1 00:00:04,530 --> 00:00:05,080 Hi there. 2 00:00:05,350 --> 00:00:08,400 It's Sue and thanks for joining me for Tips and Talk 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:12,880 Day. These are bite-sized topics that I pull from community questions 4 00:00:13,060 --> 00:00:16,200 and things that I'm observing in the world of handmade small 5 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:18,600 business. If you'd like to submit a topic, 6 00:00:19,290 --> 00:00:22,800 DM e over on Instagram at Gift Biz Unwrapped. 7 00:00:23,150 --> 00:00:24,840 Before I get into the show today, 8 00:00:25,230 --> 00:00:26,640 I have a message for you. 9 00:00:26,890 --> 00:00:30,440 If you're just now starting to think of starting a handmade 10 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:31,320 product business, 11 00:00:32,090 --> 00:00:32,920 at this point, 12 00:00:32,940 --> 00:00:35,360 you may be thinking about your business name and logo. 13 00:00:35,990 --> 00:00:38,880 That's what would be natural and what most people would do, 14 00:00:39,340 --> 00:00:40,680 but hold on a second. 15 00:00:41,150 --> 00:00:43,480 It's not the best initial step. 16 00:00:43,960 --> 00:00:47,440 There are other important things to do first to make sure 17 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:51,480 you're set up for success and ensure your product easily attracts 18 00:00:51,480 --> 00:00:54,560 buyers. Sometimes it's just a little tweak. 19 00:00:54,560 --> 00:00:57,680 That's the difference between a thriving and failing business. 20 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:00,850 Before you spend a lot of time and money, 21 00:01:00,920 --> 00:01:04,370 make sure to validate your product and ensure it's positioned and 22 00:01:04,370 --> 00:01:07,250 priced so you'll see results right from the beginning. 23 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,890 That way you can start your business with confidence. 24 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:12,730 I can help you with that. 25 00:01:13,140 --> 00:01:16,850 Go to gift to biz unwrap.com/start 26 00:01:16,910 --> 00:01:18,210 for all the details. 27 00:01:21,090 --> 00:01:23,020 I wish I would've thought of that, 28 00:01:23,790 --> 00:01:25,900 or maybe you did years ago, 29 00:01:25,960 --> 00:01:27,820 but never did anything about it. 30 00:01:28,310 --> 00:01:30,180 Perhaps it was a fleeting thought, 31 00:01:30,490 --> 00:01:33,460 a moment in time that came and went in an instant, 32 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:37,420 but now you see that someone else has actually turned your 33 00:01:37,450 --> 00:01:41,420 idea into a product and it's catching the world by storm. 34 00:01:42,380 --> 00:01:43,420 Years ago, 35 00:01:43,420 --> 00:01:45,500 my husband told me about his great idea. 36 00:01:46,150 --> 00:01:48,940 Instead of having to check your tires for air pressure, 37 00:01:49,060 --> 00:01:52,260 there should be an automatic gauge in the car that alerts 38 00:01:52,260 --> 00:01:54,740 you to when your tires are low and need filling up. 39 00:01:55,090 --> 00:01:59,060 This eliminates the need for that thermometer looking gadget and having 40 00:01:59,060 --> 00:02:02,100 to get out in the freezing cold or rain to see 41 00:02:02,100 --> 00:02:04,580 if your tires are due for a fill up along with 42 00:02:04,580 --> 00:02:05,260 your gas tank. 43 00:02:05,890 --> 00:02:08,980 Well, this alert system does exist today, 44 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:11,220 and every time Michael sees it, 45 00:02:11,330 --> 00:02:14,140 I hear the story about the fact that it was his 46 00:02:14,140 --> 00:02:17,620 idea. I lovingly listen to him again and I say, 47 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:22,440 yes, I know the old saying is true. 48 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:25,040 Ideas come a dime a dozen, 49 00:02:25,420 --> 00:02:29,400 but they don't mean anything unless you take action on that 50 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:32,800 thought. It's the person who stops in their tracks, 51 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:36,400 makes a decision to claim the new idea as their own 52 00:02:36,780 --> 00:02:39,160 and follows through with its development. 53 00:02:39,590 --> 00:02:40,880 That's who's the winner. 54 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:45,650 This entire podcast has been dedicated to showing you how to 55 00:02:45,650 --> 00:02:49,730 take your handmade creations and monetize by starting a company around 56 00:02:49,730 --> 00:02:50,410 your products. 