1000 Beautiful Bracelets Celebrates its First Birthday!

An amazing day! If anyone had told me ten years ago I'd be starting a business based on accessories, especially "bling" type accessories I would hardly have believed it. And now that business has turned the first corner, and is growing from strength to strength, having survived its first year of operation, which already puts it in a category of possibly only 30% of startups still operating after one year. Another surprise for me is that for years I never even wore jewellery; ironically, after moving to Johannesburg, the "City of Gold"..I developed an allergy to wearing anything but Gold accessories which is actually why I work hard to choose components and materials that make up the "1000 Beautiful Bracelets" accessories that are hypo-allergenic. So that I can wear my own creations!

To celebrate the day, we are launching a Competition for this Birthday Celebration for all our Fans (enter via our Facebook Page here - click on the "Birthday Competition" tab*).. you could win a lovely Gift set similar to the photo featured here:

Beautiful Bracelet & Pendant with Luxury Chocolate Gift Set

Included in the Prize will be the "1000 Beautiful Bracelets" Book (on How I made a Profit from R1000 in just Six Weeks and You Can Too).. the book should be published by the time the Competition Closes (30 November), if not, a Voucher redeemable on publication will be delivered with the Gift Set. You can Pre-order the Book via the 1000 Beautiful Bracelets website.

*Terms and Conditions apply.

Soweto Festival Expo Competition 2013

1000 Beautiful Bracelets was privileged to be selected as one of the SMME's to be part of the Soweto Festival Expo SMME Program which comprised a Stand at the Soweto Festival Expo as well as seven invaluable full-day training sessions with Bill Gibson of Knowledge Brokers International over the next six months to assist the business in marketing itself.

Many people visited our stand, where we hosted a competition which was very popular.We are thrilled to announce the Prize Winner of the "1000 Beautiful Bracelets" Gift Set today: The Winner is Gordon Leeuw, of  Molofo Village, Soweto who was very excited when we called him to notify him that he won the Competition, he said he would give the Gift Set to his wife, Ntombi!

"1000 Beautiful Bracelets" Prize Gift Set comprising two Beautiful Bracelets and Luxury Chocolates...

On Sunday, the Soweto Festival Gospel Concert attracted at least 15,000 people and there was the most amazing vibe, the music was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Gospel Music is the most popular genre of music in South Africa: there are more sales of Gospel Music at the music retail stores than any other genre!

The CathSSeta Bus - the Kind Sponsors of our involvement at this event...

Open Letter To Bruce Whitfield

Dear Bruce,

I think no one is as surprised as I am that my life could change in a spectacular way through "1000 Beautiful Bracelets" and a phone call to the Radio 702/Cape Talk Money Show a year ago.

What surprises me more is that the business seems to have developed a life of its own and continues to grow (with a new product launch at the Soweto Festival Expo this weekend) and to push the boundaries, and also that it reaches its 1st Birthday on 1 October which means it falls into a special category of between 30 and 50% of micro startups that survived longer than a year.

Over the past year "1000 Beautiful Bracelets" received wonderful publicity not just on Radio 702 and Cape Talk but also in the printed media: through articles in "The Saturday Star", EntrepreneurSA magazine (January and July issues) and elsewhere..and tonight it reaches a new high: Television exposure!

Tonight at 9pm "1000 Beautiful Bracelets" has its first TV appearance in a half hour feature on "The Big Small Business Show" on Business Day TV (DSTV Channel 412) which will air to 100,000 viewers in Southern Africa. This is an amazing milestone for a micro enterprise.

1000 Beautiful Bracelets was recently at Decorex and a couple of weeks ago received a CathSSeta (DTI) sponsorship valued at R20,000 for the SMME Program at the Soweto Festival Expo. This comprises a stand at the Expo this weekend 20=22 September, as well as substantial Business Marketing Training over the next 6 months that will really help take this business forward.

I think my favourite part of this journey is that I have been invited as a (paid/professional) Speaker at the 5th Annual Vaal SMME Conference on 2 October to speak on how I started 1000 Beautiful Bracelets with very little.

