Showing posts with label business advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business advice. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Women Entrepreneurs Are On The Rise
Women entrepreneurs lead one in five startups around the globe. The ratio of female founders to male soared 30% over the last year and a half, reports Gust, the Manhattan-based global platform for early-stage investing, which collects data on more than 200,000 companies, angel investors and venture capitalists. In the U.S. the percentage is slightly higher than one in five (22.8%). Led byBelgium, France; and Spain, even sclerotic Europe is producing women-run companies, now 16% of the total but a 45% jump in the overall ratio during the last 18 months. What’s behind the surge? Largely technology across multiple industries, says Gust. It lowers costs and barriers to entrepreneurial entry–and, with the help of remote tools like the cloud and Skype, helps women reconcile the pulls of family and career. from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/tompost/2013/03/27/around-the-world-women-entrepreneurs-are-on-the-rise/
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
10 Reasons You Should Work For Yourself
Imagine a life in which you can live on your own terms, have the freedom to choose how you spend your time and the projects on which you work. With enough planning, patience and determination, this situation can be yours. Check out these 10 reasons you should get started today:from the article "Why You Should Be Your Own Boss: 10 Reasons You Should Work For Yourself"
1. The flexibility to work anywhere
2. Do work that you enjoy
3. You have the opportunity to create jobs
4. Choose how much money you earn
5. You don’t have to answer to anyone
6. You will become more resilient
7. You will develop self-discipline
8. You can live a more meaningful life
9. You will develop business sense
10. You will leave a legacy behind
Read the full article here:
http://elitedaily.com/money/entrepreneurship/why-you-should-be-your-own-boss-10-reasons-you-should-work-for-yourself/
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Entrepreneurs Explain Why They Started Their Businesses
Check out the blog post "Entrepreneurs Explain Why They Started Their Businesses" on Hearpreneuer and see some reasons why people started their own businesses including a response from My Accessory Business President Megan Andrus:
See the article here: http://hear.ceoblognation.com/2013/10/24/start-business/
Starting with Excitement & Passion
I started my own business because I was designing advertising and doing marketing for a variety of other businesses and was helping them to become successful, so I figured, why not start a business involving something I’m excited and passionate about- jewelry and accessories- and make it successful for myself. I realized that there was a need in the market for all-inclusive accessory sales kits. No one else was selling anything like this online. The way I figured this out was because I myself was looking for this type of sales kit and couldn’t find what I wanted, so I created it.See the article here: http://hear.ceoblognation.com/2013/10/24/start-business/
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Questions to ask yourself before starting a business
Before you start any type of business, you should ask yourself these questions in order to prepare for the work ahead. Don't get discouraged by the number of questions and if you don't have the answer to them right away. Just asking yourself these questions is the first step to getting started. You can figure out the answers along the way and find new answers as you go. This list of questions comes from sba.gov a good source for advice on starting a small business.
- Why am I starting a business?
- What kind of business do I want?
- Who is my ideal customer?
- What products or services will my business provide?
- Am I prepared to spend the time and money needed to get my business started?
- What differentiates my business idea and the products or services I will provide from others in the market?
- Where will my business be located?
- How many employees will I need?
- What types of suppliers do I need?
- How much money do I need to get started?
- Will I need to get a loan?
- How soon will it take before my products or services are available?
- How long do I have until I start making a profit?
- Who is my competition?
- How will I price my product compared to my competition?
- How will I set up the legal structure of my business?
- What taxes do I need to pay?
- What kind of insurance do I need?
- How will I manage my business?
- How will I advertise my business?
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
5 Reasons to Start a Business, Even in This Economy
Starting your own business has long been considered a risky proposition. Just the potential for failure and loss discourages many would-be entrepreneurs from giving it a go. Intimidated by oft-reported statistics like “50% of all businesses fail within the first two years,” even those with great ideas or lots of skill frequently decide to play it “safe.”
article from Adelaide Lancaster on Forbes.com: http://www.forbes.com/sites/thebigenoughcompany/2011/11/03/5-reasons-to-start-a-business-even-in-this-economy/
Perhaps in economies past you could legitimately argue that starting a business was just too big a gamble, but the tables have turned. Now becoming an entrepreneur is not only a safe and manageable career prospect, but it’s also the best (and perhaps only) way to get what you want professionally.
Here’s 5 reasons why it makes sense to start a business…evenespecially now!
1. Job Security Doesn’t Exist
Job security is a thing of the past. It used to be that you could safely commit to a well-trodden and clearly defined corporate career path. No longer. Not only has the corporate contract changed, but industries are evolving so quickly that jobs appear, change, or disappear practically overnight. All of this is true even in a good economy—so if you account for the economic downturn of these last few years, the stability of traditional employment weakens even further. So much so, actually, that scores of former employees have decided to become their own bosses to make their jobs more secure.
2. You Don’t Have to Bet the Farm
The risk for any experiment or new venture can never be mitigated completely, but it’s up to you to decide just how much to chance. You can put yourself in a risky position by keeping your genius idea to yourself, double-mortgaging the house (or racking up credit card debt), and launching the biggest version of your dream possible. Or you can play it safer by soliciting lots of feedback in advance of launching and finding small inexpensive ways to test your idea in the market. Neither path guarantees success, but the latter certainly insulates you from total devastation in the case of failure.
3. You Know How to Get More from Less
Several years of a significant recession has made us all experts in how to get more from less. We are more productive and thriftier than ever. Each dollar goes further and each minute matters more. This is the exact mindset that an entrepreneur needs to be successful. In the past corporate refugees could take years to figure this out. Now people are showing up to entrepreneurship prepared from the start.
4. Satisfaction Matters
One benefit of this otherwise devastating recession has been the shift in our collective definition of success. While we used to lust after big ticket items and sacrifice for far-off rewards, we now know that daily satisfaction reigns supreme. After all, things don’t necessarily bring happiness and future promises are never guaranteed. What really matters is how rewarding and fulfilling our daily life is. It’s a reality that entrepreneurs get to uniquely exploit. Because when you’re the boss you get to do the work you want on your terms. And if, at some point, your business no longer adds up to happiness, you have the power to make the necessary changes so that it does again.
5. And So Does Regret…
Of all the business-related angst I’ve witnessed, nothing seems more haunting than the experience of regret. That mournful curiosity about “what could have been”—if only you had done something differently and given your business venture a shot. It’s a feeling much worse than failure. That doesn’t mean that you need to pursue every idea you have, but you owe it to your future self to at least explore the possibility seriously. You won’t regret things that you decide not to do for a good reason, only the things you decide not to do for bad ones.
The truth is, the risks associated with entrepreneurship are all relative. And now that the rules of the game have changed so much, it’s not fair to write off the possibility of starting your own business just because it’s too “risky.” You actually may stand to lose a lot more if you don’t.
article from Adelaide Lancaster on Forbes.com: http://www.forbes.com/sites/thebigenoughcompany/2011/11/03/5-reasons-to-start-a-business-even-in-this-economy/
Friday, August 23, 2013
Women-Led Startups Are The Key To New Job Creation: Report via: fastcompany.com
Women-Led Startups Are The Key To New Job Creation: Report
BY E.B. BOYDWed Sep 28, 2011
So says a new paper from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. "If we’re looking for an answer to jobs," Kauffman vice president Lesa Mitchell tells us, "it’s right in front of our face."
The country is in a recession, and Washington is tangling over how to create new jobs, but, according to a new paper from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, there’s a fairly simple potential source of them sitting right under our noses.
Women start high-growth companies, like those in high tech, at lower rates than men do, Kauffman-supported research has found. But the reason for this is systemic, rather than due to women’s innate capacity for entrepreneurialism, says the paper, titled “Overcoming the Gender Gap: Women Entrepreneurs as Economic Drivers.”
See the complete article posted at: http://www.fastcompany.com/1783387/women-led-startups-the-key-to-new-job-creation-report
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Selling jewelry online using the catalog
A lot of people ask about
how they can use the catalog to sell online as we do not currently offer
personalized websites to sell from. So, we have put together some tips for
those who want to sell from the catalog to their friend and family online. See
more about the catalog at: http://www.myaccessorybusiness.com/catalog/
Selling through email- Attach
the catalog in an email to your family and friends asking them to check out the
jewelry you are selling. You can make a list of each piece by name and send
them a price list, or you can make all pieces one price. Ask them to email you
the list of items they would like to order.
Selling on facebook or a website- You are able to send a link to the PDF catalog, currently: http://www.myaccessorybusiness.com/content/MAB_summer2013.pdf Through facebook, your blog, your website, twitter, etc... and also list your prices online or give one price for all and ask your customers to email you with the list of items they would like to purchase from you.
Giving
discounts- You can offer your own discounts to your customers
to get them to buy more. For instance, if you sell each piece for $10 each, you
can offer a deal such as Buy 2 get one free or 2 for $15 and still make a very
nice profit.
Getting a
deposit- If you would like to collect money ahead of time
from your customers who are buying from you, you may take their order and ask
them to pay you through online payment sources like paypal. You may ask for a
deposit of 50% or 100% of the total. It's up to you. This will help you, so
that you will have the funds to pay for the items. You may also want to add a
shipping fee if you plan on shipping the items to your online customers.
Shipping- If most
of your customers are not located near you, you may want to charge a shipping
fee for the items so that when you receive your order from My Accessory
Business, you will be able to pay for the shipping to them.
Pricing your items- Most of
the items on My Accessory Business are $2.99 each. You can price each item however you would like but we suggest for the best results, you could price your items from between $6-$12.
For more information about the catalogs and accessories, visit www.myaccessorybusiness.com
Friday, July 26, 2013
"Can You Learn to be an Entrepreneur?" from "Teach a CEO"
Entrepreneurship is more than a popular buzzword. It is a way of life. There has been an ongoing argument about whether entrepreneurs are born or made so we asked entrepreneurs and business owners if someone can learn to be an entrepreneur. Megan Andrus, president of "My Accessory Business" comments on what she believes it takes to be an Entrepreneur in this "Teach a CEO" blog post.
from "Can You Learn to be an Entrepreneur?"
from "Can You Learn to be an Entrepreneur?"
Yes…If They’re A Self-Starter
I think you can teach someone the values of entrepreneurship, but they have to already be enough of a self-starter to do it on their own. I have had several friends ask me about wanting to go into business with me, so I test them and say, “ok, well let’s start researching this and that” so I give them sorta an assignment to see what they come back to me with and I also do my own part to research. Usually I get nothing back from them, or if I gave them something to look at, they end up not even reading it. That’s how you know that they’re not serious about starting a business with you they really want you to do all the work and then let them do the fun stuff. No thanks! Basically, I think you show someone the ropes of what it takes to do it on their own, but without that drive to do it on their own, they’ll always be an employee. Working for people in the beginning showed me how to later do it myself.
Thanks Megan Andrus, My Accessory Business!
Friday, July 5, 2013
Person to person selling
Did you know that 64.3% of product sales are made by individual/ person-to-person selling?
Direct Sales is the act of selling products away from a retail location, a storefront. So basically it is selling products one on one to people from your home. Person-to-person selling is the most widely used method in direct sales. This method of direct selling also involves various strategies but essentially involve interacting directly with a customer for the purpose of pitching in products and services and selling them. These can be in the form of door-to-door selling, selling by phone, catalogue distribution, and other such individual marketing efforts. Most independent sales consultants initially start by selling products and services to friends and family and expand their network of customers from there. It is not advisable to just sell to family and friends, as while it is a convenient and viable option initially, one cannot achieve one's financial goals by only selling within one’s comfort zone. There are many ways by which you can build a network and it all starts with getting the message across to your customers.
My Accessory Business offers sales kits that include everything you need to start selling to customers directly with all inclusive sales kits starting at only $49. These kits include over $150 worth of jewelry. You can set your own prices and sell each piece directly to your customers. Visit www.MyAccessoryBusiness.com for more information on sales kit options available.
