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

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 affecting business and what’s on the minds of shop keepers right now. Today we’re continuing the conversation. Katie, Jen and I talk about the importance of clear communication between vendors and shop owners, zip code protection and how these two shop owners are utilizing Faire to place orders with existing wholesale accounts. 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 W

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 businesses and also planning for the future. Here at Proof to Product, we focus on teaching you how to sell wholesale and independent retailers make up the majority of our alumni community’s wholesale revenue. Which is why it is important that we not only build strong relationships with these shop owners, but that we also take time to listen to the challenges that the are facing.  Over the next two episodes of Proof to Product, we’re taking you behind the scenes into a candid conversation with two shop owners who are giving us an inside look at the state of independent retail and the challenges that many shop keepers are cur

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, spend a lot of time with them and it will change your life.”  The idea of finding your people and creating community is a common theme in today's episode. We also discuss why his products and yours are not for everyone and how finding his people positively impacted his business. 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 yo

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, please keep in mind that I have no ties to Shopify or Faire, other than I coach thousands of people who use both platforms daily. The opinions expressed today are mine based off of information I’ve read in the news, research I’ve conducted and my general thoughts as someone entrenched in the wholesale world. Today’s episode is brought to you by our free, on-demand wholesale audio series. In this audio series, I’ll walk you through the biggest mistakes and most common questions folks have when they are starting and scaling wholesale—so you don’t make the same mistakes myself and others did.  You can binge this audio seri

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 audit your customer experience to be more inclusive, the importance of considering how different people are and making them feel seen and heard, why you must stay true to your values, and much more!  We delve into some ways you can infuse inclusion in your marketing before discussing why your work environment needs to be inclusive in order for your customers to feel welcome. Finally, Sonia tells us how she can help in the ongoing evolutionary inclusion journey.  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

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 specializing in greeting cards, art prints, and other paper goods that she runs with her indispensable teammate and husband, Luis Sosa.  If you’d like to go back and hear our initial conversation with Betsy, check out Episode 173, where we talk about her startup story and her commitment to creating social change through her product line and intentional business practices.  In today’s conversation, Betsy shares the story of how she first got into licensing, how her partnership with Recycled Paper Greetings came together, and why her experience has been overwhelmingly positive.  You’ll also find out how the Proof to Pro

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 her great love for farming and her faith. Join the conversation as we hear from Lauren about her journey venturing into wholesale.  She recounts the rollercoaster of experiencing a 4000% increase in wholesale orders, and why she believes your brand story is crucial to your success. She expresses her thoughts on prioritizing relationships, why you can’t just jump into wholesale, and the difference between pursuing wealth versus money. You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/311 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Cam

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 and why I believes you shouldn’t overcomplicate your SKU systems.  Today’s episode is brought to you by our free, on-demand wholesale audio series. In this audio series I’ll walk you through the biggest mistakes and most common questions folks have when they are starting and scaling wholesale—so you don’t make the same mistakes myself and others did.  You can binge this audio series in less than an hour and you can listen on the go in your favorite podcast player.  No fluff here, just concrete action steps and answers to help you simplify and strengthen your wholesale sales.  SIGN UP You can view full show notes and m

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 into what it was like venturing into wholesale, how she has experienced rapid growth, and describes what happened after deciding to leave social media.   She shares some of her incredible wins with us and also discusses how, despite her business's expansion, she began questioning the need for more, realizing that she already had enough and desired a simpler more content life.  Consequently, Brigida made intentional shifts in her business and personal life to align with her desire and found that true fulfillment came from what brings happiness. This episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers

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 business update after making some major changes to her company back in 2019.  After a decade of running Dahlia Press, a letterpress greeting card company based in Seattle, Washington, Stephanie recognized the need to split the company in two and start a sister brand under the name Chloe Clarke, The Art of Paper, dedicated entirely to bespoke wedding invitations.  If you’d like to learn more about how and why she made that transition, you can check out our conversation in Episode 160.  In today’s episode, you’ll find out how things have changed since the transition and how Stephanie’s brands are doing today. We delve

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 sustainably scale your revenue for wholesale.  Tune in and you’ll learn how to find opportunities for reorders, simplify your purchasing process, make small but impactful changes that improve cash flow for your business, and more. This episode offers some high-level number-crunching and practical sales strategies that will help you increase your wholesale revenue and get out of your sales slump. Today’s episode is brought to you by our signature program, Paper Camp, our 4-week program that takes the guesswork out of selling wholesale. When you follow the strategies and methods in Paper Camp, you’ll not only feel more confiden

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, expanding her team, and strengthening her customer experience. In the process, she built a profitable and sustainable company that she is proud of.  Today, Jill and I are talking about her entrepreneurial journey from custom wedding invitations to a brick and mortar retail shop to selling wholesale to over 3,000 shops around the world. Jill also reveals her strategies for maintaining a thriving business, the importance of continuous learning, and the impact of participating in programs like Paper Camp, even as a seasoned entrepreneur. Today’s episode is brought to you by our free, on-demand wholesale audio series. In

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 first show, and we're talking about it in episode 304.  For today's episode, which is part two of our conversation, Katie is taking us behind the scenes of her business and what it is like running this business with her sister by her side. We also talk about setting boundaries in business and how the best lessons truly come from just years of experience.  Katie Hart is a self-taught illustrator and the founder of a stationery brand called Odd Daughter Paper Co. She founded that company in 2013 and it began as a side hustle that she ran on the weekends and during her lunch hours; it evolved into a full-time brand that bo

Yes, friend, you can be successful with wholesale without exhibiting at trade shows. This is a question that I frequently hear from our Paper Camp students and today’s guest is a shining example of how slow, intentional growth without trade shows leads to success. Today’s guest is Paper Camp Alum & Advisory Board member, Katie Hart of Odd Daughter Paper Co. Katie launched Odd Daughter in 2013 as a side hustle. The brand evolved into a thriving product brand whose revenue primarily comes from wholesale and her products are sold in stores throughout the world. This was such an inspiring conversation that I decided to break it up into two parts.  On today’s episode, which is part 1, Katie shares how Odd Daughter got started, the intentional decisions she’s made along the way to make her business growth more sustainable, and we talk about her decision to exhibit at her first wholesale trade show in 2023—after 10 years of successfully scaling wholesale. Today’s episode is brought to you by our free, on-demand

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 a