thelotco business podcast: Recent Episodes
Melissa Robbins
Thelotco business podcast is dedicated to helping businesses in the fashion, retail and design industries not just survive but also thrive!! It’s a show that brings you tips, tricks and strategies to help you as an entrepreneur start, manage, and grow your creative business.
If you are a small business and feeling stuck on what to do next or how to actually kick start your idea, then tune in for some straightforward, practical business advice as well as interviews with inspiring females in the fashion, beauty and homewares space who will share not just what they do, but also how.
We cover marketing, finance, motivation, mindset and so much more. Walk away inspired to know how to start your own business or take these tips to help you grow and love the business you have now.
For coaching, courses and business advice with me check out link text or come say hi in the DMs on my socials @thelotco I can’t wait to help you guide you on your small business journey!!!****
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As we head toward the end of the year, I wanted to do something a little different with this episode.
Instead of rushing straight into goal-setting, planning, and “new year, new energy” vibes, I wanted to create space to pause. To reflect. To actually look at what just happened in your business before you try to fix, change, or overhaul anything.
Because every year I see the same pattern.
We finish the year tired, relieved it’s over, and already thinking about what’s next. New goals, new plans, new strategies. And while I love that energy, what often gets skipped is reflection.
Not reflection to beat yourself up.
Not reflection to replay every mistake.
But reflection so you don’t carry the same patterns into a new year and expect different results.
In this episode, I walk you through the questions I think every product-based business owner needs to ask themselves. We talk about effort versus effectiveness, busy versus profitable, and why “fine” is not the same as sustainable.
I also share why looking at your numbers matters more than ever, how to review your time and energy honestly, and why enjoyment and creativity still need a seat at the table if you want a business you actually want to grow.
This episode is your permission slip to slow down, get curious, and reflect without pressure.
If you want support with this process, I’ve linked my free Business Review & Reset download here, along with a vision board exercise if you like planning visually. You’ll also find links to Transform Your Wholesale and Roadmap to Profit, depending on where you’re at in your business.
And if you’re already multi-six figures and thinking about what’s next, there’s a waitlist link here for a new next-level option I’m building for 2026.
I’m taking a short break from the podcast after this episode to reflect, refine, and build what’s next with intention. Thank you so much for being here, for listening, and for growing alongside me.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Join my Skool Group here: https://www.skool.com/product-business-growth-club/about
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us Fan Mail
I’m switching things up in this episode and getting straight to it.
No fancy intro, no long-winded warm-up. Just a real conversation about assumptions, beliefs, and the stories we tell ourselves that quietly shape how we show up in our business.
Because lately, I’ve been hearing the same things again and again from product-based business owners.
People aren’t buying anymore.
Everyone only wants discounts.
Nobody opens emails.
January is dead.
I don’t want to annoy my audience.
And honestly? Most of these are not facts. They’re beliefs. And beliefs are just thoughts you’ve repeated long enough that they feel true.
In this episode, I unpack some of the most common assumptions I see brands and retailers making about selling, marketing, email, Christmas, sales seasons, pricing, and customer behaviour. I also talk about where these beliefs come from, how negativity bias sneaks in, and why assuming the worst is one of the fastest ways to stall your growth.
We talk about why selling is not pushy or icky, how marketing is actually service, and why your job is not to guess what’s going on in someone else’s wallet.
If you’ve been holding back, second-guessing yourself, or quietly wondering if it’s even worth promoting right now, this episode is for you.
Listen in, then ask yourself one simple question.
Is this actually true, or is it just a belief I’ve been carrying around?
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Join my Skool Group here: https://www.skool.com/product-business-growth-club/about
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
5 Things Every Promo Email MUST Have (If You Want Sales!)**
If your promo emails are getting meh opens or zero clicks, this quick-hit episode is your wake-up call. After reviewing dozens of client emails inside Nail Your Email Marketing and in my 1:1 sessions, I’ve seen the same mistakes again and again… especially during sales season.
So today, I’m walking you through the 5 non-negotiables every promo email should include to actually get opened, read and clicked.
This is your micro-masterclass in writing emails that convert, not collect dust in the inbox.
In this episode, we cover:
1. Why your subject line needs to slap, not snooze
Boring subject lines get ignored. You need curiosity, clarity, or straight-up benefits. I share what makes a subject line irresistible and why A/B testing should be your new best friend.
2. The must-have CTA above the fold
If your audience has to scroll to find the link, you’ve already lost them. I break down what “above the fold” actually looks like and why clarity always wins.
3. High-contrast design that people can actually read
Pastel on pastel? Tiny fonts? Hard pass. I share my go-to readability tool and the simple graphic design rule that will instantly improve your emails.
4. Clear, non-waffly copy that respects your customer’s time
Promo emails should be quick, direct and obvious. No filler paragraphs, no “hope this finds you well.” Tell them the offer, why it matters and why they should care right now.
5. One email, one goal
If you give people too many choices, they choose nothing. I walk through why your promos need ONE job and exactly how to structure them.
+ Bonus tip
A little movement goes a long way — think GIFs, scrolling marquees, or icon-style features that communicate essential info fast.
• Subject Line Examples: here
• My favourite contrast checker: https://coolors.co/contrast-checker
• Nail Your Email Marketing Program: Learn how to create emails that convert like crazy.
Want help boosting your sales, getting your emails actually opened, and creating a marketing system that makes
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Kickstarter Wins, Manufacturing Nightmares and a Sink Brush That Broke the Internet: The YesECO Story with Jamie Phillips
Today I’m chatting with Jamie Phillips, founder of Yeseco, creator of the magnetic dish brush that completely changed the way thousands of people deal with their sink situation. His journey? Wild. Beautiful. Painful. Product-founder AF.
Jamie takes us through everything, including:
• the moment on a remote beach in Indonesia that changed his entire career
• why his first eco-friendly range worked but also didn’t work
• the messy truth of manufacturing a brand-new invention
• how he used Kickstarter to validate demand AND fund a very expensive mold process
• what 12,000+ customers taught him about product design
• why retail and DTC must work together (and how he balances both)
• his big mistakes, biggest lessons, and why perseverance beats everything
• what launching Version 2 looks like (spoiler: it’s live now)
Jamie is honest, generous, and gives you a real look at what actual product development looks like behind the scenes. If you’re a maker, product founder, wholesaler or inventor, you’ll want to take notes.
LINKS:
👉 Explore YesECO: https://yeseco.life
👉 Support the YesECO V2 Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/yeseco/yeseco-v2
👉 Follow me on Instagram: @thelotco
If you want to build a profitable product business you LOVE (without the burnout and chaos), come join me inside my Roadmap to Profit program. Details at thelotco.com.au.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
You’ve landed your dream retailer. Your products are on the shelf. Now what?
Most brands think their job is done once they’ve been stocked, but that’s just the beginning. In this episode, I break down the three stages of post-delivery success that turn a one-off wholesale order into consistent reorders (and loyal retail partners who sell your products for you).
You’ll Learn:
✨ Why getting stocked is just the start line, not the finish line
✨ How to support your retailers with marketing assets, education, and storytelling tools
✨ Simple ways to drive foot traffic and visibility for your stockists (without hurting your own online sales)
✨ How to build lasting relationships with buyers and retail staff that lead to repeat orders
✨ Why scarcity thinking is holding your brand back and how abundance thinking grows both sides
Mentioned in this Episode:
- Transform Your Wholesale Program: Learn how to get stocked (and stay stocked!) → thelotco.com.au/wholesale
- Free Wholesale Guide: Download your free copy →here https://thelotco.myflodesk.com/wholesaletips
- Book Mentioned: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
Roadmap to Profit Program waitlist is here.
Join my Product Business Growth Club here.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Welcome back to thelotco Business Podcast, I’m Melissa Robbins, your product-based business coach, retail strategist, and founder of thelotco.
After 25 years in the industry, I’ve seen behind the scenes of hundreds of brands and retailers and here’s what I know for sure: if your sales aren’t where you want them to be, it’s not your product.
Last week, we talked about why your product probably isn’t the problem when sales feel slow.
This week, we’re talking about the fix.
Because if you’re showing up online, posting Reels, and doing “all the right things,” but your sales still feel unpredictable it’s not because you’re bad at business. It’s because you’re relying on the wrong system.
In this episode, I dive into:
- Why Instagram is amazing for attention, but terrible for consistent sales
- The difference between visibility and conversion
- Why email marketing is your secret weapon for predictable profit
- How to set up simple systems that sell for you (even while you sleep)
I’ll also share stories from real founders who went from slow weeks to steady sales — all by turning email into their most profitable channel.
And I share real client stories of what changed when they shifted from posting more to building smarter systems.
If you’re ready to stop relying on algorithms and start building consistent, reliable sales this episode is your next step.
🎧 Tune in now and grab your freebie: 15 Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Website
.
And if you’re ready to make email your most profitable sales channel, join me for the Nail Your Email Marketing Live Series — we start Wednesday, November 5th! Details at thelotco.com.au/nailyouremail
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
If you’ve ever said, “My product is so good… why isn’t it selling?” then this episode is for you.
I’ve been getting message after message about this one since I sent an email earlier in the week, so I knew I had to dive deeper on the podcast.
The thing is, having a great product isn’t enough anymore. You need attention, anticipation, and action to turn your product into consistent sales.
In this episode, I’m breaking down:
- Why your amazing product isn’t selling (and what to do about it)
- The Product Attachment Loop that keeps founders stuck
- How to shift your mindset from “selling is pushy” to “selling is helping”
- What “building anticipation” actually looks like before a new launch
- Why showing up across multiple platforms matters more than ever
- And how clarity, confidence, and consistency create conversions
Whether you’re a maker, brand founder, or retailer, this episode will help you step out from behind the scenes, sell unapologetically, and start marketing your product like a pro.
Because your business needs more than a beautiful product, it needs visibility, storytelling, and you showing up again and again until people finally get how brilliant your offer is.
What You’ll Learn:
✨ How to stop perfecting and start promoting
✨ How to sell without feeling salesy or pushy
✨ How to build anticipation and momentum before your next launch
✨ How to multiply your reach by showing up in more than one place
✨ Why visibility builds trust and trust builds sales
Mentioned in this episode:
- Get More Sales
— my special bundle to help you show up in more ways and sell with confidence - The Product Business Growth Club
— my membership for ongoing support, ideas, and accountability - DM me “sales” on Instagram @thelotco
to get my free Sales Clarity Prompts
Take Action:
After you listen, screenshot this episode and tag me @thelotco
Tell me — what’s one way you’re going to show up and sell differently this week?
Let’s make your next product drop your most profitable one yet 💜
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my 20+ year journey with Life Instyle — from exhibiting her own kidswear brand Moppit, to becoming a buyer, educator, speaker, sponsor, and now judge for the Life Instyle New Breed Scholarship.
How we helped shape the Kids Instyle section, the lessons learned from decades in the trade show world, and the incredible opportunities that open up when you take action — even before you feel ready.
If you’re a product-based founder with big dreams of getting your products into stores, this episode will inspire you to stop waiting for the “perfect time” and start applying for the opportunities that could change your business forever.
You’ll Learn:
- How trade shows like Life Instyle can transform a product business
- The story behind the Kids Instyle section and my 20-year involvement
- Why you should apply for the Life Instyle New Breed Scholarship (and how to know if you’re eligible)
- What judges are actually looking for in applicants
- The biggest mindset shift that separates brands that grow from those that stay stuck
- Life Instyle New Breed Scholarship (Applications close October 16th)
→ Prize includes a $10,000 value stand, exposure, mentorship, and more. - Export Development Grant and other government funding options for product-based businesses
Links & Resources:
- Apply for the Life Instyle Scholarship here.
- Learn more about wholesale with my free training: thelotco.com/buildingawholesalesalemachine
- Join the Product Business Growth Club for mentorship + support
- Explore the Roadmap to Profit Program to grow your product business to consistent $50K months
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
A Melbourne winter. A real gap in kids’ wool headwear. A founder with a finance brain and a product heart. That is how Acorn Kids began. In this episode, Fiona Savaris shares how a winter beanie line turned into a year-round headwear brand that stockists love, why wholesale still wins for volume, and how she just launched swimwear by leveraging prints, suppliers, and existing demand. If you care about cash flow, indent, stockist relationships, and direct-to-consumer growth, you will love this founder story.
- Learn how to use indent orders to protect margins and place smarter production bets
- See how a wholesale-first strategy can fuel longevity and repeat stockist revenue
- Steal the exact assets that help retailers sell more hats, beanies, and swim hats
- Hear the behind-the-scenes of a category expansion into swimwear that makes sense
SEO keyword highlights
Acorn Kids, kids hats, children’s headwear, beanies, swim hats, swimwear launch, wholesale, stockists, indent orders, Brandboom, Klaviyo email marketing, Meta ads, product photography, lifestyle imagery, cash flow, margins, MOQ, category expansion, trade shows, agents, DTC growth, Melbourne brand, Brunswick production.
Top takeaways
- Play the long game with wholesale. Protect full price windows. Communicate. Make reorders easy.
- Indent = clarity. Use retailer orders to decide production and where to “back” winners.
- Be specialist. Headwear-specific makers and equipment show up in quality and fit.
- Add categories with purpose. Swim hats → swimwear leveraged prints, fabric, and brand equity.
- Invest in assets. Great photography and video
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Your product might be beautiful, high-quality, and everything your customer needs… but here’s the truth: that alone isn’t enough to grow a profitable business.
In this episode, I’m diving into the mistake so many founders make, putting 99% of their energy into the product itself and forgetting the bigger picture. Because while your product matters, what matters more is how you get it into people’s hands.
We’ll cover:
- Why “build it and they will come” is a dangerous mindset for product-based founders
- The role of retailers, stockists, and partners in helping you grow
- The power of distribution and getting your product in front of more people
- Why supporting your stores and stockists is just as important as landing them in the first place
- The shift second-time founders make that first-time founders overlook
- What else matters more than the product itself (pricing, marketing, visibility, and customer experience)
By the end, you’ll know exactly where to shift your focus so your product doesn’t just sit pretty on a shelf - it actually sells.
✨ Free Training Alert: Want to build a 90-day roadmap for more sales and consistent profit (without relying on social media)? Join my upcoming live training here → https://www.thelotco.com/trainings
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
What if one partnership could change your entire brand trajectory? Meet Vania Truchsess—Venezuelan-born, New Zealand-based jewelry designer whose handmade pieces landed in Karen Walker stores and unlocked a flywheel of credibility, stockists, and DTC growth.
In this episode, we cover:
- How Vania went from babysitting to building a handmade jewelry label in NZ
- Why wholesale increased her direct-to-consumer sales (not the opposite)
- Pricing, margins, and range editing (and why you must revisit them yearly)
- Trade shows as a one-good-stockist play (LTV thinking > vanity order counts)
- Using markets, email (Flodesk), and workshops to fuel DTC demand
- Collaborations that borrow audiences and build brand equity
- Balancing creativity with cash flow, admin, and sustainable routines
- The mindset that keeps her shipping: perseverance (and a bracelet to prove it).
SAVE YOUR SPOT IN MY NEW FREE LIVE TRAINING HERE: https://www.thelotco.com/trainings
Vania Truchsess is the founder of Vania, a handmade jewellery brand inspired by nature and gemstones. Her ranges span everyday unisex pieces to woven “Daydreamer” earrings and gemstone necklaces using freshwater pearls and 14k gold-filled elements.
Timestamps:
00:00 Meet Vania + what the brand stands for
02:20 Early making roots in Venezuela + family influences
04:45 Markets, morphing to the Kiwi aesthetic, and first “real job” detour
08:30 Range, pricing, and staying differentiated in a saturated category
09:50 The Karen Walker moment—and how credibility compounds
12:40 Why wholesale boosts DTC (yes, really)
14:50 Seasonality, Australia expansion, and realistic timelines for conversion
16:45 Trade shows: playing the long LTV game
18:20 DTC levers: email, paid/organic, markets, and beading workshops
21:10 Risks, bulk buying, duties, and owning what you do
27:40 What success looks like beyond revenue (impact stories that matter)
32:10 Evolving into fine jewelry; skills, vision, and authenticity
34:00 Creative vs. CEO time: routine
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Andrew from Mennie Brand is back for part two, and we’re cracking open the real trade show debrief from his first time exhibiting at Melbourne Life Instyle. We talk expectations vs reality, what actually moved the needle (hello, SMS follow-ups), and why visuals + storytelling at your stand matter more than you think. Andrew shares hard numbers, how he organised setup on a budget (including the furniture plot twist), and what he’s changing next time to turn browsers into buyers faster.
In this episode:
- The honest verdict: pride, perspective, and the big-brand imposter syndrome that didn’t stick
- The rollercoaster after the show (and why day-10 texts lit everything up)
- Why your pitch + story need reps (and how to avoid sounding “salesy”)
- Stand strategy: show the brand world (lookbook, lifestyle shots, POS) not just products
- Relationship ROI you can’t quantify: neighbours, buyers, and in-person feedback
- Logistics on a budget: flying with stock, painting the stand, marketplace furniture backup plan
- What’s next: considering Sydney (Feb) where Life & Style and Reed combine—and how different buyers = fresh opportunities
- Collabs & customs: ~200 unit MOQs with options to split across brands
Mentions & resources:
- Book: Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
- Find Andrew: Instagram @menniebrand | Stockist & custom enquiries
- Want help planning your own show? Check out my Trade Show Bootcamp and Wholesale program.
- Retailers: want the comfiest socks your customers will rave about? Reach out to @menniebrand for stockist info or custom collabs.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Abundance Mindset Isn’t Woo — It’s Your Business Superpower
Is “abundance” just another fluffy buzzword? Nope. In fact, your mindset may be the difference between giving up on your product business too soon or building one that actually pays you.
In this episode, I’m breaking down:
- What abundance mindset really means (hint: it’s not about ignoring reality).
- The difference between abundance vs. scarcity thinking — and how each shows up in your day-to-day business.
- Real examples from launches, wholesale pitching, and sales that prove why scarcity spirals kill momentum.
- Practical tools to rewire your thinking — journal prompts, affirmations, gratitude practices, and the “not yet” reframe.
- Why combining mindset + numbers (aka your data) gives you clarity, stamina, and resilience when sales feel slow.
If you’ve ever found yourself refreshing your Shopify dashboard on repeat, comparing yourself to competitors, or assuming “no one wants this,” this episode is for you.
👉 Grab my free Abundance Mindset Journal Prompts + Affirmations here, and stay tuned for the upcoming 30-Day Abundance Challenge.
Because mindset alone isn’t enough. Mindset + strategy is how you build a profitable product business that lasts.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
If you’ve ever felt like freight is a dark art shrouded in mystery, you’re not alone.
In this episode of thelotco Business Podcast, I sit down with Christine Kanin from Pivot Freight Solutions to unpack (pun intended) the real world of freight and logistics and why getting it right can save your product business thousands of dollars (and a whole lot of headaches).
Christine has over a decade in the freight forwarding industry, helping small and medium-sized businesses confidently navigate the messy, unpredictable world of importing and exporting. She’s here to pull back the curtain on what really happens between “my product is ready” and “it’s on my doorstep.”
We cover:
- The biggest misconceptions product-based businesses have about freight
- Why relying solely on your supplier’s shipping quote can be an expensive mistake
- The acronyms and terms (like Inco terms and HS codes) every founder must know before signing anything
- The real process your goods go through — from packing at the factory to clearing customs and quarantine in Australia
- How to decide between sea freight, air freight, and couriers (and the hidden cost traps in each)
- Landed costs: what they are, how to calculate them, and why they should guide your pricing from day one
- Seasonal and global events that can blow your shipping timelines out of the water (literally)
- Christine’s unique “She Freights” tours to India, helping women find manufacturers and products while learning the freight side from the ground up
Whether you’re placing your very first order with an overseas supplier or managing multiple containers a year, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you stay in control, protect your margins, and avoid costly surprises.
📦 Listen in to finally get freight and logistics off your “too hard” list — and onto your “nailed it” list.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
- Pivot Freight Solutions → find here
- She Freights Tours → here
- Austrade Go Global Toolkit → here
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this episode, I’m giving you the ultimate insider scoop from the recent Australian trade show circuit Life Instyle, Reed Gift Fairs, and AGHA.
Whether you were there, thinking about exhibiting next time, or wondering what the heck goes on behind those branded stands, this one’s for you.
From the buzz on the floor and real sales numbers, to the unexpected brand collaborations and cringe-worthy mistakes I saw some newbies make—I'm breaking it all down.
I’ll talk about what really makes a trade show successful (spoiler: it’s not just the orders), the importance of shelf-ready packaging and smart starter packs, and why connection not just conversion is your secret weapon.
I also dive into the question I get asked all the time: Which show should I do? Life Instyle vs. Reed vs. AGHAvand the truth about what suits who.
If you’re a brand looking to grow through wholesale or a retailer wondering how to make smarter buying decisions, this episode is packed with gold. Think of it like your own private trade show debrief, minus the sore feet and overpriced food.
What I cover:
- The real results exhibitors experienced.
- Common mistakes I saw brands make (and how to avoid them)
- How to make your booth unforgettable (even upstairs!)
- Why shelf-ready packaging and starter packs are non-negotiables
- The unquantifiable wins—like friendships, packaging hacks, and collabs
- A comparison between Life Instyle, Reed, and AGHA shows
- Why showing up is more than just standing at a booth
Bonus tip: If you're prepping for your first (or next) trade show, I share how to turn this opportunity into long-term revenue—and how to avoid becoming the brand that buyers forget the minute they walk away.
Mentioned in this episode:
Trade Show Bootcamp – My mini-course to help you prep, pitch and profit from your next show Transform Your Wholesale Program – Learn how to build a wholesale strategy that works long-term
✨ Product Business Growth Club – My membership for product-based businesses that want to grow without burning out
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Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Let’s talk about one of the most underrated, powerful tools in your business toolkit REVIEWS. They cost you nothing but can absolutely skyrocket your credibility and sales. And yet… so many of you forget to ask for them, or don’t know how to use them to their full potential. Sound familiar?
In this episode, I’m diving into:
- Why reviews are way more powerful than any marketing copy you could write yourself
- How they boost your website conversions, SEO, and even wholesale success
- The exact tools I recommend to automate the whole process (no awkward follow-ups needed)
- Where to put reviews on your website to maximise their impact
- Clever ways to ask for them (without sounding desperate or robotic)
- And why YOU need to be giving reviews too—not just asking for them!
Whether you’re selling direct-to-consumer, through retail stores, or wholesaling to stockists, reviews matter. And if you’re not collecting them (and using them!) you’re leaving money and trust on the table.
🛠 Tools I mention in the episode:
- Trustpilot
- Judge.me
- Loox (perfect for visual reviews with customer pics)
- Stamped.io
- Yotpo
- Google Forms for post-program feedback
💬 Quick reminder:
If you’ve ever listened to an episode and thought “Omg that helped so much,” please scroll down in Apple Podcasts and leave a review. It means the world to me and keeps this podcast going. Plus, I read every single one!
