Proof to Product

Sally Diguette, a seasoned home and lifestyle buyer for Anthropologie, shares her insights from over 14 years in retail. She discusses the intricate buying process, emphasizing the importance of relationship building and creative strategies. Sally delves into the unique challenges emerging brands face when pitching to large retailers. She provides valuable advice on presenting products effectively, including the significance of samples and timing. Additionally, she highlights how her unconventional journey has informed her approach, fostering innovation in product development.

When we have our eyes set on a specific business goal, something like selling wholesale, it is incredibly beneficial to hear from people who are a few steps ahead of us in the process, which is why we close out every round of our Paper Camp program with an alumni panel. I want our students to hear from their peers. In today's podcast episode, we're sharing a portion of our alumni roundtable with all of you.  This alumni panel features Janine Kwoh from Kwohtations, Jesse Regis from Virgins on Fire Candle Company, and Lucia Saisse Morris from Lucy Loves Paper.  Each of these Paper Camp alumni shares details about their brand, how many stores they're working with, what has been challenging about growing wholesale, and more.  Today's episode is brought to you by our Paper Camp program. Paper Camp is our wholesale coaching program where we teach you everything you need to know to build strong wholesale foundations. Over the course of 4 weeks, we tackle your product line, sales tools, and marketing plan, and we even talk about how to exhibit at trade shows if that's what you want to do. We start with your product line and go into everything from how often you should be releasing new products to ensuring that your numbers are sustainable for the wholesale market and their price for profit. Then we move into sales tools you must have for selling wholesale so you make a strong first impression with buyers like catalogs and your terms and conditions. Then, we cover marketing strategies and ways to reach various store owners.  Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions. We will open enrollment for the next round of Paper Camp soon, and we sell this program out every time we run it. Join the wait list and you’ll get early access to enroll. SIGN UP FOR THE WAITLIST Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

If you’re listening today that means you’re likely interested in applying for our Paper Camp scholarship! Giving back is one of our core values here at Proof to Product and we give back through our time, knowledge as well as financial scholarships. Since 2011, we’ve awarded over $275,000+ in scholarship funds to creative entrepreneurs who sell physical products to the wholesale market. These brands had big dreams of seeing their products on the shelves of their favorite stores and they have obtained huge results. These scholarships are a big deal and we treat them that way. We typically have anywhere from 80-90 scholarship applications every round of Paper Camp. My team and I dedicate several days to view all the videos, read the applications, review websites, and ultimately whittle it down to one full tuition scholarship winner. It’s never an easy choice, but we do put a lot of care into our selections. And, today I want to share 5 ways that you can stand out when submitting your Paper Camp application. You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/353   Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

Discover the five common myths surrounding wholesale selling that hold back many entrepreneurs. Learn how wholesale is accessible for businesses of all sizes. The conversation highlights the importance of proactive marketing and relationship-building for success in this strategy. Gain confidence in whether wholesale could be a lucrative avenue for your brand with insightful tips and truths that can shift your perspective.

Nellys Siria, the vibrant owner of Cocoa Loves Grey, shares her inspiring journey as a first-generation Latina entrepreneur. She discusses how rejection from her dream store turned into a triumphant partnership. Nellys emphasizes the motivation behind her colorful, laser-cut earrings and the importance of community support. She openly addresses her battle with burnout and the necessity of self-care in creative entrepreneurship. Her story is a testament to resilience, reminding listeners that a 'no' today can lead to exciting opportunities tomorrow.

Dive into a detailed training on how to conduct an effective product audit! Learn the step-by-step process of data collection and analysis to enhance your business operations. Discover strategies for identifying product strengths and weaknesses, optimizing pricing, and maximizing profits. Gain insights into refining your product line to align with your brand goals. Plus, explore the benefits of coaching programs designed to elevate your wholesale strategies and ensure your products are market-ready!

Keli Faw, owner of Crow & Canary, brings 13 years of retail experience to the conversation, alongside her PR background from Microsoft and Nordstrom. She discusses the ongoing challenges retailers face, like managing seasonal returns and strategic buying. Keli emphasizes the impact of online platforms on wholesale, the necessity of transparent buyer-rep-brand relationships, and navigating the evolving sales landscape post-pandemic. The importance of community, storytelling on social media, and adapting to unique store dynamics also takes center stage.

Kristin Fisher, owner of the gifting brand Bocu and a retail strategy mentor with over 18 years of corporate retail experience, shares her insights on optimizing Faire shops. She discusses common mistakes brands make and emphasizes the importance of buyer relationships and strategic pricing. Kristin also highlights the challenges businesses face on the FAIR platform and offers advice on enhancing product presentations and SEO. Plus, she introduces her Paper Camp coaching program aimed at building strong wholesale foundations.

The Proof to Product team is practicing what we preach and we are going on summer break for the next two weeks! We will be back in your ears mid-July and we are so excited about our upcoming episodes.  In the meantime, we are gearing up for another round of our Paper Camp program which will start at the end of August. We only run Paper Camp twice a year, so if you are wanting to learn how to start with wholesale, click here to join the waitlist (we sell out every time!)  Have a great two weeks and we'll see you soon!

Product industry expert Katie Hunt shares insights from a comprehensive industry survey with 925 business owners, discussing revenue, team structure, tech tools, growth patterns, CEO personal challenges, and more. The podcast explores personal struggles like caretaking and emphasizes the benefits of sharing data within the business community.