What is commercial design? And how can it help you sell more of your products?

Today my guest on the podcast is Lucianne Soley of Soley Creative. Soley Creative empowers people and brands to be seen, heard, and understood through commercial visual communication and brand guardianship. They build brands that thrive in the present and the future. 

Lucianne joins me to explain what commercial design is and how it can help you as a product creator sell more. We discuss the importance of making sure that everything that you produce visually has a purpose and functions well, whether that's getting people in your email list, or making sales on your website. Lucianne also shares some valuable insights into customer profiles and behaviours learnt from her years of experience supporting major household brand names. 

It’s a fascinating topic that we’ve never covered before, and I am sure you will come away with lots of ideas for this you can do to tweak and improve the performance of your website, emails, social media and more. 

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Soley Creative Website

Soley Creative Instagram

Soley Creative Threads

Soley Creative Pinterest

Lucianne Soley Linked In 

Soley Creative LinkedIn

This episode is sponsored by Aubergine Legal

Do you sometimes worry that your business isn’t meeting all its legal compliance requirements and wonder if you are ticking all the legal boxes?  Are you losing sleep worrying about a piece of legislation that you might not be complying with?  Perhaps you need some help with your client contracts or your data protection compliance?  Or maybe you worry that your website doesn’t have the right documents or legal notices in the right place?  Perhaps you have a brand that you want to protect with a trademark?  

Do you want to outsource it all and eliminate your worries?

Then get in touch with Aubergine Legal, a friendly commercial legal consultancy.  Offering practical and clear commercial legal advice without the overwhelming legal jargon.  Taking the worry away and helping you to protect your business and minimise your risks. Aubergine offers a free initial 30 minute consultation if you have any questions or want to find out how they can help.

Aubergine Legal Website

Get In Touch with Aubergine Legal

Aubergine Legal Blog

Aubergine Legal Shop which includes FREE Cookie Guide, FREE Business Start Up Legal Checklist, and paid for resources including a Guide on Selling to the USA

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Find me on Instagram

Work with me 

Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open.

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Today my guest is Michael Crinnion  from Mind Body Goals Ltd. Michael designs and makes high quality wellbeing products that help people bring proven techniques like breathwork into their lives in a way that's easy to maintain, enjoyable, and has a real positive impact.

Michael has created the Luma Cube, a beautifully designed zen-like cube that aids you with different breathing techniques without needing to go on your phone for an app. Taking people away from their screens has been one of the key USPs of the Luma Cube. 

Michael and I spoke a lot about the benefits of breathing and the positive impact that breathing can have on your well being. Michael is passionate about the importance of teaching these techniques to everyone, including really young children, to help them have the tools they need as they sort of navigate life. 

We discussed how Michael used his design and engineering experience, and 3d printers to create prototypes. Michael shares the importance of getting an investor early on, and his experiences selling his product on Amazon. 

If you are looking at selling on Amazon, Michael is really honest about the journey, and shares the mindset and approach he took to make it a success.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Luma³ Website

Luma³ Facebook

Luma³ Instagram

Michael Crinnion Linked In

PDM Consultancy

This podcast was sponsored by Tonbridge Accountants

"Welcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. 

Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. 

We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business.

Our approach is personal. 

We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. 

With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights.

Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating. 

We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength.”

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Find me on Instagram

Work with me 

Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open.

membership

To celebrate passing the 200th episode of Bring Your Product Idea To Life, I decided to catch  up with past guests, to see what happened next in their product business, and where they are now.

Today’s guests were all on my podcast in 2021. It’s fascinating hearing where their business has taken them, the highs and lows, and how their advice for other product business owners has changed over the years.

One of the main messages that came out of it was the importance of perseverance, how businesses naturally evolve, building your range and being willing to pivot when needed.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

2021 Podcast Episode 47 - Ruth Bussey - Ink and Scribbles

Ink and Scribbles Website

Ink and Scribbles Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 57 - Joe Shortt - Trip Clip

TripClip Website

TripClip Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 59 - Vanessa Afful - MBPH Aromatherapy

Made By Pure Hands Website

MBPH Aromatherapy Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 71 - Nancy Powell - Herd Bags

Herd Bags Website

Herd Bags Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 73 - Silvina De Vita - My Papercut Forest

My Papercut Forest Website

My Parpercut Forest Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 84 - Creating and selling planners - with Janet Murray

Janet Murray Website

Janet Murray Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 88 - Why your product needs to be on Amazon - with Cara Sayer, Snooze Shade

SnoozeShade Website

SnoozeShade Instagram

2021 Podcast Episode 89 - How to make wholesale work - with Sasha Gupta, Cheeky Zebra

Cheeky Zebra Website

Cheeky Zebra Instagram

This podcast was sponsored by Tonbridge Accountants

"Welcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. 

Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. 

We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business.

Our approach is personal. 

We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. 

With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights.

Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating. 

We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength.”

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Find me on Instagram

Work with me 

Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open.

membership

Today my guest is Daniel Twiss from Soul Fruit, a company revolutionising dried fruit snacks. Soul Fruit makes new and exciting dried fruit snacks using the best quality tropical fruits simply dried into crunchy chips or chewy slices. Their flavours include fruits I have never tried - dragon fruit and jackfruit.

Daniel shares with us the riveting story of how he and his wife took their love for exotic fruits in Asia and transformed it into a successful business, despite having no prior background in food or retail. Their mission? To bring guilt-free, fun, and authentically delicious snacking experiences to the UK market, and maybe your taste buds as well.

We'll dig into the perseverance required to break into retailers and online platforms like Amazon, how embracing sustainable practices and community giving sets their brand apart, and why focusing on single-ingredient, honest products might just be the key to winning over modern consumers. Whether you're already selling products or just starting to shape your ideas, this episode offers tangible insights into the dedication, passion and can-do attitude needed to make your product stand out in a crowded market.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Soul Fruit Website

Soul Fruit Instagram

Soul Fruit Facebook

Soul Fruit Pinterest

Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation

Bread and Jam

This podcast was sponsored by Tonbridge Accountants

"Welcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. 

Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. 

We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business.

Our approach is personal. 

We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. 

With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights.

Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating. 

We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength.”

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Find me on Instagram

Work with me 

Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open.

membership

Rebecca Hilliard is an eCommerce expert with 12 years of experience working in the eCommerce industry for brands such as Jimmy Choo, French Connection, ME+EM, Mylands and This Works. I now support premium direct-to-consumer brands with their customer retention strategies to drive revenue, loyalty, and business profitability.

We discuss how often brands prioritise customer acquisition over customer retention, missing out on a more cost effective way to grow. Rebecca shares lessons that independent brands can take from the high street names that she has worked with, and the advantages smaller brands have such as being more agile and able to respond to trends.

Rebecca shares the tools you can use to really understand how your customers behaviours on your website. We then discuss different methods for making your customer feel valued, and how to leverage this in your marketing.

Finally we dig into why customer retention  matters so much, and how to improve it. 

It’s a great, thought provoking episode, and a good one to listen to wherever you are in your product journey.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Rebecca Hilliard & Co Website

Rebecca Hilliard Instagram

Rebecca Hilliard Linked In

Hot Jar

Triple Whale

Sweet Analytics

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Find me on Instagram

Work with me 

Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life

This podcast was sponsored by Tonbridge Accountants

"Welcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. 

Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. 

We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business.

Our approach is personal. 

We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. 

With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights.

Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating. 

We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength.”

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open.

membership

If you have ever taken a small child swimming you know the struggle of getting them dry afterwards. 

My guest this week decided to solve this problem. Karen Burke is the founder of Go Goosey is an online retail company that sells her unique product, the Kids unisex quick drying onesie and microfibre towel. We talk about the process of designing and creating the product, and the importance of not rushing this stage.

We also talk about the USP for Karen's products. Karen is really good at articulating what makes her product so unique. Everywhere I see her, whether it's on Amazon or on her website, she's just nailed her USP and how she talks about her products. I think that's something that lots of us can learn from. Plus there are lots of little nuggets about mindset and overcoming challenges that I am sure you will find helpful. All in all it’s another great episode. 

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Go Goosey Website

Go Goosey Instagram

Go Goosey Facebook

Go Goosey Tik Tok

Karen Burke Linked In

Smarter Society

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Find me on Instagram

Work with me 

Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life

This episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Jenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know how to help you grow a profitable feel good business.

Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups.

Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.com

Instagram - @jennifercoopertimesaver

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open.

membership

To celebrate 4 years of The Bring Your Product Idea To Life Podcast, I wanted to do something different. So I asked you to ‘ask me anything’. In this episode I answer those questions including:

• How I made the the transition from product business to product launch consultant
• How much of my business I outsource
• How to rank higher on Amazon
• What to do if you go out of stock on Amazon FBA

Whether you are looking for insight into how I run my business, or some detail about how to get more sales on Amazon, there is lots of take away.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Other Businesses Mentioned:

Tonbridge Accountants

Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Beyond The Kitchen Table

Cara Bendon Branding

Podcast Episodes Mentioned

Episode 14 Things I’ve learnt in 4 years of running a products business

Episode 193 How to host a successful podcast

Episode 116 How to take and edit your own product photos (using a smartphone) – with Jade Tinkler

Episode 34 How to take your own professional product photos with Georgina Little

Episode 180 How to rank higher on Amazon

Blog Posts:

Blog post: https://vickiweinberg.com/how-to-rank-higher-on-amazon/

HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:

My Free Resources 

Is Amazon Right For You? Mini Strategy Session

Amazon Account Audit

Amazon Launch Package

Amazon Training Q&A Hour

Book a Power Hour with me

LET’S CONNECT:

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Find me on Instagram

Work with me 

Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life

This episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Jenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know how to help you grow a profitable feel good business.

Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups.

Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.com

Instagram - @jennifercoopertimesaver

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open.

membership

My guest today is Jennifer Cooper from Jennifer Cooper Timesaver. Jenny  is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know-how to help you grow a profitable, feel good business.

Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups.

Jenny is passionate about teaching entrepreneurs and founders how they can leverage the rapid advancements in AI in their business, suggesting use cases and opportunities you may never have considered

Jenny shares how AI can not only save time in business but help you tackle a whole variety of tasks, including procrastination. Jenny shares how small businesses can use AI to even the odds against bigger players with more resources. It was an eye-opening talk. I learned a lot and got some great new ideas on how I can use AI in my business, that I can’t wait to try out. 

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Jennifer Cooper Timesaver Website

Jennifer Cooper Timesaver Instagram

Jennifer Cooper Linked In

FREE DOWNLOAD: Timesaving Guide To AI Tools

AI TOOLS MENTIONED:

Chat GPT

Claude

Google Gemini

Goblin Tools

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Find me on Instagram

Work with me 

Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life

This episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Jenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know how to help you grow a profitable feel good business.

Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups.

Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.com

Instagram - @jennifercoopertimesaver

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open.

membership

To celebrate recording the 200th episode of Bring Your Product Idea To Life, I decided to catch  up with past guests, to see what happened next in their product business, and where they are now.

Today’s guests were all on my podcast in 2020. It’s fascinating hearing where their business has taken them, the highs and lows, and how their advice for other product business owners has changed over the years.

One of the main messages that came out of it was the importance of keeping going, and being willing to pivot when needed.

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

2020 Podcast Episode: A family-run products business – with Keisha Shah, Teddo Play

Teddo Play Website

Teddo Play Instagram

2020 Podcast Episode: Turning a passion into a business – with Bee Veronica Moore

Witty Ditty Designs Website

Witty Ditty Designs Instagram

2020 Podcast Episode: The importance of ‘ just going for it’ – with Ruth Bradford, the Little Black and White Book Project

The Little Black & White Book Project Website

The Little Black & White Book Instagram

2020 Podcast Episode: Selling handmade items on Etsy – with Dawn Friday

Girl Friday Website

Girl Friday Embroidery Instagram

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Find me on Instagram

Work with me 

Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life

This episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Jenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know how to help you grow a profitable feel good business.

Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups.

Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.com

Instagram - @jennifercoopertimesaver

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open.

membership

My guest today is Melissa McCall from Moving Little Minds. Melissa is a preschool teacher based in the US, and helps parents and teachers build a strong literacy foundation in young children by merging instruction with play. Melissa has created some products designed for teaching preschool age children early literacy skills.

Melissa is a passionate advocate for the power of reading and  has just launched her first products, She shares how she has gone about creating the products, including deciding which product ideas to develop and building collections, getting the products produced, and starting to market them. For anyone just starting out there are lots of wonderful and valuable tips here for how to go from idea to actual product. 

The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Moving Little Minds Website

Moving Little Minds Instagram

Moving Little Minds Facebook

Moving Little Minds Pinterest

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Find me on Instagram

Work with me 

Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life

This episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Jenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know how to help you grow a profitable feel good business.

Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups.

Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.com

Instagram - @jennifercoopertimesaver

Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/

If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Mentioned in this episode:

Amazon Made Easy is now open

My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open.

membership