57 00:02:50,950 --> 00:02:52,050 For this episode, 58 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:55,410 I wanna spice up your mind with ways to find these 59 00:02:55,410 --> 00:03:00,120 ideas. You probably come up with ideas all the time without 60 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:00,920 even knowing it. 61 00:03:01,260 --> 00:03:04,320 The tendency is to ignore it and let it pass you 62 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:08,560 by, partially based on not giving it the value it deserves. 63 00:03:09,170 --> 00:03:10,240 Towards that end, 64 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:12,080 I'm going to share with you some ways, 65 00:03:12,510 --> 00:03:13,840 categories, if you will, 66 00:03:14,070 --> 00:03:18,120 that are the foundation for creating ideas that can turn into 67 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:20,000 profitable gold mines. 68 00:03:20,690 --> 00:03:21,800 As we get into this, 69 00:03:22,070 --> 00:03:25,800 most of the examples I'll give are larger companies because that 70 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:29,000 way I can be assured everyone listening regardless of where you 71 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:32,400 are in the country or your lifestyle will know about them. 72 00:03:33,110 --> 00:03:36,800 A few smaller businesses are also tucked in because an idea 73 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:40,280 doesn't need powerful financial backing to succeed. 74 00:03:40,490 --> 00:03:41,520 As I said before, 75 00:03:41,790 --> 00:03:43,920 it's the action that counts. 76 00:03:44,910 --> 00:03:48,000 Look at these examples as theoretical models. 77 00:03:48,770 --> 00:03:50,560 If an idea comes to your mind, 78 00:03:50,780 --> 00:03:51,920 run it past these models. 79 00:03:52,090 --> 00:03:54,320 As you further consider its viability, 80 00:03:55,030 --> 00:03:58,480 this is a way to analyze and give further thought to 81 00:03:58,480 --> 00:04:02,000 the possibility of your idea before you let it slip away. 82 00:04:02,910 --> 00:04:06,730 New and unique products and services are coming to market every 83 00:04:06,730 --> 00:04:10,970 day, and yours might just be that next big idea. 84 00:04:11,690 --> 00:04:14,030 The five models are a lifestyle, 85 00:04:14,030 --> 00:04:16,190 vision, new but known, 86 00:04:16,190 --> 00:04:18,990 and different cultural care abouts, 87 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:22,550 problem solver and experience enhancer. 88 00:04:23,290 --> 00:04:26,390 I'm going to go through each one to explain the overall 89 00:04:26,390 --> 00:04:31,230 premise and then give some real life idea examples that exist 90 00:04:31,230 --> 00:04:34,660 today. Let's start with a lifestyle vision. 91 00:04:35,370 --> 00:04:38,540 This requires a lot of imagination and faith. 92 00:04:38,810 --> 00:04:43,220 It's dreaming up something entirely new that doesn't exist at all. 93 00:04:43,220 --> 00:04:47,820 Today, it almost seems impossible in more like a Jetson cartoon 94 00:04:48,370 --> 00:04:49,860 than potential reality. 95 00:04:50,520 --> 00:04:55,140 Fulfillment of this idea would have the ability to impact someone's 96 00:04:55,190 --> 00:04:56,500 overall lifestyle. 97 00:04:57,130 --> 00:05:00,460 This was clearly the case when Ray Crock dreamt up the 98 00:05:00,780 --> 00:05:03,700 idea of McDonald's way back in 1955. 99 00:05:04,350 --> 00:05:06,460 There's a lot to the McDonald's story, 100 00:05:06,460 --> 00:05:06,900 of course, 101 00:05:06,900 --> 00:05:10,700 from Ray meeting the McDonald brothers to acquiring the name, 102 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:15,500 but his real new idea impact was creating a streamlined, 103 00:05:15,500 --> 00:05:20,740 quality, controlled and consistent food franchise that could be experienced across 104 00:05:20,740 --> 00:05:23,500 the country and later worldwide. 105 00:05:24,230 --> 00:05:27,680 With that idea came a number of firsts in product creation 106 00:05:27,750 --> 00:05:29,280 like Chicken McNuggets, 107 00:05:29,420 --> 00:05:34,240 and we all have to admit that first drive-through definitely had 108 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:35,840 an impact on our lifestyle. 109 00:05:36,570 --> 00:05:40,880 Another more recent example is Steve Jobs and the Apple products, 110 00:05:41,060 --> 00:05:42,800 but most specifically, 111 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:44,240 I'll focus on the iPhone. 112 00:05:44,900 --> 00:05:49,880 His vision of a touchscreen and scrolling functionality has also changed 113 00:05:49,880 --> 00:05:50,440 our lives. 114 00:05:51,170 --> 00:05:54,420 Both McDonald's and Apple have been copied by competitors, 115 00:05:54,420 --> 00:05:54,860 of course, 116 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,040 who offer different versions of a similar concept, 117 00:05:58,700 --> 00:06:02,360 but these two are still top of their industry and known 118 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:06,360 as the originators of products that have had a significant impact 119 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:07,000 in the world. 