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The Buyerside Chat

Welcome to The Buyerside Chat Podcast! The podcast for product business owners looking to get inside the mindset of a Buyer to scale profitably. With bi-weekly chats from a seasoned retail buyer, Kristin Fisher, you will gain insights into product strategy, e-commerce, pricing, wholesale, marketing, outsourcing, mindset, and beyond. Whether you are a maker, brick & mortar boutique owner, or run your own e-commerce business, this podcast will become your new go-to!

Join Kristin Fisher, Retail Strategy Coach and Founder of the e-commerce gifting brand, Bocu, each week as she shares her advice & strategies for other product based businesses.
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Episodes

Is Your Product Biz Running The Show? Take Your Power Back. | Episode 110

Your Business Is Not the Boss of You (But It Might Be Acting Like It) Have you ever looked up and realized, “Wait... how the hell did my business start running me ?” This episode is for you if your business was supposed to give you freedom… but now feels like it owns you. We’re chatting about what’s really going on when you’re grinding without growing, and why mindset work(the subconscious kind) might just be the missing piece. This is my first solo episode back post-maternity leave, and it’s a ...

Apr 27, 202637 min

Two Levers to Boost Your E-Commerce Sales | Episode 109

E-commerce sales feeling stuck? You’re showing up everywhere - Instagram, TikTok, trade shows, blogs, but it still feels like you’re spinning your wheels and not seeing the return on your effort… you need to hone your efforts. In today’s episode, we’re chatting how to grow your e-commerce revenue by doing more focused work - and cutting out the extras. I’m walking you through the two key areas that actually move the needle in your DTC sales: growing your audience (getting more eyeballs) and opti...

Apr 13, 202623 min

Navigating Overseas Sourcing: A Chat with Rebecca Woolbright | Episode 108

In this episode of the Buyerside Chat, we’re honored to chat with the incredibly inspiring Rebecca Woolbright - licensed surface designer, illustrator, product educator, and the creative force behind Rebecca Jane Woolbright. For over a decade, Rebecca has turned her artwork into vibrant, giftable products stocked in stores nationwide. She's not only grown her own product-based business, but now also teaches artists how to confidently source products, work with factories, and scale without burnou...

Mar 30, 202646 min

[REPLAY] How to Edit Your Line Like a Retail Buyer | Episode 107

An absolute must-listen if you’re serious about scaling your product business profitably. While I’m on maternity leave, I’m re-airing some of the most impactful Buyerside Chat episodes, and this one dives into one of the most important (and hardest) skills you’ll ever learn as a product-based business owner: the ability to edit your product line without emotion. When your business is small, creativity leads the way, and that’s a beautiful thing. But when you’re growing, scaling, and reinvesting ...

Mar 16, 202633 min

[REPLAY] Fine-Tuning Your Collections: What (& When) to Launch | Episode 106

I'm currently soaking up newborn snuggles during my maternity leave, so over the next few weeks I’m re-airing a few of my most downloaded and requested episodes of all time. This episode originally aired on February 17, 2025 - but it’s still full of relevant strategy! If your brain is buzzing with product ideas (and your calendar is packed with launch dates)… but you're not sure how much newness your brand really needs or how often you should be dropping collections—this episode is for you . We’...

Mar 02, 202633 min

[Replay] Turn Trade Show Season into Your Growth Season | Episode 105

Trade show season is here. And whether you’re there showing your brand, walking the show floor to buy for your store, or watching from your phone dreaming of getting there, this episode will help you make the most of it. Originally aired in February 2024, this conversation got such great feedback that I had to bring it back. The strategies are still just as relevant because they go beyond trends and into what actually drives retail growth this time of year. In this episode, I’m diving into: How ...

Jan 19, 202633 min

The 4 Biggest Wholesale Pitching Mistakes (& How to Fix Them) | Episode 104

This Might Be Why Your Wholesale Pitches Aren’t Converting… Wholesale pitching: you either feel on fire or totally frazzled. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the most common wholesale pitching mistakes I’ve seen from both sides of the buyer table—and exactly how to fix them. With nearly 20 years as a corporate retail buyer and running my own product-based business, I’ve seen thousands (yes, thousands!) of pitches—and I can tell you, most of them are missing the mark. From copy-pa...

Jan 05, 202626 min

The Energy Edit: How Doing Less Will Grow Your Product Biz Faster | Episode 103

You’re probably somewhere between deep rest mode and itching to crack open your laptop . You want to plan your 2026, but also? You’re fried. Let’s fix that. In this short and sweet solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I approach sustainable, aligned strategic planning —especially during this weird in-between week when the year is technically over but your brain is still buzzing. You’ll learn why most goal-setting strategies don’t work for product-based founders (especially right aft...

Dec 22, 202526 min

Behind the Scenes at Faire: Visibility, Retailer Trends & AI with Faire CRO Jennifer Burke | Episode 102

If you’re a product-based brand or a retailer wondering how to make the most of the Faire platform right now - this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Jennifer joined Faire back in 2019 and has played a massive role in scaling their revenue and shaping the buyer and brand experience. She’s leading the charge on the programs, tools, and updates that directly impact YOU - whether you’re an independent brand, a retailer, or both. We’re talking: What’s actually working on Faire right now How AI...

Dec 08, 202552 min

How to Prep for Your Major Retail Buyer Meeting | Episode 101

You got in. Now what? Landing a big box retail conversation is a huge win — but the real game starts now. In today’s episode, I walk you through the exact mindset shift, prep work, and follow-up strategy you need when you're stepping into conversations with major retailers (and not just indie shops). We’ll cover: The mindset you have to adopt with big buyers How to think like a buyer (so you speak their language) What happens behind the scenes after your first pitch The metrics, terms & ling...

Nov 24, 202537 min

You’re at 6+ Figures - So Why Does It Still Feel Scrappy? | Episode 100

We made it to 100 episodes (!!) and I’ve got two huge things to celebrate with you in today’s episode: 1) We’ve officially hit the 100th episode of The Buyerside Chat 2) And… The Buyerside Chat is now officially Trademarked! This podcast started as a scrappy idea (literally recorded in my closet) and has turned into such a powerful way to serve you with no-fluff strategy, behind-the-scenes honesty, and now… deeper leadership and mindset work to help you grow. Inside today’s episode, we’re talkin...

Nov 10, 202533 min

Your Q4 Holiday Profit Plan: Focus, Flexibility & Less Hustle | Episode 99

Let’s talk about how NOT to burn yourself to a crisp this Q4. If you're listening to this in real time, the retail holiday season has officially kicked off. Whether you’re a product brand or an independent retailer, it’s game time. Here’s the thing: Q4 doesn’t just reward great strategy, it exposes the cracks. It amplifies what’s working and what’s definitely not. In this episode, we talk about how to protect your peace and your profit through the most chaotic (and lucrative!) time of year. I'm ...

Oct 27, 202539 min

A Brand Chat with Amita Nair of Ami Creative | Episode 98

Creating a product line that actually stands out is hard. Especially when you're a one-woman show juggling creativity, logistics, and the occasional manufacturing meltdown. In today’s episode of The Buyerside Chat, I’m joined by Amita Nair, the artist and founder behind Ami Creative. She shared what it really looks like to grow a product-based business that’s rooted in culture, storytelling, and bold, unforgettable design. From her early days designing as a graphic designer turned wedding statio...

Oct 13, 202546 min

From Burnout to Alignment: My Year of Growth (& a big secret!) | Episode 97

It’s been one full year since I made the scary, bold, and totally aligned decision to close Bocu (my gift box business) and go all in on Kristin Fisher Coaching. In today’s episode, I’m getting VERY vulnerable on what the real transformation looked like after that decision... the personal and professional shifts, the mindset work, and the big, full-circle moment I’ve been holding close - until now. This is not an episode about “burn it all down.” It’s about what can happen when you stop overthin...

