2025 State of the Product Industry Report

Every founder I know has wondered:
How much are other brands making? What tech are they using? How big are their teams? Are they paying themselves yet?

And even though every business journey looks different, it's natural to want a peek behind the scenes — especially right now.

The product world is shifting fast.

Rising costs, tariffs, supply chain delays, and changing customer habits are reshaping how we create, market, and sell. We’re all adjusting, recalibrating, and figuring out what growth looks like in this new landscape.

So once again, we decided to check the pulse of the industry.

Over 400 product-based business owners answered the call, generously sharing insights for the 2025 State of the Product Industry Report.

We heard from brand new founders and seasoned six- and seven-figure businesses. They shared how much they’re earning, paying themselves, where they’re selling, how they’re building teams, and how they’re feeling about the future.

I hope you find these insights not just interesting — but empowering — as you plan your next moves.

Thank you to everyone who contributed. Your openness helps us track trends, spot opportunities, and better support this amazing industry.

Grab your favorite ☕️, find a cozy spot, and dig in. I’m so glad you’re here.

2024 State of the Product Industry Report

Everyday I hear from product-based business owners who are curious about other people’s business models, their teams, their tech-stack, how much revenue they are earning and what other product business owners pay themselves.

And although we know that every business is different, it is natural to want to see behind the curtain of other brands in your industry.

But it is more than curiosity.

We know the industry has experienced major shifts over the last several years. Everyone has been pivoting and recalibrating.

We're experiencing new normals.

You need to know what’s happening in our industry.

So, the Proof to Product team decided to take an industry-wide temperature check.

And, 925 product based businesses owners answered the call, anonymously sharing their business details with us for the 2024 State of the Product Industry Report

How to Find The Right Manufacturing Partners For Your Wholesale Business

Expanding your wholesale product line can be both exciting and daunting. There are a lot of factors that go into creating a new product and finding the right manufacturing partners to turn your vision into a reality is crucial, particularly if you’re planning to sell the product to the wholesale market. In this article, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of finding a product manufacturer that aligns with your product specs, budget, timeline and quality. We also want to make sure our manufacturing partners communicate well, work efficiently and have values that align with our brand.

product developmentKatie HuntSeptember 27, 2023Comment

6 ways to sell your products & make money from your art

Last week I got an email from someone asking me, “Do people really make money selling paper products and gift items?”

Insert the sound of me gasping on my side of the screen.

The consumer products industry is an $635 billion (with a B) industry based on the last stats I saw. Stationery alone was $8 billion; which means there is a lot of money to be made.

product developmentKatie HuntOctober 7, 2020Comment

Packaging Your Products without Breaking the Bank

Can we talk about product packaging for a minute? You want your products to look unique and stand out from the crowd, but you don’t have to break the bank to do it.

There are so many packaging options available, and it’s important to know when to follow the crowd and use standard packaging and when to get creative and do your own thing.

Ultimately, your product packaging must make it easy for the end customer to understand what your product is and how they can use it. And, from a business standpoint, you want to ensure that your packaging looks great, is scaleable and doesn’t cut into your profit margins. Here’s where to focus.

product developmentKatie HuntFebruary 14, 2017Resource #1Comment

Jack & Ella Paper Hosts a Pop-Up Shop with Madewell

At TSBC we love hearing success stories from our alumni and getting behind the scenes looks at fun collaborations and unique experiences. Today Jessica Bates, founder of Jack + Ella Paper is here with us to share her amazing story about hosting a Madewell pop-up shop. Jack + Ella is an eco-concious stationery brand based in Wisconsin, and Jessica is sharing her experience collaborating with a local branch of Madewell. Jessica shares how the event came to be, as well as all the details required by both the local and corporate Madewell offices in order to participate. Read on to learn Jessica’s main takeaways from the event, and to see photos of her beautiful display.

product developmentKatie HuntDecember 7, 2015Resource #1 Comment

Formatting Your Files for Printing

DeFrance Printing, a longtime Paper Camp partner, is a favorite go-to printing resource for stationery, catalogs, and more. We asked Ronnie Williams to join us today to share the best ways to make sure your files are ready for printing. When you outsource your printing, it’s important to follow these guidelines to achieve the best results.

product developmentKatie HuntOctober 23, 2015Resource #1Comment

How many of each SKU should I have?

Dear Camp Counselors,

How many of each SKU should I have on hand prior to doing a trade show?

– Maggie

Dear Maggie,

First, there is no perfect number of SKUs to strive for. You want a product line that is large enough that buyers can pick and choose, and still hit your opening order amount. As much as we’d like them to, they won’t buy everything in your line.

product developmentKatie HuntOctober 12, 2015Resource #1Comment

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