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
Apr 30, 2024 • 31min
340 | How To Pitch Holiday Gift Guides with Nora Wolf, Wolf PR
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.
Apr 23, 2024 • 41min
339 | New Laws about Independent Contractor with Kira La Forgia, Paradigm Consulting
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.
Apr 16, 2024 • 43min
338 | Exiting and Acquiring a Business with Kiwi Schloffel & Meghan Hopkins Sokorai
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.
Apr 9, 2024 • 34min
337 | Exclusivity and Ethics in Retail with Kimberley Yurkiewicz, Measure Twice
Kimberly Yurkiewicz, a 25-year veteran in the stationery industry and owner of Measure Twice, shares her rich journey in retail. She discusses the resilience needed to navigate the startup landscape, especially post-COVID. Kimberly emphasizes community-centric retailing and ethical practices, highlighting the importance of building personal relationships over mere transactions. She dives into the nuances of discovering new brands and the balance of running a business with a partner, offering invaluable insights for aspiring retailers.
Apr 2, 2024 • 10min
336 | Utilizing Abandoned Cart Emails to Drive Sales with Katie Hunt
Did you know that almost 70% of shoppers abandon their online shopping carts and don't follow through with a sale? That means that only 3 out of 10 of your customers who go to your website and load up their shopping cart complete their purchase. The same report from Baymard Institute said that more than $18,000,000,000 in e-commerce sales are lost annually due to abandoned carts. That is a whole lot of money. And yet, only some independent product brands are utilizing abandoned cart follow-up emails to recapture some of these sales. On today's episode, I'm answering a question from our recent round of Paper Camp regarding abandoned cart email automations. If you have ever shied away from sending out these emails, you are going to want to listen to this one and rethink your strategy. 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/336 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
Mar 26, 2024 • 59min
335 | In-Person Retail Markets with Emily Chiang, Danella McKinnon, and Kate Pinto
Emily Chiang, the owner of Emii Creations, Danella McKinnon of McKinnon Collective, and Kate Pinto from Bean Horse Car Designs gather to discuss the in-person retail market landscape. They highlight strategies for engaging consumers and adapting to post-pandemic changes. The trio shares insights on logistics, maximizing social media presence, and the challenges of outdoor events. They also touch on effective cash handling and the importance of creating memorable customer experiences, ensuring vendors can thrive amidst evolving shopping behaviors.
Mar 19, 2024 • 34min
334 | Expanding into 1,000 Stores with Brittany O'Brien, Brittany Paige
Brittany O'Brien, a New York City-based illustrator and founder of Brittany Paige, shares her journey from scaling her stationery and gift company to over 1,000 stores. She dives into the balance between customer acquisition and retention and the pivotal role of trade shows in her growth strategy. Brittany discusses leveraging SEO, the impact of TikTok for business branding, and the significance of consistent email marketing. With a witty flair, she offers insights on adapting to market demands and nurturing relationships in her evolving business landscape.
Mar 12, 2024 • 31min
333 | Scaling without Employees with Beth Roszkowski, Tiny Hooray
Beth Roszkowski, the creative force behind Tiny Hooray, shares her unique journey from hobbyist letterpress printer to thriving entrepreneur. With over 300 retail partnerships, she discusses her preference for utilizing independent contractors over hiring employees, enabling her to scale smartly. The conversation dives into the importance of adaptability, creative collaboration in product design, and the art of delegation, emphasizing how these strategies empower her to align business growth with personal goals.
Mar 5, 2024 • 23min
332 | Rebuilding Self-Trust and Confidence as a Business Owner with Ginny Krauss & Elli Runkles, Supported CEO (Part 2)
Entrepreneurs Ginny and Elli from Supported CEO share strategies to prevent burnout, rebuild self-confidence, and establish support pockets for managing stress effectively. They discuss practical tips for combatting burnout, empowering women entrepreneurs with self-care practices, and the importance of journaling for self-coaching and trust building. They emphasize sustainable practices, self-responsibility, and community support to avoid burnout in entrepreneurship.
Feb 27, 2024 • 36min
331 | Back From Burnout with Ginny Krauss & Elli Runkles, Supported CEO (Part 1)
The topic of burnout is popping up a lot in my business circles. People are tired, and they are struggling with decision fatigue. Many people I talk to are questioning whether to even continue with their business or whether they should make an exit, but these types of conversations typically happen behind closed doors, or worse, they don't happen at all, and people end up struggling alone in silence, which is not what I want for any of you. That all changes today. Ginny Krauss and Elli Runkles are sharing their journey back from burnout on the podcast. What it felt like, how they knew something needed to change, what type of help they sought out, and how they've gotten to their recovery point today where they're helping other business owners. We also discuss decision fatigue, building self-trust as a business owner, and how your definition of “success” as a business owner can change over time. Ginny Krauss and Elli Runkles are the cofounders of Supported CEO. Their mission is to help busy entrepreneurs thrive in both life and business without burning out by becoming a more supported version of themselves. Ginny and Elli have over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience. Both of them had previous businesses before coming together to cofound Supported CEO in 2023. They are also both Americans who have had the unique experience of living abroad for over a decade. Ginny lives in Germany, and Elli lives in Portugal. They are also the hosts of the Supported CEO podcast. Today's episode is brought to you by a brand new page on our website, where you can access our free and lower-priced products. Head to http://prooftoproduct.com/courses to learn more. We want to make it easy for you to get the help that you need when you need it most. We have incredible resources including our wholesale audio series or our unlock buyer secrets interview series which sheds light on how the wholesale buying cycles and retailer buying preferences have changed (and is only $27!). SIGN UP You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/331 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp
