Proof to Product

Business & Economics Podcasts

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

Location:

United States

Genres:

Business & Economics Podcasts

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Description:

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

Language:

English

Website:

http://prooftoproduct.libsyn.com/rss

Email:

prooftoproduct@gmail.com

Episodes

This is Strategy with Seth Godin [Replay]

3/3/2026

Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 430 episodes here on the Proof to Product podcast. There is a gold mine of information for you to help you grow your business, and, frankly, it can be hard to take it all in. Today's episode is a look back at an interview I did with Seth Godin who needs no introduction, but it would be a complete disservice to not share all of his accolades. He's an author, entrepreneur, and most of all, a teacher. In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 22 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, and This is Marketing, which was an instant bestseller in countries around the world. His latest book, This is Strategy: Make Better Plans offers readers a practical framework for what an effective strategy looks like and feels like in today's fast-moving chaotic, and diverse world. This strategy allows readers to zoom out and see the bigger picture and understand the systems that are shaping their lives at work, in business, and day-to-day challenges. Seth contends that by recognizing and mastering these systems and prioritizing long-term thinking over instant gratification, we can make smart, purposeful choices today that will lead to long-term growth. In my conversation with Seth, he shares his motivation for writing this book, the four elements that are critical for an effective strategy, and the importance of identifying and connecting with our smallest viable audience. On a personal note, when I started my product business in 2008, Seth's work was a major catalyst in helping me gain marketing momentum. He has a no-nonsense approach. He's concise and clear with his thoughts, and that resonates and gets your wheels turning, which you will hear in today's episode. Today's episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product LABS coaching program. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below! REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/367 This episode contains affiliate links. You can view our affiliate disclaimer here. Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:27:22

433 | How to Navigate the Seasonality of Retail with Angie Chua, bobo design studio

2/24/2026

Hiring can feel like a huge big leap. It's expensive. It's vulnerable to let other people into your business. And if you've been doing everything yourself, it can also feel maybe unnecessary. But what if building a team isn't a risk? It's actually a smart move for stabilizing and scaling your business. That's what we're digging into today with Angie Chua of bobo design studio and bobo Palm Springs. You may remember Angie from episode 426 where we talked about what's happening with Amazon right now using AI to scrape websites. Today's conversation is more personal. We're talking about her evolution from the digital advertising world to building a travel-inspired stationery brand and a thriving brick-and-mortar shop in Palm Springs. Angie shares what it was really like growing her business, the missteps, the hiring decisions, the moments of doubt that we all kind of face, and also the shifts that helped her step into true leadership. We talk about what happens when you hire your first employee, what it takes to let go of control, the reality of outsourcing to agency, and what that looked like for Angie, including what worked and what didn't, and why having a solid bookkeeper isn't optional if you want to scale a product-based business sustainably. She also opened up about her commitment to supporting artists from marginalized communities, how she navigates the seasonality of retail in Palm Springs, and what it looks like to practice self-compassion while growing a business. This is a grounded, honest conversation about growth, not a highlight reel, but the real version. Today's episode is brought to you by Digital Lizard, a sponsor of our Paper Camp program, which kicks off this week. Digital Lizard is a full-service marketing and print partner offering digital and offset printing, sourcing, procurement, and logistics. Our Paper Camp and LABS students get access to a private Proof to Product print portal. In that portal, you'll get discounted rates and a dedicated sales rep who supports project management from start to finish. Also, Digital Lizard tends to turn stuff around same day or or next day. Many of our community members use Digital Lizard for product printing, packaging, catalogs, and marketing materials. They offer low minimum quantities and fast turnaround times, which matters when you're managing inventory and cash flow. If you're looking for a reliable print partner, you can learn more about their capabilities at digitallizard.com. You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/433 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:30:30

432 | From 75 to 400+ Wholesale Accounts in 3 Years, Case Study with Ashleigh Evans, InBooze

