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
Jul 16, 2024 • 38min
349 | Sales Rep Challenges & Opportunities with Keli Faw, Crow & Canary
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.
Jul 9, 2024 • 30min
348 | Optimize Your Faire Shop with Kristin Fisher, Bocu
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.
Jun 25, 2024 • 55sec
We're on Summer Break!
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!
Jun 18, 2024 • 21min
347 | State of Product Industry Survey with Katie Hunt
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.
Jun 18, 2024 • 21min
347 | State of Product Industry Survey with Katie Hunt
Every day, I hear from product-based business owners who are curious about other people's business models, revenue streams, team structure, tech stack, how much revenue they're not only earning but what profit they're taking home, and how much they're paying themselves. Although we know that every business is different, it is completely natural to want to see behind the scenes and the curtains of another brand in your industry. But more than ever, it's more than curiosity now. We know that our product industry has experienced major shifts over the last several years. We've had supply chain issues, rising costs, and labor shortages. Everyone has been pivoting and recalibrating, and that has led to a lot of new normals. We're experiencing an entire shift in the industry and I know you wanted to know what was happening in the industry. My team and I put together an industry-wide survey. We had 925 product-based business owners who anonymously shared their business details with us. Today, we're going to dive into the details on the podcast. You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/347 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Jun 11, 2024 • 31min
346 | Tripling Revenue by Focusing on Wholesale with Rachel Kroh, Heartell Press
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.
Jun 4, 2024 • 27min
345 | Redesigning Products to Create More Ease in the Business with Janine Kwoh, Kwohtations
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.
May 28, 2024 • 31min
344 | Normalizing the Hard Stuff in Business with Tammie Bennett, Show Up Society
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!
May 21, 2024 • 13min
343 | 5 Tips for Creating an Effective Wholesale Catalog with Katie Hunt
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.
May 14, 2024 • 34min
342 | Replacing a 6-figure Revenue Stream with Ready-Made Products for Wholesale with Alyson O'Connor, Rust Belt Love
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.