🎯 This episode is for you if:
→ You’re running a product-based brand or retail store
→ You want to build trust fast and boost your online sales
→ You need better copy but don’t have time to write it—use your customer words instead!
Let’s get those reviews working for you.
Take 30 seconds to scroll down and leave a review on Apple Podcasts—it’s free for you and priceless for me!
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this raw and refreshing episode of thelotco Business Podcast, I chat with Lucy Moss founder of Mink and Me, a vibrant lifestyle brand that blossomed from a tiny rural shop into a bold online store and now a budding wholesale business.
Lucy shares her incredible 10-year journey, starting from a collaborative store in Coonamble (yep, population 2,500!) to navigating ADHD diagnosis, burnout, a booming Christmas season, a massive pivot, and a spontaneous buying trip to India that changed everything.
We unpack:
- How her dog’s name (RIP Minky!) sparked a business name and legacy
- The power of collaboration and building a retail hub in a small town
- What she learned from buying “dud” products and how she refined her retail buying over time
- Why selling 760 Queen Elizabeth Christmas decorations was a pivotal moment (yes, really!)
- How burnout led her to hit pause and what that looked like
- Her candid experience with an ADHD diagnosis and what changed afterward
- The unexpected decision to close her physical store (despite strong sales) and go all in on online
- Why her India trade show trip with Christine from She.Freights opened a whole new wholesale opportunity
- Her advice for evolving with your business, listening to your gut, and not being afraid to pivot
Lucy gets real about the highs and lows, from toddler chaos to trade show prep, and gives insight into what it truly takes to stay resilient, creative, and profitable in today’s retail and product landscape.
Links + Resources:
- Follow Lucy at @minkandme
- Check out her online store: minkandme.com.au
- Want to prep for your own trade show? Grab the Trade Show Bootcamp
- Listen to more episodes at thelotco Business Podcast
If this episode sparked an “OMG I need to pivot too” moment or you’ve been toying with launching wholesale or shutting your physical store send me a DM @thelotco. Lucy’s story is proof you don’t have to stick to one version of success. You get to evolve. ✨
Be sure to subscribe, share this with your biz bestie, and leave a review if this episode hit home.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
If you’re still shipping your gorgeous product in a plain satchel with an invoice and a whisper of bubble wrap… we need to talk.
In today’s episode of The Lotco Business Podcast, I’m diving into one of the most underestimated but high-impact opportunities you have as a product-based business owner: the unboxing experience.
Your packaging isn’t just about protection—it’s about emotion. It’s a brand moment. It’s the post-purchase piece that turns a one-time buyer into a raving, repeat customer.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through:
- Why unboxing taps into psychology (and how TikTok + YouTube prove it)
- The difference between packaging that gets ignored… and packaging that gets shared
- Low-cost, high-impact ways to elevate your unboxing experience—even if you're on a tight budget
- Real brand examples (including my own past retail experience!) that prove small touches create big impact
- A mindset shift: why every box you ship is a chance to build brand trust and customer retention
Plus, I share:
A Pinterest board with creative and scroll-stopping packaging ideas https://pin.it/2oz5v2iY6
Why packaging is performative marketing in a scroll-happy world
How to spark emotion through scent, stickers, samples, surprise, and story
Whether you're a new brand or scaling rapidly, don’t underestimate this part of the customer journey. Because once they click “Buy Now,” it’s your moment to turn excitement into loyalty.
Want more help mapping your entire customer journey from attraction to unboxing to retention?
Come join me in Roadmap to Profit or grab the Get More Sales Bundle for actionable tools you can implement right away.
Because every order you send out is a branding opportunity. Let’s make it magic.
Unboxing Pinterest Board here
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what really builds a thriving, profitable product-based business—and spoiler alert—it’s not just more Instagram reels or new packaging.
After decades in this industry, from fashion lecturer to founder, and coaching hundreds of creative entrepreneurs through my Roadmap to Profit program, I’ve identified the 7 key systems that separate profitable brands from the ones stuck in hustle-mode.
I call it thelotco Method, and today I'm sharing each of these systems with you—including how you can spot your weakest link and what to fix first.
You'll learn:
- Why vision (not just vibes) is the first system to set up
- What your brand really needs beyond a cute logo
- How pricing can make or break your entire business (even if your products are selling)
- Why relying on just one sales channel is risky
- How to attract traffic without burning out on content creation
- What numbers you actually need to know
- And the often-forgotten system that allows you to finally take a break (yes, really)
These are the systems that have helped my clients go from kitchen-table businesses to stocked-in-store and scaling with ease. If you’re done flying by the seat of your pants and ready to build something that actually pays you—this is for you.
🎧 Listen now and DM me @thelotco to tell me which system you're focusing on first.
✨ Want the full roadmap? My Roadmap to Profit program is now open—get access to the templates, coaching, and tools that help you build all 7 systems, without the overwhelm.
👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE
📚 Plus: Don’t forget to grab my free training: “How to Build a Thriving Product Business”
00:00 Introduction to Growing Your Product Business
00:46 The Seven Systems for a Profitable Business
02:19 System 1: Vision and Goals
03:59 System 2: Brand Foundations
05:27 System 3: Product and Pricing
06:51 System 4: Sales Channels
08:27 System 5: Marketing and Traffic
09:51 System 6: Money Management
11:38 System 7: Systems and Support
12:38 Conclusion and Next Steps
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Andrew from Mennie Brand—an art-inspired sock label that’s grown from humble garage beginnings to a wholesale brand with over 30 stockists and counting.
We recorded this before Andrew exhibits at his first-ever trade show: Life Instyle Melbourne. And let me tell you—we go deep on what it really takes (financially, mentally, and logistically) to step into this space for the first time.
You’ll hear:
- Andrew’s full cost breakdown for exhibiting at Life Instyle.
- How he’s preparing marketing materials, samples, and stand design with a super lean budget
- Why building strong relationships with current stockists has created surprising trade show support
- The fears, confidence wobbles, and smart choices that led him to say “now’s the time”
- His expectations for orders, ROI, and post-show follow-up strategies
If you’ve been tossing up whether a trade show is worth it for your brand—or wondering how on earth to pull it off without a giant team—this is the episode for you. And don’t worry, we’ll be back with Part 2 to hear how it all went!
🔗 Mentioned in this episode:
Mennie Brand → menniebrand.com
Life Instyle Melbourne → lifeinstyle.com.au
Access the 3 part Trade Show Bootcamp here.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Ever looked at your brand and thought, “This just… doesn’t feel like me anymore”?
Yep, same. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my own rebranding wake-up call (hello five-year-old podcast cover 👋) and guide you through the emotional, visual, and strategic impact of being out of alignment with your brand.
Whether your product photos feel outdated, your Instagram bio makes you cringe, or you're attracting bargain hunters instead of dream customers—this one’s for you.
I’ll walk you through:
- The sneaky signs you’ve outgrown your brand (it’s not just a vibe—there’s strategy behind it)
- How small visual and voice tweaks can skyrocket your confidence and conversions
- The 4-step mini-brand audit to reconnect with your identity
- Why you don’t need a total rebrand to evolve - just a smart, soulful recalibration
- The journal prompt I use with clients to align their brand with their next-level business
This episode is part pep talk, part strategy, and 100% permission slip to grow.
🎧 Grab your notebook, your coffee (or in my case, your tea), and tune in. Let’s realign that brand energy and make sure it’s working for you, not against you.
👇 DM me @thelotco and tell me what brand shift you’re making this month!
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
If you're investing time, money, and energy into exhibiting at a trade show, the last thing you want is to walk away with zero results (or worse… minus dollars and dashed confidence 😬).
In this episode, I break down the 10 biggest mistakes I see brands make when preparing for—and showing up at—trade shows. Whether it's your first show or your fifteenth, these pitfalls can derail your success and cost you thousands in missed sales and opportunities.
I'll cover everything from:
- Why your trade show stand is not a market stall (yes, there’s a BIG difference)
- The one thing you must do before the show to drive foot traffic
- The silent killer of buyer relationships (and how to avoid it)
- The mindset shift you need to stop treating buyers like short-term transactions
- Why most of the gold is in the post-show follow-up
⚡ Plus, I share insider tips from my decades in retail, wholesale, and exhibiting at over 100 trade shows—so you don’t have to learn these lessons the hard way.
📣 Ready to make your next trade show your most profitable one yet? Join me inside my 3-day Trade Show Bootcamp and get the full strategy, templates, and support to prep like a pro and walk away with results. 🎯
👉 Join the Bootcamp here
Or want to Build a Wholesale Sales Machine? Join my free training here: https://www.thelotco.com/buildingawholesalemachine
trade show mistakes, exhibiting at a trade show, how to prepare for a trade show, trade show booth tips, product business, wholesale strategies, retail trade show, selling wholesale, trade show checklist
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
This week, we’re rewinding a very popular episode of the podcast—and trust me, it hits even harder right now.
If you’ve ever thought about adding a digital layer to your product-based business—or if you’re quietly wondering what’s next for you beyond the stockroom or sales floor—this episode is a must-listen.
I’m diving into why digital products aren’t just for “online coaches” or influencers, and how you, as a retailer, maker, or brand founder, can turn your skills, story, or process into something scalable and impactful.
Whether it's a course, a workshop, a downloadable guide, or a membership—this episode will open your eyes to what's possible when you stop trading time for money and start thinking like a Digital CEO.
PLUS: You’ll hear from my own coach, James Wedmore, as he breaks down exactly how to get started, even if you have zero audience and no idea where to begin.
🎯 What You’ll Learn:
- Why digital products can be the perfect addition to a physical product biz
- Real-life examples from my own clients and James' community (think: HR consultants, teachers, knitters, dog trainers—you name it!)
- How to monetize before you make it and validate your idea first
- The biggest mindset shifts that make a scalable business possible
- What I learned from sitting in a room with multi-6 and 7-figure digital business owners
- Why now is exactly the right time to explore this in your own business journey
🛠 Resources & Links:
- 🎥 Register and Watch the free Rise of the Digital CEO training with James Wedmore here.
- 💬 Join my private watch party + discussion group here
- 💡 Want to chat about whether a digital offer is right for you? DM me on Instagram @thelotco or send me an email via my website.
💖 Loved this episode?
Share it with a friend who's craving more freedom in their biz, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help more product-based founders find this show!
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Let’s get one thing straight—your branding is not just about a cute logo or a pretty Instagram grid. If your product isn’t flying off the shelves (real or virtual), it’s time to look at what your brand is really saying.
In this juicy episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why a misaligned brand identity could be the thing standing between you and consistent sales, dream stockists, and repeat customers who rave about you.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- The 5 subtle-but-critical ways your brand identity sells for you (or sabotages you)
- How to fix weak visuals, inconsistent packaging, or low-vibe photos without a $10K rebrand
- Why shelf space, booth layouts, and your Insta grid are prime real estate—and how to make yours irresistible
- What your unboxing experience says about your values, and how to make it unforgettable (even on a budget)
- How your brand voice (yep, even your captions and product descriptions) can seal the deal or confuse the heck out of your customers
- Why confused branding attracts bargain hunters and ghosters—and how to start drawing in those aligned, loyal, full-price buyers instead
If you've ever felt like:
- “Everyone says they love my product, but no one buys…”
- “My visuals feel a little DIY but I don’t know how to upgrade.”
- “I don’t want to discount anymore—I want to be seen as premium.”
Then this episode is your sign, your brand audit, and your next move—wrapped up in one.
This is also exactly why brand identity is one of the first things I help you get right inside my Roadmap to Profit program. Because once your brand is working for you… the rest gets a whole lot easier.
🎧 Listen now and learn how to realign your brand with clarity, confidence, and conversions—without starting from scratch.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In today’s episode, I’m joined by two of the loveliest humans—Sarah and Celeste from Natural Supply Co. These two are not only the co-founders of one of Geelong’s most beloved retail stores, but they’ve also built a beautiful, values-led business that’s stayed true to its roots while growing sustainably.
We talk about:
- How their friendship started over coffee (and a shared love of cute stationery and beauty products)
- The evolution of their business from pop-ups to full-blown bricks-and-mortar
- Why they moved out of their OG retail space and the big energy shift in their new store
- The realities of managing a retail business through COVID (while homeschooling, no less!)
- The buying trips, the mistakes, the soft rebrand (hello, party frogs 🐸), and how they make decisions based on numbers—not just vibes
- Their no-BS take on wholesale partnerships, sampling, and what makes a brand truly stand out to a retailer
- How they train their team, create an in-store experience that customers rave about, and manage cash flow challenges like pros
This episode is an absolute must-listen for anyone running (or dreaming of running) a values-aligned retail biz. These women are the real deal.
🛍️ Visit them in Geelong at 1a Yuille Street, Geelong West
📦 Or online at naturalsupplyco.com
Follow on Instagram @naturalsupplyco
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this solo episode, I’m diving into something I’m wildly passionate about—contrast. Whether it’s your website, your Insta tiles, your packaging, or your trade show banners… if your brand blends in, it’s losing money. Full stop.
I see this all the time inside my programs and with 1:1 clients—gorgeous products or stunning stores that just don’t pop. And honestly? That can be fixed.
Today I’m breaking down exactly where and how to use contrast to capture attention, guide your customer’s eyes, and actually convert browsers into buyers. From CTAs and fonts to shadows, motion, and messaging—this episode is packed with examples and simple tweaks that make a huge difference.
In this episode, I cover:
- Why contrast is way more than just colour—it’s persuasion
- The sneaky website design choices that are costing you conversions
- How to fix your packaging so it actually stands out on a shelf
- Real talk about why being “on brand” is not the same as being buyable
- What Go-To Skincare had to change (and why it matters to you)
- A super handy link to check if your fonts and colours pass the readability test
If you’re a product-based business and want more sales without rebranding your entire biz—this one’s a must-listen.
🎧 Ready to level up your brand’s visibility? Press play now.
Check your readability here at the contrast checker.
💬 Want my top contrast tips or a mini audit of your brand? Send me a DM on Instagram with the word “CONTRAST.”
📦 Join us inside The Product Business Growth Club for monthly coaching and guidance to grow a profitable, stand-out product business.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Feeling like your brand is stuck in Instagram limbo, screaming into the algorithm void? Enter: PR badass Gloria Chou. In this game-changing episode, we break down how to actually get seen, featured, and taken seriously—without spending a cent on ads or needing a Kardashian-level follower count.
I chat with Gloria about the difference between good PR and gimmicky fluff, and how product-based business owners can start landing real media features like Buzzfeed, Refinery29, or even Oprah’s Favorite Things—yes, it’s possible! From pitching strategies to journalist secrets, and even AI tools that make the whole thing 10x easier, this episode is your no-BS roadmap to building serious credibility that converts.
💡 What You'll Learn:
- Why PR beats social media and paid ads for long-term visibility and SEO gold
- Gloria’s signature CPR Pitch Method (spoiler: it’s pure genius)
- The truth about what journalists actually care about (hint: not your follower count)
- How to pitch your product for gift guides, listicles, and shopping roundups
- Where to find journalist contacts (and the 5 FREE tools that make it so easy)
- Why relevance and timing are everything in your pitch
- What to include in your PR email (and what sends it straight to trash)
- Smart ways to repurpose media coverage for email, wholesale, and more
- Gloria’s Free Masterclass: gloriachoupr.com/masterclass
- Follow Gloria on Instagram: @gloriachoupr
- Tools for PR research:
- Perplexity.ai
- Source of Sources
- HARO
- Google News Alerts
- Substack journalism newsletters
🎯 Who This Episode is For:
- Product-based business owners ready to stop relying on social media for growth
- Founders who want real, long-term credibility (not pay-to-play fluff)
- Anyone curious about PR but overwhelmed by where to start
- Creatives and makers who want to get featured in gift guides, media, or podcasts
🔁 Make It Work For You:
Gloria shares how to reuse media features for:
- Blog content
- Email marketing
- Wholesale pitc
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this episode, I sit down with Lou Hammer, the powerhouse behind Pre Loved Geelong—a thriving secondhand and consignment store that started as a pop-up hustle and now boasts a bricks-and-mortar location, thriving online sales, and a fiercely loyal community.
Lou gets real about:
- 💼 Starting from scratch while juggling life, kids, and a side hustle
- 🛍️ How she scaled from eBay to Instagram to a full-on retail store
- 🧵 Why curation and customer avatars matter more than ever in fashion
- 📈 The systems that save her 10+ hours/week in admin
- ✨ The mindset shift that helped her thrive through Covid chaos
- 🔁 Why “done is better than perfect” is her north star
If you’ve ever thought about opening a retail space, selling pre-loved products, or you just want the behind-the-scenes of a heart-led, data-backed fashion business—this one’s for you!
🔗 Resources & Links
- 💻 Shop or consign at Pre Loved Geelong: https://www.prelovegeelong.com.au
- 📸 Follow Lou on Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/pre_loved_geelong/
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Ever had a product idea rolling around in your brain—or maybe sketched in your notebook—but no clue how to bring it to life? In this episode, I’m joined by the product development powerhouse Millie Richards, and let me tell you, this chat is a goldmine for anyone with dreams of designing a product that’s actually profitable (and doesn’t fall apart or cost your life savings).
Millie’s an industrial designer with a delicious combo of design brilliance and real-world factory know-how. We talk about what it really takes to get a product from concept to customer—without blowing your margins, compromising your values, or getting ghosted by manufacturers.
She spills the tea on:
- Why beautiful AND functional products win every time
- The biggest mistakes people make when designing a product (hint: it's not what you think)
- How to actually work with manufacturers (and be taken seriously)
- What goes into a killer spec sheet that won’t get lost in translation
- The one thing you need to know about Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)
- And how to design with sustainability, profitability, and longevity in mind
Whether you're launching your first product or have something that’s just not quite hitting the mark—this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. Plus, Millie shares the one project that changed the game for her and why she’s so passionate about impactful product design.
👀 Thinking about developing a new product?
🎯 Got an underperforming one that needs a glow-up?
🛠️ Or just curious what goes on behind the curtain of manufacturing?
This episode is for YOU.
👉 Connect with Millie here: sagepd.com.au
Find her on Instagram: @sage.product.design:
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Ever feel like you’re doing all the things in your business—posting on socials, packing orders, launching products—but STILL not getting the results you want?
Yep. You're probably in the messy middle.
Not a newbie anymore, but not scaling like a pro just yet. And let me tell you, this stage is real and it's where so many product-based business owners get stuck.
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and talking honestly about the awkward, in-between phase that no one really warns you about. This isn’t about shiny six-figure launches or starting from scratch—it’s about what happens in year two, or five, or even ten, when things just feel… stuck.
You’ll hear stories from real clients (shoutout to Mandy, Belinda, and Melissa!) and practical tools to help you stop spinning in circles and start making serious progress.
🎯 Here's what I dive into:
- What the messy middle really looks like (you’re probably in it if you’re listening 👀)
- Why knowing your numbers is non-negotiable (don’t worry, I make spreadsheets sexy)
- How simplifying your product range can skyrocket profits
- The power of planning vs. always reacting
- What it means to work ON your business, not just in it
- Why finding a community is the secret to keeping your head above water
This episode is jam-packed with real talk, tangible tips, and a gentle (but firm!) nudge to stop trying to do it all alone.
🛠️ Your Action Steps:
- Identify ONE thing working well in your biz—and double down on it.
- Let go of something that’s draining your time or energy (that product, that task, that channel 👋).
- Screenshot this ep, DM me on IG @thelotco, and tell me the ONE thing you’re committing to this week. Let’s get out of the mess and into momentum, shall we?
You’re not broken. You’re not failing.
You’re just in the messy middle. And trust me—there’s a way through.
💫 Mentioned in this episode:
- The Product Business Growth Club – Your go-to membership for support, community + monthly strategy.
- Boost Your Conversion Rate Toolkit – For those of you ready to level-up your website sales game.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Are you marketing your little heart out 24/7 but still hearing crickets when it comes to actual sales? Or maybe your traffic is fine but conversions? Not so much. If you're nodding along, this episode is your wake-up call.
Today, I’m breaking down the 5 biggest signs your marketing strategy is completely broken—and giving you the practical, no-fluff fixes to actually turn things around. Spoiler alert: this is not about working harder; it’s about getting smarter.
We’ll chat about:
✨ Why hustling for every single sale is a red flag
📉 What’s really going on when your sales are inconsistent AF (yep, I kept it clean for the kiddos)
🛒 The truth about traffic that doesn’t convert
💌 Why your customers aren’t coming back (and how to fix it)
📱 And the biggest one… what to do if your entire biz is relying on social media
This one’s packed with real talk, actionable tips, and plenty of those "oh crap, that’s me!" moments. You are not alone, and there is a better way to run your marketing without burning out.
🎉 PLUS: I’ve got a free webinar coming up that you do not want to miss
It’s called: The Profitable Product Business Roadmap – Your 90-Day Plan to More Sales & Consistent Profit (Without Relying on Social Media)
And yes, it’s as juicy as it sounds. I’ll walk you through exactly how to build a marketing machine that works while you sleep—so you’re not constantly stuck on the content hamster wheel.
👉 Click here to register now or find the link in the show notes below.
Resources & links from the episode:
- Register for the FREE 90-Day Roadmap Webinar
- Related episodes:
- [What Should Be in Your Welcome Email Sequence]
- [How to Build Your Email List for Your Product Biz]
If this episode hit home, do me a little favor and share it with a biz bestie who needs it too! And of course, hit that subscribe button so you never miss a moment.
Let’s go make marketing fun, profitable, and something you actually look forward to again.
xo
Mel
Courses mentioned in this podcast:
Roadmap To Profit
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this episode I interview Carla Townsend, a money mindset and success coach. We delve into practical advice for female entrepreneurs looking to overcome financial barriers, the critical role of money mindset in achieving business success, and how deep-rooted beliefs affect financial behaviors.
Carla shares insights on identifying limiting beliefs, cultivating a healthy money mindset, and the importance of aligning one's business with personal values for sustainable success. They also discuss practical steps for improving financial attitudes and behaviors and the importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive and empowering community.
00:00 Introduction to the Lotco Business Podcast
00:41 Special Guest: Carla Townsend on Money Mindset
01:11 Understanding Money Mindset and Its Impact
04:28 Behavioral Patterns and Money Blocks
06:04 Pricing Strategies and Market Perception
09:20 Emotional Spending and Financial Awareness
14:41 Overcoming Self-Imposed Limitations
23:31 Cultivating a Healthy Money Mindset
28:08 Masterclass Invitation and Final Thoughts
29:02 Building Confidence Through Unconfident Actions
30:10 Surrounding Yourself with Success
30:56 Triggers and Self-Reflection
34:17 The Power of Perception
38:38 Starting Points for Personal Growth
43:15 Finding Joy and Authenticity in Work
46:39 Knowing When to Pivot or Persevere
51:10 Conclusion and Resources
Melissa Robbins interviews Carla Townsend, a money mindset and success coach. They delve into practical advice for female entrepreneurs looking to overcome financial barriers, the critical role of money mindset in achieving business success, and how deep-rooted beliefs affect financial behaviors. Carla shares insights on identifying limiting beliefs, cultivating a healthy money mindset, and the importance of aligning one's business with personal values for sustainable success. They also discuss practical steps for improving financial attitudes and behaviors and the importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive and empowering community.
00:00 Introduction to the Lotco Business Podcast
00:41 Special Guest: Carla Townsend on Money Mindset
01:11 Understanding Money Mindset and Its Impact
04:28 Behavioral Patterns and Money Blocks
06:04 Pricing Strategies and Market Perception
09:20 Emotional Spending and Financial Awareness
14:41
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
💫 In this episode of thelotco business podcast, I sit down with Kiralee, the brilliant mind behind Murkani Jewellery. From an idea that lingered in her mind for years to a thriving global jewellery brand, Kiralee shares the ups, downs, and surprising twists of her journey.
💍 We chat about:
- How Murkani Jewellery was born during Kiralee’s time living in Vietnam.
- The design process—sketching, sampling, and finding the right artisans.
- Navigating wholesale, retail, and international expansion.
- The role of storytelling and symbolism in her collections.
- Her passion for ethical production and giving back through anti-trafficking initiatives.
- The behind-the-scenes reality of running a jewellery business (including the challenges of manufacturing and selling internationally).
🚀 Whether you're dreaming of launching a brand, scaling your product business, or just love a great founder story, this episode is packed with inspiration and real-world insights!
✨ Connect with Kiralee & Murkani Jewellery:
Website: www.murkani.com.au
Instagram: @murkanijewellery
🎧 Listen now and get inspired to build a business with purpose and passion!
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs: An Interview with High Performance Mindset Coach Mandy Napier
In this episode I interview Mandy Napier, a high-performance mindset and executive coach with over 14 years of experience.
Mandy sheds light on the importance of understanding and overcoming limiting beliefs, offering insights into mindset work, the role of self-talk, and the impact of early childhood patterns on adult behaviour.
Among the topics covered are practical steps to create positive thought patterns, tools for setting clear intentions, the significance of maintaining daily routines, and techniques to cultivate inner calm and focus.
The episode concludes with discussions on lifelong learning and the necessity of self-improvement in achieving extraordinary results.
00:00 Introduction to the Lotco Business Podcast
00:40 Meet Mandy Napier: High Performance Mindset Coach
01:26 Understanding Mindset and Its Importance
06:26 Steps to Improve Your Mindset
11:12 Creating Daily Routines for Success
15:27 Overcoming Self-Sabotage and Limiting Beliefs
18:12 Mandy's Personal Journey and Insights
20:33 The Power of Vision and Goal Setting
23:59 The Role of Coaches and Mentors
34:43 Conclusion and Resources
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Building a Sustainable and Ethical Homewares Brand: An Interview with Nareen Holloway from Marmoset Found
In this episode I interview Nareen Holloway, the founder of the homewares company Marmoset Found. Nareen shares her journey from working in streetwear retail to creating a sustainable homewares brand known for its long-lasting ceramics and glassware. The discussion covers the challenges and risks she faced, including finding ethical manufacturers, evolving her product line, and managing logistics. Nareen also provides insights into her marketing strategies, the importance of beautiful imagery, and balancing work-life harmony. This episode offers valuable advice for anyone looking to turn their creative passion into a successful business.
00:00 Introduction to the Lotco Business Podcast
00:32 Special Guest: Noreen Holloway from Marmoset Found
02:02 Founding Marmoset Found: The Journey Begins
04:04 Navigating Manufacturing and Early Challenges
05:13 Scaling Up: From Small Orders to Big Risks
06:57 Warehouse Evolution and Stock Management
10:14 Marketing Strategies and Trade Fairs
12:27 Team Dynamics and Operational Efficiency
15:03 Marketing and Customer Engagement
17:57 Challenges and Opportunities in Business
20:48 Setting Up Wholesale Pricing
22:42 Balancing Family and Business
27:32 Dealing with Copycats
29:55 Finding Inspiration
31:21 Starting a Brand
32:54 The Value of Wholesale
34:37 Supporting Wholesale Customers
37:22 Conclusion and Contact Information
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Unleashing Creative Business Success with Brydie Stewart from Mary Maker Studio
In this episode I chat with Brydie from Mary Maker Studio about the intricacies of turning creative passion into a profitable business. They discuss Brydie's journey from being an art teacher to founding Mary Maker Studio, a leading supplier of fiber arts materials.
Brydie shares how she left teaching to align with her creative purpose following a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and how she managed to establish her business globally. The conversation covers the importance of knowing your market, the impact of social media and email marketing, the balance between creativity and business acumen, and the logistical challenges. Brydie also touches on potential new endeavors such as online workshops and mentorship programs aimed at helping other creatives build successful businesses.
This episode is a must-listen for creative entrepreneurs seeking practical advice and inspiration.
00:00 Introduction to the Lotco Business Podcast
00:40 Guest Introduction: Bridie from Merry Maker Studio
02:09 The Origin Story of Merry Maker Studio
03:00 Challenges and Inspirations
06:52 The Creative Process and Product Development
10:06 Global Reach and Social Media Impact
12:44 Taking Risks and Business Growth
15:43 Human Design and Personal Routines
19:21 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
21:12 The Importance of Paying Yourself
21:30 Understanding Product Pricing
22:23 Enhancing Customer Experience
25:00 The Power of Email Marketing
27:17 Investing in Your Business
31:49 Overcoming Business Challenges
34:32 Future Plans and Innovations
38:57 Teaching and Mentorship
41:37 Conclusion and Final Thought
She is a go getter and I absolutely loved talking with her more in this episode. She shares so many gems of wisdom- I hope you enjoy as much as I did speaking with her!!
You can find Brydie @marymakerstudio
Find your Human Design type at https://www.daylunalife.com/
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Let's talk about the critical role of email marketing in driving sales and building customer relationships.
We discuss the common pitfalls businesses face, such as neglecting email marketing in favour of social media, and then provide actionable strategies to enhance email effectiveness.
Key topics include the importance of having a strategic plan, utilizing templates, focusing on design elements, regularly analyzing performance metrics, and segmenting the email list for targeted communication. I want to encourage businesses to invest time in email marketing to unlock its full potential for growth and customer engagement.
Email marketing can generate significant sales for businesses.
- Many businesses under utilize email marketing compared to social media.
- A strategic email plan is essential for effective communication.
- Templates can streamline the email creation process.
- Design elements greatly impact email readability and engagement.
- Regularly sending emails helps nurture customer relationships.
- Analyzing email performance metrics is crucial for improvement.
- Testing different email strategies can lead to better results.
- Segmenting your email list allows for more targeted messaging.
- Building a strong email list is vital for long-term success.
Let's actually make money from your Emails.
Improve your Emails in 3 days here (FREE)
Head here for the Nail Your Email Marketing.
00:00
The Importance of Email Marketing
07:15
Creating a Strategic Email Plan
15:48
Design Elements for Effective Emails
22:26
Testing and Analyzing Email Performance
29:28
Building and Segmenting Your Email List
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Ever wondered what things product-based business owners do to get ahead?
Have you ever tried to figure out what they have in common?
After more than 25 years working with 100's of product-based businesses and successful entrepreneurs these are some characteristics I have noticed in common.
Some of these are actions and some of these are strategies.
See how many you have and whether you think I am on the mark.
I listed out 10 but I am sure there are more.
Welcome to this new season in thelotco business podcast. I love helping you build your profitable product business and sharing stories to inspire your journey.
Top 10 Characteristics of Successful Product-Based Businesses
In this episode of The Lotco Business Podcast, Melissa Robbins, a business coach, shares insights on the top 10 characteristics of successful product-based businesses.
Covering points such as taking risks, diversifying sales channels, utilizing multiple marketing strategies, attending trade shows, reinvesting in the business, personalizing business operations, outsourcing, continual evolution, managing cash flow and inventory, and knowing your numbers, Melissa provides practical advice and observations drawn from her experience with various businesses.
Listeners will gain valuable tips on how to grow and sustain a profitable business in the competitive retail and design industries.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:40 10 Characteristics of Successful Product-Based Businesses
05:58 Masterclass Invitation
11:05 Recap of the 10 Characteristics
13:33 Conclusion and Farewell
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
What platform should I use for my website? This is a question I see asked ALL the time.
Now my answer is always Shopify if you are an eCommerce and product-based business.
Listen in today to find out the 10 reasons why I believe SHOPIFY is the website platform for you if you are a product-based business or eCommerce store.
And why I also don't believe it is too expensive!!
The Reel about credit cards leading to abandon cart is linked here.
I hope you enjoyed this episode and woud love to hear why you or won't be going with shopify!!!
To find out more about working togther you can head to:
https://www.thelotco.com.au/. or follow me on Instagram at @thelotco
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Retail Week Series Episode 1.
Hands up if you want more sales?
Whether that is selling more on your own ecommerce store (DTC) or selling wholesale there are 3 ways to increase your sales.
Get more customers (new ones)
Get the customers you have to buy more each time (AOV).
Get the customers have to buy more often (frequency)
Today I am giving you 5 quick tweaks and updates you can make to your website that can go a long way to boosting your conversion rate.
Things that don't break the bank nor take hours and hours of your time.
Check your numbers before starting and let me know what your conversion rate is.
Then make these tweaks and grab my checklist for more!.
Want help with the implementation?
Check out my 5 days to boost your conversion rate easy to follow program.
Looking for attraction methods and need to explore ways to get more traffic to your website Grab my guide here.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Want to maximise conversions and get more buyers over the line and start stocking your range in their stores?
Make sure you include these 5 things in your Wholesale catalogue.
In this super quick episode I explore the five essential elements that can maximize your wholesale catalogue's sales. Learn about the key components that will help your catalogue stand out from the competition and bring in more revenue for your business.
Buyers are busy and they love looking for new and exciting products but they don't want to waste time reading your life story and 3 pages of intro. Get to the point fast, showcase your products with beautiful product and lifestyle imagery and please please please put prices inside the catalogue!!
Listen in for more specifics and nitty gritty detail.
Want 10 Essential Tips to Wholesale? Grab from here or comment 'guide' on instagram.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
This is a question I get asked quite a lot in my 'How to Wholesale' program.
Should I work with a Sales Agent?
How much % commission do they take?
Where do I find them?
And then BUT that is so much % off what I already receive for wholesaling?!
Why would I do that? I don't have enough margin.
Why would I use an agent?
So here we go - a list of pros and cons when deciding whether to work with an agent.
Why you should and why you shouldn't.
How to make the most of your experience and what they need to do their job properly.
I love agents, and have some amazing friends who are agents! But I have had some bad experiences with them (in hindsight it may have been my fault....).
I have used them for my brand, used them to buy when I had a retail store and I have been one!!!
So I have perceptive here from all sides.
Let me know if this episode has been helpful.
And if you want to Transform Your Wholesale and figure out how to build a sustainable profitable product business then you might want to join my Roadmap program where I dive deep into all of this and so much more!!!
Shout out to all my favourite agents!!!
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
The Importance of Listing Stockists for Retail Brands
In this episode I share WHY brands need to make their stockist information easily accessible online. I discuss the benefits of having a stockist list, including higher sales rates, better customer experience, and the potential for positive links and backlinks to the brand's website.
I emphasize adopting an abundance mindset and encourages brands to update and share their stockist lists to encourage sell-through and improve customer service.
She also touches on the inefficiency of handling stockist inquiries via email and invites listener feedback on the topic.
00:00 Introduction to the Lotco Business Podcast
00:34 Frustration with Brands Hiding Stockist Information
01:39 The Importance of Sharing Stockist Information
03:10 Encouraging Brands to Update Stockist Lists
05:23 Conclusion and Call to Action
Want to up your Wholesale game? Grab my guide on all things Wholesale and nailing your first 20 stockists here.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Are you attending your first TRADE SHOW? Are you nervous? Excited? Freaking out?
How much money have you spent on your stand???
If you have you invested to exhibit at a trade show or are thinking about it soon, this episode is for you.
Trade shows are such a great way to boost your wholesale sales and find new stockists but they can be expensive. So if you are now freaking out….or maybe this your 3rd or 4th show and you know you have to make some tweaks to maximise your investment then take heed of these 10, can I call them commandments?
I have been involved in over 100 trade shows whether as a buyer, an exhibitor, an educator or a consultant.
There are definitely some things you need to tick off to make sure you have a successful show.
I hope these tips help you consider some extra elements you may not have thought of and also help prepare you so you are going in with eyes wide open!
I deep dive even further into this in my Trade Show Essentials FREE webinar that covers all your questions you might have about attending and gives you clarity on what to prepare and act on prior to the show, during the show and after the show.
Building A Wholesale Sales Machine training available here.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Ok today is all about working cohesively with your Retail stockists.
It is about fostering successful relationships. Long term beautiful ones!
Highlighting the importance of promotions, margin considerations, streamlined communication, and product support, I discuss key strategies to ensure mutual growth and long-term partnerships between retailers and brands.
Leveraging my 20+ years in Retail (and Wholesale) these are the things Retailers wish brands knew before working with them.
03:05 Understanding Retail and Wholesale Dynamics
05:35 Maximizing Retailer Relationships
08:19 Supporting Retailers for Success
13:49 Effective Reordering and Communication
15:12 Avoiding Undercutting and Staff Training
19:10 Nurturing Long-term Relationships
Want to know how to Build a Wholesale Sales Machine? Check out my new training here: https://www.thelotco.com/buildingawholesalemachine
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
After over 20 years in Wholesale there are just things you can't google.
These 5 are on the list.
You don't know what you don't know right. IKYYK.
One of the most common comments I get from my Transform Your Wholesale program is- 'Wow I did not even realise that and had no idea. Thank you for sharing all your insights'.
So here are a few things that no-one else is talking about when it comes to Wholesale.
Want to know how you can Build a Wholesale Sales Machine for your brand??
Register for my FREE webinar on the Essentials to Wholesale success.
Register here: https://www.thelotco.com/buildingawholesalemachine
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
2024 is almost in the rearview mirror, and it’s time to reflect, celebrate, and plan for a thriving 2025! In this episode, I dive into the why and how of year-end business reflections. Whether you’re wrapping up a year full of wins or navigating some bumps in the road, this episode will help you approach the new year with clarity, focus, and confidence. I’m sharing 10 powerful questions to guide your reflections, actionable steps for setting 2025 intentions, and tips for creating a vision board that will keep you inspired all year long. Let’s make 2025 your best year yet!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why Reflection is Crucial for Business Growth:
- Understand how reviewing the past year helps you build a roadmap for future success.
- The Power of Data:
- How to analyze what worked, what didn’t, and why using real numbers (not just gut feelings) matters.
- Celebrating Your Wins:
- Why taking the time to acknowledge your achievements (big or small) can fuel motivation and momentum.
- 10 Guided Reflection Questions:
- Thought-provoking prompts to help you uncover insights, learn from challenges, and set clear priorities for 2025.
- Vision Board Magic:
- How to create a vision board that inspires action and keeps your goals top of mind.
- Refining, Not Overloading:
- Why it’s better to enhance what’s already working instead of overwhelming yourself with new projects.
- The Guiding Question for 2025:
- Learn how one simple question can help you stay aligned with your goals throughout the year.
- Building Community and Connection:
- Tips on celebrating your wins with others and engaging with a network for growth and support.
Key Takeaways:
- Reflection isn’t just about looking back; it’s about moving forward with purpose.
- Celebrating your achievements is as important as learning from your challenges.
- Use data and thoughtful reflection to refine your business strategies for 2025.
- Setting intentions and creating a vision board will help keep you focused and motivated.
- A guiding question can act as your North Star for staying on track all year.
Grab your list of 10 questions here.
Join the Product Business Growth Clu
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of multi-platform selling with the incredible Dylan Jahraus, an e-commerce expert with a wealth of experience across platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and Shopify. Dylan shares her journey, strategies, and actionable insights to help product-based businesses thrive in today’s competitive landscape. If you’ve ever wondered how to expand your reach and maximize sales, this episode is for you!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Dylan’s E-Commerce Journey
From corporate gigs with Zappos and Zulily to building thriving side hustles, hear how Dylan transitioned into multi-platform selling while adapting to a military family lifestyle. - The Power of Selling on Multiple Platforms
Discover why focusing on just your website could be holding you back and how platforms like Etsy and Amazon can skyrocket your brand’s visibility. - Understanding Platform-Specific Audiences
Learn how the audiences on Etsy (handmade and unique lovers) and Amazon (quick retail shoppers) differ—and why tailoring your strategies for each is key. - Smart Scaling Strategies for Amazon Sellers
Dylan’s advice on starting small by focusing on your best-sellers and how personalized products can give you an edge. - Game-Changing Tools and B2B Opportunities
How investments in tools like lasers for customization and bulk orders through B2B sales can transform your bottom line. - Staying Ahead with Market Research
Why you shouldn’t rely solely on Etsy trends and how platforms like Pinterest and TikTok can give you a competitive edge. - Flexible Pricing for Growth
Dylan explains the importance of prioritizing customer acquisition and long-term scalability over short-term profit margins.
Key Takeaways:
- Diversify your sales channels to increase visibility and reach new audiences.
- Tailor your approach for each platform—one size doesn’t fit all!
- Use tools and smart strategies to save time, reduce costs, and increase profitability.
- Be proactive in researching trends and exploring bulk sales opportunities.
- Think long-term—early flexibility in pricing can lead to sustainable growth.
Connect with Dylan Jahraus:
Find Dylan on her YouTube channel for in-depth tutorials and tips or follow her on In
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Bold, Creative, and Dancing Through Life: Cathy Hamilton’s Artful Journey.
This episode is all about proving that it’s never too late to shake things up, chase a dream, and build something incredible. At 57, Cathy Hamilton launched her art business, Cathy Hamilton Artworks, and has been breaking barriers ever since. From her vibrant, Australian-made designs to her bold steps into trade shows, collaborations, and bespoke fabrics, Cathy is an absolute powerhouse of creativity and determination.
We dive into her journey of starting a business later in life, transitioning from her kitchen table to a warehouse, and even dancing and tambourining (sic) her way through trade shows (yes, you read that right!).
Cathy shares the highs, the hurdles, and her unfiltered advice for anyone thinking about pursuing their passion—no matter their age.
If you're looking for inspiration, practical tips, and a whole lot of “wow, I need to start doing that,” this episode is for you! Cathy’s story will have you laughing, crying, and definitely rethinking what’s possible for your business and your life.
🎧 What’s Inside:
✨ How Cathy went from $200 to $4000 wholesale orders and her immediate trade show success.
✨ Why age is a superpower in business and creativity.
✨ The joys (and challenges) of keeping everything Australian-made.
✨ Collaboration magic—like her game-changing partnership with Buy From The Bush.
✨ Bespoke fabrics, Christmas cards, and why you should never underestimate the power of networking.
✨ Cathy’s top advice for artists and entrepreneurs: "If you don’t ask, you won’t know!"
Key Takeaways:
💡 Age is irrelevant—Cathy’s proof that it’s always the right time to follow your passion.
💡 Networking and trade shows = game-changers for visibility and growth.
💡 Staying Australian-made isn’t easy, but it’s worth the fight.
💡 Collaboration opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
💡 Technology struggles? Ask for help. Don’t try to do it all solo!
Whether you’re an artist, an entrepreneur, or just need a good kick of inspiration, this episode is packed with gold. Cathy’s journey reminds us all to dream big, ask for help, and have a little fun along the way. (And yes, you’ll want to be dancing at trade shows after this one.) 🎨✨💃
Cathy Hamilton, art business, Australian made, collaborations, trade shows, ne
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this episode I dive into 5 unique strategies for product-based businesses to boost sales in the peak holiday season.
From creative email series to streamlined ordering, I share actionable tips for engaging new customers, maximizing eCommerce opportunities, and making shopping easy and enjoyable for clients.
Key takeaways
- Focus on foundational elements for sustainable business growth.
- Utilize email marketing creatively to engage customers.
- Incorporate fun and storytelling in marketing content.
- Surprise customers with unique offers and gifts.
- Streamline the ordering process for ease of purchase.
- Edit delivery options to enhance customer satisfaction.
- Engage customers through live product showcases.
- Explore online marketplaces to reach new audiences.
- Boost conversion rates by optimizing website elements.
- Participate in community event
Get on the VIP BF Waitlist here
Grab the Nail Your Email Marketing Program here
Conversion Rate Checklist
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Let's talk about the critical role of email marketing in driving sales and building customer relationships. We discuss the common pitfalls businesses face, such as neglecting email marketing in favour of social media, and then provide actionable strategies to enhance email effectiveness.
Key topics include the importance of having a strategic plan, utilizing templates, focusing on design elements, regularly analyzing performance metrics, and segmenting the email list for targeted communication. I want to encourage businesses to invest time in email marketing to unlock its full potential for growth and customer engagement.
Email marketing can generate significant sales for businesses.
- Many businesses under utilize email marketing compared to social media.
- A strategic email plan is essential for effective communication.
- Templates can streamline the email creation process.
- Design elements greatly impact email readability and engagement.
- Regularly sending emails helps nurture customer relationships.
- Analyzing email performance metrics is crucial for improvement.
- Testing different email strategies can lead to better results.
- Segmenting your email list allows for more targeted messaging.
- Building a strong email list is vital for long-term success.
Let's actually make money from your Emails.
Head here for the Nail Your Email Marketing.
00:00
The Importance of Email Marketing
07:15
Creating a Strategic Email Plan
15:48
Design Elements for Effective Emails
22:26
Testing and Analyzing Email Performance
29:28
Building and Segmenting Your Email List
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Revolutionize Your Business with Cycle Syncing: Special Guest Renae Fieck
In this can't-miss episode, I sit down with Renee Fieck, an occupational therapist, breathwork facilitator, and feminist feminine leadership coach, to reveal how aligning with your menstrual cycle can elevate your business game.
Together, we unpack the transformative concept of cycle syncing, offering practical advice on matching your business activities with hormonal phases for maximum productivity and well-being.
Discover the significance of estrogen and progesterone phases, the impact of life stages like perimenopause and menopause, and how to leverage tools like the lunar cycle. Renae also share insights from her book, strategies from 'Your Cycle Advantage' and 'The Flow Collective', and personal anecdotes about the evolving conversations around women's health.
This episode is brimming with invaluable tips to help you run a stress-free, efficient business that thrives alongside your natural rhythms.
Tune in and learn how to master time management, enhance productivity, and embody feminine leadership for a flourishing life and career.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:56 Renee's Personal Journey
03:21 Discovering Cycle Syncing
03:48 Understanding Cycle Syncing
05:28 Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
10:25 Practical Applications of Cycle Syncing
15:11 The Importance of Tuning into Your Body
16:11 Adapting to Life's Unexpected Changes
17:19 Understanding Cycles and Rhythms
20:20 Impact of Contraception on Hormones
21:48 Changing Conversations Around Women's Health
25:34 Promoting the Book and Its Insights
28:28 Ways to Work with Renee
To grab Renae's book head here: Cycle Sync Your Business
And head to instagram @renaefieck to follow Renae and dive into more details about how you can incorporate cycle syncing into your business.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this podcast episode, I welcome jewelry designer and business mentor Tracy Matthews, who shares her insights on building successful jewellery brands through effective marketing and mindset.