Sep 29, 202542 min

The Hidden Risks Hurting Your Product Biz | Episode 96

One missed forecast. One overstocked SKU. One supplier delay. How much risk is really accounted for in your retail business strategy? In this episode of The Buyerside Chat, we’re chatting about how to mitigate risk in your product-based business. Whether you’re focused on DTC, wholesale, or a mix of both, the reality is: things still feel shaky right now. Costs are creeping up, tariffs are shifting, and consumer (and retailer) spending is cautious. And while you can’t control the economy, you ca...

Sep 15, 202540 min

How to Validate New Product Ideas Without Inventory Overload [REPLAY] | Episode 95

Have you ever invested in a product you were sure would fly off the shelves… only to be stuck with boxes of it gathering dust? This happens to even the most seasoned brands - and yes, even in big box retail. But the good news? There’s a smarter way to spot your next best-seller without blowing your budget or taking on risky inventory bets. This episode is a listener favorite from 2024, and I'm bringing it back right now because it’s more relevant than ever as you plan for your upcoming collectio...

Sep 02, 202529 min

From Capital Murder to Custom Rhinestone Suits: A Chat with Miranda Deaton of Velvet Outlaw | Episode 94

A refreshingly honest conversation about following your gut instincts to build a brand you love with Miranda Deaton - founder of Velvet Outlaw and Velvet Out Paws. Miranda’s journey is as unexpected as it gets: she went from working on capital murder cases to building a thriving slow fashion brand full of rhinestones, fringe, and unapologetic self-expression. We dive into what burnout really looks like, the rollercoaster of building a brand that actually feels aligned, and what happens when you ...

Aug 18, 202540 min

Overcoming Fear of Success: Why You Might Be Holding Back | Episode 93

What if I told you aren’t feeling stuck because you don’t know what to do - you’re stuck because you’re likely scared of what happens when it actually works? In this episode, we’re chatting about the role that we play in the success of our business - not as a guilt trip and not as pressure to “do more”, but as the mindset that wakes you up and reminds you that you hold the reins over your business results. We dive deep into why success feels risky - more hustle, more visibility, more vulnerabili...

Aug 04, 202529 min

The Mindset Shift To Redefine Success (for YOU) | Episode 92

Feel like you’re deep in the mid-year haze, wondering what happened to all that clarity you had back in January? This episode is your permission slip to hit pause, take stock, and redefine what success actually looks like for you right now. In this solo episode, we’re chatting about why the halfway point of the year can feel so disorienting, and how to use it to your advantage. This is not about reviving those dusty goals you set in January. It’s about checking in, being honest with yourself, an...

Jul 21, 202538 min

Leveraging YouTube to Grow Your E-commerce Brand | Episode 91

YouTube feels...intimidating, right? It’s long-form. It’s searchable. And it’s one more platform to think about. But what if YouTube could actually simplify your content strategy—and do the heavy lifting for your product-based business? This week, I’m joined by YouTube educator and marketing strategist Stephanie Kase. We’re pulling back the curtain on how to use YouTube (yes, even if you sell physical products) to grow your brand and attract customers without constantly churning out content. Ste...

Jul 07, 202542 min

[REPLAY] ONE Thing You Should Focus On Now To Prep for Faire Market | Episode 90

So here’s the deal. This is a re-air of Episode 61 from May 2024, but trust me, it’s even more relevant now than when it first dropped. With the Faire Summer Market just four weeks away, your time is precious. This episode is all about getting back to basics, and doubling down on what actually works. Because when your time is limited and your brain is fried, you don’t need more to-dos… you need better ones. Let’s get laser-focused on the one thing that will move the needle in your wholesale busi...

Jun 23, 202533 min

Your No-Stress Game Plan for Faire Market Success

GRAB THE FREE MARKET PREP PLANNER HERE: https://kristinfishercoaching.com/marketplanner Faire Market is creeping up fast. And if you're already feeling the panic set in? This episode will give you a game plan to ditch the stress. In this episode, I’m laying out the exact 3-part plan I use with my VIP Faire Bootcamp students to prep for Faire Summer Market - without the stress, the burnout, or the 11th-hour scramble. You’ll leave this episode knowing what to focus on (and what to ignore) to make ...

