Proof to Product

Whether you’re in the infant stages of your business or you’ve been running it for 10+ years, you might’ve had the thought at one point or another of making an exit. Selling your business can be an appealing thought, but is it right for you? In this week’s episode, I had a conversation with Chelsea Clarke of Blogs for Sale and Her Paper Route. Chelsea explains everything you need to know about selling a business and her tips on how to prepare your business for an eventual sale.  You'll learn: The process of selling a business from listing to closing 5 tips to get your website ready to sell The most common mistake business owners make when selling their business For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp217 For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

The messy middle. It’s not a particularly fun place to be in business. It can be fraught with feelings of doubt, fear and imposter syndrome. While at the same time, it is a phase of business where tremendous growth happens and confidence builds. What is the messy middle? The messy middle is when you’re no longer a brand new business owner, eager with optimism and endless energy to tackle your to dos. In the messy middle, you’ve likely seen some success, but you haven’t cracked the code on how to optimize or scale your business and you still have several goals you’re working towards completing. When you’re in the messy middle you’re stretching yourself as an entrepreneur — trying new sales channels, creating new products, developing new systems to streamline and possibly experimenting with hiring help. In the messy middle you’re learning to lead, refining your vision for the business and making an awful lot of decisions day in and day out to keep the business moving forward. The messy middle has its highs and its lows. But a common thread I see amongst small businesses who are in the messy middle is this… They are trying to do too many things at one time. Listen in for encouragement and advice on why focus is what you need, including: - Being in the messy middle is nothing to be ashamed of, and you are definitely not alone. - Sometimes the answer is right in front of us and it is a simpler solution than we realize. Get fresh eyes on your business. - Give yourself space to really assess and identify what you want to accomplish with your business. When you know what you want, you can build a plan. For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp216 For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

The challenges of running a business can be numerous. For those living with chronic illness, there are even more nuances to navigate, especially when it comes to listening and working with your body’s natural rhythm. In this episode, I was joined by Morgan Swank of Morgan Swank Studio. Morgan is a longtime student of our LABS community and a Paper Camp alumni. She and I discuss what led to her decision to start her paper goods brand. Morgan also gives us insight into what it’s like to be a business owner with a chronic illness and her journey of licensing her products in big retail stores. You'll learn: Why self-awareness and grace are an important part of entrepreneurship How to identify licensing opportunities How time blocking can make you more productive  For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp215 For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

Considering making an exit from your corporate career? If you feel like you’re almost ready to make that jump then you’ll want to take a listen to this episode to know exactly what to prepare for as you make the leap!  In this week’s episode, I chat with Desiree Perez of Paper Anchor. Desiree made this transition herself in January of 2021 and she takes us through her journey of how she knew she was ready to do it, how her experience has been so far and what she’s preparing for now as she is in the process of hiring her first employee.  You'll learn: How to know when you’re ready to take on your business full time What to prepare for when making the transition Tips for hiring your first employee For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp214 For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

Are you ready to put money back into your pocket? In this episode, I am uncovering how you can do just that by increasing your products’ profit margins.  I will walk you through everything that you need to know about profit margins from a micro-level. As a business owner, you’ll want to observe the profit margins for many reasons but it can be especially important when it comes to knowing what sells, what should be discontinued and to help fuel your strategic decision-making. You'll learn: What profit margins are  Why you should pay attention to your products’ profit margins 4 ways that you can increase your product profit margins For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp213 For more support with your wholesale marketing & sales strategies, check out Paper Camp at http://www.prooftoproduct.com/papercamp

Storytelling is such a powerful way to connect with your customers. Our current and prospective customers want to know the people behind the brand, why you make the products you do and what your brand stands for. In this week's all new episode of Proof to Product, I chat with Michelle Knight of Brandmerry. She takes us on the path to discovering how to create a more authentic connection with our customers through storytelling; and how this type of marketing will provide you with more income and impact. You'll learn: Common mistakes & misconceptions to avoid 5 types of storytelling you should be using in your marketing 2 key components for successful storytelling   For full show notes, resources and a transcription, please head to BIT.LY/PTPEp212 For more support with your marketing & sales strategies, check out LABS: http://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs

One big lesson I learned over the past year: the importance of routines! I crave a routine and to be honest, before now, I don’t know if I ever realized how deeply I needed routines. When we were thrown into the pandemic and our school, work and household routines were constantly in flux, I saw the influence that routines had.  In this episode, I’m chatting with routine expert, host of the Routine & Things Podcast and founder of Routine & Things, Ashley Brown. Routine & Things is a product based business company that equips women to consistently live their happiest life one routine at a time. She opens up about how she began this business based on her personal struggles as a stay-at-home mom.   ON TODAY’S EPISODE: Ashley’s inspiration behind starting Routine & Things  Her original goal for starting her podcast  The story of her initial launch of the product line in 2020 How she found her graphic designer Her tips for building connections with the media How she overcame imposter syndrome  The Mother’s Day giveback program they did with She Rises Why she decided to go all-in on the product side The struggle of running a product based and serviced based business simultaneously  How LABS has supported Ashley in making her product line a priority  Ashley’s plans for growth and what she’s working on next  FOR FULL SHOW NOTES, RESOURCES AND A TRANSCRIPT, HEAD TO https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/why-she-hired-a-graphic-designer-to-create-her-product-line-with-ashley-brown-routine-things SLOW STEADY GROWTH ARE HOW STRONG BUSINESSES ARE BUILT Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion.​ Inside Proof to Product LABS, you’ll receive the support, education and accountability to move your business towards your goals.   ​Join Proof to Product Labs, our 12-month group coaching program built specifically for product based business owners: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/labs FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates: https://www.instagram.com/prooftoproduct/ JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST If you'd like to receive more information about our upcoming episodes of Proof to Product including show notes and information about our guests, head over to www.prooftoproduct.com and sign up for our email list.   Be sure SUBSCRIBE, REVIEW and SHARE Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!

