Have you ever thought about licensing your art, but have no idea where to start? Licensing can be a really great supplemental revenue stream for your business. Nowadays, there are lots of folks looking for art to apply to their products. 

This week, we have Bonnie Christine on the show. She's an internationally renowned surface pattern designer, an entrepreneur, and an award-winning online educator. She's been creating artwork for brands and products around the world since 2009. She's a self-taught designer and runs the Surface Design Immersion program that's geared for creative entrepreneurs. She's also the host of the Professional Creative Podcast, I have an interview coming out on her show soon.

During our interview, we talk about how making residual income through art licensing, how it can be lengthy, but also rewarding process, and also a great way to make extra income for your business. We also talk about the importance of being proactive, how to handle rejection as a creative, and a breakdown of how creatives can use an art agent. We'll also cover the benefits of in-house sales team and the evolving impact of AI on art and business.

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/376 

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

This week, we have Arianne Foulks from Aeolidia back on the podcast. Arianne was on episode 114 talking about abandoned cart email sequences, and she also came on for episode 288 where we talked about SMS and email marketing strategies. 

Today, Arianne and I are talking about 2025 trends for e-commerce marketing. Arianne is a founder, speaker, and Shopify Partner who has focused her career on building impactful retail businesses. At Aeolidia, her design and development agency, she and her team create super-effective online shops for artists and designers.

On today's episode, Arianne is sharing her thoughts on creating a great customer experience, how to best communicate with our customers, the importance of data utilization, and the rise of personalized shopping experiences. We also delve into practical tips on segmenting communication, managing marketing workload, and the benefits of live shopping events.

Today’s episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

• We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us

• We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions

• We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint

• We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

And all of this becomes infinitely easier when we actively listen to our customers. This on-demand interview series will give you a competitive edge by providing an exclusive window into what buyers want and need from you. And, the best part, it's only $27 bucks. 

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/375 

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Happy New Year, friend. I hope that you were able to take a break over the holidays. I know the last month of the year is always pretty busy for all of us, whether it's personal stuff or we're getting our shops and businesses ready for the end of the year. I hope that you have plenty of time for some rest and relaxation. 

We're back on the podcast with a new episode, and this week's episode is a real treat. I have Ashley Sutton from Hustle and Hope. Ashley is a Paper Camp alumni, and she's been featured in a few of our compilation episodes in the past. She was on episode 285 where we talked in person at NY NOW while she was exhibiting, and she was on episode 358 where she shared how much her business has grown since taking Paper Camp.

But a stand-alone interview with her has been long overdue, and so I'm excited to share today's episode with you. 

Ashley is a corporate gal turned entrepreneur. Her career began with marketing and developing the perfect shade of lipstick for Avon to creating buzzworthy toys at Mattel and crafting unforgettable marketing campaigns for leading TV shows for children such as Peppa Pig and PJ Masks. She's also creating the number one best-selling marketing campaigns for authors at Penguin Random House. 

As a stationery lover and a consumer products professional, her goal was to channel her career experience into a product with purpose, and that is how she founded Hustle and Hope. The first 2 in one motivational greeting card company that includes free digital guides with every single card. A certified minority and certified woman-owned business, Hustle and Hope has retail placement at Buy Buy Baby, World Market, HomeGoods, Amazon, and over 45 other shops across the US. Today, Ashley shares Hustle and Hope's origin story.

She talks about her experience participating in the Target Accelerator program, and we talk about how she's been utilizing grants for her business, including how she got started applying for grants, what she looks for, and how these grants have benefited her business. She also shares resources in case you want to get started applying for grants for your business.

Today’s episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

• We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us

• We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions

• We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint

• We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

And all of this becomes infinitely easier when we actively listen to our customers. This on-demand interview series will give you a competitive edge by providing an exclusive window into what buyers want and need from you. And, the best part, it's only $27 bucks. 

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/374 

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

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 7, 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 370+ incredible episodes to help you strengthen your business.

Have a great two weeks and I will see you on January 7th!

If you're considering exhibiting at trade shows this upcoming sales season, you are going to love today's episode. My guest is Amy Loewenberg, who is the Director of Buyer Relations for NY NOW. Amy is a seasoned veteran in the gift, home, and lifestyle industry, and she's an advocate for independent buyers and sellers. 

