To celebrate passing the 200th episode of Bring Your Product Idea To Life, I decided to catch  up with past guests, to see what happened next in their product business, and where they are now.Today’s guests were all on my podcast in 2021. It’s fascinating hearing where their business has taken them, the highs and lows, and how their advice for other product business owners has changed over the years.One of the main messages that came out of it was the importance of perseverance, how businesses naturally evolve, building your range and being willing to pivot when needed.The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:2021 Podcast Episode 47 - Ruth Bussey - Ink and ScribblesInk and Scribbles WebsiteInk and Scribbles Instagram2021 Podcast Episode 57 - Joe Shortt - Trip ClipTripClip WebsiteTripClip Instagram2021 Podcast Episode 59 - Vanessa Afful - MBPH AromatherapyMade By Pure Hands WebsiteMBPH Aromatherapy Instagram2021 Podcast Episode 71 - Nancy Powell - Herd BagsHerd Bags WebsiteHerd Bags Instagram2021 Podcast Episode 73 - Silvina De Vita - My Papercut ForestMy Papercut Forest WebsiteMy Parpercut Forest Instagram2021 Podcast Episode 84 - Creating and selling planners - with Janet MurrayJanet Murray WebsiteJanet Murray Instagram2021 Podcast Episode 88 - Why your product needs to be on Amazon - with Cara Sayer, Snooze ShadeSnoozeShade WebsiteSnoozeShade Instagram

Today my guest is Daniel Twiss from Soul Fruit, a company revolutionising dried fruit snacks. Soul Fruit makes new and exciting dried fruit snacks using the best quality tropical fruits simply dried into crunchy chips or chewy slices. Their flavours include fruits I have never tried - dragon fruit and jackfruit.Daniel shares with us the riveting story of how he and his wife took their love for exotic fruits in Asia and transformed it into a successful business, despite having no prior background in food or retail. Their mission? To bring guilt-free, fun, and authentically delicious snacking experiences to the UK market, and maybe your taste buds as well.We'll dig into the perseverance required to break into retailers and online platforms like Amazon, how embracing sustainable practices and community giving sets their brand apart, and why focusing on single-ingredient, honest products might just be the key to winning over modern consumers. Whether you're already selling products or just starting to shape your ideas, this episode offers tangible insights into the dedication, passion and can-do attitude needed to make your product stand out in a crowded market.The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Soul Fruit WebsiteSoul Fruit InstagramSoul Fruit FacebookSoul Fruit PinterestBlue Dragon Children’s FoundationBread and JamThis podcast was sponsored by Tonbridge Accountants"Welcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business.Our approach is personal. We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights.Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating. We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength.”LET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this

Rebecca Hilliard is an eCommerce expert with 12 years of experience working in the eCommerce industry for brands such as Jimmy Choo, French Connection, ME+EM, Mylands and This Works. I now support premium direct-to-consumer brands with their customer retention strategies to drive revenue, loyalty, and business profitability.We discuss how often brands prioritise customer acquisition over customer retention, missing out on a more cost effective way to grow. Rebecca shares lessons that independent brands can take from the high street names that she has worked with, and the advantages smaller brands have such as being more agile and able to respond to trends.Rebecca shares the tools you can use to really understand how your customers behaviours on your website. We then discuss different methods for making your customer feel valued, and how to leverage this in your marketing.Finally we dig into why customer retention  matters so much, and how to improve it. It’s a great, thought provoking episode, and a good one to listen to wherever you are in your product journey.The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Rebecca Hilliard & Co WebsiteRebecca Hilliard InstagramRebecca Hilliard Linked InHot JarTriple WhaleSweet AnalyticsLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeThis podcast was sponsored by Tonbridge Accountants"Welcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business.Our approach is personal. We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights.Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating. We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength.”If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here:

If you have ever taken a small child swimming you know the struggle of getting them dry afterwards. My guest this week decided to solve this problem. Karen Burke is the founder of Go Goosey is an online retail company that sells her unique product, the Kids unisex quick drying onesie and microfibre towel. We talk about the process of designing and creating the product, and the importance of not rushing this stage.We also talk about the USP for Karen's products. Karen is really good at articulating what makes her product so unique. Everywhere I see her, whether it's on Amazon or on her website, she's just nailed her USP and how she talks about her products. I think that's something that lots of us can learn from. Plus there are lots of little nuggets about mindset and overcoming challenges that I am sure you will find helpful. All in all it’s another great episode. The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Go Goosey WebsiteGo Goosey InstagramGo Goosey FacebookGo Goosey Tik TokKaren Burke Linked InSmarter SocietyLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeThis episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper TimesaverJenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know how to help you grow a profitable feel good business.Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups.Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.comInstagram - @jennifercoopertimesaverLinked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here:

