Let’s Talk Ship

What happens when you say yes to just about everything in your career? JJ Ignotz, known for her ability to capture stories through her photography, is here to share what saying yes has done for her.From commercial photography to celebrity wedding photography to selling her own art to a local brewery, saying yes and prioritizing community has been the keys to success for JJ.In this conversation, we also discuss the challenges faced by small businesses, such as navigating tax laws, shipping, and the complexities of a growing business.The episode concludes with JJ discussing her upcoming workshop for makers and offering advice for aspiring photographers and entrepreneurs. The host and JJ also highlight the supportive role of small business networks in fostering success.I had so much fun recording with JJ and I think you'll get a lot out of this chat with her!Book JJ Ignotz at: https://jjignotzphotography.comConnect with JJ Ignotzon Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/jjignotzphotographyFollow Mrs. Shippie on Instagram too at: https://www.instagram.com/mrsshippieCurious what it would look like to work together? Get a Free Rate Demo at MrsShippie.comStart your 60 day free trial of ShipStation at MrsShippie.com/shipstation Thanks for listening and come back again next week!

When you think of Eczema, you may think of a rash that babies or kids can develop. Or maybe you or someone in your life has Eczema so you know it doesn't necessarily go away or get better with age.That was the case for Stephanie Philpot who has dealt with Eczema her whole life. It wasn't until the COVID pandemic when she lost her job that she started working on a solution for other people with Eczema.In this convo, Stephanie shares her personal journey with Eczema, from being diagnosed as a few months old to managing severe eczema throughout her life. She also discusses the challenges of living with Eczema, including finding effective skincare products and the stress triggers that can exacerbate the condition for her.The Eczema Sample Store now offers a curated seasonal subscription box of Eczema-friendly products that you can test out.Hit play to hear how Stephanie turned her Eczema struggles into a subscription box that is helping people daily!Order one of Stephanie's subscription boxes at: https://eczemasamplestore.com/Connect with Stephanie Philpot on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/eczemasamplestore/ Follow Mrs. Shippie on Instagram too at https://www.instagram.com/mrsshippie/Curious what it would look like to work together? Get a Free Rate Demo at MrsShippie.comStart your 60 day free trial of ShipStation at MrsShippie.com/shipstationThanks for listening and come back again next week!

From Health Coach to Cookie Queen, the story of Tee Williams and Better Butter Cookie Company started with a passed down recipe and nostalgia.In this episode, I chat with Tee about the nostalgic 1950s inspiration behind her company's branding and why "Ingredients You Can Pronounce" is an important piece of her brand.Tee shares how she got Better Butter Cookie off the ground and the strategies you uses to ship baked goods. We even cover how Tee has stayed true to her personal convictions of keeping the Sabbath, even though it means less time to sell cookies.If you have a great idea but are afraid to move forward with, hit play on this chat with Tee Williams!Purchase your own cookies from Better Butter Cookie Company at BetterButterCookieCompany.comand connect with Tee Williams on Instagram at @Better_Butter_Cookie_Company_Follow Mrs. Shippie on Instagram too at https://www.instagram.com/mrsshippie/Curious what it would look like to work together? Get a Free Rate Demo at MrsShippie.comStart your 60 day free trial of ShipStation at MrsShippie.com/shipstation Thanks for listening and come back again next week!

Have you ever dreamt up a solution to one of your problems and wondered if it could turn into a viable business?Kate Gaffney did just that with the common problem of how to carry her keys. Avryn Co. was born and hasn't stopped growing since their first sale in 2020.In this episode, I chat with Kate about growing from an Etsy shop to selling from her own website to offering her wristlets and wallets to wholesalers. Kate shares the challenges of scaling, especially with shipping and freight issues, and the importance of building a great team so you don't have to do it all forever.If you're ready to scale or want an inside look into what it can look like for the future, this episode is for you!Learn more about Avryn Co. at AvrynCo.com and connect with Kate Gaffney on Instagram at @AvrynCoFollow Mrs. Shippie on Instagram too at @MrsShippie Curious what it would look like to work together? Get a Free Rate Demo at MrsShippie.comStart your 60 day free trial of ShipStation at MrsShippie.com/shipstationThanks for listening and come back again next week!

Is it possible for a small business to continue to grow with the new tariffs in place?In this episode we chat with Whitney Conard of Conard and Co about the growth of her Vintage Goods business and the changes she making in light of new tariffs.Whitney shares how and why she started her business on Instagram, then found success on Etsy, and eventually opened her own website and an antique booth. We also talk about the natural evolution of Whitney's brand and how she handles the inevitable problems that come up as an entrepreneur.Not sure how you'll make it through another obstacle? Hit play for a mindset shift and a shot of inspiration as we share the realities of being business owners in 2025.Learn more about Conard and Co. at ConardandCo.comConnect with Whitney on Instagram @Conard.and.Co and connect with me on Instagram @MrsShippie Save on shipping! Get a Free Rate Demo at MrsShippie.comStart your 60 day free trial of ShipStation at MrsShippie.com/shipstation Thanks for listening and come back again next week!

