Proof to Product
Katie Hunt
Ranked in the top 1% of ALL podcasts, the Proof to Product podcast is your trusted resource for sustainable business growth - especially if you make and sell physical products!
Join Katie Hunt, each week as she shares strategies & solutions to enhance your sales & marketing so that you're building a business that supports your best life.
If you've ever asked yourself can I make money selling physical products? Am I ready to sell my products wholesale to stores like Target, Anthropologie, Nordstrom or Barnes & Noble? When should I consider hiring a sales team or sales reps? Can I really turn my passion into profits? Whether you're a just starting out on your business journey or you've been at it a while growing an empire, this show is for you.
Proof to Product is like on-demand business school for product sellers spanning a wide range of industries. Whether you're in home decor, apparel, beauty, food & beverage, hand-made items, jewelry, consumer gifts or the stationery world, you'll gather new ideas each week to help you grow your profit, build your team and lead with integrity.
Host Katie Hunt and her guests bring you actionable ways to expand your product line, manufacturing overseas, optimize your e-commrce websites on Shopify, Faire, Etsy, Abound, Tundra, Squarespace or in brick & mortar locations. How to start or scale wholesale sales including pitching stores, wholesale outreach, trade show exhibition, working with sales reps, managing inventory, warehousing product, sales systems, wholesale follow-up strategies and working with key accounts. Marketing strategies for small businesses including content creation, leveraging tik tok and instagram tactics without feeling burned out, why you can't rely solely on social media for sales and why email marketing systems on platforms like Klaviyo, Flodesk and Active Campaign are so powerful. Listen in as Katie and our guest experts help you strategize and tackle your biggest business goals.
Host Katie Hunt brings a unique perspective to entrepreneurship. Since 2011, she's helped thousands of product brands get their products on the shelves of their favorite retail stores through her Paper Camp program (www.prooftoproduct.com/papercamp). Prior to that she worked in the corporate world for over a decade leading business development and marketing teams. She has two MBAs - one in finance and one in marketing. And, she owned & operated her own product based business for over 8 years, selling her products to stores throughout the world from her garage. Katie knows the struggles you face as a product based business and she's here to pull back the curtain and share her best kept secrets so that you don't have to learn things the hard way.
Find our free trainings & resources for product based business owners at www.prooftoproduct.com/resources
Join Katie Hunt, each week as she shares strategies & solutions to enhance your sales & marketing so that you're building a business that supports your best life.
If you've ever asked yourself can I make money selling physical products? Am I ready to sell my products wholesale to stores like Target, Anthropologie, Nordstrom or Barnes & Noble? When should I consider hiring a sales team or sales reps? Can I really turn my passion into profits? Whether you're a just starting out on your business journey or you've been at it a while growing an empire, this show is for you.
Proof to Product is like on-demand business school for product sellers spanning a wide range of industries. Whether you're in home decor, apparel, beauty, food & beverage, hand-made items, jewelry, consumer gifts or the stationery world, you'll gather new ideas each week to help you grow your profit, build your team and lead with integrity.
Host Katie Hunt and her guests bring you actionable ways to expand your product line, manufacturing overseas, optimize your e-commrce websites on Shopify, Faire, Etsy, Abound, Tundra, Squarespace or in brick & mortar locations. How to start or scale wholesale sales including pitching stores, wholesale outreach, trade show exhibition, working with sales reps, managing inventory, warehousing product, sales systems, wholesale follow-up strategies and working with key accounts. Marketing strategies for small businesses including content creation, leveraging tik tok and instagram tactics without feeling burned out, why you can't rely solely on social media for sales and why email marketing systems on platforms like Klaviyo, Flodesk and Active Campaign are so powerful. Listen in as Katie and our guest experts help you strategize and tackle your biggest business goals.
Host Katie Hunt brings a unique perspective to entrepreneurship. Since 2011, she's helped thousands of product brands get their products on the shelves of their favorite retail stores through her Paper Camp program (www.prooftoproduct.com/papercamp). Prior to that she worked in the corporate world for over a decade leading business development and marketing teams. She has two MBAs - one in finance and one in marketing. And, she owned & operated her own product based business for over 8 years, selling her products to stores throughout the world from her garage. Katie knows the struggles you face as a product based business and she's here to pull back the curtain and share her best kept secrets so that you don't have to learn things the hard way.
