

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

Sep 15, 2020 • 37min
171 | How to Take Professional Product Photos with Your Smart Phone with Chaitra Radhakrishna, PinkPot Studio
Hey friends! With the world being such a visual place, more and more of our customers are relying on product photography to tell them a story. We only have a few seconds to quickly grab our customers' attention and get them engaged in what we're selling. That's why in this episode I'm talking with Chaitra Radhakrishna. Chaitra is the founder of PinkPot Studio, a Shopify design and photography studio specifically for product-based business owners. Chaitra shared so much valuable information in this episode about how to nail your product photography. You'll hear about the 7 different product shots that you can take (and tips on deciding which shots to take). She also shares her 5 step process for taking photos with your smartphone which, spoiler alert: you don't need to invest in fancy equipment or tools. Be sure to listen with a notebook handy because she gives us so many insider tips on using the "rule of thirds", apps she recommends for editing photos and her secret formula for editing photos in lightroom: making the whites low, turning the highlights up, going high on shadows and low on blacks. ON TODAY'S EPISODE: Common mistakes business owners make when it comes to product photography The 7 different product shots all business owners need to know about Her 5 step process for taking product photos with your smartphone Why she recommends shooting on cloudy days What the "rule of thirds" is and why you need to keep it in mind when shooting product shots Her app recommendations for editing photos Chaitra's opinion on using Lightroom presets What tools she suggests you use in Lightroom instead of presets Her advice on not over editing your photos What services she offers in her business, PinkPot Studio RESOURCES:Rifle Paper Co. Instagram Bloomwold Studio TikTok Snapseed Adobe Lightroom Free 5 Day Product Photography Course MEET CHAITRA: Chaitra is the founder of PinkPot Studio, a Shopify design + photography studio for product-based businesses. With over 4 years of experience in web design & development in the software industry, she started her own design studio in 2015 when she moved from India to the United States. New country, new business - it was nerve-wracking, but luckily her business took off and she never looked back. She thrives on helping women entrepreneurs create a bigger visual impact online and grow their businesses through conversion focused Shopify design and product photography. She has been featured and spoken at Alt summit, Craftcation, Snap conference, ConvertKit and Creative market among others. CONNECT WITH CHAITRA: Website: https://www.itspinkpot.comInstagram: @pinkpot.studio Facebook: @pinkpotxo Pinterest: @pinkpotxo 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. 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!

Sep 8, 2020 • 37min
170 | Running a Business Remotely with Christine Herrin, Everyday Explorers Co.
Hey friends! Ever considered what it might be like to run a business remotely? Or even in a completely different country? That's exactly what today's guest, Christine Herrin did when she moved to the Philippines for a year while continuing to run her business in the United States. Christine has such a cool story and was actually chosen to participate in the Adobe Creative Residency Program in 2016 which is where she initially began building her product-based business, Everyday Explorers Co. Christine and I covered a lot in this episode around what that residency program was like and how she got started in her business. She shares what processes and systems she put in place to run her business while living overseas. She talks about how she leveraged her strong relationship with her manufacturer and outsourced fulfillment while she was abroad. Christine is a member of our PTP LABS community and a Paper Camp alumni. It's been so amazing to watch her business grow and evolve. There's a lot to learn in this episode -- systems, processes as well as how she created a monthly release cycle for her direct to consumer sales channel Listen in for all her tips! ON TODAY'S EPISODE: Christine's experience of being chosen to be in the Adobe Creative Residency program How she started working on her business during the residency program What types of products and how many SKUs she has within her business How she merged her scrapbooking and travel interests with the business needs Her process of managing new product releases How she keeps up with discontinuing products with frequent launches How she's used assets from past stamp kits for new product development What systems and processes she put in place when moving from the U.S. to the Philippines What it was like working with a fulfillment center and how she decided which one to use How she set up a production schedule for herself Her marketing strategy for the one-month release cycle of products Why she feels like product makers shouldn't be afraid to innovate and push beyond "industry standards" What's coming next with Christine and Everyday Explorers Co. For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp170 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. 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!

