Send us a text Ever looked at your brand and thought, “This just… doesn’t feel like me anymore”? Yep, same. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my own rebranding wake-up call (hello five-year-old podcast cover 👋) and guide you through the emotional, visual, and strategic impact of being out of alignment with your brand. Whether your product photos feel outdated, your Instagram bio makes you cringe, or you're attracting bargain hunters instead of dream customers—this one’s for you...

Send us a text If you're investing time, money, and energy into exhibiting at a trade show, the last thing you want is to walk away with zero results (or worse… minus dollars and dashed confidence 😬). In this episode, I break down the 10 biggest mistakes I see brands make when preparing for—and showing up at—trade shows. Whether it's your first show or your fifteenth, these pitfalls can derail your success and cost you thousands in missed sales and opportunities. I'll cover everything from: W...

Send us a text This week, we’re rewinding a very popular episode of the podcast—and trust me, it hits even harder right now. If you’ve ever thought about adding a digital layer to your product-based business—or if you’re quietly wondering what’s next for you beyond the stockroom or sales floor—this episode is a must-listen. I’m diving into why digital products aren’t just for “online coaches” or influencers, and how you, as a retailer, maker, or brand founder, can turn your skills, story, or ...

Send us a text Let’s get one thing straight—your branding is not just about a cute logo or a pretty Instagram grid. If your product isn’t flying off the shelves (real or virtual), it’s time to look at what your brand is really saying. In this juicy episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why a misaligned brand identity could be the thing standing between you and consistent sales, dream stockists, and repeat customers who rave about you. Here’s what you’ll learn: The 5 subtle-but-critical way...

Send us a text In today’s episode, I’m joined by two of the loveliest humans—Sarah and Celeste from Natural Supply Co. These two are not only the co-founders of one of Geelong’s most beloved retail stores, but they’ve also built a beautiful, values-led business that’s stayed true to its roots while growing sustainably. We talk about: How their friendship started over coffee (and a shared love of cute stationery and beauty products)The evolution of their business from pop-ups to full-blown bri...

Send us a text In this solo episode, I’m diving into something I’m wildly passionate about—contrast. Whether it’s your website, your Insta tiles, your packaging, or your trade show banners… if your brand blends in, it’s losing money. Full stop. I see this all the time inside my programs and with 1:1 clients—gorgeous products or stunning stores that just don’t pop. And honestly? That can be fixed. Today I’m breaking down exactly where and how to use contrast to capture attention, guide your cu...

Send us a text Feeling like your brand is stuck in Instagram limbo, screaming into the algorithm void? Enter: PR badass Gloria Chou. In this game-changing episode, we break down how to actually get seen, featured, and taken seriously—without spending a cent on ads or needing a Kardashian-level follower count. I chat with Gloria about the difference between good PR and gimmicky fluff, and how product-based business owners can start landing real media features like Buzzfeed, Refinery29, or even...

Send us a text In this episode, I sit down with Lou Hammer, the powerhouse behind Pre Loved Geelong—a thriving secondhand and consignment store that started as a pop-up hustle and now boasts a bricks-and-mortar location, thriving online sales, and a fiercely loyal community. Lou gets real about: 💼 Starting from scratch while juggling life, kids, and a side hustle🛍️ How she scaled from eBay to Instagram to a full-on retail store🧵 Why curation and customer avatars matter more than ever in fashi...

Send us a text Ever had a product idea rolling around in your brain—or maybe sketched in your notebook—but no clue how to bring it to life? In this episode, I’m joined by the product development powerhouse Millie Richards, and let me tell you, this chat is a goldmine for anyone with dreams of designing a product that’s actually profitable (and doesn’t fall apart or cost your life savings). Millie’s an industrial designer with a delicious combo of design brilliance and real-world factory know-...

Send us a text Ever feel like you’re doing all the things in your business—posting on socials, packing orders, launching products—but STILL not getting the results you want? Yep. You're probably in the messy middle. Not a newbie anymore, but not scaling like a pro just yet. And let me tell you, this stage is real and it's where so many product-based business owners get stuck. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and talking honestly about the awkward, in-between phase that no one re...

