We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jacqueline Snyder a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jacqueline, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of our favorite things to brainstorm about with friends who’ve built something entrepreneurial is what they would do differently if they were to start over today. Surely, there are things you’ve learned that would allow you to do it over faster, more efficiently. We’d love to hear how you would go about setting things up if you were starting over today, knowing everything that you already know.

If I were starting over today, knowing everything I know now, I would take a completely different approach. When I earned my BFA in Fashion Design, we learned how to create products, but only a fraction of what it really takes to be an entrepreneur. The focus was on working for someone else, not on building and scaling your own business. Looking back, I wish I had been taught the full entrepreneurial journey from the start.

One of the biggest things I’d do differently is follow a clear, proven framework. In the beginning, I spent too much time trying to figure out everything on my own—whether it was validating a product idea, creating a brand, or understanding marketing strategies. It was a lot of trial and error, and it slowed my progress. If I had the step-by-step approach I use now, I would have made smarter decisions and gained momentum much faster, with less stress and fewer mistakes.

For example, when I launched my accessory brand, Cuffs Couture, I had to learn how to take a product from concept to market and how to scale it as I went. Looking back, having a solid plan for each stage—ideation, branding, marketing, and growth—would have made the entire process smoother and more strategic from the beginning.

Another thing I’d do differently is focus on finding a community of like-minded entrepreneurs much sooner. When I was starting out, entrepreneurship often felt lonely. I didn’t have a network of people who understood the unique challenges of building a product-based business. If I were starting again, I’d actively seek out a community of people who “get it” from the very beginning. Having a support system of entrepreneurs would have made the journey feel less isolating and helped me avoid many of the common mistakes I made.

This is one of the core reasons I founded <b>The Product Boss</b>—to provide a space where product-based business owners across all categories can get the education, community, and support they need. It’s become the #1 community for product-based businesses, helping people around the world grow with confidence, support, and clarity. I wanted to create what I wish I had when I was starting out: a place to learn, connect, and grow.

And that’s also why I built <b>The Product Boss Academy</b>, a membership program where I teach the <b>Profitable Product Boss Method</b>—the very framework I wish I’d had when I started. It’s designed to guide product-based entrepreneurs through every step of the journey, from ideating and creating their product to marketing, scaling, and growing a successful business.

One more thing I’ve learned is that it’s not about chasing “balance”—it’s about blending your business and life. Early on, I thought success required nonstop hustle, but I’ve since realized that some days demand more focus on work, while others allow more time for life. I’ve found that blending both—knowing when to focus on my business and when to step away—leads to better, more sustainable results without sacrificing what matters most.

If I were starting over, I’d focus on three things: following a proven plan, embracing the “blended life” instead of chasing balance, and surrounding myself with a supportive community. These are the elements that truly make a difference in growing a successful business and creating a fulfilling life at the same time.

Jacqueline, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Jacqueline Snyder and I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was 10 years old, when I first sold homemade lip gloss made from Vaseline and face paint! Today, as the CEO and Founder of <b>The Product Boss</b>, I’m just as passionate about helping entrepreneurs turn their product ideas into profitable businesses.

For nearly 20 years, I’ve worked with product-based business owners across all kinds of industries—starting out in the fashion industry and now helping makers, artists, inventors, and entrepreneurs in categories like fashion, jewelry, home goods, food and beverage, one-of-a-kind creations, and more.

Over the years, I’ve helped product-based businesses at every stage, from those just starting with an idea, to those scaling to their first six figures, and even well-established eight-figure brands looking to innovate and grow. Through all of these experiences, I developed <b>The Profitable Product Boss Method</b>, which I used to grow my own business from $0 to over $100,000 in my first year selling a simple $11 folded piece of fabric!

The <b>Profitable Product Boss Method</b> isn’t just something I teach—it’s the exact system I used to grow my own business, and I’ve used it to help over 80,000 product-based business owners turn their ideas into thriving, profitable businesses.

I know that one of the biggest challenges product-based business owners face is figuring out how to grow to that first six-figure milestone. How do you turn a steady trickle of sales into a consistent flow of revenue? The answer lies in mastering seven key areas of your business: ideate it, make it, brand it, market it, sell it, delegate it, and grow it.

But I also understand that building a successful business isn’t just about sales and systems. It’s about creating a life you love, too. I’ve seen so many entrepreneurs struggle with the overwhelm of trying to balance their business growth with their personal lives.

That’s why a core part of The <b>Profitable Product Boss Method</b> includes learning how to blend your business and personal life. Some days will require more focus on work, and others will allow for more personal time—and I’ll show you how to make it all fit. By learning to plan your weeks, set realistic goals, and protect your energy, you’ll be able to grow your business without sacrificing what matters most to you in your personal life.

The thing I am most of proud of is building <b>The Product Boss</b> and growing it to what it has become today. The Product Boss was recognized as the 466th fastest growing company in America, according to Inc 5000, and <b>The Product Boss Podcast</b>, which I am the host of, has earned its spot among the Top 10 Apple Marketing Podcasts. As a first generation American, these are things my younger self could only dream of but have now turned into a reality and I could not be more proud of my business or the thousands of product-based business owners I’ve had the opportunity and pleasure of working with and guiding over the years.

