If you’ve ever dreamt of turning your creative passion into a thriving business, this episode is a masterclass in doing just that. Tyler Jorgenson welcomes Katie Hunt, founder of Proof to Product, who shares how she went from making custom wedding stationery to leading 45+ rounds of her acclaimed wholesale coaching program. Katie opens up about her scrappy early days, the fire marshal shutdown that almost tanked her first trade show, and how collaboration—not competition—became her superpower.
Dive into Katie’s insights on the difference between selling DTC and wholesale, what most entrepreneurs get wrong about SKUs and inventory, and why knowing your customer is the ultimate growth hack. She doesn’t just preach systems—she’s built a business that runs while she takes three-week trips to Europe with zero emails. Yep, she’s that dialed in.
Whether you're a creative looking to scale, or a seasoned entrepreneur curious about the future of retail and product-based business models, this episode is packed with gold. From indie shop secrets to navigating big box partnerships and economic shifts, Katie reveals how to thrive in today’s market—and build a business that supports the life you want to live.
Takeaways
- Start scrappy, but systemize fast. Trial by fire leads to wisdom—just don’t forget to fireproof your trade show booth.
- Wholesale isn’t just easier—it’s scalable. With the right structure, it can outperform DTC with less burnout.
- Know your numbers and your customer. Inventory, pricing, and product lines must match your business model and target buyer.
- Big box isn’t always better. Indie retailers bring repeat business, feedback, and deeper relationships.
- Simplicity scales. Streamlining systems doesn’t just help the team—it creates freedom for the founder.
Chapters
00:00 From Paper to Powerhouse: Meet Katie Hunt
01:30 Starting a Creative Business & Learning the Hard Way
04:20 From Side Hustle to Coaching: Birth of Proof to Product
06:20 Systems, Strategy & the Truth About Wholesale
10:20 SKU Balance & Building the Right Product Line
13:00 DTC vs Wholesale: What Founders Need to Know
17:40 Retail Trends, Tariffs & Economic Shifts
22:35 Wholesale Mistakes to Avoid
24:10 Katie’s Vision & Building a Business That Supports Life
27:20 Final Advice + Free Training
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