Meet Maya. She’s a vibrant, middle-aged African American woman who just launched her dream home-based business. She’s got passion and ideas, but with the summer heat bearing down and an uncertain economy, she’s wondering how to make this season sizzle without sweating the small stuff. Here’s her story of a 90-day summer glow-up from heat to chic, with some out-of-the-box ideas to boost her sales and pay herself first!
Day 1-10: Shake Up the Shop
Maya starts by thinking differently. Instead of the same old promotions, she hosts a Virtual Summer Fair. She sets up a particular corner in her living room where she displays her products, gets on Youtub live, and invites her subs to join her in a fun, interactive online fair. They can see her new products, ask questions, and even get special fair discounts.
Action Tip: Create a unique summer event online. Make it fun and engaging, whether it’s a fair, a demo, or a Q&A!
Day 11-20: Collab & Celebrate
Maya knows she can’t do it alone. She reaches out to a local cow and goat dairy milk and cheese farm that also runs a home-based business. Together, they create a Summer Bundle: Maya’s handcrafted juices and sourdough bread paired with delicious summer-themed milk & cheeses. They promote this bundle through word of mouth, direct mailers, local co-ops, and community boards, drawing in customers from both sides.
Action Tip: Partner with another small business owner to create a memorable summer bundle. It’s a win-win for both!
Day 21-30: Outdoor Office Adventures
Sitting at her kitchen table is getting old, so Maya takes her office outside. She finds a cozy spot in her backyard under a big shady tree, sets up a table with her laptop, and voilà – she’s got a summer office! She even makes a video series called "Backyard Business Chronicles" to share tips and insights from her outdoor workspace.
Action Tip: Change up your work environment. Take your business outside or to a new location and share the journey with your customers.
Day 31-40: The Surprise Sale
Who doesn’t love a good surprise? Maya decides to hold a Flash Sale without any prior announcement. She sends a surprise email to her subscribers with an exclusive discount that is only valid for the next 24 hours. The response is overwhelming, and she realizes how much her customers love these spontaneous surprises.
Action Tip: Plan a surprise sale for your customers. Keep it short and sweet to create excitement and urgency.
Day 41-50: Summer Skills Swap
To keep her creative juices flowing, Maya joins a Skills Swap Group where local entrepreneurs exchange skills. She teaches a juice and bread-making class and learns how to improve her direct media presence in return. It’s a great way to learn new things without spending extra money.
Action Tip: Join a skills swap or barter group to exchange your talents for new skills or services you need.
Day 51-60: Customer Connection Day
Maya spends a whole day connecting with her customers. She calls her top clients to thank them personally and ask for feedback. She also sends out a unique Summer Thank You Card with a handwritten note and a small discount for their next purchase, making her customers feel appreciated and valued.
Action Tip: Take time to connect with your customers personally. A phone call or a handwritten note can make a big difference.
Day 61-70: Eco-Friendly Touch
Inspired by the sunny days, Maya decided to make her packaging more eco-friendly. She switched to glass bottles and recycled paper packaging and created a “Green Summer” campaign to promote her efforts. Customers love buying from a business that cares about limiting microplastics that affect the water supply.
Action Tip: Add an eco-friendly touch to your business. It’s a great way to show your commitment to the environment and attract like-minded customers.
Day 71-80: Fun Follow-Up Fridays
Maya starts a new tradition: Fun Follow-Up Fridays. Every Friday, she follows up with a random customer who bought from her that week, asking for feedback and offering a small freebie for their next purchase. This keeps her customers engaged and looking forward to the end of the week.
Action Tip: Create a weekly follow-up routine with your customers. It’s a fun way to stay connected and show appreciation.
Day 81-90: Reflect & Reward
As summer winds down, Maya takes a moment to reflect on all the fun and unique strategies she tried. She’s seen her sales grow and has been able to pay herself a little more each week. She treats herself to a relaxing day off, knowing she’s boosted her sales and salary without breaking her back or her customers’ wallets.
Action Tip: At the end of the season, reflect on what worked and reward yourself for your hard work. It’s important to celebrate your wins!
Conclusion
Maya’s 90-day summer journey reminds us that thinking outside the box can make business profitable and fun. By shaking up the norm, collaborating, surprising her customers, and connecting personally, she’s found ways to boost her sales and pay herself first.
So, as you embark on your summer business adventures, remember Maya’s story. Mix it up, keep it fresh, and most importantly, enjoy the ride. Here’s to a fantastic summer of sales and salary!
Great tips here… I know cause I wrote it! 😂