To celebrate 4 years of The Bring Your Product Idea To Life Podcast, I wanted to do something different. So I asked you to ‘ask me anything’. In this episode I answer those questions including:How I made the the transition from product business to product launch consultantHow much of my business I outsourceHow to rank higher on AmazonWhat to do if you go out of stock on Amazon FBAWhether you are looking for insight into how I run my business, or some detail about how to get more sales on Amazon, there is lots of take away.The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Other Businesses Mentioned:Tonbridge AccountantsJennifer Cooper TimesaverBeyond The Kitchen TableCara Bendon BrandingPodcast Episodes MentionedEpisode 14 Things I’ve learnt in 4 years of running a products businessEpisode 193 How to host a successful podcastEpisode 116 How to take and edit your own product photos (using a smartphone) – with Jade TinklerEpisode 34 How to take your own professional product photos with Georgina LittleEpisode 180 How to rank higher on AmazonBlog Posts:Blog post: https://vickiweinberg.com/how-to-rank-higher-on-amazon/HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:My Free Resources Is Amazon Right For You? Mini Strategy SessionAmazon Account AuditAmazon Launch PackageAmazon Training Q&A HourBook a Power Hour with meLET’S CONNECT:Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on Instagram

My guest today is Jennifer Cooper from Jennifer Cooper Timesaver. Jenny  is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know-how to help you grow a profitable, feel good business.Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups.Jenny is passionate about teaching entrepreneurs and founders how they can leverage the rapid advancements in AI in their business, suggesting use cases and opportunities you may never have consideredJenny shares how AI can not only save time in business but help you tackle a whole variety of tasks, including procrastination. Jenny shares how small businesses can use AI to even the odds against bigger players with more resources. It was an eye-opening talk. I learned a lot and got some great new ideas on how I can use AI in my business, that I can’t wait to try out. The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Jennifer Cooper Timesaver WebsiteJennifer Cooper Timesaver InstagramJennifer Cooper Linked InFREE DOWNLOAD: Timesaving Guide To AI ToolsAI TOOLS MENTIONED:Chat GPTClaudeGoogle GeminiGoblin ToolsLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeThis episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper TimesaverJenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know how to help you grow a profitable feel good business.Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups.Find out more about how Jenny can help you at

To celebrate recording the 200th episode of Bring Your Product Idea To Life, I decided to catch  up with past guests, to see what happened next in their product business, and where they are now.Today’s guests were all on my podcast in 2020. It’s fascinating hearing where their business has taken them, the highs and lows, and how their advice for other product business owners has changed over the years.One of the main messages that came out of it was the importance of keeping going, and being willing to pivot when needed.The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:2020 Podcast Episode: A family-run products business – with Keisha Shah, Teddo PlayTeddo Play WebsiteTeddo Play Instagram2020 Podcast Episode: Turning a passion into a business – with Bee Veronica MooreWitty Ditty Designs WebsiteWitty Ditty Designs Instagram2020 Podcast Episode: The importance of ‘ just going for it’ – with Ruth Bradford, the Little Black and White Book ProjectThe Little Black & White Book Project WebsiteThe Little Black & White Book Instagram2020 Podcast Episode: Selling handmade items on Etsy – with Dawn FridayGirl Friday WebsiteGirl Friday Embroidery InstagramLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeThis episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper TimesaverJenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know how to help you grow a profitable feel good business.Jenny is the founder of Team...

My guest today is Melissa McCall from Moving Little Minds. Melissa is a preschool teacher based in the US, and helps parents and teachers build a strong literacy foundation in young children by merging instruction with play. Melissa has created some products designed for teaching preschool age children early literacy skills.Melissa is a passionate advocate for the power of reading and  has just launched her first products, She shares how she has gone about creating the products, including deciding which product ideas to develop and building collections, getting the products produced, and starting to market them. For anyone just starting out there are lots of wonderful and valuable tips here for how to go from idea to actual product. The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Moving Little Minds WebsiteMoving Little Minds InstagramMoving Little Minds FacebookMoving Little Minds PinterestLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeThis episode was sponsored by Jennifer Cooper TimesaverJenny is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know how to help you grow a profitable feel good business.Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups.Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.comInstagram - @jennifercoopertimesaverLinked In - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cooper-timesaver/If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Proudly sponsored by Tonbridge AccountantsWelcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of...

