377 | Behind the Scenes of Airport Retail and What It’s Like Being Featured on The View with Jodi Kostelnik, The Neighborhoods
I love using our platforms, particularly this podcast, to highlight our community members and all of the cool things they are doing within their businesses and lives. I also love to bring folks back for updates, a “where are they now” situation. So today's guest is Jodi Kostelnik of The Neighborgoods. Jodi was previously on episode 233 which aired in January of 2022. In that episode, she shared real numbers and feedback about her exhibiting experience at Shoppe Object, covering sales numbers, expenses, etc.
We got a lot of positive feedback, emails, and notes from listeners about that episode because Jodi shared so openly and freely, and people appreciated that.
Today, she is back with an update and sharing some things that have gone on, some big changes that have happened with The Neighborgoods over the last 3 years. Jodi talks about her experience in opening up an airport store in Washington, DC, including how that opportunity came to be and how she has a unique ownership interest.
We talked about the highs and lows of hiring team members and letting go of control and how difficult that is, and Jodi shares how her products ended up being featured on the show, The View. Her team rallied together to ship out thousands of products after that feature, and a spoiler alert here, she met the contacts from The View at a trade show.
Today’s episode is sponsored by our Unlock Buyer Secrets Interview series. To make a strong first impression with wholesale buyers, we need to do a few things really well:
We need to make it easy for stores to purchase from us
We need to have clear pricing and terms & conditions
We need to clearly communicate and add value at each touchpoint
We need to focus on building strong relationships with our customers.
And all of this becomes infinitely easier when we actively listen to our customers. This on-demand interview series will give you a competitive edge by providing an exclusive window into what buyers want and need from you. And, the best part, it's only $27 bucks.
MEET JODI
Starting in 2006, I ran a design studio working on everything from illustrations to corporate reports. In wanting to combine my love of food and design I refocused my business to work with clients in the food industry. In order to gain those clients, I began creating food-themed work for my website, which turned into an idea to print those designs onto dish towels for gifts, which led to a screen-printing class, and The Neighborgoods began to take form.
Working nights and weekends things grew slowly over the years and I finally went full-time in 2018. Since then, our product line has grown, we’re sold in over 900 stores, I opened (and closed) a brick-and-mortar store, moved the biz back into my basement, hired a full-time employee, moved into a new studio, and opened a store in the airport.
I love creating goods that are useful in everyday life, and make you smile.
CONNECT WITH JODI
WEBSITE: https://theneighborgoods.com | INSTAGRAM: @theneighborgoodswithlove
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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