And the Book "1000 Beautiful Bracelets" should be out soon...

So I really want to thank you, Bruce, for being a catalyst for so many dreams I'd actually forgotten about..to write a book, to speak and inspire others at Conferences*... but most of all to lead an interesting life and have fun on the way. "1000 Beautiful Bracelets" and the Money Show R1000 Challenge put me on a path to achieving all this in the most amazing and unexpected ways.

Thank you, Bruce Whitfield!
(and Radio 702/Cape Talk Money Show)

* I trained myself in public speaking years ago at Toastmasters, and I'm actually a Charter/Founder member of Midrand Toastmasters: won their Humorous Speaking Contest two years in a row - I'm funny by accident..

How to Ensure Better Success at a Flea Market or Farmer's Market

You can determine the level of success you have in selling on Flea Markets or Farmer's Markets! The first thing is to have a product or products that people actually want to buy in the first place. But there are ways you can improve your sales percentages on these markets. Here are a few tips that should help you to increase your chances of success.

On the day:

1. Plan to arrive early. The organizers usually give a window of time for traders to set up, there is nothing worse than feeling stressed and sweating to get everything set up and ready whilst customers are already trying to purchase items off your table. Rather be early at the start of the window period given by the organizers for setting up. If you finish early you can always go buy a coffee from one of the traders..
2. Decide if you want to actually sell your stuff or not. Seriously! You could sit in the back of your stall or in a corner reading a book or texting/SMS'ing people all day while assuming people will buy something if they like it, or you can stand up and sell your products to people. People don’t usually come to flea markets to buy stuff they NEED, they come to see if there’s anything they WANT. It’s your job to show them why they want something. Personally when I do flea markets, I never sit down unless it’s a really slow period. I don’t hover over people though, I just re-arrange or neaten the table or sort through excess stock, something menial so people don’t feel they’re interrupting if they have a question. Standing behind your table makes people more comfortable asking a question about a product, and thus, more comfortable buying from you. If a person browses through things for a while, or fingers an item like a bracelet, I’ll casually mention they are welcome to try it on if they’d like or recommend a pair of earrings or pendant I think might be a good match. Be honest! If someone tries something on that doesn’t look good on them, clashes with their face shape or hair color, say it! But recommend something new in its place. They’ll appreciate your honesty and be more inclined to try more things on. Now, rather than deciding WHETHER to buy or not, you have them deciding WHICH product to get. And that’s the key to a sale.
3. Unless you have a lot of stock on multiple tables or it’s a busy flea market, you probably won’t need someone else there all day. It’s more fun if you can get a friend to help you out, but it isn’t necessary. It DOES help though, to have friends pop in throughout the day either to chat, break the monotony if things are slow, or watch your table and attend to any customers when you have to go to the bathroom, grab something to eat or even just get out for a short break and browse other stalls. It’s better not to ask the trader next to you to watch your goods while you take a break. It’s difficult for both of you because you’re entrusting them with your things and they’re stretched enough trying to handle their own business. Plus, with no one behind the table, you’ll lose potential sales anyway. If you have no choice and have to ask them though, realise they’re doing YOU a favor and perhaps bring them back a bottled water or hot dog or something.
4. Packing up: Be careful to watch the money. This can be just as frantic a time, because you might have been holding out for the last possible customer or sale, and there’s a panic to get everything out of there before the market closes or, if it’s an outdoor market (which is a great feature of Sunny South Africa) before the rain comes down. 

Lastly, treat a market not as a chore, but a joy. The kinds of people who are traders are usually lovely personalities (although they can be very busy, stressed and unable to chat), and it is a wonderful outing and a chance to meet the people who really LOVE your stuff (or hate it, in which case you might need to think of a new business!). It’s a very good leveler, and will also help to give you a good idea of which of your products are “hot” and which are not. If your aim is eventually to get into retail stores or even have your own branded retail store, being “out there” on a market could be one of the best market research tests you can do.  If you want an excellent checklist for preparing for a Fleamarket, check out yesterday's post here.

Have fun!