Today my guest is Rosie Prosser from Corseside Nursery, an RHS gold medal winning succulent specialist based in Pembrokeshire, Wales.  Rosie manages the technology and marketing, while her mother contributes years of plant expertise. Together, they've crafted a unique online community, teaching their customers the art of succulent care, and helping a thriving business grow, which is strongly focused on recycling and reusing materials.Rosie shares the strategies they use to manage sales across major online platforms like eBay, Etsy, and Amazon, explaining the challenges and lucrative aspects of each. We'll discuss the art of selling succulents online, the importance of high-quality photos, and tricks of the trade for shipping plants. She'll also give us a peek at how the pandemic sparked an evolution in their business model and how even traditionally offline customers have adapted to buying plants online.There is lots to take away including how to use a combination of social media, email marketing and Facebook groups to nurture and build your customer base, and the delicate balance between business scalability and personal satisfaction.The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Corseside Nursery WebsiteCorseside Nursery FacebookCorseside Nursery InstagramFacebook Group "Secrets of Succulents"LET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Proudly sponsored by Tonbridge AccountantsWelcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business. Our approach is personal. We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights. Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating. We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength. WEBSITE: https://tonbridgeaccountants.co.uk/Support this...

Showing up online is something many of us struggle with. And as product business owners, it can feel easier to hide behind your product. Today I had the pleasure of speaking with Helen Williams, a coach and the founder of Hey Helen Williams. Helen helps entrepreneurs to move online and overcome visibility blocks to get seen by the right people and increase their income. Today we are looking at something I struggle with myself, putting your face on social media. Many of us find it terrifying, so I wanted to find out why Helen thinks this is something so many of us struggle with and what we can do about it.We talked about why it is important to show your face online, even as a product business owner,  and, importantly, practical strategies to achieve this in manageable, less intimidating steps. This episode was particularly enlightening for me, and I hope it offers you valuable insights as well.The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Helen’s WebsiteHelen’s InstagramLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Support this podcast for the price of a coffeeif you loved this episode please consider sending me a one-off tip. It helps me to keep bringing this podcast to you, for free. If you'd like to support this podcast, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportProudly sponsored by Tonbridge AccountantsWelcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business. Our approach is personal. We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights. Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating. We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength. WEBSITE: https://tonbridgeaccountants.co.uk/

Today’s podcast guest is Rosie Davies-Smith. PR agencies have led clients to believe they're the only ones who can do what they do. Rosie made it her mission to prove them wrong. After running her own agency for over a decade, she founded PR Dispatch, a platform which powers in-house teams to become the PR experts.  Since then, over 500 brands have been given the training, expertise and contacts they need to take control of their PR in house and secure their own coverage at just 3 percent of the cost of a PR agency.Rosie shares her expert advice on what really matters in PR (hint - good imagery!) and the variety of publications to pitch to. She'll provide you with actionable strategies to handle your PR efforts independently, reducing the need for external agencies.  This episode is a must-listen for anyone prioritising brand exposure for their products in 2024. The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:PR Dispatch WebsitePR Dispatch InstagramPR Dispatch YoutubeRosie Davies-Smith LinkedInLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Proudly sponsored by Tonbridge AccountantsWelcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business. Our approach is personal. We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights. Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating. We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength. WEBSITE: https://tonbridgeaccountants.co.uk/Support this podcast for the price of a coffeeif you loved this episode please consider sending me a one-off tip. It helps me to keep bringing this podcast to you, for free. If you'd like to support this podcast, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

This podcast episode is a little different, I share my business story with you, from how I started, with my own product business, Tiny Chipmunk, making bamboo baby products, to my work now. This includes my book, Bring Your Product Idea To Life, and my work now supporting product business owners with selling their products on Amazon. Find out more about my own journey and how I can help you sell more of your products. The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023HOW I CAN SUPPORT YOU ON AMAZON:My Free Resources Is Amazon Right For You? Mini Strategy SessionAmazon Account AuditAmazon Launch PackageAmazon Training Q&A HourBook a Power Hour with meLET’S CONNECT:Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Proudly sponsored by Tonbridge AccountantsWelcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business. Our approach is personal. We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights. Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating. We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength. WEBSITE: https://tonbridgeaccountants.co.uk/Support this podcast for the price of a coffeeif you loved this episode please consider sending me a one-off tip. It helps me to keep bringing this podcast to you, for free. If you'd like to support this podcast, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support

