Shownotes
What's In This Bash?
1. Free Training: How To Handle Requests for Product Donations
In this BASH, we cover:- How do you decide whether to donate?
- What can you expect as a return to your business from your donation?
- Everything you need to consider when calculating the worth of your donation.
- Ways to sway the results in your favor.
- Specific action steps to take when you receive a donation request.
2. Q&A about this topic with Bash attendees.
- Did your question get asked and answered? If not, come ask in the Facebook Group.
3. Business Showcases
Listen to the full episode to hear about discounts, collaboration opportunities, and more!- Amanda Bond - That Crafty Golden
- Anita Housman - The Hershey Gifting Company
- Cassie - Cassie's Country Cupboard
- Isheka Barrett - Extra Fashizz Merchantile
- Lex Anne Stroh - Fountains by the Sea
- Lili - Every Lilea Thing
Tune in now to learn how to make product donation requests work for your business plus how to know when to say no!
Resources mentioned:
Be part of the newest Gift Biz Opportunities!
The Gift Biz Bash offers you the chance to get added visibility for your business - for free. Who can't use that?! But seats are limited. To see the dates and times and to grab your spot, click here. A Gift Biz Boost is a free one-on-one strategy session discussing a part of your business you're trying to grow. Maybe it's the first steps to getting started, or how to attract more sales, whatever your current focus is. You'll leave with actionable steps to "boost" you forward.Join our community of handmade product makers
Gift Biz Breeze is an active and inspiring group of creators at all levels of business development. Ask questions, see what others are working on, learn new things, it's all there and we're waiting for you to join us!Finally, would you please leave a review? Thanks!
It helps other makers like you find the show and build their businesses too. You can do so right here: Rate This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify Know someone who needs to hear this episode?Click a button below to share it!
Transcripts
Hey, Hey,
Speaker:it's a bash gift biz unwrapped episode 389.
Speaker:Attention gifters bakers,
Speaker:crafters, and makers pursuing your dream can be fun.
Speaker:Whether you have an established business or looking to start one.
Speaker:Now you are in the right place.
Speaker:This is gift biz unwrapped,
Speaker:helping you turn your skill into a flourishing business.
Speaker:Join us for an episode.
Speaker:Packed full of invaluable guidance,
Speaker:resources, and the support you need to grow.
Speaker:Your gift biz.
Speaker:Here is your host gift biz gal Sue moon height.
Speaker:Hi there.
Speaker:It's Sue and thanks for joining me today for a bash.
Speaker:What's a bash.
Speaker:You're going to experience it in a minute,
Speaker:but first as a handmade product maker,
Speaker:you make the most beautiful,
Speaker:delicious, and life enhancing products.
Speaker:I'm honestly so impressed with your talent and you always put
Speaker:a smile on my face.
Speaker:When I see your newest creations,
Speaker:I'm always watching and I'm also always listening.
Speaker:Let me back up here for a second.
Speaker:In our Facebook group,
Speaker:gift biz breeze.
Speaker:I asked you a while back,
Speaker:what you need help with the most right now.
Speaker:And you totally surprised me.
Speaker:It wasn't email marketing strategy.
Speaker:It wasn't doing video or any number of topics that make
Speaker:up a solid growing business.
Speaker:Nope. What you are asking for help with is social media
Speaker:posting. What you've told me is you're putting in the time
Speaker:you're posting frequently,
Speaker:maybe even several times a day,
Speaker:and you're discouraged because you aren't seeing any of this move
Speaker:the needle for your sales.
Speaker:I hear your frustration.
Speaker:Some of you have even told me you're at the point
Speaker:of throwing in the towel on social media altogether,
Speaker:wait, please don't do that.
Speaker:Here's the thing.
Speaker:Some adjustments are needed.
Speaker:That's all you see putting in more time posting the same
Speaker:way isn't going to magically bring in sales.
Speaker:You need to change the way you're posting and what you're
Speaker:posting. You don't need to put in more work.
Speaker:You need to put in the right work.
Speaker:And that's when things will change.
Speaker:So based on all of your comments,
Speaker:I decided to create your solution.
Speaker:It's called content for makers and is specifically created for handmade
Speaker:product makers like you because when you get your posting strategy
Speaker:and topics,
Speaker:right, everything else falls into place.
Speaker:Content for makers will enlighten you as to why your current
Speaker:social media activities aren't converting into sales.
Speaker:It will also show you how to put in less time
Speaker:and start seeing activity that will lead to increased sales.
Speaker:Just imagine a day when you know exactly what to post
Speaker:and get it done in five minutes or less,
Speaker:then you can interact with your potential clients,
Speaker:deepen relationships with those you already know.
Speaker:And all of this continues to build upon itself naturally.
Speaker:Yes, this really is possible.
Speaker:Content for makers includes a step by step strategy to formulate
Speaker:your unique plan based on your products and your business.
Speaker:Then you'll get 375 social media prompts.
Speaker:That's over a full year of ideas along with the 375
Speaker:prompts also come 375 image suggestions.
Speaker:So you're not left hanging on the creative.
Speaker:These prompts and image suggestions can be used for all platforms
Speaker:and all types of posting too images,
Speaker:live streaming reels,
Speaker:even email topics.
Speaker:There's more to content for makers too.
Speaker:To see all the details,
Speaker:jump over to gift biz,
Speaker:unwrapped.com/content for makers.
Speaker:But honestly at only $27,
Speaker:it's a no brainer.
Speaker:Plus you only have to buy it once for use year
Speaker:after year.
