Proof to Product

One pattern I've noticed time and time again after working with thousands of product brands across lots of different categories, is that while our products might be different or our tools and platforms might change, all of our core business foundations and fundamentals are not changing.

And that's exactly why I wanted to share this short clip from the archive, something that I think is worth revisiting because the takeaways still hold true today.

Maybe listening will spark an idea or help you take action on a decision that you've been sitting on. Really, the goal here is to help you take your next intentional step in business. That's what I want for you.

Enjoy this clip!

You can listen to the full episode with Brittany O’Brien of Brittany Paige here: http://prooftoproduct.com/334

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

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Map out your next 90 days here: http://prooftoproduct.com/quiz

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by Daniel Lachman, founder of Justice for Artists.

Daniel is an artist and a longtime Etsy seller who has dealt with his fair share of creative work being copied, and instead of just being frustrated by it, he has built an entire platform to help other creatives protect what they've created.

During the episode, we get into the realities of art theft in today's digital world. We talk about the difference between counterfeits and knockoffs and why this matters more than you think.

We also talk about what protections you actually have as a product based business owner and how to start taking action if your work is being copied.

We also dig into copyright, what that really means, when it's worth it and what happens if you decide to enforce your copyright rights.

If protecting your designs, your products and your brand has been sitting in the back of your mind, or maybe you've had some other company steal your art, this is a conversation worth paying attention to.

Daniel created a step by step tutorial showing exactly how to apply for a copyright. This is a video tutorial and we've made that available inside of our LABS community for our members.

If you're not in LABS, this is exactly the kind of support we offer inside the community. Real tools, expert guidance and resources to help you run a stronger, more protected business. You can learn more and join us at prooftoproduct.com/labs.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/441

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the free quiz!

Map out your next 90 days here: http://prooftoproduct.com/quiz

One pattern I've noticed time and time again after working with thousands of product brands across lots of different categories, is that while our products might be different or our tools and platforms might change, all of our core business foundations and fundamentals are not changing.

And that's exactly why I wanted to share this short clip from the archive, something that I think is worth revisiting because the takeaways still hold true today.

Maybe listening will spark an idea or help you take action on a decision that you've been sitting on. Really, the goal here is to help you take your next intentional step in business. That's what I want for you.

Enjoy this clip!

You can listen to the full episode with Lana Effron of Lana's Shop here: http://prooftoproduct.com/280

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the free quiz!

Map out your next 90 days here: http://prooftoproduct.com/quiz

Today's episode is for anyone who has been feeling stuck lately, overthinking decisions, second guessing yourself, or just not taking action the way you want to be taking action.

If I'm being honest, this is something that I'm seeing more and more right now. The world feels heavy, things feel uncertain, the economy is soft, and that's causing a lot of business owners to hesitate, not move at all, or to second guess themselves.

That's exactly why I wanted to bring back today's guest Tammie Bennett and we are talking about what it really looks like to get unstuck to trust yourself again and to start taking action even when things feel messy or unclear. Tammie was previously a guest on the podcast back in episode 207 and episode 344.

During our conversation, we're digging into why overthinking is actually keeping you stuck, how to build your decision making muscle, and why you don't need a full plan, you just need the next step.

Today’s episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. Tammie will be joining us for a special “Unstuck Session” where she will help you gain clarity, build confidence, and strengthen your decision making muscle. She's not going to make the decisions for you, but she will help you figure out your next best step. If you're interested in this or in any other programming we have going on in LABs, join us!

REQUEST YOUR INVITATION

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/440

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the free quiz!

Map out your next 90 days here: http://prooftoproduct.com/quiz

One pattern I've noticed time and time again after working with thousands of product brands across lots of different categories, is that while our products might be different or our tools and platforms might change, all of our core business foundations and fundamentals are not changing.

And that's exactly why I wanted to share this short clip from the archive, something that I think is worth revisiting because the takeaways still hold true today.

Maybe listening will spark an idea or help you take action on a decision that you've been sitting on. Really, the goal here is to help you take your next intentional step in business. That's what I want for you.

Enjoy this clip!

You can listen to the full episode with Jessica Totillo Coster of eCommerce Badassery here: http://prooftoproduct.com/394

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the free quiz!

Map out your next 90 days here: http://prooftoproduct.com/quiz

This week I'm chatting with Paper Camp alum Andrew Fegler, the founder of That's So Andrew.

Andrew has a really interesting pathway into the stationery world. He started selling cupcakes in high school. He later built a home decor business and eventually pivoted into stationery during COVID when he realized that he wanted his work to feel more meaningful and aligned with who he is.

We dive deep into what it really means to build a brand around personal values, navigating both the pull of loyal customers and the pushback from those that don't align.

Andrew opens up about his experiences in a largely female-dominated stationery industry as a queer man.

He discusses everything from the nuances of authentic allyship to making intentional decisions about suppliers and partnerships. Plus, with over 25 trade shows under his belt, Andrew gives us an insider look at the regional vibes, buyer dynamics at these major wholesale events, talking through lessons he's learned, financial strategies, and the impact of human connection in business.

If you are building brand, navigating wholesale, or thinking about how your values show up in your business, I think you'll really enjoy this conversation

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 http://prooftoproduct.com/439

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the free quiz!

Map out your next 90 days here: http://prooftoproduct.com/quiz

One pattern I've noticed time and time again after working with thousands of product brands across lots of different categories, is that while our products might be different or our tools and platforms might change, all of our core business foundations and fundamentals are not changing.

And that's exactly why I wanted to share this short clip from the archive, something that I think is worth revisiting because the takeaways still hold true today.

Maybe listening will spark an idea or help you take action on a decision that you've been sitting on. Really, the goal here is to help you take your next intentional step in business. That's what I want for you.

Enjoy this clip!

You can listen to the full episode with Sam Kramer of Near Modern Disaster here: http://prooftoproduct.com/294

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the free quiz!

Map out your next 90 days here: http://prooftoproduct.com/quiz

We just wrapped up our 47th round of Paper Camp a few weeks ago, and I am still riding high from working with this cohort.

It's an intense four weeks, for me, for our coaches, for our students. But so much progress happens in a short amount of time. I love hearing about their light bulb moments, their clarity, answering their questions, and there's so much forward momentum that comes.

One thing that is really important to me inside of Paper Camp is bringing in a variety of voices because there is no one singular way to build a business right?

I want our students to hear directly from people who are doing this work in different ways.

During our weekly coaching calls, they get to learn from shop owners, wholesalers, sales consultants, and other experts that are in the wholesale field. People who are helping to develop and are currently utilizing relevant new sales and marketing strategies, which is what we focus on in Paper Camp: wholesale sales and marketing strategies.

Today on the podcast, I wanted to share a small piece of this with you. This episode is an excerpt from our coaching call in Paper Camp that was centered on exhibiting at trade shows. I asked Paper Camp alums Karen Sawyer-Meehan of Pier Six Press and Alyson O'Connor of Rust Belt Love to come and share their experiences with the class.

Both are members of my Advisory Board mastermind, and between the two of them, they have done dozens of wholesale trade shows, including several this past winter.

They're sharing what's working, what they experienced at the winter shows, and sharing a lot of other insight.

In this snippet, you're going to hear them talk about the shows that they've participated in, how they knew they were ready to exhibit, and how they decide which trade shows are worth the investment.

We know these things cost a lot of time, money and energy and we want to make sure if you are going to say yes to a show that you're choosing the right ones for you.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Paper Camp program. Paper Camp is our wholesale coaching program where we teach you everything you need to know to build strong wholesale foundations. Over the course of 4 weeks, we tackle your product line, sales tools, and marketing plan, and we even talk about how to exhibit at trade shows if that's what you want to do. We start with your product line and go into everything from how often you should be releasing new products to ensuring that your numbers are sustainable for the wholesale market and their price for profit.

Then we move into sales tools you must have for selling wholesale so you make a strong first impression with buyers like catalogs and your terms and conditions. Then, we cover marketing strategies and ways to reach various store owners.

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions. We will open enrollment for our next round of Paper Camp soon, and we sell this program out every time we run it. Join the wait list and you'll get early access to enroll.

SIGN UP FOR THE WAITLIST

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/438

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the free quiz!

Map out your next 90 days here: http://prooftoproduct.com/quiz

One pattern I've noticed time and time again after working with thousands of product brands across lots of different categories, is that while our products might be different or our tools and platforms might change, all of our core business foundations and fundamentals are not changing.

And that's exactly why I wanted to share this short clip from the archive, something that I think is worth revisiting because the takeaways still hold true today.

Maybe listening will spark an idea or help you take action on a decision that you've been sitting on. Really, the goal here is to help you take your next intentional step in business. That's what I want for you.

Enjoy this clip!

You can listen to the full episode with Divya Guruju of Mellowworks here: http://prooftoproduct.com/325

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the free quiz!

Map out your next 90 days here: http://prooftoproduct.com/quiz

Today's conversation is a really good one, especially if craft shows, retail markets, or in-person events are on your radar for this year. The market is shifting, fees to exhibit are higher, competition to apply and get into shows is stronger, and buyers are showing up differently than they did even a few years ago.

At the same time, I keep seeing how valuable it is to get offline and to connect with our customers face-to-face. That human connection is hitting differently right now. And people are craving that in person connection.

What I love about today's episode is that we are looking at this from both sides of the table. We have Lib Ramos, she runs Indie Craft Parade with her team. This is an incredibly well respected, longtime running show.

And we also have Jessie Tyree Jenness, founder of Root and Branch and one of our Proof to Product community members who has exhibited at shows like this multiple times.

In the episode we're digging into what organizers are actually looking for when you apply for these shows, how exhibitors can decide if a show is worth it, and how to also measure ROI following a show and then how to think about your strategy so that you're not just showing up for the shows, but you're showing up with true intention.

Applications are now open for exhibiting at Indie Craft Parade, you can apply now through April 20th!

If you are planning to exhibit at retail shows this year, I want to tell you about some resources we have inside of our LABS community so that you can do this more strategically.

We have checklists, tools, and things that will help you bring your booth plus to life, but also have community discussions about things like inventory, sales goals, and strategies for upping your AOV. If you want support as you plan for your in-person retail events, join us!

REQUEST YOUR INVITATION

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/437

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Mentioned in this episode:

Take the free quiz!

Map out your next 90 days here: http://prooftoproduct.com/quiz