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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.