Speaker:Why carry on posting as you've been doing all along expecting
Speaker:to see different results,
Speaker:sign up for content for makers now and see the transformation
Speaker:of your posting experience change write before your very eyes,
Speaker:gift biz,
Speaker:unwrapped.com forward slash content for makers ready and waiting for your
Speaker:immediate access right now,
Speaker:before we get into maker showcases,
Speaker:I wanna talk with you about something that inevitably comes up
Speaker:for every product business owner at some point,
Speaker:and that is requests for donations.
Speaker:While I know in your heart,
Speaker:you'd like to give to everyone as a business owner,
Speaker:you need to balance these requests with sound business choices.
Speaker:How do you decide,
Speaker:and what can you expect as a return to your business
Speaker:from your donation?
Speaker:Is there a way to sway the results in your favor,
Speaker:answers to these questions and more are what you'll hear as
Speaker:we kick off today's bash.
Speaker:Why don't we go ahead and dive right in.
Speaker:Hello and welcome to our ninth.
Speaker:Oh my gosh.
Speaker:I can't even believe it.
Speaker:Our ninth gift biz bash.
Speaker:I have a group of fabulous handmade creators here who are
Speaker:gonna share more about their business with you a little bit
Speaker:later. But before that,
Speaker:I wanna dive into a topic that has been brought up
Speaker:quite a bit lately in gift biz breeze.
Speaker:So if you've been following along in the Facebook group,
Speaker:you might have,
Speaker:have heard a conversation coming up about this and it becomes
Speaker:more and more popular this time of year.
Speaker:So if you're just starting your business or you are on
Speaker:the way with your business and haven't encountered this yet,
Speaker:I guarantee you that you will.
Speaker:And that is donations.
Speaker:Having people approach you to donate your product because they have
Speaker:a golf outing or it's a charity event,
Speaker:or it's the school or you name it.
Speaker:There is a gamut of people who will ask for donations
Speaker:and it gets a little challenging.
Speaker:I mean,
Speaker:obviously as a handmade product business,
Speaker:you are an attractor of this type of a request,
Speaker:but there's only so much of that you can do to
Speaker:make your numbers still work out.
Speaker:Now, the story that they will tell you and they believe
Speaker:this, they really do believe this,
Speaker:the story that they'll say.
Speaker:And the reason why they're saying you should absolutely donate is
Speaker:you in turn are gonna get visibility for your business.
Speaker:There are gonna be so many people who are seeing that
Speaker:you're donating to the silent auction,
Speaker:whatever it is.
Speaker:And you are gonna definitely because you're gonna get new eyeballs
Speaker:or people are gonna know about you,
Speaker:that they're gonna convert into customers.
Speaker:And then they'll be all sorts of additional growth associated with
Speaker:donating. And that sounds all great.
Speaker:I mean,
Speaker:from your side too,
Speaker:I mean,
Speaker:I know when I first started getting requests for donations,
Speaker:this is back when I had a gift basket business.
Speaker:I wanted to donate from your heart.
Speaker:You want to do it all the time,
Speaker:but at some point you have to decide,
Speaker:is this right for my business?
Speaker:And is this not?
Speaker:And I am never ever going to tell you not to
Speaker:donate. I mean,
Speaker:if you wanna donate out of the kindness of your heart,
Speaker:do so,
Speaker:but do so with your eyes wide open in terms of
Speaker:what this can actually truly do for you.
Speaker:Okay? The truth is for me and I have been in
Speaker:business now my own businesses for 15 years,
Speaker:not one time,
Speaker:not one time in all these,
Speaker:okay, we'll go with 15 years.
Speaker:It might even be longer.
Speaker:I'm not sure not once.
Speaker:Did I get anyone who won whatever that raffle prize was
Speaker:or donation or whatever,
Speaker:buy from me again?
Speaker:Never did they turn into a customer ever,
Speaker:nor did anybody as part of the organization.
Speaker:So I saw zip zero in terms of a return,
Speaker:Anita, I know you've done donations too.
Speaker:We've had these conversations before in some of my coaching groups
Speaker:and everyone is feeling the same way.
Speaker:So it's not just me.
Speaker:However, this is all not gloom and doom because I have
Speaker:some potential opportunity for you.
Speaker:But I first want you to think of donating from your
Speaker:perspective on your side,
Speaker:you are incurring because you're making your product,
Speaker:the cost of materials,
Speaker:the time it,
Speaker:it takes to produce that product,
Speaker:any type of packaging or signage or anything special you need
Speaker:to do to make your gift like kind of stand out,
Speaker:especially if it's a raffle or an auction and getting your
Speaker:donation to wherever the event is,
Speaker:most of the time they expect you to drop it off
Speaker:for them.
Speaker:So if you think of all of that,
Speaker:that is wasted,
Speaker:production time,
Speaker:material cost for you and your business.
Speaker:Now I'm not saying don't do it because that's what you
Speaker:might be thinking now is Sue's gonna say,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:forget it.
Speaker:Don't ever donate.
Speaker:I'm not saying that I'm saying you need to make your
Speaker:own decision.
Speaker:But if you do decide,
Speaker:you're going to do this,
Speaker:calculate your costs and put this in advertising and promotion in
Speaker:your numbers,
Speaker:QuickBooks or wherever you're going.
Speaker:It's advertising cost,
Speaker:promotion cost.
Speaker:Maybe you have an line item for charitable events,
Speaker:donations, whatever that is,
Speaker:make sure,
Speaker:at least at the very least,
Speaker:you're capturing a number to put in so that you can
Speaker:apply that when you're paying taxes at the end of the
Speaker:year. Now having said all of that,
Speaker:here's how you can make donations work for you.