Amy leverages her unique experience on both sides of the aisles to drive growth, connect communities, and shape the future of retail. Amy is a partner to key industry associations. She's also an active Gift For Life board member. She brings a wealth of knowledge to every role that she undertakes because she has a deep understanding of market trends, purchasing dynamics, and she is focused on helping to guide mission-driven organizations.

In today's episode, we discuss Amy's current role in buyer relations. We talk about how NY NOW is innovating the trade show experience. We discuss everything from adapting trade shows to post-pandemic buying trends to the importance of sustainability, and the emerging focus on multi-sensory shopping experiences based on customer psychology.

Today’s episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:

• We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us

• We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions

• We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint

• We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.

And all of this becomes infinitely easier when we actively listen to our customers. This on-demand interview series will give you a competitive edge by providing an exclusive window into what buyers want and need from you. And, the best part, it's only $27 bucks. 

Get Access to the Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview Series

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/373 

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Hey, friend. I'm back with part two of my interview with Victoria Venturi from Paper Epiphanies. If you have yet to listen to part one, that was episode 371. In part one, Victoria shared about her business growth, including what it was like shifting from a business model that was 90% wholesale to a business driven by 90% retail today. Now, she's finding a middle ground between the two. 

Today, we're continuing our conversation, and Victoria is sharing about the process of opening her store in the Portland International Airport. 

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/372 

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Today's guest is Victoria Venturi, the founder and CEO of Paper Epiphanies, the coolest card store in the world. In less than a decade, Victoria has grown Paper Epiphanies from an idea into a global brand. 

Paper Epiphanies, also affectionately called PiPH, opened its flagship concept store in 2021, and they are expanding into the aviation space. They opened their 1st airport boutique in the Portland International Airport earlier this year. 

Prior to launching PiPH, Victoria was a marketing and publicity executive for over 10 years where she wrote and launched successful campaigns for agencies and television networks, and big brands, including Disney, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, American Idol, Glee, Hilton Hotels, and more. 

Victoria attended Paper Camp way back in 2014, and she was a guest on the Proof of Product podcast for episode 19 which aired in 2017. In 2017, we caught up with what she was doing in the early days of her business, but it's been a minute. She's had a lot going on, and we had a lot to catch up on, so much so that I am breaking this interview into 2 parts. 

Today is part 1, and Victoria is sharing how she moved from being a business that was driven 90% by wholesale revenue to a business driven by 90% retail revenue, and now how she's navigating her way back to finding that balance. Next week on episode 372, Victoria is going to share details about opening up her store in the Portland International Airport. 

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/371 

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

All 5 Days of Deals Are Back for 1 More Day!

http://prooftoproduct.com/bfdeals 

____________

Our biggest sale of the year is happening this week!

5 days. 5 Deals. ​

For the next 24 hours you can buy:

• Retailer Roundtable interview series for just $17!

• Paper Camp early access & extended payment plan!

• Production Planner & Profitability Calculator Bundle

• 1-1 Coaching Spots only 4 available

• LABS Annual Membership with recurring discount!

PLUS: 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!

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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 25: Retailer Roundtable interview series for just $17!

• Tues, Nov 26: Paper Camp early access & extended payment plan!

• Wed, Nov 27: Production Planner & Profitability Calculator Bundle

• Thurs, Nov 28: 1-1 Coaching Spots only 4 available

• Fri, Nov 29: 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 

Day 4 Deal: 1:1 Day of Voxer Coaching with Katie

*4 Spots Only* $1250

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 25: Retailer Roundtable interview series for just $17!

• Tues, Nov 26: Paper Camp early access & extended payment plan!

• Wed, Nov 27: Production Planner & Profitability Calculator Bundle

• Thurs, Nov 28: 1-1 Coaching Spots only 4 available

• Fri, Nov 29: 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 

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 25: Retailer Roundtable interview series for just $17!

• Tues, Nov 26: Paper Camp early access & extended payment plan!

• Wed, Nov 27: Production Planner & Profitability Calculator Bundle

• Thurs, Nov 28: 1-1 Coaching Spots only 4 available

• Fri, Nov 29: 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