There’s a quote that I like that goes something like “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.” Now I don’t exactly know who said it or what life lesson they were referencing, but if it was about how to overcome business failure, I can totally relate. So can Michon and Melinda, who sat down with me for one of my ICan Conversations to talk about starting their online store, female entrepreneur motivation and never giving up.
So, a bit of background.
You’re going to know right off that these two are sisters, but they are also business partners. They each went from corporate marketers working 80 hours weeks to deciding to start their own apparel business 10 years ago.
These mompreneurs created and manufactured their products, and with their kids in tow traveled to expos and events selling their hearts out. They were gaining traction, expanding their product line…and then suddenly found themselves in a situation they never could have imagined.
They were deeply in debt, had creditors calling…and weren’t sure what they were going to do next.
Watch the video to get the whole story and learn for yourself how to overcome business failure:
So what were some of the lessons they learned by figuring out how to overcome business failure?
Lesson One: “Sometimes you have to fail in order to grow.”
Michon and Melinda had experienced success. They'd learned so much from their first business, and they were willing to give it one more try. They decided they weren’t going to let one setback define them, and instead put everything they’d learned to work for them. Step by step, sale by sale, they harnessed the power of e-commerce and in the last two years have paid off all of their business debt and have sold $450,000 in product. Wow!
Lesson Two: “We will know what our product is. We will know.”
I love, love, LOVE the fact that Melinda and Michon wanted to build something big. Yes, they totally started off with the basics I teach in my 0-$100K System to get their feet back under them. But in that process they looked for a concept on which they could create a long-term and successful brand—and boy, did they get it right! Their product solves a problem, and their design approach is exceptional. They’ve thought of every detail…and as a customer of theirs, I can tell you that the pillowcases Ivy and Sage Market create are truly unique. Plus, I like the fact that they are now broadening their product lines while remaining true to the brand they’ve created.
Lesson Three: “Don’t ever give up. If you’ve already given up, it’s okay. You can start again.”
These sisters had gone through the wringer with their first business. They’d worked hard and done so much right and STILL had things go wrong. But they started over with Ivy and Sage Market. As Melinda said, they were determined to overcome business failure, so they kept going and they are still going. That makes them pretty dang successful in my book.
Seriously—you’re going to want to watch the video so you can see and listen to Melinda and Michon share their story in their own words. You’ll also want to take advantage of their special offer from Ivy & Sage Market so you can try out their pillow covers for yourself. Just click the link and we'll deliver the discount code right to your Messenger inbox!
If you enjoyed this ICan Conversation, you may also enjoy this one: https://alisonjprince.com/i-can-conversations-shop7degrees/