Speaker:If someone comes to you and they are asking for a
Speaker:donation and you,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:they're friends.
Speaker:So it's hard to get out of it.
Speaker:It's a group that you are a part of.
Speaker:Maybe it's a chamber or some other type of a group.
Speaker:And you do wanna donate,
Speaker:genuinely want to donate.
Speaker:There's three things that I suggest you do that will help
Speaker:you try and work through getting this goose egg as a
Speaker:result of a return.
Speaker:And the first one is ask them,
Speaker:if you can attend the event as someone who's donating,
Speaker:can you get a free ticket to the dinner of the
Speaker:event? Somehow attend the event,
Speaker:get yourself physically where your donation is.
Speaker:What that allows you to do is network circle around and
Speaker:meet people.
Speaker:You can talk about your business because there may be a
Speaker:whole group of people who you don't even know,
Speaker:but you can say,
Speaker:yeah, I'm so fortunate that,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:I was invited to donate something and I'm happy to do
Speaker:it. That leads to talking about your business a little bit,
Speaker:et cetera.
Speaker:So it might not even be the fact that you donated
Speaker:something, but getting in front of a new group of people
Speaker:because you donated could help with your business.
Speaker:Now, if you are someone who's like,
Speaker:oh my gosh,
Speaker:totally freaked out,
Speaker:Sue. There is no way I would do something like that.
Speaker:Ask if you could help work the show for them.
Speaker:Could you sit at the welcome desk and hand out name
Speaker:tags? If that's something that they do,
Speaker:could you help collect the money for the donations?
Speaker:You're still getting yourself at the event,
Speaker:but then you have an activity to do so.
Speaker:That's one way to interact with people with a purpose that
Speaker:might be a little bit more comfortable.
Speaker:And again,
Speaker:the whole point is then saying I'm here because I'm donating
Speaker:a gift.
Speaker:Here's my gifts,
Speaker:whatever you would say,
Speaker:get you are able to get into a conversation.
Speaker:But if you do either of these two things,
Speaker:the point is to make sure that you're sharing why you're
Speaker:there and your business.
Speaker:So the first thing is get to the event is attendee.
Speaker:Second would be get to the event and work the event
Speaker:in some way,
Speaker:help them out.
Speaker:And the third is when somebody wins your donation,
Speaker:your prize,
Speaker:whatever, make sure you get a picture with them,
Speaker:where you go up,
Speaker:you can congratulate them.
Speaker:Oh my gosh.
Speaker:I'm so glad.
Speaker:Love that.
Speaker:You're the winner.
Speaker:Let's take a picture and you put it on social.
Speaker:You can tag that event and then they might share their
Speaker:picture, et cetera.
Speaker:So again,
Speaker:you're trying to get more visibility.
Speaker:The summary of this,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:with the three ways to make this work for you is
Speaker:you have to take the initiative on donation requests and ask
Speaker:for something in return,
Speaker:not just,
Speaker:oh, that's so nice.
Speaker:I'll get added visibility.
Speaker:Here's my gift.
Speaker:And then you hide,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:behind the door,
Speaker:get out in front of people and it's give and take.
Speaker:They're asking something from you.
Speaker:There's no reason why you can't ask something from them as
Speaker:well. It's really all up to you to make that happen.
Speaker:So here are my action steps for you,
Speaker:cuz I like to always keep these things actionable.
Speaker:When you get a request.
Speaker:First thing to do obviously is to decide yes or no.
Speaker:Are you going to accept the request or are you not?
Speaker:If you are then do what I just described.
Speaker:Get to the event,
Speaker:work at the event,
Speaker:take a picture with the winner and post on social.
Speaker:Then if you decide,
Speaker:no, I don't have time in my schedule.
Speaker:It's too big an ask.
Speaker:Whatever the reason might be.
Speaker:I'm going to give you the perfect line.
Speaker:I've used this over and over and over again because you
Speaker:don't wanna be in a position where you're stumbling over your
Speaker:words. You don't know what to do when someone's asked you.
Speaker:You're like,
Speaker:I don't know what to do.
Speaker:And then what do you end up doing?
Speaker:Saying yes,
Speaker:even though you don't want to,
Speaker:here's what you do.
Speaker:If the answer is no you say to them,
Speaker:you know what?
Speaker:I have an annual dollar allocation for fundraisers and donations like
Speaker:this, and everything's already been allocated for this year.
Speaker:If you're interested,
Speaker:let me know for next year.
Speaker:I will tell you that I'm gonna support our customers first.
Speaker:But if you're interested for next year,
Speaker:then let me know,
Speaker:send me an email.
Speaker:So I have it on file.
Speaker:And let me know,
Speaker:I'll attempt to put you into my budget for next year.
Speaker:So that's a nice,
Speaker:easy way of saying first off,
Speaker:okay, you're coming from me out of the blue and you're
Speaker:not my customer,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:and I'm supposed to do something for you,
Speaker:right? It also frees you up.
Speaker:If a customer does come and you wanna support them,
Speaker:then you haven't done so much of this,
Speaker:that you're really hurting your business.
Speaker:And you also have a structure in place.
Speaker:Now having said that,
Speaker:I came up with this idea because I was getting so
Speaker:many requests and then I'm like,
Speaker:this is actually a pretty good idea.
Speaker:I'm gonna make a line item in my budget for donations.
Speaker:So I had a certain number of dollars a year.
Speaker:I allocated it out when I was just starting.
