Posts in tradeshows
108 | Shifting our definition of success with Ginger Lyons, Buffalo Girls Salvage
108 | Shifting our definition of success with Ginger Lyons, Buffalo Girls Salvage

Hey friends, welcome back to Proof to Product! Today’s guest is Ginger Lyons, a serial entrepreneur who believes positive attitude, abundance mindset, and perseverance are the keys to a successful business model. A military veteran, Ginger is the creator behind Buffalo Girls Salvage, a jewelry design company that transforms salvaged copper, metal and bullet casings into beautiful, handmade pieces.

Since 2012, Ginger’s company has been inspiring women and honoring law enforcement officials through creative designs. She is also passionate about investing in mainstreet America, supporting small businesses and coaching female entrepreneurs.

On today's episode, Ginger and I talk about her incredible “backward” business journey. She shares what it was like to have a storefront, employees, national manufacturing network and the opportunity to appear on Shark Tank, and why she pivoted her business to stay true to her ‘why’. We talk about how our definition of success often changes over the course of time, how entrepreneurship is always a choice, and the importance of sharing our journey to help others.

I hope you enjoy Ginger's story of growth, strategic pivoting, and the lessons she learned along the way!

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product, tradeshows, pep talk, Operations & SalesKatie HuntComment
107 | The long game of licensing & surface pattern design with Jeanetta Gonzales
107 | The long game of licensing & surface pattern design with Jeanetta Gonzales

Welcome back to Proof to Product, all you small business hustlers, and creative entrepreneurs! Today we have a great episode in store for you with guest Jeanetta Gonzales, a Los Angeles-based graphic designer, and illustrator. Jeanetta began her career as a graphic designer working for corporate companies such as WedMD, Mattel and The Disney Store. She later parlayed her digital and fine art skills into surface design working as a textile designer and style guide designer for consumer products and creating illustrations and art that she licenses to manufacturers for products sold online and in major retail stores. On top of all of this, Jeanetta also runs her own online store where she sells her art on print items, mugs, fabric, home decor items and more.

On today’s episode, Jeanetta shares her experience with licensing and tells us why you have to be in it for the long game. We talk about why relationships are so important in business, why it’s necessary to create art and products with a unique point of view, and her goal to spread joy through a variety of creative means.

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product, tradeshowsKatie HuntComment
Special Edition | 2019 New York Now
Special Edition | 2019 New York Now

Today we’re back with Part 2 of our NY Now and National Stationery Show recap!

As you may have heard, NSS which was previously held in May, moved to February this year to co-locate with NY Now. 39 of our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni were exhibiting at the two shows and one of the main questions I had for them was — how have the shows merging affected you?

It was interesting to see the different responses.

If you listen to Part 1 of this series, you’ll hear the that the NSS exhibitors mentioned specific pros and cons of the shows co-locating. But, when I asked the NY Now exhibitors about the effects, they didn’t notice much of a difference.

Many of our NY Now exhibitors have been exhibiting at NY Now for several shows, doing both the summer and winter show. Most used to also do the National Stationery Show when t was in May — so three large NY shows a year. In these interviews you’ll also hear how they are branching out to other shows, and they’ll talk about the difference in these shows and why they ultimately chose NY Now over NSS.

Today’s episode features interviews with Lindsay Henry of Inklings Paperie, Kathryn Hunter of Blackbird Letterpress, Erika Caskey of Chez Gagne, Danelle Bliss of Wishbone Letterpress, Rebekah Tennis of Wild Ink Press, and Victoria Venturi of Paper Epiphanies.

I hope you enjoy this special series!

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tradeshowsGuest UserComment
Special Edition | 2019 National Stationery Show
Special Edition | 2019 National Stationery Show

Hey Friends! I just got back from NY Now and the National Stationery Show in New York where more than 39 Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni and speakers exhibited this year. It was an incredible trip, for everyone from first timers to seasoned pros, and I’m so excited to share the highlights with you on the Podcast this week!

This year is the first time that these two shows have run at the same time. The National Stationery Show has typically been held in May, but moved for February to co-locate with NY Now. The move of NSS caused a bit of a stir within our industry, and our Tradeshow Bootcamp community and the move of the show is one of the topics we’re addressing on the episodes this week.

We had alumni exhibiting at both NY Now and the National Stationery show, so we decided to break up this week’s episode into two parts.

On Part 1, airing today, we revisit the best parts of the National Stationery Show with Cecily Moore of The Paper Curator, Jenna Puente of Paper Wilderness, Rosanna Kvernmo of Iron Curtain Press, Genesis Duncan of Graphic Anthology, Krystal Whitten of Krystal Whitten Studio and Joe Mihalow of XOU.