Tracy, with over 30 years of experience, discusses her 'Desired Brand Effect' approach, which emphasizes the importance of branding, audience understanding, and messaging to attract and retain customers.
We explore the significance of in-person interactions, understanding customer desires, and translating these into sales strategies, especially in an online setting.
Tracy also highlights the need for an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging listeners to take risks, learn from failures, and continuously improve their business practices.
We discuss maintaining focus in marketing efforts and the importance of consistent mindset work, offering practical tips for product-based businesses looking to thrive in challenging economic climates.
You can follow Tracy at @tracymatthewsny
And dive into her podcast or website to learn more about the Flourish and Thrive Academy at https://www.flourishthriveacademy.com/
To join the Mel's Roadmap to Profit program and learn the Sales and Marketing Strategies you need to start and scale your product business head here: Roadmap to Profit.
We are also running LIVE Pinterest Masterclass this week - join here.
00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Tracy Matthews
00:19 The Importance of In-Person Networking
02:18 The Desire Brand Effect: An Overview
02:34 Building a Jewelry Business: Lessons from the 90s
03:26 Creating and Scaling Desire in Your Brand
05:53 Understanding Your Audience and Messaging
12:35 Marketing Strategies for Different Customer Segments
22:30 Exploring Marketing Podcasts
22:46 Understanding Customer Psychology
23:02 In-Person vs. Online Sales
24:04 Feedback from Physical Retail
24:53 The Importance of Mindset
27:29 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
29:52 Setting Clear Goals and Priorities
36:16 Taking Calculated Risks
36:41 Learning from Failures
43:38 Hiring and Team Building
44:52 Conclusion and Final Though
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Grab my free training: Your 90-Day Plan to a Profitable Product Business Without Relying On Social Media
From not enough sales to effortless abundance and creating consistent sales in your business with this roadmap.
Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this podcast episode, I welcome Anna from House of Cart and we dive deeply into the world of Shopify and e-commerce. Anna, a Shopify expert, shares her journey from starting a children's clothing label to becoming a leading name in Shopify website design and email marketing.
We focus on the importance of theme selection, optimization, and customer journey to enhance the customers user experience (UX).
Anna's shares valuable tips on decluttering your website, utilizing call-to-action (CTA) buttons effectively, leveraging user reviews and social proof, and integrating essential apps like Klaviyo for email marketing and Tolstoy for interactive videos.
Tune in for actionable insights on how to improve your website navigation, product titles, and conversion rates through data analysis.
Don't miss the chance to learn how to elevate your Shopify store to the next level.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:43 Anna's Journey to Shopify Expertise
01:31 Empowering Female Entrepreneurs
03:08 Why Shopify is the Best E-commerce Platform
10:09 Optimizing Your Shopify Store
10:37 Choosing the Right Shopify Theme
14:24 Maintaining and Updating Your Shopify Theme
17:21 Effective Product Page Design
22:23 Streamlining the Online Shopping Experience
24:06 Optimizing Your Homepage for Better Conversion
28:49 Effective Product Page Strategies
31:02 Essential Apps for E-commerce Success
37:02 Understanding and Improving Conversion Rates
40:17 Balancing Business Operations and Growth
43:48 Final Thoughts and Contact Information
Get in touch with Anna at @houseofcart
Aggregated Core Web Vitals performance by Shopify:
https://performance.shopify.com/pages/theme-performance-data-table
Apps we recommended:
Tolstoy - Interactive video shoppable content to engage users.
Klaviyo - Email marketing automation for targeted campaigns and customer retention.
Judge.me or Okendo - Product reviews to build social proof and trust.
ReConvert or Selleasy - Post-purchase upsell app to increase average order value.
Lucky Orange - Heatmaps and session recordings to understand user behaviour and improve UI/UX.
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here to help you Build a Thriving Product Business https://www.thelotco.com/livetraining
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this episode I share 10 Essential Visual Merchandising (VM) tips to boost sales in physical retail spaces.
From identifying your store's hotspot to ensuring clever lighting and strategic product placement, Melissa covers it all.
Learn why consolidating products and pricing transparency can significantly enhance your customer experience.
Discover the magic of changing your display frequently to keep things fresh while maintaining a clean and visually appealing environment.
Packed with insights and actionable tips, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to increase retail sales.
Tune in and transform your retail store today!
00:00 Introduction and Overview
00:18 Understanding Your Store's Hotspot
01:24 Importance of Pricing Everything
03:05 Optimizing Store Lighting
04:22 Consolidating Products for Better Appeal
05:29 Utilizing Various Heights and Levels
07:41 Effective Product Grouping
08:15 The Power of Regular Changes
09:44 Maintaining Cleanliness
10:39 Adding Visuals to Enhance Appeal
12:31 Maximizing Counter Display
14:48 Conclusion and Recap
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here to help you Build a Thriving Product Business https://www.thelotco.com/livetraining
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
In this episode, I chat with Rene Skelton of Concrete Jellyfish.
We dive into the challenges of running a small business, to the unique ways Renee maintains her creativity.
We talk about the origins, growth, and innovations of her fashion accessories brand Concrete Jellyfish.
Rene shares insights about transitioning her business to Italy, the importance of community, dealing with production challenges, and her passion for creating handmade accessories.
The episode also highlights her unique approach to product design, the balance between creativity and business operations, and the importance of setting proper pricing from the start.
Overall, this episode offers an inspiring look at Rene's dedication to her craft and the personal touches that set Concrete Jellyfish apart.
We also find out how much Rene hates pop ups. And she wishes she started collecting emails a long time ago!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:24 Challenges of Small Business and Motherhood
01:06 What is Concrete Jellyfish?
02:12 The Journey of Concrete Jellyfish
03:36 Building a Community Through Business
05:31 Moving the Business to Italy
06:43 Logistics and Operations
12:27 Creative Process and Design Inspiration
21:12 Wholesale vs. Direct-to-Consumer
25:49 Pricing for Sustainability
27:52 Investing in Quality Equipment
28:29 Innovative and Unique Creations
29:57 Building a Supportive Team
31:07 Marketing and Email Strategies
36:56 Balancing Work and Personal Life
43:56 Future Plans and New Ventures
47:54 Creating Joy and Excitement
You can check out Rene's instagram here @concretejellyfishco and her website at
https://concretejellyfish.co/ where her new collection has just been released. Check out her innovative light weight hoops skins here
Support the show
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here to help you Build a Thriving Product Business https://www.thelotco.com/livetraining
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Anna Shipley, a Facebook ads expert, shares her journey and insights into running successful Facebook ads for e-commerce businesses. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your customer and having a well-designed website before starting Facebook ads. Anna also discusses the common mistakes people make with Facebook ads, such as constantly changing the ads and not having enough content. She highlights the need for consistency in social media and email marketing to support the ads. Anna advises businesses to carefully consider their budget and financial sustainability when running Facebook ads. The principal themes of the conversation are: 1) Riding the storms in Facebook ads, 2) Knowing your numbers and margins, 3) The importance of bundles, and 4) Investing in a Shopify website.
Takeaways
- Understanding your customer and having a well-designed website are crucial before starting Facebook ads.
- Consistency in social media and email marketing is essential to support Facebook ads.
- Avoid common mistakes like constantly changing ads and not having enough content.
- Carefully consider your budget and financial sustainability when running Facebook ads. Don't panic if your Facebook ads have a bad week or day, ride the storms and trust the process.
- Good margins are crucial for running successful Facebook ads and acquiring customers.
- Bundles can be a great strategy to increase revenue and profits, especially for low-priced products.
- Investing in a Shopify website is worth the cost as it integrates easily with other platforms and provides a user-friendly checkout experience.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Background
02:14
How Anna Got Started in Facebook Ads
03:57
Essentials Before Getting Started with Facebook Ads
05:45
The Importance of a Well-Designed Website
08:48
Monitoring Metrics and Optimizing Ads
11:35
The Role of Email Marketing and Social Media
14:11
Lessons Learned from Running Facebook Ads
18:18
Considering Budget and Financial Sustainability
20:19
Introduction and Lessons Learned
22:45
The Power of Bundling Products
26:05
Why Shopify is the Best Choice for E-commerce
31:06
The Cost of Doing Business
34:35
Building a Strong Foundation for Success
Facebook ads, e-commerce, customer understanding, website design, content creation, retargeting, metrics, budget, financial sustainability, Facebook ads, riding the storms, knowing your numbers, margins, bundles, Shopify website
Support the Show.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/livetraining
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a text
Things in business don't always go to plan.
Kristy Withers founder of Incy Interiors grew her business over 13 years and has had her fair share if things going wrong!!
On the podcast this week, I talk with Kristy about her journey with Incy Interiors. How she is now moving on from being the owner and what the future looks like for her.
We talk about the highs and lows, he different things Kristy has tried and tested in her time as a product business owner. How she went from not having any experience as a business owner to a building a multi million-dollar company.
Here's a sneak peek ofwhat you'll discover in this episode:
🌟 Why Kristy got started and what led to her taking a step back.
🌟 What early stage growth looked like and how Incy Interiors grew over the years.
🌟 The difference between wholesaling, drop-shipping and marketplaces.
🌟 Making sure your customer has a positive experience buying from you.
🌟 Advice Kristy has for anyone starting out and whether or not she would change anything about her journey.
🌟 Incy Interiors is closing down as a business you can check out their website and connect with Kristy on Instagram. To find out all the updates and announcements follow on their instagram.
You can find all the show notes and juicy details on our website at
https://www.thelotco.com.au/podcast
We discuss all of the following:
01:26 How did Kristy get started with her business?
03:01 Finding manufacturing
04:30 Early stage growth and how her business grew over the years
09:05 Drop shipping vs wholesale vs marketplace
13:13 Incy Interiors’ retail store
18:47 The Incy Interiors team
20:04 Moving through tough times in business
30:24 Importance of customer experience
32:02 Advice for anyone starting a product business now
35:49 Prioritizing marketing and brand awareness
39:41 Would Kristy change anything about her journey?
Connect with Kristy on Instagram.
Follow Incy Interiors on Instagram.
Shop all kids designer furniture at Incy Interiors.
Support the Show.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/livetraining
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a Text Message.
IMO there really is no reason not to have a stockist list on your website.
Being so worried about competition you are willing to negatively impact your actual customers (and retailers who support you) and make it hard for them to buy in person form a physical store.
It also reeks of scarcity mindset and says something about how you feel about selling wholesale and trying to capture every little bit of margin for yourself.
I could rant about this for days but today it is a quick little episode about Why you. need as stockist list on your website and also why as Retailers you need to demand your brands list you!!
Support the Show.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/livetraining
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a Text Message.
"Ever feel like your finances are stuck in quicksand, no matter how hard you hustle? In this empowering episode, we're diving deep into the world of money blocks with the phenomenal Clare Wood! Discover why your money mindset isn't just a buzzword—it's the secret sauce to breaking free from those invisible financial chains. We'll uncover the most common blocks that might be holding you back and share actionable tips on how you can start to work through them. Clare brings her signature insights and transformative strategies to help us all navigate our path to financial freedom. So, if you're ready to shift your relationship with money and unlock your true earning potential, this episode is your golden ticke
Want to start transforming your money mindset today? Leave us a comment or send a direct message and leap into your journey of financial empowerment!"
Find Clare at @clare_wood_coach And at Clare Wood website.
Support the Show.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/livetraining
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a Text Message.
When do you invest in your self or your business?
At the start? 3 years in?
I had a 30 min session with Joey from @growmemelb on the Business Couch at @life_instyle last year and since then she has evolved to much!
Joey joined (invested) in my Roadmap to Profit (Profitable Product Business) and has used my spreadsheets and templates every day since.
It has changed the way she has done business and how she has expanded globally since then.
Check out her range here and what it looks like now. I hope you enjoy our live chat here.
Want to join the Roadmap? Head here.
Want to access my training on How to Create a Thriving Product Business.
Need help for your next Trade Show? You don't want to miss this.
Want to meet me on the Business Couch? At Life Instyle. Make your appointment here.
Support the Show.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/livetraining
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a Text Message.
Building a brand and running a small business can be lonely. Trying to figure out what to focus on day to day, unsure if you are on the right track or if you even have a good enough product.
Knowing when to ask for help and where to look for expert advice is always tricky too.
Mandi from Cubs and Co. was looking to make a change. She knew she couldn’t keep going the way she was going but she was also a bit nervous.
At the end of the day, Mandi knew she needed mentorship more than wanting to stay in her comfort zone.
Mandi is one of my clients and she was willing to put in the work to create her dream product business.
This episode is an Instagram live I recorded last year and that I thought what Mandi had to share was so valuable for others who are also running their business.
In this episode, we discuss all of the following:
00:58 Who is Mandi and what does she do?
02:07 What were the early days of Cubs & Co. like?
05:38 What led to Mandi getting mentorship?
07:03 Changes and tweaks Mandi made from mentorship
13:48 Structure and organization
17:22 Mindset work
21:19 Hiring help and where to find them
Get on the priority list to join the Roadmap whne doors open again.
https://www.thelotco.com/waitlistroadmaptoproftit
Support the Show.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/livetraining
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a Text Message.
Your human design can tell you exactly how to live in alignment with your highest self
And it can help you market your business in the best way possible specifically for you!
Yvette Mayer is a human design expert and business coach. She is a 5/1 Sacral Generator which means she uses her natural magnetism to connect with and lead her audience.
Yvette spent many years in the corporate world specializing in marketing. And now she is living fully in alignment with her human design doing what lights her up.
In this episode, we discuss all of the following:
01:33 From working in corporate to becoming a human design expert
16:27 How Yvette became the go-to human design expert for marketing
19:00 What are the 5 energy types in human design?
35:21 Human design on a broad scale
37:43 What are the 6 profile lines?
49:49 How is human design related to marketing?
Book a reading with Yvette.
Find your human design chart.
Follow Yvette on Instagram.
All Business. No Boundaries. The DHL Supply Chain Podcast
Welcome to All Business. No Boundaries, a collection of supply chain stories by DHL...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the Show.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Send us a Text Message.
When you have a product business you are always trying to figure out where to spend your money and where the best next place to invest your cashflow is.
A constant struggle right.
ONE of the places I always suggest whether you are a new brand, established Retail stores or those who want to constantly evolve in this online visual space is your imagery!
We humans are visual people! The visual imagery you share is part of the reason customers buy your products.
And one pic is not enough.
In this latest podcast episode I share the 8 types of product shots you need either online or in your wholesale catalogue to convert browsers into buyers.
Here's a sneak peek ofwhat you'll discover in this episode:
🌟 The 8 different product images you need for your website.
🌟 Why is imagery an important part of your business?
🌟 Communicating with your photographer.
🌟 Editing your photos and updating them
In this episode, I discuss all of the following:
01:43 The 8 types of photos to have for your products on your website
07:01 Why is imagery important?
08:04 Communicate with your photographer
09:04 Fashion brand imagery
11:46 Editing and updating photos
Watch the Instagram Live with Paige Noelle Stylist
Use Path Edits to edit your photos
Support the Show.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
1.7% 5.6% 11%, 0.59% You thought you had finished with Maths in Year 12 didn't you?
Well, sorry but if you run a business you gotta know your numbers. I (as a Former Maths Teacher - I know, I know don't hate on me) do love diving in and exploring these with clients when I first meet with them or start working with them inside my programs and membership.
The one we are exploring today is your E-commerce conversion rate. The one inside your analytics that tells us how your website is performing.
It tells us how easily customers can buy stuff!! How easily they jump on and check out. Where they might get stuck where they fall off a cliff or where hey just are not adding anything in the first place!!!
We explore all the numbers inside (add to cart rate, reached checkout rate, online store sessions) where to find them inside shopify and how it is so worth knowing this. How this can impact everything (and especially the inside your bank account).
Please do not start FB or Meta ads until you have a good solid understanding of this.
To get access to my Boost Your Conversion Rate 5 day series head here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Today’s special guest is, Dr. Ben Robbins.
I spoke about getting him on the podcast a few months ago and we finally we managed to record an episode. Ben is a Clinical Psychologist, and I wanted to bring him on to talk about limiting beliefs, negative self talk and how we can all work on our mental fitness.
Now I know the world of athletes and entrepreneurs can be very different, but they have one thing in common.. Mindset! You can’t be a successful athlete if your head isn’t in the game and you won’t be a successful business owner if you aren’t in the right headspace.
Ben’s expertise is in Mental Health and Wellbeing and he shares ways you can separate yourself from your limiting beliefs no matter who you are.
In this episode, we discuss all of the following:
01:52 What sort of work Ben does
03:43 What is mental fitness?
06:53 Reactive responding
11:05 Managing your mental fitness
15:59 Training your mind and inner dialogue
31:46 What type of clients does Ben work with?
34:22 The mental health continuum
Follow Ben on Instagram.
Connect with Ben on his website.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Have you ever thought about adding a digital element to your product business?
This episode today is sharing with you the possibilities and options available to you and then if you are interested how do you even get started?
Having a product business is not the only way to have a business. This could be an option for some of you either now or in the future.
Takeaways
- Having a digital online business allows you to create and sell digital products repeatedly.
- There are various types of digital businesses, such as teaching, coaching, and providing resources.
- Enjoying the journey is just as important as reaching the end destination in business.
- Digital business offers opportunities for extra revenue streams and flexibility in how you run your business.
- James Wedmore's program, BBD, provides valuable insights and resources for building a successful digital business.
00:00
Introduction to Digital Online Business
02:19
Adding a Digital Element to Product-Based Business
03:15
Endless Possibilities of Digital Business
07:14
Success Stories of Digital Business
13:04
Benefits and Freedom of Digital Business
14:37
Sharing James Wedmore's BBD Program
You can get access and find out more here https://www.thelotco.com/bbd
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Things in business don't always go to plan.
Kristy Withers founder of Incy Interiors grew her business over 13 years and has had her fair share if things going wrong!!
On the podcast this week, I talk with Kristy about her journey with Incy Interiors. How she is now moving on from being the owner and what the future looks like for her.
We talk about the highs and lows, he different things Kristy has tried and tested in her time as a product business owner. How she went from not having any experience as a business owner to a building a multi million-dollar company.
Here's a sneak peek ofwhat you'll discover in this episode:
🌟 Why Kristy got started and what led to her taking a step back.
🌟 What early stage growth looked like and how Incy Interiors grew over the years.
🌟 The difference between wholesaling, drop-shipping and marketplaces.
🌟 Making sure your customer has a positive experience buying from you.
🌟 Advice Kristy has for anyone starting out and whether or not she would change anything about her journey.
🌟 Take Action: Shop all things Incy Interiors on their website and connect with Kristy on Instagram.
You can find all the show notes and juicy details on our website at
https://www.thelotco.com.au/podcast
We discuss all of the following:
01:26 How did Kristy get started with her business?
03:01 Finding manufacturing
04:30 Early stage growth and how her business grew over the years
09:05 Drop shipping vs wholesale vs marketplace
13:13 Incy Interiors’ retail store
18:47 The Incy Interiors team
20:04 Moving through tough times in business
30:24 Importance of customer experience
32:02 Advice for anyone starting a product business now
35:49 Prioritizing marketing and brand awareness
39:41 Would Kristy change anything about her journey?
Connect with Kristy on Instagram.
Follow Incy Interiors on Instagram.
Shop all kids designer furniture at Incy Interiors.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Have you ever wondered how important branding and customer experience is for your product business?
In this episode, I chat with Stefi Kerby from Celia Loves to talk all about customer experience and the scholarships she is part of.
We discuss all of the following:
05:11 What Stefi looked for as a judge of the LifeStyle scholarship
07:50 Being unique in a saturated market
10:56 Establishing principles at the start of business
19:15 Where Stefi gets feedback from
23:17 Having strong imagery
24:45 Applying the advice & feedback you get
Shop all things Celia Loves.
Follow Celia Loves on Instagram.
Connect with Stefi on Instagram.
Listen to another episode with Stefi on thelotco business podcast.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Have you ever used Many Chat for your product business?
Many Chat is an automation tool used to answer questions, respond to customers, etc.
It saves you time and gives your customers an instant response.
I brought on Sam from Ads for Breakfast to talk more about how she helps businesses use Many Chat!
We discuss all of the following:
03:00 Sam’s background
04:14 What is Many Chat?
11:33 Advice Sam has for setting up Many Chat
16:12 Brands Sam has worked with
22:01 Benefits of Many Chat in your product business
Connect with Sam on Instagram.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
What is something you wish you could tell your wholesaler?
In this episode, I talk about all the things retailers want the brands they work with to know.
As a wholesaler, it’s your job to build a long-term relationship with your retailers.
Wholesalers: get out your pens and papers to take some notes!
I discuss all of the following:
00:30 My background in retail
02:35 16 things retailers want you to know
22:54 What you can do as a retailer
23:11 Offering an experience
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Being surrounded by some amazing speakers and panellists last week in Orange County at the Ultimate Product Party I wanted to share some takeaways.
The takeaways cover various topics such as selling the problem you solve, adding storytelling elements to your business, exploring TikTok Shop, utilizing AI, understanding your value, optimizing your website's product page, saving time with phone widgets and tech shortcuts, balancing customer attraction and retention, adding customer experience to your business, and implementing tests in the hiring process.
These are just a few of pieces of valuable information I gained from attending as speaking at the event.
I can't wait to have some more guests on the podcast to discuss some of these topics in greater detail.
Takeaways
- Sell the problem you solve, not the product you have.
- Add storytelling elements to your business.
- Explore TikTok Shop as a potential marketing platform.
- Utilize AI to streamline processes and save time.
- Understand your value and confidently communicate it.
- Optimize your website's product page with multiple photos and reviews.
- Save time with phone widgets and tech shortcuts.
- Balance customer attraction and retention efforts.
- Add a customer experience element to your business.
- Implement tests in the hiring process to find A players.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Have you ever wanted to start a product business?
But you aren’t sure you’re ready for the business risks or potential copycats?
In this episode, I bring on Nareen Holloway to discuss her journey of creating Marmoset Found.
Nareen has experienced it all - From marketing to stock to work/life balance to copycats.
Tune into this episode to hear us discuss the following:
00:53 Who is Nareen Holloway and what is Marmoset Found?
06:38 Taking risks with your business
08:09 Managing stock and stockists
11:32 Using imagery for product businesses
13:40 Marmoset Found’s team members
16:16 Using photoshoots for marketing
20:13 What is the hardest part of business for Nareen?
25:34 Would Nareen do anything differently with her business?
30:50 Dealing with copycats
33:29 Where does Nareen get her inspiration from?
35:07 What advice does Nareen have for anyone starting out?
37:05 Why wholesale and how can you support wholesalers?
Connect with Marmoset Found on Instagram.
Shop all things homeware at the Marmoset Found website.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
In this episode, I bring on Megan from Second Scout to talk about the ups and downs of having a product business.