Speaker:It was pretty small.
Speaker:And you could even promote that at the end of the
Speaker:year if you wanted to.
Speaker:Okay. So that's what I would do if you are being
Speaker:asked for donations.
Speaker:And I don't know if you've ever been on the other
Speaker:end of a fundraising event where you're going out and seeking
Speaker:money. It's hard for people to ask to.
Speaker:So you don't want to put them in an uncomfortable situation,
Speaker:either having a plan,
Speaker:knowing realistically what the results can be for you in terms
Speaker:of donations,
Speaker:which I say pretty much zero,
Speaker:but having a way to get in and actually make it
Speaker:work for you because it's a new audience.
Speaker:And then knowing what to do,
Speaker:if you really do need to decline in a way that
Speaker:doesn't feel bad for them receiving the information that you can't
Speaker:do it.
Speaker:Cause they can also walk back with being hopeful that maybe
Speaker:for next year,
Speaker:you would,
Speaker:I would love to open the mic.
Speaker:Now, if anybody who's here wants to comment any thoughts,
Speaker:any ideas,
Speaker:anything around donations.
Speaker:So I actually have a question about this.
Speaker:Sure. Probably you answer already,
Speaker:but it was how to approach is the opposite.
Speaker:Like if I want to donate something,
Speaker:how do I approach the best way?
Speaker:And if it's my question was also if it's really worth
Speaker:it, cuz I have to daughters,
Speaker:they go to gymnastics and I was thinking,
Speaker:probably donate something for them so they can promote my business.
Speaker:And the other one is yeah.
Speaker:In event like vendor events.
Speaker:Can I also,
Speaker:is it worth it to give something so they can give
Speaker:it away?
Speaker:And So I've never found,
Speaker:like I said,
Speaker:any of these types of events to pay off,
Speaker:however, for your daughters,
Speaker:did you say it was dance events or something?
Speaker:Gymnastics, Gymnastics.
Speaker:Oh, gymnastics.
Speaker:I should know.
Speaker:I used to be a gymnast in the day.
Speaker:You can never tell,
Speaker:but I used to be,
Speaker:if you went to them,
Speaker:instead of just saying,
Speaker:donating, maybe thinking up a little program where there could be
Speaker:fundraising for the group that then could lead to some type
Speaker:of business for you as well.
Speaker:So you could share in the profits,
Speaker:I'm thinking like if they do an end of the year
Speaker:holiday show,
Speaker:maybe you could help with some type of fundraising where you
Speaker:get your costs covered.
Speaker:They get whatever it is that would be part of that
Speaker:program. But then you work out with them.
Speaker:For example,
Speaker:in your holiday email list that I'm gonna be part of
Speaker:your holiday email with maybe a product that then you would
Speaker:sell as a holiday gift.
Speaker:Does that make sense?
Speaker:So you customize it up,
Speaker:like you be the one in the lead and present them
Speaker:with an idea that then covers at least just covers your
Speaker:cost and then gives you potential with that community.
Speaker:That's kind of a spinoff of what I was talking about
Speaker:of attending an event,
Speaker:but getting extra publicity in some way,
Speaker:because those people then all of the gymnasts and their moms,
Speaker:family saw what you did for their event specifically.
Speaker:Right. And remembered you with good emotion.
Speaker:And then that's,
Speaker:when you say,
Speaker:will you add in,
Speaker:I have a holiday special.
Speaker:If we do this together,
Speaker:I'd like you to add into the email that you put
Speaker:out to all the gymnasts and their family over the holidays
Speaker:with a little bit about this offering that I have.
Speaker:Yep. Yeah.
Speaker:Something like that.
Speaker:And you just create it and present it to them.
Speaker:And gosh,
Speaker:I'll tell you,
Speaker:business owners have so much as you know,
Speaker:on their plates that if you can create something all done
Speaker:for them already figured out already planned out for them where
Speaker:they're making a little bit of money too,
Speaker:you're covering your cost.
Speaker:Like it's all figured out.
Speaker:It's kind of a no-brainer to be able to say yes.
Speaker:So yeah.
Speaker:And it's a Good idea that it's a fundraising,
Speaker:so you,
Speaker:I get covered the cost at least.
Speaker:Yeah. And you could even be there signing people up,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:depending on what it is that you would be offering,
Speaker:you know?
Speaker:So then you're in front of people yet again and at
Speaker:the event,
Speaker:you know how all of these are,
Speaker:especially with the little kids,
Speaker:like they're not just bringing the moms and dads,
Speaker:grandparents are coming and other people are coming.
Speaker:Right. So yeah.
Speaker:You could really build this up into something fun and valuable
Speaker:for your business.
Speaker:I think.
Speaker:Great. Thank you.
Speaker:Yeah, it was great question.
Speaker:Okay. Any other comments?
Speaker:Go ahead.
Speaker:I was just gonna say that it helps if the,
Speaker:like the raffle is something that people can choose where they
Speaker:put their tickets.
Speaker:So the gift will actually get to someone who cares about
Speaker:your product,
Speaker:whether it's a silent auction item or something where they are
Speaker:making that choice,
Speaker:rather than just getting a name drawn out of a hat
Speaker:for a variety of gifts.
Speaker:So try and focus on the kinds where they get to
Speaker:choose what they want,
Speaker:because you're more likely to find someone who will,
Speaker:once they get your gift.
Speaker:Well, I really did love that or I already love that.
Speaker:And I'm going to keep going back to her anyway.
