APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

If you could distill thousands of conversations with small business owners into one piece of advice, what would it be? After countless discussions, here’s the secret to making your business work, no matter what you sell. It’s straightforward yet powerful.

Business is Really This Simple

1. Know Your Customer Intimately

Who are they? What’s their name? What’s their customer persona? Dive deep into understanding every detail about them:

• What do they drink?
• What do they wear?
• How old are they?
• What do they do for work?
• What are their fears and frustrations?

You might have more than one customer type, but targeting everyone means reaching no one. Define your customer clearly.

2. Identify the Problem You Solve

What problem do you solve for your customer? Understand how you make their life better, even just a little bit. This could be by making their day brighter, their tasks easier, or solving specific issues they face.

3. Communicate Your Solution Through Quality Content

If you know your customer and the problem you solve, your content should clearly convey this. Quality photography and thoughtful presentation are crucial, especially online. A half-hearted approach won’t drive traffic. Instead, focus on:

• Professional and appealing product photos.
• Storytelling through visuals.
• Showing behind-the-scenes and real moments to build connection.

4. Build a Community

Tie everything together by building relationships and showing up consistently. Customers might come for the product, but they stay for you. Here’s how to build a community:

• Share the good, the bad, and the real.
• Be transparent and engaging.
• Let customers see the person behind the brand.

People prefer doing business with people, not faceless companies. Share your mission, vision, values, and even the salad you’re eating for dinner! When people feel seen and understood, they become part of a community. This loyalty means you can sell anything, from toothpaste to beauty products.

Let’s Connect #AskAshley

• Have a question or guest recommendation? Let us know your feedback directly here!
• Do you love the Boutique Chat Podcast?! Subscribe to our podcast and after that, leave us a review on iTunes Apple Podcasts here!

Must Have Resources

• The Boutique Hub:  Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | TikTok | YouTube
• Boutique Summit 2024
• Small Business Marketing Handbook
• Small Business Hiring Handbook 
• Brand Owner Basics Masterclass
• Tradeshow Marketing Handbook
• 2024 Trade Show Calendar
• Boutique Hub Black
• Hubventory.com

Recent Posts:

• 
  The Impact of Shopping Small First
  Have you been gearing up for Pink Friday? Or are you new to Pink Friday and want in on the fun? In this episode, I’ll be breaking down what Pink Friday is all about and giving you my best advice on how to get your business prepped for its best week all year.
• 
  5 Tips to Prepare Your Small Business for a Successful 2025
  The start of a new year is a chance to refresh, refocus, and set your business up for success. But instead of waiting until January to dive into your goals, the best strategy is to start preparing now. By taking action before the year ends, you’ll hit the ground running and gain a competitive edge as 2025 unfolds.
• 
  Holiday Retail Tip: USPS Shipping Cutoff
  The holiday season is the busiest time of year for retailers, and getting your marketing strategy in place is essential to make the most of it. A significant date to focus on this season? The USPS shipping cutoff. Here’s a guide to leveraging this deadline to boost profits, keep customers happy, and make sure every sale counts.