It is essential to understand who your target market is in order to effectively sell your products, but how do you do that? In this episode, we discuss how to do the research, what questions to ask, and what sources to look at.

GET THE FULL SHOW NOTES
https://theproductsessions.com/how-to-understand-your-target-market/

WE DISCUSS:
- Why You Need to Understand Your Target Market
- How to Research Your Customer
- What Problem Are You Solving?
- Dig Deeper into the “Why”
- Primary Sources
- Secondary Sources
- What Questions to Ask
- Is All This Work Worth It?

LINKS MENTIONED:
Google Sheets

Google Forms

Descript

La Sol mineral sunscreen

My Free Product Launch Guide 

Coping with overwhelm as a small business owner and parent is no easy feat. As we get older, our number of responsibilities only seems to increase, especially once we have kids. With more balls in the air and we have to develop coping skills and learn to manage busy schedules. 

After balancing work and family for 11 years, I've a few effective coping skills that help relieve stress and overwhelm.

GET THE FULL SHOW NOTES
https://theproductsessions.com/coping-with-overwhelm-as-a-small-business-owner-and-parent/

WE DISCUSS:
- The Science Behind To-Do Lists
- How to Follow Through on Your To-Do's
- Ways to Fill Your Cup
- Seeing the Light at the End of the Tunnel
- How Talking About Your Stress Brings Clarity

LINKS MENTIONED:
Harvard Business Review article, "Why We Continue to Rely on (and Love) To-Do Lists"
Harvard Business Review article, "Why Your Brain Dwells on Unfinished Tasks"

In today’s world, there are so many brands and so much information we’re receiving all the time that our brains get overloaded. Only the most distinct information we see actually sticks with us. In this episode, we identify some clear ways to differentiate your brand, whether it’s your product that’s different or the way that you’re framing it to your target market.

GET THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://theproductsessions.com/how-to-differentiate-your-small-business-in-a-saturated-market/

WE DISCUSS:

- Differentiating Can Feel Overwhelming
- Nothing is truly Original
- Research Your Competition
- Analyze the Info
- Ways to Differentiate

Today I’m talking about tech packs and answering all your burning questions. What is a tech pack or technical package? Why is a tech pack so important? Do you need a tech pack for your product idea? Can you make your own tech pack? Let's get down to the nitty gritty!

GET THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://theproductsessions.com/what-is-a-tech-pack-and-do-i-need-one-for-my-product-business/

WE DISCUSS:

- What is a Tech Pack?
- Do I need a Tech Pack?
- How a Tech Pack Will Save You Time & Money
- Can I make my own tech pack?
- The Basic Elements of a Tech Pack

LINKS MENTIONED:

Learn more about 3D design with Hans from Tenikle
Read: Should I Hire a Technical Designer and Where Should I Look?
Software used to create a tech pack: Adobe Illustrator and Canva
Global color matching system: Pantone
Trim Suppliers: Brand ID and Zabin Group
My Brand: Bodomint
Where to look for a Technical Designer: Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn
Or Hire Me!: Work With Me

What are the differences between a corporate career and entrepreneurship and which option works best for a parent’s lifestyle? Today I’m going to share my experiences working both types of jobs and share the pros and cons of each including how accommodating they were to parenthood.

GET THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://theproductsessions.com/corporate-career-vs-entrepreneurship-as-a-parent/

Today we're talking about best practices when you change manufacturers in your product-based business. We'll discuss reasons to change manufacturers, where to find them, and what to say and do to get the best product result.

GET THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://theproductsessions.com/how-to-change-manufacturers-for-your-product-business/


LINKS MENTIONED:
My Brand Bodomint
Joni backpack in camel
For Finding New Manufacturers:

• LinkedIn
• Alibaba
• ThomasNet
• Open Apparel Registry
• ImportGenius

Certifications:

• Sedex
• SMETA audit
• Interview with Laura Bonnell

Work With Me

Today I'm interviewing my friend Hans Dose who is an inventor and the CEO of the company Tenikle. In 2021 he landed a deal on Shark Tank with Daymond John after almost losing everything during the pandemic. He is a wealth of knowledge and determination.

He has successfully raised capital for his business using several different methods. He explains the trial and error of designing a totally new product and how he finally ended up as a contestant on Shark Tank.

WE DISCUSS:
- Working at Hurley
- Coming up with his product idea
- Product development
- Product manufacturing
- Raising capital
- Crowdfunding: Kickstarter vs. Indiegogo
- Getting on Shark Tank
- New business developments

GET THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://theproductsessions.com/ways-to-raise-capital-for-my-startup-with-hans-dose/

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/ieyKgvfVfPM

LINKS MENTIONED:
@HansDose on Instagram
@Tenikle on Instagram
Han's Company Tenikle
Rhino 3D
MOI 3D
Thomasnet.com
Kenvox
Kickstarter
SBA business loan
Indiegogo
Funded Today
Tenikle on Kickstarter
Tenikle on Indiegogo
Hamboards
FUBU
Daymond on Demand

Making money at a pop-up shop can be a little tricky, but is a great way to drive sales and increase brand awareness. Today I’m sharing the tips I’ve learned over the last couple of years that help me make more money at these pop-up markets.