Check List for Selling on Flea Markets or Farmer's Markets

Christmas Night Market at Kyalami Estates, December 2012

If you would like to get into Flea or Farmer's Markets to sell your products: Do an internet search, get recommendations and referrals from friends, go to existing markets and find a way to chat to the organizers. Once you manage to get onto one market, you usually end up meeting other traders who can help you get onto other markets if you want to. Some markets in Johannesburg/Pretoria have a 3 year waiting list!!

Tips and Preparation List

Having done a few of these markets I have some tips. Unfortunately if you’re new to the Markets, it isn’t easy to know what will sell. I have had good days, and bad days. But the reason people keep doing them, is they do work, as long as the Fees are not too high and the Organisers have marketed the Event properly. 

It helps a lot to be prepared ahead of time. Here is a list of what you can do (not on the day!): 

1. Organise your products (jewellery, accessories, clothing, food items). It helps to have everything you sell in one container or several. If your things are too heavy, use a suitcase with wheels.
2. Do a test run. Set up your table beforehand in case you might be missing something. I find it’s always good to have these items just in case needed: a ball of string, clothes pegs, long nails and hammer (useful at times), sellotape, packaging tape, glue, prestik (aka Blue-Tak, Fun-Tak, pattafix), scissors, marker pens, ballpoint pens, paper, notebook, invoice book and business cards. Once you’ve done one Market, keep these items in a box or container solely for the purpose of Markets, so it’s easy to grab and run. You need a nice table cloth or cover to show off your products to best advantage. Essentially this cloth should touch the ground! Work with the season (eg Christmas / Valentines / Easter decorations for the table). Practice setting up your gazebo if you have one you’ve never used before.
3. Be sure to put price labels on each item. People seem to prefer it (although some traders swear by not putting prices on the products.)
4. Wear a moneybag or an apron with large pockets for the cash. It can become pretty hectic at times and some people are at the market not to buy from you but for easy pick pocketing of your cash or your goods! One woman at a table near me at a recent market was throwing all the cash into an open basket with people brushing past it all the time. Unwise!
5. Pack everything ready to go and if your car is secure and unlikely to be stolen, load the car.
6. Make sure you have plenty of change in the right notes or coins. Get it at the bank the day before if necessary.
7. Try to prepay your stand, it’s easier, and ensures you get a better spot on the day.
8. Work out your route to get there beforehand, take extra cash in case needed for parking. 

This covers most things you can do beforehand. Tomorrow I will give tips for how to handle the day of the market to ensure greater success.

Creating a Free Website for your Business

This is so easy I never actually got to doing a "how to" but over the months, I've realised that although I found it simple and easy (and I'm sure you will too if you haven't already), some people need guidelines. Wozaonline.co.za has a wonderful service. To access this, you first need to set up a Google account (just go to www.gmail.com and set up an email address that syncs nicely with your business idea: I got 1000beautifulbracelets as a username, which was great. Actually I wanted "beautiful bracelets at gmail.com" but that was taken, which led to the next idea... you may have to play around a bit with words that best describe your own new business.

Once you are logged onto your gmail account, open another window and go to Step 2 on the http://www.wozaonline.co.za/getstarted page. One person who asked for advice had a problem with the "Add Products" page. I have to admit, since I am a complete layperson when it comes to IT, I actually have to "re-teach" myself each time I do it. But it isn't that difficult, and if it's taking too long, try the FAQ page  which may answer your question alternatively you could go to the Sitebuilder Help Centre, or Email the Support Staff or go to the online Support Forums. Although I have set up my own website (it took me 3 hours, others boast of setting up the whole thing in half an hour), please don't ask me for advice, I would have to refer you back to the help systems already in place that I just listed!!

There are many other "free websites" offered out there (do an internet search) but what I like about Wozaonline is you get a free domain for the first year of your business, which is very useful for a start up operation. Request the domain you want when you set up your Website. I first did a quick search to see if the website I wanted was already taken by anyone, amazingly, www.beautifulbracelets.co.za (my first choice) was available!! So within a few hours I had the website up and running on my own domain!

