EP#35: Turning Passion Into Business w. Kathryn Jackson
Are you a shoe addict like me? I personally need to restrain myself when it comes to purchasing new shoes, and the more original the design, the more likely I will be to max out my credit card! So many shoppers today share a love for unique footwear, but it’s not just the design that sways our spending habits. These days, we care as much about the quality craftsmanship and the longevity of our shoes as we do their design and brand.
Retail is a fast-paced outlet to be able to turn your passion into a profitable business, and in today’s podcast I really wanted to focus on that ideology. I invited Kathryn Jackson, founder of Protect Your Pumps to join me and share her thoughts on what it takes to transform a hobby or a particular interest into a growing business platform.
[Tweet “Search for a business path that is going to make you happy in the long term @protect_pumps”]
So in this episode, I wanted to spend some time learning about how Kathryn got started in her business venture, what recommendations she can give to fellow entrepreneurs, and most importantly, how you can turn your passion into a successful business.
Kathryn, who like me is also a shoe addict, came up with her idea for a non-slip transparent adhesive that can be used to protect the soles of stilettos after noticing the number of women who would come into her department store to have their designer heels repaired. Fashion is such a broad industry that today, entrepreneurs can afford to do something different and focus on a specific area that needs to be addressed. In Kathryn’s case, it was her observation for the luxury goods market and how the lifespan of a shoe can be prolonged using a simple adhesive worn on the sole.
[Tweet “Prepare yourself mentally and plan your goals in advance @protect_pumps”]
So if you’re passionate about a particular idea and want to see if it translates into a profitable business concept, it’s imperative that you do as much research as possible into your chosen area so that you can directly identify what works and what doesn’t. Online research, focus groups and strong business partners are all avenues to monitor closely before you go ahead and launch your e-commerce store.
Turning passion into business takes a lot of hard work, vision and dedication. Kathryn advises start-ups to listen to customer feedback when it comes to making improvements. Why settle for mediocre when you can have magical?
In this podcast you will learn:
- How Kathryn invented her business concept for Protect Your Pumps.
- Tips on how to secure regular online traffic to your e-commerce site and which methods really work.
- What to do when you want to push for further branding opportunities.
- How to strategically plan ahead for future goals and success.
- Learn which social media sites are ideal for generating results and adding value to your brand.
- Learn how to transition your business from focusing on local sales to growing your international presence.
- How to overcome challenges you may face as a start-up.
Resources:
http://www.protectyourpumps.com/
[buzzsprout episode=’236106′ player=’true’]