Send us a text Are you marketing your little heart out 24/7 but still hearing crickets when it comes to actual sales? Or maybe your traffic is fine but conversions? Not so much. If you're nodding along, this episode is your wake-up call. Today, I’m breaking down the 5 biggest signs your marketing strategy is completely broken—and giving you the practical, no-fluff fixes to actually turn things around. Spoiler alert: this is not about working harder; it’s about getting smarter. We’ll chat abou...

Send us a text In this episode I interview Carla Townsend, a money mindset and success coach. We delve into practical advice for female entrepreneurs looking to overcome financial barriers, the critical role of money mindset in achieving business success, and how deep-rooted beliefs affect financial behaviors. Carla shares insights on identifying limiting beliefs, cultivating a healthy money mindset, and the importance of aligning one's business with personal values for sustainable succ...

Send us a text 💫 In this episode of thelotco business podcast, I sit down with Kiralee, the brilliant mind behind Murkani Jewellery. From an idea that lingered in her mind for years to a thriving global jewellery brand, Kiralee shares the ups, downs, and surprising twists of her journey. 💍 We chat about: How Murkani Jewellery was born during Kiralee’s time living in Vietnam.The design process—sketching, sampling, and finding the right artisans.Navigating wholesale, retail, and international e...

Send us a text Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs: An Interview with High Performance Mindset Coach Mandy Napier In this episode I interview Mandy Napier, a high-performance mindset and executive coach with over 14 years of experience. Mandy sheds light on the importance of understanding and overcoming limiting beliefs, offering insights into mindset work, the role of self-talk, and the impact of early childhood patterns on adult behaviour. Among the topics covered are practical ste...

Send us a text Building a Sustainable and Ethical Homewares Brand: An Interview with Nareen Holloway from Marmoset Found In this episode I interview Nareen Holloway, the founder of the homewares company Marmoset Found. Nareen shares her journey from working in streetwear retail to creating a sustainable homewares brand known for its long-lasting ceramics and glassware. The discussion covers the challenges and risks she faced, including finding ethical manufacturers, evolving her product line...

Send us a text Unleashing Creative Business Success with Brydie Stewart from Mary Maker Studio In this episode I chat with Brydie from Mary Maker Studio about the intricacies of turning creative passion into a profitable business. They discuss Brydie's journey from being an art teacher to founding Mary Maker Studio, a leading supplier of fiber arts materials. Brydie shares how she left teaching to align with her creative purpose following a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and how...

Send us a text Let's talk about the critical role of email marketing in driving sales and building customer relationships. We discuss the common pitfalls businesses face, such as neglecting email marketing in favour of social media, and then provide actionable strategies to enhance email effectiveness. Key topics include the importance of having a strategic plan, utilizing templates, focusing on design elements, regularly analyzing performance metrics, and segmenting the email li...

Send us a text Ever wondered what things product-based business owners do to get ahead? Have you ever tried to figure out what they have in common? After more than 25 years working with 100's of product-based businesses and successful entrepreneurs these are some characteristics I have noticed in common. Some of these are actions and some of these are strategies. See how many you have and whether you think I am on the mark. I listed out 10 but I am sure there are more. Welcome to this n...

Send us a text What platform should I use for my website? This is a question I see asked ALL the time. Now my answer is always Shopify if you are an eCommerce and product-based business. Listen in today to find out the 10 reasons why I believe SHOPIFY is the website platform for you if you are a product-based business or eCommerce store. And why I also don't believe it is too expensive!! The Reel about credit cards leading to abandon cart is linked here. I hope yo...

Send us a text Retail Week Series Episode 1. Hands up if you want more sales? Whether that is selling more on your own ecommerce store (DTC) or selling wholesale there are 3 ways to increase your sales. Get more customers (new ones) Get the customers you have to buy more each time (AOV). Get the customers have to buy more often (frequency) Today I am giving you 5 quick tweaks and updates you can make to your website that can go a long way to boosting your conversion rate. Things tha...