Archives for 2013

0
»

do great work

Screen shot 2013-12-19 at 4.07.18 PM

Happy Thursday!

Quantity vs. Quality
Good vs. Great
Comfort vs. Risk

What do all these comparisons have in common?

When you are running your own business, you are constantly faced with these significant forks in the road that will alter the way people perceive your brand.

Doing great work is not always easy but it matters. This simple mantra can be applied to so many business situations — whether it’s in reference to the people you surround yourself with, the stores you sell at, the team you hire, or, most importantly, the work that you do.

Imagine you’re at a networking event. Would you prefer to collect 100 business cards or make a deep connection with one or two kindred spirits who you will definitely connect with afterwards. Are you contemplating with the idea of making thousands of units of a product overseas that could potentially be of lower quality but less expensive? If making something handmade or made in the USA is at the core of your brand, stick with it. It will get you far in the long run.

Do something each day that matters to you and customers will start to associate your business with quality and longevity. Taking the time to do your best work is a worthy investment into your future! You want to be proud of every single item you create and put your product out into the world ;)

What are you most proud of in 2013 and what are you looking forward to in 2014?
xoxo,
grace

image: rainy day and blankets

0
»

give the gift of learning + special announcement! :)

the-gift-of-learning

Happy Thursday!
At Pink Olive, we are committed to not only finding the best of the best creative products but also empowering creative entrepreneurs and emerging designers through mentorship and learning. Since it is never easy to do it on your own, our POS division was created to provide a safe space for brainstorming, thinking BIGGER and ultimately developing a business you love.So we have some exciting news to share with you all…

Beginning in January 2014, Elisabet Castillo will come on board as an associate coach. Eli, an FIT alumni and Pink Olive manager and buyer, has worked as my apprentice for six years, learning all the inner workings of running a small business. Spear heading Pink Olive’s designer consignment program, Eli has been working closely with hundreds of indie designers over the years, providing consistent feedback for improving their businesses. As a maker herself, Eli is in the know about what is happening “now” in the creative world and has a good eye for what sells at retail. We are excited to watch her help you and your future business grow!

eliGrace Kang and Elisabet Castillo at Pink Olive

In the spirit of our mission and the holiday season, we want to give future movers and shakers the gift of learning! For those of you who are ready to take the next step with your business and want to work with us, this is your time. The first 5 people to take action and sign up for our retail recipes e-workbook and DIY kit* this month will receive a gift of a 50-minute private one-on-one “critique my line” session with Eli! (SOLD OUT)  During this 50-minute private session call, Eli will critique your line and give you honest feedback on the good, the bad and the ugly (those areas that need improvement). You only get one chance to make a first impression. This is the perfect opportunity to get into the mindset of a seasoned retail buyer and get the clarity you need to grow your product based business and sell with more ease. Just think, one little idea can add thousands of dollars to your bottom line. This is a no brainer in my book.

So, don’t wait to start your future! Together, we can create the business you dream of and have it work for you.

xoxo,

grace
Grace Kang
Founder, Pink Olive School

 

* Please email us at hello@pinkoliveschool.com with your receipt and we will get in touch with next steps.

0
»

small is the new big

Screen shot 2013-12-04 at 8.14.57 PM

Hey there!

Happy Friday! It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already behind us and that Small Business Saturday was just last weekend. How did you do? Did you do something different this year? In preparation for the big day, we focused all of our marketing efforts in embracing our love for New York and gave a nice juicy offer to our customers to shop local. As a result, our initiative lead to many press mentions including this feature on the New York Daily News about our plans for Small Business Saturday. We were thrilled with the turn-out, and we exceeded our sales by 70% over last year.

When I think about all the small businesses (yes, you! :) who are putting themselves on the line each day, the difference we are all making in our customers lives, and the countless jobs we are creating around the country, it brings a smile to my face. Don’t get me wrong. Being and entrepreneur is not easy and requires a lot of hard work and dedication. However being small does not mean we can’t do great things. Each day, I am more convinced that small is the new BIG.

As one of today’s most influential business thinkers, Seth Godin puts it very elegantly, “Small is the new big. Big is no long an advantage. In fact, it’s the opposite. If you want to be big, act small.”

Similar to Small Business Saturday, how are you going to achieve your goals every day? What will you do differently to make it happen and do something that will make your customers squeal? How will you maximize your biggest opportunity? If you need help, please be sure to reach out. Let’s see how we can put our heads together to make 2014 your best year yet.

Here’s to BIG and small successes and celebrating each step of the way!

xoxo,

grace
Grace Kang
Founder, Pink Olive School

image: Small is the New Big by Seth Godin

0
»

What does it really take?

Screen shot 2013-11-15 at 9.16.43 AM

Hey there,

I was reminded this week of the meaning behind the word courage and it made me reflect on what it really takes. Whether it be in your personal or professional life, having courage means that we don’t let our fear stop us from doing something difficult or risky.

Being an entrepreneur and running your own business can be hard. It takes a lot of will, hard work and determination to succeed. But as Winston Churchill states:

“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.”

I am constantly amazed and inspired by designers who are putting themselves out there and creating the life they love. Check out this amazing interview with Emily McDowell who did something that she thought was impossible. Do you have a story to share? I would love to hear about your journey!

xoxo
grace

 

P.S. We are working up some exciting plans for those designers who are ready to make 2014 their best year yet, including a special VIP Mentoring Day in NYC. Stay tuned… ♥

 

image by: strikingtruths.com

 

0
»

Live in Gratitude

gratitude blossoms stamp
It is so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day tasks associated with finally finding success in your small business. From contacting buyers, suppliers and customers to marketing new products and ideas, to creating your actual product, there is barely enough time in the day to take a deep breath! To stay grounded, and stay successful, it is just as important to make time for living in gratitude.

Living in gratitude means appreciating each interaction, each sale, each day that goes by that you get to do what you love. It doesn’t have to be time consuming, taking five minutes every day to think about everything you’re grateful for is enough, but it’s five minutes that can change the way you do business.

When you’re grateful for every opportunity, you’re more likely to extend these opportunities to others. Appreciating your support team, including those that work for you and those who help you brainstorm new ideas, encourages further interaction and enthusiasm on everyone’s part. Being grateful for each sale means rewarding customers in some small way, which in turn inspires brand loyalty. While it should be enough to live in gratitude for the sake of being thankful and appreciating all of your good fortune, it also has the benefit of coming back in spades ;).

image by fawnsberg