Proof to Product

Katie Hunt, an expert in SKU systems for wholesaling, dives into the importance of SKU numbers, how to develop them, and the advantages of implementing a SKU system. She shares tips on managing and structuring SKU numbers as your business grows.

Choosing business contentment over business growth can be a great reminder to all of us that there are seasons in business, and sometimes what we have is all that we really need or want.  On this episode we have Brigida Swanson of Yardia, which is a nature-inspired gift and stationery company.  Bridiga shares the journey for starting her business, while still pursuing her teaching career. She dives into what it was like venturing into wholesale, how she has experienced rapid growth, and describes what happened after deciding to leave social media.   She shares some of her incredible wins with us and also discusses how, despite her business's expansion, she began questioning the need for more, realizing that she already had enough and desired a simpler more content life.  Consequently, Brigida made intentional shifts in her business and personal life to align with her desire and found that true fulfillment came from what brings happiness. This episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers guide. 49% of our customers want to hear from us on a consistent basis, yet, only a small percentage of product-based business owners are actively sending monthly emails to their customers.   If you’ve struggled with what to say, when to send, or how to plan out your email marketing strategies, we’ve got just the tool for you. This tool and the optional training have helped hundreds of product makers plan out an entire year’s worth of emails.  And, the best part… they are creating templates that they can rinse & repeat year after year.   DOWNLOAD NOW You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/309 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

In this engaging discussion, Stephanie Clarke, owner and designer of Dahlia Press and Chloe Clarke, The Art of Paper, shares insights from her entrepreneurial journey. She reflects on the challenges and benefits of running two distinct brands, including the strategic decision to split her business and adapt to a post-COVID retail landscape. Stephanie delves into team dynamics, the emotional journey of relinquishing control, and the importance of clear marketing strategies. Her experiences highlight the resilience and growth necessary for thriving in today's market.

There’s no “easy mode” in business. Selling physical products is a lot of work and being a product entrepreneur requires grit, tenacity, and courage.  Today’s episode is for seasoned wholesalers who might be experiencing a slower sales season this summer. If your sales have stalled, there are two metrics that you can tap into to build stronger relationships with your current accounts and sustainably scale your revenue for wholesale.  Tune in and you’ll learn how to find opportunities for reorders, simplify your purchasing process, make small but impactful changes that improve cash flow for your business, and more. This episode offers some high-level number-crunching and practical sales strategies that will help you increase your wholesale revenue and get out of your sales slump. Today’s episode is brought to you by our signature program, Paper Camp, our 4-week program that takes the guesswork out of selling wholesale. When you follow the strategies and methods in Paper Camp, you’ll not only feel more confident but you’ll reach your wholesale goals faster. Come join the program now! SIGN UP NOW You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/307

You have heard me say it before, and I'm gonna remind you again, strong businesses are built through slow, steady, intentional growth. Today's guest is proof of that. Jill Shephard is the owner of Ruff House Print Shop. She started her business in 2009, initially specializing in custom wedding invitations. She then spent 14 years prioritizing professional development, refining her business model, expanding her team, and strengthening her customer experience. In the process, she built a profitable and sustainable company that she is proud of.  Today, Jill and I are talking about her entrepreneurial journey from custom wedding invitations to a brick and mortar retail shop to selling wholesale to over 3,000 shops around the world. Jill also reveals her strategies for maintaining a thriving business, the importance of continuous learning, and the impact of participating in programs like Paper Camp, even as a seasoned entrepreneur. Today’s episode is brought to you by our free, on-demand wholesale audio series. In this audio series, I’ll walk you through the biggest mistakes and most common questions folks have when they are starting and scaling wholesale—so you don’t make the same mistakes myself and others did.  You can binge this audio series in less than an hour and you can listen on the go in your favorite podcast player.  No fluff here, just concrete action steps and answers to help you simplify and strengthen your wholesale sales.  SIGN UP You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/306 Connect with Jill Ruffhouseprintshop.comInstagram: @ruffhouseprintshop Facebook: @ruffhouseprintshop Ruffhousepaperie.comInstagram: @ruffhousepaperie Facebook: @ruffhousepaperie   Mentioned in this Episode: Paper Camp

In this chat, Katie Hart, founder of Odd Daughter Paper Co. and self-taught illustrator, opens up about running a stationery business with her sister, Michelle. They talk about the joys and challenges of family dynamics in business, emphasizing the need for clear roles and boundaries. Katie shares insights on their creative process, aiming to craft products that feel like a conversation with a friend. The sisters also discuss the excitement of planning new product launches and the importance of aligning business decisions with personal values.

Katie Hart, founder of Odd Daughter Paper Co., shares her inspiring journey from side hustle to thriving wholesale brand without trade shows for a decade. She discusses the importance of intentional growth, product diversity, and navigating the shift from Etsy to Shopify. Hart reveals her unique stationery offerings, including a bilingual support deck, and the challenges and strategies for building a successful wholesale business. Her experience emphasizes steady income, relationship-building, and thoughtful resource allocation for sustainable success.

Ginger Diaz, the owner of Feliz Modern and Rancho Diaz in San Antonio, brings a vibrant approach to retail by showcasing art from local and global makers. She shares her journey of overcoming challenges during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of relationships in retail. Ginger discusses her buying preferences, highlighting red flags in manufacturer pitches and what draws her to independent brands. She also reveals how teamwork and tools like Trello and Slack have streamlined operations, enabling her to create joyful shopping experiences.

While we're on a short break for the summer, we're re-airing some of your favorite Proof to Product episodes, including this one with Brittany O'Brien!  Deciding to sell wholesale is the first step to scaling your business, but what are the next steps to being successful in it? Brittany O’Brien of Brittany Paige joins us to share the top three contributors to her wholesale success, how she overcame her fear of rejection, and a few tips she has for brands just getting started in wholesale. Plus, she’s sharing a little insight on her experience in growing the retail side of her business while having fun with TikTok! You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/258 Today’s episode is brought to you by Paper Camp, our 4-week program that takes the guess-work out of selling wholesale. When you follow the strategies and methods in Paper Camp, you’ll not only feel more confident but you’ll reach your wholesale goals faster. Come join the waitlist to be the first to know when we open the doors for the next round of Paper Camp! {JOIN THE WAITLIST}

While we're on a short break for the summer, we're re-airing some of your favorite Proof to Product episodes, including this one with Beth Roszkowski and Tiffany Grimes!  As a product creator, it’s common to feel that success means building your own storefront and selling retail to earn the most profit for your business. While that’s a great goal to strive for it doesn’t mean you should let other selling options, like wholesale, fall off your radar. In today’s episode, Beth Roszkowski and Tiffany Grimes join us to share how wholesale has allowed them to scale their businesses. I’m excited to highlight the conversations to show how two different brands with different stories still find value, profit, and expansion in their businesses through wholesale. For full show notes, head to prooftoproduct.com/234 Ready to prepare for your own booth at trade shows? Come join us at Paper Camp where we share everything you need to know about selling wholesale and exhibiting at trade shows. prooftoproduct.com/papercamp