"You have so many options [for shipping]... if your carrier is not working for you, it's time to switch!"We're diving into how to negotiate your shipping prices in this episode of Let's Talk Ship!What you may not know is that every shipping cost is negotiable and NOW (during the summer months) is the perfect time to negotiate. In this episode I share the options and leverage you have as a small to medium sized business.Instead of seeing shipping as a cost center in your business, you can use it as a marketing tool to drive sales. Hit play to hear how you can lower your shipping rates before the busy shipping season begins!Get a Free Rate Demo at MrsShippie.com so you can save on shipping!Start your 60 day free trial of ShipStation at MrsShippie.com/shipstationThanks for listening and come back again next week!

We're going behind the scenes of my lifestyle and schedule as a 9-2 CEO in this episode of Let's Talk Ship!I'm sharing what I was doing before I started Mrs. Shippie and why I felt called to start a business in the saturated field of shipping! We dive into the systems I'm implementing to scale Mrs. Shippie while maintaining the working hours I have as a mom to teenagers.What I have learned over the past years is that the flexibility I have as an entrepreneur to create systems that support my schedule is priceless. There is no gatekeeping here so if you want similar things, feel free to reach out to me via DM!There's room for all of us at the top and hearing and sharing your stories each week inspires me! Send me any questions on Instagram at @MrsShippieGet a Free Rate Demo at MrsShippie.com so you can save on shipping!Start your 60 day free trial of ShipStation at MrsShippie.com/shipstationThanks for listening and come back again next week!

The summer months are the best time to audit your shipping processes so you can prepare for the busy holiday season. We call this Shipping Shopping Season!In this episode, I'm sharing how you can test different shipping rates, fulfillment platforms, and audit your processes to refine shipping policies during the off-peak summer months. Peak surcharges are coming but you can spend time now negotiating with carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS.Hit play to hear a real-world case study of a candle company that optimized its shipping process with my recommendations and how it's saving them thousands annually.Send me any questions on Instagram at @MrsShippieSave on shipping! Get a Free Rate Demo at MrsShippie.comStart your 60 day free trial of ShipStation at MrsShippie.com/shipstationThanks for listening and come back again next week!

Kasey once wondered if it was possible to continue running her eCommerce business while living full time on the road with her family...In this episode, Kasey, the founder of Red's Gone Green, shares how she has made it work! She breaks down the growth she has seen in the last 10 years and the biggest obstacle she is facing today. We chat about everything from balancing our roles as business owners and moms, to the complexities of pricing and offering free shipping, and beyond.Hit play for a good laugh and maybe a few new strategies you can implement into your business today.Learn more about Red's Gone Green at RedsGoneGreen.comConnect with Kasey on Instagram at @RedsGoneGreenConnect with me on Instagram at @MrsShippieSave on shipping! Get a Free Rate Demo at MrsShippie.comStart your 60 day free trial of ShipStation at MrsShippie.com/shipstation Thanks for listening and come back again next week!

Shipping a 30 lb perishable product overnight to Florida is not a cheap thing for Thomas Cattle Company - yet they ship their beef nationwide every Monday! In this episode, Elizabeth Thomas shares how the family-run ranching business has grown into a direct-to-consumer beef business and the lessons they've learned along the way.From the steep learning curve of shipping nationwide to their dedication to providing exceptional service to their customers, Elizabeth reveals what it looks like to be successful ranchers in 2025. For Thomas Cattle Company, it's not just about growth though! It's about the legacy they're building and the day-to-day lifestyle they enjoy as a family of ranchers.Hit play to hear Elizabeth's journey into entrepreneurship, the dynamics of a family business, and the pivotal role of logistics in their operations.Learn more about Thomas Cattle Company at ThomasCattleCompany.comConnect with me on Instagram at Instagram.com/MrsShippieSave on shipping! Get a Free Rate Demo at MrsShippie.comStart your 60 day free trial of ShipStation at MrsShippie.com/shipstationThanks for listening and come back again next week!

Finding success in the cake industry was a childhood dream come true for Elizabeth Solaru.In this episode of Let's Talk Ship, we're chatting with Elizabeth Solaru, a microbiologist turned luxury cake designer and brand consultant. Elizabeth shares her journey to cake success and the crucial role networking and storytelling played.For Elizabeth's Cake Emporium, collaboration and the willingness to takes risks propelled her into the luxury market. Now Elizabeth is committed to helping others do the same.Connect with Elizabeth Solaru on LinkedIn.Come tell me what you love about the show over on Instagram @MrsShippie or wherever you liked to hang out! Thanks for listening and come back again next week!

Chocolatier Michiko Marron-Kibbey doesn't shy away from challenging herself and that's exactly what she did when she transitioned from being a teacher in Washington D.C. to attending culinary school in France.Michiko, who is the owner of Deux Cranes Chocolates in California, shares how her Japanese heritage and French training influence her chocolates, known for their unique flavors. We also talk about the challenges of starting a business, the impact of global issues on Deux Cranes operations, and Michiko's partnership with her sommelier husband.Hit play to hear Michiko's approach to logistics, customer relations, and what she has in the works.Order your own Deux Cranes Chocolates at DeuxCranes.comCome tell me what you love about the show over on Instagram @MrsShippie or wherever you liked to hang out! Thanks for listening and come back again next week!

New episodes every Tuesday! Connect with your host, Crystal Joyce, on social media @MrsShippie