Jane Hamill

Increase revenue using content & email marketing.

Podcast

Starting a Shopify Store and Growing it to $50K in Sales with Susan Bradley

Starting a Shopify Store and Growing it to 50K in Sales

Ohhhhhhh I am excited for this episode!!

“Nobody wants to share the stuff that doesn’t work.” – Susan Bradley

Susan Bradley is the rare person who’s willing to share publicly the good and the bad as she launches a Shopify store from $0 to $50K in sales.

Honestly, I don’t think I’d have the courage to do what Susan’s doing – sharing step-by-step, in real time, the building of her online store.

It’s fascinating and inspiring. And things do not always go as planned,

In this episode, Susan tells us about choosing a niche and then pivoting away from it, doing a proof of concept event (including what it cost her and the exact results) and the “sideways launch” that wasn’t really meant to happen but happened anyway.

Susan is a seasoned e-commerce and retail entrepreneur. And yet, she tells us…

“I told everyone I would show them the road to $50K in sales on Shopify and then I went and hid in the corner.” – Susan Bradley

Like every entrepreneur on the planet, Susan feels the fear.

She feels equal parts confidence and fear, I think.

It’s so refreshing to hear how honest she is about everything.

You’re going to LOVE this episode.

You can also listen on iTunes and Stitcher Radio

In this episode:

  • “You cannot control your sales with Facebook and Instagram ads.”
  • What it cost Susan to have a proof of concept event.
  • Is a list building giveaway worth it? Do these people really buy?
  • How susan puts a funnel on the back of a giveaway that converts to sales.
  • “What people want, what I want, is to be able to earn an income that supports my family on my own terms.”
  • The Roadmap to $50K- https://thesocialsalesgirls.com/
  • “I had actually named one of my FB ads, “Please Work”. Cuz I’m just gonna fall into a puddle on the floor if something doesn’t work soon.”

Show Notes and Links:

Want to help?

If this podcast helps you in any way, would you do me a solid and leave an honest review on iTunes? I’d so appreciate it!

Thanks for listening!

xoxo -Jane

The RIGHT Business vs. the RIGHT NOW Business

Are you building the RIGHT business for you? Or is the the “right now” business. There’s an huuuuuuuuge difference.

When was the last time you gave this some thought? Allowed yourself the luxury of thinking about what YOU want for your business – and your life – for the long term?

Seriously, if you did an exercise of choose-your-own-adventure with your own business, what would you choose? We get so busy working working working that we hardly pause to think about what we’re really creating with our business.

If it’s even something we like and get excited about.

In today’s episode, we back up and I help you think about your North Star. If you have a clear direction of what you want (and not just what you think you could get), every decision becomes easier.

Starting with an end game in mind is hella easier than just working on your business la-di-effing-da every week.

When you set an OUTRAGEOUS goal that totally gets your blood flowing, running your business is FUN. And it doesn’t have to be hard.

I promise you this episode will clear the cobwebs and get you excited for what’s next.

You can also listen on iTunes and Stitcher Radio

To get consistent online sales and a marketing plan in place, check out Sell More Products Online (SMPO). In SMPO, you’re going to choose a simple goal, commit to it, and have the courage to execute on what you decide. That’s it. Click here to take a look.

If this podcast helps you in any way, would you do me a solid and leave an honest review on iTunes? I’d so appreciate it!

xoxo -Jane

 

Kendra’s Story: How She Sold $12,000 at a Direct to Consumer Selling Event

Philadelphia Fashion Designer, Kendra Brill

Let’s talk about selling $12,000 from a B2C market. How fun would that be?

Imagine selling that much from your booth at a direct to consumer show. How psyched would you be???? That’s exactly what my guest did at a recent event in Philadelphia.

In today’s episode, I interview Kendra Brill from Char-Coal. She shares exactly what she did differently at this show and reveals all of her brilliant secrets.

And get this…her  product’s price point is under $300. That’s a lot of merchandise sold. Yowza!

She cracked the code on how to get people to buy from her booth.

Walk around any direct to consumer market, craft show, or art fair and you’ll notice a peculiar phenomenon. Some booths are busy with shoppers while others are dead.

The result is some very happy vendors with money in their pockets and some who are miserable and feel defeated

I want YOU to be the happy vendor – to be like Kendra and sell twelve grand. You’re going to love how honest and helpful Kendra is in this interview.

Have a listen…

You can also listen on iTunes and Stitcher Radio

How cool is Kendra????? I mean srsly…she did not hold back anything!

Let me know your thoughts on this episode in the comments below.

If this (free) podcast helps you in any way, would you do me a solid and leave an honest review on iTunes? I’d so appreciate it!

xoxo -Jane

P.S. Do not miss the LIVE class on planning your next year!! You could be like Magdalena who DOUBLED her sales this year while working fewer hours…

…or like Adeline, who wrote an entire book and surprised even herself 😉

Click here to register for “Goals and Planning” – it just might change your life. I’m serious about that.

David Peck Part 2: The Truth About Running a Fashion Business

Today is Part 2 of my interview with David Peck and whoa – you guys LOVE his fascinating story so far! Thanks for all your feedback, I appreciate it! (if you missed Part 1, click here).

David Peck is an entrepreneur who’s been on the rollercoaster of owning his own fashion and manufacturing business. He is SO HONEST in this interview about what it’s really like to run a company.

He’s done it all. He went fashion school in Paris, owned a high-end sustainable clothing line in New York worn by Taylor Swift, purchased a factory in Houston that he still owns and operates, sold his collection to first-class boutiques, sold millions one year only to declare bankruptcy the next. Yowza.

We continue the story in this episode…

David scrapes himself off the floor and starts a new business – again. He tells us how he did it and why AND what he’s doing differently this time to make it the business he wants.

What You’ll Learn

  • Dealing with wanting to quit, the fear of not having enough money, and finding the stability he really needed.
  • How David’s current business is different and why he’s running it very differently than before.
  • The main obstacles David had to overcome to build a successful business for the second time.
  • How his business has more value and is more meaningful this time around.
  • Being an introverted person, how David manages marketing, operations, and customer service
  • Keeping the work week a work week so he can concentrate on his priorities.


You can also listen on iTunes and Stitcher Radio

Quotes from the Episode

  • “The psychology of people and buying and why you have to stick around long enough for them to invest in you again.” (02:02)
  • “It all has come full circle. And I feel like I’m doing what I love doing the most and we’re doing it in a way…we’re making clothes that have meaning and value and a life beyond just the trend, which I think in many ways is the most sustainable thing that you can do.” (5:12)
  • “When you get to know somebody really, really well, you’re NOT trying to sell them something because you need to sell it. You’re really filling a need and you’re addressing a problem that they have.” (8:55)
  • “They’re not going to just buy the latest, greatest whatever because it’s the latest and greatest. It has to be value. There has to be something in it that may feel is worth the investment. (12:57)
  • “There was a point I just wanted to quit and find a real job. You know, I was like, this just sucks. I mean, this is too hard. Nobody told me that this is going to be never ending.” (22:59)
  • “I’m really good at coming up with solutions and when I break it down in a way that for me is manageable, it’s not stressful.” (30:27)

Mentioned in this episode

Also…If you’re a fan of the show, will you do me a favor?

Take a moment to leave an honest review on iTunes. It really helps the show and I’d appreciate it!

Thanks for listening!

Jane

About David Peck: His official title here is “Head of Everything”.

What it’s Really Like to Run a Fashion Business with David Peck

Advice from successful Houston fashion designer, David Peck

Today I’m excited to have a successful entrepreneur on the show who tells us what it’s really like to run fashion business.  David Peck is a Houston designer who’s been on the rollercoaster of owning his own business and he is SO HONEST in this interview.

David’s pretty much done it all – he went to fashion school in Paris. owned a high-end sustainable clothing line in New York worn by Taylor Swift, purchased a factory in Houston that he still owns and operates, sold his collection to first-class stores including Tootsies, opened a retail store, sold millions and then went bankrupt only to rise again with his current business.

His story is FASCINATING.

What You’ll Learn

  • David’s unlikely journey to world of high fashion from New Mexico to Colorado to Cleveland to Paris to New York to Houston. Whoa.
  • The disconnect between what he learned in fashion school in Paris to actually starting a running a business that makes money.
  • How he started his second fashion business with 5 only dress samples in 5 different prints.
  • How things can go from 1.2 million in sales to bankruptcy and back again.
  • The constant pressure of meeting sales goals, employing team members, manufacturing in the US, sourcing fabrics, designing prints, serving customers, cash flow, and all the things a fashion entrepreneur does to keep the business running.
  • How David’s current business is different and why he’s running it very differently than before.

You can also listen on iTunes and Stitcher Radio

Quotes from the Episode

  • “I didn’t end up here in the most direct route. New Mexico, Colorad0, Cleveland, Paris, New York, Houston…it was unusual.” (04:29)
  • “I never imagined myself living in Texas. I basically thought I was going to come here to die. My fashion career was over.” (15:27)
  • “It was very very hard to break that idea of being a successful the “traditional way” because you’re so ingrained that you have a good PR company, you have to have a good salesperson, you have to have a seasonal collection and you have to be in Vogue. That business model wasn’t going to work for me anymore.”  (33:41)
  • “I wasn’t in it for the ego anymore. No matter how humble you think you are, there’s a certain part of you as a creative person that wants to be recognized for what you do. But there came a point…if I’m going to do this again, it has to be a good business. It can’t be just be for the sake of being a designer. This has to be viable, legit business.”(41:05)

Mentioned in this episode

Also…If you’re a fan of the show, will you do me a favor?

Take a moment to leave an honest review on iTunes. It really helps the show and I’d appreciate it!

Thanks for listening!

Jane

About David Peck: His official title here is “Head of Everything”.

How to Prepare for Maternity Leave When You Own a Small Business

How to handle maternity leave when you own your own business

Does being an entrepreneur mean you never get to take time off? Sometimes it feels that way…

  • Who’s gonna do the work while I’m away?
  • How would my business  even run without me?
  • Will everything just STOP if I’m not there?
  • There’s no one I trust to handle things…

Our brains can spin with all the reasons we shouldn’t or can’t take time away. These reasons seem logical but like so many “crazy brain” entrepreneurial thoughts, it’s all B.S.

I’m so excited for this episode because what my guest teaches us today will change your life. Not kidding.

You will be a better entrepreneur if you listen and implement even half of what you learn from this episode. You’ll be more focused, organized, thoughtful, and calm.

Today we discuss taking extended time off, whether it’s due to maternity leave, the adoption of a child, a sick family member, a trek through the Himalayas, or a month on the beach in Ibiza.

Erika’s advice and insights in this episode on how she prepared for maternity leave are brilliant.

The colored pen circling system Erika reveals is INSANELY awesome. And she gives us her full notes to download.

Don’t miss this one because you will learn some serious tricks to getting your shizzle done – whether you’re taking a leave or not, you need this info.

Download the Links and Notes

Have a listen…

You can also listen on iTunes and Stitcher Radio

In this episode:

  • “Step two is write out what you do in your business on a daily basis, on a weekly basis and on a monthly basis. (6:28)
  • “I like to take different colors and circle the things on the list that can be separated into these four categories. Start with the things you can train someone to do…” (8:17)
  • What are examples of things I can outsource if I have a small budget? (09:03)
  • “When you get an order, that should be exciting. But if you’re trying to deal with this teeny tiny human that’s screaming all the time, orders then become a problem and you don’t want that.” (10:23)
  • The tools I use to help train someone and work with freelancers
  • The colored pen circling system that Erika developed as she planned for maternity leave and now uses monthly.
  • What still needs to get done and what you can skip — “and while you’re gone, you don’t need to post on your Instagram stories.” (17:42)
  • Ask yourself…what can I NOT do today? (17:58)
  • How do I make time to do all of this stuff? (18:10)
  • If I have an assistant that needs to stay busy while I’m away, what kind of tasks they can do? (29:36)

Mentioned in this episode

Also…If you’re a fan of the show, will you do me a favor?

Take a moment to leave an honest review on iTunes. It really helps the show and I’d appreciate it!

Thanks for listening!

Jane

About Erika Neumayer: Erika is the owner of Rare Dirndl, a Chicago-based company that designs and sells a very niche product – dirndls. A dirndl is what you wear to Oktoberfest and what the St. Pauli Girl wears – only Erika’s are bad-ass versions of the traditional dress.

Erika is a true entrepreneur who knows how market & sell a crap-ton of dresses from her online shop even though she’s in a tiny niche with a very small target market. She’s so good at marketing that she’s a mentor in my coaching program.

Want to get notified when a new episode drops? Just go here.

How to Use Crowdfunding For Your Fashion Product with Shannon Lohr of Factory 45

How to do a Kickstarter campaign for your fashion product

When I was 25 I wanted to start my own clothing line and open a boutique so badly I couldn’t think about anything else. I dreamed about it at night and I swear I could taste it in the daytime. But, like so many would-be entrepreneurs, I had no money, no chance of borrowing from a bank, and no flippin’ clue about what to do.

