REALITY CHECK #1 Your site is Googleable (No, that's not a word)
Just because you have created a beautiful online store does not mean anyone knows about it. In fact no one knows about it. You have created a Facebook Page an Instagram AND a Pinterest, all dedicated to your amazing business, and boy are you striking out. No hits. You type your business name in google and its not even on the first ten pages. You are not googleable. There are these things called metatags and SEO and all these algorithms that you have yet to master. So what do you do? You go on Facebook and you pay to boost the post. That can be exciting.You target an audience and people start liking your page. SCORE! Right? Well you are accumulating likes but that doesn't immediately translate into sales. Yes, you are growing your fan base on your Facebook but the new algorithm doesn't guarantee your fans will ever see your awesome post.
REALITY CHECK #2 Your Friends are Your Biggest Supporters
They're not. I have found my greatest support has come from other small business owners, like minded individuals that understand the struggle. Don't get me wrong, a few of your friends will be wonderful fans. They will share your post, they will buy your products, and they will encourage you. But many of them will not. Your friends that do not support you fall into three categories.
Doubters: These are your friends that do not believe in your products, particularly if you make them yourself. They hold them in between their index finger and thumb as they inspect them. Look them over as if something is wrong with them, because they were not made in a factory, that adds tons of chemicals and filler so they must not be legitimate. Little do they know, your product is of a higher quality.
Enviers: These are your frenemies. It is likely that this is not the first time they have been jealous of you, so don't be surprised. You are making things happen, you have a plan and you are setting it in action and they are so jealous. They will not share your post, like your pics or buy your products. They will however accept free goods and services.
That brings me to our next friend
Opportunists: I find them particularly annoying. These are your friends that watch you be great and they believe in you. They believe in you so much so that they want in. If you look closely you can see their wheels turning. How can they get a piece of your greatness. Not support you but get a piece of the credit and the money (lol there is no money). They have nothing to contribute but will say things like "do you need a partner?" They will tell you what your business needs but have no talent (that's harsh), no business and no business experience, just tons of advice. The Opportunist does not spend a dime with your company. They want free products, but for you the small business owner, nothing is free. You have paid for those goods with your money or your time or both and the Opportunist seeks to rob you.
REALITY CHECK #3 You're Rich
Hopefully one day you will be rich but this is a start up and honey you are broke. A day job may be how you finance your lifestyle as well as your new business. When you are passionate, everything earned from the business and then some goes back into building your empire. Many people assume because you are a business owner that you have money to blow. This is completely inaccurate, you are constantly trying to figure out how to increase your bottom line but in the meantime you have to pay for goods and services in order to maintain your business. Nothing is free. This is why I find the Opportunist particularly annoying.
Being a small business owner can be very rewarding but there are personal as well as professional lessons that can only be learned through experience.
What have been some of your personal small business reality checks? Chime in in the comments below!
]]>What happens when an ambitious plan and sheer willpower are combined with the pressures of single motherhood? A gem is formed, and Wick'd Confections Candle Company is a diamond.
The launch of Wick’d Confections Candle Company 's online store is a perfect example of what happens when hard-working women become entrepreneurs! The owner, Sonja Norwood, started her business while pregnant with her second child. She was armed with nothing more than an idea and her own two hands, literally. Norwood began by hand pouring soy candles out of her Sugar Land home and selling them at the local farmers market. She quickly made an impression with her detailed and handcrafted premium soy cupcake candles. Consequently developing her company's name, Wick'd Confections, a play on words referring to the candle's wick in these realistic cupcake confections. She has now expanded her company's product line to include luxury body care made from organic, natural and fair trade ingredients, all the while maintaining a delicious dessert theme. Norwood is a strong advocate for women in business noting all the game changing opportunities available today for aspiring women entrepreneurs. She states " Having a clear vision is key, but one must also set goals and develop a plan of action. Execution is imperative." As the saying goes, goals not written down are just wishes.
According to Forbes Business Magazine, Sonja Norwood’s story is just one of many to come. Forbes projects women-owned businesses will create approximately a third of all new jobs in America by 2018. Several institutions validate this as the new jobs growth frontier such as the United States Small Business Administration, private charitable organizations as well as community lenders extending support to women entrepreneurs. Extinguishing the fear faced when venturing out to pursue your passion, these institutions have all the resources aspiring women business owners need to thrive; from financing and personal training counseling to links to mentors like Norwood who have done it!
About Sonja Norwood
Norwood is a mother of 2 daughters aged 5 and 7 months. She is a high school science teacher by profession, skilled artisan by interest and business owner by choice.
For more information on Wick’d Confections, visit: www.wickdconfections.com
Email: sweets@wickdconfections.com
For my sweeties with a bit of a tart edge, this is your go to guide for a successful burn session.
The Tools!
*Remember we Candle with Care
Step 1
Trim your wick to approximately a 1/2 inch
Step 2
I know, I know she's a cutie but you have got to pick up your sassy candle lighter and light her up
And she's still a looker!
Step 3
Check her out! Our goal is an even burn so we can get an awesome melt pool, that's the source of that yummy fragrance filled room we desire. So if you see any wild flames blow her out, trim her wick again then relight, make that bad girl behave!
Step 4
Let it burn and... wait
What are you waiting for?
Well, you're waiting for that pretty icing to melt down all around your cupcake base until u have a smooth even candle.
Looks aren't everything
Notice the icing melting down and beginning to surround the base of our cupcake candle, that's exactly what we want to happen.
TIMBEEEEER!!!!
Oh yea, now we're getting to the good stuff! Notice the large melt pool, at this point we are in a sugary strawberry fragrance filled room!
And we are approaching....
BURN SUCCESS!!!
We have achieved a clean even burn with a full and oh so fragrant melt pool!
*With proper care our Premium Cupcake Candles burn up to 16+ hours!
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