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
Dec 19, 2023 • 15min
323 | 6 Reasons Why You Should Not Be Doing Monthly Wholesale Promotions
There is a lot of noise on the internet. Lots of gurus, experts, and other people claim you have to do things a certain way in order to be successful. We see ads on social media telling us there is a magic formula or 5-step process that will make all of our dreams come true. It seems that a new business coach is popping up on the scene every day with some new system or lived experience that we have to follow. I firmly believe that there is room for everyone and that we all have unique experiences and expertise to share that can benefit others. However, I also know that as a consumer of content and someone looking for guidance in your business, it is hard to know who to trust. Especially when you feel like the entire internet is screaming at you about some new method or strategy that you need to implement. It can feel overwhelming. This brings me to today's podcast topic… a question came up in our community about whether or not you should be doing monthly promotions for wholesale customers. The answer is no, absolutely not, and we'll get into six reasons why you should not be doing monthly wholesale promotions for your business. 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 You'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. SIGN UP FOR THE FREE AUDIO SERIES You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/323 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Dec 12, 2023 • 44min
322 | Navigating the Ups & Downs of Entrepreneurship with Katie Hunt
Shirlee Fisher, host of The Tillage Podcast and a passionate community builder, engages in a rich discussion about entrepreneurship's challenges and triumphs. They tackle how to navigate crises using a four-factor framework and emphasize the importance of understanding financial metrics as neutral tools for success. The conversation also highlights the significance of slow growth, self-reflection, and how entrepreneur decisions can align with long-term goals while managing fear. Ultimately, they redefine success beyond mere financial measures, encouraging a more holistic view.
Dec 5, 2023 • 41min
321 | Wholesale Trade Shows & Buying Patterns with Retailer, Audrey Woollen, Urbanic
Audrey Woollen, store owner of Urbanic, discusses the changing landscape of wholesale trade shows, including the impact of digital platforms and the importance of showcasing new talent. They also explore the role of fare in business decision-making and the value of a supportive community within the industry.
Nov 28, 2023 • 26min
320 | The challenges of bringing a new product to life with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf
In this engaging discussion, Zeba Parkar, the owner of Treleaf and a trained scientist, shares her inspiring journey of transforming her love for plants into a flourishing brand. She reflects on the challenges she faced while bringing new products to market during the pandemic. Zeba discusses her innovative approach using a laser cutter, her experience fulfilling orders solo, and her strategies for protecting her brand. She also talks about expanding her reach to over 150 stores and the importance of effective marketing and team building in her entrepreneurial success.
Nov 21, 2023 • 3min
Happy Thanksgiving!
The podcast is taking a break this week so that our team can celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends. We will be back next week with an interview with Paper Camp alumni & LABS member Zeba Parkar of Treleaf who is going to share what it was like bringing her laser-cut wood trellises to market — a brand new product in the plant category. If you're traveling this week, I'd love to keep you company. Be sure to dip back into the archives. We have over 319 incredible episodes to help you streamline and strengthen your business. In episode 318, I talk about how you can build your sales engine for the business. In episode 307, I share two wholesale metrics that you need to be focusing on. In episode 298, I share why you should never ever accept a $25 wholesale order. Lastly, I want to remind you that there are millions of small brands competing for attention and your dollars this holiday season. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to shop small this season so we've put together a robust gift guide featuring almost 300 brands from our Proof to Product Community. You can download this gift guide by going to www.prooftoproduct.com/giftguide This gift guide truly has something for all your friends and family — plant lovers, readers, foodies, kids & babies, jewelry, apparel, plus a whole self-care section that includes eye pillows, mental health support decks, and more. Many of the brands provided exclusive discount codes that you can use for your online purchases. When you shop from the Proof to Product gift guide, you know that you're supporting individuals, families and putting money back into local communities. Happy Thanksgiving week to all our friends in the US who celebrate. I'll chat with you next week!