Last year, Megan went through a major down and we discuss how she was able to come back from it better than ever.
If you ever start a product business, a good rule of thumb is to always be prepared. You never know when a stockist is going to pull away, a factory will shut down, or the market will shift.
Listen to this week's episode to learn all about Megan and how she has created a product for kids that actually helps out adults too!
We discuss the following:
01:06 What is Second Scout?
12:09 Second Scout’s supply chain issues
19:57 Balance with retail and wholesale
22:49 Advice for anyone starting out
27:54 Megan’s experience with marketing
35:44 What new products are coming to Second Scout?
Shop all things Second Scout here.
Follow Second Scout on Instagram here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Kip&Co is an Australian Lifestyle brand that never stops evolving.
From the early days of the croc print bed linen (anyone have that print?) to developing beautiful womens and kids apparel, lighting, pet accessories, tableware and so much more.
If you have ever wanted to build your own brand or you are doing so right now then this is a must listen.
I spoke with Alex McCabe about how she and her two business partners (sisters) Hayley and Kate built Kip&Co from the ground up.
Alex explains how much hard work it took to get Kip&Co where it is today and what they’re looking forward to in 2024.
Alex and I discuss all of the following:
00:35 The brains behind Kip&Co
07:56 What is outsourced at Kip&Co?
09:18 How Kip&Co sources their products and materials
13:34 Determining how much to order
16:58 Organizing wholesale vs retail
18:26 Kip&Co’s stockists
20:49 How Kip&Co achieved growth with branding
25:41 What collaborations do for a brand like Kip&Co
28:38 Alex’s advice for anyone looking to start a lifestyle brand
Shop all things lifestyle at Kip&Co here.
Follow Kip&Co on Instagram here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Email marketing is a huge game changer for any business, especially product-based businesses.
Think about all the times you’ve gotten an email from Target or Amazon. Did that prompt you to buy something from their site or at least think about it more?
Today, I share the best email marketing strategy with you for product-based businesses. This will help you make sure you’re not only selling your products but also ensuring a positive customer experience.
I discuss all of the following:
01:13 What is email marketing?
03:37 Welcome sequence
04:50 Abandon cart emails
06:55 Browser abandonment emails
08:15 Post-purchase emails
09:27 Forever sequence
Listen to the welcome sequence episode on thelotco business podcast
Read for more email marketing stats
To get access to my Nail Your Email Marketing course click here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Bumping in and bumping out of markets is A LOT of work.
Besides the sales and the sore feet you get, what else is a reason to attend a market?
We all know it can be great for brand awareness, exposure for your brand and products, a great way to build your mailing list and for customers to see products in real life (IRL) as well to touch and feel them.
Today I sharing 5 More Unexpected Perks of Attending Markets that may make you stop and reconsider the cost vs true value of your next market.
To get access to my FREE training on Maximising you next Market head here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
How are you sabotaging yourself?
Do you even realise you are doing it?
Money Mindset some of those topics that you might not even be aware of...BUT once you are, you start to notice little things in your daily life that you may need to work on to help improve the way you deal with money, how you are potentially self sabotaging yourself from earning more or holding your business back because of fears.
Are there things that trigger you that maybe you need to reviewing and trying to figure out why?
What thoughts are you having and telling the universe and therefore what are you getting back because of this!
Carla from @moneymindsethub and I explore what it means to work on your Money Mindset and some tactics to focus on to improve it today.
The parable not fable about Good luck Bad luck is here.
The book mentioned The Surrender Experiment
Quote from Carla- "If you can begin to become the observer of your thoughts that wil change the trajectory of your life".
Take the quiz here.
Carla | Money Mindset ExpertMoney amplifies your authentic self & who you were born to be, so claim it.
In this episode of thelotco Business Podcast, I interview Carla Townsend, a money mindset and success coach. We explore the challenges female entrepreneurs face with money blocks and self-imposed limitations. Carla emphasises the importance of addressing one's mindset, behaviours, and societal conditioning around money. We discuss overcoming fear, the power of language in shaping beliefs, and the impact of upbringing on risk-taking. Carla shares a personal story, underscoring the role of perception in life events. The episode also covers the balance between persistence and pivoting, finding joy in work, and the significance of authenticity.
Money Mindset and Entrepreneurship (00:00:04) Melissa introduces Carla Townsend and they discuss the importance of overcoming money blocks and self-imposed limitations for female entrepreneurs.
Impact of In-Person Connections (00:01:07) Melissa and Carla discuss the impact of in-person connections and the importance of meeting and connecting with others in business.
Helping Female Entrepreneurs (00:02:57) Carla explains her role as a money mindset and success coach, helping female entrepreneurs overcome money blocks and monetize their genius online.
Understanding Money Mindset (00:04:02) Carla delves into the attitudes, opinions, and behaviors ar
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
As a former buyer for my own Retail store I got to meet some amazing brand owners and see some absolutely stunning collections each and every season. Walking into the most amazing French inspired trade event 12 years ago (Mama and Papa) I spotted a beautiful collection of girls dresses, sequins, tulle and embroidery from the brand Bella and Lace. Now anyone who knows me will know I flocked to those gold stars and sequins pretty fast.
I got to meet Kate, the owner and designer of a brand new Brisbane children's fashion brand called Bella and Lace. That was it- I ordered the range for my store and continued to do so until sold it a number of years later.
Kate and I have been catching up at trade events ever since. Part of my conversations with brands long after I had sold my store was where the foray into consulting started. I would be offering tips and guidance for them to grow and how to sell DTC or Wholesale and what the latest Instagram marketing tips were (at the time).
Kate has been a friend and client now for many years. And having insight into her brand and how amazing and gorgeous it is I knew I wanted to get her to share her story.
Welcome to the enchanting world of Bella & Lace, a whimsical brand of children's clothing and accessories that captures the magic and wonder of childhood.
Kate sells the brand around the world and wholesale is her main revenue stream. She is a multi 6 figure company and has continued to evolve and grow and adpat t market conditions.
Passion and using your skill set are key in starting and growing a brand.
- Adapting and evolving with the industry is crucial for long-term success.
- Wholesale is an important channel for reaching customers and growing sales..
- Building relationships and showing longevity are important in the wholesale industry. Building relationships with agents and retailers can make entry into stores easier.
- Persistence and consistently showing up are key to success in business.
- Trade shows can provide valuable brand exposure.
- Understanding landed price and shipping times is crucial for exporting brands.
- Product testing and compliance can be challenging, especially for certain types of products.
- Having a strong team is essential for running a successful business.
- Focus on sales and invest in the right areas from the start.
- Adaptability and constant evaluation are important for business growth.
- Long-term customer relationships are valuable for business sustainability.
- Resilience and passion are necessary qualities for entrepreneurship.
- Celebrate the journey and milestones in business.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
VM (visual merchandising) is a real combination of art and science.
It can't just be beautiful. It has to work to sell your products also!
I spend a lot of time in Retail stores and after nearly 40 years working in it (yes i started dery early!). I have picked up a thing or two!
In this episode I dive into 10 common mistakes Retailers (bricks and mortar physical stores and at markets and pop ups too) make that can be tweaked and changed to help you boost sales and provide alternative strategies.
Some of the mistakes include positioning items too low, not pricing all products, not allowing movement through the store, not having enough stock, lack of visuals, ineffective signage, neglecting store cleanliness, staff not understanding customers, underutilizing the checkout counter and change rooms, and underutilizing the window. By addressing these mistakes, retailers can improve their VM and increase sales.
Want more? Check out thelotco.com.au blog for more stories and imagery to go hand in hand with this content.
Time stamp.
00:00
Introduction
00:57
Mistake 1: Positioning things too low
03.23
Mistake 2: Not pricing your products
07:32
Mistake 3: Not allowing movement through the store
09:26
Mistake 4: Not having enough stock
11:54
Mistake 5: Lack of visuals
14:39
Mistake 6: Ineffective signage
16:34
Mistake 7: Neglecting store cleanliness
20:35
Mistake 9: Underutilizing checkout counter and change rooms
23:43
Mistake 10: Underutilizing the window
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Hands up if you want more sales?
Whether that is selling more on your own ecommerce store (DTC) or selling wholesale there are 3 ways to increase your sales.
Get more customers (new ones)
Get the customers you have to buy more each time (AOV).
Get the customers have to buy more often (frequency)
Today I am giving you 5 quick tweaks and updates you can make to your website that can go a long way to boosting your conversion rate.
Things that don't break the bank nor take hours and hours of your time.
Check your numbers before starting and let me know what your conversion rate is.
Then make these tweaks and grab my checklist for more!.
Want help with the implementation?
Check out my 5 days to boost your conversion rate easy to follow program.
Looking for attraction methods and need to explore ways to get more traffic to your website Grab my guide here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
I myself love a good trade show. I have just spend 4 days in Sydney at the @life_instyel and @reedexpo trade shows for lifestyle , beauty and fashion products.
Why do I love them though?
Why do they work and why should you attend? Whether as a buyer or as an exhibitor?
They are not a cheap investment in your business so why put yourself out there and take the risk?
What are the things you need to when looking at whether they have been successful or not. What should you consider to measure there "worth'? It cannot be just the sales when you are there. It cannot be just the sales on the days of the show.
There are other really important factors to consider. I dive into some more of them here and also why as a Buyer you should be attending too.
Want help with your? Wholesale and building it into a strong revenue stream? Check out my Transform Your Wholesale course to see how you can be like Jacquie and 20 x your investment in 1 month! Linked here
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Ahh Mindset ...I have heard some people audibly sigh when they hear it mentioned. But call it what you will the way you speak to yourself, the beliefs you hold and the way they impact your actions can also impact your business and your levels of success.
In this episode I discuss the importance of mindset in business. How your limiting beliefs impact your behaviour and the actions you take.
I explain the most common 3 limiting beliefs I have seen that I believe may be holding you back from your wildly successful life.
Let's dive into the episode.
Takeaways
- Mindset is a crucial factor in business success and resilience.
- Shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset can open up opportunities and growth.
- Implementing systems and automation can help manage increased sales volume.
- Positive self-talk and reframing negative thoughts can improve mindset and productivity.
- Self-talk and mindset have a significant impact on personal and business success.
- Analyzing the way we view the world and speak to ourselves is crucial for personal growth.
- Mindset plays a vital role in achieving success, alongside strategic actions.
- Exploring and addressing limiting beliefs and negative self-talk is essential for personal development.
- Patterns and recurring themes can provide valuable insights into personal and business challenges.
- Reviews and feedback are appreciated to improve and reach a wider audience.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
How much spirituality do you incorporate into your daily business practices ?
Is it something you want to do more of, are you exploring this side of yourself and how it can help you in your business?
The past few years I have really started exploring this area so much more.
From tarot readings, to crystals to daily journaling, affirmations, visualisations and manifestation.
The woo side of business excites me and I want to start sharing more of this with you here as well. For such a practical and realistic person this is something that you may not know about me. I absolutely love it and thin sometimes these are the missing pieces that seperate those struggle and those who achieve beyond their wildest dreams.
So between tapping into your spiritual guides, to really getting to know who you are and how that can be used to tell better stories, Ashu shares how she works spirituality into her business and how Human Design , Manifestation and really sharing your authentic self can help you grow.
I hope you love this epiosde.
Links to Ashu are here: Instagram @listeningstoriesuntold
Some free guided meditations here.
Ashu is -Your Spiritual Business Coach here to help you grow your business using spirituality & strategies!
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
When you think of an offer or a promotion do you only revert to price discounts?
There are so many different things you can offer you customers to get them excited, get them adding to cart and hopefully increasing their LTV with you.
Whether it is a gift with purchase, a special bundle offer or adding in priortiy shipping. How can you go above and beyond for your customers?
How can you get them waiting in anticipation about what you are doing next, and what is coming up for you?
I run through 10 offers you can add to your repertoire in this holiday period or really any time of year.
Let me know what ones you try and what works to boost your sales in your physical retail store or online ecommerce store.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
You don't know what you don't know right. IKYYK.
After over 20 years in Wholesale there are just things you can't google.
These 5 are on the list.
Want to increase sales or even get some sales from Wholesale listen in to this episode for some insights to help you in that domain.
Want even more insights? Come along ot my FREE webinar on the Essentials to Wholesale success.
Register here: https://www.thelotco.com/wholesaleessentialsfreewebinar
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Have you ever wondered what a Business Coach actually does or if they are right for you ?
I am a Product-Based business Coach so specifically work with product-based businesses on how to grow, scale and build a sustainable profitable and thriving Retail store or Brand.
Someone asked me the other day if I could come in and give a 'fresh eyes' perspective on what opportunities there may be, how to refine and streamline aspects of their business, how to add more sales channels or edit their marketing strategies.
These are all things I do regularly with my clients.
We can focus on the area you want to or I can come in and help you figure out what is the most important thing to do first.
These are some areas I have worked on with clients recently:
Retail Buying and Range planning.
Profit margins and profitability.
Marketing plan and strategy.
Sales Channels opportunities.
Wholesale Systems and automation.
Wholesale growth opportunities.
Exporting and global expansion.
GettingTrade Show ready for local (AU ) or USA/Eurpoean shows.
Money Mindset and Limiting belief work.
Outsourcing and Hiring.
Starting a Retail store.
How to manage time and productivity.
Data analysis and ranging.
Supply chain management (Ordering stock and planning your critical path).
Email Marketing overhaul and review.
In Store Visual Merchandising and store planning.
This is just scratching the surface.
I have over 5 years specifically working as a Business Coach and Consultant as well 25 years in Retail and Wholesale running my own brands, retail store and wearing all the hats!
It is in my blood to coach, teach, educate. I absolutely fkn love it. And will always somewhere somehow be doing this.
I started as a personal trainer, then swimming teacher, moved to be a high school science and maths teacher, then a fashion business lecturer, then mentoring and now coaching.
If you want help in your business and someone to tell it like it is with no bs and no pretence. Then I am here when you need.
Get access to my private coaching options here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
How the heck do you use AI and Automations in your business?
Have you embraced them yet? Even started to add it into your daily life?
It can save so much time and money in business and can streamline processes, free up valuable time, add new dimensions to your content creation, and just make life that little bit easier.
Who doesn't want that!
Ok some of you don't. But bare with me. You might just not even realise what AI can do to help you manage your time and life better.
In this episode I dive into all the ways.
The many ways AI and AUTOMATIONS can help you save time and money in your business.
Some examples I mention are:
Otter
Supernormal
Clockwise
and more.... in my list here:
Grab list of all examples and suggested prompts here.
Cannot wait to share even more with you. Got a fab AI or Automation you use? Let me know on instagram and let's share this shiz.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Do you want to get in front of 80 million customers?
What could that do to your business?
How would it feel to get 1000's of new eyes on your product and 100's of new orders every month?
Monica Little has been using Etsy for selling her product for years and she shares how Etsy is such a great sales channel and an amazing tool to get in front of new customers. They have over 80 million users and it is such an under utilised sales channel.
Don't think that it is such for those with product businesses who think that it is only for those without their own website.
And then once you are on but how do you get found? How do stand out? How do you use the right language to be found, use language your customer is using.
One tool Monica mentions:
Tool to track searches everbee.io
To find out how Monica can help you get started on Etsy you can follow her here: Monica Little Instagram and listen to her podcast here
The link to her Etsy training webinar is here now https://www.monicalittlecoaching.com/etsywebinar
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Retail is not for the faint hearted but who says it is all doom and gloom.
Lauren Henry started Common Circus (a Newcastle-based business ) 9 years ago now and in this episode she shares the what, why, and how to do with running and building her Retail stores.
The freedom and choices it allows. The parts she absolutely loves and then some of the parts that are not her favourite aspects!!
Come along for the journey of what it means to build a retail business, how she supports other brands and provides amazing LTV to her suppliers and is helping to build their businesses too.
Lauren shares her favourite way for brands to contact her and also why giving your stockists full retail markup is so important.
The connection between your mental health and having beautiful spaces within your home. I can't wait to hear what you think of this episode.
You can see more of Lauren and her stores on Instagram at @commoncircus and check out her website at https://shop.commoncircus.com.au/.
Thanks for sharing so much of your story Lauren.
Programs mentioned in todays episode are :
The TLC Membership which supports brands and retail stores with monthly group coaching.
The Profitable Product Business Roadmap a program and guide on how to build a profitable retail store and brand.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
What should your Instagram content look like in 2023 and heading into 2024 if you are a product-based business?
Things have changed in recent times but after chatting with a number of clients who are telling me they are struggling to get sales and struggling to get in front of new customers I started asking what they are currently doing to market their business?
Some answer with just instagram (which I do not recommend!) however even their instagram has minimal posting or content on it. Or they are only using stories to share information. If it is going t be your main source of traffic and your only marketing strategy then you better be showing up on every area of the platform. You better be utilising every type of content it has available and be there as much as you can!
Whilst being smart about how you then use that content in other areas of your business to repurpose it in numerous ways.
Remember only 3-5% of your followers see all your content. If Taylor Swift is out there re-releasing her own (now owned) music, playing the same songs at concerts, releasing a movie about teh same concert and then sharign images, videos and clips again and again why cant you. Be more like Taylor. #marketing genius
Tune in to hear what your Instagram content should look like if you want to use it to really start attracting raving fans.
BUT also remember 'Social Media is not a Marketing strategy' ;).
Make sure you film B-roll content (random filming yourself doing regular activities) regularly throughout your week to use as reels also.
To grab my 100+ ideas for new content guide - click here.
The @productreelstips instagram page.
Examples of Retail stores with awesome instagram pages.
@Jumbledonline https://www.instagram.com/jumbledonline/
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
How well are you using Email marketing right now?
Whether you are using Klaviyo, Flodesk, Mailchimp or one of the other many email systems you must be using one of them!
I am passionate about helping ecommerce and bricks and mortar retail stores use Email marketing more effectively.
The impact it can have on your business and the way it can generate sales for you is a big part of being a long term successful and profitable product business.
You need to have strong and solid email marketing strategy from the very beginning.
Making sure you build a database of customers from the very start of your journey and work hard to add new customers to your list at all times.
Today I with talk with Samantha Taylor from @thesamanthataylor_ about how to do that and how she helps brands generate $100's and $1000's of dollars in sales from her email marketing campaigns..
We chat what email flows you need to have set up? Why you are missing out if you are not using email marketing and just exactly how many emails you should be sending each week.
To get help with your email marketing and start understanding and planning out exactly what to send to customers, you can get immediate access to my Nail Your Email Marketing course.
Or to get Sam to manage it al for you head to her instagram now and snap up one of her last spots for 2023!
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
3 short years ago....was when I first met sisters Alicia and Jacinta from @thelittlepotionco.
The Little Potion Co (a mindful magic potion making brand) was a side hustle for them both and they made everything from Jacinta’s back shed and by hand.
Now 3 years later they are over a Million dollars in sales and it is testament to how much they have continued to evolve, to listen to experts and to their customers, to invest, to take risks and to thank goodness understand their margins and pricing!!!
What I would say are keys to their success?
- They have multiple sales channels and markets (DTC, Wholesale, USA, AUS, NZ...)
- They have a strong USP and keep evolving it and adapting and editing the range.
- Marketing is in many forms. Not just one channel. Influencers, Social, UGC, Paid ads, Collaborations, Print, SEO, Email marketing....
-They started outsourcing and hiring for their team.
-They spend time ON the business and not just IN (we can all get better at this one!) - They know their financials and work at always improving their margins and pricing structures.
Of course there are many other factors, and we chat through their story and journey today on the podcast.
And we all know that having top line sales does not mean you have this money in the bank and it should not be the only thing you focus on, but it is also great to celebrate milestones along the way!!
Want to get your hands on my Pricing Guide? To help you figure out how to price your products for profit? Grab it here.
If you want help to reach your first million or first $10K then send me a DM on instagram and we can plan where you will be in 3 years too!
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Do you want bumper sales for your last quarter of the year?
It can be so hard to figure our where to focus your time and energy when you are 'doing it all'.
Being we are about to hit the last 90 days of the year.
Here’s 4 things to focus on in your product business and make sure you have maximise your chances.
- Stock- have you made sure you have enough stock (and of the right stock) to get the sales you want? Your supply chain is crucial to plan out prior to this and make sure you have stock arriving in time. If you don’t currently have a critical path- think about it for next year.
- Sales channels- what are utilising? Wholesale? Make a plan to stay in touch with stockists. Keep them updated and make sure they can reorder easily and regularly. Selling online ? Update your website so its converting as high as possible.
- Marketing planning. Have your promos, events and activities mapped out. Know ahead what is needs to be ready. Don’t leave it til the last minute.
- Staff. Do you need any? Will they do extra hours? Could you outsource anything to help a give you back some of your time? Now it’s the time to get it sorted.
I dive deeper into each of these int he episode.
Register for the upcoming workshop How to plan and run a successful Promotion.
Check out my 5 day boost your website sales series here.
And to really Nail your Email Marketing head here to make sure are planned, prepared and ready to go.
Get the book Who not How by Dan Sullivan.
Want help with increasing sales? And knowing what to focus on in your business?
DM me on instagram to chat about how I can help you with your product sales.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Imagine waking up tomorrow and your website sales have doubled! 🙀 And not just one day, but everyday from now on. And they keep growing and they continue to exponentially scale. 📈
How would you feel? 💃🏻
What impact would it have on you and your family? 💰
What would you do with the extra income into your business? 🎉
Well, this is possible. And without spending $1000's on facebook ads to achieve it.
You need to want make sure your website is converting as high as possible.
What does that mean? Well it means for every visitor you have coming to you -more of them add to cart , more of them go through to checkout, more of them click purchase than ever before. AND you make more sales!!! (hopefully double!)
So how do we make that happen? Without it taking 6 months, and you paying money to a web developer or designer.
You start by making sure you have these 10 things right on your website. I share with you in this episode what they are.
Little tweaks and changes to try and boost that conversion rate!! SO every visitor is doubly as likely to buy!!
If you want help with HOW to make that happen and get feedback on your own website then join me for the 4 day LIVE event next week!!! Starting Tuesday 19th at 12pm AEST.
I am running my regular 5 part series let's BOOST your WEBSITE SALES mini series as LIVE part to 4 days . Find out more here.
If you are listening after the LIVE event you can grab the 5 day series here. An easy and practical way to increase those website sales.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Build a website and they will come. If only. It is a mistake many product entrepreneurs are guilty of. Relying on only one sales channel.
Having a product business means you need to find many ways to sell your product. And ideally you would have multiple sales channels so you are not relying on just one. Only selling on your own ecommerce site means you going to paying a lot to acquire your customers.
So where does that leave you? Well, you need to explore other options. And that is exactly what this podcast episode is about today. I go through what other sales channels (options) are available to you as a brand, retailer, product-based business owner to move more of yru product and generate more income and ideally overall more profit.
Some links of mentioned
www.faire.com
https://bulletin.co/
www.wolfandbadger.com
www.rangeme.com
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinarprofit
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Hands up if you run a business and have never had any down times or low points?