Part 2 will air on Thursday and features alumni that exhibited at NY Now

I hope you enjoy this special series!

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tradeshowsGuest UserComment
078 | Working with a fulfillment house & sales reps with Taylor Elliott, Taylor Elliott Designs
078 | Working with a fulfillment house & sales reps with Taylor Elliott, Taylor Elliott Designs

Taylor Elliott is the founder of Taylor Elliott Designs, a fun desk accessory and gift company. Taylor started this company as a side hustle while working a full-time job, but through a lot of hard work and persistence, she has grown this into a thriving gift company whose products are sold in more than 450 stores nationwide.

On today’s episode, Taylor talks about why she decided to use a fulfillment house to store and ship her products, what questions she asked when she was choosing a partner and what her priorities were for outsourcing this piece of her business. She also talks about how she’s brought on 40 sales reps and how working with them and attending markets with her reps has enhanced her business.

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marketing, wholesale, Operations & Sales, tradeshowsGuest UserComment
Special Edition | In the Trade Show Trenches
Special Edition | In the Trade Show Trenches

This week is a special one in that we’re bringing you a series of episodes that closely mirror what we teach during our our signature Paper Camp program.

We’ve cut together some of our favorite episodes featuring our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni and speakers where we discuss product development, sales strategies for wholesale and exhibiting at wholesale trade shows.

During this episode we hear from:
Kathryn from Blackbird Letterpress
Kim from Ramona & Ruth
Pippi from E. Frances Paper
Stefanie from Halifax Paper Hearts

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tradeshowsGuest UserComment
069 | Reinventing the letterboard with Johnny & Joanna Galbraith, Letterfolk
069 | Reinventing the letterboard with Johnny & Joanna Galbraith, Letterfolk

Johnny and Joanna are the husband-and-wife co-founders of Letterfolk, a contemporary American brand whose mission is to create meaningful products inspired by simpler times. Letterfolk started in June 2015 while the couple searched for a unique way to capture their daughter’s monthly baby milestone photos. They designed a modern, versatile letter board that was tailored and repurposed for today’s home. Letter boards are now a staple of social media art direction, home decor, and milestone photography.

As Letterfolk has grown, so has the brand vision and product offerings. Letterfolk products are proudly made in the United States with premium materials, craftsmanship, and processes.

On today’s episode we’re talking about how Johnny & Joanna reinvented the letter board market, their thoughts on copy cats and how they leverage social media to nurture their customers and share their company story.

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marketing, wholesale, product, tradeshows, Operations & SalesGuest UserComment
Special Edition | 2018 National Stationery Show, Part 3
Special Edition | 2018 National Stationery Show, Part 3

I’m back with our third and final National Stationery show recap.Today you’ll hear from four of our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni. We talk about sharing a booth, the benefits of planning ahead and how you gotta roll with the punches when things don’t go quite as planned. Today’s episode features interviews with Jessica of Little Well Paper Co, Robyn from Lake & Loft, Meghan from And Here We Are and Allison from The Social Type.

Before we get started, I wanted to let you know that we’re running our first ever summer session of the Paper Camp E-Course. This course will help you get your product line ready for wholesale, refine your sales tools, strengthen your marketing and exhibit at shows. We helped over 800 brands launch or refine their wholesale program. Brands that you’ll find on the shelves of Target, Anthropologie, Container Store, Paper Source and independent boutiques internationally. If you want to build a strong wholesale foundation and see your products on the shelves of retail shops, I invite you to join us! Classes start on June 4th. Learn more and register here.

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tradeshowsGuest UserComment
Special Edition | 2018 National Stationery Show, Part 2
Special Edition | 2018 National Stationery Show, Part 2

I’m back with Part 2 of our National Stationery Show recap. Today you’ll hear from three of our TSBC alumni about what went well at the show for them, where they skimped & splurged in their spending and benefits to being at a wholesale show like, National Stationery Show.

Today’s episode features interviews with Katie from Page Stationery, Monique from Violet Flamingos and Katie from The Good Twin.

Also before we get started, I wanted to let you know that we’re running our first ever summer session of the Paper Camp E-Course. This course will help you get your product line ready for wholesale, refine your sales tools, strengthen your marketing and exhibit at shows. We helped over 800 brands launch or refine their wholesale program acheter cialis sans ordonnance. Brands that you’ll find on the shelves of Target, Anthropologie, Container Store, Paper Source and independent boutiques internationally. Classes start on June 4th! Learn more and register here.

Enjoy Part 2 of our National Stationery Show special series!

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tradeshowsGuest UserComment
Special Edition | 2018 National Stationery Show, Part 1
Special Edition | 2018 National Stationery Show, Part 1

I recently was in New York for the National Stationery Show where approximately 55 of our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni were exhibiting. And, I thought it would be fun to bring the show to you. While I was in New York, I chatted with a handful of exhibitors, everyone from first timers to seasoned pros.