Find our free trainings & resources for product based business owners at www.prooftoproduct.com/resources
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 14, 2025 • 17min
415 | Wholesale vs DTC: Why These Are Different Business Models with Katie Hunt
I'm going to give a little tough love: some of you are new to selling wholesale, and it shows. I am seeing a lot of people using direct-to-consumer strategies when they're launching their wholesale program and then feeling frustrated when the orders don't come in. Here's the thing: it's not your products that aren't a great fit for them, and you're not doing anything wrong. It's that wholesale and retail are completely different business models, and they require different strategies, timelines, and messaging. Today on the podcast, I'm breaking down the key differences between selling retail and selling wholesale, what each one of these things means, and how the buying process is different. Understanding this will completely change how you approach your sales and marketing for both revenue streams. 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/415 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Oct 7, 2025 • 12min
414 | Depth vs. Breadth: Finding the Right Focus in Your Business with Katie Hunt
I don't know about you, but I do a lot of my best thinking in the shower, in the car as I'm driving kids around, or doing pickups and drop-offs. I've got these little breaks between taking kids to different places, and that's actually where I do a lot of my coaching with my Advisory Board clients. We're talking back and forth on Voxer, they're dropping questions in my phone, and I'm responding back. Anyhow, I'm sharing because I was sitting in my car the other day thinking, and there are a few things that I have wanted to talk about with you here on the podcast in more of an off-the-cuff, unscripted way. I'm hearing from a lot of you who want to hear what's on my mind more casually right now. You like the interviews and solo episodes, but you also want to hear in real-time what I'm thinking about and what I'm working on with my clients. So one of the things I'm going to talk about today is the difference between going deep in something and going wide. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product resource library. It's where you can get your hands on our free resources to help you start, streamline and scale your business in your own way and at your own pace. GET FREE ACCESS You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/414 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Sep 30, 2025 • 14min
413 | Talking Economy, Tariffs, and Customer Retention [Inside Peek into LABs]
If you are anything like my clients in LABS, you may be wondering, how do I plan for the future when the world feels upside down? More importantly, what should I be focusing on next? Today, I'm sharing a short clip from one of our recent coaching calls inside of our LABS Community. LABS is the space where product-based business owners come together to get clarity, build connections, and practical strategies that they can put to work right away. The clip you're hearing today is from one of our recent coaching calls. We're checking in on the state of the economy and talking about what matters most for product brands in this final stretch of the year. Things like: Keeping your best customers coming back How to build stronger relationships with both wholesale and direct-to-consumer buyers Making smarter choices about diversifying your revenue In these monthly calls in LABS, members get to ask their specific questions. Whether it's me or one of our coaches or the guest experts that we bring in, they're getting direct feedback on what they need in real time. It's an interactive, supportive speaker space that keeps people moving forward in their business. If you like what you hear today, definitely check LABS out! Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below! REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/413 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Sep 23, 2025 • 18min
412 | Your Wholesale Pitch Isn't The Problem with Katie Hunt
I am recording this episode the same week that we are running week three of Paper Camp, which is our marketing week. Marketing week is where we talk to buyers about their buying preferences, how they like to be pitched, how much follow-up is too much, etc. I often see a lot of our students, and even non-students, struggling with this concept of "I'm putting myself out there and I'm not hearing anything back." Today on the podcast, I wanted to tackle a pretty big misconception that I hear all the time in the wholesale world and one I'm hearing this week too in Paper Camp. "I've been pitching to stores but they're not replying? Maybe my pitch just isn't good enough." Here's the truth. Most of the time, your pitch isn't the problem. The real issue is your wholesale foundations. Things like: Product readiness Pricing Terms and conditions Those things might not be in alignment with what buyers are expecting to see. Too often, I see brands jumping straight into pitching their products to stores before they've got the back end of their business properly set up for wholesale. That is what is getting in the way of retailers saying yes. In this episode, I want to walk you through some of the common red flags that I see when I'm reviewing product-based business owners catalogs and things like that. I'll also share what makes pitches stand out in a crowded inbox. If you have been second-guessing your wholesale pitch, then this episode is definitely for you. Let's dig into what is really holding you back and how to fix it. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product resource library. It's where you can get your hands on our free resources to help you start, streamline and scale your business in your own way and at your own pace. GET FREE ACCESS You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/412 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Sep 16, 2025 • 39min
411 | How To Get Better At Selling Your Products In-Person with Karen Sawyer-Meehan, Pier Six Press
Join Karen Sawyer-Meehan, the creative mind behind Pier Six Press, a vibrant stationery brand, as she shares her insights on the art of in-person sales. With a background in retail, Karen offers tips on viewing sales as a service rather than a pushy tactic. She emphasizes greeting everyone, reading body language, and building lasting relationships at trade shows. Plus, discover how personal loss led her to embrace her bold artistic voice and authenticity, making her brand truly stand out.
Sep 9, 2025 • 41min
How Product Business Owners Can Use Grants to Fund Their Business with Ashley Sutton, Hustle & Hope [Replay]
In this engaging discussion, Ashley Sutton, founder of Hustle and Hope, shares her journey from corporate marketing to entrepreneurship with her unique motivational greeting card business. She emphasizes the importance of grants in funding small businesses, providing insights on the application process and the resilience needed to succeed. Ashley also discusses how her cards empower personal growth and gratitude while revolutionizing the greeting card experience through added digital resources. Tune in for valuable tips on leveraging community support and strategic growth!
