I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
Crafty Business Moves
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This weekend I dedicated to one of my favorite hobbies—knitting. On Saturday, I attended my first meeting of the Big Apple Knitters Guild where Courtney Kelley, Co-Founder of Kelbourne Woolens, shared the story of the founding and building of her business. Like many entrepreneurs, Courtney and her partner Kate fell into their business without really knowing what they were getting themselves into. They both graduated art school and met while working in a yarn store. Neither had any idea how to run a business. The business was launched when an opportunity presented itself to take over distribution for a yarn mill in Maine and they dove in, creating patterns to showcase the yarn, attending expos and wholesaler shows, and getting to know yarn shop owners across North America. Eventually, Courtney and Kate decided to take a big leap of faith and pivot away from repping someone else's yarns to designing and distributing their own, and they launched their first yarns just as the economy was tanking in 2008. 13 years later they're still designing and manufacturing affordable yarns, selling them in their own retail shop, online, and at many other retailers around the US and beyond. It's a great reminder that growth involves risk-taking, faith, and a willingness to learn on the job. The original yarn manufactured in the US was called Germantown for the area in Pennsylvania where it was milled. Germantown yarn meant good worsted wool yarn rather than a particular blend or manufacturer. Courtney was determined to bring Germantown back as the last manufacturer in the US shuttered their doors in the 1990s. In her research she discover that the trademark on the name "Germantown" had lapsed and she quickly applied and was granted the new trademark even before she figured out anything else about the yarn like whether any US manufacturer could make it or where the wool would be sourced. It's a great example of how research pays off but requires action or it's not very useful. On Sunday, I visited a couple of yarn shops participating in this year's Brooklyn Yarn Crawl. One shop I'm quite familiar with carries truly unique and gorgeous yarns. But, they're expensive. Like really, really expensive. In spite of, or perhaps because of that, the place was booming! It wasn't just people like me drooling over all the different hand-dyed skeins, but people spending serious money. It just goes to show that price is not a deterrent for the right customers. As you can see, it's hard for me to turn off my business brain even when I'm chilling with the crafting crowd. If you want to rent my brain for your business growth, book a session with me at your convenience. Until next time, PS - If you missed it, last week I asked What's Your Point(s) of pricing and your customer journeys. Your success is our strategy! No longer want to receive my newsletter but don't want to miss my special offers and announcements? Click here. |
Easily Said & Done
Why grow your business alone?
I help entrepreneurs leapfrog over the typical potholes that derail most small businesses with inspiration, motivation, education, and support across a wide range of business topics drawn from over a decade of running my own business, teaching entrepreneurship for the City of New York, and coaching and consulting privately with dozens of women and minority small business owners. Honestly, why go it alone when help is an email away?
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