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In this podcast episode, I welcome Anna from House of Cart and we dive deeply into the world of Shopify and e-commerce. Anna, a Shopify expert, shares her journey from starting a children's clothing label to becoming a leading name in Shopify website design and email marketing.
We focus on the importance of theme selection, optimization, and customer journey to enhance the customers user experience (UX).

Anna's shares valuable tips on decluttering your website, utilizing call-to-action (CTA) buttons effectively, leveraging user reviews and social proof, and integrating essential apps like Klaviyo for email marketing and Tolstoy for interactive videos.

Tune in for actionable insights on how to improve your website navigation, product titles, and conversion rates through data analysis.

Don't miss the chance to learn how to elevate your Shopify store to the next level.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:43 Anna's Journey to Shopify Expertise

01:31 Empowering Female Entrepreneurs

03:08 Why Shopify is the Best E-commerce Platform

10:09 Optimizing Your Shopify Store

10:37 Choosing the Right Shopify Theme

14:24 Maintaining and Updating Your Shopify Theme

17:21 Effective Product Page Design

22:23 Streamlining the Online Shopping Experience

24:06 Optimizing Your Homepage for Better Conversion

28:49 Effective Product Page Strategies

31:02 Essential Apps for E-commerce Success

37:02 Understanding and Improving Conversion Rates

40:17 Balancing Business Operations and Growth

43:48 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Get in touch with Anna at @houseofcart

Aggregated Core Web Vitals performance by Shopify:

https://performance.shopify.com/pages/theme-performance-data-table

Apps we recommended:

Tolstoy - Interactive video shoppable content to engage users.

Klaviyo - Email marketing automation for targeted campaigns and customer retention.

Judge.me or Okendo - Product reviews to build social proof and trust.

ReConvert or Selleasy - Post-purchase upsell app to increase average order value.

Lucky Orange - Heatmaps and session recordings to understand user behaviour and improve UI/UX.

Support the show

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here to help you Build a Thirving Product Business https://www.thelotco.com/trainingfree

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/

Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.

Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Send us a text

In this episode I share 10 Essential Visual Merchandising (VM) tips to boost sales in physical retail spaces.

From identifying your store's hotspot to ensuring clever lighting and strategic product placement, Melissa covers it all.

Learn why consolidating products and pricing transparency can significantly enhance your customer experience.

Discover the magic of changing your display frequently to keep things fresh while maintaining a clean and visually appealing environment.

Packed with insights and actionable tips, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to increase retail sales.

Tune in and transform your retail store today!

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:18 Understanding Your Store's Hotspot

01:24 Importance of Pricing Everything

03:05 Optimizing Store Lighting

04:22 Consolidating Products for Better Appeal

05:29 Utilizing Various Heights and Levels

07:41 Effective Product Grouping

08:15 The Power of Regular Changes

09:44 Maintaining Cleanliness

10:39 Adding Visuals to Enhance Appeal

12:31 Maximizing Counter Display

14:48 Conclusion and Recap

Support the show

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here to help you Build a Thirving Product Business https://www.thelotco.com/trainingfree

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/

Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.

Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Send us a text

In this episode, I chat with Rene Skelton of Concrete Jellyfish.

We dive into the challenges of running a small business, to the unique ways Renee maintains her creativity.
We talk about the origins, growth, and innovations of her fashion accessories brand Concrete Jellyfish.
Rene shares insights about transitioning her business to Italy, the importance of community, dealing with production challenges, and her passion for creating handmade accessories.
The episode also highlights her unique approach to product design, the balance between creativity and business operations, and the importance of setting proper pricing from the start.

Overall, this episode offers an inspiring look at Rene's dedication to her craft and the personal touches that set Concrete Jellyfish apart.

We also find out how much Rene hates pop ups. And she wishes she started collecting emails a long time ago!

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:24 Challenges of Small Business and Motherhood

01:06 What is Concrete Jellyfish?

02:12 The Journey of Concrete Jellyfish

03:36 Building a Community Through Business

05:31 Moving the Business to Italy

06:43 Logistics and Operations

12:27 Creative Process and Design Inspiration

21:12 Wholesale vs. Direct-to-Consumer

25:49 Pricing for Sustainability

27:52 Investing in Quality Equipment

28:29 Innovative and Unique Creations

29:57 Building a Supportive Team

31:07 Marketing and Email Strategies

36:56 Balancing Work and Personal Life

43:56 Future Plans and New Ventures

47:54 Creating Joy and Excitement

You can check out Rene's instagram here @concretejellyfishco and her website at
https://concretejellyfish.co/ where her new collection has just been released. Check out her innovative light weight hoops skins here

Support the show

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here to help you Build a Thirving Product Business https://www.thelotco.com/trainingfree

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/

Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.

Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Send us a text

Anna Shipley, a Facebook ads expert, shares her journey and insights into running successful Facebook ads for e-commerce businesses. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your customer and having a well-designed website before starting Facebook ads. Anna also discusses the common mistakes people make with Facebook ads, such as constantly changing the ads and not having enough content. She highlights the need for consistency in social media and email marketing to support the ads. Anna advises businesses to carefully consider their budget and financial sustainability when running Facebook ads. The principal themes of the conversation are: 1) Riding the storms in Facebook ads, 2) Knowing your numbers and margins, 3) The importance of bundles, and 4) Investing in a Shopify website.

Takeaways

• Understanding your customer and having a well-designed website are crucial before starting Facebook ads.
• Consistency in social media and email marketing is essential to support Facebook ads.
• Avoid common mistakes like constantly changing ads and not having enough content.
• Carefully consider your budget and financial sustainability when running Facebook ads. Don't panic if your Facebook ads have a bad week or day, ride the storms and trust the process.
• Good margins are crucial for running successful Facebook ads and acquiring customers.
• Bundles can be a great strategy to increase revenue and profits, especially for low-priced products.
• Investing in a Shopify website is worth the cost as it integrates easily with other platforms and provides a user-friendly checkout experience.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Background

02:14
How Anna Got Started in Facebook Ads

03:57
Essentials Before Getting Started with Facebook Ads

05:45
The Importance of a Well-Designed Website

08:48
Monitoring Metrics and Optimizing Ads

11:35
The Role of Email Marketing and Social Media

14:11
Lessons Learned from Running Facebook Ads

18:18
Considering Budget and Financial Sustainability

20:19
Introduction and Lessons Learned

22:45
The Power of Bundling Products

26:05
Why Shopify is the Best Choice for E-commerce

31:06
The Cost of Doing Business

34:35
Building a Strong Foundation for Success

Facebook ads, e-commerce, customer understanding, website design, content creation, retargeting, metrics, budget, financial sustainability, Facebook ads, riding the storms, knowing your numbers, margins, bundles, Shopify webs

Support the show

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here to help you Build a Thirving Product Business https://www.thelotco.com/trainingfree

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/

Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.

Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Send us a text

Things in business don't always go to plan.

Kristy Withers founder of Incy Interiors grew her business over 13 years and has had her fair share if things going wrong!!

On the podcast this week, I talk with Kristy about her journey with Incy Interiors. How she is now moving on from being the owner and what the future looks like for her.

We talk about the highs and lows, he different things Kristy has tried and tested in her time as a product business owner. How she went from not having any experience as a business owner to a building a multi million-dollar company.

Here's a sneak peek of what you'll discover in this episode:

🌟 Why Kristy got started and what led to her taking a step back.

🌟 What early stage growth looked like and how Incy Interiors grew over the years.

🌟 The difference between wholesaling, drop-shipping and marketplaces.

🌟 Making sure your customer has a positive experience buying from you.

🌟 Advice Kristy has for anyone starting out and whether or not she would change anything about her journey.

🌟 Incy Interiors is closing down as a business you can check out their website and connect with Kristy on Instagram. To find out all the updates and announcements follow on their instagram.

You can find all the show notes and juicy details on our website at

https://www.thelotco.com.au/podcast

We discuss all of the following:

01:26 How did Kristy get started with her business?

03:01 Finding manufacturing

04:30 Early stage growth and how her business grew over the years

09:05 Drop shipping vs wholesale vs marketplace

13:13 Incy Interiors’ retail store

18:47 The Incy Interiors team

20:04 Moving through tough times in business

30:24 Importance of customer experience

32:02 Advice for anyone starting a product business now

35:49 Prioritizing marketing and brand awareness

39:41 Would Kristy change anything about her journey?

Connect with Kristy on Instagram.

Follow Incy Interiors on Instagram.

Shop all kids designer furniture at Incy Interiors

Support the show

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here to help you Build a Thirving Product Business https://www.thelotco.com/trainingfree

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/

Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.

Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Send us a text

IMO there really is no reason not to have a stockist list on your website.
Being so worried about competition you are willing to negatively impact your actual customers (and retailers who support you) and make it hard for them to buy in person form a physical store.

It also reeks of scarcity mindset and says something about how you feel about selling wholesale and trying to capture every little bit of margin for yourself.

I could rant about this for days but today it is a quick little episode about Why you. need as stockist list on your website and also why as Retailers you need to demand your brands list you!!

Support the show

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here to help you Build a Thirving Product Business https://www.thelotco.com/trainingfree

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/

Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.

Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Send us a text

"Ever feel like your finances are stuck in quicksand, no matter how hard you hustle? In this empowering episode, we're diving deep into the world of money blocks with the phenomenal Clare Wood! Discover why your money mindset isn't just a buzzword—it's the secret sauce to breaking free from those invisible financial chains. We'll uncover the most common blocks that might be holding you back and share actionable tips on how you can start to work through them. Clare brings her signature insights and transformative strategies to help us all navigate our path to financial freedom. So, if you're ready to shift your relationship with money and unlock your true earning potential, this episode is your golden ticke

Want to start transforming your money mindset today? Leave us a comment or send a direct message and leap into your journey of financial empowerment!"

Find Clare at @clare_wood_coach And at Clare Wood website.

Support the show

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here to help you Build a Thirving Product Business https://www.thelotco.com/trainingfree

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/

Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.

Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.

Send us a text

When do you invest in your self or your business?
At the start? 3 years in?
I had a 30 min session with Joey from @growmemelb on the Business Couch at @life_instyle last year and since then she has evolved to much!
Joey joined (invested) in my Roadmap to Profit (Profitable Product Business) and has used my spreadsheets and templates every day since.
It has changed the way she has done business and how she has expanded globally since then.
Check out her range here and what it looks like now. I hope you enjoy our live chat here.
Want to join the Roadmap? Head here.

Want to access my training on How to Create a Thriving Product Business.

Need help for your next Trade Show? You don't want to miss this.

Want to meet me on the Business Couch? At Life Instyle. Make your appointment here.

Support the show

I'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco

Register for my FREE webinar here to help you Build a Thirving Product Business https://www.thelotco.com/trainingfree

And if you want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions!

Looking for specific help with Wholesale? Check out the Transform your Wholesale program

Find more details at https://www.thelotco.com.au/

Business Coach for product-based businesses. Teaching creative business women how to build a scalable and profitable million-dollar product business whether a physical Retail store or Brand.

Over 25 years in Retail and Wholesale Sales and Marketing.

Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.