2/19/2026

Today, I want to share one last case study with you featuring one of our Paper Camp alums, Ashleigh Evans of InBooze. I hope you've enjoyed this series. If you haven't listened, check out the last 3 great stories of founders in our community doing really cool things, links to those below. What I love about this is showcasing how each has done it in their own way and at their own pace. Today's episode is brought to you by our Paper Camp program which is now open for enrollment. 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. SIGN UP FOR PAPER CAMP NOW LINKS MENTION IN THIS EPISODE: Ashleigh's website | Follow on Instagram 297 | Building a Handmade Food & Beverage Brand with Ashleigh Evans, InBooze 429 | Fix the Wholesale Foundation Before You Scale, Case Study with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf 430 | From One-Off Orders to Predictable Wholesale Sales, Case Study with Taylor Carroll, The Stray Shop 431 | Growing Wholesale Orders by 400% in Just 5 Months, Case Study with Brianna Reagan, Brianna Reagan Creates You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/432 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:07:24

431 | Growing Wholesale Orders by 400% in Just 5 Months, Case Study with Brianna Reagan, Brianna Reagan Creates

2/17/2026

Today I'm sharing another Paper Camp case study, and I'm especially excited about this one because it is from a recent Paper Camp student. Brianna Reagan of Brianna Reagan Creates just went through Paper Camp in August of 2025, so it's only been about 6 months since she's participated in our program, and she has seen some incredible results. She took what she learned, put it into action, and she is thriving. Can't wait for you to tune in. Today's episode is brought to you by our Paper Camp program which is now open for enrollment. 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. SIGN UP FOR PAPER CAMP NOW You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/431 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:08:22

430 | From One-Off Orders to Predictable Wholesale Sales, Case Study with Taylor Carroll, The Stray Shop

2/12/2026

I'm back sharing another case study with you featuring one of our Paper Camp alum, Taylor Carroll of The Stray Shop. Before we dive in, I wanted to remind you about the free workshop that I'm hosting on February 18th at 10:30am Pacific Time. This wholesale buying season has been really eye-opening. I've been in this industry for 17 years and I've worked with tens of thousands of brands. I've seen a lot of the same patterns show up again and again. Usually, these patterns tie to missed opportunities, outdated strategies or even small changes that we can make to enhance our sales. In this free workshop, I'm going to talk about how you can land consistent wholesale orders without over-relying on Faire without using bad wholesale pitches or discounting. I'm going to share strategies, templates, you name it, and we're going to answer your questions live. I'm also going to tell you about our upcoming Paper Camp program which we will be opening for enrollment soon! You can RSVP for this free workshop at http://prooftoproduct.com/RSVP LINKS MENTION IN THIS EPISODE: Taylor's website | Follow on Instagram You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/430 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:06:09

429 | Fix the Wholesale Foundation Before You Scale, Case Study with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf

2/10/2026

Today I want to share a case study with you featuring one of our Paper Camp alum, Zeba Parkar of Treleaf. Before we dive in, I wanted to tell you about a free workshop that I'm hosting on February 18th at 10:30am Pacific Time. This wholesale buying season has been really eye-opening. I've been in this industry for 17 years and I've worked with tens of thousands of brands. I've seen a lot of the same patterns show up again and again. Usually, these patterns tie to missed opportunities, outdated strategies or even small changes that we can make to enhance our sales. I will also say the market is changing. Things are happening in the economy and in the world, and that's affecting sales and we can't be using the same playbook. In this free workshop, I'm going to talk about how you can land consistent wholesale orders without over-relying on Faire without using bad wholesale pitches or discounting. I'm going to show you what you should be doing and how you can optimize. I'm also going to tell you about our upcoming Paper Camp program which we will be opening for enrollment soon! You can RSVP for this free workshop at http://prooftoproduct.com/RSVP LINKS MENTION IN THIS EPISODE: Zeba's website | Follow on Instagram 320 | The Challenges Of Bringing A New Product To Life With with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf 388 | Leveraging Funding to Expand Your Business with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/429 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:07:21

