Hiring can feel like a huge big leap. It's expensive. It's vulnerable to let other people into your business. And if you've been doing everything yourself, it can also feel maybe unnecessary.

But what if building a team isn't a risk? It's actually a smart move for stabilizing and scaling your business. That's what we're digging into today with Angie Chua of bobo design studio and bobo Palm Springs. You may remember Angie from episode 426 where we talked about what's happening with Amazon right now using AI to scrape websites.

Today's conversation is more personal. We're talking about her evolution from the digital advertising world to building a travel-inspired stationery brand and a thriving brick-and-mortar shop in Palm Springs.

Angie shares what it was really like growing her business, the missteps, the hiring decisions, the moments of doubt that we all kind of face, and also the shifts that helped her step into true leadership.

We talk about what happens when you hire your first employee, what it takes to let go of control, the reality of outsourcing to agency, and what that looked like for Angie, including what worked and what didn't, and why having a solid bookkeeper isn't optional if you want to scale a product-based business sustainably.

She also opened up about her commitment to supporting artists from marginalized communities, how she navigates the seasonality of retail in Palm Springs, and what it looks like to practice self-compassion while growing a business. This is a grounded, honest conversation about growth, not a highlight reel, but the real version.

Today's episode is brought to you by Digital Lizard, a sponsor of our Paper Camp program, which kicks off this week.

Digital Lizard is a full-service marketing and print partner offering digital and offset printing, sourcing, procurement, and logistics. Our Paper Camp and LABS students get access to a private Proof to Product print portal.

In that portal, you'll get discounted rates and a dedicated sales rep who supports project management from start to finish.

Also, Digital Lizard tends to turn stuff around same day or or next day. Many of our community members use Digital Lizard for product printing, packaging, catalogs, and marketing materials. They offer low minimum quantities and fast turnaround times, which matters when you're managing inventory and cash flow.

If you're looking for a reliable print partner, you can learn more about their capabilities at digitallizard.com.

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/433

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Today, I want to share one last case study with you featuring one of our Paper Camp alums, Ashleigh Evans of InBooze.

I hope you've enjoyed this series. If you haven't listened, check out the last 3 great stories of founders in our community doing really cool things, links to those below. What I love about this is showcasing how each has done it in their own way and at their own pace.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Paper Camp program which is now open for enrollment. Paper Camp is our wholesale coaching program where we teach you everything you need to know to build strong wholesale foundations. Over the course of 4 weeks, we tackle your product line, sales tools, and marketing plan, and we even talk about how to exhibit at trade shows if that's what you want to do. We start with your product line and go into everything from how often you should be releasing new products to ensuring that your numbers are sustainable for the wholesale market and their price for profit.

Then we move into sales tools you must have for selling wholesale so you make a strong first impression with buyers like catalogs and your terms and conditions. Then, we cover marketing strategies and ways to reach various store owners.

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions.

SIGN UP FOR PAPER CAMP NOW

Ashleigh's website | Follow on Instagram

297 | Building a Handmade Food & Beverage Brand with Ashleigh Evans, InBooze

429 | Fix the Wholesale Foundation Before You Scale, Case Study with Zeba Parkar, Treleaf

430 | From One-Off Orders to Predictable Wholesale Sales, Case Study with Taylor Carroll, The Stray Shop

431 | Growing Wholesale Orders by 400% in Just 5 Months, Case Study with Brianna Reagan, Brianna Reagan Creates

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/432

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp

Today I'm sharing another Paper Camp case study, and I'm especially excited about this one because it is from a recent Paper Camp student.

Brianna Reagan of Brianna Reagan Creates just went through Paper Camp in August of 2025, so it's only been about 6 months since she's participated in our program, and she has seen some incredible results. She took what she learned, put it into action, and she is thriving. Can't wait for you to tune in.

Today's episode is brought to you by our Paper Camp program which is now open for enrollment. Paper Camp is our wholesale coaching program where we teach you everything you need to know to build strong wholesale foundations. Over the course of 4 weeks, we tackle your product line, sales tools, and marketing plan, and we even talk about how to exhibit at trade shows if that's what you want to do. We start with your product line and go into everything from how often you should be releasing new products to ensuring that your numbers are sustainable for the wholesale market and their price for profit.

Then we move into sales tools you must have for selling wholesale so you make a strong first impression with buyers like catalogs and your terms and conditions. Then, we cover marketing strategies and ways to reach various store owners.

Each week's teachings build on the previous week, and we host weekly live engaging coaching calls to answer all of your questions.

SIGN UP FOR PAPER CAMP NOW

You can view full show notes and more at http://prooftoproduct.com/431

Quick Links:

Free Wholesale Audio Series

Free Resources Library

Free Email Marketing for Product Makers

PTP LABS

Paper Camp