So you’ve finally found it. The Idea. The perfect product that can grow into the small business that will help you achieve your goals, whether they are financial independence or creative freedom. You’re so excited that you’ve told all your family and friends about The Idea, and now you have a new problem: you don’t actually know how to start building a business!
Building a business can seem like a daunting task.
At Wazoodle, we understand the excitement of having a great idea and are even able to say we know the great joy of seeing that idea become reality. Being the owner of your own business can be incredibly rewarding, but building and maintaining that business takes a great amount of discipline and clear planning. We’d love to share with you what we have learned over the process of building a business we can really stand behind!
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Make a Plan. Every corner of the market is oversaturated with products for everything you can imagine, from doggy beds to doll slippers. So what makes your doggy beds different? What sets your doll slippers apart? What separates you and your business from the multitude of others that crop up and then fall away by the end of the year? It may be as simple as taking the time to make a plan. Knowing your product and what makes it unique, having an idea of what your ideal client looks like, and mapping out your goals for your business are great places to start. When you have nailed down what your business’s ideal future looks like, you can start getting the ball rolling.
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Have a Procedure. Consistency is key when it comes to building a business. Discipline is especially necessary in the beginning when things are at their most nebulous. A lot of the early days of starting your business will be trial and error, so make sure you keep track of what works and what doesn’t. If something works for you, make it part of the procedure. Know when and where you’ll sew. Try to schedule your working time to start. You may find that you can be more flexible once you have your system down pat, but at the beginning, staying on target is incredibly important. Document everything from business expenses to correspondence, know how and when you’ll pay bills and do so on schedule, and know what kind of materials you’ll need and in what quantity. (This is something we can help with, specifically!) Figure out as much of this as possible before you actually start trying to sell anything. The beginning days of your business are incredibly important, as that’s where your business’s reputation begins
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Customer Service Is King. This can’t be stressed enough! You can have the greatest product on the market, but your Pillows That Always Give You a Full Night’s Sleep aren’t going to sell as you want them to if you chase away all your customers with a bad attitude. Courtesy and communication are always appreciated, but they’re especially important when you have a small business, as just one poorly handled interaction can hurt your image and discourage potential customers, sending them straight into the arms of your competition. Having more than one platform through which to promote your product is fairly standard for online sellers. On each of these platforms, offer multiple options for your customers to reach out to you with feedback, questions, or concerns, and make sure to respond to them in a timely manner. Check out the Contact Us tab on our website for an example.
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Develop Your Line. If you make a solid plan, have consistent procedures, and are on top of customer service, you’re miles ahead of most small businesses out there. If you’re hitting your goals, you can count your business a success and rest on your laurels, right? Well, no. Not really. The market is ever-changing and growing, so if you leave your business as is, it will eventually become outdated. At Wazoodle, innovation is our greatest ally. We are passionate about finding new and better approaches to creating sustainable fabrics that feel and look incredible. We work with various organizations to constantly improve our processes and technologies, and drive the industry toward a cleaner and more ethical future. This is at the core of our business and gives us the special spark that makes us stand out among a sea of thoughtless production machines. We want to share this same spark with you: always innovate. Keep an eye on the market; watch the trends; listen to your customers’ feedback and use it to drive your ingenuity and create products they love. And if your curiosity is leading you somewhere, tag along and see what it wants to show you!
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Have Fun! At Wazoodle, we sincerely believe that if you love what you do and what you produce, others will love it, too. If you are having fun with your business, your joy will draw your customers to you. But even more importantly, if you’re enjoying your business, you will be happier and more satisfied in your life. Your success will only be sweeter because you’re doing something that brings you joy. While managing your own business can have its difficulties, never let it become more of a chore than a chance to create.
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Take a Break! Managing your own business can be really stressful! There will always be problem products, difficult customers, billing issues, and of course all the challenges of your non-work life. Don’t let the business overwhelm you. Knowing your own limits and abilities and not pushing yourself to exhaustion is an important aspect of running a business. If you need a break from your business, take it! Don’t neglect your family vacation. Take rests when you need to, and limit production when necessary, but make sure you’re communicating with your customers through it all. People tend to be more understanding than you’d expect, and loyal customers will be all the more respectful of your need for rest when you communicate well.
Building a Business Is No Easy Feat.
There’s a lot of hard work in your future. But the payoff of having people return for your products again and again because they love what you offer is worth every bit of work. With a solid plan and the right attitude, your dream can go from The Idea to a real, thriving business that makes every work day a new chance to let your ingenuity shine. We know, because we’ve lived it.