Contrast Is Queen: The Overlooked Secret to Higher Sales, Scroll-Stopping Brands, and Killer Conversions
Send us a textIn this solo episode, I’m diving into something I’m wildly passionate about—contrast. Whether it’s your website, your Insta tiles, your packaging, or your trade show banners… if your brand blends in, it’s losing money. Full stop.I see this all the time inside my programs and with 1:1 clients—gorgeous products or stunning stores that just don’t pop. And honestly? That can be fixed.Today I’m breaking down exactly where and how to use contrast to capture attention, guide your customer’s eyes, and actually convert browsers into buyers. From CTAs and fonts to shadows, motion, and messaging—this episode is packed with examples and simple tweaks that make a huge difference.In this episode, I cover:Why contrast is way more than just colour—it’s persuasionThe sneaky website design choices that are costing you conversionsHow to fix your packaging so it actually stands out on a shelfReal talk about why being “on brand” is not the same as being buyableWhat Go-To Skincare had to change (and why it matters to you)A super handy link to check if your fonts and colours pass the readability testIf you’re a product-based business and want more sales without rebranding your entire biz—this one’s a must-listen.🎧 Ready to level up your brand’s visibility? Press play now.Check your readability here at the contrast checker.💬 Want my top contrast tips or a mini audit of your brand? Send me a DM on Instagram with the word “CONTRAST.”📦 Join us inside The Product Business Growth Club for monthly coaching and guidance to grow a profitable, stand-out product business.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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Building Credibility and Visibility – A PR Guide with Gloria Chou
Send us a textFeeling like your brand is stuck in Instagram limbo, screaming into the algorithm void? Enter: PR badass Gloria Chou. In this game-changing episode, we break down how to actually get seen, featured, and taken seriously—without spending a cent on ads or needing a Kardashian-level follower count.I chat with Gloria about the difference between good PR and gimmicky fluff, and how product-based business owners can start landing real media features like Buzzfeed, Refinery29, or even Oprah’s Favorite Things—yes, it’s possible! From pitching strategies to journalist secrets, and even AI tools that make the whole thing 10x easier, this episode is your no-BS roadmap to building serious credibility that converts.💡 What You'll Learn:Why PR beats social media and paid ads for long-term visibility and SEO goldGloria’s signature CPR Pitch Method (spoiler: it’s pure genius)The truth about what journalists actually care about (hint: not your follower count)How to pitch your product for gift guides, listicles, and shopping roundupsWhere to find journalist contacts (and the 5 FREE tools that make it so easy)Why relevance and timing are everything in your pitchWhat to include in your PR email (and what sends it straight to trash)Smart ways to repurpose media coverage for email, wholesale, and moreGloria’s Free Masterclass: gloriachoupr.com/masterclassFollow Gloria on Instagram: @gloriachouprTools for PR research:Perplexity.aiSource of SourcesHAROGoogle News AlertsSubstack journalism newsletters🎯 Who This Episode is For:Product-based business owners ready to stop relying on social media for growthFounders who want real, long-term credibility (not pay-to-play fluff)Anyone curious about PR but overwhelmed by where to startCreatives and makers who want to get featured in gift guides, media, or podcasts🔁 Make It Work For You:Gloria shares how to reuse media features for:Blog contentEmail marketingWholesale pitchesWebsite credibilityInstagram content (that actually converts)📣 Take Action:Your homework? Press SEND. Start pitching imperfectly, consistently, and confidently. Everything you want could be sitting on the other side of one bold email.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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25:56
Retail, Reimagined: The Story Behind Pre Loved Geelong with Lou Hammer
Send us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Lou Hammer, the powerhouse behind Pre Loved Geelong—a thriving secondhand and consignment store that started as a pop-up hustle and now boasts a bricks-and-mortar location, thriving online sales, and a fiercely loyal community.Lou gets real about:💼 Starting from scratch while juggling life, kids, and a side hustle🛍️ How she scaled from eBay to Instagram to a full-on retail store🧵 Why curation and customer avatars matter more than ever in fashion📈 The systems that save her 10+ hours/week in admin✨ The mindset shift that helped her thrive through Covid chaos🔁 Why “done is better than perfect” is her north starIf you’ve ever thought about opening a retail space, selling pre-loved products, or you just want the behind-the-scenes of a heart-led, data-backed fashion business—this one’s for you!🔗 Resources & Links💻 Shop or consign at Pre Loved Geelong: https://www.prelovegeelong.com.au📸 Follow Lou on Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: https://www.instagram.com/pre_loved_geelong/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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38:26