1000 Beautiful Bracelets Book Deadline!

Apologies to faithful followers, as you may have discerned if you've been reading this Blog regularly, I have been dealing with nipping Burnout in the bud (thank God I believe I have...). If you can recognise the signs mentioned in the previous post, you will be able to save yourself from more hardship. For me, this included a visit to a dietician who is linked to my physician, Dr Wian Stander who supplies the nutritional supplements and immune boosters I desperately needed to get back on track. You can order online if you like. Imagine yourself at your very best: healthy, nourished, at your ideal weight and raring to go? Future Health has the answers and you can order the products online. Dr Stander specialised in Functional Medicine, and there is a wealth of advice on this website for people who want to live a better, healthier longer life. The products are already working for me after only 3 days, my energy levels are returning (I am usually a high-energy person).

I have also a book deadline: "1000 Beautiful Bracelets- How I made a Profit from R1000 ($120) in just 6 weeks and you can too" will shortly be with the Publishers. It should be released in April 2013, you can pre-order your copy online here.

I leave you with a great video: You might have seen this already, I only recently came across it, I am working on finding my own Puddle of Joy, what a stunning place to be!

Burnout Prevention Tips

Start the day with a relaxing ritual. Rather jumping out of bed as soon as you wake up, spend at least fifteen minutes meditating, writing in your journal, doing gentle stretches, or reading something that inspires you.

Adopt healthy eating, exercising, and sleeping habits. When you eat right, engage in regular physical activity, and get plenty of rest, you have the energy and resilience to deal with life’s hassles and demands.

Set boundaries. Don’t overextend yourself. Learn how to say “no” to requests on your time. If you find this difficult, remind yourself that saying “no” allows you to say “yes” to the things that you truly want to do.

Take a daily break from technology. Set a time each day when you completely disconnect. Put away your laptop, turn off your phone, and stop checking email.

Nourish your creative side. Creativity is a powerful antidote to burnout. Try something new, start a fun project, or resume a favorite hobby. Choose activities that have nothing to do with work.

Learn how to manage stress. When you’re on the road to burnout, you may feel helpless. But you have a lot more control over stress than you may think. Learning how to manage stress can help you regain your balance .

Source: HelpGuide. For more info, read the entire article here

Why I think these Blog Posts are Popular..

Here is a list of some of the "all time" most popular "1000 Beautiful Bracelets" Blog posts to date and a brief reason why (although I could be wrong, have your say in the comment section if you have another point of view):

It seems the Money Show Challenge aspect of BeautifulBracelets continues to draw a great deal of interest and attention, and certain of the weekly reports get a lot of attention (I gave a report-back for each of the 6 weeks of the Challenge). I am not sure why certain weeks got more attention than others. Here are links to the most popular of those:

• Money Show Challenge Report Back: Week 3
• Money Show Challenge Report Back: Week 5

Then I feel the next two Posts are popular because these give practical advice on social media and on aspects of getting products marketed:

• The Day After.. and Selling on Twitter
• How To Get Your Products into Retail

Lastly, these three Posts I believe are popular because we all need a bit of inspiration:

• Anything is Possible
• How to Get an Idea for a New Business
• 5 Things Every Happy Person Does

The reason I continue to keep up with this Blog is to bring hope, inspiration and practical help to people working on their own micro business idea. It is worth it if just one person receives that encouragement.

Health Issues Facing Entrepreneurs

The events towards the end of 2012 including the start up of "Beautiful Bracelets" took their toll over the break between Christmas and New Year and I found myself facing what for me is an unusual (fortunately short) period of feeling extremely unwell. My body rebelled against the major stresses of working hard, long hours for an extended period of about 3 months with very little respite! I really do believe that it is important to rest one day a week, but that is not enough.

So in 2013, I will be factoring in fitness, an exercise program and making sure that I take nutritional supplements to assist the careful diet program I am on (I lost 25 kg during 2012 so that major weight loss with associated detox probably also contributed to the brief period of extreme unwellness). I do feel comforted to be under the guidance of a specialist physician (who is on holiday) and will be careful to take his advice going forward...

