The Goal Digger Podcast: Episode 925

The Sale-a-Day Strategy That Doesn't Require Social Media

Host: Jenna Kutcher
Guest: Mei Pak (Founder of Creative Hive)
Date: October 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jenna Kutcher sits down with Mei Pak, a successful entrepreneur who built a multiple seven-figure handmade business—without relying on social media. The conversation explores the myths surrounding business growth in the creator space, actionable strategies for gaining visibility without the content creation hamster wheel, and Mei’s signature “Sale-a-Day” approach. Together, they offer a blueprint for entrepreneurs, especially creatives and product-based business owners, to rethink hustle and adopt practical strategies to boost sales, reduce overwhelm, and stay aligned with their strengths.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Social Media Myth & Embracing Other Leveraged Strategies

(03:50–07:45)

• Mei describes how the prevailing message that "you must be on social media to succeed" limited her early on.
• She shares her struggles as a neurodivergent entrepreneur and her realization that social media brought little joy or substantial results.

  “It was never something that really brought me meaningful results. It was never something that brought me joy... Even though I tried to learn it, but it was just never my thing.” — Mei (05:36)

• Mei challenges listeners to question industry norms and seek methods better aligned to their personality, strengths, and values.

2. From $3 an Hour to Seven Figures: Mei’s Turning Point

(09:03–16:15)

• Mei recounts her early days (circa 2011): making just $9,000/year after working 40+ hour weeks.
• A pivotal conversation with her husband forced her to audit her time and results:

  “Something was still broken, so something had to change.” — Mei (13:43)

• Her first accidental press mention during a college holiday season sparked the idea to lean into media and PR opportunities, which led to exponential growth.

3. The Power of Media Outreach Over Social Media

(20:12–26:14)

• Mei identifies media outreach (targeting blogs, magazines, unique influencers) as the most effective traffic and sales generator—often at zero cost.
• She encourages targeting non-obvious influencers:
  • Platforms: YouTube, blogs, Substack (not just Instagram/TikTok)
  • Niches: Collaborate with those outside your immediate industry (e.g., pitch foodie jewelry to chefs or mom bloggers).
• Creative product variations and targeting unique angles (e.g., making a dog-shaped crayon to pitch to pet magazines) expand opportunities to get featured.

4. Behind-the-Scenes: How Mei Landed Parks & Rec and More

(27:11–33:33, 34:53–35:16)

• Actual case study: Her Parks & Recreation placement happened because a stylist saw her on a blog—proof that media features lead to big wins.

• Mei’s Exact PR Pitch Formula:

  1. Start with a genuine personalized comment (shows research, builds rapport)
  2. Give a concise elevator pitch about your business (1–2 lines)
  3. Clearly state why you’re reaching out and what action you want them to take
  4. Embed (not attach) beautiful product photos for instant visual impact
  5. Close with a strong call to action (e.g., “What items catch your eye?”)

  “Everything else is so much more forgiving as well... If the research is good, the rest of your pitch doesn’t have to be perfect.” — Mei (29:20)

5. Mei’s Sale-a-Day Framework: Start, Test, Iterate

(38:20–46:48)

• Start with market research in a focused niche.

• Look for what’s selling and then add your unique twist (e.g., colorful wall art in a monochrome market).

• Build a minimum viable product (MVP): 6–12 items to start, prioritizing speed over perfection.

• Build a basic website (use platforms like Shopify or Hostinger), set up an email provider (e.g., Klaviyo), and draft simple branding—don’t get stuck on details.

• Conduct outreach to 10–20 well-matched influencers with Mei’s pitch formula, starting with micro-influencers for confidence and traction.

• Analyze which products sell, create “spinoffs,” and remove underperformers.

  “So the next step from there is to expand more on that product that's doing well ... and then you want to start culling and removing the rest.” — Mei (46:28)

6. Mindset Shifts: Simplicity, Iteration, and Rejecting Perfectionism

(46:48–48:23)

• Jenna and Mei stress experimentation, curiosity, and public iteration—“done is better than perfect.”

• Most entrepreneurs don’t see behind-the-scenes pivots and vulnerability; willingness to “mess up in public” is critical to growth.

• If you realize you’re working hard for low return, audit your time, question where it’s going, and be open to strategic pivots.

  “All you need is a simple shift of choosing the right thing to invest your time in.” — Mei (48:23)
  “There are other ways to get traffic and make sales. You will start to see the evidence that that is true.” — Mei (50:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I feel like a lot of people aren't willing to put in the reps ... the platform grew because I was showing up when none of this existed.” — Jenna (07:45)
• “Influencers on Substack ... that's the new blogger. It is so much less saturated on there.” — Mei (22:08)
• “The entrepreneurs who are surviving right now are people that genuinely enjoy the game.” — Jenna (26:14)
• “You are your own PR person. There’s nobody who's going to talk about you more than you talk about yourself.” — Jenna (34:31)

Actionable Steps & Mei’s 30-Day Kickstart

(38:20–46:48):

1. Market Research: Dive into a niche; look for gaps; add your unique spin.
2. MVP Product Line: Create 6–12 products quickly—prioritize launch over perfection.
3. Website & Branding: Use easy platforms, generate simple branding, get a functional online store (e.g., Shopify).
4. Photography & Listings: Take lifestyle photos and create concise listings (use AI for speed if needed).
5. Initial Outreach: Pitch to 10–20 micro-influencers, bloggers, or editors using Mei’s email script.
6. Iterate: Observe sales, double down on winners, “retire” weaker offerings.
7. Repeat: Keep pitching, expanding, and focusing on what truly moves the needle.

Where to Connect with Mei Pak

• Website: creativehiveco.com
• Instagram & Social: @creativehiveco
• Direct Email: mei@creativehiveco.com
• Special Offer for Listeners: jenna kutcher.com/creative

Recap & Final Takeaways

The path to consistent sales and business growth doesn’t require social media grind or burnout. By leveraging media and influencer outreach, focusing on simplicity and iteration, and giving yourself permission to play the long game, you can find ease and sustainable success. Mei’s story offers hope and a playbook for any entrepreneur feeling stuck on the content-creation hamster wheel.

“Perfectionism is really just a fancy form of procrastination ... a minimum viable product is the way to succeed.” — Jenna (52:26)