428 | How She Added 200 New Stores in 2.5 Years with Lesa Muehlstein, Birdie Mae Designs

2/3/2026

Our Paper Camp alumni are doing incredible things and growing their wholesale businesses in a very intentional and meaningful way. Today's guest is Lesa Muehlstein from Birdie Mae Designs, and she is no exception. I've been keeping tabs on Lesa's progress ever since she attended Paper Camp in early 2022. Lesa added 200 new stores within 2.5 years of attending Paper Camp, and as she will share today, that number is even higher now. Lesa came to Paper Camp in early 2022 and before our 4 weeks were up, she had secured 5 new stores, bringing her total count to 15. During that time, she also raised her prices and refined her sales system. August 2023, she messaged me to say that she was now in 100 stores and that her brand had been featured in a national magazine in August 2024. Just one year later, she shared that she was in 200 stores! This growth did not happen overnight and it was not without its challenges, but it is worth celebrating Lesa's successes every step of the way. On today's episode, Lesa shares her startup story and we talk about inventory and product challenges, particularly balancing how much inventory to order when space and cash flow are constraints. She shares what sales data she's tracking and how she uses that data to make decisions in her business, including what to discontinue or what to buy more of. We also talked about the benefits of wholesale, specifically how we can systematize the sales, production, and fulfillment of wholesale orders in a way that makes the business work around personal responsibilities. 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 our 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 You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/428 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:34:23

427 | Nurturing Relationships with Key Accounts & Independent Retailers with Kate Murray, Quick Brown Fox Letterpress

1/27/2026

One of my favorite things to do is to shout out our student wins and community wins from the rooftops. And part of that is also bringing people back to share their story. Today's episode is with my friend Kate Murray of Quick Brown Fox Letterpress. She is back on the podcast to share where she's at now and all the new things that are happening in her business. Last time Kate and I talked here publicly was August of 2020, which feels like a lifetime ago. As we all know, business can significantly shift in five years and a lot has changed for Kate. She opened her own retail store and she's got a new leadership role with the Greeting Card Association. In our conversation today, Kate shares her journey of launching a storefront, how she balances wholesale and retail operations, and the innovative ways that she's nurturing relationships with both key accounts and independent retailers. She shares about some exciting wholesale collabs she's doing in the next year and the importance of patience for these types of collaborations to actually come to fruition. Sometimes it's really about playing the long game with wholesale, which I know can be frustrating at times, but it is a really important reminder to us that good things do take time to develop. 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 our 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 You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/427 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:29:38

426 | Amazon is Listing Brands' Products Without Consent, Angie Chua, bobo design studio

1/20/2026

You may have seen on social media that Amazon recently scrapped dozens of small business e-commerce websites and added people's products to the Amazon Buy for Me platform. This is a new platform that Amazon rolled out and they did this without consent from the brands. Now, as you can imagine, this has created a lot of outrage from small businesses that sell online and who intentionally chose not to sell on Amazon. To find your products listed on Amazon when you did not choose to do so, that's a lot to swallow, right? But it also creates a lot of logistical headaches. So as an example, items were listed on Amazon with incorrect photos or product descriptions. Discontinued or no longer in stock items were listed and many brands did not even know that their products had been added to Amazon until they heard about it on social media and searched for their brand. My guest today is Angie Chua of bobo designs. Angie has been vocal on social media, sharing information and the steps that she's taken to protect her products and brand. This is a developing story, but Angie shares what she's learned, the steps she has taken to remove her products from Amazon and we talk about why this is bad for small businesses. There's a lot of folks out there that are thinking, isn't this great visibility for small business? And the answer is, no, it's not. If you are looking for a community of folks who are talking about current events that affect product businesses in real time, come join us in LABS. We have trainings, templates, coaching calls and all the things, but we also share solutions for real time issues and we also celebrate real time wins. So if you're looking for that kind of community, join us! REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/426 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:27:30

