Bring Your Product Idea to Life

Vicki Weinberg

WINNER! Best Business Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards Do you (or do you want to) create and sell your own physical products? Would you like to learn from, and be inspired by, other products business owners, who aren’t much further along than you are? This is the podcast to listen to if you’re getting started selling products, or you’d like to create your own products to sell. It's a podcast for small business owners, makers and creators, from small business owners! Whatever stage you’re at, there’s plenty of friendly, practical advice and inspirational stories - from product creators not much further along than you are. CONNECT WITH ME Website: https://www.vickiweinberg.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickiweinberguk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-weinberg-amazon-seller-support/ Join my free Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/productcreatorsclub/

  1. Building an 80-Year Product Business: Lessons from a Fourth-Generation Family Brand

    3 DAYS AGO

    Building an 80-Year Product Business: Lessons from a Fourth-Generation Family Brand

    This week I’m joined by Holly Stafford-Smith from GH Stafford & Son Ltd, a fourth-generation family business that has been supplying leather goods and accessories across the UK for almost 80 years. In this episode, Holly shares the story of how the business evolved from manufacturing leather goods in post-war Walsall to becoming a long-established wholesale supplier working with retailers and wholesalers across the UK and Ireland. We talk about what it’s really like working in a family business, balancing tradition with modernisation, navigating generational differences, evolving a product range over time, and why focusing on product quality has helped the business continue to grow after all these years. There’s also a really honest conversation about the realities of family business life, the challenges, the opportunities, and the deep care that comes with building something across generations. Whether you run a product-based business yourself or are interested in how long-standing businesses continue to adapt and evolve, there’s so much insight in this episode. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Holly Stafford-Smith and GH Stafford & Son Ltd 01:31 The story behind the family business founded in 1947 03:17 How the business has stayed relevant for nearly 80 years 05:49 Modernising a long-established wholesale business 07:24 Selling through retailers and wholesalers across the UK 09:09 Why the business has stayed B2B only 11:05 How the product range has evolved over the years 13:44 Using customer feedback to shape products 16:44 Growing up in a family business 19:40 Working across different roles in the business 20:43 Navigating family dynamics and generational differences 24:58 The realities of working in a family business 29:30 Holly’s advice for product business owners Connect with Holly here: https://ghstafford.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GHStaffordandSon https://www.instagram.com/ghstaffordandson/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-stafford-smith/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/g.h.stafford-&-son-limited/ LET’S CONNECT Follow me on YouTube Find me on Instagram Work with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support Mentioned in this episode: Free call for Amazon Sellers I’m running a free call on 6 May for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who’d like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together. It’ll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on how best to get Amazon reviews, Q&A and discussion. It’s fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen. I’d love to see you there if you’re able to join. Amazon Sellers Support & Connect Amazon Made Easy is now open My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

    35 min
  2. Packaging design for Amazon and retail. How to stand out and increase sales - Daniel Poll

    8 MAY

    Packaging design for Amazon and retail. How to stand out and increase sales - Daniel Poll

    If you’ve ever looked at your product and thought, “is my packaging actually helping me sell this?” then this episode is going to be really helpful. I’m joined by Daniel Poll, founder of No Ramble, a brand and packaging design studio, and we’re talking all about what makes packaging work, both in store and online. Because the reality is, if your product looks the same as everything else, your customer is far more likely to choose based on price. And that’s not where most of us want to be. We get into what effective packaging design for Amazon and retail actually looks like, why so many brands end up following the crowd, and what you can do differently if you want to stand out in a way that feels right for your product and your customer. Packaging isn’t just about making something look good, it’s about helping your customer quickly understand what your product is and why they should choose it. This is one of those episodes that might make you look at your packaging in a completely different way. Find Daniel here: Website: https://noramble.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noramble/ Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-poll/ Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/noramble/ LET’S CONNECT Follow me on YouTube Find me on Instagram Work with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support Mentioned in this episode: Amazon Made Easy is now open My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership Free call for Amazon Sellers I’m running a free call on 6 May for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who’d like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together. It’ll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on how best to get Amazon reviews, Q&A and discussion. It’s fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen. I’d love to see you there if you’re able to join. Amazon Sellers Support & Connect

