Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Hosted by Vicki Weinberg

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386

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Jun 2026

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About the show

WINNER! Best Business Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards Do you (or do you want to) create and sell your own physical products? Would you like to learn from, and be inspired by, other products business owners, who aren’t much further along than you are? This is the podcast to listen to if you’re getting started selling products, or you’d like to create your own products to sell. It's a podcast for small business owners, makers and creators, from small business owners! Whatever stage you’re at, there’s plenty of friendly, practical advice and inspirational stories - from product creators not much further along than you are. CONNECT WITH ME Website: https://www.vickiweinberg.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickiweinberguk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-weinberg-amazon-seller-support/ Join my free Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/productcreatorsclub/

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60 recent

June 12, 202648 min

Starting a Product Business: Lessons From Building an International Coffee Brand - Jason Harvey

What does it really take to start a product-based business from scratch and grow it into something that reaches international markets?In this episode, I’m joined by Jason Harvey, founder of Common Coffee, a specialty coffee roastery based just outside Edinburgh that now supplies wholesale customers, retail consumers, and international markets including Dubai and the US.Jason’s journey didn’t begin with a perfect business plan. It started with an events business, a chance moment at a music festival, and a willingness to follow curiosity rather than certainty.We talk about how Common Coffee was built from the ground up, including how Jason went from refurbishing a forgotten coffee roaster in a Scottish workshop to launching at the London Coffee Festival just six weeks later.This is a conversation about momentum, decision-making, and what really happens after you “launch” a business.One of the biggest themes in this conversation is that building a product business takes far longer than most people expect.Jason shares how early momentum came from action and deadlines not perfection and how real growth comes from staying consistent long after the launch moment.We also talk about how setbacks don’t always block progress. In Jason’s case, a £35K packaging error became the unexpected catalyst for expanding into the US market.Find Jason Here: Website - https://commoncoffee.co.uk/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/iicommonInstagram - @iicommonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-harvey-a28721198/ & https://www.linkedin.com/company/common-coffee/?viewAsMember=trueYoutube - https://www.youtube.com/@BedofRoastersLET’S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportChapters:00:00 Introduction to Jason Harvey and Common Coffee01:01 How a coffee roastery started from an unexpected opportunity09:10 Taking a business idea from concept to launch in six weeks11:58 Why deadlines create momentum in a startup15:35 Building confidence through community and loyal customers17:29 Expanding internationally through trade shows and networking19:54 Growing wholesale and online sales together27:49 Working with family and building the right team35:15 Turning mistakes into opportunities38:41 Advice for anyone thinking about starting a business43:09 What Jason would do differently if he started again44:51 Jason's number one piece of advice for product business ownersMentioned in this episode:Amazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

June 5, 202644 min

How to grow a product business without sacrificing profit - Christabel Biella

If you're trying to work out how to grow a product business, it can be tempting to focus on increasing sales above everything else. But what happens when your sales are growing and your profits aren't?In this episode, I'm joined by Christabel Biella, a fractional operator and commercial growth consultant who helps product based business owners build stronger, more sustainable businesses.We talk about what healthy growth actually looks like, why more sales don't always lead to more profit, and the common mistakes that can make growth feel harder rather than easier.Christabel shares practical advice on pricing, product ranges, inventory management, hiring and choosing the right sales channels. We also discuss how to spot when something isn't working in your business and the key numbers every founder should understand before making decisions about growth.If you've ever wondered how to grow a product business in a way that feels sustainable and profitable, there's plenty in this conversation that will help.Christabel is also offering a free 20 minute commercial model review call for founders who'd like support identifying growth opportunities and improving profitability within their business.Find Christabel here: - Website: https://www.cbco.uk- My Commercial Diagnostic Sprint info page: https://www.cbco.uk/sprint - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christabel/LET’S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Amazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

May 29, 202634 min

How to double your website revenue - Lisa Whalley-Smith

In today’s episode I’m joined by website conversion expert Lisa Whalley-Smith to break down how product-based businesses can realistically grow, and even double their website revenue.Lisa shares the simple but powerful framework she uses with clients to improve performance across three key areas: traffic, conversion rate, and average order value. But as she explains, growth doesn’t start with traffic, it starts with understanding your numbers.We talk through real examples of brands Lisa has worked with, including businesses going from £8–10K months to significantly higher revenue by making focused, data-led improvements.In this episode, we cover:The 3 key metrics that drive website revenue (and how they work together)Why conversion rate should come before trafficHow to increase conversion rates through better messaging and customer alignmentSimple but effective ways to increase average order value (including bundling, offers, and free delivery thresholds)When and how to focus on increasing website traffic through ads, PR, and social mediaWhy understanding your data is the most important first step before making changesOne of the key takeaways from this conversation is that growth doesn’t come from doing everything at once, it comes from focusing on the right lever at the right time, and consistently measuring what works.If you run a product-based business and want to increase your online sales in a more structured, strategic way, this episode will give you a really practical starting point.Find Lisa here:https://www.klaritymarketing.co.ukhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lisawhalleysmithLET’S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeMentioned in this episode:Amazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

