about
Us
Here at Proof to Product, our focus is on elevating product based businesses & helping them grow their wholesale revenue.
To build a profitable, successful business you need three things — a rock-solid strategy plan, clear action steps and support when things don’t go as planned. At Proof to Product we focus on providing all three pieces.
But our programs, both in-person and online, are more than a meeting of the minds. They are a curated space for product brands with generous hearts, fierce determination, inexhaustible passion and creative spirits to learn and grow together.
Whether you are participating in Paper Camp, LABS or exploring our community through the Podcast, welcome! we’re so happy to have you!
23,000+
product based businesses supported
1.2M
podcast downloads
22k+
served in our digital community
42
rounds of Paper Camp
our
VALUES
Bring Brilliance
We spend our time doing what we’re best at and love most — strategizing with and serving our community with a focus on RESULTS.
Slow, Steady Growth
Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither are strong businesses. Small intentional steps create momentum, which then leads to clarity and forward progress.
Celebrate Successes
Nothing makes us happier than you hitting your goals (big or small), then celebrating with you. We focus on helping you make a plan, then work the plan to succeed in business.
LISTEN DEEPLY
We come to each conversation with an open mind, ready to learn and listen. It is important to us that you feel welcomed, seen and heard.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion across all identities including but not limited to LGBTQIA+, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age and abilities. We are committed to social justice, including LGBTQIA+ rights, women’s rights, human rights and civil rights. We believe Black Lives Matter.
Integrity
Trust, honesty, integrity, approachability, honest conversations and meaningful connections matter here. We want to know you and support you.
Generosity
We believe in being generous with our time, attention, knowledge and resources so that you can get results more quickly.
Community Building
We foster a collaborative, connected environment and create a safe, supportive and inclusive community for you to learn in & contribute to.
Less Hustle
We strive to find the easiest path to success for you, your business and the goals you’re working towards so that you can work smarter, not harder.
People FIRST
Relationships are one of our core values inside and outside of the business. Here you can ask for what you need, share your ups & downs and just be you without judgement.
our
vision
Proof to Product aims positively impact 500,000 creative entrepreneurs who seek to build sustainable, profitable product-based businesses in their own way and at their own pace.
Here at Proof to Product, we aim to provide business owners with three essential tools:
COMMUNITY, COLLABORATION & COACHING.
meet our founder
katie hunt
Katie Hunt is the founder of Proof to Product® (formerly Tradeshow Bootcamp), a business strategist, and mentor to creative entrepreneurs. She is a firm believer in professional development, surrounding yourself with community and pushing ‘go’ even when you might not feel 100% ready.
Katie has taught classes for CreativeLive, The National Stationery Show, The Savvy Experience, Be Sage, Seanwes Conference and Unique Camp; and she’s been a featured guest on dozens of business podcasts.
She frequently speaks about strategies for creating a product line, selling wholesale, business planning and the importance of community for entrepreneurs.
Katie launched her podcast, Proof To Product®, which debuted at #19 in iTunes in the Arts category and is routinely in the top 100. Proof to Product was included on BuzzFeed’s list of must-listen podcasts.
Katie earned a dual MBA in marketing and finance from Loyola Marymount University and has spent the last 20 years coaching large corporations and solo entrepreneurs on marketing and business development strategies.
Katie’s strengths lie in connecting people and bringing ideas to life – brainstorming, making a plan and executing. She’s a bit type-A, overly organized and has an affinity for calendars, check-lists and a love for notebooks that only stationers will understand.
She often describes Proof to Product as the perfect merging of her two worlds; her happy place where she can share her business expertise and knowledge with a creative industry and clients that she loves.
Katie has a passion for creating, a mind for business & a strong desire to help others succeed.
When she’s not cheering on our Proof to Product community members, you can find her spending time with her husband and four young children, hosting friends for dinner, or surfing Instagram.
featured on
Get in touch
Contact Katie to see how we can help you take
your business to the next level.
our
history
Katie starts Kelp Designs, a stationery & gift line, from her kitchen table. She starts with custom projects and moves into personalized stationery, greeting cards and boxed notes. Google is her best friend.
2008
Katie jumps into wholesale blindly, exhibits at the National Stationery Show for the first time and gets shut down by the fire marshall 18 hours before the show starts.
In the process, she had a few meltdowns, met a lot of new friends and walked away with a few orders despite having a booth that looked nothing like what she had planned.
2009
After the National Stationery Show, Katie writes a blog post for a friend, detailing 5 things she wished she had known before she exhibited. The blog post spurs emails from other new exhibitors who have questions about logistics, cost and how to display their products.
The seed of starting a community for creatives is planted in Katie’s head.
2009-2010
Katie launches Tradeshow Bootcamp in February using Twitter and word of mouth marketing tactics. #BeforeInsta
25 students join us for four teleconference calls focused on booth logistics, tradeshow marketing, sales reps and buyer preferences.
2011
Tradeshow Bootcamp hosts its first Paper Camp program at a bed & breakfast in Los Angeles, California. Katie falls in love with hosting live events.
2012
Tradeshow Bootcamp gets a fresh, new look and expands the Paper Camp programming to include information about product development, release schedules, wholesale sales tools, and marketing to retailers.
2013
73 of our Paper Camp alumni exhibit at the National Stationery Show. This is the first year that Tradeshow Bootcamp has its own booth at the show (it was previously a small section in the Kelp Designs booth!).
2014
Tradeshow Bootcamp hosts 100 entrepreneurs at Business Camp, a one day conference focused on strengthening business operations.
Speakers include Jen Gotch, Tara McMullin, Chelsea Shukov, Ellen Bennett, Carina Murray and experts in tech, PR, marketing, finances and product development.
2015
Katie hits the road teaching 4 classes for CreativeLive, speaking on stages throughout the U.S. and Mexico and hosts two Paper Camp conferences.
The Hunt family welcomes their fourth child, a baby girl. Katie is exhausted at the end of the year and makes some tough decisions.
2016
Tradeshow Bootcamp launches the Proof to Product podcast, which debuts at #19 in iTunes in the Arts category and is routinely in the top 100 in the Design category.
Katie hosts 3 live events, including one for Paper Camp Alumni to discuss high level topics such as diversifying revenue, cash flow, hiring and systems.
2017
Proof to Product hits over 200k downloads. Buzzfeed includes Proof to Product on its list of "27 Podcasts You Need To Start Listening To."
Katie creates the Proof to Product mastermind, a small group coaching program for experienced business owners and hosts the group’s first retreat - Katie's 15th live event!
The business is outgrowing its name, Tradeshow Bootcamp, and Katie realizes its time to make a change. Plans are made and wheels are put in motion.
2018
Despite a global pandemic, our community continues to thrive.
Proof to Product LABS, our group coaching program, launches in April with over 200 founding members. Inside LABS we teach sales, marketing and operational strategies.
In Paper Camp, we add new content about virtual trade shows, pitching wholesale accounts and marketing during Covid-19.
Katie's Mastermind clients have their best financial years ever. One increases revenue by 700% YOY, another writes an $8k wholesale order during a 30 minute sales call on zoom, another takes the entire month of December off after hitting financial goals by October.
Our Podcast surpasses 600k downloads. 🎉
2020
Through the second year of the pandemic, PTP and our community members continue to scale our revenue and impact.
We welcome a wider range of product makers into our Paper Camp program including apparel, home decor, office supplies and food & beverage brands.
Katie is interviewed by the NY Times about the Paper Source Bankruptcy, live on KTLA about reopening protocols and she becomes a contributing writer on Entrepreneur.com.
2021
Here’s what you can expect from us:
While you’re here, you can expect to learn.
Booth logistics, product development, sales tools, order forms and line sheets, working with sales reps, even general business practices – we’ve got it covered through our camps, e-courses and free resources.
You can expect to get to know our speakers.
These are stationery industry veterans that we bring in to share their first-hand experience, powerful resources and invaluable knowledge at every event. Our speakers are stationery manufacturers, retailers and buyers, sales reps, consultants and members of the media. They truly come from every corner of the industry to contribute their time and talent for you to succeed. Proof to Product speakers have participated in the National Stationery Show, New York Now, Atlanta Gift Show, CA Gift Show, and more.
You can expect support and accountability.
We pride ourselves on the community we’ve built here since our launch in February 2011. Our alumni network is made up of thousands of product based businesses, all tackling the very same hurdles and celebrating the very same wins that you face every day.
So, get comfy. Settle in. Stay a while!
what can we help you get started with today?
Making Products
selling wholesale
exhibiting at tradeshows
scaling my business
learn more about the proof to product community
Hear stories from our alumni and see their tradeshow booths
