Proof to Product

Join Rachel Kroh, an accomplished illustrator and owner of Heartell Press, as she shares her journey of turning her remote business into a thriving success. Discover how she tripled her revenue by focusing on wholesale and enhancing her infrastructure. Rachel discusses the emotional power of her art, the challenges of managing a dispersed team, and her exciting plans for a special anniversary collection. Her story is a testament to perseverance and creative expression in the world of entrepreneurship.

Janine Kwoh from Kwohtations shares how a massive order led her to revamp her product line, retire hand-painted cards, and focus on operational efficiency. She discusses the emotional aspect, inclusivity in business decisions, and redesigning products for growth. Janine's journey highlights the importance of reflecting on choices and aligning with business goals.

Tammie Bennett, a certified mindset coach and creator of the Show Up Society, dives into the realities of entrepreneurship. She discusses the importance of normalizing struggles like anxiety and work-life balance among women in business. Tammie shares her unique concept of a 'did-it list' to celebrate achievements over mundane to-do lists. This conversation emphasizes self-trust, setting boundaries, and overcoming the fear of putting your work out there. It's a refreshing take on embracing the hard stuff in business!

Katie Hunt shares 5 key tips for creating a successful wholesale catalog, emphasizing the importance of making it easy for stores to purchase, having clear pricing, and building strong relationships with customers. The episode also mentions a sponsor providing insights into buyer preferences.

Alyson O'Connor, a visual artist, shifted from custom wedding invites to wholesale products post-pandemic. She closed her retail store, embraced wholesale greeting cards, and closed her wedding arm. Alyson discusses her strategic pivot from high-end custom work to wholesale success, navigating challenges, and balancing work-life matters. The podcast explores the transition, family dynamics, redefining success, and the risks of venturing into new business territories.

We are seeking 1,000 product-based business owners who are willing to anonymously share their details for the 2024 State of the Product Industry Report: www.prooftoproduct.com/2024survey  The data will help you make stronger decisions in your business. It will help you better understand the industry and your competition. It will help you identify growth opportunities. The results will benefit us all. BUT... in order to make this report truly successful, we need you to do the following:  Fill out the State of Product Industry survey at prooftoproduct.com/2024survey Share the survey link with your product peers. In exchange for your participation, we’ll share the report with you when it is ready. All physical product-based business owners are invited to apply. No brand is too big or too small. We want to hear from people making a wide range of products and in various stages of business. Thanks in advance for your participation and for sharing this opportunity with your product peers!

I love using the podcast to spotlight our different community members and their unique businesses and stories because we know that no two businesses are the same. We all have our lived experiences and interests that play into the types of businesses we create and how we choose to run these businesses each day. Today's guest is Paper Camp Alumni Priyanka Batra from My Darlin’, a colorful Brooklyn-based paper goods studio.  Through her work, she aims to romanticize everyday moments through a contemporary, but playful design aesthetic while simultaneously evoking a sense of nostalgia. Priyanka's line has grown steadily since 2019, and her products are now carried in more than 300 stores in the United States plus distribution in Australia.  On today's episode, Priyanka shares her love of fashion and how that influences her products, how growing up the daughter of immigrants influenced her career path, and she talks about overcoming imposter syndrome. We also talk about how she jumped into her first trade show too quickly with only 3 weeks to prepare and the lessons she learned the hard way in that experience. 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, its only $27 bucks.  Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/341  Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp  

Nora Wolf, owner of Wolf PR, talks about pitching holiday gift guides and advanced planning. She emphasizes the importance of preparing high-quality product photos and white background shots. Tips include maximizing affiliate opportunities, effective pitching to publications, and strategies for targeting specific markets with relevant content. Simplifying pitches to press and retailers is key for successful collaboration.

HR consultant Kira La Forgia from Paradigm Consulting explains the new stricter guidelines for independent contractors by the US Department of Labor. She discusses the impact on businesses, risks of misclassification, and tips for proper classification to avoid penalties. The podcast explores transitioning contractors to employees, expert support options, and the importance of delegation for business growth.

In this insightful conversation, Kiwi Schloffel, the creative force behind Your Gal Kiwi, shares her journey of stepping back from daily operations to explore new ventures. Meghan Hopkins Sokorai, the owner of And Here We Are, discusses her acquisition of Kiwi's brand and the collaboration’s seamless integration. They dive into the nuances of merging artistic visions, maintaining brand integrity, and the importance of trust in business partnerships. Their shared experiences shed light on navigating growth, authenticity, and the excitement of joint creative futures.