Sunday, September 18, 2011

Marketing 101

On Sunday I spent most of my day making and labeling candles. I normally don't make the candles at home but we were making candles to send to the Wildlife Film Festival. We weren't making any money by selling these candles but we had a huge marketing opportunity. By sending 50 candles to people from National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and representatives from other companies, we could sell a lot of candles.

What I've learned is that when a marketing opportunity comes up, you can give up a little bit of product for the chance to sell a lot of products. I have had many marketing opportunities, and after looking over all of them have taken advantage of some, and declined others. Marketing is something everyone should have a plan for and when you have an opportunity discuss it.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Balancing School and Business

 Ever since I started my business, ManCans, I have had trouble balancing it and school. In March, I had 1,400 orders in 48 hours because my candles were on news channels across the country, and this was on a WEDNESDAY! It was right in the toughest part of the school year and I was having around 3 tests a week. I started missing school to try to fill orders and to work at soup kitchens so I could have cans to make candles. I was up until 12:30 at night on a daily basis, when my bed time was normally 9. I was missing so much school, that my friends started expecting me not to be there. I started missing assignments and quizzes because of interviews. I was a nervous wreck. My teachers were supportive, but you could tell they were a little annoyed. I relied on Swim Team and Running to relieve my stress.
 By mid-April, I had found someone to make the candles and was back at school. My grades had suffered though and I lost my middle school 4.0 GPA because of an English assignment I'd missed on a day I had an interview. I made it through middle school ok, and everyone else at school thought my candles were really cool. I had lost my middle school GPA, but I had gained an experience that I would never forget.
 Anyone that gets caught in the same situation I did, don't be afraid to ask for help, whether it be asking parents or friends, and don't turn down anyone that is volunteering to help you. I have good friends that spent Saturdays with me making and labeling candles, and in return got candles of their own. Also don't forget to relax and be a kid every once in a while, your business can wait but being a kid can't. If you are having trouble at school with keeping up. ask a guidance counselor or a teacher for help or what they think you should do. Most of all though, enjoy the experience and satisfaction of owning a successful business.