769. What QVC’s Bankruptcy Teaches Us About Growing a Product Brand

Your product business is making sales, so why does it feel like there's never enough money in the bank? The problem might not be how much you're selling, but how much cash is trapped in your inventory! I'm joined by retail strategist and author Catherine Erdly, who has spent over 26 years helping retailers understand what actually drives profitability. We're breaking down the hidden profit leaks that even million-dollar product businesses overlook, how to know if you're carrying too much inventory, and the strategies big retailers use to turn slow-moving stock back into cash without damaging their brands. If you're ready to stop pouring every dollar back into inventory, increase your cash flow, and finally build a business that pays YOU, this episode is a must-listen!

Black Friday isn't your only opportunity to make big sales in Q4. Treating the entire holiday season like one big promotion could be costing your product business serious revenue. In this episode, I'm breaking down the 4 distinct buying windows between October and January and how to strategically market your products during each one to maximize sales, move inventory, and protect your profit margins. You'll discover opportunities your competitors may be overlooking, how to keep customers buying beyond Black Friday, and how to create offers that drive revenue without relying on constant discounts. If you've already built a successful product business and you're ready to stop guessing what to promote next, this episode will help you think more strategically about your busiest season and build a business that grows with intention, not just more work from you.

Are you spending all your time trying to create more content when there are other ways to get your products in front of more customers? In this episode, I break down why I believe wholesale is one of the most powerful growth channels for product-based businesses and why I would prioritize it if I were starting a brand today. I share how wholesale can put your products in front of other people’s audiences, why your pricing and margins need to be built for retail from the beginning, and how packaging and point-of-sale make the difference between a product sitting on a shelf and actually selling. Tune in to learn how to build a wholesale strategy that creates more distribution, visibility, and revenue for your brand.

Could getting in front of the right people change your sales? In this episode, I break down why E.L.F. Cosmetics and Levi’s are showing up at state fairs and what their strategy can teach you about getting in front of other people’s audiences. I talk about the growing opportunity around in-person discovery, why the right event and the right customer matter, and how markets, festivals, retail, and other real-world experiences can create both sales and visibility for your brand. I also break down why every in-person event should be more than a selling opportunity and how to use these experiences to grow your email list and bring customers back to your website. Tune in to see how you can use in-person opportunities to create more visibility and reach new customers.

What if one of your biggest sales opportunities isn’t online at all? In this episode, I break down why Gen Z is heading back to physical stores and what that means for product-based businesses. I talk about why in-person experiences still matter, how getting your products in front of real people can create opportunities beyond your website, and why your website and email list should still be the hub of your business. Tune in to see where you can create more opportunities to sell in real life, especially as the holiday season approaches.