There was no crowdfunding when I started so I had to get creative to borrow money from family – not an ideal setup. Fast-forward to today and there are OPTIONS for entrepreneurs :).

Crowdfunding is really a form of pre-selling your product and it WORKS. Thousands of startups have financed their new products with crowdfunding. And it’s not just for newbies. Established brands are using crowdfunding to launch new products because it works so well. Brands like Segway, Gillette, Bose, and Clorox have used crowdfunding and their primary objective is not to raise money.

Why established brands are using Kickstarter to launch new products

A great example from fundchaser.com is the story of the TLC music group when they were preparing their 5th album. They wanted to try something different and give their fans a way to participate in the making of the album. Backers got eh album as a reward and during the process, fans gave the band tips for improvement.
“The aim was to use crowdfunding as a way to a larger community, new fans, and a completely new channel that would allow fans to work on the album directly with the band.” – Fund Chaser
This episode (originally posted here) will show you how you can run a successful crowdfunding campaign for your brand in the next 6 months. If you’re a startup, crowdfunding is a great way to raise money without investors, taking out a loan, or accumulating debt.
If you’re an established brand and you’re adding a new product to an existing product line, crowdfunding is a great way to validate the product product, get the buy-in from fans, and reach a larger audience.
My guest, Shannon Lohr, is an expert on crowdfunding for fashion companies. In fact, when she and her partner launched their own Kickstarter campaign, it became the highest-funded fashion project in Kickstarter history at the time, was featured in the New York Times, and raised enough money to quadruple their first production order. BOOM.
I learned sooooooooo much from this interview. Have a listen…

You can also listen and subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

What we cover in this crowdfunding interview:

  • What needs to happen in the first 7 seconds of your crowdfunding video
  • How to tell your story to get people to back you and order your products
  • The power of guest posting on someone else’s blog and what it did for Shannon’s Kickstarter campaign
  • The 3V’s of a successful crowdfunding campaign
  • Highly produced video or more casual “selfie” style?
  • Do you need to be in the video yourself?
  • Flat lay images and lifestyle photos – what visuals you need for your campaign
  • Crowdfunding rewards for backers
  • Price points that work best for a successful (funded) Kickstarter
  • How often to email people about to tell them about your crowdfunding campaign and encourage them to back you
Kickstarter Campaigns to Check Out: 
Show Notes:

What do YOU think? 

Was this interview helpful? What’s your ONE big takeaway from this interview?

As always, thanks for listening,

Jane

 

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Owning Your Own Business

What It's Really Like to Own Your Own Business

Holy Moses this is episode 100!! I’m pretty excited about it so I nixed the topic I’d planned for today in favor of something a little more personal – 10 things no one ever told me about owning my own business.

Or maybe somebody told me but I wasn’t listening or just didn’t get it.

Being an entrepreneur – well…it’s not for wusses. It’s hella easier to get a job, have a boss around to tell you what you should do each day, and be able to do things like take a (paid) sick day and a (paid) vacation.

But we are NOT like other people. We’re always up for a challenge — the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat. (If you’re too young to remember that, it’s from an ad for TV sports where the skiier wipes out and appears to have died. It really sticks with ya). But I digress.

So today I share with you what I’ve learned from working with hundreds of entrepreneurs in my courses and coaching membership and from being my own boss since I was 25 years old.

#7 on this list could be an issue I’ll take heat on since it smacks of “first world problems” but I’m willing to risk it.

I’d love to know what you think.

Have a listen…

You can also listen on iTunes and Stitcher Radio

Want a quick preview of what you’ll learn in the episode?

The 10 Things Nobody Told Me About Owning a Business

  1. There will be tears
  2. It’s not about the business, it’s about YOU
  3. You will want to quit
  4. The thrill of making a sale never gets old
  5. You want it for them as much as you want it for yourself
  6. You will do a lot of stuff for free
  7. You need a business coach AND a life coach (or therapist)
  8. It helps to have a short memory
  9. What it looks like from the outside and what it really IS are often totally different
  10. Nothing’s forever

Mentioned in the Show:

Thanks for listening!

Jane

P.S. If you’re a fan of the show, will you do me a favor?

Take a moment to leave an honest review on iTunes. It really helps the show and I’d appreciate it!

 

 

Turn Email Subscribers into Buyers >>
+