Today I'm speaking with Maame Sapong from Purscents. Maame creates luxury home fragrances like candles, reed diffusers and other aromatherapy scented products. Her commitment goes merely beyond creating delightful scents. She's also dedicated to establishing a sustainable brand that strives to make a meaningful and possible impact within the candle industry.We had a great conversation about how she juggles building a product business whilst in a full time job, how she decides what to outsource and invest in, and what she can do herself, and the importance of pacing yourself in the early days. Maame also shares fascinating insights into how she makes her candles, how she ensures they are sustainable as possible, and how her first hand experiences in Ghana seeing the impact of plastic waste and flooding have renewed her commitment to making sure her business is ethical and environmentally conscious. An introduction to herself and her businesses (01:26)The inspiration for creating her business (01:54)The steps she has taken to ensure her products are sustainable and ethical (04:40)Building a product business whilst working a full time job (10:07)Learning to outsource (13:51)Deciding where to invest in her business (for instance photography) and where to save money (20:03)The importance of pacing yourself in the early days (21:22)Her experiences at Top Drawer (24:04)Championing sustainability by creating candle refills (25:34)How her first hand experiences in Ghana seeing the impact of plastic waste and flooding have informed her business values (31:39)Her number one piece of advice for product creators (33:56)The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Purscents WebsitePurscents InstagramPurscents FacebookLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Proudly sponsored by Tonbridge AccountantsWelcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business. Our approach is personal. We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. With us, it's more than accounting; it's...

Welcome to today's podcast where I’m excited to have Mangla Sachdev join me. Originally from London, UK, Mangla has an impressive global footprint, having lived and established businesses in Australia, Malaysia, England, Scotland, and now Singapore. A lifelong entrepreneur, Mangla started her first venture at 17 and has been self-employed ever since. Mangla now runs Expat Business In A Bag, where she shares business coaching and strategies for expat entrepreneurs and digital nomads. Mangla shares her experiences with product businesses and valuable insights on starting a business, especially in a new country or community. In addition, Mangla is offering a special gift for our listeners: her '27 Essential Tasks for Every Entrepreneur' marketing checklist, available via the link in our show notes.An introduction to herself and her businesses (01:35)Her first product business at 17 years old (03:23)Her second product business, t-shirts (05:29)How she combines running a product business with travelling (10:34)The differences between running a business in Singapore and the UK (13:35)The inspiration for setting up Expat Business In A Bag (17:33)Spotting business opportunities when travelling (20:19)Using your travel experiences as inspiration for starting a business (26:08)Advice on how to niche (26:57)Her number one piece of advice for product creators (30:56)The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Expat Business In A Bag WebsiteExpat Business In A Bag InstagramExpat Business In A Bag FacebookFacebook Group: Expat Business In A BagFREE GIFT: 27 Marketing Tasks Even If You Have A Small BudgetLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Proudly sponsored by Tonbridge AccountantsWelcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business. Our approach is personal. We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that...

In today's podcast episode, we're chatting with Debbie Scott from Sheila Sells Seashells. Debbie specialises in transforming oyster and scallop shells, naturally formed by the ocean and artistically enhanced by her, into stunning creations. Debbie’s shell creations are unlike anything I've seen before. Her miniature works of art are utterly unique making them popular gift items. I was intrigued to learn about Debbie’s process: how she acquires these shells, the artistic journey to transform them into art pieces, the time involved, and particularly, how she determines the pricing for such labour-intensive work. Debbie shares lots of information about how to price hand crafted items both for general and wholesale. Debbie’s day job is running her PR Agency, Scott Communications, so she also shares her top tips for how small businesses can boost their PR.There is so much value packed in this punchy episode.An introduction to herself and her businesses (01:38)Debbie’s products, crafting art from shells using decoupage, gold leaf and resin (02:41)Debbie’s inspiration for working with shells this way (04:20)Moving from having a craft hobby to making it into a business (05:41)Selling her art via wholesale (07:32)Bespoke commissions (08:17)Working out how to price a unique piece of art (10:44)The importance of factoring in time when working out your pricing (11:23)Working out pricing for wholesalers (13:14)Sourcing her shells responsibly (13:44)Balancing pricing her art to cover her costs but also making it affordable (16:24)The practicalities of creating your product at home (16:54)The power of networking (20:10)Managing imposter syndrome (20:57)How to do well at markets (24:42)PR tips for small businesses (25:46)The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Sheila Sells Seashells WebsiteSheila Sells Seashells InstagramSheila Sells Seashells FacebookScott Communications WebsiteDebbie Scott Linked InBunnyfish WebsiteLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Support this podcast for the price of a coffeeif...

