As a small business owner, you may have dreams of reaching the level of success that companies like Stanley have achieved. In case you’ve been living under a rock, or are new the hydration craze- Stanley’s Quencher cup was the MOST popular gift of 2023 and has recently reached even more VIRALITY through it’s collaboration with Starbucks and their “Valentine’s Day” pink cup which SOLD OUT at Target stores within minutes and is now being resold for up to $200. What began as a small company in 1913, has now grown into a revenue powerhouse, thanks to the success of their VIRAL Quencher cup. In this blog post, we will explore how Stanley turned the Quencher Cup into a viral sensation and what small businesses can take away from their success and apply it to their own unique businesses.

The capitalized on their UNIQUE SELLING PROPOSITION

The Quencher Cup was not the first insulated water bottle on the market, so how did it stand out from its competitors? Stanley’s Quencher cup is known for...

Do you often STRESS about money in your small business? Do you feel like you're working hard, you’re making amazing products, but something is missing. If this is you keep on reading because your products may not be as great as you think they are. Creating better products can be ONE of the secret ingredients to making more money in your small business. Obviously, there are a TON of other reasons why you may not be making as much money as you hoped but in this blog we'll explore how to make products that not only work for you but also your dream clients. With a little research, creativity, and UNQIUENESS you can offer products that speak to your ideal client, address their need, and make more money! So, let's dive in!

First thing first is YOU need to understand your ideal client! So what the hell is an ideal client? Well, an ideal client is the client you want you company to serve. Who are they? What are their needs and wants? What are their pain points? What are their interests. What ...

In 2020 I QUIT my baking business…

Let’s talk about it!

So often I get messages from other small business owners asking me HOW I knew it was time to QUIT my business, so I wanna share my experience with you!

A little backstory, I started my baking business in 2009, in the middle of a recession, with absolutely NOTHING! From home, right after filing for bankruptcy with my husbands ex! (Yup, you read that right!)

After 18 months of blood, sweat, and RIVERS OF TEARS, I opened my first storefront! After 12 YEARS, and building my business into a multi-million dollar brand, I decided to RETIRE and QUIT! (This actually took me 2 years to finally decide and take action!) So, if you’re feeling like you’re on the fence about throwing in the towel- keep on reading cause this is important!

There was a TON of thought that went into this decision, which I share on my podcast! (You can listen to that episode by clicking here) but here’s the TOP 3 reasons I knew it was time to close this chapter ...

Let's face it, CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, or gift-giving in general, can sometimes bring on more stress than joy. And in my opinion, that’s NOT how the holidays should feel. That's why I've compiled a list of some of my FAVORITE holiday gift-giving ideas just for you!

Whether you're shopping for your parter, your best friend, or YOURSELF, you'll find all my holiday faves here! And the best part is these gifts will fit ANY budget.

I separated them into categories so you can browse for that perfect, thoughtful, useful, and fun gift for everyone on your list! So if you’re ready to shop without the HASSLE and STRESS, then let’s get started!

GIFTS FOR HER

Radlove Electric Adjustable Standing Desk

Let’s face it, sitting all day sucks! I’m obsessed with my standing desk because I find that I'm more productive when I'm standing. I'm able to focus more and stay on task better when I'm standing and moving around. Which is why this desk is great for to pair with the next thing on my list! Keep re...

Move over decorated sugar cookies! This is what your customers REALLY want from you during the holiday season.

As a small business owner, especially a bakery owner, it can be hard to stand out during the holiday season. During this time of year, EVERYONE is in the kitchen cooking and baking, even the people who don’t typically bake, so how do you turn those holiday bakers into buying customers?

Well, I’m sharing 24 tips and strategies to help you WIN this holiday season but before we get into that here are three important factors to consider!

CONVENIENCE

How can you make their life easier during the chaos of the holiday season?

Do you offer a product that they can bring to family gatherings, Christmas parties, events? Do you offer special packagting or gift-wrapping to make your products stand out amongst the rest? Do you offer a product that solves a problem they may be having during this time of year?

IDEAS

What trendy/unique cool ideas can you offer them and package into a pr...

So you're ready to transform your passion for baking into a thriving business. AMAZING!

But HOW do you start? What do you NEED to know? Let's discuss the secrets to success in the baking industry. Let’s dive in!

1. Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone

Now you may not have expected this but here’s the thing about business…

What got you here won’t get you there!

Meaning, everything you’ve learned so far has gotten you to where you are today. But as time passes and as we grow and evolve so should our businesses. Which is going to require you to get outside of your comfort zone and try NEW things.

Think about it like this: you're skilled at what you do, and people can't get enough of what you offer. It's comfortable, and it feels great. But if you're looking to turn that hobby into a booming business, you need to step beyond that comfort. Remember, the magic happens outside your comfort zone.

Every successful entrepreneur started their journey somewhere, often with a leap of faith. So, ...

Fun fact about me: I LOVE FALL! Gimmie all the fall things: pumpkin, apple, spice- you name it! As the air turns crisp and leaves begin to fall, it's a signal from the universe that it’s time to infuse some seasonal magic into your cake business. So what are some amazing ways to guarantee success in your cake business? Let's discuss how you can attract more customers and make your bakery a MUST-ORDER from this season!

1. Harness the Power of Fall Flavors 🍁

Fall is synonymous with comforting flavors - pumpkin spice, apple cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. These are the tastes that remind us of cozy nights spent with loved ones, chunky sweaters, PSLs, and all the fall activities. So why not bring these flavors into a seasonal menu? Try out new recipes featuring these ingredients and create a dedicated "Fall Flavors" menu. Introducing a new flavor each week can keep your customers intrigued, engaged, and eager for more. While classics like pumpkin pie always hit the spot, don't hesitate t...

YAY! You did it! You started your very own cake business! Starting a business takes a lot of guts and hard work, and you deserve to clap for yourself. However, running a business also comes with its own unique challenges, particularly when it comes to dealing with customers. As a bakery owner, you’re most likely dealing with customers who have specific orders, and it’s easy to blur the lines between being helpful and accommodating and allowing people to take advantage of you. In this blog post, I’ll offer some tips on how to set clear boundaries with your customers to ensure your business runs smoothly and remains profitable! 

Let’s dive in!

Tip #1- Be Clear from the Start

One of the most important things you can do is to set expectations from the start. Make sure that customers understand your policies, such as your payment terms, delivery and pick-up times, and any other rules that you have around cancellations or refunds. This can be done through your website, email communicati...

I don’t know about you but I LOVE back to school season! There’s something about the change in the weather, the change in routine, and the start of new beginnings that feels magical. I don’t know what specifically it is (maybe it’s the cozy sweaters and PUMPKIN everything) but I feel it. And maybe you do too?

But with the new change also comes realizations and sometimes feelings of exhaustion and overwhelm.

You may have been HUSTLING 24/7, in the middle of grind season the last 8 months and now you’ve finally hit your breaking point. You’ve fallen off the hamster wheel and now you’re struggling to get back up. You’re TIRED AF!

If this sounds like you, I’ve got a diagnosis for you sis, and you may not like what you’re gonna hear…

You’re BURNT OUT.

Burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged and overwhelming stress. It can make you feel drained, unmotivated, and unable to cope with the demands of work or other responsibilities. (YIKES!)

So H...

Listen… SALES SUCK! Let’s not sugarcoat it. 🙄

I’m pretty sure that every single person I’ve ever talked to about their business HATES TO SELL. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could just pour our heart and soul into something and have that same love reciprocated in sales?

If that were the case, EVERYONE would be an entrepreneur.

Although sales suck and no one wants to feel like a slimy car sales guy on Black Friday, it’s a part of running a business.

And if you want to be successful in this business you have to learn how to sell!

So you may be thinking, “I know Janelle, but I’m just not good at it,” OR “I hate selling to people. I’m an introvert and I don’t know what to say,” Lucky for you I’m gonna let you in on a little tip that I learned when I was working in corporate America that I adopted in my cake business that helped ease the pain of selling.

STOP SELLING. START DATING.

Wait what????

I want you to start thinking about selling like you’re dating.

Think about it like this…