Episode 683: "I Thought I Wanted Amazon… But Here's What I Really Need for my Physical Product Business” | Coaching Session

Release Date: April 17, 2025

Introduction: Reigniting Joy in Business

Jacqueline Snyder opens the episode by expressing her desire to bring fun and joy back into business, especially amidst the challenging times that entrepreneurs have been navigating since 2020. She emphasizes the importance of enjoying the entrepreneurial journey and making business a source of happiness rather than stress.

"[00:02] Jacqueline Snyder: ...all you need is the right mindset, a little courage, strategy and support, and you too can be the next million dollar product boss."

Meet Asla Wade: Boutique Butterloo’s Journey

Asla Wade, the owner of Boutique Butterloo, joins Jacqueline for a coaching session. Asla has been a successful Etsy veteran, generating nearly a million dollars in sales over the past decade with her personalized picture frames and custom gifts. Despite her success, Asla has recently experienced a decline in sales on Etsy due to algorithm changes, prompting her to explore new sales channels.

"[05:48] Asla Wade: ... personalized picture frames and other meaningful gifts. They've been selling on Etsy for about 10 years..."

Identifying the Core Challenge: Overreliance on Etsy

Jacqueline and Asla delve into the primary issue: Asla’s heavy dependence on Etsy as her sole sales channel. With sales declining on Etsy, Asla faces the dilemma of choosing her next move—whether to expand to Amazon or explore other avenues like wholesale and in-person markets.

"[12:00] Asla Wade: ...should I get on Amazon?... maybe they'll completely flop on there too."

Exploring Amazon: The Potential and Pitfalls

Asla contemplates expanding to Amazon, considering both Amazon Handmade and Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA). Jacqueline advises caution, highlighting that Amazon's customer base and purchasing behavior differ significantly from Etsy’s. They discuss the importance of selecting the right products to list on Amazon and optimizing listings to cater to Amazon shoppers.

"[31:42] Jacqueline Snyder: So your project will also be making sure that you've got the right kinds of photos. And so I would tell you, as you're learning through this, I don't want you to...'

The Power of In-Person Markets: Reconnecting with Customers

Asla recounts her recent experience at an in-person market in Round Top, Texas, where she sold new, bright floral frame designs that deviated from her traditional offerings. This experience underscored the value of direct customer feedback and real-time market testing, leading her to realize the importance of reconnecting with her audience through face-to-face interactions.

"[20:34] Asla Wade: ...pet frames and bright, bold floral designs that drew the most attention."

Wholesale: Building Relationships with Boutiques

Jacqueline shifts the focus to wholesale as a strategic sales channel for Asla. They discuss creating tailored line sheets for different types of stores and the importance of relationship-building with boutique owners. Jacqueline provides actionable steps for Asla to initiate wholesale partnerships, emphasizing the need for consistency and targeted outreach.

"[47:35] Jacqueline Snyder: You can do calls, you can do dropping in. And I'm also going to have scripts for that."

Balancing Multiple Sales Channels: Simplifying for Success

Throughout the conversation, Jacqueline stresses the importance of simplicity and focus. She encourages Asla to prioritize wholesale and in-person markets over juggling too many platforms simultaneously. This strategy aims to rebuild Asla’s brand presence and sales stability without overwhelming her resources.

"[52:35] Jacqueline Snyder: So you don't need to come up with any new words, just the aesthetic of it."

Action Plan: Moving Forward with Confidence

By the episode’s end, Asla gains clarity on her next steps. She decides to concentrate on wholesale and expand her presence in in-person markets, particularly enjoying the direct interactions and feedback from customers. Jacqueline supports this decision, highlighting that joy and alignment with personal strengths are crucial for sustainable business growth.

"[53:09] Asla Wade: ...pursue wholesale and find some more in person events to attend... optimize what I have on Etsy right now."

Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Jacqueline wraps up the session by reinforcing the episode’s main lessons:

• Diversify Sales Channels: Avoid relying solely on one platform to mitigate risks.
• Engage with Customers Directly: In-person markets provide invaluable feedback and strengthen customer relationships.
• Focus on What Brings Joy: Align business strategies with personal passions to maintain motivation and satisfaction.

"[54:30] Asla Wade: ...talking through the process helped me realize that that probably wouldn't have been the best fit, at least right now."

Jacqueline encourages listeners to support Asla by visiting her Etsy store and following her on Instagram. She also offers free wholesale scripts for those interested in exploring similar strategies.

"[55:02] Jacqueline Snyder: So, so much of it is just paying attention to the positioning and who the customer is and meeting the customer with what they need and what they want."

Notable Quotes:

• "What if joy was your strategy? Not hustle, not burnout, just joy." — Jacqueline Snyder [42:23]
• "I'm not meant to sit in front of my computer." — Asla Wade [40:35]
• "Success doesn't come from doing more. It comes from doing the right things." — Jacqueline Snyder [43:15]

Connect with Asla Wade:

• Etsy Store: Butterloo on Etsy
• Instagram: @BoutiqueButterloo

Resources Mentioned:

• Product Boss Sales Accelerator: http://www.multistreammachine.com
• Wholesale Freebie Scripts: Available via the show notes or by DMing Jacqueline on Instagram with the word "wholesale."

Supporting Asla: If you resonate with Asla’s journey and are inspired to diversify your sales channels while maintaining joy in your business, consider following her work and exploring the resources Jacqueline provides to enhance your entrepreneurial success.

Thank you for tuning into Episode 683 of The Product Boss Podcast. Remember, bringing joy back into business is not just a strategy but a path to sustainable and fulfilling success.