    46 min
  3. Business funding options for entrepreneurs - Hazel Nabarro

    1 MAY

    Business funding options for entrepreneurs - Hazel Nabarro

    So many founders delay growing their business because funding feels confusing or out of reach. This episode is here to change that, and give you a clearer way to think about how to fund your business growth. If I’m honest, funding is something I didn’t really understand for a long time, and I know I won’t be the only one. When we hear about funding, it’s often things like Dragon’s Den or venture capital, and it can feel quite far removed from everyday business. But actually, there are so many different business funding options, and understanding them can completely change how you approach growing your business. In this episode, I’m joined by Hazel Nabarro, founder of Femfinity, and she breaks down how to fund your business growth in a way that feels much more clear and manageable. We talk through the different types of business funding options, including bootstrapping, grants, loans, angel investors, and venture capital, and what each one really looks like in practice. What I found really helpful about this conversation is that it’s not just about what’s available, it’s about how to make the right decision for you and your business, rather than making choices from a place of panic or pressure. So if funding is something you’ve been thinking about, or you’re not sure what your next step should be, this will give you a much clearer picture of how to fund your business growth in a way that actually works for you. Find Hazel here: Website : www.femfinity.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tofemfinity/ LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/hazelnabarro/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/femfinity/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Hazel and her work in funding and growth 03:20 What funding really means and why it is often misunderstood 06:00 Bootstrapping and using revenue to fund your business 09:30 Grants explained, pros, cons and how to improve your chances 15:10 Loans, risks, and what to consider before borrowing 18:45 Equity funding, angel investors and how it works 23:30 Venture capital explained and whether it is right for you 27:50 When to start thinking about funding your business 31:20 Revenue first growth and building a sustainable business 34:00 Key questions to ask before taking any funding 37:00 Can you say no to investors and why due diligence matters 38:30 Why increasing female investors is so important 41:10 How to become an angel investor and get started 44:30 Final advice on making strategic funding decisions LET’S CONNECT Follow me on YouTube Find me on Instagram Work with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support Mentioned in this episode: Free call for Amazon Sellers I’m running a free call on 6 May for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who’d like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together. It’ll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on how best to get Amazon reviews, Q&A and discussion. It’s fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen. I’d love to see you there if you’re able to join. Amazon Sellers Support & Connect Amazon Made Easy is now open My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

    49 min
  4. Ask Me Anything

    24 APR

    Ask Me Anything

    In this episode, I’m doing something a little different, answering your questions in an “Ask Me Anything” style episode. This episode is designed to give you clarity and practical direction if you’re currently selling on Amazon or thinking about getting started. I’ve recently launched a free monthly event called Amazon Seller Support and Connect, where sellers (and future sellers) can come together to ask questions, share challenges, and learn from each other. This episode builds on those conversations by tackling some of the most frequently asked questions in more detail. In this episode, I cover five key Amazon selling topics: How much it costs to stand out on Amazon and get visibilityWhether you’re actually making money on Amazon (and how to check)If you should focus only on your best-selling productHow much you should spend on Amazon advertisingWhether you should use FBA, FBM, or a mix of both You’ll learn how Amazon visibility really works, including how relevance, sales history, and reviews affect your rankings. I also break down why it’s important to understand your numbers early on, how to think about advertising budgets, and why relying on just one product can be risky when scaling. A key theme throughout this episode is that success on Amazon comes down to understanding your data, making informed decisions, and building a sustainable strategy rather than chasing quick wins. If you’re selling on Amazon, or planning to, this episode will help you make more confident, informed decisions about your business Episode 327: What is the Amazon algorithm: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b3aa9cda-d8d7-4fbf-a949-5335f0473b8b/ Find out more about Amazon Made Easy, my membership for Amazon sellers: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership Join Amazon Sellers Support & Connect, my free monthly call for Amazon sellers: https://calendly.com/vickiweinberg/new-meeting LET’S CONNECT Follow me on YouTube Find me on Instagram Work with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support Mentioned in this episode: Amazon Made Easy is now open My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership Free call for Amazon Sellers I’m running a free call on 6 May for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who’d like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together. It’ll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on how best to get Amazon reviews, Q&A and discussion. It’s fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen. I’d love to see you there if you’re able to join. Amazon Sellers Support & Connect

    23 min
  5. What It Actually Takes to Launch and Grow a Product Brand - Sam Feller

