033 | Sourcing new manufacturing partners with Samantha Barsky, Noteify
Since 2010, Samantha Barsky, the founder of Note•ify has combined her love of travel, photography, and entrepreneurship into making paper and textile goods. She has had success growing her business through a wide range of sales channels including Etsy, craft shows, her own website, as well as licensing and collaborations.
On today’s episode, Samantha talks about sourcing new partners for manufacturing and how tough it is, leveraging passive income streams, and the importance of starting small when branching into new products.
ON TODAY’S EPISODE:
When Samantha knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur
Her background prior to starting her business
Note•ify’s products and the basis for the design elements
How she decides what products to pursue and which ideas to drop
Researching manufacturers and how to decide who to use
How Samantha has nurtured her retail clients through her online shop and craft fairs
Her strategy on where to direct customers to purchase products when selling from multiple platforms
The necessity of managing two stores
The statistics she looks at and why
Samantha’s advice for those starting out in the product industry
How she leverages passive revenue streams
What’s coming up for Note•ify
Download These Quotables to Save and Share
KEY TAKE-AWAYS
“I’m done working for the people. I’m going to try this stationery thing. See what happens.” – Samantha Barsky
“My products are based off all of my original photographs.” – Samantha Barsky
“Obviously paper is and was my first love.” – Samantha Barsky
“I think it’s important to remind people that you don’t always get it right the first time. Sometimes, you gotta work through a few different print partners or manufacturing partners or whatever it might be.” – Katie Hunt
“I think we all, we start ourselves, but there comes a point where we need to outsource it and pass it off to somebody else.” – Katie Hunt
“I do think that they’re [Craft Shows] the best way to get direct feedback.” – Samantha Barsky
“I have everything on Etsy as well as on my website. I just think it’s what you gotta do. I mean, there’s traffic there. Why not?” – Samantha Barsky
“I will order in smaller quantities at the beginning just to test them and see, and obviously, I’m paying a little bit more, and so my profit margin isn’t as great, but I don’t want to be stuck with a whole lot of extra inventory.” – Samantha Barsky
“I’m a huge proponent of passive income.” – Samantha Barsky
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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