
Proof to Product
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
Latest episodes

Jan 30, 2024 • 7min
327 | How to apply for a Paper Camp scholarship with Katie Hunt
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/327 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Jan 23, 2024 • 15min
326 | The State of Trade Shows in 2024 with Katie Hunt
The podcast dives into the evolving landscape of wholesale trade shows as we approach 2024. It discusses effective strategies for engaging with buyers and the importance of making a great first impression. Listeners learn about the advantages and misconceptions of trade shows, especially for new businesses. The conversation highlights how trade shows can foster essential connections and adapt to changing buying patterns post-pandemic, revealing new challenges and opportunities in the wholesale market.

Jan 16, 2024 • 33min
325 | How To Plan Out New Wholesale Product Releases With Divya Guruju, Mellowworks
Divya Guruju, the creative mind behind the vibrant stationery brand Mellow Works, shares her journey from designing menswear in New York to launching colorful notebooks and eye-catching gifts. She discusses how her corporate experience shapes her strategic planning for product releases and emphasizes the importance of logistics in wholesale. Divya also highlights how guidance from Paper Camp has been essential in her business success, showcasing the power of community and effective branding in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Jan 9, 2024 • 15min
324 | New Year Business Checklist for Product Brands
Kick off the New Year with a solid business strategy! Discover ten key steps for product brands to assess last year’s performance and set ambitious goals. Learn how to reflect on your journey, establish financial targets, and plan strategically for success. Plus, there’s a helpful audio series to guide you through the challenges of wholesale business. Get ready for 2024 with actionable insights and a clear path forward!

Dec 26, 2023 • 2min
We're on winter break!
The Proof to Product podcast team and I are practicing what we preach and the podcast is taking a winter break! We will be back with a new podcast episode on Tuesday, January 9, and we have some incredible things lined up for you! While we're gone, be sure to dip back into the archives. We have over 323 incredible episodes to help you strengthen your business. Have a great two weeks and I will see you on January 9th!

Dec 19, 2023 • 15min
323 | 6 Reasons Why You Should Not Be Doing Monthly Wholesale Promotions
There is a lot of noise on the internet. Lots of gurus, experts, and other people claim you have to do things a certain way in order to be successful. We see ads on social media telling us there is a magic formula or 5-step process that will make all of our dreams come true. It seems that a new business coach is popping up on the scene every day with some new system or lived experience that we have to follow. I firmly believe that there is room for everyone and that we all have unique experiences and expertise to share that can benefit others. However, I also know that as a consumer of content and someone looking for guidance in your business, it is hard to know who to trust. Especially when you feel like the entire internet is screaming at you about some new method or strategy that you need to implement. It can feel overwhelming. This brings me to today’s podcast topic… a question came up in our community about whether or not you should be doing monthly promotions for wholesale customers. The answer is no, absolutely not, and we’ll get into six reasons why you should not be doing monthly wholesale promotions for your business. Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right for You private podcast! This free 12-part audio series will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your specific business. After listening to this audio series (in less than an hour), two things will be true: You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business You'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. SIGN UP FOR THE FREE AUDIO SERIES You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/323 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Dec 12, 2023 • 44min
322 | Navigating the Ups & Downs of Entrepreneurship with Katie Hunt
Shirlee Fisher, host of The Tillage Podcast and a passionate community builder, engages in a rich discussion about entrepreneurship's challenges and triumphs. They tackle how to navigate crises using a four-factor framework and emphasize the importance of understanding financial metrics as neutral tools for success. The conversation also highlights the significance of slow growth, self-reflection, and how entrepreneur decisions can align with long-term goals while managing fear. Ultimately, they redefine success beyond mere financial measures, encouraging a more holistic view.

Dec 5, 2023 • 41min
321 | Wholesale Trade Shows & Buying Patterns with Retailer, Audrey Woollen, Urbanic
Audrey Woollen, store owner of Urbanic, discusses the changing landscape of wholesale trade shows, including the impact of digital platforms and the importance of showcasing new talent. They also explore the role of fare in business decision-making and the value of a supportive community within the industry.

Nov 28, 2023 • 26min
320 | The challenges of bringing a new product to life with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf
In this engaging discussion, Zeba Parkar, the owner of Treleaf and a trained scientist, shares her inspiring journey of transforming her love for plants into a flourishing brand. She reflects on the challenges she faced while bringing new products to market during the pandemic. Zeba discusses her innovative approach using a laser cutter, her experience fulfilling orders solo, and her strategies for protecting her brand. She also talks about expanding her reach to over 150 stores and the importance of effective marketing and team building in her entrepreneurial success.

Nov 21, 2023 • 3min
Happy Thanksgiving!
The podcast is taking a break this week so that our team can celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends. We will be back next week with an interview with Paper Camp alumni & LABS member Zeba Parkar of Treleaf who is going to share what it was like bringing her laser-cut wood trellises to market — a brand new product in the plant category. If you’re traveling this week, I’d love to keep you company. Be sure to dip back into the archives. We have over 319 incredible episodes to help you streamline and strengthen your business. In episode 318, I talk about how you can build your sales engine for the business. In episode 307, I share two wholesale metrics that you need to be focusing on. In episode 298, I share why you should never ever accept a $25 wholesale order. Lastly, I want to remind you that there are millions of small brands competing for attention and your dollars this holiday season. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to shop small this season so we’ve put together a robust gift guide featuring almost 300 brands from our Proof to Product Community. You can download this gift guide by going to www.prooftoproduct.com/giftguide This gift guide truly has something for all your friends and family — plant lovers, readers, foodies, kids & babies, jewelry, apparel, plus a whole self-care section that includes eye pillows, mental health support decks, and more. Many of the brands provided exclusive discount codes that you can use for your online purchases. When you shop from the Proof to Product gift guide, you know that you’re supporting individuals, families and putting money back into local communities. Happy Thanksgiving week to all our friends in the US who celebrate. I’ll chat with you next week!