Nov 14, 2023 • 36min
319 | 2024 Market Trends For Product Based Businesses with Jessica Totillo Coster
We recently did a two-part series on the State of Retail where I talked to two independent brick-and-mortar retail shop owners [episode 1] [episode 2]. This is important because we teach all of you how to sell wholesale to stores like Katie & Jen's shops and it is important that you understand the challenges that they are facing and how they are adapting to the market and how that will trickle down and affect you as a manufacturer. Today I want to expand on that conversation with a colleague of mine, Jessica Totillo Coster of E-Commerce Badassery. Jessica is an ecommerce and email marketing strategist. You may also remember her from episode 195 of Proof to Product. Jessica works exclusively with product-based business owners — many of whom are also Paper Camp Alumni & LABS members. Jessica and I have a unique perspective on what's happening in the product space right now — observing trends with sales, marketing and spotting issues before they become widespread. And, that's what our focus is on today's episode. We're sharing what we're seeing on the sales & marketing front for product-based businesses - what's working, what's not and sharing advice that you can implement right away. 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 http://prooftoproduct.com/319 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Nov 10, 2023 • 2min
Shop small this holiday season!
Today I'm popping in with a call to action and that is… I want you to shop small this holiday season. To make this as easy as possible for you, we've put together a robust holiday gift guide featuring almost 300 independent brands from our Proof to Product Community. The Proof to Product gift guide includes a wide range of products including candles, apparel, jewelry, accessories, puzzles and games, home decor as well as gifts for pet lovers plant lovers, kids & babies and more. There is truly something for everyone inside the Proof to Product gift guide. Download your copy of the gift guide at www.prooftoproduct.com/giftguide. Links: PTP Episodes 316 & 317: State of Retail PTP Episode 318: Why You Need to be selling everyday
Nov 7, 2023 • 12min
318 | You need to be selling each and every day with Katie Hunt
You know we like to keep things real with you here at Proof to Product and the truth is, there will be a lot of businesses that will close their doors over the next year. There will be lots of reasons for this. Some business owners will decide that they no longer want to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Some will not be able to keep their doors open due to financial strain. Some business owners will shut down entire revenue streams to focus on something new. Maybe even under a new brand. Some doors will close because the business owner's life circumstances have changed. So many unique and different reasons why this will happen. But we're about to see a cycle of small business closures. Everyone I talk to in business right now is trying to reduce costs - for services, software, team and more. But there is another side of this coin. It's something that will keep your business stable and strong. It is where you should be focusing your time, energy and effort. It's selling. Selling your products should be the main focus in your business always, but particularly right now. During today's episode, we are discussing how you can make sure you are selling every single day. You'll learn why you need to sell every day and three actionable ways you can make sure you are doing so. 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. REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/318 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Oct 31, 2023 • 26min
317 | The State of Independent Retail with Jen Palacio & Katie Wilson [Part 2]
Today's episode is part 2 of a two-part series on the state of independent retail right now. If you missed last week's episode, I encourage you to check that one out first. In that episode, Katie Wilson of Crush & Touch and Jen Palacio of Tiny Turns Paperie shared feedback on their summer 2023 sales season, how they are preparing for 2023 Q3 holiday season, how the current economic climate is affecting business and what's on the minds of shop keepers right now. Today we're continuing the conversation. Katie, Jen and I talk about the importance of clear communication between vendors and shop owners, zip code protection and how these two shop owners are utilizing Faire to place orders with existing wholesale accounts. 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 at www.prooftoproduct.com/unlock. You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/317 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Oct 24, 2023 • 37min
316 | The State of Independent Retail with Jen Palacio & Katie Wilson [Part 1]
Over the last few months, I've had a lot of private conversations with store owners about the state of independent retail. They've confided in me about a wide range of challenges that they are facing - individually as well as collectively. Things like the economy, less foot traffic in their stores, staffing and cash flow limitations - have forced them to rethink how they are running their businesses and also planning for the future. Here at Proof to Product, we focus on teaching you how to sell wholesale and independent retailers make up the majority of our alumni community's wholesale revenue. Which is why it is important that we not only build strong relationships with these shop owners, but that we also take time to listen to the challenges that the are facing. Over the next two episodes of Proof to Product, we're taking you behind the scenes into a candid conversation with two shop owners who are giving us an inside look at the state of independent retail and the challenges that many shop keepers are currently experiencing. Our guests for two-part podcast series are Katie Wilson of Crush & Touch and Jen Palacio of Tiny Turns Paperie. Katie owns an art supply store in Southern California and Jen owns a stationery & gifts shop in Massachusetts. In today's episode, we're talking about their summer 2023 sale season, how they are preparing for the Q4 holiday season, how the current economic climate is affecting their businesses and what's on the minds of shopkeepers right now. 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 touch point 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 at www.prooftoproduct.com/unlock. You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/316 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