How do you feel about spreadsheets? Are you a fan or do they fill you with dread? This week my guest on the podcast is Alison Pollecutt of Excel Confident. Alison believes that spreadsheets are a vital tool for any business owner and it's her mission to demystify spreadsheets for them. In this episode, we'll talk about how spreadsheets can really help your business. We'll cover how to get started, what you can do with them, and the different ways they can open up possibilities for you.I've always used spreadsheets for keeping track of things, but Alison has shown me how I can use them even more effectively. No matter if you're already a fan of spreadsheets or not, Alison will share how you can learn more about your business by setting up some simple systems and keeping track.An introduction to herself and her businesses (02:04)The versatility of spreadsheets (02:43)Excel and Google Sheets are both forms of spreadsheets (05:33)Using a spreadsheet as a CRM  (06:33)Turning data into easily digestible visual information (08:24)Using spreadsheets to track things like your hours, mileage, expenses (11:00)Using spreadsheets to work out which channels to prioritise for social media (13:02)Using spreadsheets to plan your social media (14:36)How spreadsheets save time and reduce the feeling of overwhelm (15:10)Using spreadsheets to track stock for retail and wholesale (19:30)Using spreadsheets to help work out your pricing and margin for products (23:18)Using spreadsheets for stock control (25:40)Downloading data from platforms like Shopify into a spreadsheet (26:49)Empowering you to understand spreadsheets so you can build your own (29:29)How to get more confident with using spreadsheets (34:02)Her number one piece of advice on using spreadsheets (36:30)The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Excel Confident WebsiteAlison's Facebook Group Small Business Spreadsheet SocietyAlison Pollecutt Linked InLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Proudly sponsored by Tonbridge AccountantsWelcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a...

Welcome back. This week, we're revisiting a previous episode for two main reasons. First, it's the holiday season, and I know many of you are enjoying the break or are quite busy. It didn't seem like the perfect moment to introduce something new. Second, as the year wraps up and we look forward to a fresh start, it's an excellent time for businesses to reflect and plan. If you've been thinking about starting to sell on Amazon or improving your existing efforts there, this episode is for you.I work closely with many Amazon sellers, guiding them through setting up and enhancing their presence. I've seen great successes, but I've also seen challenges, often beyond the seller's control. That's why this episode is all about understanding if Amazon is the right marketplace for you. We'll talk about how to figure that out and what factors you should consider before diving in. So, whether you're unwinding during the holidays or gearing up for the new year, this episode could provide valuable insights for your business journey in 2024.Listen in to hear me share:An introduction to  me and why I wanted to record this episode (01:28)Why Amazon is an appealing place to sell your products (05:32)The advantages of FBA (fulfilled by Amazon) (08:19)Accessing a global market (09:20)Things that aren’t so great about Amazon, seller support (10:19)Things that aren’t so great about Amazon, there is a lot of competition (11:42)Product listing rules you need to adhere to (13:04)The sort of products that Amazon works well for (14:43)The importance of researching the market and your competition (17:04)Free tools you can use (17:51)How I can help you get started with selling on Amazon (21:13)The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:I have written a blog post to accompany this episode, which you can read hereFBA Revenue CalculatorJungle ScoutJUNGLE SCOUT DISCOUNT CODE:Go to get.junglescout.com/vicki to access a whole suite bestselling tools for building and running a successful Amazon business. Podcast Episodes:30 Where’s the best place to sell your products online79 What to do when things go wrong on Amazon107 Common Amazon issues and how to resolve them159 How to start selling on Amazon183 How to rank higher on AmazonBlog Posts: How To Rank Higher On AmazonJungle Scout - My favourite tool for selling on...

