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
Mar 14, 2023 • 35min
288 | SMS & email marketing strategies with Arianne Foulks, Aeolidia
Research has shown that you have about 8 seconds to capture people's attention when they come to your website. That's the average attention span for your website visitors, and that's not a lot of time! If you fail to articulate what you sell, who those products are for and how you're different from your competitors, you may have lost your chance to convert that potential customer. We have to be intentional about how we're interacting & connecting with our customers so that we're not only keeping their attention, but also converting them to customers. Today's guest is Arianne Foulks, of Aeolidia, a web and graphic design agency. Arianne and her team work exclusively with brands with a penchant for design and they have launched thousands of online shops. She loves having a problem to solve, and has focused throughout her career on building online homes for fascinating people. You may remember Arianne from episode 114 of Proof to Product where we talked about abandoned cart emails. On today's episode we're talking about common mistakes she sees product business owners making with their e-commerce site, SMS marketing strategies, and why you need automated email flows—like welcome and abandoned cart sequences—to better nurture and retain your current customers. If you're a LABS member, Arianne will be joining us in April to lead us through achievable ways to optimize your e-commerce website for more sales. She'll also be back in July to do website audits for our LABS members! Keep an eye on our events calendar so that you don't miss these exciting trainings live! If you're not already in our LABS program, head to prooftoproduct.com/labs to learn more. As a reminder, all past LABS trainings are available as replays (and we have a really rich archive of trainings)—but only active LABS members are able to attend our trainings live and ask questions. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS program. If you are looking to strengthen your business foundation and are looking for coaching and a trusted community for support, come join Proof to Product LABS. Our vault of on-demand trainings runs deep, but the incredible community, the connections, and the collaborations are like no other. If you sell physical products, come join us! This is a space that was intentionally built just for you. ENROLL NOW You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/288.
Mar 7, 2023 • 29min
287 | Preparing Your Handmade Product Business for Economic Downturns with Jess Van Den, Create & Thrive
Does the economy have you worried? I know that the words inflation and recession have been hot topics in several small business groups that I'm in, and I know that people are worried. Today, Jess Van Den of Create and Thrive joins me to talk about how small businesses, particularly in the handmade space, can prepare for and survive through these types of economic downturns. Jess is the founder of Create and Thrive, a community for handmade product makers where she teaches them how to craft the business they've dreamed of. Since 2013, Jess has helped 1000's of makers to create a thriving and profitable handmade business. Jess teaches what she knows. She owns and operates a successful jewelry business selling online and wholesale to shops. On today's episode, Jess shares how she accidentally started two businesses with a startup story that is oddly similar to my own! Then we dove into talking about recession, inflation, and what business owners can do to adapt during these times. We specifically talk about ways to diversify your revenue streams, why you need to be auditing your expenses, and the importance of surrounding yourself with a trusted community. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS program. If you are looking to strengthen your business foundation and are looking for coaching and a trusted community for support, come join Proof to Product LABS. Our vault of on-demand trainings run deep, but the incredible community, the connections, and the collaborations are like no other. If you sell physical products, come join us! This is a space that was intentionally built just for you. ENROLL NOW You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/287.
