006 | Sticking to your core values in product development with Katie Wilson, The Good Twin

Katie Wilson is the owner of The Good Twin, a stationery company known for its playful illustrations and hand-rendered type. Katie’s story is a unique one in that The Good Twin is her second successful business in the stationery industry. On today’s episode, Katie and I will talk about the pros and cons of being ahead of trends, the importance of slow sustainable growth and why we should never ever compare ourselves to other people’s businesses.

ON TODAY’S EPISODE:

Katie’s story & how she started The Good Twin
Reflecting on brands that came before her in the stationery industry
Getting back to the night time hustle of designing
Winning the Paper Camp scholarship
Exhibiting at NSS was a big scary unknown, lots to learn
Katie’s inspiration when she’s creating new products
Being on the front end of a trend, the pros and cons
Finding manufacturers for new product lines
Determining how much product to order & how much money to invest
Manufacturing overseas & the debate of whether to go overseas
Keeping open lines of communication with your buyers
Working with big box stores & how that helps fund new products for her business
Appreciate your peers in the business, rely on them for support & share information
Having slow, sustainable growth is essential. Don’t compare yourself to others
Building a business takes time, don’t rush it
What’s next for The Good Twin
Deciding What to Delegate Course
Focusing on the higher level, revenue generating projects and hiring for the rest

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KEY TAKE-AWAYS

“Sales rep knowledge is so valuable. They are on the ground with people just really getting it done.” – Katie Wilson

“You think it’s fun to be on the front end of a trend, and be the cool kid. It’s not.” – Katie Wilson

“It is scary to lay out that cash, out way at the beginning for something that you’re not sure if it’s gonna sell.” – Katie Hunt

“If you can’t make your margins work on a reasonably small amount, you probably shouldn’t be making the products.” – Katie Wilson

“If you shine, I shine.” – Katie Wilson

“Having slow, sustainable growth is so essential.” – Katie Wilson

CONNECT WITH KATIE WILSON

Website: The Good Twin | Facebook: @thegoodtwinco | Instagram: @thegoodtwinco | Twitter: @thegoodtwinco

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