Jun 09, 202525 min

From Dresses to Gift Boxes: A Buyer Chat with Co-Founders of Dare Gift Boxes

What happens when your business doesn’t go the way you originally planned? Do you fight to make it work - or follow the opportunity right in front of you? For Rebekah Murray and Colleen Steedly, the co-owners of Dare Gift Boxes , the answer was clear: they embraced the pivot. In this episode, we dive into their incredible journey - how childhood best friends turned business partners transitioned from selling dresses to curating beautiful, thoughtful gift boxes. From navigating big business decis...

May 26, 202542 min

Buyer Hotline! AMA: Collections, Buyer Pitches & Sales Reps

Want to leave me a Question for next quarter’s AMA episode (OR leave me a little podcast love note)?! CALL IN TO THE ‘BUYER HOTLINE’ HERE Introducing… the very first Buyer Hotline Episode! Answering YOUR questions on product collections, pitching retailers & working with sales reps. If you grew up in the late 80s/early 90s, you know that calling a hotline was the ultimate thrill. Radio contests, cheesy infomercials, you name it. Fast forward to 2025, and we're bringing those hotline vibes st...

May 12, 202532 min

How Storytelling Turned a Southern Family Recipe Into a Thriving Brand

What if your grandma’s recipe could become the foundation of a thriving business? That’s exactly what happened to today’s guest, MK Hennigan, founder of In The Curious Kitchen . In this episode, we dive deep into MK’s journey from corporate retail sales to launching a gourmet food brand rooted in her Southern heritage. She shares how she turned a passion for storytelling, craftsmanship, and family recipes into a business that’s seeing massive wholesale growth - especially since implementing stra...

Apr 28, 202550 min

3 Things The Best Faire Pages Have in Common

Register for the FREE Faire Success Blueprint Workshop happening LIVE on 4/28/25: https://kristinfishercoaching.com/faireblueprint The most successful brands on Faire have a few key things in common - and if you're not seeing the results you want, it’s probably because your page is missing one (or all) of them. As a former corporate buyer, I’ve audited hundreds of Faire pages, and I can tell you with certainty: the best-performing shops have dialed in three core things. And today, I’m breaking t...

Apr 14, 202514 min

Wholesale MOQ Red Flags That Are Costing You

Are your Wholesale MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities) secretly sabotaging your sales? If you've been keeping your MOQs super low, hoping it will attract more buyers… it might actually be turning them away. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most common (and costly) mistakes I see product brands making on Faire and in wholesale: setting their opening order minimums too low. I get it—you want to make it easy for retailers to buy from you. But the reality? A low MOQ can actual...

Mar 31, 202532 min

The 5-Step Quarterly Business Audit You Need to Be Doing

The new-year energy has officially worn off, and if you’re feeling like you’ve slipped back into old habits, you’re not alone. But before you spiral into a Q1 slump, let’s talk about spring cleaning your business —aka the quarterly reset you need to keep your business on track (and making money) all year long. I swear by this process, and if you make it a habit, you’ll feel less overwhelmed, make smarter decisions, and actually enjoy planning for the next year instead of dreading it. In this epi...

Mar 17, 202529 min

Boost Your Profit: Understanding Product Life Cycles | Episode 82

Welcome back to the Buyerside Chat! We're diving into the importance of the Product Life Cycle for your business and how it can impact your profitability, assortment balance, and overall strategy. In this episode, you’ll hear: What the Product Lifecycle is and why it matters for your business The common mistakes brands make with their SKUs and collections The three lifecycle buckets and how to apply them to your business Tips on curating and editing your product assortment effectively using the ...

Mar 03, 202524 min

Fine-Tuning Your Collections: What (& When) to Launch | Episode 81

Today we’re chatting about the million-dollar question: how do you know what product to bring in (and when)? With retail shifting so quickly, it's key to understand what your wholesale buyers and your DTC customers not only want, but more importantly, what they NEED. In this episode, you’ll learn about: How to determine the ideal number of product launches for your brand Timing strategies for delivering your product collections Key insights into what your buyers truly need from you Four question...

Feb 17, 202532 min
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