425 | How Doing Trade Shows Landed Her Artwork in Target & HomeGoods with Isabella Montano Ghazarians, Isabella MG

1/13/2026

Today on the podcast, I'm talking with Isabella Montano Ghazarians, the founder of Isabella MG. Isabella MG is a Latina-owned stationery brand known for its cheerful, light-hearted cards and cositas, that's Spanish for little things. One of the things I really enjoy about Isabella's work is how naturally she weaves her culture into her products, creating designs that are both in English and Spanish. These products feel thoughtful, inclusive, and genuinely joyful. In this episode, Isabella shares what it's been like growing her business since she launched in 2020 while also navigating some really big personal shifts. We're talking about becoming a mom recently, moving from San Diego to Los Angeles, and continuing to lead a growing team remotely. We also talk about building products that resonate across cultures, managing that remote team we mentioned, and the opportunities that have helped bring Isabella's work into big box retailers like Target and HomeGoods. 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 our next round of Paper Camp soon, and we sell this program out every time we run it. Join the waitlist, and you'll get early access to enroll. SIGN UP FOR THE WAITLIST You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/425 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:25:08

424 | The Reality of Juggling Multiple Business Models with Stephanie Clarke, Dahlia Press

1/6/2026

This week on the podcast, we have my friend and Paper Camp alum Stephanie Clarke of Dahlia Press and Chloe Clarke Paper. Stephanie has been on the show a few times, sharing how she started her business and different pivots along the way (episode 021, episode 160, and episode 308). But today, we are discussing where she's at now, including the complexities of running two sister businesses. She has her greeting card and stationery line called Dahlia Press and a bespoke custom invitation studio called Chloe Clarke Paper. We talk about the importance of building relationships in wholesale and custom work and the realities of juggling multiple business models including, a brick-and-mortar storefront, online sales, wholesale partnerships with big box accounts, and independent retailers. You will also hear her talk about the challenges and victories of maintaining consistent growth as a business. This has been a really challenging year in 2025, and she's going to share how she has maintained and sustained during those challenges. We also talk about the evolving industry changes that are happening and how we deal with that, and the strategies that Stephanie uses to keep both her team and her customers engaged. 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 our next round of Paper Camp soon, and we sell this program out every time we run it. Join the waitlist and you'll get early access to enroll. SIGN UP FOR THE WAITLIST You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/424 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:35:46

We're on winter break!

12/23/2025

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 6, 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 420+ incredible episodes to help you strengthen your business. Have a great two weeks and I will see you on January 6th!

Duration:00:00:59

423 | Indie Retail Update: Trends, Challenges & How Buyers Are Adapting with Jen Palacio, Tiny Turns Paperie

12/16/2025

Today's episode is a look at what is going on with independent retail shops right now. I sat down with my friend Jen from Tiny Turns Paperie. She's one of our Paper Camp speakers and a longtime advocate for small businesses. We talk honestly about some of the hardships that shop owners have been facing during 2025: everything from operational curveballs to tariffs and other things that have impacted the way they do business. We did get into some specifics about unpredictable buying patterns, last-minute shopping, the rise of treat yourself, and community-driven products. We also talked about some of the less glamorous stuff that goes into running a brick & mortar like inventory delays, tariffs, shipping headaches, and things like that. I think it's important for you to hear today's episode because the things that the indie buyers and brick and mortar shops are navigating do impact how they're doing business with you, too, so Jen's perspective is invaluable as always. You'll hear specifically how she's possibly adjusting her buying, why planners are hot right now, and why she's focusing on collaboration across indie businesses to really strengthen customer loyalty. If you want ongoing analysis like this about trends, data, systems, sales, and marketing strategies for your product-based business, come join us in LABS. We break down what's happening across the industry and help you apply it directly to your business REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/423 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:34:38

422 | How Athletic Brewing Doubled Subscriptions — And How You Can Apply It with Katie Hunt