May 22, 202632 min

How to get your first reviews on Amazon

If you’re wondering how to get your first reviews on Amazon, this episode is for you.Because reviews really do matter.They help customers trust your products, they improve conversions, and they send strong signals to Amazon’s algorithm that your product is worth showing to more people.In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly why reviews are so important, why I always recommend focusing on reviews before running ads, and the compliant ways you can start building reviews when you’re launching a new product.I’m also talking about something I think many sellers worry about unnecessarily, getting the occasional less than perfect review, and why volume of reviews can actually matter more than having a perfect five star rating.If you’re launching on Amazon, or you’ve got products sitting there with very few reviews, this episode will help you understand what to focus on first.Everything you need to know about Amazon Vine: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/31085d58-6597-4221-8627-35e4846480ba/LET’S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Amazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

May 15, 202634 min

Building an 80-Year Product Business: Lessons from a Fourth-Generation Family Brand

This week I’m joined by Holly Stafford-Smith from GH Stafford & Son Ltd, a fourth-generation family business that has been supplying leather goods and accessories across the UK for almost 80 years.In this episode, Holly shares the story of how the business evolved from manufacturing leather goods in post-war Walsall to becoming a long-established wholesale supplier working with retailers and wholesalers across the UK and Ireland.We talk about what it’s really like working in a family business, balancing tradition with modernisation, navigating generational differences, evolving a product range over time, and why focusing on product quality has helped the business continue to grow after all these years.There’s also a really honest conversation about the realities of family business life, the challenges, the opportunities, and the deep care that comes with building something across generations.Whether you run a product-based business yourself or are interested in how long-standing businesses continue to adapt and evolve, there’s so much insight in this episode.Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Holly Stafford-Smith and GH Stafford & Son Ltd01:31 The story behind the family business founded in 194703:17 How the business has stayed relevant for nearly 80 years05:49 Modernising a long-established wholesale business07:24 Selling through retailers and wholesalers across the UK09:09 Why the business has stayed B2B only11:05 How the product range has evolved over the years13:44 Using customer feedback to shape products16:44 Growing up in a family business19:40 Working across different roles in the business20:43 Navigating family dynamics and generational differences24:58 The realities of working in a family business29:30 Holly’s advice for product business ownersConnect with Holly here:https://ghstafford.com/https://www.facebook.com/GHStaffordandSonhttps://www.instagram.com/ghstaffordandson/https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-stafford-smith/https://www.linkedin.com/company/g.h.stafford-&-son-limited/LET’S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Amazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

May 8, 202645 min

Packaging design for Amazon and retail. How to stand out and increase sales - Daniel Poll

If you’ve ever looked at your product and thought, “is my packaging actually helping me sell this?” then this episode is going to be really helpful.I’m joined by Daniel Poll, founder of No Ramble, a brand and packaging design studio, and we’re talking all about what makes packaging work, both in store and online.Because the reality is, if your product looks the same as everything else, your customer is far more likely to choose based on price. And that’s not where most of us want to be.We get into what effective packaging design for Amazon and retail actually looks like, why so many brands end up following the crowd, and what you can do differently if you want to stand out in a way that feels right for your product and your customer.Packaging isn’t just about making something look good, it’s about helping your customer quickly understand what your product is and why they should choose it.This is one of those episodes that might make you look at your packaging in a completely different way.Find Daniel here:Website: https://noramble.co.uk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noramble/Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-poll/Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/noramble/LET’S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Amazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

May 1, 202648 min

Business funding options for entrepreneurs - Hazel Nabarro

So many founders delay growing their business because funding feels confusing or out of reach. This episode is here to change that, and give you a clearer way to think about how to fund your business growth.If I’m honest, funding is something I didn’t really understand for a long time, and I know I won’t be the only one.When we hear about funding, it’s often things like Dragon’s Den or venture capital, and it can feel quite far removed from everyday business. But actually, there are so many different business funding options, and understanding them can completely change how you approach growing your business.In this episode, I’m joined by Hazel Nabarro, founder of Femfinity, and she breaks down how to fund your business growth in a way that feels much more clear and manageable.We talk through the different types of business funding options, including bootstrapping, grants, loans, angel investors, and venture capital, and what each one really looks like in practice.What I found really helpful about this conversation is that it’s not just about what’s available, it’s about how to make the right decision for you and your business, rather than making choices from a place of panic or pressure.So if funding is something you’ve been thinking about, or you’re not sure what your next step should be, this will give you a much clearer picture of how to fund your business growth in a way that actually works for you.Find Hazel here: Website : www.femfinity.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tofemfinity/LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/hazelnabarro/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/femfinity/Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Hazel and her work in funding and growth03:20 What funding really means and why it is often misunderstood06:00 Bootstrapping and using revenue to fund your business09:30 Grants explained, pros, cons and how to improve your chances15:10 Loans, risks, and what to consider before borrowing18:45 Equity funding, angel investors and how it works23:30 Venture capital explained and whether it is right for you27:50 When to start thinking about funding your business31:20 Revenue first growth and building a sustainable business34:00 Key questions to ask before taking any funding37:00 Can you say no to investors and why due diligence matters38:30 Why increasing female investors is so important41:10 How to become an angel investor and get started44:30 Final advice on making strategic funding decisionsLET’S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Amazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

