433 | How to Navigate the Seasonality of Retail with Angie Chua, bobo design studio
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.
MEET ANGIE
Angie Chua is the founder, heart, and soul of bobo design studio where she designs and creates stationery that encourages and enables people to explore the world around them.
Angie is also an illustrator, licensed artist, and the owner of the NY Times and LA Times featured stationery shop bobo Palm Springs in Palm Springs, California. bobo Palm Springs is focused on carrying artisan products from women-of-color-owned, and Queer-owned brands, as well as stationery imports from Japan. When she isn't at the shop or working with clients, she can be found lounging in her desert oasis with her husband and wiener dogs, adventuring in their 1975 Airstream, or packing her bags for an epic adventure.
CONNECT WITH ANGIE
WEBSITE: http://BOBODESIGNSTUDIO.COM | INSTAGRAM: @bobodesignstudio | INSTAGRAM: @bobopalmsprings | Google Form for if your catalog was on Amazon without your consent
Connect with Katie Hunt
Katie Hunt is a business strategist, podcaster, mentor and mama to four. She helps product based businesses build profitable, sustainable companies through her conferences, courses and coaching programs.
Website: prooftoproduct.com | Instagram: @prooftoproduct
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