Powered by my mission to help women shatter their own glass ceilings, my knowledge, tools, programs, and proven results have positioned me as the go-to expert for those who already own or are looking to start a physical product-based business.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Over the past 20 years, I’ve started, sold, bought, and even closed down businesses. Entrepreneurship is full of pivots—some small, some life-changing—and while they can be hard to navigate in the moment, they always lead us exactly where we’re meant to be.

One of the biggest pivots in my journey came in 2023 when my path diverged from my business partner, and I took over the helm of <b>The Product Boss </b>on my own. I was terrified. I doubted myself constantly, questioning whether I could really lead this business forward. After years of collaboration, stepping out alone felt like the biggest leap I’d ever made. But despite all the fear and uncertainty, I pushed through and did it anyway.

It’s been almost exactly a year since that major pivot, and looking back, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. I’ve grown the podcast, doubled our social media following, doubled our email list, and most importantly, maintained the heart of this business that I care so deeply about. It wasn’t easy, but every challenge taught me more about my own resilience and what I’m capable of when I trust myself and keep moving forward.

Now, I’m standing on the cusp of launching something entirely new—something that represents my life’s work. And I wouldn’t be here without every pivot, every fear, and every bit of self-doubt I experienced along the way. This journey has prepared me for this exact moment, and I’m more excited than ever for what’s next.

For entrepreneurs, pivots are inevitable. They are hard and sometimes feel like a step back, but they are part of the process that gets you where you’re meant to go. Every mistake, every shift, and every course correction is a tool for future success. It all leads to growth, even when you can’t see it at the time.

So, as I reflect on this past year and all the changes it brought, I’ve learned to embrace the uncertainty. Pivots aren’t the end of something—they’re the beginning of the next chapter. And this chapter? It’s the one I’ve been working toward my entire life.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When I first started building my social media presence, I made a lot of mistakes. I didn’t have a clear brand tone, and my posts were all over the place. I was posting sporadically, trying to be everywhere at once, and hoping something would stick. But I wasn’t seeing the growth I wanted, and it felt like I was putting in a ton of effort without the payoff.

Then, I decided to focus on one platform and really hone in on my brand. I figured out the tone of my page—what message I wanted to convey and how I wanted to connect with my audience. I made my visuals consistent and developed a process that was repeatable. That’s when things started to change. I started posting <b>four times a day</b>—yes, four times! It felt like a lot, but I trusted the process. And it worked. I started seeing real growth in engagement, more followers, and stronger connections with my audience.

One surprising discovery? My <b>most-viewed Stories</b> are the simplest ones—just a photo with text on top. No music, no speaking. And instead of posting 10-15 Stories in a day, I found that <b>1-2 well-timed, engaging Stories</b> worked better for me. Social media can be unpredictable, and what works today may not work tomorrow, but by staying consistent and keeping my focus, I saw real results.

For anyone trying to grow their social media presence, here’s what I’ve learned:

First, <b>develop your brand</b>. Figure out your tone—are you funny, witty, serious, educational, or aspirational? Whatever it is, be consistent with it. Your audience should feel like they know what to expect from you in terms of tone and messaging. And don’t forget about your <b>visuals</b>—your colors, fonts, and imagery should all align with your brand’s tone and story.

Next, focus on creating content using the <b>ABCs: Attract, Bond, and Convert</b>. This is a framework I teach to make sure you’re not just posting randomly but with intention:
– <b>Attract</b> content pulls in new followers. This could be an inspiring quote, an educational post, or
something entertaining that resonates with your ideal audience.
– <b>Bond</b> content helps build relationships with your existing followers. This is where you show your
personality, share behind-the-scenes, or tell stories that people can relate to.
– <b>Convert</b> content is what drives action. It’s where you ask for the sale or direct your audience to
take a specific step like signing up for your newsletter. But remember, <b>Convert content shouldn’t
dominate your feed</b>—the key is to balance it. Some of the best content attracts, bonds, and
converts all in one post.

It’s also essential to be <b>consistent</b>. For me, posting four times a day made all the difference. It’s a lot, but that’s when I started to see real growth. The more you post, the more opportunities you create for people to engage with your content. Of course, you don’t need to post four times a day, but find a rhythm that works for you and stick to it.

And finally, <b>know your audience</b>. You want to make sure that what you post resonates with what your ideal customer cares about. Social media is curated—we’re all telling stories with what we choose to share. So, edit yourself. Ask, “Does this post fit into the story I’m telling, and does it align with what matters to my audience?”

The truth is, social media platforms and algorithms are always changing, and your strategies will need to adapt too. But by following a repeatable process, being consistent, and staying connected to your audience, you’ll be able to grow over time. And if you can focus on one platform and really go all in, like I did, you’ll start to see that growth come even faster.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theproductboss.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theproductboss
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theproductboss/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-snyder-tpb
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsxpnARluJTJV7QJtbhEgwg
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theproductbosspodcast

Image Credits
Caroline White Photography