From Sketch to Shelf: The Truth About Product Development with Millie Richards
Send us a textEver had a product idea rolling around in your brain—or maybe sketched in your notebook—but no clue how to bring it to life? In this episode, I’m joined by the product development powerhouse Millie Richards, and let me tell you, this chat is a goldmine for anyone with dreams of designing a product that’s actually profitable (and doesn’t fall apart or cost your life savings).Millie’s an industrial designer with a delicious combo of design brilliance and real-world factory know-how. We talk about what it really takes to get a product from concept to customer—without blowing your margins, compromising your values, or getting ghosted by manufacturers.She spills the tea on:Why beautiful AND functional products win every timeThe biggest mistakes people make when designing a product (hint: it's not what you think)How to actually work with manufacturers (and be taken seriously)What goes into a killer spec sheet that won’t get lost in translationThe one thing you need to know about Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs)And how to design with sustainability, profitability, and longevity in mindWhether you're launching your first product or have something that’s just not quite hitting the mark—this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. Plus, Millie shares the one project that changed the game for her and why she’s so passionate about impactful product design.👀 Thinking about developing a new product? 🎯 Got an underperforming one that needs a glow-up? 🛠️ Or just curious what goes on behind the curtain of manufacturing?This episode is for YOU.👉 Connect with Millie here: sagepd.com.au Find her on Instagram: @sage.product.design: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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46:03
Mastering the Messy Middle: Strategies for Business Growth
Send us a textEver feel like you’re doing all the things in your business—posting on socials, packing orders, launching products—but STILL not getting the results you want?Yep. You're probably in the messy middle. Not a newbie anymore, but not scaling like a pro just yet. And let me tell you, this stage is real and it's where so many product-based business owners get stuck.In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and talking honestly about the awkward, in-between phase that no one really warns you about. This isn’t about shiny six-figure launches or starting from scratch—it’s about what happens in year two, or five, or even ten, when things just feel… stuck.You’ll hear stories from real clients (shoutout to Mandy, Belinda, and Melissa!) and practical tools to help you stop spinning in circles and start making serious progress.🎯 Here's what I dive into:What the messy middle really looks like (you’re probably in it if you’re listening 👀)Why knowing your numbers is non-negotiable (don’t worry, I make spreadsheets sexy)How simplifying your product range can skyrocket profitsThe power of planning vs. always reactingWhat it means to work ON your business, not just in itWhy finding a community is the secret to keeping your head above waterThis episode is jam-packed with real talk, tangible tips, and a gentle (but firm!) nudge to stop trying to do it all alone.🛠️ Your Action Steps:Identify ONE thing working well in your biz—and double down on it.Let go of something that’s draining your time or energy (that product, that task, that channel 👋).Screenshot this ep, DM me on IG @thelotco, and tell me the ONE thing you’re committing to this week. Let’s get out of the mess and into momentum, shall we?You’re not broken. You’re not failing. You’re just in the messy middle. And trust me—there’s a way through.💫 Mentioned in this episode:The Product Business Growth Club – Your go-to membership for support, community + monthly strategy.Boost Your Conversion Rate Toolkit – For those of you ready to level-up your website sales game.Roadmap to Profit – For product brands + retailers ready to scale sustainably.✨ Loved this episode? Leave a review or share it with your biz bestie who’s stuck in the same place. Let’s grow together.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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