Yes thought so. Not many business owners and entrepreneurs have ever had a perfectly smooth ride and perfect business. There are always ups and downs and hard times. It's what to do when things are tough that matters though and how to lift yourself out of the slumps and lower energy levels or try and counteract low sales that matters.
You have to get scrappy and innovative and adapt and look after yourself.
You need to focus on the right activities, you need to get lean and maybe go back to what worked at the start.
What you don't need is to focus on things you can't control. Or focus on the negative news and naysayers.
You need to surround yourself with the right people and those who lift you up not bring you down.
I dive into more details in the episode and you can listen on your fave podcast app now.
I would love for you to share your ways to help yourself out of a slump. Send me a DM on instagram and share ways that have helped you.
Want 15 ways to bring more traffic to your website? Grab my free download here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinarprofit
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
One of the biggest issues I see with ecommerce stores and a problem they are looking to solve is how to get more traffic to their website.
Katrina McKinnon from Copysmith.com shares how in this episode.
She also dives into how you use AI wisely and in a way that makes the google gods happy!
We talk about how long form content like blogging and using product descriptions wisely can help you bring so much more traffic to your ecommerce store or website.
It is something I am very passionate about and dive deep into it in my Nail your email Marketing program. I show you how to figure out what sort of content to create and then how that can be used to became a starting point for you other content like emails, social media and more.
Katrina explains how using AI like chatgpt can save you time and energy but there are ways to use it more effectively so your content is valued and the google search engines actually want to send traffic to you.
Katrina shares how to create unique blog content here.
The blog post template we discuss in the episode. Find blog template here.
Using imagery effectively to create content rich links and show up on google search engines is also a trick Katrina loves getting her ecommerce stores to utilise.
To grab my guide on 15 ways to increase traffic to your website head here
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinarprofit
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
I am all for dreaming big and setting stretch goals in your business. But what I also love is breaking that down and reverse engineering how to make that happen.
Getting into the nitty gritty about strategy and planning.
This weeks podcast is from a live session I ran and dived into how to reverse engineer $50K sales months in your business.
Your website analytics (particularly your traffic, average order value (AOV) and conversion rate) are super important numbers to focus on. Same goes for physical retail stores and knowing what your foot traffic is, your conversion rates are and again what your average order value is.
I truly believe that to build a profitable product business whether it is your own brand (fashion, homewares, jewellery, baby, footwear, or beauty) or you have a physical bricks and mortar retail store you need multiple revenue streams (sales channels) and need ot be utilising many varied marketing strategies.
I hope this helps you wrap your head around some more numbers and start planning and goal setting for your business.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinarprofit
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Want to know how to start a jewellery brand? Or how to not just survive but have your brand thrive for 10 years in this industry?
I have been trying to get Kiralee on the podcast for over a year to tell some of her story and share how she has grown her amazing jewellery brand @murkanijewllery over the past 10 years. So here we are.
Kiralee and I chat about her journey, why it took her so long to get started, her regrets, her tips on what is important to focus on now and what the future holds for Murkani.
I hope you love this episode.
You can find out more about Murkani jewellery here: https://murkani.com.au/
And follow along the journey of the creation and new collections over on Murkani instagram page.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinarprofit
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Running a business can be hard. Running a business that makes a profit is even harder. But this is where implementing a different accounting system in your business can make a huge impact.
Profit First, is a book by Mike Michalowicz if you haven't read it yet. You definitely should!
He created the Profit First system and now has a team of qualified experts around the world who share his system to help other business owners.
It is not just about setting up your business with multiple bank accounts but also about making sure that you do actual make a profit and you allocate that first! Not last like traditional accounting systems. You mange your cash flow over the peaks and troughs that come with business and generating sales and you don't end up with unexpected tax bills because you have already got money set aide. Honestly this is a game changer.
I talk with Amy Bett all about using the Profit First system in your business. S
Amy failed in her first business because of a cash flow problem and when she learnt that "More than 80% of business owners who don't succeed, don't succeed because of a cash flow problem," she set out on a mission to reverse that awful statistic.
Now as a Profit First professional, Amy discovered the only two numbers that matter in business and the formula for actually reaching financial freedom. And since she knows the financial struggles that business owners are facing right now, she's not about to slow down teaching business owners how to effectively manage their money and master their mindset.
You can contact Amy at her website https://amybett.com/ and check out her FREE masterclass there.
We talk about Thriday using Xero in your business.
If you want help building a profitable product business you can grab my free guide on the 8 essentials every product business needs to ensure long term sustainable success.
Join me with special guest Amy Bett, the Lady Without Limits, as she shares the secrets of the Profit First system to help businesses become more profitable. Discover how to build a thriving and successful product business by mastering cash flow management and reaching financial stability. Join the community of entrepreneurs who have transformed their businesses with Amy's guidance and testimonials of success. Say goodbye to financial stress and unlock the path to lasting prosperity!
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinarprofit
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
I know being a Buyer can be tough!! It is not all pretty things and lovely items you get to select all the time.
Often as a Buyer and Retailer you have so much to think about. Budgets to keep and cash flow to consider, sell through numbers, categories to fill and customers to think about also. You go to the trade shows to see what is new but maybe sometimes walk around with blinkers on... does that sound familiar?
I created an episode last week all about Trade Show tips for thee Exhibitors so this week is the Buyers edition!
10 tips to help you maximise your next show and make the most of your travel, your time out of store and to help you get excited about the possibilities ahead!!!
If you are new to Retail I hope you get some inspiration about visiting and get excited about what your next buying trip is all about!
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinarprofit
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Are you attending your first TRADE SHOW? Are you nervous? Excited? Freaking out?
How much money have you spent on your stand???
If you have you invested to exhibit at a trade show or are thinking about it soon, this episode is for you.
Trade shows are such a great way to boost your wholesale sales and find new stockists but they can be expensive. So if you are now freaking out….or maybe this your 3rd or 4th show and you know you have to make some tweaks to maximise your investment then take heed of these 10 can I call them commandments?
I have been involved in over 60 trade shows whether as a buyer, an exhibitor, an educator or a consultant.
There are definitely some things you need to tick off to make sure you have a successful show.
I hope these tips help you consider some extra elements you may not have thought of and also help prepare you so you are going in with eyes wide open!
I deep dive even further into this in my Trade Show Bootcamp which is a 3 part series that covers all your questions you might have about attending and gives you clarity on what to prepare and act on prior to the show, during the show and after the show.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinarprofit
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Walking around the NZ Gift Fair was the first time I met Janet from product-based business Fox and Fallow. It was her third trade show in just a few short months over 3 countries (NY, USA, Sydney, Australia and Auckland, NZ). They had won the award for best stand with a huge pink and peach plywood stand built mostly by Darrell!
Getting thrown into the deep end is how Janet likes to roll and it has helped her launch her brand onto the international stage. She likes a deadline!!
With over 1000 stockists worldwide and now a multi million dollar business she has learnt a thing or two along the way.
Listen to hear how Janet and Darrel have built their gift and stationary range from a side hustle to main hustle. And how being scrappy and cheap can lead to the business of your dreams.
You can check out more about Fox and Fallow here and follow along on instagram here
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Hands up if you want sales from your website?
Err of course you do right?
Well in this episode today I am sharing 5 things your home page needs to help turn lookers into buyers.
These 5 simple little essentials help you to convert more sales and get customers adding to cart!!
Go on and check out your website now, trying to view it as someone who does not know you at all (this is hard to do)
And if you want more help with converting your traffic head to my 5 day boost your web sales mini series to help you 👇🏼
BOOST YOUR SALES
The book I mentioned Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller is available here
and other fab books you might like to help you build your business.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
How many Email Automatons do you already have set up in your business?
An abandoned cart email sequence?
A thank you?
A welcome series or nurture sequence that tells customers a little bit about who you are?
Or are you scared to send any emails to your customers for fear they will unsubscribe? You now how that sounds right? (they may as well not be in your list if you never send them anything!)
In this episode I dive into 5 Email Automations you should make sure you incorporate into your ecommerce marketing now.
To get more help with your Email Marketing have it bring in more income into your ecommerce business and nurture your customers more. Find out about how you can Nail your Email Marketing here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Everyone wants more profit right? And you have heard the saying "Sales are Vanity Profit is Sanity' but why still is all I see business owners focus on is their top line salea and not their bottom line!
Clearly they impact each other but you can get a better bottom line in more ways than just focussing on the top.
Want help nurturing your current customers more? Sign up to my Nail your Email Marketing program now .
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Things have changed right!!
Without sounding like a total boomer 'back in my day I had to post 3-4 times a day and blah blah blah....' the point is Instagram has changed so much in the past 6 months let alone the last 5 years!
So what should it look like now? What is the ideal amount of content (hint whatever you can manage but more is more 😬) that you should try and make sure you post/share/create?
I dive into all the detail in this episode and share what your stories, reels, feed, highlights and bio should include.
I try and break it down for physical retail stores and also online DTC ecommerce businesses also.
But really focused on product-based businesses here cos it should look quite different to service based instagram models.
Got some questions after listening ? Hit me up in the DM. And remember social media is not a marketing strategy but just one little slice of the pie that your marketing should focus on.
Want help with how the hell to market you product business? Join my Roadmap program for a deep dive into this and so much more.
You can also grab my 100+ ideas for more content here:
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Build a mailing list they say. Grow you email database. Use email marketing more.
Ok but how do you actually grow your email list in the first place?
I started out with 5 ways to boost your email list but ended up with 10!
Having a constant stream of new clients is important and crucial to ensure you can get the as promised 43 x ROI on email marketing.
From making sure you have an attractive website pop up, to creating QR codes and trying to build that elusive FOMO.
In this is episode I dive into the 10 ways you can use to boost your email database.
Let me know what you are using right now and what ways work for you to build your list.
To get access to my Nail your Email Marketing click through here.
And if you want to grab some ideas on content and planning you can download my free content planner here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
3 years ago Kelly sat down in front of me on The @life_instyle business couch and we talked about her WHY.
We talked about how she wanted to make an impact in the world and help solve everyday problems for people.
We talked about how she wanted to show her kids that you can have a dream and bring it to life.
This time we talked on the podcast about how to actually build that multi million dollar product business.
@Klipsta has taken a few short years to turn over $4 million dollars this year. In this podcast episode Kelly talks about her journey and how she is trying to enjoy the ride, stay grateful and roll with the punches.
We talk about why establishing your foundations is so important, listening to others, leaning in, trusting your gut, being ok with failure and making mistakes.
We talk about how manifestation can help you stay focussed and makes decision making easier.
I have worked with Kelly to help her establish her wholesale foundations, make sure her pricing is right, launch into new markets, update her packaging and so much more.
Listen in to the episode now to get inspired by Kelly's story.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Want to maximise conversions and get more buyers over the lien and stocking your range in their stores?
Make sure you include these 5 things in your Wholesale catalogue.
In this super quick episode I explore the five essential elements that can maximize your wholesale catalogue's sales. Learn about the key components that will help your catalogue stand out from the competition and bring in more revenue for your business.
Buyers are busy and they love looking for new and exciting products but they don't want to waste time reading your life story and 3 pages of intro. Get to the point fast, showcase your products with beautiful product and lifestyle imagery and please please please put prices inside the catalogue!!
Listen in to here more detail about what you need to include in your Wholesale catalogue. .
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Don't forget to stop and smell the roses!!!
This is something I think we need reminding of every now and again.
As well as other what may be cliches I wanted to share some insights with you today after 25 years in business.
Worry about the things you can control.
Be present.
Look back to see how far you have come.
Take time to rest.
Figure out what brings you joy.
What is your true why.
Celebrate the big and "little" wins!!
And are you running your business by someone else's rules?
And so much more.
I cover this and a number of other lessons in this episode today.
I hope you enjoy. Off to smell the roses.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Getting to know yourself from the inside out.
Where are you holding yourself back? Whether consciously or unconsciously?
What thoughts are you having that are self-sabotaging? Do you even realise?
I often hear (and tell) people that they need to work on their Mindset or hear others say they spent time on their mindset and it transformed them and helped them achieve great success. But what does that actually mean?
Working on your Mindset and understanding how your thoughts can inform how you feel about yourself. What patterns can you pick up when you listen with curiosity and kindness? Are you dedicated to your success and always looking to make incremental improvements?
In this episode with special guest Mandy Napier an International Mindset and High Performance Coach we dive into how Mindset tools can hep you move forward and break free from what is holding you back.
As Mandy explains 'Often we are the greatest stumbling block to our own success'Many of us have a yearning to achieve more in life. I believe we all desire to learn, grow and in the process, become a better version of ourselves. To reach that next milestone in our personal or professional lives, or continually strive for more. Yet sometimes, we keep missing the mark. Why is it that we fall short, and seemingly, unintentionally sabotage our own success? So we never quite breakthrough to that elusive next level.
Listen to hear how you can kickstart working on your mindset today.
You can grab Mandy's Mindset free toolkit here.
Find out more about Mandy's work on her website here.
Known as the ‘Mindset Alchemist,’ Mandy Napier BSC, is a Global High Performance Mindset Coach, Speaker, Educator, and Author of ‘Creating Healthy Life Habits’. She is the founder of Mindset for Success, a Mindset, High Performance and Empowerment Practice dedicated to supporting high achievers to fulfil their potential and achieve extraordinary results, professionally and personally.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
This is a question I get asked quite a lot in my 'How to Wholesale' program.
Should I work with a Sales Agent?
How much % commission do they take?
Where do I find them?
And then BUT that is so much % off what I already receive for wholesaling?!
Why would I do that? I don't have enough margin.
Why would I use an agent?
So here we go - a list of pros and cons when deciding whether to work with an agent.
Why you should and why you shouldn't.
How to make the most of your experience and what they need to do their job properly.
I love agents, and have some amazing friends who are agents! But I have had some bad experiences with them (in hindsight it may have been my fault....).
I have used them for my brand, used them to buy when I had a retail store and I have been one!!!
So I have perceptive here from all sides.
Let me know if this episode has been helpful.
And if you want to Transform Your Wholesale and figure out how to build a sustainable profitable product business then you might want to join my Roadmap program where I dive deep into al of this and so much more!!!
Shout out to all my favourite agents!!!
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
How do you stay top of mind when your customers are looking to make their next purchase?
Are you the first thing they think of when they have a problem to solve (ie present to buy for, occasion to buy an outfit for and so on)?
Building on your customer loyalty is crucial to not just survive but thrive in this business.
Do you know your customer return rate? (or return customer rate as shopify calls it- RCR).
'Modern consumers are no longer just making transactions—they’re seeking supportive, feel-good, memorable experiences. And when a shopper’s experiential expectations are blown out of the water, you can bet they’ll be back to shop again.
Happy Customers Are Repeat Customers
Repeat customer rate is a metric that leads to long-term success and scalability.'
Route.com
There are many ways to nurture your customers and get them staying loyal to your brand or retail store and and hopefully being around for 1,2,3 or 10 years as a customer!
In this episode I dive into some important considerations about building on customer loyalty, growing your customer life time value (LTV) and hopefully offsetting the growing customer acquisition costs (CAC).
I would love to hear about the ways you consider your customers journey and what you are doing to make the customer experience CX a memorable and satisfying one!
And just cos I have so many acronyms in here:
CX - Customer experience, or CX, is the overall perception a customer has of your brand after interacting with your business across the buyer's journey. From marketing, to sales, to customer service – CX is the sum of all touchpoints and can impact a customer's decision to return to your brand.
LTV - Customer lifetime value is the total amount of money a customer is expected to spend with your business, or on your products, during the lifetime of an average business relationship.
CAC- Customer acquisition cost (CAC) is the cost related to acquiring a new customer.
RCR- Repeat customer rate, or repeat purchase rate, is the percentage of your existing customers who have purchased from you two or more times.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
How well do you know your numbers in your business?
This is something that freaks a lot of people out I know! But if you run your own business and want to be acting like the CEO then you should understand where you stand.
In this episode we cover some of the essentials of knowing your numbers.
Being able to read your profit and loss. Understanding your margins. Knowing what percentage of your expenses are eaten up by the different categories.
What your AOV, and website conversion rate is?
Being across your data helps you make better decisions for your business.
Listen to this episode to help you get a better picture about what you need to know and why!
To boost your conversion rate on your website and make sure every visitor is maximised check out my 5 day series to boost your numbers.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/5dayseries
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Donna Wallace has spent years as an energy healer. After listening to her intuition and being guided by the universe she now brings unique and custom jewellery to her customers.
The jewellery is created in a unique 5 step process that combines her background in energy reading with the most beautiful gemstone jewellery.
Welcome to the world of energetic activation, luxury and blossoming into your potential.
Our coloured gemstone rings activate your energy field and enhance your radiance.
You pick up the ring and place it on your finger, you experience an activation within your energy field like no other.
You light up.
Your light magnifies, intensifies and radiates.
You have, in an instant, become the radiant being you always knew yourself to be.
You have blossomed.
You have bloomed.
You are radiant.
You are magnificent.
This is the copy that sits on Donna’s website The House of Orion.
If you are intrigued as I was when I first heard about the process then listen I to find out more about the process.
You can also book a free energy reading with Donna here.
Donna will read your energy, tune into your Soul, and tell you more about what ring could be created for you.
Have you ever wondered what gemstones are sitting in your aura, waiting to be placed on your finger?
Donna sees gemstones sparkling in people’s energy fields. These are the gemstones that can uplift you, and make all the difference to how you experience life.
Follow Donna at the House of Orion here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
You have invested thousands and you need this to work right..?
Exhibiting at trade shows can be scary and is also a huge investment. You don't always get the results you are after either.
Trust me I have been to shows where I have not taken 1 order!!
What can you do to make sure that doesn't happen to you and you bring the right attitude, mindset and tools to help you.
In this episode I dive into common mistakes I see, some things to avoid and how to bring your best self along.
Trade Shows can be one of the best ways to grow your Wholesale revenue stream so don't be scared -be prepared!!
To watch my FREE webinar on Trade Show Essentials head to : https://www.thelotco.com/tradeshowessentialsFREEWEBINAR
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
What is the most precious resource for entrepreneurs? And those running their own business often as a solo entrepreneur too...
Well if you answered time or money you would be right! They are both pretty close when it comes to trying to succeed in this crazy world of retail, product businesses, e-commerce and building a brand.
I have pulled together today 6 tools I believe every product based business owner needs to be using right now to help save them time and also money.
Let me know if you use these already and how you use them in your business.
And because I just cant help myself I added in an extra one that is highly relevant right now and if you have not already seen it OMG get onto it!!
Chat GPT is the latest tool that could seriously save your hours every week if the tasks you complete just need a little AI intelligence to be sped up!!
Hope you love this episode and I look forward to getting your responses on what you have started using recently.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Katherine Mullett is one of the Deadly Wears team, she is a proud Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo woman, who works On Country. Katherine continuously advocates for the protection of Heritage and the continuation of looking after Country by Traditional Owners and First Nations people.
Her brand Deadly Wears is an ally friendly brand and is helping to directly support first nations business owners.
After realising she could help be a part of the solution to help educate and impact change and increase allyship within Australian Culture she has also created Djambies in a box.
Djambies (friends) In a Box offers all Australians the chance to authentically understand and reflect on the Culture of our First Nations People, along with the diversity of issues they face. The subscription boxes deliver a variety of incredible products and produce from First Nations Owned Businesses that invite you to be part of the solution for a more just society.
To find out more about Deadly Wears, Djambies and follow Katherine check out her pages at:
Deadly Wears instagram , Djambies in a box instagram., Mates before Dates information.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Ever wondered what things product-based business owners do to get ahead?
Have you ever tried to figure out what they have in common?
After more than 25 years working with 100's of product-based businesses and successful entrepreneurs these are some characteristics I have noticed in common.
Some of these are actions and some of these are strategies.
See how many you have and whether you think I am on the mark.
I listed out 10 but I am sure there are more.
Welcome to this new season in thelotco business podcast. I love helping you build your profitable product business and sharing stories to inspire your journey.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Gemma Ostroburski from TalkShop Retail has Retail and design in her blood!
She has spend years honing her craft of visual merchandising, helping retailers hone the experience they offer customers and
She help retailers turn their shops into destinations. And stores that makes people want to buy, grows your sales & keeps customers coming back!
We talk all things VM , how to bring a sense of wonder and increase your sales for physical brick and mortar Retail stores.
Gemma has so many great tips to help you and really dives into the elements of VM and experiential retail that can make a difference.
You can find out more about Gemma and her work at @talkshopretail or at https://www.talkshopretail.com.au/
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
A blog, a journal a magazine call it what you will but you need one!!!
Every e-commerce site has a customer. Clearly!! (or I hope so!)
Therefore everyone should have blog content to help connect with your customer, inspire your customer, educate your customer and relate to your customer.
Whether you are a Retail store with 100's of brands and a mixture of products to a brand with a single product!
Your blog helps with SEO, builds trust, encourages conversions, solves problems for customers and is such a great long term traffic source for your website.
In this episode I give you 5 reasons ( I know there are even more!) why you need one.
And before you say it. Yes it is another thing to do but it should be one of the first things you do and can help create other content from your blog.
Length of the blog should be between 500-1500 words ideally and each image used should also have a title that includes keyword to also help with SEO (a topic for another day!).
Want my FREE guide on 15 ways to boost traffic to your website. Grab it here.
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Collaborations are something every product business should have as part of their overall Marketing strategy.
The ability to reach new audiences, generate excitement and buzz, build your email list and so much more are just some of the reasons collabs should be on your radar if they are not already.
The world’s most successful brands have tapped into collaboration marketing to reach & engage new audiences - & why not? Brand collaborations are up to 25x less expensive than digital advertising- what?!
Asos, Gucci, MAC Cosmetics, Glossier, Vogue, The Wing, Bose, Ikea - all of these brands regularly partner up with like-minded businesses for clever cross-promotion. They leverage existing assets, often currencies other than cash, to create cool products, social media or experiential collaboration.
I chat today with Jess Ruhfus the founder from Collabosaurus which is the (tinder) matchmaker for brands. They connect over 6,500+ businesses for clever marketing partnerships across the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand & the UK.
Collabosaurus is an end-to-end platform helping businesses source, secure & leverage B2B collaborations of all sizes. Listen in to here why collabs should be aport of your Marketing strategy in 2023!
They we specialise in product based businesses such as fashion, beauty, lifestyle, food, beverage & events industries.
You can find out more about Collabosaurus here https://collabosaurus.com/ and send Jess a DM on instagram to grab her list of ideas!
I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco
Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/freewebinar
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Bundle it baby. Want to get your e-commerce store average order value (AOV) up then add a bundle!
Make it easy make it quick and allow customers to buy more than 1 of something.
Of course I can add to cart twice but guess what by bundling it it makes it a lot easier if it is already together.
Add a bundle to your website now or even some mixed packs or gift sets. Let me know how your stores AOV changes once you introduce this.
Don't make assumptions about how people shop. Make life easy for them and give them options. KI.S.S. Offer a 3 pack, 10 pack or even a mixed pack.
Sell artwork create sets where you sell the things that look good together!
