Holiday Gifting

As I have done for the past few years, in lieu of Christmas gifts and cards, eStyle will make a contribution to an organization that is doing their part in making this world a better place to live.  This year, we are donating to a new  organization that is working to make a difference in those foster children who are waiting for their “forever” home.  This group is working to bring awareness to the foster care system and those children who have not been adopted.   As we sit back with our family and loved ones, no thought is given to those children who do not have loving homes, have no presents to look forward to and whose holiday dinner is something out of a can.

This year, the Let It Be Us organization has found six young men who are living together in a group home.  Thanks to LeItBeUs.org they will have a wonderful Christmas due to the donations of many whose sole purpose is to make it so!

The news tends to show the dark side of mankind – but do know that there are many, many people who are working towards making a difference in the lives of others.  To them I say – THANK YOU!

 Enjoy this holiday and I look forward to sharing with you in 2015!  Bring on the champagne!!!

 

Faye

www.letitbeus.org

Entrepreneurs - A Different Breed

Tooling Inserts owned by eStyle Caps and Closures, Inc.

While setting up my new office space I have had the opportunity to watch budding entrepreneurs starting fledgling businesses in the same building as mine.  I, of course, feel like the wise woman because my thriving business is seven years old and they are still in the enthusiastic stage.

There are several things I have recently learned from these new startups - things that I should have remembered when I started my company - but have forgotten over the last few years.  I would like to share those with you.

First, the enthusiasm that goes along with building a business - the "I CAN DO IT" attitude that is fresh in your mind makes all the hard work child's play (well, at least it makes you feel like you are building toward a great goal).  That is before you are beaten down with the lesser reality that can result from the day to day repetitions and boredom that can creep in with familiarity.

Second, the need to operate on a shoestring.   One of the worst things you can do when your business is successful is to spend money like it is a never ending stream.  Those good ole days won't be around forever and neither will the cash that is generated during those times.  Work as lean as you can, and keep working that way - even when the business is thriving.

Third, the business follows your own values and belief system.  Don't compromise your values to make your business "fit in" to what others think your business should be.  In fact, right down your values and beliefs, put them in a safe place then pull them out every couple of months to test whether you are tracking true to your convictions.

Fourth, everyone wants a piece of your business if you are a success (for nothing, I might add).  Don't give it to them.

I know that it is hard.  Sixty+ hour work weeks, dwindling bank accounts - getting people to accept your business at face value - BUT, and it's huge BUT - it is worthwhile in the end.  Whether you win or you lose, you have taken action.   So many people have great ideas, but don't have the ambition or the courage to try to take the all important step of actually doing something with their ideas.

The people I met this past week are taking a step toward their dreams, and they are winners because of it!

You've gotta have heart.....

I want everyone to like me.  I understand this is a fault when running a business.  Because I want everyone to like me, I sometimes make decisions that are not necessarily in my company's best interests.  

When someone doesn't like me, then my feelings are hurt - even though (as I am told) it is just business, not meant to be taken personally.  I've been told these feelings have no place in business.   However, I want eStyle Caps to be known as a company with a heart.  So, my company's heart may have a few cracks in it - but it's in the right place!

We need more heart in business these days. 

My philosophy....

We ebb and we flow....

I am, by nature, one who responds best to CHAOS.  If life is filled to the brim, business is over flowing and opportunities abound - then I am happy.  However, when the reverse is true, I am practically paralyzed.  Why is this I wonder?

Too much time on my hands and I sit and stare ahead, trying to think of things to do or words to write.  Should I use this time to look for new business, correspond with old friends or customers, work on my book?  Yes!  Do I - no.

Not sure what it is about activity that breeds activity and stagnation that breeds the same.  It should, in my opinion, be vice versa.  When you aren't busy - do a flurry of things that will generate business.  When you are, learn to find the space and time to relax.  But no, right now my nose is to the ground looking for the next crisis so I can get motivated again.

I suspect there are more out there like me....and if so, please share what you do to put the car back in gear.  Mine - right now - is in park.


Faye
815.861.2967

Custom Design

MARKETING 101

Do you want your package to stand out from competitve packages in your product category?  Or, is your preference to mimic your biggest competitor?   These are questions that all marketing departments analyze when building a brand. What are the PROS and CONS of custom design?

PROS: Your product will...

1.  Stand out on the shelf if the design is well thought out and consistent with your industry profile (read that customer appeal).

2.  Set your position in the buyer's mind.  Certain brands have become iconic with a particular cap design.

3.  Encourage the consumer to pick it up to look at it - chances are they will not put it back into their cart.

4.  Integrate package design which can reduce the overall cost of production and distribution.

5.  Have the right look and sell.

CONS: You could have:

1.  Potential for slightly higher component costs.

2.  Longer lead time to start production.

3.  Possibly higher piece part pricing and/or capital investment.

Sometimes something as small as the overcap makes all the difference in a successful launch.  Rather than spend a lot of money changing cans, labels and/or cartons - make that one small change to the cap and see how it enhances the look of the package.  A custom cap and/or actuator can make a brand iconic - see Fabreze or Axe as examples. 

Make that small investment in your brand.  You will not be sorry.

Faye Haber   815-861-2967

To Grow or Not to Grow.....

I have been blessed with a business that has shown substantial growth over the years - even during the small "recession".  My niche business is based on custom products, shorter leadtimes and smaller minimum order quantities.  Of course, it goes without saying that we offer excellent quality and customer service.

In the past, our focus was on growth.  We are now shifting our focus to innovation and continuous improvement.  Wth innovation, we will get new customers.   With continuous improvement, we make the customers we have happier.  By doing this, we will be able to continue to offer quality custom products and maintain our core values.

Business in the Year 2013 will go to those who continuously monitor the market, make changes quickly and are willing to step outside their box.  That is what we do.

Faye
eStyle Caps and Closures, Inc.
815-861-2967

To talk or not to talk....

Sometimes it pays to keep your mouth shut.  Listening to what someone else has to say can be more powerful than saying anything at all.  We all want to be heard, and if you give others the opportunity to speak they will love you for it.  Nobody likes people who dominate the conversation with their jokes or opinions or is thining about their own agenda as you talk.   I see salesmen do that quite often - rather than listening to their customer, they are thinking about how they will sell their product.  In doing that, you miss subtle but very important information on what your customer is actually feeling.

Saying less can also make what you say more powerful when you actually do speak.  I tend to be someone who talks a lot, and makes dozens of jokes in any given conversation.  This leads me to say something dumb or embarrassing pretty regularly.  Or I might ask a question that they have already answered, but my focus was somewhere else.   If I am an active listener, I tend to put my foot in my mouth less and less.    Listening is a skill and I am working on it.  I just haven't mastered it yet!

The biggest thing I have learned about listening is to actually care about the conversation and not be thinking ahead on how I will answer or joke about the subject matter.   Instead of waiting until it is my turn to talk, I try to take sincere interest in what the other person is saying.  If you are genuinely interested in what someone has to say it comes across and they notice.  It may seem like common sense, but if you think back to your recent conversations I bet you paid attention less than you realize.  So stop talking and start listening - you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.

 

 

eStyle Drew

805-363-9700