Today on the podcast, I'm talking to Yanika Cordina, the founder of Cordina Hair, creator of the Flower Curl and Waver Bun, heatless hair curlers and wavers. Yanika shares how she developed her products, developing the prototype herself, patenting her design, and moving to manufacture.Yanika shares the realities of building a business whilst working other jobs, how she has used social media to spread the word about an entirely new product, working with brand ambassadors rather than influencers, and why the pre-order model works so well for her.There's lots to take in, including a really interesting behind the scenes on her successful Dragon’s Den appearance. An introduction to herself and her business (01:10)The inspiration for creating her products (03:02)Creating a prototype (05:31)Creating a product whilst also working two jobs (07:37)Patenting her design (10:45)The advantages of working with a patent attorney (13:02)Finding a factory to manufacture her product (16:38)Launching and marketing an entirely new product (20:43)How Instagram & TikTok have boosted her business (22:29)Why she hasn’t invested in influencers (23:22)Working with brand ambassadors (26:16)The benefits of not checking what your competitors are doing (28:10)Her Dragon’s Den experience (31:29)Using a pre-order model (37:22)The time it takes to build a successful business (43:38)The challenge of keeping up with social media changes (49:22)Her number one piece of advice for product creators (52:38)The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:Cordina Hair WebsiteCordina Hair TikTokCordina Hair InstagramCordina Hair PinterestCordina Hair YoutubeLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Support this podcast for the price of a coffeeif you loved this episode please consider sending me a one-off tip. It helps me to keep bringing this podcast to you, for free. If you'd like to support this podcast, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportProudly sponsored by Tonbridge AccountantsWelcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in...

Amy is a social media and digital marketing coach specialising in working with small to medium sized service based businesses. Amy reached a full client roster and six figures in her business all in a year after coming back from maternity leave, working four days a week. It's Amy's mission to help clients see growth in client sales, prospects, reach, and warm leads and engagement through sharing her knowledge and expertise. While Amy mainly works with service based businesses, today I've invited her on to share advice about social media planning and content strategy for product businesses in 2024. Amy offered really valuable insights into mapping out social media over the next year - from identifying relevant channels and navigating trends to determining the types of content and campaigns to prioritise each month. Whether you meticulously plan out every social media post or take a more spontaneous approach, there is lots here to take away and use in 2024.An introduction to herself and her business (02:07)Why you should start thinking about your 2024 social media now (02:43)Working out your key dates for the year ahead (04:09)What to do if you have a month where it looks like you won’t have something to talk about (08:54)The power of relaunching products and services (10:54)How often you should be posting about your products, and the mix of posts you should be sharing (12:26)The importance of using Instagram stories (13:51)Deciding which channels to focus on (18:18)Using Google Analytics to make strategic choices about which social media channels are working for you (22:39)Navigating social media trends like Threads (26:52)Using micro influencers (38:49)Her number one piece of social media advice for product creators (39:36)The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:The Femtrepreneur WebsiteFemtrepreneur FacebookFemtrepreneur InstagramFemtrepreneur YoutubeLET’S CONNECTJoin my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Proudly sponsored by Tonbridge AccountantsWelcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding

This podcast recently won the Best Podcast Award in the business category at the Independent Podcast Awards, which was a real honour. Over the years I’ve had lots of people ask me for tips on starting a podcast. While I'm not an expert, I have been hosting this podcast since March 2020, and now have nearly 200 episodes released,  so I have learned a few things. I thought I would share some behind-the-scenes information on how I run my podcast, in case it's helpful for anyone thinking of starting their own someday, perhaps as a goal for 2024. I’ll talk you through the process of planning the episodes, recording, editing and releasing them. I’ll also share what you need to buy tech wise (not much!). An introduction to the episode and why I am recording this (01:23)Who my podcast is for (03:45)Why I like to have guests on my podcast (04:39)The process of booking in guests, and scheduling ahead (06:41)Why I batch record episodes (09:14)Recording the introductions to conversations with guests (10:47)Editing (11:29)Outsourcing the rest of the process including transcription and show notes (12:06)My podcast hosting platform, Captivate (12:51)Releasing the episode, and accompanying social media, emails etc (13:24)Five things that make a great podcast (14:16)What do you need to buy (22:58)The Bring Your Product Idea to Life Podcast  - Best Business Podcast Award, Independent Podcast Awards 2023USEFUL RESOURCES:My VA: Jennifer Cooper TimesaverMy Podcast Hosting Platform: CaptivateLET’S CONNECT:Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creatorsFind me on InstagramWork with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To LifeIf you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/supportMentioned in this episode:Proudly sponsored by Tonbridge AccountantsWelcome to Tonbridge Accountants, where creativity meets clarity in business finance. Wendy and Laughton are not just accountants; they're your partners in navigating the complexities of business finance. We simplify VAT, corporation tax, and crucial cash flow management, guiding you through decisions like company purchases or setting up a new business. Our approach is personal. We work closely with creative entrepreneurs, providing a virtual finance office that ensures you have the financial support and clarity your business needs to thrive. With us, it's more than accounting; it's about empowering your creative venture with strategic financial insights. Tonbridge Accountants is the partner you need to unlock financial clarity and freedom, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating. We're the missing piece in your creative journey, ready to transform your business finance into a strength.