Proof to Product

Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 375 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 Paper Camp alumni, Brittany O'Brien's journey growing her stationery and gift company, Brittany Paige. In episode 258, Brittany shared how she scaled her wholesale program up to 500 accounts. That was a big milestone for her. In this replay episode, she shares what it was like expanding to 1,000 wholesale accounts, and now she's grown even beyond that. Brittany has had such incredible growth, and I know her story has been inspiring for many of our listeners, which is why we are re-airing it today.  Speaking of wholesale, we are gearing up for the next round of Paper Camp, our four-week coaching program that teaches you how to start and scale your wholesale program. We have coached more than 31,000 wholesale brands in this program and through our other programs, and these folks sell their products to retail stores worldwide.  I'm talking about stores such as Target, Macy's, World Market, Starbucks, Anthropology, as well as independent retail shops all around the globe.  PaperCamp is a live coaching program, meaning that you will have an opportunity to get all of your questions answered by me, our coaching team, and our guest mentors. You have support in PaperCamp that no other DIY courses or memberships can provide.  Now if you want to learn how to get your products on the shelves of stores, click here to get on the waitlist. Our next round starts soon, and we do sell out every time!

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 coming soon. We're opening enrollment very soon. And if you are looking to start or scale wholesale, you are not going to want to miss this.  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/379  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

If you’re listening today that means you’re likely interested in applying for our Paper Camp scholarship! Giving back is one of our core values here at Proof to Product and we give back through our time, knowledge as well as financial scholarships. Since 2011, we’ve awarded over $275,000+ in scholarship funds to creative entrepreneurs who sell physical products to the wholesale market. These brands had big dreams of seeing their products on the shelves of their favorite stores and they have obtained huge results. These scholarships are a big deal and we treat them that way. We typically have anywhere from 80-90 scholarship applications every round of Paper Camp. My team and I dedicate several days to view all the videos, read the applications, review websites, and ultimately whittle it down to one full tuition scholarship winner. It’s never an easy choice, but we do put a lot of care into our selections. And, today I want to share 5 ways that you can stand out when submitting your Paper Camp application. You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/378   Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Hey, friend. This week, I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 375 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.  So whether you are a new listener or you've been around for a little while, this one is a must-listen. It features Ginger Diaz, a two-time retail shop owner of Feliz Modern and Rancho Diaz in San Antonio, Texas. We talk about a lot of different topics in this episode, but the one I want you to really pay attention to is what retail shops are looking for when they are making their wholesale buying decisions. We are gearing up for our next round of Paper Camp, which is our 4-week intensive coaching program.  We have coached more than 31,000 thriving wholesale brands who sell their products to retail stores all around the world, and we would love to help you do the same. Our next round will start soon, so get on that waitlist by going to the link listed below.  We do keep this program on the smaller side so that all of our attendees and students can get all of their questions answered, but that also means that space is limited, and we do sell out every time. So adding your name to the wait list will give you early access to tickets, and you can join that waitlist at prooftoproduct.com/papercamp.  SIGN UP FOR THE WAITLIST You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/303  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

I love using our platforms, particularly this podcast, to highlight our community members and all of the cool things they are doing within their businesses and lives. I also love to bring folks back for updates, a “where are they now” situation. So today's guest is Jodi Kostelnik of The Neighborgoods. Jodi was previously on episode 233 which aired in January of 2022. In that episode, she shared real numbers and feedback about her exhibiting experience at Shoppe Object, covering sales numbers, expenses, etc. We got a lot of positive feedback, emails, and notes from listeners about that episode because Jodi shared so openly and freely, and people appreciated that.  Today, she is back with an update and sharing some things that have gone on, some big changes that have happened with The Neighborgoods over the last 3 years. Jodi talks about her experience in opening up an airport store in Washington, DC, including how that opportunity came to be and how she has a unique ownership interest.  We talked about the highs and lows of hiring team members and letting go of control and how difficult that is, and Jodi shares how her products ended up being featured on the show, The View. Her team rallied together to ship out thousands of products after that feature, and a spoiler alert here, she met the contacts from The View at a trade show. 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 You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/377  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

Bonnie Christine, an internationally renowned surface pattern designer and award-winning educator, shares her insights on art licensing as a revenue stream. She discusses the lengthy yet rewarding process of licensing artwork and the importance of resilience in the face of rejection. Bonnie also highlights the role of art agents and in-house sales teams, while tackling the evolving influence of AI on the art industry. Additionally, she reflects on her journey from artist to educator, emphasizing the transformative power of teaching in the creative field.

Arianne Foulks, founder of Aeolidia, specializes in creating impactful online shops for artists and designers. In this discussion, she reveals key e-commerce marketing trends for 2025, stressing the power of personalized shopping experiences. Arianne shares practical strategies for segmenting customer communications and highlights the importance of utilizing data effectively. The rise of live shopping events and storytelling as engagement techniques also takes center stage, promising valuable insights for online retailers looking to enhance their customer interactions.

Happy New Year, friend. I hope that you were able to take a break over the holidays. I know the last month of the year is always pretty busy for all of us, whether it's personal stuff or we're getting our shops and businesses ready for the end of the year. I hope that you have plenty of time for some rest and relaxation.  We're back on the podcast with a new episode, and this week's episode is a real treat. I have Ashley Sutton from Hustle and Hope. Ashley is a Paper Camp alumni, and she's been featured in a few of our compilation episodes in the past. She was on episode 285 where we talked in person at NY NOW while she was exhibiting, and she was on episode 358 where she shared how much her business has grown since taking Paper Camp. But a stand-alone interview with her has been long overdue, and so I'm excited to share today's episode with you.  Ashley is a corporate gal turned entrepreneur. Her career began with marketing and developing the perfect shade of lipstick for Avon to creating buzzworthy toys at Mattel and crafting unforgettable marketing campaigns for leading TV shows for children such as Peppa Pig and PJ Masks. She's also creating the number one best-selling marketing campaigns for authors at Penguin Random House.  As a stationery lover and a consumer products professional, her goal was to channel her career experience into a product with purpose, and that is how she founded Hustle and Hope. The first 2 in one motivational greeting card company that includes free digital guides with every single card. A certified minority and certified woman-owned business, Hustle and Hope has retail placement at Buy Buy Baby, World Market, HomeGoods, Amazon, and over 45 other shops across the US. Today, Ashley shares Hustle and Hope's origin story. She talks about her experience participating in the Target Accelerator program, and we talk about how she's been utilizing grants for her business, including how she got started applying for grants, what she looks for, and how these grants have benefited her business. She also shares resources in case you want to get started applying for grants for your business. 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 You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/374  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

The Proof to Product podcast team and I are practicing what we preach and the podcast is taking a winter break! We will be back with a new podcast episode on Tuesday, January 7, and we have some incredible things lined up for you! While we're gone, be sure to dip back into the archives. We have over 370+ incredible episodes to help you strengthen your business. Have a great two weeks and I will see you on January 7th!

Amy Loewenberg, the Director of Buyer Relations for NY NOW, shares her extensive knowledge in the gift, home, and lifestyle industry. She highlights how trade shows are evolving to align with post-pandemic consumer behavior, emphasizing sustainability and meaningful purchases. Amy discusses the intriguing concept of neuroaesthetics, which focuses on designing multi-sensory shopping experiences that forge emotional connections with consumers. Additionally, she reveals innovative initiatives at NY NOW, aimed at enhancing both buyer and exhibitor relationships.