We all know what we "should" do healthwise.. the thing is, we need to DO it! The past week has been a little warning to me and a reminder of what I already know: the most important attribute for the success of an entrepreneur is to have good health. Do whatever you need to do to protect that!

Make 2013 Your Best Year Ever..!!

I love the tag-line of the January 2013 issue of Entrepreneur South Africa Magazine... which features the R1000 Start-up Challenge that launched Beautiful Bracelets! You can get your copy in stores now, alternatively sign up for an online copy at via their website at Entrepreneur Magazine. This website is well-worth a visit, it has many useful resources for entrepreneurs which you can get by signing up as a user on their website or if you prefer not to do that, just browse the website.

2013.. what I expect

I believe that we are going to need very much to tap into our spiritual resources for 2013. I am trusting God to be my Preserver in 2013. To this end I will memorise Psalm 91 and keep it close to my heart and mind. I have encouraged my friends to do the same.

Psalm 91

¹ He who ^[a]dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].

² I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely,and in Him I [confidently] trust!

³ For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.

⁴ [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.

⁵ You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,

⁶ Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

⁷ A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.

⁸ Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.

⁹ Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,

¹⁰ There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.

¹¹ For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

¹² They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

¹³ You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.

¹⁴ Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].

¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.

10 Google Tips to Enhance your Business

Here is a brief overview of Google tools that can help your business online.

Ad Words Express

Many small-business owners don't have a lot of time or advertising agencies they can use, this is a quick and simple solution. Business owners provide basic information and Google creates their ad. Google will also manage your ad, pushing it to the right people whether they're searching on laptops or cell/mobile devices.

Google+ Your Business

Facebook has become an unstoppable marketing force for many businesses, and Google has its own version. You can share links, photos and promotions with the right customers at the right times. The posts can be public so people can find them using search, or you can use the Circles feature to tailor specific messages to specific followers. You can even initiate live video chats with potential customers who want to dig deeper.

Google Analytics

You need to know that your marketing efforts are not being wasted, and Google Analytics can measure your success. You don't need an army of analysts or even an enterprise to use this enterprise-worthy tool. The free system allows business owners to track sales and conversions and measure your site engagement goals against thresholds. Once you know who is coming to your site and what they're looking for, you can write more highly targeted ads and strengthen your marketing initiatives.

Google Offers

Customers are still driven by deals and Google Offers matches your business with relevant customers in your area looking for discounts. Customers prepay for these targeted discounts and small-business owners are paid a few days after the offer runs.

Google AdSense

While Google can drive customers to your business, it can also be a money maker. Small-business owners can add custom search engines to their site and earn cash from ads on the search results pages. With AdSense, entrepreneurs can also display ads that match their audience's interests on their website and earn from valid clicks or impressions.

Google Keyword Tool

It is all about the keyword, and it is important to select the right ones to attract the right customers to your business. This feature enables you to test-drive keyword ideas using any combination of keywords, a URL and categories. Users can compare statistics for your keywords with one or more match types at the same time. The mobile search component provides data by search volume and competition types.

Traffic Estimator

Once you perfect your keywords, you want to know how much your campaign will cost. Business owners will get a report on average estimated cost per click, total estimated clicks and total estimate costs for each keyword.

+1 Button

Word spreads on the Web like wildfire, and Google's +1 button makes it easier for customers to share their experiences about your business. The +1 button that connects Google+ makes it easier for your customers to start conversation with their circles while also providing timely recommendations. In addition, +1 annotations on Google search help bring these recommendations to users who are searching for your products and services.

Google Mobile

There are Google Search, Display and YouTube ads, but mobile is becoming a prime methods for targeting consumers at the point of decision. It is also important that your website displays well on an array of mobile devices. Using howtogomo.com, business owners can see how their site looks on a mobile device and get customized recommendations for creating a mobile-friendly experience.

Google Apps for Business

Communicating with customers and potential customers is key to your business, but it is not always easy without tech support. Google offers a suite of online tools that are ready for business, including email, a calendar and documents.

Resource: Business News Daily

It's Up To You!

Decide what your "Best Year Ever" would look like and make it happen!