Sep 1, 2020 • 41min
169 | Strengthening Our Customer Experience with Jordan Kentris, A Good Day
Hey friends! Have you ever considered what it might be like to marry your interests and passions within your business? In this episode, I brought on Jordan Kentris of A Good Day, a bespoke experience studio specializing in custom stationery, events, branding and user experience. Jordan has taken his love for physical products and his background in User Experience (UX) to create a better customer journey for his clients. We talk about what he's done to create this process for his customers and the benefits that come with developing a strong focus on customer experience. He gives us a better look into how you can incorporate this into your email marketing strategy and what data you should be looking for to create change within your business. Be sure to take notes because Jordan shares a few concrete strategies you can implement and his favorite tech tools for tracking customer engagement on your website. If you want to learn more from Jordan, join us in Proof to Product LABS. He's one of our LABS members and we have a special Coffee Chat coming up where he'll answer user experience questions for the group! ON TODAY'S EPISODE: How he's begun to merge the two sides of his business together Why this work is important to Jordan How he goes about creating a strong user experience What you can do to create and market your products in a way that relates to your ideal customer Why Jordan doesn't like focus groups The direct benefits he's experienced by placing a strong focus on customer experience What you should be looking for within your analytics to create change His recommendations on the UX, user experience and customer journey for people on your email list How email marketing can give the feeling of a one on one conversation with customers How Jordan defines success in his business and life What he's focusing on for the rest of the year within his business For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp169 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. 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!

Aug 25, 2020 • 32min
168 | Reframing a 'No' Into a 'Not Right Now' with Tiffany McGraw, Paper Rehab
Hey friends! It's no secret that putting yourself out there can be a huge hurdle for many entrepreneurs. In today's episode, I was joined by Paper Camp Alum and LABS member, Tiffany McGraw of Paper Rehab. Tiffany gives us insight into her own experience of overcoming the vulnerability of pitching herself as an entrepreneur by reframing the word "no" to "not right now" in her mind. Tiffany has a wonderful mission behind her brand which was designed to normalize and focus on mental health care, especially for those in the African American community. She initially started her business to fulfill her dream of seeing herself reflected on greeting cards. She shares so much wisdom in this episode about how she overcame challenges that she's faced in her business, mindset changes she made around making a living selling greeting cards and why you need to know your "why" for doing what you do. ON TODAY'S EPISODE: One thing Tiffany wishes she knew before starting her business What she was doing before starting Paper Rehab How her calling of creating a greeting card line followed her into all of her positions The main focus and mission of Tiffany's product line Where she pulls inspiration from for her greeting cards Challenges that she faced within her first year of business How she discovered PaperCamp and made the decision to do it Mindset shifts she's had to overcome around making a living in this career path Revenue streams that she's set up for her business Tiffany's thoughts on knowing your "why" Why she reframes "no" to "not right now" What's next for Tiffany and Paper Rehab Her advice on taking opportunities and being consistent For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp168 Join the Paper Camp E-Course Waitlist! Since 2011, we've helped thousands of brands get their products on the shelves of their favorite shops - big and small. Our Paper Camp alumni can be found in Target, Nordstrom, Container Store, Barnes & Nobles, Urban Outfitters and independent boutiques around the world. In Paper Camp we teach industry standards for product development, pricing, where to source your products and wholesale sales & marketing strategies. And, this fall we're adding some special content for how to navigate wholesale during covid. Specifically, how to reach out to stores without feeling slimy or salesy, how to market for online trade shows and how to leverage online tools for more sales. Paper Camp sells out every time we offer it, so be sure to jump on the waitlist to get first dibs on tickets! Registration opens August 24th and class starts August 31st! 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!

Aug 18, 2020 • 19min
167 | Marketing for Virtual Tradeshows with Katie Hunt
Hey friends! As more and more of you are dipping your toes into the world of virtual tradeshows I've been receiving questions on how to build out strategic marketing plans for these events. That's why today I am exploring the tactics you can implement to help reach more of your wholesale customers at a virtual tradeshow event. You'll learn how you can determine if a virtual tradeshow is the right fit for you and your budget. I discuss using a tiered outreach system and all of the different avenues I recommend using (plus tips for optimizing each one!) ON TODAY'S EPISODE: Questions to ask yourself when considering attending a virtual tradeshow Why I recommend a tiered outreach system The importance of email marketing and getting in touch with your leads How you should be utilizing snail mail before and after the show (and things you can include in mailings) How to leverage your social media and tips for what to post, repurposing and being active Why you should be customizing your online showroom How you can make the most out of your marketing by making sure that your branding is cohesive and aligned with your overall marketing strategy For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp167 Join the Paper Camp E-Course Waitlist! Since 2011, we've helped thousands of brands get their products on the shelves of their favorite shops - big and small. Our Paper Camp alumni can be found in Target, Nordstrom, Container Store, Barnes & Nobles, Urban Outfitters and independent boutiques around the world. In Paper Camp we teach industry standards for product development, pricing, where to source your products and wholesale sales & marketing strategies. And, this fall we're adding some special content for how to navigate wholesale during covid. Specifically, how to reach out to stores without feeling slimy or salesy, how to market for online trade shows and how to leverage online tools for more sales. Paper Camp sells out every time we offer it, so be sure to jump on the waitlist to get first dibs on tickets! Registration closes August 29th and class starts August 31st! 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!

