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!

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You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/446

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Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

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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/281

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

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 UP

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/445

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

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 Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

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 Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

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-hunt

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

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/284

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp