Why Reviews Matter More Than You Think And How to Actually Get Them
Send us a textLet’s talk about one of the most underrated, powerful tools in your business toolkit REVIEWS. They cost you nothing but can absolutely skyrocket your credibility and sales. And yet… so many of you forget to ask for them, or don’t know how to use them to their full potential. Sound familiar?In this episode, I’m diving into:Why reviews are way more powerful than any marketing copy you could write yourselfHow they boost your website conversions, SEO, and even wholesale successThe exact tools I recommend to automate the whole process (no awkward follow-ups needed)Where to put reviews on your website to maximise their impactClever ways to ask for them (without sounding desperate or robotic)And why YOU need to be giving reviews too—not just asking for them!Whether you’re selling direct-to-consumer, through retail stores, or wholesaling to stockists, reviews matter. And if you’re not collecting them (and using them!) you’re leaving money and trust on the table.🛠 Tools I mention in the episode:TrustpilotJudge.meLoox (perfect for visual reviews with customer pics)Stamped.ioYotpoGoogle Forms for post-program feedback💬 Quick reminder: If you’ve ever listened to an episode and thought “Omg that helped so much,” please scroll down in Apple Podcasts and leave a review. It means the world to me and keeps this podcast going. Plus, I read every single one!🎯 This episode is for you if: → You’re running a product-based brand or retail store → You want to build trust fast and boost your online sales → You need better copy but don’t have time to write it—use your customer words instead!Let’s get those reviews working for you. Take 30 seconds to scroll down and leave a review on Apple Podcasts—it’s free for you and priceless for me!Support the showI'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions! Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here. 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 as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
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From Burnout to Bold Moves: How Lucy From Mink and Me Transformed a Rural Retail Store.
Send us a textIn this raw and refreshing episode of thelotco Business Podcast, I chat with Lucy Moss founder of Mink and Me, a vibrant lifestyle brand that blossomed from a tiny rural shop into a bold online store and now a budding wholesale business.Lucy shares her incredible 10-year journey, starting from a collaborative store in Coonamble (yep, population 2,500!) to navigating ADHD diagnosis, burnout, a booming Christmas season, a massive pivot, and a spontaneous buying trip to India that changed everything.We unpack:How her dog’s name (RIP Minky!) sparked a business name and legacyThe power of collaboration and building a retail hub in a small townWhat she learned from buying “dud” products and how she refined her retail buying over timeWhy selling 760 Queen Elizabeth Christmas decorations was a pivotal moment (yes, really!)How burnout led her to hit pause and what that looked likeHer candid experience with an ADHD diagnosis and what changed afterwardThe unexpected decision to close her physical store (despite strong sales) and go all in on onlineWhy her India trade show trip with Christine from She.Freights opened a whole new wholesale opportunityHer advice for evolving with your business, listening to your gut, and not being afraid to pivotLucy gets real about the highs and lows, from toddler chaos to trade show prep, and gives insight into what it truly takes to stay resilient, creative, and profitable in today’s retail and product landscape.Links + Resources:Follow Lucy at @minkandmeCheck out her online store: minkandme.com.auWant to prep for your own trade show? Grab the Trade Show BootcampListen to more episodes at thelotco Business Podcast If this episode sparked an “OMG I need to pivot too” moment or you’ve been toying with launching wholesale or shutting your physical store send me a DM @thelotco. Lucy’s story is proof you don’t have to stick to one version of success. You get to evolve. ✨Be sure to subscribe, share this with your biz bestie, and leave a review if this episode hit home.Support the showI'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions! Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here. 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 as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
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The Unboxing Experience That Keeps Customers Coming Back
Send us a textIf you’re still shipping your gorgeous product in a plain satchel with an invoice and a whisper of bubble wrap… we need to talk.In today’s episode of The Lotco Business Podcast, I’m diving into one of the most underestimated but high-impact opportunities you have as a product-based business owner: the unboxing experience.Your packaging isn’t just about protection—it’s about emotion. It’s a brand moment. It’s the post-purchase piece that turns a one-time buyer into a raving, repeat customer.In this episode, I’ll walk you through:Why unboxing taps into psychology (and how TikTok + YouTube prove it)The difference between packaging that gets ignored… and packaging that gets sharedLow-cost, high-impact ways to elevate your unboxing experience—even if you're on a tight budgetReal brand examples (including my own past retail experience!) that prove small touches create big impactA mindset shift: why every box you ship is a chance to build brand trust and customer retentionPlus, I share: A Pinterest board with creative and scroll-stopping packaging ideas https://pin.it/2oz5v2iY6 Why packaging is performative marketing in a scroll-happy world How to spark emotion through scent, stickers, samples, surprise, and storyWhether you're a new brand or scaling rapidly, don’t underestimate this part of the customer journey. Because once they click “Buy Now,” it’s your moment to turn excitement into loyalty. Want more help mapping your entire customer journey from attraction to unboxing to retention? Come join me in Roadmap to Profit or grab the Get More Sales Bundle for actionable tools you can implement right away.Because every order you send out is a branding opportunity. Let’s make it magic.Unboxing Pinterest Board hereSupport the showI'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions! Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here. 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 as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
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The 7 Essential Systems Every Profitable Product Business Needs.
Send us a textIn this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what really builds a thriving, profitable product-based business—and spoiler alert—it’s not just more Instagram reels or new packaging.After decades in this industry, from fashion lecturer to founder, and coaching hundreds of creative entrepreneurs through my Roadmap to Profit program, I’ve identified the 7 key systems that separate profitable brands from the ones stuck in hustle-mode.I call it thelotco Method, and today I'm sharing each of these systems with you—including how you can spot your weakest link and what to fix first.You'll learn:Why vision (not just vibes) is the first system to set upWhat your brand really needs beyond a cute logoHow pricing can make or break your entire business (even if your products are selling)Why relying on just one sales channel is riskyHow to attract traffic without burning out on content creationWhat numbers you actually need to knowAnd the often-forgotten system that allows you to finally take a break (yes, really)These are the systems that have helped my clients go from kitchen-table businesses to stocked-in-store and scaling with ease. If you’re done flying by the seat of your pants and ready to build something that actually pays you—this is for you.🎧 Listen now and DM me @thelotco to tell me which system you're focusing on first.✨ Want the full roadmap? My Roadmap to Profit program is now open—get access to the templates, coaching, and tools that help you build all 7 systems, without the overwhelm. 👉 FIND OUT MORE HERE📚 Plus: Don’t forget to grab my free training: “How to Build a Thriving Product Business”00:00 Introduction to Growing Your Product Business00:46 The Seven Systems for a Profitable Business02:19 System 1: Vision and Goals03:59 System 2: Brand Foundations05:27 System 3: Product and Pricing06:51 System 4: Sales Channels08:27 System 5: Marketing and Traffic09:51 System 6: Money Management11:38 System 7: Systems and Support12:38 Conclusion and Next StepsSupport the showI'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions! Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here. 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 as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
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How Much Does a Trade Show Actually Cost? Mennie Brand’s First Life Instyle Experience
Send us a textIn today’s episode, I’m joined by Andrew from Mennie Brand—an art-inspired sock label that’s grown from humble garage beginnings to a wholesale brand with over 30 stockists and counting.We recorded this before Andrew exhibits at his first-ever trade show: Life Instyle Melbourne. And let me tell you—we go deep on what it really takes (financially, mentally, and logistically) to step into this space for the first time.You’ll hear:Andrew’s full cost breakdown for exhibiting at Life Instyle.How he’s preparing marketing materials, samples, and stand design with a super lean budgetWhy building strong relationships with current stockists has created surprising trade show supportThe fears, confidence wobbles, and smart choices that led him to say “now’s the time”His expectations for orders, ROI, and post-show follow-up strategiesIf you’ve been tossing up whether a trade show is worth it for your brand—or wondering how on earth to pull it off without a giant team—this is the episode for you. And don’t worry, we’ll be back with Part 2 to hear how it all went!🔗 Mentioned in this episode: Mennie Brand → menniebrand.com Life Instyle Melbourne → lifeinstyle.com.auAccess the 3 part Trade Show Bootcamp here.Support the showI'm Mel Robbins! from @thelotco Want a Roadmap to Building a Profitable Product Business head here for directions! Looking for ongoing support to grow your brand and sell more of your product? Join the Product Business Growth Club here. 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 as a Retail and Wholesale Strategist (Sales and Marketing for Brands).Grab my 8 step checklist on building a profitable product business.
About build your profitable product business with mel robbins thelotco business podcast
thelotco business podcast is dedicated to helping businesses in the fashion, retail and design industries not just survive but also thrive!! It’s a show that brings you tips, tricks and strategies to help you as an entrepreneur start, manage, and grow your creative business. If you are a small business and feeling stuck on what to do next or how to actually kick start your idea, then tune in for some straightforward, practical business advice as well as interviews with inspiring females in the fashion, beauty and homewares space who will share not just what they do, but also how. We cover marketing, finance, motivation, mindset and so much more. Walk away inspired to know how to start your own business or take these tips to help you grow and love the business you have now. For coaching, courses and business advice with me check out link text or come say hi in the DMs on my socials @thelotco I can’t wait to help you guide you on your small business journey!!!
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