Aug 11, 2020 • 30min
166 | Connecting with Customers with Kate Murray, Quick Brown Fox Letterpress
Hey friends! As we all continue to navigate through this pandemic it's important that you continue to connect with your customers and build strong relationships with them. Something as simple as checking in with your wholesale clients or retail customers can go a long way in making them feel cared for. That's exactly what today's guest, Kate Murray of Quick Brown Fox Letterpress has done to make sure she's supporting her customers. In this episode, Kate shares her story of how she got started in the printing industry. She talks about how she saved an old letterpress from the scrapyard and spent three months bringing it back to life. Kate and I talk about the various trade shows she's done and her different revenue streams. She also discusses the biggest challenges she faces within her business and her plans for expanding her product line beyond just stationery. ON TODAY'S EPISODE: How Kate got started with Quick Brown Fox Letterpress Her process for finding her first letterpress Kate's experience of doing a kick starter campaign The restoration process of the letterpress she purchased How Kate got into wholesale and her first tradeshow from the beginning What revenue streams Kate has within her business Her experiences with doing trade shows What types of marketing she uses to reach her customers Why now is the time to check up on and support each other How she's built a community for stationery designers The most challenging part of running and building her business over the last 5 years What she's most proud of in her business What's next for her business For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp166 Join the Paper Camp E-Course Waitlist! Since 2011, we've helped thousands of brands get their products on the shelves of their favorite shops - big and small. Our Paper Camp alumni can be found in Target, Nordstrom, Container Store, Barnes & Nobles, Urban Outfitters and independent boutiques around the world. In Paper Camp we teach industry standards for product development, pricing, where to source your products and wholesale sales & marketing strategies. And, this fall we're adding some special content for how to navigate wholesale during covid. Specifically, how to reach out to stores without feeling slimy or salesy, how to market for online trade shows and how to leverage online tools for more sales. Paper Camp sells out every time we offer it, so be sure to jump on the waitlist to get first dibs on tickets! Registration opens August 24th and class starts August 31st! 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!

Aug 4, 2020 • 45min
165 | Gaining Focus and Overcoming Limiting Beliefs with Jessica Eley
Hey friends! Does being an entrepreneur ever make you feel overwhelmed? Maybe you're having tons of business success and checking things off of your to-do list but you still don't feel satisfied at the end of the day. I'm a firm believer in creating strategic plans and taking action in business. Sometimes, however, our mindset, boundaries, personal beliefs and the stories we tell ourselves can make executing those plans harder than necessary. In this episode, I was joined by Jessica Eley, a mindset coach that helps high-achieving entrepreneurs get where they want to go (while enjoying the path there). We explore the practices and strategies you can use to boost your confidence and change your mindset. Jessica shares why it might be success that's actually holding you back in business and why you must always remind yourself that you have options! Jessica and I discuss pushing forward, what to do if you're feeling stretched thin and taking the time to understand what you truly want to be doing. ON TODAY'S EPISODE: Who Jessica works with and how she helps them Her advice for people who are feeling maxed out and stretched thin How to shift the way you're thinking into a more positive outlook Why it's essential to consider all of your options Why Jessica believes that success holds people back more than failure How to push forward into the success you want to build Why you have to let go of identities that you feel like you have to have Tools you can use to boost your confidence and mindset How "or thinking" is slowing you down What types of programs Jessica offers For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp165 Small Wins Lead to Big Wins Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion. Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there. Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW! 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!

