Archives for November 2015

0
»

3 simple tips to get you in gear

 

It-always-seems-impossible-quote2Owning your own business means constantly being “on the go.” It’s all about pushing yourself (and your product) to be the best possible, evolving, meeting new people, getting your name out there, and staying ahead of the trends. Phew….. I’m exhausted: and we haven’t even started yet. In order to do all of these things well, however, I’m a true believer that you need to S-T-R (sit back, track and reflect).

Here are 3 simple tips to get you in gear:

S-T-R (Sit Back, Track and Reflect!)

It’s important to take a moment from our busy lives to reflect before moving on. You can reflect on any lessons you’ve learned the past year or anything you might do differently in the upcoming year. Set the intention to do this on a monthly basis, and you will get better and better at fine-tuning your craft. My mentor once told me that you can’t grow what you don’t track. You need to track your sales on a consistent basis and set intentions. If you did $75k in sales and you want to grow to $150k, set the intention and work your way backwards to get there. If you sell to 5 stores and you want to be in 20 stores, set a goal for yourself and make it happen. “But how?” you may ask.

Coach/Mentor

Work with a mentor to help you develop a strategy to achieve your goals. Working with someone who knows your field (or even outside of your field) can provide valuable insight and ideas through a different lens. As my mentor once said. “You can’t change what you don’t know.” For me, hiring a coach was the beat decision that I made for myself and my business over the years. No matter what stage of business you’re in, it helps to have a different set of eyes looking at your business. Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself. When you start to uplevel and live in that zone, you begin to “play” in that zone.

Saying NO

As creative entrepreneurs, we’re all guilty of the bright shiny syndrome. Just say NO. You may think you’re walking away from potential business. However, if the new idea is not in line with your goals and key priorities, it’ll only take away time and energy from doing what you love. We need to focus on what really matters.

Are you ready to get in gear?

Sign up right here and let’s get ready to make your product retail ready.

Here’s to your success!

xoxo,

grace
Grace Kang
Founder, Pink Olive School

image: darlingmagazine.org

0
»

Power your business with a captivating website!

image-for-blog_post-11_13_15

Happy Monday!

If you are launching a new business or have a product to sell, the first thing you need to do is create a captivating website.

As a retail buyer, the first place I go to when I hear about a new line is my friend — google.com. If your website isn’t the first thing that pops up, that’s a problem. There are many things you can’t really control when it comes to what gets said about you or your brand (i.e. magazines articles, blogs, review sites, etc.). However, your website is the one place where you CAN control and define how your brand is perceived by the public. So make it count! Through effective visual and copy, you can set the tone and stage for your brand. Share your story.

Even a few years ago, it might have cost you thousands of dollars to create a beautiful website. These days. It’s so cost effective to create a website thanks to services like WordPress and Squarespace. Even if you can’t afford a full e-commerce solution, you can have an informative website and link your shop to an Etsy store, or a hosted shopping cart like Big Cartel. If you want a more advanced e-commerce system, you can check out Shopify or have it custom build via X-Cart.

Did you know that over 2 billion people around the world are using the internet and spend an average of 32.7 hours per week online? They are connecting with people, browsing for information and going shopping. If you don’t have a website yet, you need to put that on top of your priority list. It’ll not only become your most powerful tool for reaching your ideal customers, it will help you land your dream stores and press opportunities too. 

As I mentioned, the first thing I do when I get pitched or see a new brand is go check out their website. It usually takes about 10 seconds to grab my attention, and it starts with your website. If the website inspires me in some way, I will dig further and proceed to next steps.

Learn how to make your brand rock with a compelling website, how to get inside the mindset of a retail buyer and make your product retail ready! For a limited time, you can sign up for my Retail Recipes workbook + DIY kit and receive my special bonus.

Here’s to your success!

xoxo,

grace
Grace Kang
Founder, Pink Olive School

P.S. This is what happens when you open yourself up to learning. Check out my latest news here.

 

0
»

Guess who interviewed me?

I am on cloud 9! One of my favorite and most respected mentors, someone I really look up to, recently interviewed me regarding my success in this entrepreneurial world.

Yes! Marie Forleo invited me to share with her my “success story” since taking B-school and how I’ve been able to create a life I love. It was a surreal moment, to say the least.

11934882_1514747748822472_1393465550_n

As a mentor to other fellow entrepreneurs myself, it’s so rewarding when someone can make a positive impact on the lives of others, even in the smallest of ways. I want to share with you a “success story” from one of our students here at Pink Olive School, Ana Manzano from Ana Apple. Here’s her wonderful adventure:

Before working with Grace earlier this year, Ana Apple had been experiencing significant growth, but I was feeling a bit scattered and overwhelmed. The demand for my products was increasing, and I was having a difficult time keeping up since I was still a one-woman operation. I also had a ton of ideas on where my line could go next, but was uncertain on what the best strategy would be. I knew that having a mentor as experienced and passionate as Grace would be the way to get more clarity on what my unique strengths are, where I should focus my time and money, and receive the firsthand guidance that I really needed.

Throughout our program. Grace pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and I am so grateful for it! From our very first session, she dug in with an extensive critique of my current product line, branding and pricing structure, offering constructive tips on what could be improved to move my brand up to the next level. She encouraged me to raise my prices to position myself in a more appropriate market for my work. During our entire term, Grace also helped develop my newest project, Little Eco-Hero Sets, which is launching with a Kickstarter campaign this week, and we set goals for the holiday season.

Our VIP-day session was absolutely wonderful. Grace gave me worksheets to complete that helped with refining my niche and brainstorming out of the box ways to get in front of my ideal audience. I loved having complete access to ask questions and present my ideas to her directly. She even sent me home with an extensive list of retail stores, media contacts, blog topic ideas, and sales representatives. At the end of the day, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted and I couldn’t wait to get back to my studio to implement all of the plans we laid out.

Not only did I receive help with the nitty-gritty of the retail industry, we talked a lot about issues with confidence that were keeping me from taking big leaps with my business. I have no shortage of inspiration, and in fact have a big vision of one day establishing a creative-based mentoring program and studio space for children. Grace helped me see that with Ana Apple, I am creating a platform in order to build resources + experience so that I can make my big dream a reality. She reminded me that taking risks are what get me closer to my goals.

I wholeheartedly recommend Retail Recipes if you are looking to develop your brand and take the next big leap with faith under the guidance of an experienced and caring mentor. Just as Grace helped me realize, you have been given a unique gift that you are meant to share with the world. Invest in yourself and your talents!”

Can you relate with Ana’s story? Are you ready to make your dream a reality and make it happen in 2016?

If so, then you’ll be delighted to know that in Spring 2016, we will be opening up a private group mentorship program (just for product-based entrepreneurs) in collaboration with B-School. All you need to do is sign up on the waiting list and soon we’ll be sending out more information about the program, along with special bonuses that we will offer when you sign up with me.

Let me just say thank you for everything you do and sharing your gifts with the world. I look forward to being part of your success story.

Here’s to your success!

xoxo,

grace
Grace Kang
Founder, Pink Olive School

0
»

Secrets to Selling

Top Secret on old typewriterDo you like selling? It’s okay if you say, “No.” Most people don’t. Here’s the secret to selling: selling is serving. The key to selling is to figure out what the end experience will feel like and speak to that point first. Most people make the mistake of talking about the features of their product (i.e. color, ingredients, dimensions, etc.) and not about the benefits or the end result using the product.

Although it’s relevant information, your customers need to feel the connection first before they can buy from you. Leading with the benefits (and for whom the product will be a good gift for), will help the customer connect to you and what you’re selling.

Think of win-win partnership ideas. I love it when I work with sales reps or designers who are not trying to sell me everything, or tell me how great everything is on their line. It helps when you can get to know your customer well and know what works, be selective with your recommendations.

When I go over my pitch letters with my private clients, I talk to them about not pitching to retailers about how the store can help them. Turn it around. The stores are your potential customers. Think about how you can help them.

You might think that’s crazy, but it can be possible. When you switch your mindset and think about how your product can enhance their store assortment and increase their sales, it’ll make them think differently about your product. Once they trust you and know you care about their business and you have their back, they will throw their OTB (open-to-buy) your way. Stores are looking for win-win partnerships too.

Want to learn more of my inside tips in making your product more retail ready? For a limited time, you can sign up for the Retail Recipes workbook + DIY kit and receive my special bonus. Here’s to your success!

xoxo,

grace
Grace Kang
Founder, Pink Olive School

0
»

50 days till Christmas! Learn how to make your product retail ready.

RR_special

Happy Thursday!

I am thrilled to announce a very special value of the Retail Recipes Workbook + DIY Kit throughout the giving month of November!

This is your opportunity to get inside the mindset of a retail buyer and learn everything there is to know about making your product retail ready!

Learn from my retail recipes formula for getting more orders from your ideal stores, discover hidden opportunities to make you more money this holiday season!

This interactive workbook covers the strategies that I share with my private clients in starting and maintaining a product-based business. You will be able to garner the attention of your dream retail buyer, and sell more to your ideal customers at a much lower investment. More reward, less risk.

In the spirit of giving, I put together two fantastic options for you and a BONUS. Click on the link here to join and I’ll see you there!

xoxo,
grace