#they maintained this push and pull. They slotted into place as partners that support each other and help where the other falters

[hadesknockedupintheunderworld]

Bout to muse about something that is part headcanon part canon events

ㅤ

Tails is finally saved from his bullies by the (currently) small time hero he admires

Tails stalks follows his hero, uses his mechanical knowledge to improve Sonic's plane

While Tails follows Sonic around, even on dangerous journeys, the hedgehog keeps an eye out for the younger fox behind him, keeping him from being in too much danger

Sonic leads by example, demonstrating to Tails how to fight, and Tails runs maintenance on Sonic's plane and teaches him how to read

Soon enough, they become softly inseparable. Even if they can't adventure side by side (although they do more often than not), Sonic keeps contact with Tails whenever he can.

They strengthen each other's weak points. Where Tails lacks in raw strength, Sonic makes up for it with experience and speed. Where Sonic lacks in firepower, Tails has a machine, a gadget, or the technical know-how to take one. Sonic often rushes into danger, fighting without thinking too hard, but Tails' specialty is strategizing or making plans, and he's one of the few who can slow Sonic down enough to make sure he's prepared. And where Sonic supports Tails by being a force of nature, someone who can roll with the punches and execute one of Tails' plans with complete trust or faith, Tails also supports Sonic by understanding what he cannot, by crafting plans when Sonic is at a loss for how to proceed. They have such unwavering faith and trust in each other's abilities now.

Where Sonic is a hero, Tails is his own kind of hero, saving the people only he can save, helping in the ways only he can help. They support each other. They look out for each other. Even if Sonic is a force on his own, or Tails can go on solo adventures, they're more effective when they're together.

And no matter how things change as they grow, the people who come and go, the two of them are a constant. Sonic and Tails, ever at each other's sides.

[minchanslut]

At Your Service

Pairing: F!Reader x Escort!MinChan  Word count: 2.4K

You sighed deeply, feeling the warm water cascade down your shoulders, taking some of the tension you had built up on your muscles along with it, but that alone wasn’t enough. The immense stress that your job put on you along with so many nights of sleeping alone had started to get to you. You wouldn’t say that you were one to feel incomplete while not in the company of a significant other, but as your needs grew, you found it harder to satiate them yourself, often leaving yourself feeling unsatisfied. You craved the touch of someone else. 

Of course, you attempted to follow the trend of meeting people on dating apps and engaging in one night stands, but you were quick to realise that it simply wasn’t for you after having two separate experiences which left you deeply disappointed, and wondering whether men were even able to make women orgasm anymore. After telling your friend of your encounters and how you’ve given up hope on dating apps she suggested you hire an escort, if what you were looking for was just great sex. You dismissed her idea, saying that such a service would only be a waste of money and that you were bound to find someone who would be able to give you what you need, for free at that. But you had no such luck, not even after four months. It was almost as frustrating for your friend as it was for you, seeing as she had to put up with your constant whining and complaining. Even after months had passed she was still adamant about how you should at least try her suggestion, claiming that she heard of an extremely luxurious escort lounge through a coworker. It took some time, but eventually you gave in and decided to test the waters, though still quite skeptical, you had little hopes for what was to come. You had made an “appointment”, as they called it, about a week before, telling yourself you needed time to prepare, both physically and mentally. The website, which insured complete secrecy, offered a wide variety of escorts to choose from, which only made it harder for you to take your pick. After spending hours scrolling on your phone, reading the description provided of each escort and thoroughly analyzing their photos, you decided to go for a guy named Chris. His photo provided a glimpse of his toned muscles and charming smile, but not much else. You chose not to dwindle on your decision for too long, fearing that you would change your mind and end up back at square one. 

A week later you found yourself walking through the doors of a lavish club which seemed more like a 5-star hotel. There were both men and women dressed in expensive attire throughout the room. You timidly searched for the front desk, hoping whoever was there wouldn’t poke fun at your anxious state. Thankfully you were greeted with an understanding smile by a woman named Mia, who gave you a brief explanation of how everything worked. She would tell you which room your escort would be waiting in, and would announce to them that you were on your way and all you had to do was make it there in one piece. Seemed simple enough. Before you left she assured you that you had nothing to be worried about and that you were in good hands. 

“It’s not too late to turn back.” you told yourself, but if you did so you would lose both the experience and your deposit. Before you knew it you were already standing in front of Chris’ room, realizing then there really was no turning back. Chris was already standing at the door frame by the time you arrived. He greeted you with a smile, and allowed you to come inside, immediately offering you something to drink. You admitted to being too nervous to drink anything and he nodded in understanding. 

“Is there anything I can do to help ease your nerves? You know, before we start?”

You could only shrug, scratching your head awkwardly. 

“Okay how about, I eat your pussy? Would that calm you down a bit?”

You felt your cheeks heat up at his coarseness, but you went along with it nonetheless. That is why you were here after all. 