Speaker:I want More now,
Speaker:now that I'm going to share this with someone I,
Speaker:who I know does really love these products,
Speaker:something along those lines.
Speaker:So make it something where they get to choose the gift
Speaker:that they want with their tickets or their money.
Speaker:That's a really good point because some people will like offer
Speaker:up a raffle and it'll be like an iPad or something
Speaker:who wouldn't enter a raffle for an iPad.
Speaker:Right? Who wouldn't.
Speaker:But if it doesn't relate specifically to your business and is
Speaker:the audience,
Speaker:the people like Cassie saying of people who would buy your
Speaker:product, it's wasted,
Speaker:money, wasted money.
Speaker:And gosh boy,
Speaker:did I learn this in a big,
Speaker:bad way with the ribbon print company,
Speaker:we sell custom ribbon printing machines.
Speaker:You can see if your video,
Speaker:you say I got ribbon behind me.
Speaker:When I first went out to trade shows,
Speaker:I did a raffle for a free ribbon printer.
Speaker:Our systems cost a thousand dollars or more.
Speaker:So I was offering and raffling a free ribbon printer who
Speaker:wouldn't put their name in half.
Speaker:The people didn't even know what they were putting their name
Speaker:in for,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:and then someone wins and then,
Speaker:then we send out print the printer.
Speaker:And this is not another example,
Speaker:not one of them became a regular customer.
Speaker:Not one of them used it for their business.
Speaker:They got a thousand dollars ribbon printing system and they didn't
Speaker:use it.
Speaker:And that's a perfect example,
Speaker:Cassie, and a very expensive example of where I made mistakes
Speaker:on this part.
Speaker:However, I'm just gonna say it.
Speaker:Wasn't totally a mistake because a lot of people were waiting
Speaker:to see if they won before they would buy a printer
Speaker:from anybody.
Speaker:So that kept people away from my competitor.
Speaker:So I figured that strategy out a little later.
Speaker:So I need it.
Speaker:You raised your hand.
Speaker:What were you gonna say?
Speaker:Yeah, I would just like to recommend that if you are
Speaker:going to give away something,
Speaker:don't be afraid to put something inside of the giveaway for
Speaker:a call to action,
Speaker:to get them to post it on their social platforms or
Speaker:whatever. And also I put in a little note on the
Speaker:last thing that I gave away.
Speaker:And as this worked out great that I introduced myself on
Speaker:paper in case I didn't get a chance to talk to
Speaker:them. I introduced myself on paper and then said to them,
Speaker:Hey, I am a woman-owned business located at the greatest compliment
Speaker:you can give,
Speaker:if you enjoy this gift is to tell somebody else about
Speaker:my business so that I can continue offering free stuff.
Speaker:Or, I mean,
Speaker:you don't wanna open up to having say,
Speaker:okay, I'm giving away free stuff,
Speaker:but put something in there as a plug for yourself.
Speaker:It's okay to plug yourself in the giveaway.
Speaker:Yeah. I like that.
Speaker:Any, that's another example of taking the initiative and making the
Speaker:situation work for you,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:not just making it,
Speaker:handing it over and that being that wonderful.
Speaker:Okay. Any other comments before we move on to showcases?
Speaker:Okay. I've already talked a little bit about all the makers
Speaker:who are here,
Speaker:but for those of you who are listening,
Speaker:the reason this is called a bash is because we are
Speaker:bringing together a number of different makers who are gonna share
Speaker:their businesses with you.
Speaker:And as a listener,
Speaker:here are a couple of things I want you to think
Speaker:about how are people presenting their company.
Speaker:You might see a new approach that you've never thought of
Speaker:before. Let's face it.
Speaker:We work with our businesses all day long,
Speaker:but when it comes time to actually present and talk about
Speaker:our businesses,
Speaker:it can be challenging until you do it several times.
Speaker:So kudos to everybody who's here,
Speaker:cuz you're actually here and doing it.
Speaker:And don't anybody go away cuz I know who you are.
Speaker:I know I'm just kidding.
Speaker:But then also listen to what they're offering.
Speaker:Sometimes we have people who are interested in doing collaborations as
Speaker:well. So there may be something that someone talks about that
Speaker:either is a collaboration you'd be interested in doing with them,
Speaker:or it sparks an idea for you for your own collaborations.
Speaker:Again, you're not just listening to what people are talking about
Speaker:here. You're thinking about how this can relate to your business.
Speaker:And of course,
Speaker:if you're interested in supporting the people who are here and
Speaker:buying from them,
Speaker:that's also absolutely great.
Speaker:And now for those of you who are here and doing
Speaker:showcases, I'm just gonna remind you really quickly that the type
Speaker:of information that I want you to provide is first off
Speaker:your name,
Speaker:your business.
Speaker:If your product isn't immediately obvious by your business name,
Speaker:then just tell us what it is that you sell and
Speaker:then something that you have going on right now.
Speaker:So we're in gosh,
Speaker:almost into October now.
Speaker:So are you at some type of a fall festival craft
Speaker:show, farmers markets are still open.
Speaker:Is there something in your area that listeners who are there
Speaker:could come and see you at these local shows,
Speaker:you can also talk about directly to your website.
Speaker:Anything that you want in terms of the promotional end.
Speaker:And as I was mentioning before,
Speaker:if you have any collaborations or you're looking to partner up
Speaker:with anybody,
Speaker:for whatever reason it is,
Speaker:you have a chance to mention that here as well.
Speaker:And then finally one place and I really wanna stress is
Speaker:it makes it so much easier for people,
Speaker:one place for them to get in touch with you.
