skyeland

[skyeland]

Progress Report: Week 13

This week has been a whirlwind of things.  Over the weekend, I was able to accomplish a few more orders for gift packs. With the massive power outages that were experienced, I was not able to access my emailed until now.  Wonderful surprise to get once the power came back on but definitely will be a busy final week! Things have been rather steady for the most part in the past 2 weeks, and I have been continuing to enjoy my experience. There have been other that have come to me with questions, and really wanting to get to know me and my products. This is just as important to me as when an order comes in. It shows they want to know and are curious, and isn’t just a quick buy and sell situation. I love when clients, new and old, want to inquire about things, and know what they are getting before hand. I never see this as a negative.  If I continue with this project past the 14 weeks, which I plan to do, then I will be working harder on my newer items that I want to make avail for the new year. As it stands, timing is not right, but it will add something new for 2022 :) That is all I have for this week! Hope everyone is still out there rockin’ their businesses!

[skyeland]

Progress Report: Week 12

For this week, I have accepted the fact that I am a perfectionist. I say this because, I am still not pleased with the pet products I am trying to launch, though have had positive feedback with a few of the samples I handed out. But I feel they are still not where I would like them to be. I have been experiencing a little bit of a busy time, with SMALL gift boxes, and seeing how individuals would like them to be created.  This was interesting to me, as I had to decided on having one cost for the boxes, regardless of what was in them, or have it where the cost depended in what was in the box, causes them to vary. I settled with created different boxes with one cost, and making the values comparable.  Let me explain. Some examples of combos:

2 candles + a scrub

2 scrubs + a candle

2 bath bombs + candle + scrub

All of this I can work with, but I was so interested in seeing what people would com up with.  I basically, allowed for the people making the requests to determine how I handled this situation. They did a pretty great in my opinion, on coming up with great ideas on what to put inside of them. One individual asked for a “Party box”. At first I was like, a what now? haha, but they wanted to send the back to family. So, I tried this out. It included 4 bath bombs, 2 candles, 2 of each scrub, and 4 tins of loose leaf tea (2oz) each. I can tell you right now, I LOVED making this one. They had no preferences and worked with me to create something.  Something that I have had an issue with in some orders is that, I cannot use Lavender, due to my own personal allergies. Now, most are okay with me telling them this and will exclude it entirely. HOWEVER, that is not what I am about. ‘I’ am making THEM products, to HELP THEM. So if they ask for Lavender, then I need to work around that. Even if that means I am to be fully suited up in whatever I need to be. Long term, this may mean that I need to hire on someone to deal with certain scents that I cannot. But that will be down the road, when I am not part time. 

Overall, I think this was a positive week!

[skyeland]

Progress Report: Week 11

There have been so many ups and downs these past few weeks, but let me get into this week.  I have had a few gift box requests that I have had the pleasure of making, and have gotten a little more into making pet based products. This is a lot of trial and error with this one. But it is also really interesting to play around with new ideas and formulas. I do believe my dog is impatiently waiting for me to finish them so he can try out the paw protector, with all the snow we are currently getting. The salt is really harsh on their paws.  On a down side, my e-mail address has been having issues, and some have reported that it is not working at all. Very unusual, so I have been looking into getting that corrected, but also have provided individuals with an alternative  method of contact for in the mean time. 

I do not have a lot to report this week unfortunately, but that is because I have been in an experimental phase with products. Hopefully I will have more to say next week!  We can only go up from here, right?

[skyeland]

Week 10 : Progress Report

Last week, disaster struck in my life with all the unexpected issues that came up.  I spent some time working on correcting these issues, and getting back on track.  I got to hear about some clients stories and make some great new creations.  So.. Let’s see how this week turned out, now that I have recapped.  I took a few days off to try and create some new scents, and even tried to naturally scent some of my products that I normally would not add fragrance too. I wanted to do this out of sheer curiosity and in case anyone asked, I would have a logical and realistic answer. However, it would also mean that I would have to rethink things like shelf life, and storing requirements. Though it is a long process and not always is it working out, I enjoy the science behind it all. 

I feel as thought I am fairly content with my client base at the moment, and it is manageable. They are keeping me on my toes and giving me some great ideas to play with. A few gift boxes have been made up as well, so this should be interesting to see the feedback on this. 

Things are going well, and I am trying to reduced the chance of anymore set backs as much as possible, though some things are out of my control. My plan is to have it all sorted out before the holidays hit, so I am covered for this time, and no one else is on holiday when I am trying to stock up, or order. 

I do not think there is anything else to report. :)

[skyeland]

Progress Report: Week 9

I am going to take a different approach this week with my report. Allow me to summarize my week, if I may.  During this week, I had a lot of challenges. When I received my packaging material, it showed up at my door, damaged. As well all know, a set back like this is a big deal. We not only have to deal with the disappointment of our materials being unusable, and then having to put a hold on production, but there is also the time it takes to send it back, order and receive new supplies/material. What made this even more disappointing was this was just in time for our upcoming project, which posed its own issues, if I am being honest. But this is also something that we as business owner need to learn to accept as possible challenges throughout out adventure(s). On a positive note, I had the pleasure of creating two very personal orders. The first one was inspired by a story I told to a client out of the blue. Back story: I had a black cat that I lost this year, back in July. This was a devastating day for me as it was so sudden. I spoke of her to this client and told them about how she was black, but when the sun beam hit her just right, she got this rusty tone to her. After she laid in the sun for some time, she smelled of Rainbows and sunshine. I always joked about how she should be on one of those Skittles commercials, so I created a scented candle that smelled of skittles and as close to her as possible. The client thought it was very heartwarming to hear this story and asked if they too could have a candle that reminded them of a late pet. After hearing more about them, I created a candle that smelled of the outdoors, as theirs was a stray found at their cabin.  They were extremely pleased with the creation.  The second client wanted a candle that reminded them of their late grandmother. She wore red lipstick daily loved owls, and her home smelled of apples and cranberries. This was an amazing project, as I had owl molds!

I am so extremely thankful for the people that I have had the pleasure of speaking with and meeting. They challenge me and I feel as though I making a difference in their lives.  I hope to continue to make changes in peoples lives, in these simple ways as I grow as a small part time business. 

Always appreciate those who help you succeed, in a big or a small way. Success is still success. 

Something I have learned. Attempting to create the scent of Rainbows and sunshine in memory of my cat, is harder than I thought, so for now, she will have to continue to be a bag of skittles :P

[skyeland]

Progress Report: Week 8

what is working?

Lately, I have been playing around with new scents and products, most were requested by clients. I think that I have a really nice client base at the moment, that are open with their feedback. Not saying I am getting ALL the ideas done, but I am defiantly seeing what works and what does not. 

what is not working?

I have been working on getting my loose leaf tea on the go. Now, there are many pros and cons with this because I grow the ingredients at home. Things were going well because I had the herbs grown, and dried, but with the changing of seasons, some of my herbs are beginning to not fair well.  I have since placed them into an indoor terrarium, and in an environment with better temp control.  

how do you feel the project is coming?

Honestly, I wish I had more time to work on things within my business. Do I think that things are going poorly? No. Do I think they are going really well? No. I think the business is moving as expected given it is a part time business.

More advertising is happening, and I am getting the word out more and more. There are a few new clients that have been contacting me, and some returning ones looking for my new gift packs. These are still in trial phase, but I am enjoying playing around with them. 

I also feel I may get caught up in all the feedback that is being provided, and I sometimes take on a little more than I should, all at once. That can cause other important aspects to be neglected in a sense, and can create problems. 

what are you learning about running a business?

It is a lot of work, and some months are slow, which can be discouraging. Some months can be busy and become overwhelming. Being a business owner, definitely involves a lot of time management skills and patience.   

what are you learning about yourself?

There is not a lot that I feel I can add to this this week, from last week.  It’s been a lot of multitasking and organization that has been taking place this past week. With holidays fast approaching, I did not feel as though I would be able to dedicate the time to do all the things I have been doing. So, knowing that I have been getting all things done that I needed to, or had set out for myself, has been rewarding.

 Kat C.

[skyeland]

Progress Report

what is working?

What I have noticed that is working for my business, is really getting to know the individuals purchasing or thinking of purchasing products. It allows for better insight on what they are looking for and how to make improvements within the business. Covid restrictions are still making things a little difficult to be out and about in person, but through the power of social media, word of mouth, and email/texting content I feel things are going well.

  what is not working?

I have yet to gain a spot in likeminded stores, which I was hoping for as it would have gotten my name out there a little more. It also would have allowed for people to test the product with samples or testers, without my physical presence.

This is where I think venturing into something such as Etsy, for my products may be a logical route to explore.

Time is not always on my side either. Life is busy, as we all know, but because this is only being done part-time, some weeks are better than others.

  how do you feel the project is coming?

 I feel there is always room for improvement to create better success. Things are slow moving in the beginning, and that is always a discouraging time. With holidays getting nearer, more sales opportunities are becoming available. Since I have a lot of items that can be customizable and personalized, clients are gravitating towards this.  They enjoy the idea of having gift packs made up, or even small stocking stuffer ideas. Halloween also allowed for some interesting and creative ideas to come up, and I was more than happy to accept the challenge!

  what are you learning about running a business?

 It is challenging and stressful, but also very exciting and rewarding. Lots of ups and downs and almost like being on an emotional rollercoaster. People often think that being the owner of their own business is more fun than work, but, there is so much more to it that what meets the eye. Financial aspects, and the what ifs that can arise. What if there is a slow period? How do you survive during this time, especially if it is your main source of income. What if a supplier is out of stock, or you cannot keep up with production? It’s as if the questions never stop, and you are always going to need an answer, and sometimes with no assistance in the matter.

On the flip side, you get to meet so many people, and learn many things. Your knowledge is forever expanding, and it’s truly never a dull moment. So long, as you plan ahead, stay on track with things, have a back up plan just in case, and ask for help when needed; things should work out.

  what are you learning about yourself?

I am learning that I am a creative individual that can be on my toes a little more than I expected. My computer skills with programs such as excel are proving to come in handy when it comes to areas such as making Cash Flow Sheets, and assists in keeping finances organized. When I really apply myself, I am capable of more than what I would have given myself credit for. Kat C.

[skyeland]

Financial Sources

Whether it be for a business from the past, one from the present, or perhaps even one in the future; I hope for it to be successful and/or life changing. To achieve this, I need to take a look at all the financial sources available, and though there are many to choose from, not all are logical for every business or individual. Below are the ones that I found fitting for my current business for this course, and likely for anyone that may have in the future:

 Bank Loans:

Personally, I try to stay away from this option as much as possible, because the banks are not always kind to small business owners, especially in start-up phases. However, if they can be wowed and convinced that you are something worthwhile, a bank loan, with likely a high interest rate attached to it, can be helpful.

In saying this, strong and factual information on your business is key. Providing them with numbers, prototypes, sales margins/cash flow charts, a business pitch and more, are all beneficial when asking for money. It may be a long and drawn-out process, but it can really give you some funds to work with.

Government Grants:

Much like a bank loan, the process can be long and exhausting. There is equally just as much hard work involved in this, if not more, but the more appealing part of this, is that you do not have to pay these back. When attempting to get a grant, there is often a lot of competition, as several others, just like you and I, are looking for the same funds and resources. We also need to keep in mind, that you might not always get all the funds you were asking for, so budgeting will be essential. This can prove to be a very positive source if the funds are received.  

Personal:

Personal savings has always been the route I have supported the most. It may be my own opinion, but I like to work hard for my money, and not rely on methods that may have strings attached. This route can take time and be stressful if you are already not in an ideal financial state, but you wouldn’t have the interest rates or hassles of paying back someone else.  This would allow for careful budgeting to be done in the early stages as well, as only a set amount of money would be available. For example, if I were to go to a bank for a loan, there would be a larger sum of money to being received, but it also may cause unnecessary spending, or overspending in the wrong areas. Using your own funds, as least for the first 3,6, maybe even 12 months, depending on the business specs, will create a sense of financial understanding. Much like we are doing now with having $50.00 of personal money to play with, we have had to work with preexisting resources, and only spend money where we needed to. In the end, we were able to save money, and (hopefully) profit in the long run. As time goes on you can put PERSONAL money back into your business to keep it going. Later, down the road as the business grows, then other options can be explored.

Crowdfunding:

This is a very creative way to raise money for a start-up business, or just to get some additional funding for a preexisting one. It gives the opportunity to raise a set amount of money for a business and is a great way to get your name out there, and acts as a form of advertising, in a sense. By using this source, I would be asking people from all over to help raise these funds by pitching my plan to them. They then get to decide if they want to “invest” in my idea or plan. These people range from everyday folk to business owners themselves. Though I can do this as many times as I wish, I need to keep in mind that if it becomes ongoing and frequent, less and less people are willing to donate money, and may become suspicious.

In conclusion, after researching several financial sources for starting up a business, whether that be the current one, or one that I may have in the future, these were my choices.  I feel they are all realistic, challenging in their own ways, as well as can be very rewarding, for receiving potential funds and personal knowledge.

-Kat C

[skyeland]

Business Operating

For my business, Flannel Wicks, I will not need an outsourced location. I will be able to independently run the company from home. This will cut extra expenses down in terms of; store front, rent, employees, wages, and additional expenses that come with a store front (ex. utility bills). By keeping my costs down in these areas, I will be able to utilize my profits better by putting more back into the business.

 In the early stages of this course, I had investigated materials, supplies, cost, and production. This allowed me to make “testers” that I shared around my community to get real life feedback on my products. They were more than willing to let me know if I needed more or less of an ingredient or even scent, if the texture was correct, if they enjoyed how the product made them feel, what they liked and did not like about how I presented my products and so much more. I was able to also gather valuable information on what they wanted to see in a small business, and what truly mattered to them.

The benefits of having a business based around locally sourced and 100% Canadian products, allows for materials to on occasion be close by. If we look at the 100% Canadian beeswax that is being used in some of my products, it is a product that I can order in bulk and pick up with the use of my own vehicle. This will reduce the cost of shipping, yet it will also cost me in gas, mileage, and maintenance on my vehicle. Though these factors have been taken into consideration, is it not an initial cost and can be budgeted for. As for some of the other supplies that I use within my business, they do need to be shipped in from all over Canada, and to keep things cost effective, bulk ordering would be the best route to take. Currently, I have most of the supplies and materials needed to get myself up and running, but as the business grows, and more feedback and knowledge is accumulated, I will need more equipment and products.

Examples of Equipment and Products that may be need in the future:

 1.   Newer software for better results when printing on eco-friendly materials

 2.   Paid for platforms when selling online

  3.  Potential storage facilities for off season bulk ordering

 I will be continuing to contact likeminded businesses to gain more information on potential permits, insurances, and other key information I may need. Because someone my product needs to be heated, and the area needs to be ventilated, there may be specifics I need to follow. I have contacted the city as well, to see if they can guide me in the correct direction, but have yet to hear back from them.

 I was able to post in areas such as a community bulletin board and on social media, for promoting and advertising methods, to try and gain some traction. I had a large group of people that were spreading the word as well from when I did my product testing. On each of my items, I provided contact information to ensure that they were able to contact me with any questions, comments, concerns and of course… Orders!

Because of the time of year, and with Winter and colder weather fast approaching, there will be less in person exposure. This will make things a little more challenging as I will need to rely more on my marketing techniques and getting my name out there. Therefore, gathering information ahead of time about potential clients was key, so that I can send emails or have them follow me on socials.

My products are based around those who struggle with Mental Health, and providing them with simplicity and relaxation methods. I want to ensure that I am reaching everyone I can in the best possible way to be able to provide them with high quality products that will improve their day or over all well-being. It’s the little things that matter and though it will be a challenge, I have plans of contacting current and future customers regularly, so I know their needs are being met.

 Here is a step by step (not in a particular order):

 1.   Find local and/or Canadian suppliers

 2.  Contact supplies and inquire about order sizes, cost differences, shipping methods and rates

 3.  Inspect product upon receiving to ensure it is of the best quality, and matching what my business is about

4.   Explore Environmental Regulations – this may be needed because my products are natural

 5.  Produce a small batch of each product and make samplers (think of Costco or Walmart when they have you sample food or new products at small Kiosks)

 6.  Gather feedback from a group of people within the community and record

 7. From the feedback, inquire about what they are looking for in products, what are they willing to pay, what they like and do not like about your product directly, and more

 8.  Adjust products, and pricing if needed

 9. Conduct another test within the community, with improved products and gain new feedback

10. Advertise in a variety of ways, such as community bulletin board and social media

 11. Create product in various sizes and packs (where applicable) and upon customer feedback

 12. Create a cash flow chart to track sales and product cost

 13. Reach out to current and future customers by doing follow ups

[skyeland]

Kat Copeland

[skyeland]

Customer Persona

About Them:

·          Millennials

·          Baby Boomers

·          Military

·          Stay-at-home parents

·          Students

·          Retired/Elderly

·          Hands on jobs

·          Families

·          Nursing homes/PSW

·          High stress jobs/school environments

Use Case:

·          Emergency lighting (Candles)

·          Relaxation/Aromatherapy/Stress relieving

·          Soothing and softening skin

·          Exfoliation

Previous Solution  and Pain Point:

 ·          Paraffin  burns with more soot and black smoke

·          Scented  candles can have toxins that are harmful to people and pets

·          Pose  as an allergen concern

·          Harsh  skin irritations

·          Chemical  use

Benefits:

·          Clean, slow burning wicks/candles

·          Healthier

·          Environmentally friendly packaging

·          Donations to organizations that revolve around  animals/mental health

·          Natural, eco-friendly, cruelty free, allergen conscious  products

·          Local

Buying  Trigger:

·          Pleasant scents

·          Great for emergency power outages

·          Naturally exfoliated skin; keeps skin soft

·          Cruelty Free

·          Allergen Conscious

·          Healthy Lifestyle

·          Natural Products

·          Handmade

 Buying  Process:

·          Easy ordering/local delivery

·          Curbside pick up/shipping

·          Online ordering via social media

Choice Factor:  

·          Made to order

·          Many type, sizes and scents

·          Accommodates different skin types

·          Attention to allergy requirements

·          Competitive Pricing

  Kat Copeland

[skyeland]

Competition

Lucky clover Candles:

Though they only deal with candle making, I still feel they are a strong competitor, with great reviews and ratings.

They are a family-owned business from the Thomasburg, Ontario region and have no outsourced facility, which will keep their costs down. Upon researching their website and socials (Facebook and Instagram), you can immediately tell their products are true, and low waste.  Their sites are well laid out and organized, and includes features such as; an about us page, chat box, mailing list, gift card options, ecommerce and what I thought was a great feature was an info page. This info page was for educational purposes on apiaries, beeswax, wicks and burning as well as showed the difference between their 100% Canadian Golden Beeswax and original beeswax. They have a variety of scents and styles of candles ranging from tea lights, pillars and even hand dripped; all of which are non-toxic, clean burning and pet safe. Their shopping cart I found to be rather unique, as it calculated the taxes based on where you reside (province/country), and for Ontario, it gave me one option of Expedited which arrives within a week. If there are any items that are left in the cart, they send an email within 24 hours to remind you of your items. It’s no wonder this company is known World-wide!

Even though there are several strengths within this company, I feel one of their biggest weaknesses would be keeping up with production and time management. Because they are known world-wide and are busy, I feel larger orders in a smaller business may cause some delays. There is also a time period in the year where they take time off, and though I do not know the ins and outs, this could be a potential disadvantage for them.

Ojibway Natural:

This is an Indigenous woman run company located in Northern Ontario. Their business is based around low waste, natural products such as, soaps, laundry detergent, candles, bath bombs and shampoo bars. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and they have their own website. The site is simple, clean, and professional looking and displays testimonials as well as reviews. It displays all their products, sizes, scents and cost as well as ship anywhere in the world. Upon receiving an order, the product was well packaged in recyclable materials and packed effectively, with no damaged. You can also sign up for their mailing list, which gives you a onetime coupon of 10% off. Their chats are answered in a timely manner and directly by the owner, who is informative and transparent. In their ‘about us’ section, they state that they want to provide affordable, natural products, which is a goal of mine as well.

The weakness I found within this company was the lack on information on products. Though they did highlight facts, such as, scents and base product, there were no actual ingredients. When I see someone state natural, I want to know how natural, and in this case, I saw no information on if they contained Lye, SLS, Parabens or even potential allergens. Even when I receive product from them, there was still a lack of information, as well as directional use on some product. Even, though they are responsive and professional, I feel this important to have on a site or at very least the labels.

 Marinna Naturals:

This is a women run business, from the U.S. She originally started out as a YouTube content creator, educating people on how to make their own natural products. She and/or her products then went on to be on a few T.V. shows, which would be a key component to getting your name out there, and being seen. This only gives her a strong advantage as clientele would have likely been built up before she opened her business. Her skin care and cosmetics products are hand made, natural and are listed as being free of : Gluten, parabens, sulfate and are cruelty free as well as Dermatologist tested. She is no stranger to social media either, as she is on the majority (if not all) socials out there and even has as scan code for a platform called ‘ Beauty Junkies’. Her catalogue is also available in both English and French. This company also had the feature of sending reminder emails for left items in the shopping cart.

The weaknesses for this company, are that even though she is in the U.S. and does ship to Canada, she only had one option for shipping. This option was the slowest option. I personally found her site to be busy, and I often was more focused on the banners and images, than the product. Lastly, her packaging was not eco-friendly, and I would question if it was recyclable, as it was all plastic.

[skyeland]

Message Map for Lucky Clover Candles (Sorry for the watermark, I hope you can read it. )

[skyeland]

[Strengths and Weaknesses ]

I would like to give a little back story first before I get into some of my pin pointed strengths and weaknesses. I have worked in several fields and learned many things along the way; about myself and the businesses. I have been a manager in almost all the jobs I have had, been my own boss in some and even ran my own for 12 years. I also have run fundraisers and more. So, let’s get into this:

Strengths:

Budgeting and money management: This is something that I believe should be taught in schools, and thankfully I took an interest in this sort of thing at a young age. It has helped me to better improve some places that I have worked for and also, allowed me to do the orders for the companies. I was able to speak with reps and other stores when necessary and gain valuable information so money was not wasted. Not being able to manage money or have a set budget, can make things go south really fast, and I do not believe that is the route anyone would like to take.

Perfectionist: I like to make sure that things are done in a certain way, and to the best of my abilities. Whether that be getting an order done and on budget, facing aisles to make them look neat and tidy, or helping clients with any and all question/concerns they may have. This also falls in with customer service, which is the next point.

Customer service: Many times I had clients come back to me or the store, whether than be in person or over the phone to express how satisfied they were with my assistance. I am someone who enjoys making sure that their needs are met and to the best of my abilities. If I am not able to provide an answer, I find the answer, or the person that can assist them better. I tend to not stop at, “Is that everything you were looking for today? Yes? Great!” only because that is what they had come in for. I spend time getting to know the client, and listening to them. When I have done this, I am sometimes able to pick up on subtle things to provide even further assistance. I have been known to remember people’s stories, and I think that makes for a more personable experience that clients really value. It makes them feel as though they are not a just a dollar bill walking through the door, but an actual person.  

Jack of all Trades: This has been a title that has stuck with me for years. I have an eagerness to learn, and enjoy knowing everything I can about a business, the ins and outs, and also how to run several departments. There were times, that I had to run 3 departments on one shift, and did it successfully.

In times of overwhelming amounts of stress and pressure, I often take it as a challenge and push through. I find I am able to work well when there is a lot of “chaos” present. This is because I have generally worked solo in my jobs.  

Weaknesses:

Though I am excellent in overwhelming situations, it does take a toll on me. The initial reaction to it, is panic. At times, I need to just stop and regain thought, in order to continue.  

My attention is not always the greatest, and it can sometimes take me a little longer to accomplish things than intended.

Making notes has become a part of who I am, as I am forgetful.

I second guess myself a lot. Even when I am confident in my answer or my abilities.  

I have disabilities that can hold me back at times.

I would also like to note, that I enjoy seeing others succeed. I have trained many people in my days, and if they are not being given the correct tools or information to succeed themselves, then you will not succeed. Having a business is not about ranks, it is about working as a team to be better and always improve as a team.