Things in business don't always go to plan.

Kristy Withers founder of Incy Interiors grew her business over 13 years and has had her fair share if things going wrong!!

On the podcast this week, I talk with Kristy about her journey with Incy Interiors. How she is now moving on from being the owner and what the future looks like for her.

We talk about the highs and lows, he different things Kristy has tried and tested in her time as a product business owner. How she went from not having any experience as a business owner to a building a multi million-dollar company.

Here's a sneak peek of what you'll discover in this episode:

🌟 Why Kristy got started and what led to her taking a step back.

🌟 What early stage growth looked like and how Incy Interiors grew over the years.

🌟 The difference between wholesaling, drop-shipping and marketplaces.

🌟 Making sure your customer has a positive experience buying from you.

🌟 Advice Kristy has for anyone starting out and whether or not she would change anything about her journey.

🌟 Take Action: Shop all things Incy Interiors on their website and connect with Kristy on Instagram.

You can find all the show notes and juicy details on our website at

https://www.thelotco.com.au/podcast

We discuss all of the following:

01:26 How did Kristy get started with her business?

03:01 Finding manufacturing

04:30 Early stage growth and how her business grew over the years

09:05 Drop shipping vs wholesale vs marketplace

13:13 Incy Interiors’ retail store

18:47 The Incy Interiors team

20:04 Moving through tough times in business

30:24 Importance of customer experience

32:02 Advice for anyone starting a product business now

35:49 Prioritizing marketing and brand awareness

39:41 Would Kristy change anything about her journey?

Connect with Kristy on Instagram.

Follow Incy Interiors on Instagram.

Shop all kids designer furniture at Incy Interiors.

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

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 in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Have you ever wondered how important branding and customer experience is for your product business?

In this episode, I chat with Stefi Kerby from Celia Loves to talk all about customer experience and the scholarships she is part of.

We discuss all of the following:

05:11 What Stefi looked for as a judge of the LifeStyle scholarship

07:50 Being unique in a saturated market

10:56 Establishing principles at the start of business

19:15 Where Stefi gets feedback from

23:17 Having strong imagery

24:45 Applying the advice & feedback you get

Shop all things Celia Loves.

Follow Celia Loves on Instagram.

Connect with Stefi on Instagram.

Listen to another episode with Stefi on thelotco business podcast.

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

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 in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Have you ever used Many Chat for your product business?

Many Chat is an automation tool used to answer questions, respond to customers, etc.

It saves you time and gives your customers an instant response.

I brought on Sam from Ads for Breakfast to talk more about how she helps businesses use Many Chat!

We discuss all of the following:

03:00 Sam’s background

04:14 What is Many Chat?

11:33 Advice Sam has for setting up Many Chat

16:12 Brands Sam has worked with

22:01 Benefits of Many Chat in your product business

Connect with Sam on Instagram.

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

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 in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

What is something you wish you could tell your wholesaler?

In this episode, I talk about all the things retailers want the brands they work with to know.

As a wholesaler, it’s your job to build a long-term relationship with your retailers.

Wholesalers: get out your pens and papers to take some notes!

I discuss all of the following:

00:30 My background in retail

02:35 16 things retailers want you to know

22:54 What you can do as a retailer

23:11 Offering an experience

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

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 in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Being surrounded by some amazing speakers and panellists last week in Orange County at the Ultimate Product Party I wanted to share some takeaways.
The takeaways cover various topics such as selling the problem you solve, adding storytelling elements to your business, exploring TikTok Shop, utilizing AI, understanding your value, optimizing your website's product page, saving time with phone widgets and tech shortcuts, balancing customer attraction and retention, adding customer experience to your business, and implementing tests in the hiring process.

These are just a few of pieces of valuable information I gained from attending as speaking at the event.

I can't wait to have some more guests on the podcast to discuss some of these topics in greater detail.

Takeaways

• Sell the problem you solve, not the product you have.
• Add storytelling elements to your business.
• Explore TikTok Shop as a potential marketing platform.
• Utilize AI to streamline processes and save time.
• Understand your value and confidently communicate it.
• Optimize your website's product page with multiple photos and reviews.
• Save time with phone widgets and tech shortcuts.
• Balance customer attraction and retention efforts.
• Add a customer experience element to your business.
• Implement tests in the hiring process to find A players.

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

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 in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Have you ever wanted to start a product business?

But you aren’t sure you’re ready for the business risks or potential copycats?

In this episode, I bring on Nareen Holloway to discuss her journey of creating Marmoset Found.

Nareen has experienced it all - From marketing to stock to work/life balance to copycats.

Tune into this episode to hear us discuss the following:

00:53 Who is Nareen Holloway and what is Marmoset Found?

06:38 Taking risks with your business

08:09 Managing stock and stockists

11:32 Using imagery for product businesses

13:40 Marmoset Found’s team members

16:16 Using photoshoots for marketing

20:13 What is the hardest part of business for Nareen?

25:34 Would Nareen do anything differently with her business?

30:50 Dealing with copycats

33:29 Where does Nareen get her inspiration from?

35:07 What advice does Nareen have for anyone starting out?

37:05 Why wholesale and how can you support wholesalers?

Connect with Marmoset Found on Instagram.

Shop all things homeware at the Marmoset Found website.

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

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 in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

What would you do if your factory closed down overnight? How would you cope?

Megan from Second Scout is a guest on the podcast today and generously shares her journey and some of the ups and downs of having a product-based business.

Last year, Megan went through a major down and we discuss how she was able to come back from it better than ever.

If you ever start a product business, a good rule of thumb is to always be prepared. You never know when a stockist is going to pull away, a factory will shut down, or the market will shift.

Listen to this week's episode to learn all about Megan and how she has created a product for kids that actually helps out adults too!

We discuss the following:

01:06 What is Second Scout?

12:09 Second Scout’s supply chain issues

19:57 Balance with retail and wholesale

22:49 Advice for anyone starting out

27:54 Megan’s experience with marketing

35:44 What new products are coming to Second Scout?

Shop all things Second Scout here.

Follow Second Scout on Instagram here.

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

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 in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Kip&Co is an Australian Lifestyle brand that never stops evolving.

From the early days of the croc print bed linen (anyone have that print?) to developing beautiful womens and kids apparel, lighting, pet accessories, tableware and so much more.

If you have ever wanted to build your own brand or you are doing so right now then this is a must listen.

I spoke with Alex McCabe about how she and her two business partners (sisters) Hayley and Kate built Kip&Co from the ground up.

Alex explains how much hard work it took to get Kip&Co where it is today and what they’re looking forward to in 2024.

Kip&Co has mastered the balance between wholesale and retail by dedicating separate teams to each channel. Alex highlighted the importance of transparency and communication with stockists, ensuring a unified approach to sales and distribution.

For those starting or looking to grow their brand, Alex's advice is simple: just get started. Don't wait for perfection; instead, be realistic about your financial situation and give your brand the time it needs to flourish. Enjoy the process, and don't be afraid to adapt and evolve.

Alex and I discuss all of the following:

00:35 The brains behind Kip&Co

07:56 What is outsourced at Kip&Co?

09:18 How Kip&Co sources their products and materials

13:34 Determining how much to order

16:58 Organizing wholesale vs retail

18:26 Kip&Co’s stockists

20:49 How Kip&Co achieved growth with branding

25:41 What collaborations do for a brand like Kip&Co

28:38 Alex’s advice for anyone looking to start a lifestyle brand

Shop all things lifestyle at Kip&Co here.

Follow Kip&Co on Instagram here.

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here https://www.thelotco.com/training

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

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 in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.