This episode is part one of a three part special edition series and it features interviews with Kathryn from Blackbird Letterpress, Kim from Ramona & Ruth, Pippi from E. Frances Paper and Stefanie from Halifax Paper Hearts.

Before we get started, I wanted to let you know that we’re running our first ever summer session of the Paper Camp E-Course. This course will help you get your product line ready for wholesale, refine your sales tools, strengthen your marketing and exhibit at shows. This isn’t your ordinary online course where you’re left to do everything yourself. The class runs for four weeks and every week we’ll have a live coaching call with me and special guest experts. Classes start on June 4th! Learn more and register here.

Enjoy Part 1 of our National Stationery Show special series!

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tradeshowsGuest UserComment
055 | Where to skimp and splurge at her first tradeshow with Lisa Sarmento, Tiramisu Paperie
055 | Where to skimp and splurge at her first tradeshow with Lisa Sarmento, Tiramisu Paperie

TSBC alum, Lisa Sarmento is the owner of Tiramisu Paperie a sassy brand located in Nashville that sells greeting cards, gift wrap, pencils and other gift items. Lisa has had tremendous growth in her business over the last two years. She attended our Paper Camp conference in February 2016 and describes those two days as the launching point for Tiramisu Paperie. Her products are currently carried in hundreds of retail shops throughout the United States. Lisa works with sales reps nationally and has exhibited at several trade shows including NSS, Las Vegas Market and Dallas Market.

On today’s episode, Lisa shares her personal story of getting laid off from her high level advertising agency and how ‘entrepreneurial gardening’ and motivation from her son prompted her to start this business.  She shares how she connected with sales reps, what she skimped and splurged on at her first trade show and reminds us to not let fear hold us back from what we want in life and business.

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product, wholesale, tradeshows, Operations & SalesGuest User
051 | Using reps to enhance wholesale sales with Kim Burks, Ramona & Ruth
051 | Using reps to enhance wholesale sales with Kim Burks, Ramona & Ruth

TSBC alum, Kim Burks is the founder of Ramona & Ruth is a boutique letterpress studio located in Omaha, Nebraska. Kim started Ramona & Ruth in 2009 with her tabletop letterpress in a spare bedroom of her home. Kim makes simple and thoughtful letterpress greeting cards and a variety of other paper goods including gift wrap, notebooks and planners. Ramona & Ruth products can be found in retail shops across the country.

On today’s episode we’re talking about Kim’s decision to change her business name after being in business for five years, how her design aesthetic has evolved and how bringing on sales reps has enhanced her business.

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marketing, wholesale, product, tradeshows, Operations & SalesGuest User
040 | Strategies for pitching wholesale buyers with Rebekah Tennis, Wild Ink Press
040 | Strategies for pitching wholesale buyers with Rebekah Tennis, Wild Ink Press

Rebekah Tennis is the founder of Wild Ink Press, a letterpress studio and retail storefront located in northern California. Rebekah started Wild Ink Press in 2009 and was part of our very first Tradeshow Bootcamp class in 2011. The Wild Ink Press brand offers witty and pretty greeting cards, stationery, and other paper goods that can be found in hundreds of retail shops nationwide including the Container Store, Papyrus, and Paper Source.

On today’s episode, Rebekah talks about the power of slow, organic growth and why it’s okay to not have all your ducks in a row when you’re starting out. She also shares her thoughts on responsiveness, reliability, and why she likes sending catalogs and samples to prospective wholesale buyers.

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wholesale, product, Operations & Sales, tradeshowsGuest UserComment
037 | Why this Canadian company exhibits at U.S. tradeshows with Sarah Edmonds and Tammy Lawrence, Banquet Atelier & Workshop
037 | Why this Canadian company exhibits at U.S. tradeshows with Sarah Edmonds and Tammy Lawrence, Banquet Atelier & Workshop

Sarah Edmonds and Tammy Lawrence are the owners of Banquet Atelier & Workshop, a Vancouver-based design studio. All of Tammy and Sarah’s products are conceived, designed, printed and produced in Canada with a fine attention to affordability and environmental sustainability. They offer screen printed signed and dated prints, stationery, textiles as well as clothing and jewelry. They’ve also licensed work and collaborated with large brands such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Terrain, Anthropologie, Land of Nod and others to create exclusive products and designs.

On today’s episode we’re talking about taking risks with new products and why it took them over 4 years to bring their textiles to market. We also discuss why you need to follow your passions when making business decisions and why this Canadian company chooses to exhibit at US wholesale shows.

