The makings of a best-selling clothing line
We have been so BUSY lately! Really running-a-business-it’s-hard-to-keep-up-with-orders BUSY. And it’s great. It’s due to a number of factors, the first being a complete change in our discipline and focus. I’ve also gone to a few business intensive seminars that changed my view of myself and our business completely for the better. Lastly, the biggest thing is having some best-selling items that are flying out of the boutiques!!
In January / February, our online traffic had been building, and online orders were up, way up. And then, end of February, beginning of March, there was a definite drop-off. I was the first to blame it on the economy. Then I had to blame it on myself and my total lack of discipline. Which is not to be confused with amount of work I was doing - it was just always reactionary; I wanted to be on-top of it. Now, I’m getting there. If I have free time, I focus on what can be done to stay on top of things. I can honestly say that I devote at least an hour and a half every day to sales and marketing. At least. I now use an index card system - which I’ll save for another post but it’s the most simple amazing system that really works for me.
Once I stopped waiting for the world to come to me, everything changed. And our business is growing by leaps and bounds.
The next big factor in the business pick-up is attending business seminars by a really great coach. The first seminar was on sales and the second seminar was on a general business health check-up (WOAH!!!). Both were real eye-openers for me. I can’t tell you how great it is to get some outside input once in awhile. I don’t do it enough on THAT level; meaning, I listen to our customers but need to remember to listen to and seek out more mentors too.
By far though, a giant factor in our recent success is having some great products, at great price-points, that are poised perfectly for this tighter-economy / bigger baby boom / everybody’s going green movement. The great products, and now their proven performance, have given me greater confidence when I walk into a boutique. Which, of course, makes all the difference in the world.
4 comments July 19th, 2008