187: How to Succeed in Wholesale: Expert Tips and Tricks with Guest Katie Hunt

In this episode of The Professional Creative, I’m thrilled to welcome Katie Hunt, founder of Proof to Product and a true expert in wholesale. Katie has dedicated her career to helping creative entrepreneurs get their products into stores, and today she’s sharing her best insights with us. If you’ve ever wondered whether wholesale is right for your business, or if you’ve tried it but struggled to get traction, this conversation is packed with essential guidance to set you on the right path. We begin with Katie’s journey into wholesale—starting with her own product-based business and her realization that so many talented makers needed guidance on the business side of things. Her early experiences inspired her to create Paper Camp, a comprehensive program that’s now helped thousands of creatives navigate wholesale successfully. Katie shares the key indicators that signal it’s time to explore wholesale, including the importance of having a robust product line and understanding pricing for profitability. We also discuss the rise of online wholesale platforms like Faire, and why you can’t rely on algorithms or platforms alone to grow your business. Katie encourages listeners to approach wholesale intentionally, avoiding the trap of letting outside forces dictate their business strategy. One of the most eye-opening parts of our conversation is Katie’s four-step decision-making matrix, which helps you evaluate every opportunity through the lens of heart, money, time, and impact. This framework is incredibly useful for making confident, data-driven decisions in every area of your business. Katie also shares insights from her 2024 industry survey, revealing surprising statistics, like how 15% of product-based businesses aren't using email marketing at all—a missed opportunity for sustainable growth. We wrap up by talking about the power of trade shows, the rise of regional shows, and how creative entrepreneurs can maximize in-person sales. If you’re curious about wholesale or thinking about how to grow your product-based business, this episode will give you clarity, encouragement, and a concrete action plan. Katie’s wisdom and experience are second to none. 📒 Episode Notes, Links, & Resources 📒 https://www.professionalcreative.com/blog/187 📝 Read the Transcript 📝 Connect with Bonnie: ▸ ONLINE | http://bonniechristine.com ▸ INSTAGRAM | https://instagram.com/bonniechristine ▸ START SIMPLE IN SURFACE DESIGN | FREE MINI CLASS | https://www.bonniechristine.com/startsimple ▸ FREE SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE | https://www.bonniechristine.com/guide  

Om Podcasten

Have you ever dreamed of having a mentor with years of success to guide you through your creative business journey? That’s exactly what you’ll get when you tune into The Professional Creative podcast with your host, Bonnie Christine. With over 14 years of experience as an artist, entrepreneur, educator, and leader, Bonnie brings genuine warmth and actionable advice to your journey as a creative professional. Tune in each week to get inspired and discover how the days of struggling to succeed as a creative are over. Each episode is designed to help you GROW no matter what phase of the journey you’re on. From overcoming creative challenges to learning how to promote your work, you’ll learn how to take your passion to the next level and see SUCCESS. If you’re an aspiring professional creative or already on the entrepreneurial journey, you’ll hear about the latest marketing trends, best business practices, and inside tips from a longtime designer—all to help you grow your business like a boss! Welcome to The Professional Creative podcast.