    17 APR

    What It Actually Takes to Launch and Grow a Product Brand - Sam Feller

    In this episode, I’m joined by Sam Feller, co-founder of Popcorn Shed, a premium gourmet popcorn brand now stocked across the UK and beyond. Sam shares the real story behind building a product-based business from scratch, from making popcorn in a home kitchen to scaling across multiple sales channels. We talk about what it actually takes to launch and grow a physical product brand, including the mistakes, the lessons, and the decisions that make the biggest difference early on. If you’re developing a product or thinking about starting a product-based business, this episode is full of practical insight you can apply straight away. In this episode, we cover: How Popcorn Shed started and grew into a national brandWhat makes a product stand out in a crowded marketWhy product market fit is more important than passion aloneThe realities of product development (and why it’s so expensive to get wrong)How to choose the right sales channels for your productWhat founders often overlook when launching a new productWhen to hire and how to grow your team sustainablyThe biggest lessons from scaling over the past 10+ years Sam also shares his number one piece of advice for product creators, and it’s something that could save you time, money, and a lot of frustration. If you’re building a product-based business this is a great listen. Find Sam here: https://popcornshed.com https://x.com/popcornshed http://facebook.com/popcornshed http://instagram.com/popcornshed https://uk.linkedin.com/company/popcornshed LET’S CONNECT Follow me on YouTube Find me on Instagram Work with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support Mentioned in this episode: Free call for Amazon Sellers I’m running a free call on 6 May for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who’d like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together. It’ll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on how best to get Amazon reviews, Q&A and discussion. It’s fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen. I’d love to see you there if you’re able to join. Amazon Sellers Support & Connect Amazon Made Easy is now open My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

    40 min
  6. How Journaling Can Transform Your Mental Health and Business - Finn Prevett

    10 APR

    How Journaling Can Transform Your Mental Health and Business - Finn Prevett

    Ever feel like your brain is on a constant spin cycle? Like there’s always another task, another email, another decision to make… and never a moment to breathe? That’s exactly where Finn Prevett, co-creator of The Positive Planner, found herself. She was navigating postnatal depression, juggling life with young children, and trying to find a way to care for her mental health without it taking over her life. Her solution? Journaling. Simple, prompted journaling that became a lifeline. And from that, the Positive Planner was born, a planner designed to support mental health, wellbeing, and yes, even your business. In this week’s episode, Finn shares her journey from first starting to journal, to crowdfunding her first planners, building a supportive community online, and eventually partnering with Penguin so she and her co-creator could focus on the creative side of their business, without burning out. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure about how to take care of yourself while growing a business, this conversation will give you insight, inspiration, and practical ideas. Find Finn here: Website - www.thepositiveplanners.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thepositiveplanner/?locale=en_GB Instagram - thttps://www.instagram.com/the_positive_planner/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/finn-prevett-9975351a2/ LET’S CONNECT Follow me on YouTube Find me on Instagram Work with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support Mentioned in this episode: Free call for Amazon Sellers I’m running a free call on 6 May for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who’d like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together. It’ll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on how best to get Amazon reviews, Q&A and discussion. It’s fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen. I’d love to see you there if you’re able to join. Amazon Sellers Support & Connect Amazon Made Easy is now open My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

    41 min
  7. Burnout in Business, Signs You’re Burning Out and How to Recover - Tamryn Dicks