WE DISCUSS:
- What is a Pop-Up Shop?
- Where are Pop-Up Shops?
- How do you find out about them?
- People make a living off of doing these
- Tip #1: Try Different Events to Find the Right Fit
- Tip #2: Network with the Other Brands
- Tip #3: Don’t Overspend on Your Booth Display
- Tip #4: Don’t Overpack
- What to Pack for Your Pop-Up
- Tip #5: How to Sell at Pop-Ups

GET THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://theproductsessions.com/how-to-make-money-at-a-pop-up-shop/

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/HVjBH61iFJo

LINKS MENTIONED:
Should I Sell Direct to Consumer or Wholesale?

Pop-Up Event Companies in Orange County:

• Creative Communal
• Creative Babes
• Orange County Connect
• Port Street Pop-Up
• Female Makers
• Mermade Market

Shopify POS

My Bag Company Bodomint

Cactus Jane Emporium

Free Product Launch Guide

Is direct to consumer or wholesale a better sales strategy for your small business? Which one will make you more money? Let's discuss the pros and cons of each method and how they work.

We discuss:
Direct to Consumer
- Profit Margins
- Customer Experience
- Customer Feedback
Wholesale
- Broader Distribution
- Increased Sales Volume
- Less Marketing Outreach
Which Strategy is Best for You?

GET THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://theproductsessions.com/should-i-sell-direct-to-consumer-or-wholesale/

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: 
https://youtu.be/zC56EjCVPgU

Links Mentioned:
Bodomint: https://www.bodomint.com/
Faire: https://www.faire.com/
Paper Camp: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/papercamp
Proof to Product: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/
Understanding Market Placement And Brand Identity With Laura Bonnell: https://theproductsessions.com/understanding-market-placement-and-brand-identity/

Today we’re talking about Market Placement, Brand Identity, and finding your brand’s authentic story. Understanding your brand’s place in the market compared to your competitors will help you make decisions like where to expand your product assortment and what prices to target. This foundational knowledge increases your chances of success in any product-based industry.

I’m interviewing my talented friend Laura Bonnell who has worked for such brands as Ralph Lauren and The Limited, amongst others. She teaches in the Fashion Program at Orange Coast College and has her own beautiful brand The Letterman Co.

We discuss:
- Laura’s career as a Fashion Designer
- Working for Ralph Lauren
- What she does as a Consultant Creative Director
- How she started The Letterman Co.
- Exercises to help you nail down your Brand Identity and Market Placement
- How to make our brands more sustainable

If you enjoyed this episode then you'll love the Free Product Launch guide that goes more in-depth into the process of launching a product business in 5 clear steps. Check it out at: https://theproductsessions.com/launchguide

GET THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://theproductsessions.com/understanding-market-placement-and-brand-identity/

WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: 
https://youtu.be/8-ye_nBZxX4

CONNECT WITH LAURA:  
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-bonnell/
The Letterman Co.’s website: https://thelettermanco.com/
The Letterman Co. on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelettermanco/
The Letterman Co. on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelettermanco/

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Fashion Program at Orange Coast College: https://catalog.cccd.edu/orange-coast/pathways/business-management-entrepreneurship/fashion/

SUSTAINABILITY INDUSTRY REPORTS:
The Pulse Report: https://globalfashionagenda.org/impact-initiatives/pulse-of-the-industry/
The CEO Agenda: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/ceo-agenda.html
The State of Fashion: https://www.businessoffashion.com/reports/news-analysis/the-state-of-fashion-2023-industry-report-bof-mckinsey/

SUSTAINABILITY BOOKS:
The Future of the Responsible Economy: https://www.amazon.com/Future-Responsible-Company-Learned-Patagonias/dp/1952338115/
Sustainability and Social Change in Fashion: https://www.amazon.com/Sustainability-Social-Change-Fashion-Leslie/dp/1501334069/
The Future of Fashion: https://www.amazon.com/Future-Fashion-Understanding-Sustainability-Industry/dp/1641371404/
The B Corp Handbook: https://www.amazon.com/Corp-Handbook-Second-Business-Force/dp/1523097531/

SUSTAINABILITY DOCUMENTARIES:
The True Cost: https://truecostmovie.com/
The River Blue: https://riverbluethemovie.eco/
Seeding Change: https://www.seedingchangefilm.com/
Blood Sweat and T-Shirts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJtcaTakNZU

FREE SUSTAINABILITY NEWSLETTERS:
The Ellen McArthur Foundation: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/
A New Textiles Economy: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy
Global Fashions Summit: https://globalfashionsummit.com/
The See Change Sessions: https://www.seechangesessions.com/
Sustainable Brands: https://sustainablebrands.com/

FACTORY CERTIFICATIONS:
Blue Sign Certification: https://www.bluesign.com/en
Fairtrade Certification: https://www.fairtradecertified.org/
WRAP Certification: https://wrapcompliance.org/en/
Sedex Certification: https://www.sedex.com/about/

Look up brands and see the factories they manufacture in on Open Apparel Registry: https://appareldata.org/entries/open-apparel-registry-oar/