Trying to manage a business
May 20th, 2008
April was so great for sales that it has raised new manufacturing nightmares – ok, speed bumps; minor speed bumps. Mainly, the contractor needs more contractors. I have been questioning so much about going the specialized route (meaning with the personalized blankets). I love designing clothing, that’s why I started down this path – that is what I’m good at. I’m wondering if I got derailed by the niche offering of personalized items for the better or the worse. I hear negative after negative out of the contractor’s mouth, as I’m pouring more and more business their way. Yet when I ask if they are telling me it’s going to be too hard to grow, they say “no, no, this is a good thing”.
So we’re just pushing on. Is it perseverance or blind faith? I have no idea right now. I’m focusing on sales, sales, sales – especially to wholesale accounts. As I mentioned previously, it’s hard for everyone right now. And we’re all staying positive, trying to stay positive.
I’m reading the Bhagavad Gita right now and one of the main (life) lessons in there is to just put your head down and work. So I’m trying to do this as much as possible during work hours. It’s when I try to focus that I realize how flighty I let myself be with my time – check this email, check the news, blah blah blah.
And on that note, I will be blogging more; we’re growing so much, my time has been consumed. I’m working on getting our sales kit to our sales rep in the southeast – who is ready to hit the road! I’m very excited and nervous about this new development.
PS. You can now email me at info@startupkidsline.com if you have any questions. I’m behind on emails, so I’m hoping this will keep me a little more organized so I can get to all of them. And please, let’s help each other on the forums too!!!
Entry Filed under: Motivation to Keep Moving,Sales & Marketing
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1. Victoria&hellip | May 20th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Hi!
This is the first time I’m here at your site. The personalized blankets are a good idea, the only thing is-what about spelling and choices? It’s becoming more and more common that people name their children different exotic names or choose to not spell it the normal way. Maybe you could just set up the personalized blankets online and people can send in orders according to the name they want. To sell general names might end up just hurting you and be a waste.
goodluck =)
2. amber&hellip | May 20th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Hi Victoria – the Name in Brights blankets are sold at our online shop: http://babyshop.babyfabulous.com – where you can customize every feature, from the name to the print, plush, and ribbon color you want. you can even see the outcome of your design choices as you make them. The blankets are also offerred in boutiques around the country.
There is no way we could go with generic names – too many spellings, even for the “easy” ones.
Visit often and keep commenting!
3. RuffleButts&hellip | May 21st, 2008 at 7:10 am
I hear ya sister!!! It sounds like things are going well – more sales…that’s the goal, right?! I think the manufacturing process is just a never ending battle, or at least, I am starting to accept that it will always be a learning process. I love your personalized blankets – it really sets you apart from other designers and in this business, that is a necessity.
It’s so hard to know whether or not to start over with a new contractor or to work through the issues with your current one. Both options have been a nightmare for us, but now that we have worked through many of our issues with our current manufacturer and have found a new contractor for our personalized bloomers, my life has become so much more peaceful! I actually feel like I have a little more time to focus on my business, as opposed to putting out fires and re-tracing mistakes all day.
I know you are on the right track, and you should be so proud of yourself for the distance that you have come to date! Your products are unique and you are sharing your experiences with people around the globe – I would say that is a tremendous accomplishment in itself!
Amber
RuffleButts.com
4. amber&hellip | May 21st, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Hi Amber! Thanks for all the input – I was just reading about your trip to your manufacturing plant in the Dominican Republic. It’s amazing how you’re growing – isn’t it crazy how much we learn as we go (about the bus and about ourselves!!)
5. Pamela Kramer&hellip | June 5th, 2008 at 5:33 am
I always keep my ears open for new manufacturers. I run into issues all the time from sizing to printing to colors. Some times it can be frustrating. I LOVE your blankets.
6. Rudy&hellip | June 13th, 2008 at 9:24 am
We enjoy reading your articles and find them very helpful. We are a new fashion label with luxury hand embellished denim. Just like you, a lot of time and research was spent on branding, product development/designing, marketing and ecommerce etc. We attended numerous small business seminars and read many books on sales. It all comes back to one major factor. THE CUSTOMER.
When we contact customers, money is the farthest thing from our minds. Uphold customers as a higher priority. Show them that they are the most important people.
http://WWW.SOURCEOFTREASURE.COM
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