So you know it's hard out there. Everyone's holding on to their money tight and trying to find ways to make extra money to pay the bills. So you figure, "I know, i'll start my own business!". It seems like a great idea and you work your little butt of figure out the business plan, you set out a budget and dollar signs light up when you estimate how much money you can make by doing something you love. So you go for it....
It's 6 months in now and you're starting to ask yourself "What happened to all this money I was going to make? I seem to be spending more than i'm making!" Well the hard cold truth is, you're only about a quarter of the way there until you start making some money.
Most businesses take at least 1-2 years to get off the ground, even in better financial times. I know what you're thinking "This is too hard, i am never going to make any money" Well no you're not if you quit right now. The only way to make a business work is to keep at it. Pace yourself, set yourself short goals that are actually achievable. Put your long terms goals to the back of your mind and focus on the here and now. It's kind of like a 12 step alcoholics anonymous program, just take each day one at a time. (Although a little wine at the end of each day might actually help).
At the moment, consumers are all cutting back their spending and trying to only buy what they need. What you have to do is work out why they NEED your product. What can you offer them that makes it hard to reason why they shouldn't buy it. I'm not talking about some silly 40% off sale or throwing in another item if they purchase, i'm talking about offering them something that is actually of value to them. A great way to do this is to offer knowledge. Everyone has some great tips on something, even if it is not really related to your product, pass on the knowledge. By helping people with tips, you can gain respect and increase your brand awareness without being pushy.
The other thing that is highly regarded in hard financial times is customer service. A lot of the larger companies are cutting corners in this area to try and save money so they can offer cheaper prices to their customers. How many times have you gone with a cheap service only to end up bashing your head against a wall because you can't get any customer service if something goes wrong.
Being a small business, we often ARE the customer service team. Simple everyday politeness will go a long way to making your customer feel happy and more likely to buy and return again to buy from you. I know most of you are already feel like you are giving the best possible customer service but have a think and see if there are other extras you can add to their experience. It might be somthing like "have a lovely weekend" or "Thank you so much for supporting our small business" on the phone or end of an email, or a simple brown wrapping paper with some old fashioned string on their internet order to make them feel like they're opening a gift, even if it isn't. A comps slip that is hand written by you rather than just a generic printed receipt.
And remember, even when you're having the sh*ttiest day from hell, never let your customers feel it.
Software Review
We test drove the My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software last week and it was so great, we contacted them to ask if we could give one away to our readers!
For your chance to win, simply have a look at the My Memories site and anwer this question by commenting below: What is your favourite album template?
As an added bonus, they have also given us a $10 voucher for all of our readers. Simply use this code at the checkout when your purchase the My Memories Suite V3. The software also comes with a $10 coupon so you'll save $20 all up. Code: STMMMS33288
OK enough chatter for now, i'm off to write the weekly Kids Style Hub e-newsletter to tell everyone about the gorgeous new winter products we have in store.
Sneak peek:
Happy designing.
Nicole Herrick
KIDS STYLE HUB - Founder
This months blog post is inspired by an image i saw posted on facebook a little while back.
People often ask me where how on earth i have enough courage to take the risks i do. Well truth is, i believe in spontaneity. To push myself off the cliff, i force myself to do things that can't be undone, like quitting my well paid regular income job, spending my life savings or telling the world what I AM GOING TO ACHIEVE (as opposed to what i hope to achieve).
I believe anyone can have strength and be spontaneous. The initial action is what you need to focus on to start with, not what comes after, because in all honesty, that's the scary part. Knowing that it's up to you to pay the rent / mortgage, up to you to pay the credit card bill, up to you to get people to give you money for what you are providing them with, THAT is hard. Saying i resign takes 2 seconds.
I guess what has always made it easier for me to take risks, is not having kids or a husband yet that i need to consider. But consider this... if you're not as happy as you could be, are you really considering them? The happier you are, they happier they are.
The Picnic Room has been a hit on weekends for parties and we have had some smashing ones so far. Like a Royal Fairy Tea Party, a Disco Ninjago (ninja lego) Party, and a Yellow Chevron Party.
I just love transforming the room into something completely different for every party, even if it does mean late nights and a lot of hard work. Seeing the kids and parents faces light up is definitely worth it.
We have a great networking night coming up on the 18th of April put on by Alli from Motivating Mum. All welcome, head to their website to find out more.
Winter store hours will take effect from today but parties can still be booked for any time over the weekend. We stay open longer if a party is on.
Monday to Friday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursdays late night shopping til 7:30pm
Saturdays 9am til 2pm
Sundays 9am til 12noon
Did you know we now have GROOVE dance Fitness on Thursday nights? Miranda of Mizz Fitness is the instructor / guru and her class is amazing. Every week there is something a little different and i always learn something new about myself. She doesn't just teach a class, she helps you enjoy life more and encourages you to make yourself feel good! Best of all, you don't need any rhythm to do this class, is easy and free flowing, no need to follow the moves exactly or look at the instructor, just go with it and have fun.
Want a Free Class Pass to try GROOVE Dance Fitness on Thursday nights? Just email nicoleh@kidsstylehub.com.au and i'll email you one!
Until next time... go jump off a cliff, it's not that hard really!
Nicole Herrick
KIDS STYLE HUB
www.kidsstylehub.com.au
Hi Everyone.
What a cracking summer it is here in Oz. When i think back on my 4 years living in London, all i see is grey, miserable weather and lots of "drizzle" No sunshine, no crazy summer thunder storms, no swimming to cool yourself down, just grey. How lucky are we to be living in a country where you can wake up, see sunshine most mornings and smile!
London was a fabulous time in my life and it taught me a lot. One of the things i now love about Australia that i didn't previously, is getting to know your community. You see I come from a VERY small town in NSW, the kind of place where everyone knows everyone and sometimes you feel like you have no privacy because no matter what you do, someone you know will see you do it.
But here and now, in a completely different world it feels, i relish the opportunity to get to know my neighbours, my local businesses, my local sporting teams, my local supermarket servers. Working 7 days a week makes it a little harder, but i am slowly learning more and more everyday, meeting great people and discovering great businesses.
These days, your local community extends further than just the area you live in. I am so glad to have met some really amazing people in my industry. So i just wanted to give a big thank you today, to some great businesses i think, make the world a better place.
Love your work:
Mums on the Go - Nifty Mums Network - Market Angel -
Connect to Mums -
Kidz Bizz -
Mummy Guru -
Melbourne Mammas Market -
Mizz Fitness -
Melbourne Made Magazine -
Little Melbourne -
Hey Bambini -
Little Eats -
Planning with Kids -
Alphabet Street -
Motivating Mum -
Peekaboo Magazine -
Mums Lounge and many many more.
Happy designing xxx
Nicole Herrick
Founder
KIDS STYLE HUB
www.kidsstylehub.com.au