Chris approached you slowly, sitting down on the bed beside you, helping you out of both your bottoms before ridding himself of his shirt. You couldn’t help but stare at his toned arms and defined abs, and you would’ve stared at them for much longer if his touch hadn’t pulled you away from your thoughts. He instructed you to straddle him as he laid down. He chuckled when you gave him a confused look. 

“This way you can set your own pace, is that alright?” 

You decided to go along with it,as you figured that he would know what he’s doing. He guided you towards his face, your aching pussy spread out in front of him. 

“Whenever you’re ready.”

You took a deep breath and lowered yourself, providing Chris with direct access to your heat. He placed kitten licks on your clit, allowing you to get accustomed to the situation before wrapping his lips around the small bud and sucking harshly. You got the impression that Chris was enjoying himself just as much as you were, as he was moaning against your clit, the vibrations making your legs shake in pleasure. Chris’ hands found themselves holding onto your waist, helping you maintain balance as you grinded against his tongue, practically fucking his face. Your moans grew louder as your orgasm approached, your toes curled up as you pulled away, your pussy convulsing vigorously. You collapsed beside him as he sat up, wiping your juices from his chin with the back of his hand. 

“Do you need a minute or do you wanna go again?”

You asked yourself if he was insane, how could you go again after cumming that intensely. And yet no more than 5 minutes after your first orgasm you found yourself on all fours in front of Chris, who was thrusting into you at an incredible speed. He had his chest pressed against your back and you could feel his chiseled abs on your skin. He had one hand supporting his weight and the other rubbing your clit. Every so often he would plant chaste kisses on your back and shoulders, followed by praise that made you melt. 

“You feel so good, I won’t last much longer, shit.”

And he really didn’t, though neither did you. But mere moments later you were right back where you started, ready for another round. 

From then on you found yourself seeing Chris once a month, twice if you were lucky. 

You felt your muscles contort, an evident frown forming on your face as you refreshed the page once more only to receive the same notification. Due to your busy schedule the days you could make an appointment to see Chris were very limited, but luck had always been on your side and you were able to see him on the days you were free without any difficulties, until now that is. Your frustration grew as you continuously refreshed the website but were still met with the words “No slots available” 

You could easily be considered a regular there, but you hadn’t been with anyone other than Chris. You were unsure whether to just give up and visit the following month, maybe even making an appointment several weeks in advance this time, or to simply go for someone else. You really didn’t feel like going through the trouble of searching for someone else, seeing as it was already difficult for you to pick the first time. You were close to giving up on your search until you discovered a rather convenient quiz the website provided, which claimed to help you find the perfect sexual partner for you. After hesitantly clicking on the link you were redirected to a page with various questions regarding your kinks, desires and fantasies. It was a rather quick quiz that certainly didn’t beat around the bush. After calculating your results you were met with the name Minho in bold letters, along with a short description of him right beside his photo. You opted to trust their recommendation and booked a session with Minho for later that week. 

You walked into the building with less confidence than in the recent months, yet still not as apprehensive as the first time. You were nervous about what this new experience might be like, but you were excited nonetheless, wondering what Minho would do differently than Chris. Heading over to the front desk you greeted the receptionist whom you’ve grown fairly friendly with over the recent months. You made casual small talk as she typed away on her computer before stopping abruptly and looking up at you with a puzzled look on her face. 

“Do you not have a session with Chris tonight?”

Your cheeks flushed as you avoided her gaze, announcing that you were, in fact, there to see Minho. She cocked her eyebrow at you, smirking slightly and continued without another word. You shrugged it off, bidding her a farewell as you began heading towards the room you had been assigned, rolling your eyes when she shouted “Have fun!” from behind you. 

You knocked twice and Minho opened the door almost immediately, clearly expecting you. 

He was dressed simply, button up and black dress pants. His hair was pushed back, slightly damp from what you assumed was gel. He invited you inside and was quick to comment about how he had seen you before but never expected you to go for anyone other than Chris. 

“It’s quite an honor, actually, to have some fun with Chris’ plaything. Or is it the other way around, hm?” 

There was only silence, which caused Minho to sigh. He made his way behind you, helping you slip off your coat as he whispered in your ear. 

“No need to be so tense, I’m here to help you unwind after all.” 

He ran his hands up and down your arms as he nipped and sucked on the exposed area of your neck. His hands then traveled to your sides, fingers gently tugging at the hem of your shirt before pulling it over your head. His fingers softly traced the skin of your abdomen while he walked forward, leading you towards the bed. He planted wet kisses down your spine, getting lower with each kiss and pulling down your pants in the process. Once you were left in nothing but your undergarments he gently pushed you down onto the bed. You were at a 90 degree angle, your upper body laying on the bed as your knees pressed onto the floor supporting your lower half. Minho ran his hand up and down your back, humming at your reaction. 

“Eager, aren’t we? Maybe I should just give you what you want.” 

He wasted no time waiting for an answer as he placed a small kiss on your pussy through your panties. He moved onto your inner thighs, leaving chaste kisses on the supple skin. He could feel your legs beginning to shake with anticipation and he was quick to return his attention to your aching pussy, licking a long stripe up your clothed folds. Minho pushed your panties aside as he pressed his finger against your entrance. 

“Shit, you’re already getting wet, but you can do better than that, right?” 

He slid his finger in deeper, curling it upwards as his lips found their way around your clit, sucking on the bundle of nerves. He pumped his finger in and out of you at a slow pace, taking care to give enough attention to your clit. He withdrew his finger, only to collect your juices with his index and middle finger before sliding them back in, groaning in satisfaction. 

“You’re taking my fingers so well, can’t believe you’re so tight after being such a whore for Chris” 

You felt yourself clench at his words, burying your face in the sheets to muffle your whine. 

Your relationship with Chris was purely one of give and take. He provided you with a service which you paid for. You had no feelings for him and were sure he had none for you. Yet, choosing Minho over him this one time felt as if you were being unfaithful, but it also made your pussy ache with need for Minho’s touch. You wanted to feel him inside you, and you desperately wanted him to be the one to make you cum over and over again. He picked up his pace and had replaced his mouth with his thumb, which was now rubbing circles on your clit. 

Minho caught on to your attempt at trying to keep yourself quiet and clicked his tongue. With his free hand he grabbed hold of your hair, raising your head slightly so that your face was no longer against the mattress. His new position meant that it was now harder for him to reach your clit, but his index and middle finger never once stopped pumping in and out of you. 

“Now, now, if you don’t make any sound how am I supposed to know whether or not I’m doing a good job. Just for that I might not allow you to cum.” 

“No, please, I’m so close.”

Your words caused him to smirk, seemingly strengthening his ego. 

“Well, if that’s the case, I’d much rather have you cum on my cock, what do you say?” he said, removing his fingers from your heat. He helped you up, allowing you to sit on the bed properly. You eyed him closely as he removed his belt, his pants following soon after. He was left in only his white button up, of which half the buttons were now undone, and his boxers, the shape of his hard cock clearly visible. Minho unclasped your bra and helped you out of your panties, before slipping out of his boxers himself. He took the time to roll a condom onto his length, spreading your wetness onto the head of his dick. He pulled away for a moment, rubbing his thumb over your clit, followed but his palm slapping your pussy a few times. You felt your legs twitch as you ached to be filled up once more. He lined himself up at your entrance, but to your dismay stopping halfway to look over at the door which had previously been locked, swing open. 

You glanced over Minho’s shoulder to see Chris, who still hadn’t finished his sentence, come through the door calling your name, clearly not knowing you would be preoccupied with Minho.

“Mia told me that you’d be in this room, my session got canceled so I figured we could have some fun. Oh, am I interrupting?”

[livefreeordie13]

“[Suddenly feels around the bed to search for the other’s hand / body when they’re sleeping]” *_*v

here you are @tasogarenohane! i threw all the sappy romance into this one, so I hope you enjoy it!

Warnings: (Mature sexual content, not explicit)

(from this list of soft sentence starters)

(Set Reset)

It had been a long day, especially for the end of the week. He and Yu had both come home from their respective jobs late and forced down a quick store-bought dinner while barely even talking about their day - or anything, really; just the little things. They crawled into bed not long afterwards. Yosuke hadn’t even bothered getting into sleepwear, stripping down to his boxer-briefs and sliding between the warm sheets. He was almost asleep when he felt Yu crawl in behind him. His partner planted a gentle kiss on his neck and flicked the light, then the world outside of Yosuke’s eyelids went dark.

~~~

He was so tired, so he was even more confused when he woke up in the middle of the night, eyes blinking blearily against the faint light from the window. The room was utterly still and his body was saddled with the strange paralysis of R.E.M. He blinked some more and tried to remember why he woke up, recalling vague images and sounds that he suspected had been a dream. Too tired to do that for long, he closed his eyes, ready to plunge himself back into the warm river of sleep. Before he could get far, though, he heard Yu exhale softly and shift on the bed.

He opened his eyes again, blinking slowly. Yu had seemed really worn out when he got home today. He had only been a few minutes later than Yosuke, who had spent all day on his feet, first at Junes, and then making deliveries for the local courier service in order to have some extra money for groceries and the little household things they needed. His meager manager’s salary could just barely cover all their expenses, and Yu’s pay as a legal intern at the firm didn’t give them much overhead, either. The courier company was easy work and gave him the freedom he needed with a full time job to balance. The pay was inconsistent but he couldn’t say he’d ever been disappointed (it also gave him a chance to use his bike), so he worked there as often as he could.

But even as active a day as Yosuke had worked, Yu seemed even more tired from his own. Yu didn’t move around as much at his job, but Yosuke knew the work had to be taxing, considering the size of his eyebags. Yu was incredibly smart, and Yosuke always assumed super challenging work like “being a lawyer” would come just as easy to his partner as everything else had. Though he soon realized once Yu graduated and really started practicing that this assumption was … not quite the case. Yu had tried to explain it to him a few times, the kind of detail-oriented work that came with legal and the kind of political expectations that were placed on him now that his work ethic and skill had been exposed to the bigger partners. Yosuke didn’t think he needed the explanation - he got it. And instead of trying to grasp the minutia, he focused on remaining the sympathetic and supportive partner he aimed to be.  

Or, he hoped he was. Maybe he should have asked Yu more about his day before they went to bed, though, get him to recall and expel the difficult parts before they followed him into sleep. Yosuke didn’t find his work stressful at all, usually. Paying the bills was stressful, but he didn’t know what that was like, to use so much of his energy on a single issue. At least … not since high school. And if Yu’s day was anything like that? Jeeze …

Yosuke’s body, now rising out of the dregs of sleep, moved on its own, his arm reaching out behind him to grasp at Yu’s form. He was still sleeping. His hip barely moved when Yosuke placed his palm over it. Yosuke kept it there, thinking of him. He hoped he was building a good life for them, where Yu could be truly happy and free to be whatever he wanted. He had recently found himself wishing that Yu wouldn’t have gone down the legal path, but that was honestly because he was now seeing just how stressful the work was. He couldn’t comprehend doing something that wrung out his brain all day. Junes was busy, sure, with sometimes long hours; but it was easy work and he was great at it, and it didn’t feel even remotely the same as what Yu had to face at that office.

He knew Yu’s salary would increase, too, as time went on - another reason Yosuke felt so twisted up about it. Higher pay usually meant more responsibility, and if Yu was tired from just being an intern, then what would happen when he made Associate? Partner? Would he get that far? Or would he just … collapse? He wanted to support him, but not at the risk of his health.

He flinched when he felt skin over his skin. He turned his head slightly and saw Yu moving, his hand coming over the top of his.

“Yosuke?” Yu mumbled.

Yosuke scooted back until he was pressed up against him, taking Yu’s arm and wrapping it around his torso, pulling his hand up close to his chest and pressing kisses to Yu’s fingertips. Yu sighed and hugged him back, shifting their hips so they were aligned comfortably together. He, too, kissed him, across the nape of his neck, nose brushing his hair aside so he could get to his skin.

“Do you hate your job?” he squeaked, studying Yu’s long fingers and nervously twisting the ring Yosuke placed there three years ago.

Yu hummed curiously against his neck and kissed it again. “Not at all; I love my job. It’s just challenging.”

“Really? But you’re always so tired when you get home.”

Yu grunted. “The commute is murder, and some days are harder than others. But I enjoy the work. Why? Have I been distant?”

“No, no, nothing like that,” Yosuke rushed to assure him. “Just making sure, I guess. You seemed pretty tired today, and we didn’t get to talk much.”

Yu snorted, planting another kiss. “You were the one who seemed dead on his feet.”

“I was n-” he started to defend. “Okay, maybe I was … but you seemed way more tired, partner.”

“I think we both just had long weeks. But, I promise-” he pulled his head up from Yosuke’s neck and turned him on his back to look him in the eyes, “I will tell you if it ever becomes too much.”

The rest of his questions died on his tongue because Yosuke knew he would. It felt good to hear it, all the same. It felt really good. He nodded and Yu sealed their pact with a small kiss. Yu rolled him back onto his side and buried his face in his neck like before. Yosuke suspected they were both supposed to go back to sleep now, but Yu kept kissing him, over and over, until it became too much.

Yosuke chuckled and knocked back into him. “Cut it out, that tickles.”

“Tickles?” Yu asked, grabbing a bit of his earlobe between gentle teeth. He kissed it afterwards and dotted his neck with more kisses, all the way around to the front of his throat until Yosuke was, yet again, being rolled onto his back and squirming and laughing. He worked his way up Yosuke’s jaw and caught his lips, leading them through a lingering kiss that quieted the last bubbles of laughter in Yosuke’s chest.

Their lips broke apart with a smack and Yosuke eyed him suspiciously. “Well, maybe not ‘tickles’ exactly …”

Yu smirked and leaned down for another kiss. Yosuke reciprocated and threaded a hand through Yu’s hair, his thumb tracing the sharp edge of his jaw. His stomach quivered excitedly when Yu took that opportunity to crawl on top of him; Yosuke let out a muffled grunt and slotted their legs together.

The soft movements of their bodies quickly worked their magic, riling both men up into a blissful state of arousal, hot and heady, especially once they felt the effects of their grinding bulging between each other’s legs.

Yosuke moaned. “Shit …” and grabbed Yu’s lips again, forcing his mouth open needily. It had been a really long week.

“Sure you’re not too tired for this, partner?” Yu mumbled into Yosuke’s mouth.

Yosuke thrust their hips together. “Never.”

Yu moaned and thrust back. “Ngh … same here.”

Yosuke lost track of time as they pushed and pulled against each other with an unspoken urgency. Yu lost his shirt and Yosuke’s mouth nipped his skin wherever it could reach, biting hard over Yu’s collarbone and enjoying the hiss that brushed his ear. It was fast and desperate, and they both finished hard, heaving against each other for several, long minutes trying to catch their breath - and enjoying it, feeling their hearts pound beneath their hands, skin trembling and alive, one soul in two sets of bones.

Yosuke threw his arm over Yu’s shoulders, now thoroughly spent. He thought he was exhausted before. He was still out of breath, but managed a chuckle at his own expense. Yu hummed into Yosuke’s skin and shifted, kissing lazy, sluggish kisses over his shoulder and up his neck.

“Nothing quite like a night with you to rejuvenate me,” he sighed.

Yosuke scoffed. “Speak for yourself. I’m more tired now than I was at dinner.”

Yu popped his head up and pecked him on the cheek. “Then let me kiss you back to sleep.” He started a line of kisses down his cheek towards his jaw, and Yosuke moaned.

“Nhn, I don’t wanna be kissed back to sleep,” he whined, already halfway there.

“Then what do you want?” Yu kept kissing him, downward and downward, until he reached his chest  and scattered it with more wet kisses.

“I wanna wake up,” Yosuke said, but he was fading fast.

“But it’s the middle of the night,” Yu tried to reason.

Yosuke made a frustrated little sound. “But you’re awake.”

“I told you. Being with you refreshes me.”

Yosuke blinked down at him a few times. Yu had stopped kissing him and was looking up innocently at him, his chin resting on his chest. “You really mean that?”

“Of course,” Yu answered, as if Yosuke had asked him quite the stupid question.

Yosuke blushed - he couldn’t believe he was still blushing over him after all these years - and quirked a tired smile. “You goofball.”

Yu maintained eye contact with him as he began another series of kisses over his chest, moving down over his abdomen, the dip between his ribs that ran towards his bellybutton.

“Don’t get too far down now. You’ll just get me all … you know,” Yosuke warned.

“I thought you wanted to wake up.” Yu said with a raised eyebrow.

Yosuke threw his arm over his eyes and laughed, then tucked it behind his head to support his neck as he peered downward at his partner. “Then have at it, you go-getter.”

Yu smirked in silent acceptance of the invitation and continued his trailing kisses. Yosuke closed his eyes and offered his body up to Yu’s warm lips and suckling mouth, instantly eager to feel the gentle pressure build within his body again, to feel Yu’s mouth bring him there. It didn’t matter that it was the middle of the night, and that Yosuke was half-dead with exhaustion. They had a slew of plans tomorrow - but only one plan tonight. Yosuke moaned when Yu hit his target, 60 hour week suddenly forgotten, the memory of Yu’s tired face sapped from his mind.

[orbemnews]

When You’re a Small Business, E-Commerce Is Tougher Than It Looks A chair sits in the middle of Holiday Market, a specialty grocer near Detroit, and if customers are lucky, they’ll find Tom Violante Sr. sitting in it. The 91-year-old founder still comes to work most days — and he knows where everything is in its 60,000 square feet. “He asks everyone if they found what they wanted,” said his son, Tom Violante Jr., who operates the store with his sister and brother-in-law. “If they haven’t, he’ll tell them which aisle it is in, how many steps it takes to get there, and where it’s located, knee, head or belly high.” That’s the type of customer service the store, in Royal Oak, Mich., is known for. So, when Tom Violante Jr. began considering offering online grocery shopping, he wanted to provide that same level of care. He didn’t expect the service to be a huge revenue generator, but he saw the future coming, as online brands such as Chewy and Winc wooed his customers away. In 2019, he assembled a team to build an online platform that could handle the store’s 60,000 items. He was glad he had when the pandemic hit. “When we first started, we were so busy people couldn’t get a pickup slot for a week, but we wanted to get it to within two days,” he said. “Now we’re at same-day pickup.” On a ledger of pandemic winners and losers, Holiday Market is in the positive column thanks to online shopping, which helped push the store’s overall revenue up 20 percent in 2020 compared with 2019. In fact, e-commerce is what prevented a catastrophic year for U.S. retailing. Instead of ending in a deep trough of red, online shopping pushed overall retail sales up nearly 3.5 percent, to $5.6 trillion, compared with the previous year, according to the research firm eMarketer. E-commerce alone grew by 33.6 percent in 2020. But Holiday Market’s success is an outlier for small merchants — the boom mostly helped big business. Ten large retailers accounted for 68 percent of all U.S. e-commerce sales last year — and Amazon alone represented more than half of all online sales. Big e-commerce businesses also absorbed nearly 60 percent of all warehouse space available last year, according to real estate analysts at CoStar Group. “The big just got bigger,” said Andrew Lipsman, principal analyst with eMarketer. For small businesses, he said, the benefit was wildly uneven. There were winner sectors, such as grocery, health and fitness, and direct-to-consumer brands, but apparel boutiques and other specialty retailers — especially those without existing e-commerce platforms — struggled. “The pandemic accelerated the growth of online commerce,” said Loren Padelford, vice president of Shopify, the e-commerce platform that predominantly serves independent retailers. “It woke a lot of people up to the idea that if you have to close your physical door, you need to have a digital door.” Shopify, a Canadian company, helps customers build online shops quickly — and many businesses turned to it for help when shutdown orders forced them to close. Shopify’s revenue grew by nearly 90 percent last year, and it now serves 1.7 million merchants globally. Rooshy Roy started her online beauty business, Aavrani, using Shopify; she never even considered opening a physical store. “We realized we could build a company that was all about culture and ingredients, and that selling direct to consumers could make it possible,” she said. Ms. Roy, a first-generation Indian-American, grew up making hair masks and other beauty products with her mother and grandmother, but she never felt proud of her heritage or her formulations until she met her business partner, Justin Silver, in business school. Together they’ve raised nearly $3 million from investors and introduced the first iteration of Aavrani in 2018. The response was lukewarm, so they pulled back and rebranded. Last summer they relaunched the New York City-based company with new packaging and a new plan for connecting to customers. The company primarily uses digital ads to generate sales, but Ms. Roy has also been using Instagram, TikTok and Clubhouse to connect directly with shoppers. She has developed a following on those platforms, she said, because she doesn’t post just about the products. She posts about what matters to her: the struggles of building a business, her upbringing, even confusion about what she is “supposed to look like” as the owner of a beauty brand. Updated  March 6, 2021, 6:57 p.m. ET “This is so different from the last version of the brand,” Ms. Roy said. “It’s less transactional, more authentic to who I am. It has really contributed to our growth.” In 2020, the company recorded $1 million in sales, Ms. Roy said. This year, she anticipates $6 million. But for brick-and-mortar stores considering e-commerce, success isn’t always as easy as posting a website and watching orders flow in. Even at Holiday Market, there were significant logistical challenges — like where to store all those online orders and keep them cool. Mr. Violante had to gut one of the prep kitchens to make room for new freezers and refrigerators dedicated to storage. In addition, he has to pay employees to shop the order, organize items and bring them to the curb. “It’s very expensive to have an online shopping program,” Mr. Violante said. Online shopping accounts for about 8 percent of all sales at the store, and there are 15 employees and one manager dedicated to the service. But Mr. Violante’s vision isn’t to be the best online grocer; he wants to be the place customers come for a great experience and use online ordering as an amenity. “If everything is delivered, how are you going to sit down and spark up a conversation with people?” he asked. “Losing that truly frightens me. So, we’ll be more like a food hall you see in the big cities, a place where there are common areas and community where people can talk to each other.” The cost and logistics of enacting an e-commerce strategy convinced Rachel Lutz not to open digital doors for her three Detroit clothing boutiques, the Peacock Room, Frida and Yama. “E-commerce websites are not a magical solution for saving small retail,” she said. For one, Ms. Lutz couldn’t find a good way to manage inventory across two sales channels. She carries a number of unique and specialty items, and she worried than an online customer could buy an item just as someone picked it up off a store shelf. And stocking separate inventories for online and in-store was too expensive. She also didn’t want to use her retail spaces as shipping and logistics centers when the cost of renting them is so much higher than warehouse space. In the end, she realized being a community-centered business was the most important thing. “I might be less efficient, but I have a more special and unique business and that’s what draws people to our store,” Ms. Lutz said. She hasn’t completely turned her back on e-commerce, though. Ms. Lutz used Facebook Live — a tool she was already familiar with — to create a home-shopping show. Several times a week she goes on camera and talks about the products in her store and the people who make them. She numbers the items and people post “sold” in the comments when they want to buy something. “Customers have started calling it ‘the Show,’” Ms. Lutz said. “I knew we had crossed from e-commerce to infotainment when I heard customers were watching it on their big-screen TVs.” Amina Daniels, the owner of Live Cycle Delight fitness studio in Detroit, is putting on her own show. She wishes she could just point a camera at one of her yoga or spinning instructors and start running Instagram Live, but she knows she needs high production values if she wants her customers to maintain their memberships. So Ms. Daniels built a mini production studio inside her spin room, investing thousands in microphones, lights and a film crew to produce on-demand video classes. But no matter how much she invests in her digital platform, it’s hard to go up against Peloton, which is well capitalized and has entire teams producing its digital classes. Last fiscal year, that company saw its sales surge 100 percent even as Live Cycle Delight’s revenue fell 80 percent. “Our competition changed,” Ms. Daniels said. “We’re not just competing with the gym down the street. Titans like Peloton and SoulCycle, they are true beneficiaries of this pandemic. We are working twice as hard to compete with those titans and with celebrity trainers.” About 30 customers left Live Cycle Delight for Peloton, Ms. Daniels said, but she found support in other ways. With the movement to support Black-owned businesses, people donated to her, and there was healthy demand for the studio’s branded merchandise, such as Pilates balls, T-shirts and booty bands, the stretchy bands that add resistance to a workout. These goods have proved so popular that Ms. Daniels struggles to keep them in stock on her website. Between the products, outdoor classes in the summer and memberships, she has been able to keep the three-year-old business open. The shift to e-commerce hasn’t been perfect, she said, but it’s been worth it. She reminds herself why she started the studio: to make fitness more accessible and inclusive. “Peloton is just one kind of experience,” she said. “We’re still here providing clients with an option to join us on the quest of better.” Source link Orbem News #Business #ECommerce #Small #Tougher #youre

[happy-meo]

1.5 K FOLLOWERS? TURN UP!

I don’t even know how to thank everyone T_T After such an emotional few days, you all have showed me such unending support, understanding, and love. I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am to have been blessed with beautiful followers such as yourselves. I had been thinking about dropping a little something for you all (not Masquerade III since I didn’t get to write more) and then I spotted my followers count, and WOW!! 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU <3

So as a thank you and also, as an apology for taking awhile with writing the Masquerade III finale, here are some snippets of my upcoming future works that I’ll be writing after Masquerade III. Keep reading below!

STORY 1: 

Jin’s Cupids. (Jin x Reader & 95z Jimin & Taehyung) [HP AU; Rom-com, Fluff] Summary: Jin has had a long time crush that he was doing nothing about, so his childhood friends took it upon themselves to do some magical match-making. But will their tricks and spells help, or will it just make things more awkward? 

          Jin had been in love with you for a few years now, but had never mustered up the courage to do anything past smiling at you as he took his seat diagonally behind you during Defense Against the Dark Arts. He lived for your reciprocated smiles, because for that moment, he could delude himself into thinking that he held your undivided attention. And that was enough for him.

           But his younger friends refused to let him be content with a simple, meaningless smile.

           "HYUNG!" Tae whined. "You literally mashed your name and her name together and doodled it all over your first year textbooks. Then when you handed it down to me, people thought I had a crush on you and had made a cute pet name for you."

           "Yeah, hyung. It's your sixth year at Hogwarts now. If you don't at least try to do something about your feelings, you might be hung up on her forever." Jimin twirled his quill suavely, earning a few giggles from girls eyeing him in the library.  

           Jin pursed his lips, trying to tune out his childhood friends, who were 3 years younger than him. It's not that he didn't want to ask you to Hogsmeade every single time, but he would always chicken out or someone else would beat him to it. The timing was just never right...or so he told himself. But he knew he always hesitated for too long and kept missing the opportunity. The more his attempts failed, the more he never wanted to try in the first place.

           "I know!" Tae exclaimed. The librarian shushed him scoldingly, and he smiled at her sheepishly. Then he turned back to Jin and Jimin, whispering this time. "How about we ask for a Time Turner, and then we can like freeze time so Jin-hyung can prepare something grand, and we can clear out the competition and her friends so it'll just be the two of them?"

           Tae was practically beaming sunshine out of his being. He thought his plan was insanely genius and innovative, and he was convinced it would work. Jin exhaled and shook his head.

           "First off, the Time Turner shouldn't be used for such purposes. Time is a tricky thing, Tae, and I don't want to mess with it, just so I could get a girl."

           Jimin grabbed Jin's shoulders and turned his hyung to face him. "No, hyung. This isn't a girl. This is the girl. Y/N noona is one of the hottest witches in the entire school. And if you date her, then WE get to hang out with her, and--"

           "THAT WOULD BE SO AWESOME!" Tae cheered.

           "Mr. Kim, one more sound from you and I will have to ask you to leave." The librarian warned.

           "Sorry." Tae scratched the back of his head and sunk into his chair.

           "I really need to ace this test guys." Jin collected his books. "I'm going back to the dorm. You're both so distracting."

           "Aww hyung!" Tae whined.

           Jin glared at him, and scurried out of the library in a hurry. But in his rush, he ended up colliding with someone that was entering, and it coincidentally ended up being you. His eyes widened and his ears turned red as he scrambled to his knees to help you pick up your fallen books.    

           "I-I'm so sorry!" he flustered.

           You giggled and held your books close to you. "It's alright. I was spacing out and wasn't looking."

           "Me neither." Jin blushed.

           You smiled and lingered a little, and Jin racked his brain for a conversation starter, but his mind had gone blank with your presence.

           "Were you studying?" You filled in the awkward silence.

           "Oh yeah, for our test coming up. But some of my 3rd year friends were getting a bit rowdy so I was going to head back to the dormitory."

           "Oh. I was just heading to the library to start studying." You chuckled. "It's usually packed, so maybe I could sit where you were sitting if it's still free?"

           "Noona!" Jimin waved. "There's a spot here for you~"

           Jin glared at his friends, acting like they were close to her when they weren't.

           "You don't mind, right?" You blinked up at Jin, who hurriedly turned his vicious expression directed at Jimin into a smile.

           "Mind what?"

           "If I sit in your spot?" she pointed. "I know you and your friends really like that table. The younger class deems it 'the table reserved for visuals'."

           Jin blushed and blurted out, "Then it seems the last chair was made to be filled by you."

           You stared at him, as if taken aback by his flirtatious comment, then you giggled. "A compliment from Kim Seokjin? It must be my lucky day."

           Jin felt himself warm at the sound of his name leaving her lips. He felt as if someone had casted Winguardium Leviosa on his entire being because he was soaring.

           "You sure you can't stay for a bit?" You questioned. "I don't really know your friends, but I know the 3rd year girls are very protective over them. I'd rather not be mauled for studying in their proximity."

           Jin blushed and smiled, gesturing for her to follow him back to the table, trying to maintain his cool. "We wouldn't want that to happen now would we?"

           Meanwhile, Tae and Jimin were whispering amongst each other while watching you two in conversation.

           "We have to do something, Jimin." Tae firmly stated. "He can't go on like this."

           "I know. His googly eyes are starting to irritate me. We need to give them a push."

           "How about this?" Tae whipped out his wand and whispered, "Winguardium Leviosa."

           "Tae, what're you doing?" Jimin whispered nervously.

           "Oh my goodness, Jin, you're floating." You gasped.

           "Wh-what?" Jin blinked.

           "You're floating!" You pointed at his feet, which were visibly off the ground.

           Jin looked down and screamed, flailing his arms and legs in panic.

           Taehyung giggled. "This'll totally get them together."

           Jimin sighed and shook his head as he watched you trying to reach for Jin who was halfway towards the ceiling.

STORY 2:

Save Me. (Yoongi x Reader) [Secret Agent AU; Mystery, Action, Angst, & Fluff]

           And you hadn't thought of Yoongi, your first love, the boyfriend that had humiliated you and broke your heart all on the same day, for years. No, you didn't become an undercover agent just so you could become someone new, someone different, someone better. You didn't graduate at the top of your training class to prove to him that, unlike what he had said back in high school, you were worth it, you were enough, you had something to offer.

           And yet, when you finally convinced yourself that you had escaped his hold on you; that you were going to step into the new world of being a secret agent, filled with adventure, thrill, and challenges, there he appeared, tauntingly flashing his gummy smile as you entered the room with the rest of your training class. How you had spotted him amongst the crowd of graduates from various training sects, you had no idea. But you felt yourself sink back in line, praying you were hallucinating and praying you two would never have to cross paths, because there were sheer thousands of training agents and only limited spots in the most coveted division of the agency-- the SA -- the Special Agent Division. The SA was specifically reserved for the most promising agents of the highest caliber, because this division was in charge of taking on the most advanced, and highly secretive and sensitive cases and investigations. These agents were always on the field, putting their skills to the test in life-or-death situations. But why was Min Yoongi here out of all places?

           "Y/N."

           Your name being called out by an official at the podium pulled you out of your thoughts. Your class separated to make a path for you to walk to the stage. You had missed the entire shpeal leading up to your name being called, but you could only assume you were getting recognition for being the top training agent in your class. You kept your eyes peeled forward, fighting back the urge to check Yoongi's reaction to your presence, not wanting him to know that you were already aware of his presence. Smiling brightly, you stood beside the official with your head held high and your shoulders back confidently.

           "I am proud to announce that Y/N of Class #1 has unanimously been chosen to be part of the Special Agents Division, for her outstanding performance in all training modules. Please give her a round of applause!"  

           You grinned happily and your eyes briefly flitted to where Yoongi was. He was wearing a stunned expression. Your eyes locked with his, but you averted hurriedly, heart beating wildly.

           "And unprecedentedly, the SA has chosen her partner among the other accepted training agents, for they both had achieved perfect scores on all simulations and training modules. We look forward to cultivating their amazing potential. Without further ado, her partner is none other than, Class #9's resident genius, Min Yoongi!"

           Your eyes widened in pure shock, and your ears seemed to drown out the thunderous applause that erupted from the announcement. Yoongi, with his irritatingly disarming grin, made his way towards you, eyes never leaving yours until he positioned himself next to you.

           As was custom when receiving your life long agent partner, you both turned to face each other and bowed deeply. Then you extended your hand boldly, and his slotted into yours gently, as it once had many years ago. He smiled warmly and squeezed your hand.

           "Long time no see, Y/N."

           "Your next mission is to investigate the recent serial killings in a prestigious high school."

           "High school?" You choked out. It brought back a flood of negative memories stemming from the person sitting beside you.

           "Yes, you're both going to be posing as new female transfer students."

           It was Yoongi's turn to choke on his water. "Sorry, I might've misheard. We're both going to be female transfer students??"

           "Yes." Your director chuckled and slid over all of the necessary documents and a run-down of your new assignment. "As of now Mr. Min, you are officially female, high school junior, Min Yoonji."

Hope you all like the little teasers :) And I’ll see you all back after a week ~ thanks again for all your love and support! Stay healthy and safe! And have a wonderful week everyone ~

And shout out to @2cool4skool-06-12-13 for helping me with this decision <3