    3 APR

    Burnout in Business, Signs You’re Burning Out and How to Recover - Tamryn Dicks

    Burnout in business is something we hear about all the time, but do you actually know what it really is, and how to recognise it before it takes hold? In this episode, I’m joined by Tamrin Dicks, who helps business owners make more money, keep more cash in the bank, and create more time to actually enjoy their lives. After experiencing burnout herself more than once, Tamrin now works with business owners to help them avoid it, or recover from it if they’re already there. We talk about what burnout in business really means, and how it’s very different from just feeling stressed, busy, or tired. This was something I personally found really eye-opening, and I think you will too. If you’ve ever felt constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’ve lost the enjoyment in your business, this episode will really resonate. And even if you’re not feeling that way right now, it’s an important conversation to help you spot the signs early, both in yourself and in others. Find Tamryn: Website: www.pharsyde.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pharsydesolutions/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamryndicks-gracefulgrowth/ Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and why burnout in business matters 03:30 What burnout really is and how it’s different from stress 07:00 Signs you might be heading towards burnout 10:15 How burnout affects your focus, energy, and decision making 13:30 Common myths about burnout in business 17:30 Why taking time off doesn’t fix burnout 20:30 The root cause of burnout, what’s really going on in your business 25:00 Why you need to focus on yourself before fixing the business 29:00 Boundaries, time management, and protecting your energy 32:30 Why working harder won’t solve burnout 35:30 A simple way to take back control of your week 38:30 The danger of comparing yourself to other business owners 41:00 Practical first steps if you’re feeling exhausted or stuck LET’S CONNECT Follow me on YouTube Find me on Instagram Work with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support Mentioned in this episode: Free call for Amazon Sellers I’m running a free call on 6 May for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who’d like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together. It’ll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on how best to get Amazon reviews, Q&A and discussion. It’s fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen. I’d love to see you there if you’re able to join. Amazon Sellers Support & Connect Amazon Made Easy is now open My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership

    44 min
  8. How to Launch and Scale a Product Business as a Parent - Suzanne Moore

    27 MAR

    How to Launch and Scale a Product Business as a Parent - Suzanne Moore

    In this episode, I’m joined by Suzanne Moore, the founder of Nom Nom Kids, who shares how she turned an idea she had on her holiday in America into a business that’s been running for over 12 years, all while navigating life as a busy mum. Suzanne talks honestly about how she got started designing a reusable pouch to solve her own parenting problem and how she quickly realised that other parents needed it too. We chat about her early mistakes, the leaps of faith she took with manufacturers, and how observing her customers shaped new products she hadn’t even planned for. We also talk about the challenges of growing a product business, including how to sell to a bigger audience without losing the personal touch, and why showing the person behind the product can make all the difference. Suzanne’s story is a great reminder that even if you’re unsure at the start, taking that first step is often the best way to learn and grow. This episode is full of practical insights for anyone looking to launch and scale a product business, especially if you’re juggling family life and trying to figure out the best way to turn an idea into something people actually want to buy. Find Suzanne and Nom Nom Kids here: https://nomnomkids.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/NomNomKids/ https://www.instagram.com/nomnomkids https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-moore-22ba873/ Episode Chapters00:00 – Introduction 00:44 – Suzanne shares her background and how Nom Nom Kids started 02:56 – Early mistakes and lessons learned in product development 06:44 – Finding manufacturers and taking a leap of faith with production 11:44 – Handling challenges like batch issues and customer complaints 16:07 – Launching products, social media strategies, and early marketing 21:18 – Discovering unexpected ways customers use your products 26:12 – Making products different without trying to please everyone 32:17 – Scaling the business and growth challenges 39:42 – Supporting other businesses and building community LET’S CONNECT Follow me on YouTube Find me on Instagram Work with me Buy My Book: Bring Your Product Idea To Life If you enjoy this podcast, and you’d like to leave a tip, you can do so here: https://bring-your-product-idea.captivate.fm/support 40:19 – Suzanne’s final advice for anyone starting a product business Mentioned in this episode: Amazon Made Easy is now open My membership, Amazon Made Easy is now open. It’s a membership for people who are selling on Amazon (or planning to) and want regular access to support, somewhere to ask questions and talk things through, and a bit of structure and accountability as they grow. Inside, there are live Q&A calls, optional co-working sessions and a small, supportive community. Find out more: https://vickiweinberg.com/membership membership Free call for Amazon Sellers I’m running a free call on 6 May for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who’d like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together. It’ll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on how best to get Amazon reviews, Q&A and discussion. It’s fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen. I’d love to see you there if you’re able to join. Amazon Sellers Support & Connect

    46 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

WINNER! Best Business Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards Do you (or do you want to) create and sell your own physical products? Would you like to learn from, and be inspired by, other products business owners, who aren’t much further along than you are? This is the podcast to listen to if you’re getting started selling products, or you’d like to create your own products to sell. It's a podcast for small business owners, makers and creators, from small business owners! Whatever stage you’re at, there’s plenty of friendly, practical advice and inspirational stories - from product creators not much further along than you are. CONNECT WITH ME Website: https://www.vickiweinberg.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickiweinberguk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-weinberg-amazon-seller-support/ Join my free Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/productcreatorsclub/

You Might Also Like