12/9/2025

Today, I'm sharing a case study and an analysis that I originally shared with our LABS members. The reason I'm doing this is, one of the most valuable things that we can do as a product-based business owner is look outside of our industry for inspiration, ideas, and new ways of thinking about our own business. When we study how other industries structure their revenue models, how they build community or how they create demand for their products, we really start to see new and fresh opportunities that we can adapt in our own way for our own business. In this episode, we're looking at Athletic Brewing Company and how they doubled their D2C subscription sales in 2025 by positioning their membership as a VIP lifestyle experience rather than a discount program. It's a simple shift, but a strategic one. It really sparked two ideas that I think you can use: One will be for your D2C sales ecosystem, and one is for your wholesale channel. We will walk through what Athletic Brewing Company got right, why their approach works, and how you can apply versions of this inside of your own business in a way that again fits your particular audience, your product line, margins, and, of course, your capacity. If you want to see more case studies like this, real examples from outside of the consumer gift world, and you want to see how we break them down into actionable insights and ideas for your product brand, this is exactly the type of work we do inside of Proof to Product LABS every single week. This is a coaching program specifically built for product-based business owners, with members from across industries and across the globe. We have member-only events inside of LABS, so request your invitation to join below! REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/422 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:12:31

421 | End-of-Year Financial Planning for Product Business Owners with Mary Beth Storjohann, Allora Wealth

12/2/2025

On today's episode, we are digging into the financial side of running a creative product business and I've invited someone that I deeply trust with both my personal and business finances. It's Mary Beth Storjahan from Allora Wealth. Mary Beth and I have worked together since 2016 and she has guided my husband and I through everything from financial planning for the family to long-term business strategy. She's one of the few financial planners and advisors who really understands how intertwined your life and your business become when you are a small business owner. Her approach to "whole life wealth," is exactly what so many founders need. It's a practical framework for building stability today while also setting yourself up for future security. In this conversation, we're going to get into real, actionable steps that you should be taking before the end of the year. These are things that can save you money come tax time and also support your long-term financial health. We will talk about blind spots that she sees most often with creative entrepreneurs and why getting clear on your enough number can change how you plan and make decisions. Now, if you want to finish the year on solid financial footing and also set yourself up for success in the future, this episode is going to be incredibly useful for you. Before we get into today's conversation, if you are serious about growing your product-based business, you need to be inside of Proof to Product LABS. LABS is where creative product brands go for coaching and strategies, community and accountability that actually move the needle. We're talking stronger sales, better systems, smarter marketing, and a clearer plan for profit. If you are ready to stop guessing and start really growing with proven guidance, then come join us in LABS. REQUEST YOUR INVITATION You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/421 Quick Links: Free Wholesale Audio Series Free Resources Library Free Email Marketing for Product Makers PTP LABS Paper Camp

Duration:00:34:20

5 Days of Deals | LABS Annual Membership

11/28/2025

Day 5 Deal: Labs Annual Membership with recurring discount! $799 per year for as long as you're a member! http://prooftoproduct.com/bfdeals ____________ Our biggest sale of the year is happening this week! 5 days. 5 Deals. Each day brings an exclusive offer available for just 24 hours. Mon, Nov 24: Retailer Roundtable interview series for just $17! Tues, Nov 25: Paper Camp early access & extended payment plan! Wed, Nov 26: Production Planner & Profitability Calculator Bundle Thurs, Nov 27: Live Workshop: 3 Day Sales Campaign Fri, Nov 28: LABS Annual Membership with recurring discount! ALL WEEK: First 5 people to apply for the Advisory Board mastermind receive $6,000 off and a free 1-1 strategy session. Apply here: http://prooftoproduct.com/ab-application Once the deal is gone, it's gone. Make sure to grab them before time runs out! http://prooftoproduct.com/bfdeals

Duration:00:09:14

5 Days of Deals | Live Workshop: 3 Day Sales Campaign

11/27/2025

Day 4 Deal: Live Workshop: 3 Day Sales Campaign http://prooftoproduct.com/bfdeals ____________ Our biggest sale of the year is happening this week! 5 days. 5 Deals. Each day brings an exclusive offer available for just 24 hours. Mon, Nov 24: Retailer Roundtable interview series for just $17! Tues, Nov 25: Paper Camp early access & extended payment plan! Wed, Nov 26: Production Planner & Profitability Calculator Bundle Thurs, Nov 27: Live Workshop: 3 Day Sales Campaign Fri, Nov 28: LABS Annual Membership with recurring discount! ALL WEEK: First 5 people to apply for the Advisory Board mastermind receive $6,000 off and a free 1-1 strategy session. Apply here: http://prooftoproduct.com/ab-application Once the deal is gone, it's gone. Make sure to grab them before time runs out! http://prooftoproduct.com/bfdeals

Duration:00:04:49

5 Days of Deals | Production Planner & Profitability Calculator

11/26/2025

Day 3 Deal: Production Planner & Profitability Calculator Bundle Both tools for only $79 (normally $149) http://prooftoproduct.com/bfdeals ____________ Our biggest sale of the year is happening this week! 5 days. 5 Deals. Each day brings an exclusive offer available for just 24 hours. Mon, Nov 24: Retailer Roundtable interview series for just $17! Tues, Nov 25: Paper Camp early access & extended payment plan! Wed, Nov 26: Production Planner & Profitability Calculator Bundle Thurs, Nov 27: Live Workshop: 3 Day Sales Campaign Fri, Nov 28: LABS Annual Membership with recurring discount! ALL WEEK: First 5 people to apply for the Advisory Board mastermind receive $6,000 off and a free 1-1 strategy session. Apply here: http://prooftoproduct.com/ab-application Once the deal is gone, it's gone. Make sure to grab them before time runs out! http://prooftoproduct.com/bfdeals

Duration:00:07:48

5 Days of Deals | Paper Camp

11/25/2025

Day 2 Deal: Pre-Register for Paper Camp Early Access to Module 1 Guaranteed Spot in Paper Camp (March 2026) Extended Payment Plan Option http://prooftoproduct.com/bfdeals ____________ Our biggest sale of the year is happening this week! 5 days. 5 Deals. Each day brings an exclusive offer available for just 24 hours. Mon, Nov 24: Retailer Roundtable interview series for just $17! Tues, Nov 25: Paper Camp early access & extended payment plan! Wed, Nov 26: Production Planner & Profitability Calculator Bundle Thurs, Nov 27: Live Workshop: 3 Day Sales Campaign Fri, Nov 28: LABS Annual Membership with recurring discount! ALL WEEK: First 5 people to apply for the Advisory Board mastermind receive $6,000 off and a free 1-1 strategy session. Apply here: http://prooftoproduct.com/ab-application Once the deal is gone, it's gone. Make sure to grab them before time runs out! http://prooftoproduct.com/bfdeals

Duration:00:08:09

5 Days of Deals | Retailer Roundtable Interviews

11/24/2025

Day 1 Deal: Retailer Roundtable Interview Series for $17 http://prooftoproduct.com/bfdeals ____________ Our biggest sale of the year is happening this week! 5 days. 5 Deals. Each day brings an exclusive offer available for just 24 hours. Mon, Nov 24: Retailer Roundtable interview series for just $17! Tues, Nov 25: Paper Camp early access & extended payment plan! Wed, Nov 26: Production Planner & Profitability Calculator Bundle Thurs, Nov 27: Live Workshop: 3 Day Sales Campaign Fri, Nov 28: LABS Annual Membership with recurring discount! ALL WEEK: First 5 people to apply for the Advisory Board mastermind receive $6,000 off and a free 1-1 strategy session. Apply here: http://prooftoproduct.com/ab-application Once the deal is gone, it's gone. Make sure to grab them before time runs out! http://prooftoproduct.com/bfdeals

Duration:00:04:25