In this blog, I will share the story of how my small business started and all that’s happened since then.
How I Started
I started my small online business in 2013, after working in the corporate world for a few years, and I have my first child. I was tired of the 9-5 grind and wanted to be my own boss. I had always been interested in entrepreneurship and saw an online business as a great way to start.
After researching, I started an online store selling ethnic clothing and accessories. I wasn’t sure what kind of business to start, but I wanted it to be something I was passionate about. I loved fashion and enjoyed the challenge of producing unique pieces.
Starting my own business was a lot of work, but it was also very rewarding. I loved being able to work from home and set my own hours. I was also proud to be able to offer quality products at affordable prices. My business has grown steadily over the past few years and I have gained a lot of experience ranging from employing tailors, product pricing, accounting, advertising, sales and marketing. I recently moved to Canada this year, and this means starting all over again.
I summon the courage to start all over again, and I can say it is worth it. It was as if my clients had been waiting for me to start. The aspect of my business that has generated more profit is the alterations.
I face problems with my employees.
Several issues can arise when you’re running a business, and one of the most difficult is dealing with employees. Whether managing their workload, communicating expectations, or dealing with conflict, it’s essential to be prepared to face these challenges.
One of the biggest problems I’ve faced is hiring and retaining a good employee. It’s hard to keep good employees when there are so many other businesses out there competing for their attention. To combat this, I’ve tried to create a positive work environment and offer competitive salaries and benefits. I also make sure I train the employee so that they can produce work that is up to my standard.
Another problem I’ve had is dealing with underperforming employees. It’s difficult to know how to motivate someone who isn’t meeting your expectations, but it’s essential to have a system to address these issues. I typically start with a verbal warning, followed by a written warning if the problem persists. If the employee isn’t meeting my expectations after that, I’ll usually terminate them.
Of course, these aren’t the only problems I’ve faced with my employees – there have been plenty of others! The key is to be prepared to deal with whatever challenges come your way.
Shipping
Shipping can be a tricky business, especially when you’re just starting out. Here are a few tips on how to run your shipping operation smoothly:
1. Register with a reputable shipping agent/company. I registered with DHL as an SME, which makes my shipping organized and even cheaper. I also do not pay immediately because the service plan comes with credit opportunity(ship now, pay later). This helps me to stay on top of orders and avoid lost or misplaced items.
2. Stay on top of your shipping paperwork. This includes tracking numbers, addresses, and other essential details.
3. Communicate with your customers regularly. Keep them updated on the status of their orders and let them know if there are any delays or issues.
Marketing and Advertising
There are many different ways to market and advertise your small online business. You can use social media, pay-per-click advertising, search engine optimization, email marketing, and even traditional methods like print or television ads.
The important thing is to find the right mix of marketing and advertising channels for your business. You need to experiment and see what works best for you. There’s no one perfect solution for every business.
One thing that all businesses should do is make sure they’re using effective calls to action in their marketing and advertising. A call to action is a statement or question that encourages your target audience to take specific actions, like visiting your website or making a purchase.
Your marketing and advertising will be more effective with a compelling call to action. So make sure you’re using solid calls to action relevant to your products or services.
For me, Google Ads has always been the one I get the most significant ROI.
Problems with Emails
Regular email is one of the most popular methods of communication, but it also has its fair share of problems. From spam to email overload, here are some of the top problems with emails:
-Spam: Unwanted and often unsolicited emails that clog up your inbox and can be challenging to filter through.
-Email overload: Too many emails can be overwhelming and make it challenging to find the important ones. This can lead to missed opportunities or important messages getting lost in the shuffle.
-Filed under “other”: Emails often get filed away in folders or labels that you may never look at again. This can cause you to miss out on important information or miss deadlines.
The best is to use an email service provider like Get Response, Mailchimp or Zoho Campaign. The service will handle your email marketing and remove all the stress associated with using your regular email.
Problems with Social Media
A number of potential problems can arise from using social media for business purposes. For one, it’s easy to get lost in the noise and become another faceless entity. It can also be challenging to gauge the ROI of social media, as it can be hard to track how much business is generated from social media activity. Additionally, social media can be a time sink if not used efficiently, and it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends and forget about the bigger picture. Finally, there is always the risk of negative feedback or criticism, which can be amplified on social media platforms.
Conclusion
Overall, I’m happy with how my small online business is running. I’ve created a steady income stream without having to put in too many hours, and I love the flexibility of running my own business. Of course, there are always challenges and obstacles to overcome, but that’s just part of the journey. If you’re considering starting your own online business, go for it! It’s worth it.