Speaker:So either it's your email or direct message me over on
Speaker:Instagram or you know,
Speaker:wherever it is one place,
Speaker:because it's much clearer.
Speaker:That communication is much clearer for everybody who's listening,
Speaker:if it's just one place.
Speaker:Okay. So with that,
Speaker:I'm going to,
Speaker:when I pull you up,
Speaker:just unmute your mic and then get a chance to take
Speaker:it away.
Speaker:Okay. And Anita,
Speaker:I'm gonna have you go first,
Speaker:cuz you're gonna be working with me in this upcoming weekend.
Speaker:So I'm gonna let you like do a little bit of
Speaker:work now and then you get to be done for a
Speaker:while. Well thank you.
Speaker:I appreciate that.
Speaker:Have added Anita.
Speaker:Okay. Hi everybody.
Speaker:My name's Anita Houseman.
Speaker:I'm from the Hershey gifting company and we provide a unique
Speaker:gifting and creating marketing experience for our customers that help them
Speaker:remember special people moments and their life events.
Speaker:Our greatest pleasure is really helping others make a huge impact
Speaker:within their budgets that will help them stand out above the
Speaker:norm. So with that,
Speaker:we work with big corporate,
Speaker:even from big corporate,
Speaker:even to small businesses and even not for profit groups by
Speaker:using our creative gifting and marketing meant to help them really
Speaker:stay top of mind and above the norm without high cost
Speaker:advertising budgets.
Speaker:So our number one product is custom printed ribbon that we
Speaker:personalized to order the ribbon can have like a personalized message
Speaker:that can have a sentiment written on it or even a
Speaker:logo or a picture for businesses that really wanna make their
Speaker:business or their brand pop.
Speaker:So what we are involved in right now earlier this year,
Speaker:we rolled out our drop shipping program for printed ribbon.
Speaker:We call it ribbon on demand and I am always looking
Speaker:to collaborate with other small businesses or other drop shippers to
Speaker:help them generate additional revenue,
Speaker:really with little to no effort on their part.
Speaker:So if you want to get started or to set up
Speaker:a free consult to discuss how I can help you either
Speaker:generate some income or promote your business or your product,
Speaker:you can find me online at the Hershey gifting company.com
Speaker:or on all social platforms.
Speaker:Wonderful. Anita.
Speaker:And I know,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:there have been people who don't have our ribbon printing systems
Speaker:who get jobs in and they're like,
Speaker:oh, can you customize it?
Speaker:Or can you,
Speaker:these are for party favors.
Speaker:Can you add a ribbon?
Speaker:And you don't have that resource available,
Speaker:but you don't wanna lose the job either.
Speaker:So if that's the case,
Speaker:then call up Anita and she can help you with that.
Speaker:You know,
Speaker:she can provide the ribbon,
Speaker:you keep the customer and then you just add that ribbon
Speaker:on to whatever it is that you have.
Speaker:So Yes.
Speaker:And we've been known to do small jobs up to the
Speaker:most recent one.
Speaker:We just did was 15,000
Speaker:pieces within a week.
Speaker:So that was a lot of fun.
Speaker:Okay. Your ribbons have been on the Ellen degenerate show.
Speaker:Yep. Your ribbons have been in the Boston marathon,
Speaker:right? With Doug flu,
Speaker:the Doug fluey foundation,
Speaker:right? Yep.
Speaker:That's all together.
Speaker:You do a lot for mothers against drunk driving,
Speaker:like tons of stuff.
Speaker:So PBS we did the Downton ABB gift.
Speaker:Oh yeah.
Speaker:At New York city.
Speaker:Yep. That was fun.
Speaker:And then the most recent one was the Memorial for the
Speaker:victims of the hurricane in The Bahamas for the Bohemian government.
Speaker:Yeah. They're getting around.
Speaker:They're Getting wonderful.
Speaker:Okay. Thanks Anita.
Speaker:Thank you Cassie.
Speaker:You're up next.
Speaker:Hi, I'm Cassie with Cassie's country cupboard and I create pantry
Speaker:items such as suit mixes,
Speaker:baking mixes,
Speaker:and spice blends that help busy families get food on the
Speaker:table without losing their sanity.
Speaker:And I am currently looking to partner with some gift basket
Speaker:companies or small gift boutiques and specialty food shops with my
Speaker:wholesale offerings.
Speaker:So if you are interested in checking out any of those
Speaker:products, I do have like my inch AADA so mix,
Speaker:I brought one with me today,
Speaker:but that's something that goes really well into different gifts,
Speaker:along with some specialty crackers or other small things that would
Speaker:go with soup.
Speaker:That's something that makes a great gift for others.
Speaker:So I would love to get an email from you.
Speaker:It's Cassie at Cassie's country cover.com
Speaker:or you can check out all of my wholesale offerings on
Speaker:fair wholesale website as well.
Speaker:Fabulous. And you know,
Speaker:I'm a huge supporter of you as is my husband.
Speaker:And we have had that a lot of suit mix to
Speaker:it's yummy,
Speaker:yummy, yummy,
Speaker:Yummy. Yeah.
Speaker:Bestseller. Yeah.
Speaker:Well, and your bread for a bus is our favorite.
Speaker:We can never have less than three ready to go in
Speaker:our pantry at any time.
Speaker:So I have to say that every time you come up,
Speaker:because I mean,
Speaker:I look at your name and I think beer bread,
Speaker:that's it.
Speaker:That's it.
Speaker:Thank You.
Speaker:Well, no,
Speaker:that's not all,
Speaker:but it's the one thing I would think of.
