• Newsletter
  • Contribute
  • Advertise

Welcome to Homestead Hustle!
  • Home
  • About
    • Contributors
    • Giveaways
    • Free Newsletter
    • Become a Contributor
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise With Us
  • Living the Life
    • Day-to-Day
    • Funny Stories
    • Success Stories
    • Kids Who Hustle
  • Adapt and Overcome
    • Diversify the Homestead
    • Health Set-Backs
    • Overcome Objections
    • Taking a Loss
    • When to Hire and Fire
  • Marketing
    • Finding Your Niche
    • Network Strategies
    • Where to Promote
  • Fine Print
    • Forms and Tools
    • Insurance
    • Plan Your Legacy
    • Real Estate
    • Taxes
    • Major Purchases
  • Shop



The key to a successful business

By Carrie Miller on November 19, 2018 Visit Miller Micro Farm

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

The key to any business is having a quality product that not only you believe in but your customers do as well. When you have a great product it truly begins to sell itself with enough time and happy clients. Customers love to rave about a new, amazing product that they found. This does not mean you get to be lazy once the product has caught on. Instead, the real work begins.

How to keep customers coming back?

Let them know you’re listening and want their opinions. Always be willing to listen to your customers, it does not mean you have to fulfill each idea they have. However, listen to what they are asking making a note of it and see if the same idea comes from multiple people. For us, our biggest problem is the labeling on our lotions, the writing smears and rubs off over time leaving the product unattractive. Our clients knowing, we are working on a fix have been huge supports while we figure it out. As our bottles and label stock run out they are being replaced with better-quality options. Not wanting to lose hundreds of dollars on the old stock customers have been more than amazing about using out the old stock with no complaints.

New options and products.

People love to try out new products and options. We are always introducing either new product lines or scents. Seasonal rotation of scents is necessary for us. Our customers, friends, and family love the changeup. Therefore, pumpkin spice in the fall, apple cinnamon in the winter, and tropical sun in the summer are all seasonally rotated. Keeping a handful of fan favorites year-round is a must! Oatmeal milk and honey, cucumber melon, black raspberry vanilla, and lemongrass are just a few of the year-round options we keep in stock.

Something for everyone.

Not everyone has the same financing. Making products that are affordable for different ranges is imperative. While an 8-ounce bottle of lotion is $9.99 a 4-ounce lotion can be had for $5.49. Having other smaller inexpensive products also helps. We produce a great lip balm that can be picked up for a few dollars allowing even teenagers or elders living on a fixed income to afford a nice natural product.

Do not dumb down your product.

Customers are smart! They read labels, look for quality ingredients, and expect a quality product. The addition of any substandard ingredients will be noticed and frowned upon. Most people are willing to spend a few extra dollars on quality products that they believe in. Changing your formula or what your product stands for can and most likely will hinder your sales and your client relationships.

What sets you apart?

Soap and lotion makers are a dime a dozen. So, how do we survive in a market that is saturated? We believe in every element of our products! When you believe in something it’s guaranteed others believe in the same thing. For me, a huge part of my business is I am soy free. While the reasons may be different for each, the goal is the same. Soy for many is an allergy, others it is a cancer or hormonal scare, and some do not want the heavy GMO’s that are typical of soy. Because we use goat milk in our products we even keep the goats on a soy free diet to further remove all elements of soy contamination.

Let your business grow.

There is nothing that states one must go into debt to have a business, the key is growing with the business. I owe no debt, I simply upgrade or add as the business can afford. Debt often equals failure. What? Failure is not near as scary if the worst you’re going to end up with is a lifetime supply of a product that you already love.

debt=financial stress

financial stress=unhappiness

unhappiness=emotional stress

emotional stress=unhappy business owner

unhappy business owner=ex-business owner

 

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Website, and Twitter.

Grit Magazine, Mother Earth News Magazine, Community Chickens Blog, Homestead Hustle Blog, Chickens Magazine, Hobby Farms Magazine, and The New Pioneer Magazine

Tags

  • carrie miller
  • Goat Milk Lotion
  • Goat Milk Soap
  • miller micro farm

Related Posts

 
Adapt and Overcome, Featured, Fine Print, Rules and Regulations, Taking a Loss

Soap Laws

 
Agritourism, Getting Started

Franny’s Good Advice on Getting Started in Agritourism

 
Day-to-Day, Health Set-Backs, Success Stories

Can Farming Help with Addiction Recovery and Mental Health?

 
Adapt and Overcome, Finding Your Niche, Getting Started, Uncategorized

The key to a successful business

 
Adapt and Overcome, Agritourism

Taking Your Lumps

Leave a Comment

  Cancel Comment

2 Comments


  • Sharon says:
    November 28, 2019 at 3:24 pm

    First sentence of second paragraph needs to be repaired: Let them KNOW YOU’RE listening…

    didn’t read any further…

    Reply
    • Homestead Editor says:
      November 29, 2019 at 9:38 pm

      Sharon,

      Thank you for your comment!!! Those typos have been corrected. I also want to let you know that we have recently done some restructuring here and all community posted blogs are now going to be more carefully edited.

      Reply


      • Connect with Us

      • Get Our Free Newsletter!

        Subscribe to Mother Earth News

      • Live better... on less! You can have pure foods, clean water, lower bills - and the good life that you (and those you love) deserve. You'll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more.
      • Subscribe today!

        Popular

      • Start Your Backyard Flower Farm
      • How to Troubleshoot Engine Problems in Your Tractor
      • The true cost of starting a goat herd.
      • 5 Easy to Grow Plants to Sell on your Homestead
      • Making Money with Angora Goats, Part 4
      • Recent

      • Tips to Make Your Small Space Comfortable and Cozy
      • Enjoy Your Homestead! Using Outbuildings and Designing Outdoor Spaces
      • Weather Damage: Should You Repair or Replace?
      • 6 Homestead Projects to Complete on a Weekend
      • How to Keep Your Homestead Pets Healthy


    Delivered by:

    Mother Earth News Grit Community Chickens Community Chickens Community Chickens
    Copyright © 2023, All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Ogden Publications, Inc., 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, Kansas 66609-1265