Jul 28, 2020 • 45min
164 | Building a Multi-Faceted Creative Business with Amber Kemp-Gerstel, Damask Love
Hey friends! Have you ever wondered what it might be like to turn your hobby into a business? That's exactly what today's guest, Amber Kemp-Gerstel did and today she came on to talk about her journey in the crafting industry. Amber is a powerhouse. Not only does she have a blog called Damask Love but she also runs YayDay Paper Co., selling digital products and leveraging a subscription model. You might recognize her from NBC's TV show, Making It (she was a finalist in 2018) or from being the host of Disney Family Sundays on Disney+. In this episode, she talks about how she got into her business and how she was able to start working with big brands in the industry. She shares some tips for how she sends pitches and why you have to make it really easy for people to say, 'yes!' We also talk about why representation matters and how the creative community can step up to uplift other artists, crafters and makers of color. This is very important work that we're taking seriously at Proof to Product and I appreciated her for sharing her thoughts and opinions about how we can take steps forward with grace (even though we may make mistakes along the way). ON TODAY'S EPISODE: How Amber went from working in family and child psychology to being a strong force in the crafting world The lightbulb moment where she realized it was time to quit her job How she got into working with brands like JoAnn Fabrics and Martha Stewart Living What Amber includes in pitches she sends to brands Why you should make it simple for people to say "yes" to you Why she decided to do a business model built off of digital products and leveraging a subscription model Her tips for marketing your products to your audience How Amber makes her voice heard despite the lack of diversity and visibility for women of color in the crafting space Why representation is needed in every industry Why you should do the things you can practically do to better the community for everyone What Amber is working on right now in her businesses For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp164 Small Wins Lead to Big Wins Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion. Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there. Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW! 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!

Jul 21, 2020 • 30min
163 | Coaching with Katie Hunt: Which Revenue Stream Should I Focus On?
Hey friends! I know right now has been a very confusing time for so many of us... I actually brought on Meg Sutton today for a hot seat episode to really dive deep into where she should be focusing in her business. You might be familiar with Meg as she has been on the podcast a few times before and is a long time client of mine. Meg Sutton is the boss lady and doodler behind Belle and Union and As her company has evolved and COVID has changed the economy, she's felt unsure of where she should be focusing her time and energy to ensure long-term stability for her business. We take a look into her numbers including income percentages, expenses, the challenges she's facing and her future goals. We did an exercise and I gave her some of my best advice to help her gain some clarity around what channels of her business she should make her priority. The chat I had with Meg revealed some things that she could focus on and think about over the next few months. I advised her to take a deep look at what she could do to cut down expenses in her brick and mortar shop and why she should do some forecasting when looking into her next brick and mortar location. I know many seasoned business owners are facing similar situations to what Meg is going through right now so I wanted to share this conversation in hopes it could inspire you and help bring clarity for you in your own business! ON TODAY'S EPISODE: What Meg does in her business, Belle & Union What she's working on and what she needs help with right now in her business The things that Meg is hoping to rethink business-wise What her business revenue looks like for the wholesale, retail and custom channels What her time, money, heart and impact looks like in relation to those channels Katie's advice for Meg about referring out for the custom side of her business What Katie advised Meg to do about the wholesale and retail side of her business Meg's experience with the landlords for her retail space and thoughts about moving spaces Katie's homework for Meg around vision planning, trimming expenses and forecasting For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp163 Small Wins Lead to Big Wins Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion. Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there. Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW! 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!

Jul 14, 2020 • 36min
162 | Pinterest Strategies with Diana Keeler, A+ Pins
Hey friends! Does Pinterest sometimes feel like just another social media platform you have to keep up with? I'm here to tell you this: it's so much more than that. Pinterest is a powerful search engine, much like Google and by leveraging your Pinterest strategy, you could potentially be bringing tons of traffic to your website. That's why I wanted to bring on Diana Keeler. Diana has worked for and contributed to some of the biggest editorial outlets in the world and now works with retailers and editors to capture the attention of new readers and potential buyers on Pinterest. Today Diana and I talk about playing the long game of Pinterest. We talk about everything from how to get started, why you need to optimize your pins and keywords and what tools to use to create a consistent pinning strategy. We also chat about the Verified Merchant Program that Pinterest recently rolled out and why you should consider investing in advertising on Pinterest. If you're ready to up your Pinterest strategy or want to learn how to bring over more people to your website from Pinterest then this is the episode for you! ON TODAY'S EPISODE: Misconceptions that people have about using Pinterest How she got nearly 150,000 sessions to her blog from Pinterest How she's seen growth on her email list with little incentives Mistakes that people make when getting started on Pinterest Why you need to have clear descriptions for your pins Why your Google Analytics is more valuable than Pinterest's analytics tools The tool she recommends to simplify your Pinterest strategy The type of graphics you should focus on when creating pins Why you need to claim your website and have a business account on Pinterest How Pinterest is upping their game for product makers using the Verified Merchant Program What Diane does to help people grow a stronger Pinterest presence Her thoughts on why you should be using Pinterest ads For full show notes and resources, head to: bit.ly/PTPEp162 Small Wins Lead to Big Wins Building a business is a long game, won with patience, fortitude, intentional decisions and passion. Slow sustainable growth is how strong businesses are built and we want to help you get there. Join Proof to Product Labs, our new community experience OPEN NOW! 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!