Speaker:It's not all that I think of you Cassie.
Speaker:Of course.
Speaker:Okay. Amanda,
Speaker:why don't you go ahead and go next.
Speaker:Hello everyone.
Speaker:My name is Amanda Bond.
Speaker:I am with that crafty golden.
Speaker:So what we create is handmade gift cards or greeting cards.
Speaker:We are actually just getting started.
Speaker:So our first show will be in September,
Speaker:but after this recording,
Speaker:any listeners can find us at our October show at our
Speaker:local farmers market,
Speaker:which is in Ocala,
Speaker:Florida, OC downtown market.
Speaker:It's pretty popping in the local area.
Speaker:So I'm really excited to get started with,
Speaker:if anybody was interested in seeing what we do,
Speaker:you can find us on all of the socials.
Speaker:And if you wanted to connect,
Speaker:you can send me a direct message on Instagram at that
Speaker:crafty golden,
Speaker:That crafty golden.
Speaker:And so at the shows,
Speaker:what is actually,
Speaker:what are you showing at the shows?
Speaker:Are people able to buy cards there?
Speaker:Yes. And are they all occasion cards or holiday cards?
Speaker:So I'm hoping to have holiday cards available in October,
Speaker:but we have birthday cards.
Speaker:Congratulations. All,
Speaker:all different occasions.
Speaker:I'm trying to,
Speaker:I have a whole list that I'm trying to meet the
Speaker:needs of.
Speaker:You don't realize how many different greeting cards there are until
Speaker:you really start looking into them.
Speaker:For sure.
Speaker:For sure.
Speaker:I do have quite a bit of variety right now.
Speaker:Okay. Do you do custom design cards?
Speaker:I do.
Speaker:Like if someone wanted to do cards on behalf of their
Speaker:business or something like that.
Speaker:Yes. And even I recently made a custom anniversary card with
Speaker:custom name and lots of things like that.
Speaker:So just depending on what the idea is,
Speaker:I can do my best to implement that.
Speaker:Okay. All right.
Speaker:Super, super Lily.
Speaker:Hi, you weren't expecting me to call you next.
Speaker:No, my name is Lily and I do crochet Ary.
Speaker:The company.
Speaker:My business is called every little thing and it's spell every
Speaker:L I L E a thing,
Speaker:little thing.
Speaker:So there's just a twist in there.
Speaker:Just like a little,
Speaker:like a little,
Speaker:it's a personalized name.
Speaker:And right now I'm gonna have,
Speaker:well, right now it's,
Speaker:I'm going to a vendor event soon and a couple of
Speaker:days in Ashburn,
Speaker:Virginia, I'm in Virginia.
Speaker:So I'm gonna be there doing vendor event.
Speaker:It's a neighbor who does like a vendor.
Speaker:She opens People.
Speaker:It's not like a big vendor event.
Speaker:It's not yeah.
Speaker:Yeah. It's in Ashburn area.
Speaker:And the best way to know what it is.
Speaker:You can find me in Instagram and just send me a
Speaker:message over there approaching and using your tips that you gave
Speaker:me today about the founding for the gymnastic school,
Speaker:You have to let us know how it goes.
Speaker:Yes, I will.
Speaker:You circle back and let me know.
Speaker:Yes, yes,
Speaker:yes, I will.
Speaker:I will.
Speaker:And if you need ideas or help with that,
Speaker:feel free to jump into,
Speaker:give biz Brie and just write a post question about that.
Speaker:You can go in there and just say,
Speaker:Hey, I've got a question.
Speaker:We can keep the conversation going over there as well.
Speaker:Okay, Great.
Speaker:Thank you.
Speaker:Okay, wonderful.
Speaker:You're welcome.
Speaker:Okay. And let's see here,
Speaker:where are we?
Speaker:Oh, Lex.
Speaker:I'm anxious to hear from you Lex aro.
Speaker:And I've been in business for since 1998.
Speaker:And the name of my business is fountains by the sea
Speaker:and more I make table tap fountains and I do some
Speaker:home decor with,
Speaker:I call 'em beachy shell bowls.
Speaker:I live in Florida.
Speaker:So sand and shells are very prevalent here.
Speaker:And a lot of people don't know what to do with
Speaker:all their extra shells,
Speaker:but I make decorative bowls and seascapes with them.
Speaker:And then I also do crochet items,
Speaker:specialty ones,
Speaker:the universities that are around here for the different mascots right
Speaker:now, I'm doing a lot of vendor events between now and
Speaker:the end of December.
Speaker:I have 15 events coming.
Speaker:15 events.
Speaker:Yes. Wow.
Speaker:Spend a lot of time.
Speaker:Just getting things ready.
Speaker:Is this the primary way that you sell?
Speaker:Yes. Through face to face events?
Speaker:Yes. I have a Facebook page,
Speaker:but I'm not doing much selling on there.
Speaker:So it's more of the face to face and special orders.
Speaker:When I post something on Facebook,
Speaker:somebody will call,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:they'll ask me how much and when can I have it
Speaker:done? I was at one time doing a online craft fair.
Speaker:It was once a month.
Speaker:And, and that was,
Speaker:that was a lot of fun,
Speaker:but that was during the pandemic.
Speaker:Right. But now that we're out,
Speaker:back face to face,
Speaker:I've got a lot of events during the year.
Speaker:Got it.
Speaker:Where in Florida specifically,
Speaker:are you In the Daytona beach area?
Speaker:Okay. And I do a lot of the local shows here.