April 24, 202622 min

Ask Me Anything

In this episode, I’m doing something a little different, answering your questions in an “Ask Me Anything” style episode.This episode is designed to give you clarity and practical direction if you’re currently selling on Amazon or thinking about getting started.I’ve recently launched a free monthly event called Amazon Seller Support and Connect, where sellers (and future sellers) can come together to ask questions, share challenges, and learn from each other. This episode builds on those conversations by tackling some of the most frequently asked questions in more detail.In this episode, I cover five key Amazon selling topics:How much it costs to stand out on Amazon and get visibilityWhether you’re actually making money on Amazon (and how to check)If you should focus only on your best-selling productHow much you should spend on Amazon advertisingWhether you should use FBA, FBM, or a mix of bothYou’ll learn how Amazon visibility really works, including how relevance, sales history, and reviews affect your rankings.I also break down why it’s important to understand your numbers early on, how to think about advertising budgets, and why relying on just one product can be risky when scaling.A key theme throughout this episode is that success on Amazon comes down to understanding your data, making informed decisions, and building a sustainable strategy rather than chasing quick wins.If you’re selling on Amazon, or planning to, this episode will help you make more confident, informed decisions about your businessEpisode 327: What is the Amazon algorithm: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b3aa9cda-d8d7-4fbf-a949-5335f0473b8b/Find out more about Amazon Made Easy, my membership for Amazon sellers: https://vickiweinberg.com/membershipJoin Amazon Sellers Support & Connect, my free monthly call for Amazon sellers: https://calendly.com/vickiweinberg/new-meetingLET’S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Amazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

April 17, 202639 min

What It Actually Takes to Launch and Grow a Product Brand - Sam Feller

In this episode, I’m joined by Sam Feller, co-founder of Popcorn Shed, a premium gourmet popcorn brand now stocked across the UK and beyond.Sam shares the real story behind building a product-based business from scratch, from making popcorn in a home kitchen to scaling across multiple sales channels.We talk about what it actually takes to launch and grow a physical product brand, including the mistakes, the lessons, and the decisions that make the biggest difference early on.If you’re developing a product or thinking about starting a product-based business, this episode is full of practical insight you can apply straight away.In this episode, we cover:How Popcorn Shed started and grew into a national brandWhat makes a product stand out in a crowded marketWhy product market fit is more important than passion aloneThe realities of product development (and why it’s so expensive to get wrong)How to choose the right sales channels for your productWhat founders often overlook when launching a new productWhen to hire and how to grow your team sustainablyThe biggest lessons from scaling over the past 10+ yearsSam also shares his number one piece of advice for product creators, and it’s something that could save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.If you’re building a product-based business this is a great listen.Find Sam here:https://popcornshed.comhttps://x.com/popcornshedhttp://facebook.com/popcornshedhttp://instagram.com/popcornshedhttps://uk.linkedin.com/company/popcornshedLET’S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Amazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

April 10, 202641 min

How Journaling Can Transform Your Mental Health and Business - Finn Prevett

Ever feel like your brain is on a constant spin cycle? Like there’s always another task, another email, another decision to make… and never a moment to breathe?That’s exactly where Finn Prevett, co-creator of The Positive Planner, found herself. She was navigating postnatal depression, juggling life with young children, and trying to find a way to care for her mental health without it taking over her life.Her solution? Journaling. Simple, prompted journaling that became a lifeline. And from that, the Positive Planner was born, a planner designed to support mental health, wellbeing, and yes, even your business.In this week’s episode, Finn shares her journey from first starting to journal, to crowdfunding her first planners, building a supportive community online, and eventually partnering with Penguin so she and her co-creator could focus on the creative side of their business, without burning out.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure about how to take care of yourself while growing a business, this conversation will give you insight, inspiration, and practical ideas.Find Finn here: Website - www.thepositiveplanners.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/thepositiveplanner/?locale=en_GBInstagram - thttps://www.instagram.com/the_positive_planner/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/finn-prevett-9975351a2/LET’S CONNECTFollow me on YouTubeFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Amazon Made Easy is now openMy membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership