Proof to Product

Hosted by Katie Hunt

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536

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Jun 2026

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About the show

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

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 202637 min

446 | How To Have a Successful First Wholesale Trade Show with Karen Sawyer-Meehan, Pier Six Press

Today's episode is a really practical conversation for anyone that is preparing for wholesale trade shows, especially if you're newer to exhibiting or you're trying to decide whether trade shows are the right next step for your business. I'm joined by Karen Sawyer-Meehan of Pier Six Press. She is a longtime Proof to Product client, a seasoned trade show exhibitor, and also one of the co-chairs of the Noted trade show which is done through the Greeting Card Association. In this episode, we're talking about what actually makes a booth stand out on the show floor, why product cohesion matters more than having a huge product line, how buyers are making snap decisions as they walk the aisles of a trade show, and why your trade show booth needs to communicate your brand point of view within seconds. We also talk about booth setup, product placement, trade show etiquette, and how to make the most of those in person conversations without feeling like you're coming across as pushy or awkward. We also talk about how having a positive mindset when exhibiting at trade shows is absolutely critical. There's a lot of tactical advice here packed into this episode, but also a lot of perspective around what it takes to build wholesale relationships over time and how trade shows are just one step in that journey.It's an optional step, but it is one step that a lot of folks are taking and seeing success from. Whether you're actively preparing for a show right now or starting to think about whether wholesale trade shows are for your future, I think you're going to get a lot from this conversation with Karen.Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right for You private podcast! This free 12-part audio series will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your specific business. After listening to this audio series (in less than an hour), two things will be true. You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business, and you'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. Sign up for the private podcast today!SIGN UPYou can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/446 Quick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper Camp

June 11, 20264 min

Quick Hit: Is Selling Wholesale Only For Large, Established Businesses?

I know you have a lot on your plate right now. You've got products to make, orders to ship, and about a hundred decisions that you're making every day.I do not take it lightly that you are spending time with me today and I want to thank you for being here.Today's episode is a short, focused, throwback episode designed to give you one thing that you can do today to move your business forward.No fluff, no filler, just ideas that we've shared in the past that will benefit you today.Let's dive in!You can listen to the full episode here: http://prooftoproduct.com/281Quick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper Camp

June 9, 202640 min

445 | What Indie Retailers Want in Their Stores Right Now with Kimberley Yurkiewicz, Measure Twice

Today I'm joined by my friend Kimberley Yurkiewicz, owner of Measure Twice, an independent gift shop in Brooklyn, New York. Kimberley has worn a lot of hats in the consumer gift industry. Over the years, she worked retail managing large gift shops. She had a successful career as a sales rep. She worked closely with brands behind the scenes, mentoring them as they made decisions about their product line and pricing and more. And for the last seven years, she's owned and operated her successful brick and mortar shop Measure Twice, alongside her husband.Last time we had Kimberley on the podcast was 2024, so it has been a minute. In this episode, we are catching up about buying patterns, rising product costs, what brands are getting right and wrong when pitching stores, and why industry standards still matter. As wholesale sales strategies continue to evolve, we also get into a really important conversation about pricing. If you have been nervous about raising your wholesale prices, Kimberley shares some incredibly honest perspective from the retailer side that I think will be reassuring for a lot of you to hear. Towards the end of the episode, we also talk about what independent retailers are craving right now, specifically what she is craving. Products with personality, points of view and brands that aren't afraid to stand out in the marketplace. It was really great catching up with Kimberley and having this candid but fun conversation about her shop, the state of the industry, and more.Today's episode is brought to you by our Is Wholesale Right for You private podcast! This free 12-part audio series will help you decide whether wholesale is a good next step for your specific business. After listening to this audio series (in less than an hour), two things will be true. You'll know whether you want to pursue wholesale for your product business, and you'll have the confidence and action steps to get started with wholesale. Sign up for the private podcast today!SIGN UPYou can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/445 Quick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper Camp

June 4, 20269 min

Quick Hit: How Can I Gain a More Holistic Understanding of What My DTC & Wholesale Customers Want?

Over the years, we've had hundreds of conversations on this podcast about what it means to build a sustainable, profitable product brand. And some of those conversations are just too juicy. They're too good to live in the archives. Today, I'm bringing one back. What you're about to hear is a short clip from a past episode. It's a topic that has stuck with me and still feels very relevant today.These throwback episodes are intentionally short and to the point because sometimes you don't need a full deep dive.All right, let's dive in.You can listen to the full episode with Monica Sharma-Patnekar of Business with Monica here: http://prooftoproduct.com/283 Quick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper Camp

June 2, 202632 min

444 | Don't Call It Art with Austin Kleon

Today I am joined by best selling author Austin Kleon, the author of Steal like an Artist, Show Your Work, Keep Going, and his newest book, Don't Call It Art. This conversation feels timely because I've been hearing from so many people lately who are just feeling creatively exhausted. They've built businesses around something that they once loved making, but somewhere along the way the creativity started to be replaced by running the business.Those production schedules, the marketing plans, inventory, emails. All the things, right? Austin and I talk about that tension that a lot of people feel in this episode. How easy it is to lose the playfulness and the curiosity that got us into business in the first place.We talk about the pressure to always be professional, the fear of looking stupid or not knowing everything, and why staying curious actually matters so much as we grow our businesses and ourselves as creative leaders.We also talk about creating like children do. Experimenting, playing, making bad art on purpose, working with your hands, getting outside, taking walks, journaling.There's a really interesting conversation here about how creativity doesn't always come from sitting and thinking harder.Sometimes it comes from movement, from changing your environment, from using your hands or stepping away long enough for your brain to reconnect the dots in the background.Today’s episode is brought to you by our Proof to Product resource library. It’s where you can get your hands on our free resources to help you start, streamline and scale your business in your own way and at your own pace.GET FREE ACCESSYou can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/444Quick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper CampThis episode contains affiliate links. You can view our affiliate disclaimer here.

May 28, 20267 min

Quick Hit: How Do I Differentiate My Products from Everyone Else?

One pattern I've noticed time and time again after working with thousands of product brands across lots of different categories, is that while our products might be different or our tools and platforms might change, all of our core business foundations and fundamentals are not changing. And that's exactly why I wanted to share this short clip from the archive, something that I think is worth revisiting because the takeaways still hold true today. Maybe listening will spark an idea or help you take action on a decision that you've been sitting on. Really, the goal here is to help you take your next intentional step in business. That's what I want for you.Enjoy this clip!You can listen to the full episode with Biff Ulm of Nice Enough Stickers here: http://prooftoproduct.com/361 Quick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper Camp

May 26, 20266 min

4 Ways To Increase Your Product Profit Margins with Katie Hunt [Replay]

Hey, friend. I'm pulling an amazing episode from the archives with over 440 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 a solo episode about how to increase your product profit margins. This episode is important now more than ever with inflation and rising prices of practically every good out there. I will walk you through everything that you need to know about profit margins from a micro-level. As a business owner, you'll want to observe the profit margins for many reasons but it can be especially important when it comes to knowing what sells, what should be discontinued and to help fuel your strategic decision-making.You can view full show notes and more at https://www.prooftoproduct.com/podcast-episodes/4-ways-to-increase-your-product-profit-margins-with-katie-huntQuick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper Camp

May 21, 20264 min

Quick Hit: Do I Really Need Wholesale Terms & Conditions?

One pattern I've noticed time and time again after working with thousands of product brands across lots of different categories, is that while our products might be different or our tools and platforms might change, all of our core business foundations and fundamentals are not changing.And that's exactly why I wanted to share this short clip from the archive, something that I think is worth revisiting because the takeaways still hold true today.Maybe listening will spark an idea or help you take action on a decision that you've been sitting on. Really, the goal here is to help you take your next intentional step in business. That's what I want for you.Enjoy this clip!You can listen to the full episode with here: http://prooftoproduct.com/284Quick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper Camp

May 19, 202615 min

443 | How to Confidently Raise Your Prices with Katie Hunt

Today we are diving into a topic that I know makes some of you really uncomfortable, but I need you to lean in and listen because this conversation is not only timely, but it is necessary. And honestly, it may save your business.We're talking about raising your prices. Now, before you convince yourself that this does not apply to you, I want to share a story that I came across from a restaurant owner. Yes, I know, totally outside of our industry, but it's worth sharing.If you are tired of working in a silo, making all of the daily decisions in your business alone, then come join our community of product creators and sellers in LABS. You'll not only gain access to a generous group of people who are making and selling a very wide range of products, but you'll also gain access to trainings, email templates for things like raising your prices, and monthly coaching calls with me.Plus, we're rolling out some new incredible features soon that are going to make it even easier for you to implement all the new ideas that you're gathering in the community.REQUEST YOUR INVITATIONYou can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/443Quick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper Camp

May 14, 202611 min

Quick Hit: Where Can I Find Grants to Help Fund My Business?

Over the years, we've had hundreds of conversations on this podcast about what it means to build a sustainable, profitable product brand and some of those conversations are just too juicy.They're too good to live in the archives. So today, I'm bringing one back.What you're about to hear is a short clip from a past episode. It's a topic that has stuck with me and still feels very relevant today.You can listen to the full episode with Ashley Sutton of Hustle & Hope here: http://prooftoproduct.com/374Quick Links:Free Wholesale Audio SeriesFree Resources LibraryFree Email Marketing for Product MakersPTP LABSPaper Camp