Kimberley is the New York sales representative for Crow + Canary.  During her 15+ year career in the stationery industry, Kimberley has worked at Crane & Co., Kate’s Paperie, as well as two of her own independent boutiques.  She got her start running a letterpress studio, and has since worked all sides of the business – manufacturing, wholesaling, custom printing, multi-unit retail, buying, merchandising, and now repping.  Kimberley’s vast experience in the industry provides a unique and valuable perspective. On today’s episode Kimberley talks about the role of sales reps, why you need a printed catalog for wholesale and the importance of giving back.   ON TODAY’S EPISODE: [01:00] Kimberley’s rich background in the stationery industry. [04:30] Meeting Carina Muray, her now boss, through Twitter.[07:30] Overview of a sales rep’s role.[10:00] Tips for reaching out to retailers.[11:30] Keep track of contacts you meet & jot down details you can use in follow up.[12:30] What to end to retailers you’re woo-ing.[13:00] Refining your line & honing in on your unique aesthetic[14:00] Why catalogs are important if you’re selling wholesale[20:00] Line sheets vs catalogs[22:00] Releasing your products when buyers are buying[26:00] The importance of giving back to our industry[29:30] Kimberley is a champion for independent shops, only shops local.[32:30] How our experiences and interests shape us in our work.[36:00] Too much ‘busy’ in our lives. For full show notes and resources, head to: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/009-wholesale-sales-tools-sales-reps-with-kimberley-yurkiewicz-crow-canary SUBSCRIBE To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.  WRITE A REVIEW Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies. FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST If you'd like to receive more information about our upcoming episodes of Proof to Product including show notes and information about our guests, head over to www.prooftoproduct.com and sign up for our email list.   SHARE Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!    ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT: Proof to Product is hosted by Katie Hunt. Since 2011, Proof to Product has worked with thousands of product based businesses to help them up level, scale, and build profitable sustainable companies. You can find our show notes and additional resources at ProofToProduct.com. If you like what you heard today, please head over to Apple Podcast to leave a five star review and subscribe. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a new episode!

Katie Hunt, founder of Tradeshow Bootcamp dives deeper into how to create a wholesale resource section on your website, something she and Rhonda Warren talked about briefly on episode 61. Katie shares what to include in your resource center, how to structure things and why it is important to make it easy for your wholesale customers to buy.   Listen to Episode 61 Here: http://tradeshowcamp.com/prooftoproduct061/   For full show notes and resources, head to: https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/how-to-create-a-wholesale-resource-page-with-katie-hunt SUBSCRIBE To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.  WRITE A REVIEW Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies. FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST If you'd like to receive more information about our upcoming episodes of Proof to Product including show notes and information about our guests, head over to www.prooftoproduct.com and sign up for our email list.   SHARE Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!    ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT: Proof to Product is hosted by Katie Hunt. Since 2011, Proof to Product has worked with thousands of product based businesses to help them up level, scale, and build profitable sustainable companies. You can find our show notes and additional resources at ProofToProduct.com. If you like what you heard today, please head over to Apple Podcast to leave a five star review and subscribe. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a new episode!

Rebekah Tennis is the founder of Wild Ink Press, a letterpress studio and retail storefront located in northern California. Rebekah started Wild Ink Press in 2009 and was part of our very first Tradeshow Bootcamp class in 2011. The Wild Ink Press brand offers witty and pretty greeting cards, stationery, and other paper goods that can be found in hundreds of retail shops nationwide including the Container Store, Papyrus, and Paper Source. On today's episode, Rebekah talks about the power of slow, organic growth and why it's okay to not have all your ducks in a row when you're starting out. She also shares her thoughts on responsiveness, reliability, and why she likes sending catalogs and samples to prospective wholesale buyers. ON TODAY’S EPISODE: How Wild Ink Press got its start and what lead Rebekah to starting her own business How she first got started with greeting cards When she first hired a team member and how the Wild Ink Press team grew from there The catalyst for wanting to open up the retail shop and the benefits it provides How her wholesale marketing and outreach has changed due to the retail shop The way she decides if she wants to carry someone’s work How long she recommends waiting to reach out to a retailer after you’ve mailed them a catalog and your samples Her schedule for sending out catalogs How she nurtures relationships with the stores that she’s working with as a manufacturer The way that she manages her business life and her family life How she handles times of transition in her business The advice she would give to someone just starting out in a product based business What’s next for Wild Ink Press For Full Show Notes and Resources, head to https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/040-strategies-for-pitching-wholseale-buyers-with-rebekah-tennis-wild-ink-press SUBSCRIBE To subscribe on iOS, go to the iTunes page and subscribe to Proof to Product. On Android, you can listen using your favorite podcast app.  WRITE A REVIEW Writing a review on iTunes will help other product based business owners find Proof to Product as they are working to up level, scale, and build profitable and sustainable companies. FOLLOW PROOF TO PRODUCT Follow Proof to Product on Instagram for the latest updates. JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST If you'd like to receive more information about our upcoming episodes of Proof to Product including show notes and information about our guests, head over to www.prooftoproduct.com and sign up for our email list.   SHARE Be sure to share Proof to Product with all of the product based business owners that you know!    ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT: Proof to Product is hosted by Katie Hunt. Since 2011, Proof to Product has worked with thousands of product based businesses to help them up level, scale, and build profitable sustainable companies. You can find our show notes and additional resources at ProofToProduct.com. If you like what you heard today, please head over to Apple Podcast to leave a five star review and subscribe. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a new episode!