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wholesale, product, tradeshowsGuest User
030 | How she raised $80,000 for Planned Parenthood with Kyle Durrie, Power and Light Press
030 | How she raised $80,000 for Planned Parenthood with Kyle Durrie, Power and Light Press

Kyle Durrie is the founder of Power and Light Press, a ship-shape letterpress print shop built to handle all of life’s messy emotions. On today’s episode we covered a lot of ground including the pros & cons of different trade shows, how Kyle has grown her team and why she makes travel and downtime an important part of her life. We also talked about how Kyle has donated over $80,000 to Planned Parenthood through the selling of her Stand with Planned Parenthood Tote bags – how she did it, her motivations for giving back and how she dealt with public backlash.

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marketing, product, tradeshowsGuest User
025 | Avoiding the comparison trap with Debbie Lee, Penelope's Press
025 | Avoiding the comparison trap with Debbie Lee, Penelope's Press

On today’s episode I’m interviewing Debbie Lee of Penelope’s Press, a letterpress print studio founded in Chicago and now based in Southern California. Debbie opened her business in 2009 selling on Etsy and doing custom wedding work, then later launched to the wholesale market. She shares her important story of how getting sick forced her to scale back in her business and gave her a newfound perspective of how she was spending her days. She talks about her struggle to say no to new opportunities, why her family is at the center of her business decisions and why she didn’t let comparison deter her from her path of slow growth.

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Operations & Sales, product, tradeshows, pep talkGuest User
008 | Infusing personal interests into creative work with Briana & Jason of Brainstorm
008 | Infusing personal interests into creative work with Briana & Jason of Brainstorm

Owned and operated by Briana Feola and Jason Snyder, Brainstorm is a print shop and collaborative design studio rooted in the production of original art prints inspired by science, nature, and the outdoors. Briana & Jason have done some creative collaborative projects with big brands such as Lollapalooza, Patgonia, Airstream trailers and an upcoming project with L.L. Bean. On today’s episode Briana and Jason talk about how their love of learning inspires their work, using a strong brand to attract the right clients and why your business should always be in some state of transition.

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wholesale, tradeshows, product, Operations & Sales, pep talkGuest User
Special Edition | 2017 National Stationery Show, Part 2
Special Edition | 2017 National Stationery Show, Part 2

I’m back with Part 2 of our National Stationery Show recap. We’re talking with six of our TSBC alumni hearing what went well at the show, how the show has evolved and a couple will weigh in on how the show differs from NY Now and Atlanta’s Mart. Today’s episode features interviews with Sarah from Parrott Design Studio, Joel from Iron Curtain Press, Lana from Lana’s Shop, Julie from Julie Ann Art, Kristen & Pam from Reyn Paper Co., and Tammy from Banquet Workshop.

This episode is part one of a three part special edition series and it features interviews with Kathryn from Blackbird Letterpress, Kim from Ramona & Ruth, Pippi from E. Frances Paper and Stefanie from Halifax Paper Hearts.

Before we get started, I wanted to let you know that we’re running our first ever summer session of the Paper Camp E-Course. This course will help you get your product line ready for wholesale, refine your sales tools, strengthen your marketing and exhibit at shows. This isn’t your ordinary online course where you’re left to do everything yourself. The class runs for four weeks and every week we’ll have a live coaching call with me and special guest experts. Classes start on June 4th! Learn more and register here.

Enjoy Part 1 of our National Stationery Show special series!

Read More
tradeshowsGuest UserComment
Special Edition | 2017 National Stationery Show, Part 1
Special Edition | 2017 National Stationery Show, Part 1

I recently was in New York for the National Stationery Show where myself and approximately 70 of our Tradeshow Bootcamp alumni were exhibiting. And, I thought it would be fun to chat with a handful of exhibitors, everyone from first time exhibitors to seasoned pros. This episode is part one of a two part special edition series and it features interviews with Stephanie from Dahila Press, Katie from The Good Twin, Shino and Ken from Fugu Fugu Press, Michelle from Meeschmosh, Denise from Friendly Fire Paper and Chelsea from Sugar Paper. Enjoy!

This episode is part one of a three part special edition series and it features interviews with Kathryn from Blackbird Letterpress, Kim from Ramona & Ruth, Pippi from E. Frances Paper and Stefanie from Halifax Paper Hearts.

Before we get started, I wanted to let you know that we’re running our first ever summer session of the Paper Camp E-Course. This course will help you get your product line ready for wholesale, refine your sales tools, strengthen your marketing and exhibit at shows. This isn’t your ordinary online course where you’re left to do everything yourself. The class runs for four weeks and every week we’ll have a live coaching call with me and special guest experts. Classes start on June 4th! Learn more and register here.

Enjoy Part 1 of our National Stationery Show special series!

Read More
tradeshowsGuest UserComment