014 | Heather Harris, Copper Bottom Design on how to know if you're ready for overseas manufacturing, how the whole process works, and common errors people make when they're creating day planners.

TSBC Alum, Heather Harris has been designing day planners and desk products since 2004 for clients including momAgenda, Barney's, Brooks Brothers, and Tiffany & Co. In 2015, she branched out on her own to start Copper Bottom Design Co. where she and her team help product based businesses with design, proofreading and overseas production. On today's episode, we're talking how to know if you're ready for overseas manufacturing, common errors people make when creating day planners and how her past experiences and skills have led her to create a thriving, enriching business for herself.

ON TODAY'S EPISODE:

• Heather's rich background in the industry & what led her to starting Copper Bottom Design.
• Manufacturing overseas & what the process looks like.
• How she helps product makers manufacture overseas.
• Fears surrounding manufacturing overseas.
• Benchmarks or metrics to determine if manufacturing overseas is right for you.
• Common mistakes she sees when people create day planners.
• What's upcoming for Copper Bottom Design Co.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS:

"There are strategic reasons for choosing overseas manufacturing" Heather Harris

"When I went out on my own it was lonely. Then I met the Paper Camp community and I craved a team again." - Heather Harris

"Manufacturing overseas is just like getting ready to hire an employee. You're at a certain point where you've grown so much that you can't handle it anymore, and you're looking to outsource." - Heather Harris

Ask for samples. You can't create a product without seeing it. - Heather Harris

RESOURCES:

Ultimate Holiday Guide E-Book

MEET HEATHER:

An avid organizer, list maker, and devoted print girl, Heather has been designing day planners and desk products since 2004. She arrived at the world of fine stationery by way of Graphic Image, where she learned the ropes designing planners internally and for clients like Barney‰Ûªs, Brooks Brothers, and Tiffany & Co. Her love of high-end paper products is a near obsession, shaped by how a carefully crafted design becomes a beautiful, functional part of our daily lives. Her time as Director of Creative Services at momAgenda further expanded this passion to product development; aside from leading all design, she spent years managing the editorial process and overseas production.

In 2015, Heather decided to expand her client base and founded Copper Bottom Design Co., where she and her team take the helm of design, proofreading, and overseas production for growing stationery companies.

CONNECT WITH HEATHER:

Website: http://www.copperbottomdesign.com/

Facebook: @copperbtmdesign

Instagram: @copperbtmdesign

Pinterest: @copperbtmdesign

Twitter: @copperbtmdesign

JOIN THE TSBC FAMILY:

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ABOUT PROOF TO PRODUCT:

Proof to Product is brought to you by Tradeshow Bootcamp and hosted by Katie Hunt. Since 2011, TSBC has worked with hundreds of product based businesses to help them up level, scale, and build profitable sustainable companies. You can find our show notes and additional resources at ProofToProduct.com. If you like what you heard today, please head over to Apple Podcast to leave a five star review and subscribe. Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a new episode.