Speaker:I do have one that's in Gainesville at the university and
Speaker:that one is a two day event.
Speaker:Most of my events are like one day.
Speaker:Okay. And is there anywhere online where we can see a
Speaker:list of your shows?
Speaker:I do have a Facebook page.
Speaker:It's slash fountains by the sea.com.
Speaker:Okay, perfect.
Speaker:Wonderful. And I will tell you also,
Speaker:and while I'll just address all the people who are listening
Speaker:here, if you're in Florida,
Speaker:we know that a lot of people like locally generated handmade
Speaker:crafts, you know,
Speaker:especially in Florida,
Speaker:I'm thinking of a couple people right now.
Speaker:If you're listening,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:I'm thinking of you and Amanda's raising her hand too.
Speaker:So I mean,
Speaker:that really separates you when you're able to create things and
Speaker:you have things that are coming from your area.
Speaker:So if it's something that you don't make,
Speaker:I mean,
Speaker:this could also be a potential collaboration to Lex with somebody,
Speaker:you know,
Speaker:like if you had hats and someone else had candles,
Speaker:or I don't know what they could be merged together too.
Speaker:I would be interested in doing something like that.
Speaker:If anybody was interested in doing that,
Speaker:like I said,
Speaker:I'm in the Daytona area.
Speaker:And the shows that I do are all local shows right
Speaker:here. Okay.
Speaker:All right.
Speaker:So if you're listening and you go to one of the
Speaker:shows that Lexi is at,
Speaker:you've gotta go up and say hello and say that you
Speaker:heard about her from this podcast,
Speaker:merging people together.
Speaker:My favorite thing ever.
Speaker:Okay, wonderful.
Speaker:Well, that's a wrap on the showcases.
Speaker:Thank you very much.
Speaker:It was a suggestion last time after we cut the mic
Speaker:off that I put links in the show notes for everybody's
Speaker:business here.
Speaker:That's another kind of added perk then.
Speaker:So if you were listening and you heard something and you
Speaker:didn't capture how to get in touch with that person,
Speaker:then just go over to the show notes and I'll have
Speaker:all their names and the businesses there.
Speaker:And then you can just link straight over to them and
Speaker:get things going.
Speaker:Okay? So thank you so much for joining me now,
Speaker:everyone who's listening.
Speaker:If you are interested in participating also,
Speaker:in other words,
Speaker:being here and showcasing your business.
Speaker:I have one bash left for the year so far.
Speaker:Maybe I'll add another one,
Speaker:but right now it is not my plan.
Speaker:So if you are interested to sign up for the very
Speaker:last bash of the year,
Speaker:you would go to gift biz,
Speaker:unwrapped.com/bash that one.
Speaker:Oh, let's see if I have it here.
Speaker:We're actually doing on September 29th in the morning.
Speaker:That's a Thursday morning.
Speaker:So we're actually recording it then.
Speaker:And it's gonna air middle of October.
Speaker:So this is the time when everyone would hear it and
Speaker:you'd get exposure for your business.
Speaker:So again,
Speaker:if you're interested gift biz on rap.com/bash,
Speaker:okay, all of you are here,
Speaker:please. I'm gonna stop the recording now,
Speaker:but please stay.
Speaker:Cuz there's always some good conversation that happens afterwards.
Speaker:Those of you who have joined in,
Speaker:thank you so much for being an observer on the bash,
Speaker:but you don't need to leave it at that.
Speaker:Feel free to interact with these wonderful ladies who have already
Speaker:shared their business with you.
Speaker:And I look forward to us being together again,
Speaker:next time.
Speaker:Bye for now,
Speaker:Before you move on to your next activity today,
Speaker:make sure to get your name on the list for at
Speaker:least one gift biz bash.
Speaker:You can see dates for the upcoming sessions and get signed
Speaker:up over at gift biz on wrapped.com/bash.
Speaker:And if you're enjoying the podcast and would like to show
Speaker:support a rating and review is always fabulous because it helps
Speaker:get the show seen by more makers.
Speaker:It's a great way to pay it forward.
Speaker:And there's another way where you can get something tangible in
Speaker:return for your,
Speaker:your support too.
Speaker:Visit my merch shop for a wide variety of inspirational items
Speaker:like mugs,
Speaker:journals, water bottles,
Speaker:and more featuring logos images and quotes to inspire you throughout
Speaker:your day.
Speaker:Makes a great gift too.
Speaker:And we've just added some new products for the season to
Speaker:the shop.
Speaker:Turnaround is quick and the quality is top notch,
Speaker:nothing but the best for you.
Speaker:Take a look at all the options at gift biz,
Speaker:unwrapped.com/shop. All proceeds from these purchases helps go to offset the
Speaker:cost of producing the show and now be safe and well.
Speaker:And I'll see you again.
Speaker:Next time on the gift biz unwrapped podcast.
Speaker:I wanna make sure you're familiar with my free Facebook group
Speaker:called gift biz breeze.
Speaker:It's a place where we all gather and our community to
Speaker:support each other.
Speaker:Got a really fun post in there.
Speaker:That's my favorite of the week.
Speaker:I have to say where I invite all of you to
Speaker:share what you're doing to show pictures of your product,
Speaker:to show what you're working on for the week to get
Speaker:reaction from other people and just for fun,
Speaker:because we all get to see the wonderful products that everybody
Speaker:in the community is making my favorite post every single week,
Speaker:without doubt.
Speaker:Wait, what aren't you part of the group already,
Speaker:if not make sure to jump over to Facebook and search
Speaker:for the group gift biz breeze don't delay.
