Beth's Biz Talk posts

Selling Online to Kids & Teens

One aspect of my business is selling individual sterling charms. Though I'm having fun selling to the beading community and watching them incorporate my designs into their jewelry, I have this urge to spread my business to a younger audience. Here are some things that I have been pondering about the kid and teen market. I'm wondering if you would lend a hand in the brainstorming process.

Here are some questions to get the ball rolling:

1. Do kids shop online? If so, who will I need to reach (kids and their parents)? Who is really purchasing this item? Kids or parents that kids have convinced?
2. What are the best mediums for marketing to kids and parents? (local word of mouth, magazines, blogs, online magazines, etc.)
3. What target price range would reach this market?
4. Is selling to kids and teens a lucrative market or would I be better off concentrating my energy on a narrow audience?
5. What resources would you suggest to research the kid and teen market?
6. Have you ever sold to this market and have you done it through the Internet?

Should you Brand a Name or a Concept?

When I considered the name for my business HINT Jewelry Design, I went back and forth between calling my business my name "Beth Hemmila" and placing my products under a concept.

I'm still not convinced I made the best decision for me, and I wanted to find out other peoples stories for naming their business. I also would like to find out from a consumer perspective what attracts you to a brand name. Lately I've been drawn to products that are associated with a person's name. Is this just me? I've never been a typical consumer so I'd like to know other people's thoughts on what draws them to a product besides the inherent value of what they will be receiving.

Does a person's name convey more about a product then a concept?

Here were some of my thoughts when I chose my brand name. What were yours?

Logical Reasons for Choosing the Name HINT 1. I wanted something that would be easy to type into search engines and would be maximum 4 letters. 2. I wanted a name that would be easy to remember and spell. 3. I wanted a name that conveyed a concept. For me the word "Hint" conveys memories of scent, secrets, desires, traces of marks, etc. 4. My last name is often misspelled and can be difficult to remember. It also not easy to pronounce, so I was worried this would not add to the ease of finding my business. 5. My website address might be too complicated to remember and type.

Reasons for Changing to the Name Beth Hemmila 1. As a artist I've always built my identity on my name so this feels disconnected having a concept be my persona. 2. I like my name and think it's unusual. 3. My name connects with my cultural background which plays a part in the stories behind my jewelry design. 4. My name could possibly become a persona that would be an attractive brand. 5. It may be easier to deal with the legalities of copyright and trademark. 6. It would be easy to get a domain name for a web site.

I would welcome any stories, thoughts and feedback. Thank you so much for taking the time to consider these ideas!

Help me Be a Cultivator of Joy: Dreamer or Visionary?

Hello Biznik World!

This week my life coach has been kicking me into high gear to ratchet up my advice calls to the level of my dreams.

Have any of you read the book "Four Hour Work Week?" Well, I'm in the midst of mapping a dreamline from this book and one of those dreams is to be a jewelry designer that earns over $500,000.00 per year so that I can be what I call a "cultivator of joy." Suspend reality for a bit and imagine a woman using the majority of her earnings to be a philanthropist for innovative community projects, wildlife, and visual/performing arts. Being a philanthropist is the core vision for how I see myself and the passionate spark that keeps driving me. I've always known art to be an essential ingredient in society's self-healing process. How can you not have gratitude for life when you celebrate the beauty that surrounds us? Ultimately, I believe art could flip the world switch from fear-based to love-based. I want to be a tool in this transformation process. Ok, you may be thinking, "she's a dreamer," but bare with me because I believe I'm a visionary ready to step up to the plate :)

To manifest this dream, my life coach recommends doing some advice calls that are in alignment with my desire. I need to find a jewelry designer that makes over $500K and do an advice call with them. (I'm giggling at the thought, and oops, feeling a little bit daring at the same time.)

Working with the idea of 6 degrees of separation (or 3 if you are feeling insightful), does anyone know a contact who I could talk to that would get me closer to reaching this goal of connecting with a jewelry designer that makes over $500K per year? Be as creative as you like.

To everyone, for whatever contacts or advice you are able to share, I would be most appreciative for your support of my dream. Thanks again!

Gratefully leaping into change,

Beth Hemmila hintjewelry@gmail.com