Feb 28, 2023 • 10min
286 | Is it an accident or an intentional decision with Katie Hunt
When I talk to people about their business, they often say they "fell into business" or became an "entrepreneur by accident." It's a common story, especially in the creative online space that we all work in. These people solved a problem, likely for themselves, and then that solution led to something greater… whether it be a new business, new product or revenue stream. One thing I always like to remind these entrepreneurs of… is that even though the idea or the initial spark of the solution may have been an accident, building, growing, sustaining that new business, product or program is never an accident. It is an intentional choice to continue and that intentionality is what leads to success and greatness over the long haul. Today I want to share one of my stories… about my own "happy accident." I made an intentional decision that some considered to be a rash decision—it was scary, but necessary and the outcome has truly been beautiful. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product resource library. It's where you can get your hands on lots of 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 prooftoproduct.com/286
Feb 21, 2023 • 32min
285 | Live from NY Now & Shoppe Object
I'm back from a whirlwind trip to New York where over 50 of our Paper Camp alumni were exhibiting at NY Now and Shoppe Object - two wholesale trade shows. It was such a treat to visit with everyone and to see their new products on display. Both shows were buzzing with buyers, press and brands looking to collaborate. The energy was high and orders were being written. You know… at Paper Camp we like to talk about how selling wholesale is a marathon, not a sprint. And, exhibiting at wholesale trade shows is just one way to get your products in front of your buyers. Exhibiting at a trade show is no small feat though. There are endless decisions, logistics and shows are a big investment of time, energy and money. When done well, the payoff of exhibiting comes not only through sales at the shows, but also new contacts we meet, conversations we have and face time with our buyers, which is where the long term benefits come into play. Those face to face connections with current and prospective accounts are priceless. Today's episode is a compilation of short interviews I conducted on the show floors in New York. At NY Now I talked with Ashley Sutton of Hustle & Hope who shared how in within one year of selling wholesale her products are carried in Home Goods & TJ Max, Divya of Mellowworks who launched her Home Decor line at the show, and Desiree of Paper Anchor who moved from the Emerging artist kiosk to her own booth this year. At Shoppe Object I interviewed Jana of The Completist who traveled from the UK to showcase her new collection of desktop and paper goods and Katie of The Good Twin who shared what it was like moving from NY Now to Shoppe Object. All of today's guests are alumni of our Paper Camp program. Our Paper Camp program is the longest-running, most trusted, results-driven wholesale training program. We combine expert coaching, comprehensive content and a rich community to guide & support you in building a profitable, sustainable wholesale brand. LEARN MORE You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/285 Connect with our guests: Ashley Sutton - Hustle & Hope https://hustleandhopecards.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hustleandhope/ Divya Guruju - Melloworks https://www.shopmellowworks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mellowworksart/ Desiree Perez - Paper Anchor https://paper-anchor.com/ https://www.instagram.com/paperanchor.co/ Jana Starcevic - The Completist https://www.the-completist.com/ https://www.instagram.com/the.completist/ Katie Wilson - The Good Twin https://www.thegoodtwin.co/ https://www.instagram.com/thegoodtwinco/
Feb 14, 2023 • 16min
284 | 4 Common Wholesale Mistakes and How to Correct Them with Katie Hunt
Discover the intriguing reasons behind brands venturing into wholesale. It’s a mix of intentional decisions and serendipitous opportunities! Dive into common mistakes newcomers make and learn about a four-part framework that can help pave the way for success. Whether you’re an eager entrepreneur or simply curious, this insightful discussion illuminates the essential steps to mastering the wholesale landscape.
Feb 7, 2023 • 31min
283 | Monica Sharma-Patnekar, Business with Monica
How well do you know your customers and I'm not talking just their demographics or their buying preferences; I'm talking about their lifestyle, their desires, and why they make the choices that they make. Our guest today is Monica Sharma-Patnekar from Business with Monica. She is walking us through her three part framework for getting to know our customers better, so that e-commerce brands can build stronger connections and sell more of our products. Monica is an e-commerce brand mentor and consultant, a purpose driven brand marketing and strategy professional with 17 years of global experience building brands. She's worked across different sectors and companies from Fortune 500 to starting and scaling companies as well. Monica offers high touch coaching and mentorship to small businesses, conscious ecommerce, and product based business owners. She is Dutch by birth and Indian by Heritage, global by choice and education. She's a creative thinker, a dancer, a chai fanatic, and a mom of two girls. I know you're going to learn a lot today from Monica. Today's episode is brought to you by our Is wholesale right for you? private podcast. Yep, if you want me in your earbuds longer, you can have me. You can get access to this free on-demand private podcastat the link below. This is a 12-part audio series that will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your business. And the best part, you can binge it in less than an hour! After listening to this audio series, two things will be true: 1) You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business. 2) You'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. Sign up for the Is wholesale right for you? private podcast. SIGN UP Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right For You masterclass! During this free, on-demand masterclass, we'll walk through 12 questions to ask yourself to determine if you, your products, and your business are ready to sell wholesale. I'm sharing my own tips for you to move forward confidently with your next steps. GET ACCESS If you're ready to take the next step in getting to know your real clients through their personalized story, make sure you download Monica's checklist for the 4 D's to help you discover your customers' needs, wants, and desires! DOWNLOAD NOW You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/283.