Sell tea towels offer a 5 pack.
Sell your best selling colours or fragrances as a bundle.
Showcase how things look together. It makes for way more spontaneous purchasing decisions trust me!
Some great apps you can check out are linked here. Now they might add a cost to your shopify subscription but test them out and see if they bring in more than they cost you, you are winning! You only need the ROI to be 1 and it is a success.
For more ways to boost your e-commerce sales you can register for my 5 days boost your numbers series here.
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
I'm Mel! from @thelotco
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
You may Nikki Parkinson from @stylingyou instagram, her blog of the same name or maybe from her fashion range @stylingyouthelabel? She is one busy woman and loves what she does!
I was beyond excited to chat with Nikki about her journey and her passions and her multi-passionate life she leads. She has so much to share and is so generous in her knowledge.
We talk about the start of her journey, her beliefs, what is important when creating a fashion brand and how she is an inclusive size brand , meeting THE Trinny Woodall (arghh so jealous) and why she is happy not to chase other peoples version of success.
A chat with Nikki would not be complete without talking about influencers and influencer marketing and she shares some tips on getting the most out of the relationship.
I hope you love this episode and cannot wait to hear your insights!
To check out Nikki's website and blog head to https://www.stylingyou.com.au/ you can follow her on instagram at @stylingyou and @stylingyouthelabel
To catch my free webinar on Building a profitable product business register here.
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
I'm Mel! from @thelotco
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
Celia Loves is all about good vibes, bold scents and epic products. Listen to hear how Stefi Kerby (the Founder) is building Celia Loves into an iconic brand and why customers are so important to her.
Not many are able to bring a little bit of Europe to Geelong but Stefi has done just that in her latest European collection range! She shares her love of packaging, infectious nature and love of colour with everyone around her.
Standing out in a sea of candle brands is not easy but Celia Loves works hard on having a strong USP and doesn't try to compete but work with other candle brands to share shelf space with others and complement want else is on the market.
Japanese Honeysuckle is her best seller even with a toucan on the label (listen in to hear what her Accountant thought about the packaging!).
Stefi shares some great insights and she really is one my wavelength when she talks about data and how important it is to help you run a sustainable and profitable product business.
To check out that wallpaper you can see it here. To take the scent quiz click here and to follow your nose to Celia Loves candles that are made to burn not collect dust the website is here and you follow Stefi on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stefi_celia.loves/ and https://www.instagram.com/celia.loves/
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
I'm Mel! from @thelotco
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
So you want to make Wholesale a strong revenue stream in your product business?
To do that obviously you need new stockists and you need to be making contact with buyers right.
So how do you go about it?
How do you maximise the effort you put in?
How do you get over the line and get a buyer to actually consider your product for their store?
In this episode I dive into 5 mistakes you might be making when contacting potential stockists. So you never have to google 'How do I wholesale?" again.
A few little things I see happening again and again when working with brands in my Profitable Product Business Roadmap when we get to the Wholesale Sales channels deep dive.
Listen in to see if you are doing any of these things and what to start doing instead!
To get my Top 10 tips for Wholesale free guide head here.
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
I'm Mel! from @thelotco
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Business Coach teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business.
How do you get it all done? How do you manage all the things on your to do list in business and life without succumbing to the overwhelm?!
This is a question that so many of us ask.
There is no magical solution, but this is an area that Bec Fing from @housepaddockconsulting has got some great tools, tips and advice on to help you manage your time and get more shit done.
She has been working with businesses for over 20 years helping them with strategic direction, compliance and because of this has also focused on personal effectiveness.
Realising that 'You can't manage your business until you can manage yourself'. She now works with individuals on personal effectiveness, goal setting, strategic planning and managing your time. You can find Bec at @housepaddockconsulting on instagram or on her website at https://www.housepaddocktraining.com.au/
You can grab her 30 tips for Time Management here and she also has a new annual planner to help keep you super organised that is available now.
Bec Fing Designs can be seen at https://www.becfingdesigns.com.au/
To check your chronotype head here https://casper.com/blog/chronotype/
P.S. Whenever you’re ready... here are 3 ways I can help you grow your business:
- Grab a FREE guide.
Want some help with Pricing, Wholesale or just How to get more traffic to your website? You can nab some more information on those for FREE here—
- Join my ROADMAP program and scale to your first $100K.
If you're under $10k a month right now: I have a new Profitable Product Business Roadmap program to help guide you on how to get to that first $100-$300K annual income. While making a profit too! Click here to find out more.
- Work with me privately.
If you’d like to work directly with me to take you from 6 to 7 figures... just send me a message and with the word “Private”... tell me a little about your business and what you’d like to work on together, and I’ll get you all the details.
After working with 100's and 100's of product businesses in my time either as the Owner (designer), Employee or Business Coach I have seen a thing or two.
When it comes to what a successful product business does to succeed and also turn a profit there are some key essentials and trends I have picked up on.
In this episode i dive into these and explore how other successful businesses do things as well as some things not to do also!!
Can you guess what any of the top 10 are? How many of these are you doing? What else do you think I should have added here? I look forward to hearing your feedback and if you found this podcast helpful.
To grab the time management tips I talked about head to https://www.housepaddocktraining.com.au/timemanagementtips
Click on the link 👉🏼 to find out more about the Profitable Product Business Roadmap
Want to make sure your Pricing is correct- grab my FREE guide on Pricing here.
Follow along at @thelotco and we can chat in the DM.
Numbers, numbers, numbers. Data, data, data.
Numbers and data don't lie. But what should you be looking at? What do they mean? What should they be? And how can making small changes in each of these numbers have a huge overall impact on your bottom line?
I was talking data in my Mastermind this past week and that inspired this episode. I wanted to share what I believe are the most important metrics to know if you have an e-commerce store.
These 5 metric are ones that you should almost know or track regularly in your e-commerce business.
Let's dive into what the heck all those acronyms actually mean!
Conversion rate (CR), AOV, RCR...
Listen to this episode, go check your shopify analytics to see how you rate against industry standards
The links mentioned in the episode:
Grab the link to 15 ways to attract traffic to your website.
5 day boost your numbers series
And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!
I'm Mel! from @thelotco The girl who fell in love with business. Former Lecturer of Fashion Business with over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale, I have done it all. I’ve built two multi-million dollar product businesses that I’ve since sold, I’ve owned a retail store, I’ve been a buyer for big brands, I’ve been a seller, I’ve exhibited at over 50 trade shows, I’ve worked with 100's of brands to help them grow to over a million in sales, and I’ve taken all of my knowledge and distilled it into easy-to-follow practical business advice to help you confidently take the next steps in your product-based business in order to grow your business to consistent five-figure months and beyond.
Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
How do get more eyes on your website? It is a question that gets asked A LOT. E-commerce stores and Retail stores are all looking for any extra help when it comes to website traffic, visibility and being found by customers.
Today on the show I chat with Kate Toon a self proclaimed misfit entrepreneur. Kate is all about substance over style. And keeping it real and relatable.
We talk SEO and how to write copy for your website. Even if you have to describe a sponge for the 100th time!!
Kate explains that almost 68% of all buying decisions come back to search. Yes 68%!!
You can find Kate on instagram at @katetoon and her website has so much amazing content.
https://www.katetoon.com/product-category/template/
Grab my SEO checklist on how to load a product onto your website for best practice SEO here .
https://www.pingdom.com/solution/website-speed-testing/
Kate's free SEO course https://therecipeforseosuccess.com/seo-courses/seo-nibbles/
Want help with your product business? Book a FREE 1:1 Strategy Session to plan your profitable product business!
Renee is the lead trombone of Birch ... .a business that now encapsulates a restaurant, retail store, online store, takeaway, chef-at-home service, food and retail product ranges, in-region and feature events, collaborations and always seems to have something in the pipeline. Renee has guided Birch through a pretty hectic few years and emerged with a changed business model that continues to provide challenges and opportunities.
Listen in to hear how Renee has managed to grow the Birch brand into more than just a restaurant and where she plans to take things in the future.
We talk about the growth of her Retail store, how we are all sick of the word 'pivot' and why choosing how she now runs the restaurant allows for other opportunities.
You can follow Renee over at @birch_store and @birch_restaurant and buy her fabulous range here https://birchstore.com.au/
And get on the waitlist for her new release Birch Cookbook by clicking here.
Want to know more about building your product business? Grab your checklist for success.
Brydie Stewart left her teaching job and started Mary Maker Studio 7 years ago and has not looked back since.
I recently heard and saw Brydie speak at Jumbled's -"The Huddle' in Orange and she was one of my favourite speakers on the day. As well as many others favourites!! My notebook was filled with her inspirational words.
She is a go getter and I absolutely loved talking with her more in this episode. She shares so many gems of wisdom- I hope you enjoy as much as I did speaking with her!!
You can find Brydie @marymakerstudio
Find your Human Design type at https://www.daylunalife.com/
Have a question about your product business? Send me a DM on instagram @thelotco
Keen to build a profitable product business? Grab my free checklist to help you get there!!!.
https://www.thelotco.com/checklist
Make sure you send me a DM @thelotco to let me know what you thought of this episode today.
Want to find out how we can work together?
Book in a FREE call to talk about options.
Or you can work with me 1 on1 as a Business Coach by booking here.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/coaching
Follow along on Instagram at @thelotco
Have you ever added something to cart then gotten distracted and walked away? Of course you have, everyone has. That is why it is essential you have an abandoned cart email
In this episode I talk about what you need to set up, how you do it and some elements to customise. A short and direct episode that is something every e-commerce business owner needs in their business.
Have a question about your product business? Send me a DM on instagram @thelotco
Keen to build a profitable product business? Grab my free checklist to help you.
https://www.thelotco.com/checklist
Make sure you send me a DM @thelotco to let me know what you thought of this episode today.
Want to find out how we can work together?
Book in a FREE call to talk about options.
Or you can work with me 1 on1 as a Business Coach by booking here.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/coaching
Follow along on Instagram at @thelotco
Sculpting hearts, dancing on reels and making it work in a product based business. I talk with Waan from You me and bones about her candle making business and how she is making it work in between pandemics, children, the peaks and flows of retail and wholesale.
You may have seen Waan creating her hilarious reels on instagram and making us laugh with her antics.
Listen to her talk a bit deeper about the BTS of the business. And also how she still struggles to put her prices up!
Want a custom candle created or want to collaborate contact Waan at @themkrclub
Waan did not mention this but she also has this fab new bag brand @okyesbuddy https://www.instagram.com/okyesbuddy/
Send me a DM on instagram @thelotco and let me know what you thought of this episode and I would so appreciate a review.
Want to grab my free checklist to help with ideas on how to a build a profitable product business?
Grab it here. https://www.thelotco.com/checklist
Want to find out how we can work together?
Book in a FREE call to talk about options.
Or you can work with me 1 on1 as a Business Coach by booking here.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/coaching
Follow along on Instagram at @thelotco
Talking all things Retail and What are some of the secrets to Retail success!
This is my interview with Nichole Simms from Creative Visual Solutions a Retail Consultant and Business Coach. Nichole interviews 21 experts from Retail Beauty, Fashion, Marketing, Branding, E-Commerce, and MORE in this FREE about how to build Retail success.
I loved talking all things traffic to your website, the importance of data and numbers and elements to help you succeed in ecommerce and retail with a product based business.
You can Get The Inside Scoop On How To Have A Truly Successful Retail Business!Join the series here 👉🏼Listen to all 21 Retail and Ecommerce experts in the series by joining here
21 leading industry experts are coming together to give you the insider information that you need to be successful and have a retail business that you truly love. Let's face it,If you sell a product, you have a RETAIL business! Learn from top experts in Beauty, Fashion, Marketing, Branding, E-Commerce, and MORE to get the REAL information you need to have the business of your dreams!
To find out more about Nichole head here 👇🏼https://creativevisualsolutions.wordpress.com/
To grab my 15 tips on getting more traffic to your website click here.
Follow along at @thelotco or book your 1 on 1 Business Coaching and Consulting here. to get guidance, advice and help in building a profitable product business!!!
Knowing and understanding your customers is a crucial element to any product-based businesses success.
Really having a good understanding of who your best customers are and how you can nurture them even more will have a big impact on your customer LTV.
Use your data, review reports and make sure you understand who they are, what their needs are and how you can support them even more.
Send me a DM on instagram @thelotco and let me know what you learnt after reviewing your
data. What changes can you make or in what ways can you serve your customers better?
Want to grab my free checklist to help with ideas on how to a build a profitable product business?
Grab it here. https://www.thelotco.com/checklist
Make sure you send me a DM @thelotco to let me know what you thought of this episode today.
Want to find out how we can work together?
Book in a FREE call to talk about options.
Or you can work with me 1 on1 as a Business Coach by booking here.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/coaching
Follow along on Instagram at @thelotco
Let's talk Marketing. Now I hear all the time that instagram engagement is down or algorithm has gone to 💩 or not quite where it used to be. Guess what. Social media is not a marketing strategy and is only one element of your overall plan. Not the only thing you do!! You don't want all your eggs in one basket.
**So what should you be doing then? In this episode we talk about 6 things you can be doing instead of social media to build awareness about your products or store get traffic to your website and ideally increase sales.
Let me know what you will start today!!**
Want to grab my free checklist to help with ideas on how to a build a profitable product business?
Grab it here. https://www.thelotco.com/checklist
Make sure you send me a DM @thelotco to let me know what you thought of this episode today.
Want to find out how we can work together?
Book in a FREE call to talk about options.
Or you can work with me 1 on1 as a Business Coach by booking here.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/coaching
Follow along on Instagram at @thelotco
What are some of the important things to know about email marketing?
How do successful brands use email marketing?
Stripping it back and giving you some essentials here that every product based business or retail store needs to have in place.
I see time and time again brands I work with not spending the time or money to get their email marketing right.
It can have a 43X ROI!! That is almost better than any other marketing out there.
Done well email marketing is the way one of the essential elements to a successful and multi 6 figure and 7 figure retail business.
Listen in to hear how to get started or what your baseline should be.
Want to grab my free content planner to help with ideas on what to email your customers?
Grab it here. https://www.thelotco.com.au/freebies
Make sure you send me a DM @thelotco to let me know what you thought if this quick little episode today.
Want to find out how we can work together?
I have a membership for Retailers here.
I have a program to help you grow your Wholesale revenue here.
Click here to find out more about my quick boost your online sales series
https://thelotco.com.au/5dayseries
Or you can work with me 1 on1 as a Business Coach by booking here.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/coaching
Follow along on Instagram at @thelotco
Are you putting up barriers to buying without even realising it?
Today I want to talk a little about barriers to buying that I have encountered retailers and brands putting up recently and how to make sure you are not doing these!!
Listen in to see if a quick change to your bio or quick addition to your website can make all the difference and instead of stopping customers in their tracks you help them enjoy a pleaseant and smooth customer journey and experience with your store.
The app I mentioned in the show is this one but there are lots more to help you convert more customers.
I talk here about physical retail stores as well as online e-commerce stores and also brands when they are trying to wholesale and get new stockists on board.
If you want to explore what fabulous free guides and info. I have head to https://www.thelotco.com.au/freebies
Want to find out how we can work together?
I have a new short intro course to help you bring in more sales at https://www.thelotco.com.au/5dayseries
Or you can work with me 1 on1 as a Business Coach by booking here.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/coaching
Follow along on Instagram at @thelotco
thank you for listening!!!
melissa robbins- thelotco - business coaching, consulting and mentoring for creative brnds, retailers and side hustlers.
Ahhh it is that time of the year right? You have almost made it.
But don't just speed on past. Take some time to reflect and review the year that was.
I have 7 quick questions for you to ask yourself that might just make you stop and think. They might just make you recall something you had forgotten about.
Hopefully they will make you realise how much you have achieved and that you have done your best!!
If you want a copy of the questions from todays episode in one page grab it here.
Want the deeper dive business in review workbook? Link is here to get it.
Make sure you send me a DM @thelotco to let me know what you thought if this quick little episode today.
If you want to explore what fabulous free guides and info. I have head to https://www.thelotco.com.au/freebies
Want to find out how we can work together?
I have a membership for Retailers here.
I have a program to help you grow your Wholesale revenue here.
Click here to find out more about my quick boost your online sales series
https://thelotco.com.au/5dayseries
Or you can work with me 1 on1 as a Business Coach by booking here.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/coaching
Follow along on Instagram at @thelotco
I am sure you have heard the call. Build your email list.
It is something you own. You are in control.
Unlike your Instagram following or Facebook audience. Don't be a slave to the algorithm.
Send emails instead (or as well 😀). Email marketing gets you an average of $42 in sales for every $1 spent!! Now that is a good ROI -right?
And customers want to hear from you!!
BUT you need a list for that to actually work. So how do you build a list?
It is harder to have a lead magnet (a reason for people to sign up often a free download for service-based businesses) when you are a product based business. And not everyone wants to or can afford to offer a 10% discount incentive.
In this episode, I take you through 10 things you should be doing to help you build your email database or customer list.
And also some ideas on what to create to incentivise that signup!!
Don't be boring!!
If you want to sign up to my mailing list so you get FUN things from me and ways and ideas to grow your business then use this link here.
If you want to explore what fabulous free guides and info. I have head to https://www.thelotco.com.au/freebies
Want to find out how we can work together?
I have a new short intro course to help you bring in more sales.
Head here to find out more
https://thelotco.com.au/5dayseries
Or you can work with me 1 on1 as a Business Coach by booking here.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/coaching
Follow along on Instagram at @thelotco
So you think you just need Facebook ads and everything will be ok? Before you start throwing money at an ads manager have you done all these things in your business first?
Today I am listing out 5 things you should know, be doing, or have set up in your product-based business or e-commerce store before spending a cent on any ads.
These are things that every eCommerce business owner should be doing. It is worth getting someone to help you with them or you DIY'ing these things so that every dollar you do spend on facebook (or Instagram) ads is going to give you a really good ROI (return on investment).
Set these up or understand these aspects and then you can go ahead and spend up (I love Facebook ads by the way but only when you are ready!!).
If you want help with understanding your numbers - increasing your (average order value), improving your conversion rate (as well as abandon cart rate), boosting that RCR (return customer rate) then sign up to my 5 day series to increase your numbers.
Head here to find out more
https://thelotco.com.au/5dayseries
or go straight to get started at
https://www.thelotco.com/5dayseries
I mentioned the all-in-one list for how to improve your Shopify stores SEO.
Shopify SEO guide
Google keyword planner can be found here.
I have used Sam from Social Sauce for facebooks ads. Tell her. you sent me.
@therealsocilasauce or https://socialsauce.com.au/
Want to work with me as a 1 on 1 Business Coach or Mentor? Head to my website to see if I have any spaces available.
Do you wholesale your product into Retail stores? Or are you looking to?
Today I want to talk about common mistakes I see brands make and what to do about them. I have the program called Transform your Wholesale and after running this for over 12 months I see similar things come up again and again.
So today I will give you a list of 10 common mistakes that brands make and how to change them! SO that you can set yourself up for success and that this can be a valuable revenue stream for your business.
I cannot wait to hear what things you might be doing and if this has helped you!
Link to my Transform your Wholesale program is here.
My freebies guide on Pricing your product and Top 10 tips for WHolesale can be found at https://www.thelotco.com.au/freebies
Thank you so much for listening today and to stay in touch you can find me at https://www.thelotco.com.au/ and on Instagram @thelotco
Have you ever thought about writing a book? My guest today is Elisabeth Sophia. Not only has she published 2 books this year she has also helped publish her Mum's Memoir.
Life Interrupted Memoir
After losing her Mum Karina to cancer Elisabeth was inspired to create her first book for her son to navigate through his grief and explain where his beloved Yiayia had gone- If you were here.
She has also collaborated with her friend and the fabulous artist Karina Jambrak to release a children's bedtime story. Moonlight, Goodnight. Karina Jambrak the illustrator of Moonlight, Goodnight can be found here.
We talk about how she has gone through the process, what she has learned along the way and what to look forward to in the future.
Connect with Elisabeth and find all her children books here.
https://elisabethsophia.com.au/. Or on Instagram at @elisabethsophia_author
Her Mum's memoir A life Interrupted can be found here. https://lifeinterruptedmemoir.com.au/
To make a donation to one of Karina's charities you can head here .
Thank you so much for listening today and to stay in touch you can find me at https://www.thelotco.com.au/ and on Instagram @thelotco
Have you ever thought about using a 3PL warehouse? Or do you even know what 3PL is?
In this episode, I talk to Deanne Luke from Lexington Logistics about how she works with boutique brands and manages their packing and sending.
What is 3PL and is it right for you? We talk all things distribution and outsourcing that side of your business.
If you are a brand that is sick of spending all your time on orders (even though you love orders!!!) then you might want to hear more about this option.
You can find out more about Deanne at https://www.lexingtonlogistics.com.au/ or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lexingtonlogistics/ and https://www.instagram.com/_deanneluke_/
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
I work with Retailers and Brands on managing, scaling, and understanding their business.
You can work with me either 1 on 1 as a Business Coach or join one of my groups (grow your wholesale revenue) or thelotco collective membership (grow your Retail sales) .
Melissa. xx
If you are a brand or retail store owner you need to listen to this one!!
Jacki takes us on her journey from Maths teacher to successful Retail store owner. Even right now with these tough times, she finds gratitude in what she has.
She shares the best way for Wholesalers to approach buyers, the importance of strong relationships, and what it means now to work ON your business.
Whether you want to run your own Retail store or have a product-based business and are trying to get more stockists for your brand there are some gems in here for everyone.
You can find out more about Jacki and the Nest and Burrow store at http://www.nestandburrow.com.au/ or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nestandburrow and instagram https://www.instagram.com/nestandburrow/
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
To join thelotco collective membership and get support on your journey as a bricks and mortar or e-commerce retail store owner you can join the waitlist here until we open again (it may be very very soon!!).
Melissa. xx
Is your brand identity strong?
Do you use the same colours or fonts on your website as your emails? Or do you have a completely different looking Instagram look and feel to your actual physical store?
It is super important to have cohesion and consistency between all the design elements of your business.
Customers no longer only have 1 or 2 experiences or touchpoints with your business so it is crucial to make sure all the elements tie together and are consistent
Having a strong brand identity is crucial. I chat today about the reasons why and in what aspects of your brand they should be showing up and remaining strong also.
From the cover of your reels (if you are doing reels if not you should be!!) to the colour of your tissue paper or tone of your emails it all matters!!
To learn more about how to manage, scale and love every aspect of your product-based business or retail store join the waitlist for my membership where we learn new things each month to help you on your journey.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/waitlist-membership
or follow along on Instagram @thelotco to pick up some tips and tricks to help you grow your brand or retail bricks n mortar store.
Start your product-based business the right way.
Getting your foundations in place and know that you are on right track.
Having a plan and action steps to work on is crucial to help you move forward.
Knowing where to spend money and/or your time when you first start your business is one of the things is talk to with many many clients.
Now everyone starts from different places and with different $ dollars in the bank right? I get that. Some of you have been saving diligently from your corporate or full-time job or have been made redundant or lost their job due to covid. Everyone is different.