Sep 2, 2025 • 10min
Utilizing Abandoned Cart Email Automations to Drive Sales with Katie Hunt [Replay]
Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 400 episodes here on the Proof to Product podcast. There is a gold mine of information for you to help you grow your business, and, frankly, it can be hard to take it all in. Today's episode is a look back at one of our most downloaded episodes, discussing how to utilize abandoned cart email automations to drive more sales. The holidays are coming up, and it's a perfect time to look at your email strategy and touch base with your hottest leads. If you have ever shied away from sending out these emails, you are going to want to listen to this one and rethink your strategy. Did you know that almost 70% of shoppers abandon their online shopping carts and don't follow through with a sale? That means that only 3 out of 10 of your customers who go to your website and load up their shopping cart complete their purchase. The same report from Baymard Institute said that more than $18,000,000,000 in e-commerce sales are lost annually due to abandoned carts. That is a whole lot of money. And yet, only some independent product brands are utilizing abandoned cart follow-up emails to recapture some of these sales. 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 We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers. And all of this becomes infinitely easier when we actively listen to our customers. This on-demand interview series will give you a competitive edge by providing an exclusive window into what buyers want and need from you. And, the best part, its only $27 bucks. Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/336 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Aug 26, 2025 • 35min
How to Get Your Products Noticed by Key Buyers with Sally Diguette, Anthropologie [Replay]
Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 400 episodes here on the Proof to Product podcast. There is a gold mine of information for you to help you grow your business, and, frankly, it can be hard to take it all in. Today's episode is a look back at guest Sally Diguette, a home and lifestyle buyer with Anthropologie. Pitching large retailers is a completely different process and timeline than working with independent retailers. Having worked with thousands of brands, I know that it can feel like an intimidating process to pitch your work to these key accounts. Through an unpredictable path, Sally landed in the retail industry and has over 14 years of experience in buying, product development, and sourcing. Sally is an innovative merchant and consultant. She centers her work around relationship building and creative strategy, combining unique product development and sourcing from national brands across a variety of categories. Her passion lies in working with emerging brands in an incubator capacity to build fresh product offerings, solid organizational systems, and a strong team structure. On this replay episode, Sally shares about the buying process and schedule for Anthropologie. We talk specifically about the timelines that she's working with for both exclusive products as well as ready made products. And she offers advice for how to get your products in front of key account buyers. 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 We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers. And all of this becomes infinitely easier when we actively listen to our customers. This on-demand interview series will give you a competitive edge by providing an exclusive window into what buyers want and need from you. And, the best part, it's only $27 bucks. Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series
Aug 19, 2025 • 22min
410 | How Quickly Will I Make Back My Paper Camp Investment with Katie Hunt
Have you been thinking about joining us for Paper Camp, but aren't sure if this program is a good fit for you? Or maybe you're a new listener of the podcast, and you're thinking, what the heck is this Paper Camp program that I keep talking about? This episode is for you. I'm answering the top questions that we get asked about our wholesale program to help you decide if it's the right fit for you. The next round of Paper Camp is open for enrollment right now. If you're listening to this on release day, we will close enrollment tomorrow, August 20th. If you are looking to scale your wholesale strategy and build a system that drives sales, this is the program for you. You won't want to miss it. SIGN UP FOR PAPER CAMP NOW You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/410 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Aug 14, 2025 • 26min
409 | Live from Shoppe Object with Paper Camp Alumni
I'm back again today to share interviews from our Paper Camp alumni who exhibited at Shoppe Object. On Tuesday, I shared my conversations with our alumni who are exhibiting in NY Now. Today, we're focusing on the exhibitors that were at Shoppe Object. This is a wholesale trade show that was happening in New York City this past week, and I spoke with: Stephanie Clarke from Dahlia Press Nancy Yusko from Dear Beni Meghan Sokorai from And Here We Are Jen Palacio from Tiny Turns Paperie Once again, great job to everyone who exhibited at these shows and to everyone who participated in this interview series. I appreciate you taking the time with me on the show floor. I know that these shows take a lot of hard work, a lot of determination, money, and grit to execute. If you are thinking about exhibiting at a trade show as part of your wholesale growth strategy, then you absolutely must join us for Paper Camp. We have a ton of experience exhibiting ourselves, and we have guided tens of thousands of brands through the process. In fact, we have a lot of people who come to us after they've exhibited at a trade show on their own, and it didn't go the way they wanted it to. They ended up with low sales, a lot of stress, and little confidence in how they were presenting their brand. After Paper Camp, our alumni frequently report higher sales, higher average order values, and stronger reorder rates than non-alumni. Round 46 is currently open for enrollment at http://prooftoproduct.com/papercamp We only run this program twice a year, and we sell out every single, single time. This coaching program will take you through step-by-step of everything you need to know to build out a successful wholesale business. ENROLL NOW IN PAPER CAMP You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/409 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