Jan 31, 2023 • 48min
282 | From Corporate Product Designer to Intentional Business Owner with Amy Frazer, Keller Design Co
Amy Frazer, founder of Keller Design Co., shares her inspiring transition from designing for giants like Nike and Target to creating modern memory crafts. She candidly discusses overcoming personal loss and embracing self-care, which fueled her entrepreneurial spirit. The importance of community support shines through as she reflects on her journey, including collaborative art projects and upcoming product launches. Amy emphasizes the balance of creativity and well-being, showcasing how intentionality can lead to meaningful connections in business.
Jan 24, 2023 • 11min
281 | 5 Myths about selling wholesale with Katie Hunt
Selling wholesale can be a valuable and lucrative strategy for businesses of all sizes, but there are a few myths about the process that can discourage some entrepreneurs from exploring whether wholesale is a good fit for them or prevent some brands from pushing further into wholesale and expanding the revenue stream. Listen in to hear 5 myths about selling wholesale and the truths behind each! Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right For You masterclass! During this free, on-demand masterclass, we'll walk through 12 questions to ask yourself to determine if you, your products, and your business are ready to sell wholesale. I'm sharing my own tips for you to move forward confidently with your next steps. GET ACCESS If you're looking to grow your wholesale this year, be sure to join the waitlist for Paper Camp! This is our signature program where we teach you how to scale your wholesale program through four weeks of live coaching calls, videos & community connections. Paper Camp has run 40 times in 11 years & we've coached 1000s of brands whose products are sold in Target, Nordstrom, Container Store, Barnes & Noble and independent boutiques all over the world. Make sure you're on our waitlist! JOIN THE WAITLIST You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/281
Jan 17, 2023 • 31min
280 | Selling wholesale to Nordstrom, Anthropologie & REI with Lana Effron, Lana's Shop
Lana Effron, from graphic designer to owner of Lana's Shop, talks about partnering with Nordstrom and growing her wholesale business. She shares insights on collaborations with major retailers like Anthropologie, challenges in pitching wholesale accounts, and strategies for successful business growth.
Jan 10, 2023 • 32min
279 | Shopify Apps & Strategies with Erin Alexander, Product Powerhouse
Fun fact: Approximately 75% of our Proof to Product community sells their products through a Shopify site. One of the most commonly asked questions that comes up during Paper Camp is "What Shopify apps can I use to enhance the sales experience?" Today's guest is Erin Alexander from Product Powerhouse and she's sharing her favorite Shopify Apps, including why she recommends them and how they can make your life easier. We're talking about apps to enhance your product listings, collect & share customer reviews and apps that will simplify referral, loyalty or affiliate programs. Erin Alexander is a curly-haired, plant-loving, coffee maven, that helps shop owners show up online with confidence. Her design agency, Product Powerhouse, helps product sellers build, grow and scale their online shop with the power of Shopify. She also teaches how to grow the visibility and online presence of their store through her podcast, digital products and DIY courses. Today's episode is brought to you by our Email Marketing For Product Makers guide. This was a training I taught inside of our Proof to Product LABS program—where hundreds of product makers mapped out a year of emails in under an hour. If you've struggled with what to say, when to send or how to plan out your email marketing strategies for wholesale or direct to consumer audiences we've got just the tool for you. Grab our free guide that has helped hundreds of product makers plan out a year's worth of marketing emails in under an hour. We'll tell you what to say, when to send and help you create an email strategy that works for your specific business. DOWNLOAD NOW You can view full show notes and more at prooftoproduct.com/279