120 00:06:08,290 --> 00:06:12,820 Okay, now this lifestyle vision model may seem out of reach, 121 00:06:12,990 --> 00:06:16,660 so let's bring it down to models that are more realistic 122 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:17,420 for us. 123 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:21,500 The second one is new but known and different. 124 00:06:21,850 --> 00:06:24,940 It's a great model because people can relate to the concept. 125 00:06:25,530 --> 00:06:29,580 It's not brand new or requires a lot of explanation. 126 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:34,060 The idea is a spinoff of what already exists but is 127 00:06:34,060 --> 00:06:36,140 better or different in some way. 128 00:06:37,150 --> 00:06:38,220 Brownie brittle, 129 00:06:38,610 --> 00:06:40,740 before Sheila came up with this idea, 130 00:06:40,890 --> 00:06:46,860 brownies only existed as plump fluffy squares of deliciousness by combining 131 00:06:46,860 --> 00:06:50,500 the brownie flavor with a crisp cracker or peanut brittle texture. 132 00:06:51,030 --> 00:06:53,580 An entirely new product was born. 133 00:06:54,540 --> 00:06:58,270 Rich and Cherry did something similar with the idea of enhancing 134 00:06:58,270 --> 00:07:03,590 crocs with decorative charms that allows personalization that kids love. 135 00:07:03,780 --> 00:07:06,030 When we were first introduced to Jibbitz, 136 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:09,070 we immediately understood the value and how to use them. 137 00:07:10,010 --> 00:07:15,450 Crocs ended up buying this idea for $20 million and to 138 00:07:15,660 --> 00:07:19,370 imagine it all started from an arts and craft project in 139 00:07:19,570 --> 00:07:21,390 the basement. 140 00:07:21,390 --> 00:07:25,350 There's also a smaller company you may not have heard yet. 141 00:07:25,350 --> 00:07:28,030 Bora Bora makes a lotion candle. 142 00:07:28,030 --> 00:07:30,110 You light the candle and when it melts, 143 00:07:30,110 --> 00:07:34,110 it turns into a warm moisturizing oil that you scoop out 144 00:07:34,110 --> 00:07:36,510 with a bamboo spoon to smooth onto your skin. 145 00:07:37,150 --> 00:07:38,520 Sounds luxurious, 146 00:07:38,760 --> 00:07:39,320 doesn't it? 147 00:07:39,820 --> 00:07:43,960 And we all understand candles and we all understand lotion. 148 00:07:44,540 --> 00:07:46,360 Now there's the lotion candle. 149 00:07:48,190 --> 00:07:51,530 Our third idea model is cultural care abouts. 150 00:07:51,950 --> 00:07:55,970 All the rage right now with the focus towards health are 151 00:07:55,970 --> 00:07:59,050 air fryers first introduced in 2010. 152 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:03,250 They now come in all sizes made by many brands along 153 00:08:03,250 --> 00:08:05,010 with cookbooks and accessories. 154 00:08:05,640 --> 00:08:10,250 Just one simple idea of reducing fat consumption while still producing 155 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:11,090 a crunchy, 156 00:08:11,210 --> 00:08:12,410 tasty result. 157 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:14,290 Fast and easy cleanup, 158 00:08:14,290 --> 00:08:18,170 too bonus as an overall population, 159 00:08:18,260 --> 00:08:22,090 we also care about our environment more than ever today. 160 00:08:22,610 --> 00:08:25,970 Green living for our own health and that of our world 161 00:08:26,140 --> 00:08:27,210 is important today. 162 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:30,890 Products that help with this are often the preferred choice. 163 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:35,130 Many makers set themselves apart by making in small batches with 164 00:08:35,130 --> 00:08:38,130 natural and highly beneficial ingredients. 165 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:42,490 Some are also including recycling programs for the containers. 166 00:08:42,490 --> 00:08:45,090 The products come in when you return them, 167 00:08:45,090 --> 00:08:49,210 you're rewarded with a discount or points or something in exchange 168 00:08:49,210 --> 00:08:50,090 for your efforts. 169 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:55,050 Dosa, naturals and droplet are two companies that have such programs, 170 00:08:56,530 --> 00:08:59,190 and how about the trend toward minimalism? 171 00:08:59,620 --> 00:09:03,390 Downsizing isn't only for the older population anymore. 172 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:07,190 Whoever thought living in a house with rooms the size of 173 00:09:07,190 --> 00:09:09,150 a closet would be a thing. 174 00:09:09,740 --> 00:09:13,430 Products that play into this lifestyle trend wouldn't have worked years 175 00:09:13,430 --> 00:09:16,030 ago, but they certainly do today. 176 00:09:17,410 --> 00:09:20,230 How about problem solver ideas? 177 00:09:20,500 --> 00:09:22,110 That's model number four. 178 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:25,310 If you ever meet up with a challenge in your day 179 00:09:25,310 --> 00:09:25,910 and say, 180 00:09:26,220 --> 00:09:29,270 I wish there was a fill in the blank with the 181 00:09:29,270 --> 00:09:30,070 appropriate answer, 182 00:09:30,460 --> 00:09:32,310 I want you to stop and think. 183 00:09:32,820 --> 00:09:36,350 This may be a void in the market that people really 184 00:09:36,350 --> 00:09:39,390 need and a solution hasn't been created yet. 185 00:09:40,350 --> 00:09:44,080 Uber, GrubHub and Instacart are all examples of this, 186 00:09:44,660 --> 00:09:49,760 and my newest favorite bring Fido with the addition of biscotti 187 00:09:49,760 --> 00:09:51,520 are now nine month old, 188 00:09:51,590 --> 00:09:53,360 huge, great pier news puppy. 189 00:09:53,410 --> 00:09:57,920 Finding dog friendly hotel accommodations as we travel by car has 190 00:09:57,920 --> 00:09:58,920 become important. 191 00:09:59,560 --> 00:10:01,120 Bring Fido to the rescue. 192 00:10:01,990 --> 00:10:03,240 Also a new one. 193 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:06,000 My daughter just told me about Sniff spot. 194 00:10:06,570 --> 00:10:09,440 If you have a dog and want alternatives to dog parks 195 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:10,000 in your area, 196 00:10:10,350 --> 00:10:11,440 this is for you. 197 00:10:11,870 --> 00:10:15,160 I'll let you look that up yourself and the final model, 198 00:10:15,470 --> 00:10:17,480 experience enhancement. 199 00:10:17,990 --> 00:10:21,160 I probably don't have to tell you that this is very 200 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:22,960 popular with the younger generations. 201 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:27,720 Therefore, products or services that come with some type of experience 202 00:10:27,770 --> 00:10:32,480 overlay can make a well-known thing become extraordinary. 203 00:10:33,110 --> 00:10:36,880 Cold Stone creamery when the ice cream servers sing for their 204 00:10:36,880 --> 00:10:38,600 tips. Carvana, 205 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:42,680 who turned a stressful car buying purchase into a game by 206 00:10:42,680 --> 00:10:43,680 picking your car up. 207 00:10:43,680 --> 00:10:48,480 Vending machine style and how about the mystery party games and 208 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:52,440 trips that lead you into unknown puzzle adventures of all sorts. 209 00:10:53,330 --> 00:10:54,460 This past Christmas, 210 00:10:54,460 --> 00:10:59,180 my daughter gave several family members the experiential gift of going 211 00:10:59,180 --> 00:11:01,460 and hanging out with wild wolves. 212 00:11:02,060 --> 00:11:03,820 Yeah, wild wolves. 213 00:11:04,190 --> 00:11:05,060 It was so funny. 214 00:11:05,060 --> 00:11:08,180 The gift that they unwrapped were stuffed animals as a clue. 215 00:11:08,570 --> 00:11:11,260 Then they got the explanation of what they stood for, 216 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:15,460 and we'll be experiencing the wolves up close and personal a 217 00:11:15,460 --> 00:11:16,100 few weeks from now. 218 00:11:17,060 --> 00:11:18,500 There are so, 219 00:11:19,070 --> 00:11:21,380 so many more examples I could give you. 220 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:25,540 The point is they all started with an idea that was 221 00:11:25,540 --> 00:11:28,980 first identified and then acted upon. 222 00:11:29,580 --> 00:11:33,500 These ideas are limitless and waiting out there right now for 223 00:11:33,500 --> 00:11:33,940 your taking. 224 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:38,660 Yes, you may have the next big idea and now you 225 00:11:38,980 --> 00:11:43,340 know how to recognize it and hopefully do what comes next. 226 00:11:43,850 --> 00:11:45,020 Take the action, 227 00:11:45,340 --> 00:11:46,460 bring it to life, 228 00:11:46,460 --> 00:11:47,900 and make it a reality. 229 00:11:50,410 --> 00:11:51,380 That's a wrap. 230 00:11:51,640 --> 00:11:53,560 I'm a get to the point kind of girl, 231 00:11:53,660 --> 00:11:56,680 and this is what you can expect from these quick midweek 232 00:11:56,680 --> 00:11:59,480 sessions. Now it's your turn. 233 00:12:00,050 --> 00:12:02,320 Go out and fulfill that dream of yours. 234 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:04,720 Share your handmade products with us. 235 00:12:05,170 --> 00:12:07,360 We want them and they bring us both. 236 00:12:07,730 --> 00:12:08,920 So much happiness.