Direct Sales is the act of selling products away from a retail location, a storefront. So basically it is selling products one on one to people from your home. Person-to-person selling is the most widely used method in direct sales. This method of direct selling also involves various strategies but essentially involve interacting directly with a customer for the purpose of pitching in products and services and selling them. These can be in the form of door-to-door selling, selling by phone, catalogue distribution, and other such individual marketing efforts. Most independent sales consultants initially start by selling products and services to friends and family and expand their network of customers from there. It is not advisable to just sell to family and friends, as while it is a convenient and viable option initially, one cannot achieve one's financial goals by only selling within one’s comfort zone. There are many ways by which you can build a network and it all starts with getting the message across to your customers.
My Accessory Business offers sales kits that include everything you need to start selling to customers directly with all inclusive sales kits starting at only $49. These kits include over $150 worth of jewelry. You can set your own prices and sell each piece directly to your customers. Visit www.MyAccessoryBusiness.com for more information on sales kit options available.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Startup Nation mentions "My Accessory Business" in Budget Friendly tips blog
Startup Nation mentions tips given by My Accessory Business president Megan Andrus as the #1 tip for "10 Budget Friendly Ways to Market Your Business" by Wendy Kelly
Read more at http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/?p=5094#Kf4QwPiEMA7XgGhD.99
1. Have a Giveaway
Tip #1- Do giveaways on Facebook, your blog, and/or other blogs that have a lot of traffic. Give away something small from your business about once a month and ask that to enter the contest, you must “like” your Facebook page. There are several free giveaway apps on Facebook that will even send the message to their followers and also run the contest by picking the winner for you. I’ve watched my fan page grown from about 200 likes to almost 3,000 likes in around 6 months just from giveaways, and I get many customers and a lot of feedback also from these giveaways.
Thanks to: Megan Andrus from My Accessory Business
Read more at http://www.startupnation.com/business-blogs/?p=5094#Kf4QwPiEMA7XgGhD.99
Thursday, June 20, 2013
More reasons why to mark up jewelry prices times x2.2 or more
As a follow-up to a previous article, I wanted to mention some reasons just why you should mark up your jewelry by x2.2 - 2.8 other than just to give discounts or sales.
1. I you throw a jewelry party at your house, you will likely be serving drinks or appetizers, you have to add in this as the cost of what your selling. Businesses even write off these types of expenses as customer relations entertaining because you are spending money to make money by entertaining potential customers.
2. You may have to spend money on advertising, invitations, a website, your time spent making sales calls. You should figure that some money may need to be spent other than just buying the product to sell. The more you have to spend, the less profit you make, so you have to be sure this all balances out. If you send out invitations through the mail to invite your friends to a jewelry party, you are spending money on stamps, paper, etc... This all comes out of your profit, so you have to be sure you are figuring this in.
3. Renting space at a booth or show will cost you money. How are you going to make the money back that you spent on a booth if you sell each piece at less than double what you paid for it? You should be aiming to make almost double even after the expenses. You can't sell pieces for $5 each if you paid $3 and still be able to pay for the booth space and still make a profit. You must sell each piece at $6 - $7 minimum to make a profit.
As a final thought, I really wonder if these other companies are just banking on the possibility of their customers being bad at math or business numbers to buy their product and tell them that they have to sell it at a certain price and not mark it up enough. I would be surprised if their sales reps success rate was over 5%... if that much is even possible on those margins. Don't be fooled by other companies with overpriced kits for $300 + that just want to make a quick buck off of you. You can make real money selling jewelry at the right mark up. Visit www.MyAccessoryBusiness.com to see the selection of sales kits available where you can set your own prices!
1. I you throw a jewelry party at your house, you will likely be serving drinks or appetizers, you have to add in this as the cost of what your selling. Businesses even write off these types of expenses as customer relations entertaining because you are spending money to make money by entertaining potential customers.
2. You may have to spend money on advertising, invitations, a website, your time spent making sales calls. You should figure that some money may need to be spent other than just buying the product to sell. The more you have to spend, the less profit you make, so you have to be sure this all balances out. If you send out invitations through the mail to invite your friends to a jewelry party, you are spending money on stamps, paper, etc... This all comes out of your profit, so you have to be sure you are figuring this in.
3. Renting space at a booth or show will cost you money. How are you going to make the money back that you spent on a booth if you sell each piece at less than double what you paid for it? You should be aiming to make almost double even after the expenses. You can't sell pieces for $5 each if you paid $3 and still be able to pay for the booth space and still make a profit. You must sell each piece at $6 - $7 minimum to make a profit.
As a final thought, I really wonder if these other companies are just banking on the possibility of their customers being bad at math or business numbers to buy their product and tell them that they have to sell it at a certain price and not mark it up enough. I would be surprised if their sales reps success rate was over 5%... if that much is even possible on those margins. Don't be fooled by other companies with overpriced kits for $300 + that just want to make a quick buck off of you. You can make real money selling jewelry at the right mark up. Visit www.MyAccessoryBusiness.com to see the selection of sales kits available where you can set your own prices!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
My Accessory Business listed as TOP Home Jewelry Business Idea on Empower Network!
Home jewelry business company My Accessory Business is listed as TOP Home Jewelry Business Idea on Empower Network's article
"Top 7 Home Jewelry Business Ideas You Can Start For Less Than $500"
Details:
Investment: $49 – $199
Details: Everyone knows that for handmade jewelry and accessories, Etsy is the place to be to sell your wares. But what if you don’t want to make it yourself? You can still get a foothold in the home jewelry business by purchasing wholesale items from My Accessory Business and setting your own retail price. The company sells ready-made sales kits that come with an assortment of jewelry, accessory displays for your shows, as well as, price tags, storage containers, business cards and a get started guide on how to maximize your jewelry selling business.
Details: Everyone knows that for handmade jewelry and accessories, Etsy is the place to be to sell your wares. But what if you don’t want to make it yourself? You can still get a foothold in the home jewelry business by purchasing wholesale items from My Accessory Business and setting your own retail price. The company sells ready-made sales kits that come with an assortment of jewelry, accessory displays for your shows, as well as, price tags, storage containers, business cards and a get started guide on how to maximize your jewelry selling business.
Find out more about home jewelry sales kits from My Accessory Business at www.MyAccessoryBusiness.com
Friday, June 7, 2013
Why you must mark up your jewelry x2.2 or more
Make 50%-150% - You set the price
Unlike many other jewelry sales companies out there, with My Accessory Business sales kits, you can set your own prices for the jewelry you sell. Don't be fooled by sites that sell expensive $300+ jewelry kits with 100 pieces and then tell you to sell each piece for $5... how can anyone many any money when you're only making $2 per piece? The general rule in clothing and accessory sales is that you mark up your products x2.2 - x2.8 This is what most retail stores follow for success. If each piece is costing you about $3, you should be charging about $6 - $7 in order to make a profit that is worthwhile. In many cases you can even sell each piece for over $10 making even MORE profit!
Letting you choose your own prices gives you the opportunity to give special discounts which we all know work well! Who can resist a SALE?! Try pricing your items at $10 per piece and then doing a sale 2 for $15... Then you are more likely to sell 2 pieces and you will make about $7.50 per piece. Or 3 piece for $20-$25... etc. It's fun to negotiate and use your sales skills to sell MORE to each customer without having to go too low on price. How are you supposed to give a discount when you have to sell a piece for $5 that you paid $3 for... you can't. There is no competition... My Accessory Business is the right way to sell jewelry! Buy a jewelry sales kit today at www.MyAccessoryBusiness.com
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Why have jewelry on hand for sales?
Having
sample jewelry on hand is an excellent way to show off your merchandise
besides on a catalog page. You have an opportunity to bring
your jewelry to life at minimal cost to you by purchasing a sales kit from My Accessory Business.
Having jewelry pieces on hand is an excellent way to
promote your business by:
- Show off the quality of your merchandise
- Present customers with special "buy now" deals
- Establish yourself as an style expert
- Sell on the go
If you’d like to take your business to the next level, we highly recommend purchasing some inventory for your business in an all-inclusive sales kit, a jewelry-only kit, or purchasing individual pieces at our wholesale prices.
Visit www.MyAccessoryBusiness.com New customers can receive $5 off when they spend $30 on our website with coupon code: 5OFF30
Monday, April 15, 2013
Tips on finding online sales
Finding online sales can be annoying sometimes. You have to usually rely on your email or trying to google the shop just to find sales and coupons. There is an easier way! Download free browser plus-ins and bookmark lets that will do the work for you. Here are some good ones:

- www.joinhoney.com
- www.couponshelper.com
- www.poachit.com
As you shop online around the internet, these tools will alert you about sales and provide you discount codes to use and checkout. Simple and quick- try it out! Everyone loves a sale!

- www.joinhoney.com
- www.couponshelper.com
- www.poachit.com
As you shop online around the internet, these tools will alert you about sales and provide you discount codes to use and checkout. Simple and quick- try it out! Everyone loves a sale!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Naming your business
One of the hardest parts to starting a business is picking a name. Of course, many people use their own name, whether it's both their first and last name or just their last name for the business. But not all businesses use a personal name. Some pick a name that relates well to the type of business or use the type of business like "jewelry" or "accessories" in the business name itself.
Another way to get your creative juices flowing in the name game is to use an online name generator to help you come up with some ideas of what name to use. Check out this website that includes a couple different name generators to play around with to help you find a unique and perfect name for your business, no matter what it is. http://www.wordlab.com/name-generators/
Be sure to check on if the name is being used by another business, if it is copyrighted and if the website domain is available to buy because most likely, you will want a website, if not now, then eventually. Even if your website will just have information about your business, you will still want people to be able to find that information easily by typing in your business name online and finding your website, You don't want the name to fall among a large number of companies with similar names. For instance, when you google the name, make sure that there are not any names that are too similar to your business name. That way, when someone types the name in google, your company will pop up immediately. You don't want your business to come up on the 2nd or 3rd page.
Once you have a name picked out, it's time to design a logo. You can design one yourself or use a graphic designer to help you design a custom logo that will fit your business. Check out www.liquidreddesign.com for examples of logos.
Another way to get your creative juices flowing in the name game is to use an online name generator to help you come up with some ideas of what name to use. Check out this website that includes a couple different name generators to play around with to help you find a unique and perfect name for your business, no matter what it is. http://www.wordlab.com/name-generators/
Be sure to check on if the name is being used by another business, if it is copyrighted and if the website domain is available to buy because most likely, you will want a website, if not now, then eventually. Even if your website will just have information about your business, you will still want people to be able to find that information easily by typing in your business name online and finding your website, You don't want the name to fall among a large number of companies with similar names. For instance, when you google the name, make sure that there are not any names that are too similar to your business name. That way, when someone types the name in google, your company will pop up immediately. You don't want your business to come up on the 2nd or 3rd page.
Once you have a name picked out, it's time to design a logo. You can design one yourself or use a graphic designer to help you design a custom logo that will fit your business. Check out www.liquidreddesign.com for examples of logos.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
What you should know before commencing a retail start-up?
Looking back on the past 18 years of my
life, I can confidently assert that I’ve put in some long, hard yards in the
retail sector. My first couple of retail jobs were for high end fashion labels.
The price tags were stratospheric, the quality questionable, and the designs
unimaginative. Consequently we made approximately four sales a week. With so
much time to stare listlessly out the window, I did what any reasonable person
would do, and ate all day, every day, until I began to resemble Violet from
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory after she turns into a super heavy human
blueberry. Yet somehow, the owners of the business scraped together a passable
income from these paltry takings. They would not be so fortunate these days.
The changes that have taken place since that time are truly extraordinary. The retail landscape has been indelibly marked by the advent of online shopping, and would be retailers more so than ever need a strong grasp on the fundamental requirements of a successful business. The retail sector I started in no longer exists- the one in which retailers could afford to make mistakes.
Street retailers, ideally, should be trading in a product that people do not traditionally feel comfortable purchasing online. If your product is one which people can cheaply and readily get online, it is vital that you create a unique shopping experience for them within your store. Loyalty cards are a terrific idea, as are in house launches, exclusive previews of new collections with drinks and canapes, seasonal parties - anything that helps people identify your shop as a destination.
Research the competition. When I began my second retail job, at a thriving little boutique selling quirky designs imported from Hong Kong, there was nothing else like it around. Fast forward fifteen years, and the streets are littered with imitators. Unfortunately, the business is now struggling to make ends meet- much less exceeding sales targets as a matter of course. Ask yourself this: does my business have long term viability? Is it easily replicated by would be imitators?
But if you get it right, the rewards are great. With planning and foresight, there’s no reason your retail business shouldn’t thrive. For more information, visit Jeanette Maree.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Woman in Business Profile- One With The Water
Alissandra Hurdelbrink enjoys her career as a swim lesson teacher and an important part of the Los Angeles based non-profit organization One With The Water. She enjoys teaching children with special needs because she says "they have this special untouched innocence to them. They live in
their own world and they just need to be understand in that realm.
Everyone thinks to change their world to make it more like everyone
else. When I think we need to dive into their world and see it from
their eyes."
Alissandra grew up overly athletic and constantly taking part in a few sports at a time. She knew that she wanted to work with children but she wasn't sure what exactly she would be doing.
A couple years ago she started going back to school to earn a BS in Kinesology and knew some type of coaching was in her future.
She had never thought about teaching swim lessons until she was approached by fellow swim lesson teacher, Coach Kenneth. Her first student was on the autism spectrum and she fell in love with him. She says "He had such a great heart and he was definitely "One with The Water". It was his safe place, plus he probably had more fun in the pool than anyone else out there. When you teach kids with special needs new movements it builds on so many parts of their daily functioning. Improves motor skills, coordination and muscle memory. Like I said it touches base on one aspect out of a thousand."
Alissandra uses the words "incredible and amazing" to describe how she feels when she's teaching kids swimming. She says, "you are shaping so many aspects of their lives. It's not just the art of swimming you are touching base on, it's one puzzle piece in a game of a million pieces. It's pretty incredible to see when a child really starts to understand what they are doing in the water with all the movements. Every child learns at their own pace, but some kids respond at an incredible pace and it's pretty amazing to watch it happen."
As far as anything on the business side of things, Alissandra takes care of most of the scheduling and talking with potential clients. Together with Coach Kenneth, they go to events and advertise online, newspapers, and more.
She said that keeping the clients coming back is pretty easy for her because the kids have so much fun and really learn so much. She makes it a point to make learning fun and still make progress with the lesson plan.
For more information about One With The Water, visit www.Onewiththewater.org
www.facebook.com/onewiththewater
A couple years ago she started going back to school to earn a BS in Kinesology and knew some type of coaching was in her future.
She had never thought about teaching swim lessons until she was approached by fellow swim lesson teacher, Coach Kenneth. Her first student was on the autism spectrum and she fell in love with him. She says "He had such a great heart and he was definitely "One with The Water". It was his safe place, plus he probably had more fun in the pool than anyone else out there. When you teach kids with special needs new movements it builds on so many parts of their daily functioning. Improves motor skills, coordination and muscle memory. Like I said it touches base on one aspect out of a thousand."
Alissandra uses the words "incredible and amazing" to describe how she feels when she's teaching kids swimming. She says, "you are shaping so many aspects of their lives. It's not just the art of swimming you are touching base on, it's one puzzle piece in a game of a million pieces. It's pretty incredible to see when a child really starts to understand what they are doing in the water with all the movements. Every child learns at their own pace, but some kids respond at an incredible pace and it's pretty amazing to watch it happen."
As far as anything on the business side of things, Alissandra takes care of most of the scheduling and talking with potential clients. Together with Coach Kenneth, they go to events and advertise online, newspapers, and more.
She said that keeping the clients coming back is pretty easy for her because the kids have so much fun and really learn so much. She makes it a point to make learning fun and still make progress with the lesson plan.
For more information about One With The Water, visit www.Onewiththewater.org
www.facebook.com/onewiththewater
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Great tips for starting your own jewelry business
It's good to do a little research on good tips before starting your own business. I've compiled a list of some tips I've gotten from several sources that are useful for those who want to start their own jewelry business. Some of these can be for any business in general and some are more specifically for jewelry businesses:
- Make a Jewelry Business Plan
The Home Jewelry Business Success Tips website states that "a jewelry business plan can boost your success by helping you organize and analyze your goals and define how you'll achieve them. It also encourages you to consider your plan of action for turning your jewelry business dream into reality." Since there are many people hoping to sell jewelry through a home-based jewelry business, having a written plan ensures being set apart from the rest. Include goals in time-frame specific entities such as how much inventory to build up in a specific time frame and projected sales numbers and how you will reach that goal.
- Buying Jewelry to Sell
Purchase jewelry from wholesale jewelry companies. Create a diverse inventory to suit a variety of customers. Jewelry items may include earrings, necklaces, bracelets or jewelry sets with matching earrings and necklaces. My Accessory Business offers wholesale priced jewelry in sales kits that include a variety of jewelry to perfect to re-sell. www.MyAccessoryBusiness.com
- Pricing Inventory
Pricing of the inventory in a jewelry business is directly tied to the business's success. Price pieces according to the price your paid for the piece. Avoid pricing jewelry too high--a common mistake in home-based jewelry businesses. Price the piece competitively, but allow enough room for profit. On the other hand, jewelry that is priced too low may give off the wrong impression to consumers. Consider the "projected value" a piece of jewelry has on a customer to further determine pricing.
- Get the word out!
Create fliers, brochures and business cards to give out to those who might be interested in purchasing from your in-home jewelry business. Include pictures of your samples in on your fliers and brochures. Ask your friends and family members to tell others about your business. Many of their friends and coworkers may be interested in unique gifts.
- Online sales vs. store sales
There are many ways in which to sell jewelry. The Internet is a growing force in the jewelry business world, but home "parties" where the seller presents jewelry to families and friends are also common. Flea markets and craft fairs are another venue for jewelry sales, as are local consignment shops. Pick a venue that suits your business plan and model, and take into consideration the amount of profit to be made from each. Flea markets and fairs often charge a fee for the space rental, and consignment shops often take royalties off each product sold.
In order to stand out and make a dent in the jewelry business, it is wise to set up some kind of online storefront where people can submit orders. This increases the number of customers able to be reached, but it also creates the need for a bigger inventory. Unless you have a sizable amount of jewelry for sale or have an abundance of labor to create it for you, do not open an individual website, as this can lead to customers being disappointed. Online consignment shops may be the best option for those with little inventory. The cost of creating a website ranges from free (if you do it yourself) to hundreds of dollars. If you open a web storefront, be sure to use a quality professional camera to take photos of your creations. Consider having a model wear the pieces rather than just placing them on a blank white background. Experiment with different photo techniques for dramatic effects that can greatly increase web jewelry sales.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
New Fall 2012 Catalogs- pre-sell jewelry and make sales!
Check out our new Fall 2012 catalogs with a brand new selection of hot celebrity inspired jewelry. Visit our catalog page for more information: http://www.myaccessorybusiness.com/catalog/
Click here to download a PDF copy of the catalog to print at home now:
www.myaccessorybusiness.com/content/MAB_fall2012.pdf
No printer? Just fill out the form and we'll mail you a copy of the catalog.
Click here to download a PDF copy of the catalog to print at home now:
www.myaccessorybusiness.com/content/MAB_fall2012.pdf
No printer? Just fill out the form and we'll mail you a copy of the catalog.
How to use the catalog:
1. Print out the most current catalog from: www.myaccessorybusiness.com/content/MAB_fall2012.pdf on your home computer. This includes an order form. Check back to the website for the most current catalog available.
2. Write in your own prices in the spaces provided next to the jewelry. It is a good idea to sell each piece for about 3x the amount. If a piece is $2.99, you should charge between $9 - $15. Add on a shipping cost if you will have to mail the piece to your customer when it arrives to you.*
4. Show the catalog to family and friends and take orders for jewelry on the 3rd page of the catalog. You can collect the money when taking the orders or wait until the order has arrived to take the payment. Be sure to get information on how to contact them at a later date.
5. Purchase the items that have been ordered from this website www.MyAccessoryBusiness.com
6. When the items arrive, distribute them to your customers and collect payment if the payment has not been made. Keep ALL of your profits!
Please note that there is a limited number of each item available, once an item is sold out it may not be available again. We are not responsible for items that are sold out online. In order to avoid this, we suggest pre-purchasing the items instead.
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