Business blues

Alright, I'm having a really flat couple of business weeks.. I've seen some wonderful businesses really succeeding, and whilst of course I'm happy for them ( as I know how much work a business like ours take), it sux a tad as they're in the same industry I'm competing in.. I'm feeling like''why should I bother''. Funds are a little tight, as orders have been a little slow coming in. I'm needing a Win- but of course you have to work for it and make it happen. One cannot expect things to just happen. 

As some of you may be aware I made the decision a few weeks back to take my son Memphis out of 4 year old preschool & drop him back to 3 year old. This has been the best decision: I haven't looked back and all my anxiety and stress over the matter has gone. He hasn't questioned the change, and now I know it was the right thing to do. Even with the frustratingly mad days I am happy to have my little guy at home with me for another year before he heads off to the big world of school.

Of course the downfall for me has been I've lost my 2 days a week that I spent working on my business. I cant do it at nights anymore as I'm working my bar job (still having fun and loving it by the way) and now  also don't have the quality alone time during the day. I'm one of those people who if I cant do things from start to finish, and do it properly I wont get into it properly. Yeah major bummer for me- but once I get on a roll it's sweet.

I did get a little perk me up this week ,I had lunch with the gorgeous Andrea from www.kawaiikids.com.au Gosh She's a breath of fresh air, and it's hard not to be happy & enthusiastic when your around her! I love her business. What I love most is her unique style, and her guts to get out there manufacture goods too! This girl has got it going on.It was so nice to chat business with someone who understands, and not feel threatened or intimidated. Yep we both have baby stuff- but that's where our similarities end. Kawaii kids is Korean inspired, funky, out there and fun. I tend to stay away from her site (or else I'd spend a fortune, sorry Andrea) So yep- I'm giving her a plug cause I think she deserves it (though by the sounds of how many orders she has a week does not need it)

I shouldn't be so hard on myself really- I must be getting out there somewhere in the big world wide web- Not only is my inbox full of Spam seo experts telling me how I need to spend thousands of dollars on seo as no one can find me on Google (um hello how did you find me?) but also lots of new suppliers contacting me asking me if I will stock their goods.. The pessimist in me thinks it's cause times are a bit tough, but the optimist in me says nah it's cause they're finally taking notice of Baby for life.

On the personal front I've been completely preoccupied with the prospect of purchasing another house. I cant give away any details as were still not sure which way where going, but it's very exciting, and very scary too! It's going to require alot of hard work, and I've got to make sure I"m up for it!

That's my week in a wrap up- up, down and all over the shop.

Wake Up Call

Today I'm daydreaming about opening another Baby For Life Shopfront... I'm looking up shop fittings, and display tables.. It's silly really.. I wouldn't open another shop right now.. But my brain is always active. And yeah some days I do miss my store. I felt as though a shop front was more of a ''real business'' than an online store. I still feel this a little- like I'm not as proud or as confident when I tell people I own my own online Baby Business.This is just how I feel about myself- not other online businesses.

There's been a few Pr events that I could have attempted to be involved in of late. I havent bothered and I'll tell you why. When I opened my shop front in Regional Vic (Lake Boga was our first shop) I made every effort to only stock items that weren't readily available anywhere in Swan Hill or surrounding area's. I prided myself that we were offering unique products and not stealing anyone's piece of pie so to speak. We maintained this when we moved into Swan Hill (though I was mad when many other businesses didn't have the same ethic and attempted to and some succeeded in stealing brands and items I stocked)
However when I had my second bubba Fox, and the business changed to online only I had to shift the focus in order to be competitive online. I was suddenly Australia wide and wowsers was that Overwhelming. Before I knew it I was stocking mainstream items that were available elsewhere. 

This weeks Pr Opportunity has been a wake up call. I went to my Awesome Biz mentor for some advice. I had an opportunity to get baby products in front of a big celebrity soon coming down under. When I asked how best to approach it she said "What do you have that no one else haves that such a celebrity can't find anywhere else?'' I really struggled with an answer for that. Had you asked me when I had my shop front- well you couldn't get anything I stocked in store locally. But now- well, online is BIG and getting bigger everyday. I would never suggest to anyone to start an online baby and kids business unless you are the developer and manufacturer- it is so flooded.. So, it made me think about why I started the biz in the first place, and how I could somehow get back to selling hard to find, unique and original pieces at Baby For Life.

That's where my brain is now at, and will be for quite some time. I'm thinking a change in focus for the Biz is required, though I'm not sure how quite to get there yet.

There's a 2 day Business Workshop /seminar coming up next month that I'm hoping to attend- Lots of information, the chance to listen to some inspiring speakers, meet other like minded people.. As long as funds permit (and time off my casual job) I'll be there..
So keep your fingers crossed for me, and please if you have any thoughts for Baby For Life please don't hesitate to contact me at info@babyforlife.com.au
Cheers
Bec