What I am going to talk about with you today is a general example of where I think money is best spent when you are launching a new brand and why. Or if you have kicked off use this as a checklist to make sure you have completed all these as a priority!
I list out my thoughts on where money is best spent at the start and also what should be the focus.
You'll find out my TOP 5 priorities when it comes to launching or refreshing your product based business.
To join my waitlist for thelotco collective membership you can head here.
Or to download one of my freebies to help you run your business head here.
Follow me on Instagram @thelotco and visit my website at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
What platform should I use for my website? This is a question I see asked ALL the time.
Now my answer is always Shopify if you are an eCommerce and product-based business.
Listen in today to find out the 10 reasons why I believe SHOPIFY is the website platform for you if you are a product-based business or eCommerce store.
And why I also don't believe it is too expensive!!
The Reel about credit cards leading to abandon cart is linked here.
I mentioned the all-in-one list for how to improve your Shopify stores SEO.
Shopify SEO guide
As well as a Pros and Cons of other options and other platforms for your business.
I hope you enjoyed this episode and woud love to hear why you or won't be going with shopify!!!
To find out more about working togther you can head to:
https://www.thelotco.com.au/. or follow me on Instagram at @thelotco
Plans have been thrown into disarray again. The last 18 months have bought a lot of uncertainty in so many ways.
Not being able to attend trade shows or exhibit at them has been another one!!
With the the latest August Melbourne shows being canceled buyers and brands need to get creatrive.
What can you do as a brand to make sure you stand out amongst the many other brands competing for the retailer's budgets.
I run through a few options in here and talk about what buyers should also be doing to plan for the months ahead.
Links to the programs I mentioned are here:
Find out more about the Transform your Wholesale program opening up again in August here.
And join the waitlist for thelotco collective membership here if you are a Retailer.
As I mentioned I would so appreciate a rating and review on Apple podcasts if you have enjoyed this or other episodes.
Follow me on Instagram @thelotco and visit my website at https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Yep, you read that right Kaz has one regret in her business. But it certainly has not stopped her and certainly has not stopped her from moving forward in what is now almost ten years on in the creative industry.
I chat today with Mornington Peninsula artist, Karen Morton the maker behind ‘Kaz’. This Master of Fine Art graduate in painting and ceramics uses traditional techniques to create both functional and non-functional pieces. Inspired by the simplicity of everyday objects Karen invites us to take a closer look… Unexpected symbols, nostalgic linen, and wallpaper patterns feature in her ceramics. In her work, she seeks to explore and encapsulate the bewilderment of an undiscovered object or surface.
Karen likens the process of working in porcelain and resin to spending time with close friends, each material has its own personality. Porcelain is such a modest material to work with and the process is quite organic whilst resin is more controlled. Both processes share a common thread whether opening a kiln door or de-moulding a bangle there is always that element of surprise in seeing the piece for the first time.
Kaz has one of those voices I think you could listen to for hours. And lucky cos we clocked up an hour in this one today. We hit stop at one stage and wrapped it up but then kept chatting and wanted to talk for longer so started recording again and extended for another twenty mins!!
I hope you enjoy our conversation and you would never know this was Kaz's first podcast either. I have no doubt she will be getting calls to chat more.
To find out more about Kaz you can find her phone stand and mistake of a fruit bowl at
https://kazmorton.com.au/ or see some of her rollerskating antics and check-in if she has done a reel yet at https://www.instagram.com/kazmortonceramics/
To find out more about thelotco and how we can work together you can visit me at @thelotco and website www.thelotco.com.au
I have a waitlist currently for my Membership at www.thelotco.com.au/waitlistmembership or you can work with me 1 on 1 as a Business Coach at www.thelotco.com.au/coaching
I have been trying to get Karina on the podcast since I started it almost a year ago.
Karina is a client of mine and I am so very honoured to welcome her to the podcast.
Now she is not one to talk about herself too much or blow her own trumpet so to ask her to come on and chat about herself for an hour was a big ask I can tell you.
She is very humble and very reluctant to even call herself an artist at times.
But an artist she is and one is who is on the walls and beds(!) of many many Australian and international homes.
I am of course referencing the collaborations she has recently done with companies like Adairs, Kollab and others.
We chat today about her journey, what is important to her and where she is heading next.
I hope you enjoy today’s chat and as you will hear me mention to find out more about Karina head to @karina_jambrak or find her work at www.KarinaJambrak.com
To find out more about working with me as a 1 on 1 mentor client or dive into one of my group programs then head to https://www.thelotco.com.au/ or follow me on instagram at @thelotco
Do you Wholesale? Or would you like to increase the revenue you get from Wholesale? To do that you need more stockists right (or get the ones you have to buy more).
Most of the time what that means is getting more eyes on your brand and product so that the chance of picking up the right stores and the best stores is exponentially increased.
Today I dive into 5 ways to get in front of buyers more and get more eyes on your brand all without having to cold call and talk to stores. I can tell you now most of the time no-one likes that the buyers or the person doing the calling!!
Incoming leads into your business and breaking down barriers so buyers come to you is super important. I would love to hear how many of you are doing these things already and also from Retailers and if they agree with my top 5 ways listed here.
To learn more about Wholesaling your product-based business especially if you are in the babies, fashion, homewares, beauty or lifestyle industries then sign up to find out when my Transform your Wholesale group program runs next time.
You can also download the free guide on Essentials to Wholesale here
Thank you for listening and being a part of @thelotco.
https://www.thelotco.com.au/ has all the ways we can work together to build your business!!!
Gone are the days when you needed to post on your Instagram feed 3 times a day just to be seen (hello chronological feed 👋🏻). Things have changed and you need to be changing too.
Now I know you don't want to be learning something new and I am the first to say stop chasing shiny objects (or squirrels as some like to say) but video and reels are here to stay.
If Instagram is where your audience hangs out and that is where their attention is then you need to be there too and spend a bit of time getting your strategy right.
I dive into here what your Instagram should look llike in 2021 and the importance of always evolving (and if that means learning reels then YES!!).
I have a list on my blog post that you can read here:
https://www.thelotco.com.au/2021/05/04/why-using-reels-should-be-part-of-your-instagram-strategy/
And a few of the people I mention in the podcast for inspiration you can find here:
https://www.instagram.com/thesocialimpact.au/
https://www.instagram.com/risewithreelscourse/
Hope this has given you a bit of inspiration and ideas on where to get started!!!
If you want to learn a bit more about how to actually create a Reel you can get a copy of my Reels tutorial here! Xxx 😘😘😘
You can find lots more infomration on my website at https://www.thelotco.com.au/ or follow on instgram @thelotco
retailconsultant#mentoringforbusiness#retailing#increaseretailsales#increasewebtraffic#businesscoachmelbourne#wholesaletips#retailconsultantaustralia#growyourbusiness#savvybusinessowner#retailtipsmelbourne#thisgirlmeansbusiness#pricingproducts#fashionbusiness#dreamersanddoers#retailstorehelpfulhints#explorepage#brandingadvice#reels#reelsforretailshops#boutiquetips#workingmum#boutiquebusinesi
What do you know about trade shows? I am talking today with Flyn Roberts - Event Director of the boutique Australian trade show Life Instyle. We talk about the why, what, and of course how to get into trade shows and also ensure you succeed while there!
Coronavirus and 2020 seriously interrupted many industries, and the events one was severely impacted and unfortunately continues to be. Flyn and I talk about that and much more!!
Flyn leads a passionate and high performing team to deliver Australia's premier boutique retail trade shows; Life Instyle Sydney and Melbourne.
She has over 15yrs experience in the events world where she and her team consistently deliver innovation-rich, first-class events with passion and a customer-focused approach.
As the Exhibition Director she is responsible for brand and product management, strategy development and execution, industry engagement, budget management, and creating superior solutions and experiences for our customers and community.
I hope you get lots of great information from our chat and if you want to get in touch with Flyn or find out about exhibiting at Life instyle you can reach her at: @life_instyle or https://www.lifeinstyle.com.au/.
You can also register for finding out about my Trade Show bootcamp here and the essentials you need to know before exhibiting.
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
I am so excited to welcome Jenn Donovan to the podcast today to chat all about keeping it simple with your marketing!!
Jenn is a self-proclaimed marketing nerd, but really is a gun when it comes to social media and marketing your business.
We chat today all about how marketing and social media can help your brand, some tips on what is happening in 2021 and beyond.
Jenn works with small businesses throughout Australia and helps guide them through their marketing. We both have a background in Retail and branding and chat about how to help businesses navigate what is often overcomplicated but does not need to be!
Jenn also runs the facebook group Like Minded Business Owners on facebook and is starting to get addicted to chatting in Clubhouse ; )
You can find out more about Jenn and Social media and Marketing at @smallbusinessmadesimple and check out her courses and services at https://socialmediaandmarketing.com.au/
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Here we are kicking off season 2 of the podcast.
What do you get when you combine someone passionate about sustainability, a school excursion, and a can-do attitude? Rolla Bottle!!! The coolest reusable water bottle that rolls up when empty.
Katy Reed is someone who wants to Stop the Madness of single-use plastic bottles and contribute to the clean-up solution!!!
Do you have an issue with the amount of single-use plastic water bottles that are out there polluting the environment?
Well, Katy Reed did!! Rolla Bottle is an Australian start-up that is working hard to provide an alternative to the single use plastic bottle that is not only super functional and easy to carry around but super colourful (appealing to my love of colour) and customisable too!!!!
Rolla Bottle was launched with a mission to help rid the world of single-use plastic bottles and to be part of the plastic pollution clean-up solution. Listen to Katy's story here today and we dive into how she started, some tips for those who are heading into new product territory now, and what is up with that jellyfish ;)
You can find out more about Katy and Rolla Bottle at @rollabottle and check out her customized bottles to stop the waste at https://www.rollabottle.com.au/
Buying and Selling and all the in-betweens episode. Covering times on the buying calendar and when stores will be doing their buying.
In this episode I dive into when buyers spend time buying what it looks like for different industries and the difference between boutiques and department store buying and what the heck does indent mean!!
Of course, this means covering off when you should do your selling then to match!!
I work with a lot of brands and also work with a lot of retail stores. They are my main two types of clients.
One of the questions that comes up for brands and new product-based businesses and is something that is covered in my wholesale group program more intensively is the buying cycle.
I will run through that here today as well as the fine line between balancing stock as a retailer and how to manage your buying.
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
What is a customer journey or customer map??
What is the difference between customer experience and just customer service?
Today I want to talk to you a little bit about the customer journey and customer experience.
And how important it is for your business that you have considered this. I am really focusing on here product-based businesses, e-commerce store, and bricks and mortar stores.
The past few months I have bought a few things online (well more than a few…. but anyway, let’s not get into that) and now also starting to go into stores a little more and the importance of this has really hit home.
Every touchpoint that a customer has with your brand is crucial that it aligned and considered.
The customer journey starts from the first experience or exposure they have and ends with that last piece of communication you have with them (and then really starts all over again!).
You should be able to map out every touchpoint a customer has with your brand.
Listen here for what the important aspects are on mapping the customer journey and what things you can improve to ensure the customer experience is a positive one!!
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
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Welcome to thelotco business podcast. I am so excited to bring you this special guest today. Jules Laidlaw from The Clay Society is making a big impact on the world of ceramics as well as helping support Aboriginal communities with her social impact and connections with The Remote Laundries.
You can listen to this podcast on your favourite app.
As it mentions on her website over at The Clay Society they are Getting Their Hands Dirty For Purchase With Purpose. Positive social impact to Indigenous communities is the heart within our studio, and creates a strong purpose behind getting our hands dirty. Each product sold supports cleaning washing to remote aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory.
Listen to todays episode to hear more about how Jules changed from a career in Nursing to attending a ceramics class and now building a business that still allows her to make an impact and help others.
Thank you for joining me her Jules.
I hope you enjoy this episode.
You can find out more about Jules and The Clay Society hereand follow Jules and her journey on instagram at @the_clay_society.
As well as learn more or support The Remote Laundries.
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Today I want to chat to you about all the reasons you should be emailing your customers, database list however you want to refer to it.
Now I know that most of you realise you should be emailing your customers but it gets put on the back-burner and is a get to it soon task. Then it also becomes a stressful experience also.
I am telling you now it needs to be a priority! If you have a retail business or brand and sell something to customers whether service or product then it is crucial that email marketing is part of your marketing strategy.
I am giving you 10 solid reasons you should start it today, like right now after this podcast and make sure you do it regularly if you are currently not.
Listen to hear more details and hopefully compelling reason to get off your butt and make it happen.
Link here for my 50% discount on FLODESK https://flodesk.com/c/THELOTCO
(* some of these are affiliate links but are not the reason I recommend- i just love them!!).
Link to my other recommendations
https://www.thelotco.com.au/freebies
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Today's guest is someone I chat to all the time but this time we are recording and we get chatting all about the business of fashion. Jennie Moon is a Global Fashion Director at Quay Australia. She also happens to be my sister.
Jennie and I ran our brand and retail store Moppit together and she has had years of experience in the fashion industry under her belt. From Australian children's brands to department stores to a world dominating sunglass company.
Today she shares some insights on working for a global brand, starting a business, and some important things to consider when looking for collaborations (she has worked on ones with Lizzo, JLo and Chrissy Teigen!!!).
I hope you enjoy this episode.
You can find out more about Quay Australia here and follow Jennie and her journey on instagram at @sparkles.moon.
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Have you ever googled 'How do I get more traffic to my website?' If that is a yes then stay tuned.
Today I am talking about traffic. Traffic to your online store or website. How to get more of it what some tactics are to generate interest and bring more people onto your site. That old saying of build it and they will come. Well, not so much. The competition is strong but if you employ some of the things, I will talk about today then traffic can certainly go up!
Today is something that a lot of my clients and members in thelotco collective ask about a lot and I wanted to give an overview of ways that can and help you increase the number of people and customers actually finding you.
Before I get into it, I would so appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review for me afterwards and share a screenshot on your socials too. Make sure you tag me @thelotco (another way to get shared see :)).
Right so getting more traffic to your website.
I am going to run through 15 things here to help you. Let me know what ones you are going to try afterwards. You can download these here if you want a full print out.
Thanks for listening and I hope you have a great day!!!
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Today I am so super excited to welcome the bundle of energy that is Pip Brett from Jumbled Online!!!
With over 20+ years of experience in everything fashion, business, retail, and now events and home building Pip continues to inspire , surprise and delight and keep everyone on their toes waiting to see what is coming next for Jumbled and the team.
Pip was kind enough to share with us some helpful hints and tips on those in Retail or with their own brand.
She talks about what is important right now if you are starting out, ways to keep your business evolving, the importance of joy and what is next for Jumbled.
Pip from Jumbled Online shares with me some great tips for anyone starting out in business or those looking to explore their passion.
You can find Pip and her gorgeous team here on Instagram or check out their gorgeous range of amazing brands, collaborations and artists here on her website.
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Today I want to run through some tools that I've added to my business this year that have really saved me time and money.
I really wanted to touch on these, because it's something that I bring up quite regularly in my thelotco collective membership, and it's something that I run through with clients regularly really trying to help them systemise and automate and you know, improve the sort of running of their business as well.
Whilst some of these cost you money I believe they go a long way to actually save you TIME and MONEY also and therefore are essentials to managing and growing you business.
Whether you are a Retailer, Online store, starting a brand or running a service based business these tools can help you.
I look forward to hearing your feedback on this episode and which ones you have implemented to get some valuable time back. Hit me up on instagram with your list and what other things you think should be included in part 2!!
Link here for my 50% discount on FLODESK https://flodesk.com/c/THELOTCO
(* some of these are affiliate links but are not the reason I recommend- i just love them!!).
Link to my other recommendations
Zapierhttps://zapier.com/
Canva https://www.canva.com/join/decorated-manila-graze
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
What I want to talk about today is pricing your product.
It is something I get asked about a lot and also something I see with a lot of businesses and not just start ups but those who have been going for years get not quite get right.
Whenever I start a Business Coaching session it is one of the first things I make sure to cover with clients.
If you have not got this first part right then no matter how many sales you have it will be hard to cover your expenses that come with running a product based business.
You need to think about all the elements and parts that go into your product costs and then work out from there if you are going to wholesale your product or sell Direct to consumer (DTC).
I discuss some things to add in to your costings as well as what to leave out!
Let me know where you are at and if you found this helpful. You can also download my freebies tips on pricing your product to grab some calculations and examples in there.
If you want my spreadsheet I chat about in the show I can let you know once it is available!!
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
I have another fabulous guest on the podcast today!! Kayde from Spinifex and Co is a humble fashion designer who plays down her brand on here but what she has created and the loyal following she has garnered in such a short time is a real achievement.
I recorded this a couple of weeks ago (audio is a little patchy being rural QLD so bare with us on this one!!)
I wanted to have someone on the show who is still fairly new in their business journey to help inspire others who may be just starting out also or who want to pick up some tips from someone who is setting her own rules
I first met Kayde from Spinifex and Co when we had a Business Coaching session together earlier in the year just before coronavirus became a thing.
She shares her story today on getting started, creating something from nothing and not letting barriers get in her way.
She plays down her brand and range on here (she is very humble) but check it out as it is totally gorgeous and yes she can even make a photo of a horse in a scrunchie look fab!!!
If you recognise the brand she is also featured in the latest issue of Graziher magazine also.
I hope this inspires you to get started or follow your dreams and back yourself!!
You can find Kayde here on Instagram or buy one of her gorgeous designs here on her website. If you are a Retail store you can contact Kayde about stocking her range wholesale (although do not expect indent or 6 months in advance!).
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out more about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
My guest today is Bea Lambos from Bea + Co. Bea is an Interior stylist in the design focussed city of Melbourne Australia. We chat today about her business and styling journey, getting started in this field, and some tips I coaxed out of her to quickly update your home!! Bea is another great example of only being in this career path for a few short years and shows how it is all about following your passion and finding your strengths. I am excited to for her to share her journey with you today.
If you have a passion for interior design or want a new career path in this field then listen in for some tips on getting going with your business or pivoting from your current career. We talk what to include on your website, revenue streams, how to get experience and the importance of relationships.
You can find out more about Bea at https://www.beaandco.com.au/ as well as follow her colourful Instagram feed we mention in the episode at https://www.instagram.com/beaandcostyle/
If you need help on how to structure your design business, set up your pricing systems, or how to market your business then contact me at https://www.thelotco.com.au/ or send me a DM on instagram at @thelotco
In this episode I will run through some important aspects about wholesaling. The what, why and how. So many of the product-based businesses I work with ask questions about wholesale, so I want to chat a little about it here.
What should you do even before you start approaching retailers to stock your range?
What margin do Retailers expect to get?
How do you keep track of who you contact and do you need to follow up?
What do I send in my email? What should I include in a catalogue?
This episode will give you a super quick insight of essential things to tackle when thinking about wholesaling your product or brand and get ready for more stockists.
For the freebies mentioned in the episode and more helpful information for your creative business you can head to:
https://www.thelotco.com.au/
There is a free download all about pricing (which will be a seperate podcast altogether!) and how to wholesale.
And stay tuned (or sign up) to find out about my Wholesale Group Coaching program launching very very soon!!
If you have a Retail or Ecommerce business you might want to find out more about thelotcocollective a Membership to help you manage , grow and love your Retail bricks and mortar or online ecommerce business.
http://www.thelotcocollective.com.au/
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You may have seen my guest today Amy Clarke from Confetti Rebels on Instagram in her Shake you t*ts its Friday dance routine or spotted one of her many adoring fans in the gorgeous t-shirts she creates to empower woman (and some men) as well as other fun loving products that make up the brand Confetti Rebels.
I cannot wait to share with you some of her story in the making of Confetti Rebels. We chat about what her first steps were in bringing Confetti Rebels to life, what has suprised and delighted her most and just what some of the barriers are for running a fashion brand.
She shares some of her plans for the future and where she hopes to take this awesome brand that empowers customers the world over.
You can find Amy here on Instagram or buy one of her t-shirts here on her website.
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You can find out mroe about thelotco at @thelotco or https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Ahh Retail. It is not for the faint hearted and comes with all sorts of traps for new store owners or those who have head their head down and bum up for years slogging away.
To help you on your journey as a retail bricks and mortar store or ecommerce business I want to save you years of mistakes!!
Today I will run through a few of the lessons I learnt from running my retail stores for over 10 years.
There are ones I learnt as I went along and some I have learnt afterwards wishing I implemented them at the time!!
From having a USP (a what?!), claiming overseas trips as a tax deduction, using your data, buying for twins :) and everytihng in between.
This short episode will give you a super quick insight of lessons learned.
To get these tips and more helpful information for your creative business you can head to
https://www.thelotco.com.au/
If you have a Retail or Ecommerce business you might want to find out more about thelotcocollective a Membership to help you manage , grow and love your Retail bricks and mortar or online ecommerce business.
http://www.thelotcocollective.com.au/
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
You know how selecting the profile pic you put on Tinder is important (I am way too old for that but you know what I mean....). Well first impressions count.
Today I want to run through some quick actions you can take and changes that can make immediately to your ecommerce store that can make difference to your online sales and overall website conversion rate and average order value.
Who doesn't want that??
And if you are about to launch a website or product based business then tune in, you need to hear the facts here and essentials to setting it up.
Listen to find out what else you should be doing online to your socials, menus, imagery, and more. What the heck is a CTA (By the end of this you will have lots of them) ?
Let's keep it short and sharp so you can go on ahead and spend time zhushing up your website and socials as first impression count and we want more sales and that cha ching sounds coming into our inbox.
To go deeper on this and really Get your business online ready head to :
https://www.thelotco.com/getyourbusinessonlineready
Or to find out more of what I do head to:
https://www.thelotco.com.au/
Thank you so much for listening to thelotco business podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please make sure you subscribe to receive future episodes as they are released and I'd be so so grateful for a review on Apple podcast.
Hello!!! And welcome to thelotco business podcast. A show dedicated to helping businesses in the fashion, retail, and design industries not just survive but also thrive!! It’s a show that brings you tips, tricks, and strategies to help you as an entrepreneur start, manage, and grow your creative business.
If you are a small business and feeling stuck on what to do next or how to actually kick start your idea, then tune in for some straightforward, practical business advice as well as interviews with inspiring females in the fashion, beauty, and homewares space who will share not just what they do, but also how.
We cover marketing, business strategy, finance, motivation, planning, mindset and so much more. Walk away inspired to know how to start your own business or take these tips to help you grow and love the business you have now.
This episode is a little trailer to give you a heads up as to what we will be covering in thelotco business podcast. So I want to WELCOME you all and I cannot wait for you to listen in...
Please take a few moments to leave me a review and subscribe so you don't miss an episode, and I would love it if you could take a screenshot whilst listening and share it to your socials tagging me @thelotco (so I can share it too!).
For coaching, courses and business advice with me check out
https://www.thelotco.com.au/
or come say hi in the DMs on my socials
@thelotco I can’t wait to help you guide you on your small business journey!!!