The Power of Voice

In my other life as a social media consultant, I run "primer" sessions that help businesses understand the power of platforms like Twitter, Facebook and blogging for building a business. It doesn't have to cost a lot (as is noted by my friend Julie Cole of Mabel's Labels in this National Post article) to make a huge impact on sales. Social media MADE Clippo. It was through the support of the women on a web board of which I'm a member who catapulted Clippo into stores across Canada. It was Twitter and Facebook that built our fans and friends. But how did this happen when, really, there were a billion other similar companies on the market?

Voice.

Your voice is everything to you and whatever it is you're "selling" to the world: a product, service, or blog, it's all sales. You can have the best product in the world, but if your voice isn't clearly defined (or let's face it, if it's unsavoury), you'll lose in the end. You need to know who you are, and what you stand for in order to communicate this to the world.

Building a brand, be it a company or personal one means knowing who you are, and what your values are. It means standing up for what you believe in, and maintaining your integrity. The voice of Clippo is consistent across all platforms -- here, on Facebook and Twitter, even in person: what you read is what you get. When you meet me in person, I am exactly as I seem to be online. This is my voice, and as a small business I have given my company that voice. If I question something in text or say something in an email, I will happily do the same face-to-face. This is my voice.

Yep, I'm opinionated. 

Yep, I stand firmly in my beliefs. 

Yep, I don't shy away from confrontation when required.

But I am also an honest business owner, and I'm supportive and generous. I'm willing to share with you the life behind the business, and these are all things that have made Clippo what it is today.

And this is why I've been so thankful for all the wonderful emails many of you have sent me during our clearance sale. To know we've touched your lives is incredible to me. To know that you'll stick around because you like what I have to say means more than I can tell you.

Finding your true voice is the key to success, I'm sure of it. People want to buy from a voice they love. Be that voice.

Made in Canada Matters

As we close the doors on this phase of Clippo, we look forward to new projects and adventures with all of you. We hope you will stick around and check on the blog every now and again, and we hope you tweet us, too. Let's face it... Clippo's my third baby and I'm not likely to give either of my kids up, so it's not likely I'll wander too far from the business, either. What I can tell you is that I am really excited about spending time with my kids and focusing on new things.

One such project is my passion for all things Canadian. The reality of a business like this is that the competition is stiff. Our products aren't rocket science - anyone can make them. The charm of Clippo is that we offer handmade goods that are made well and are unique ideas. All it takes is a little time, a glue gun, sewing machine, and some raw materials. I've decided that over the coming months, we'll be doing tutorials on the products, teaching you all how to make them just like we did. And I'll even be sharing my top-secret vendors for the raw materials. For many you don't have to buy THAT much material, so making your own stuff is really just a few moments of time!

I will also be addressing the craft industry as a whole over the coming year. There will be a book, that I vow.

What started as a craft I made in my spare time turned into a successful business for me, and it gave me the unique opportunity to look into the retail world in a way most people will never have the chance to do. Did you know that stores generally make 100% profit on things they sell? Did you know that most juvenile products are represented by sales people who sell directly to the stores, and that those sales people take another percentage (often 10% or more)? And that distributors take even more? I'm going to open the world to you so that if you're considering a business like this, I can help you navigate the waters. And I encourage you to ask questions! I can help you.

And here's where my true passion comes in: Never once did we outsource the manufacture of our products to another country. Many other accessories companies are selling you products using the line, "Designed in Canada". Do you know what that means? Quite often that means the owner sits down at their computer and chooses selections for styles from any number of Chinese manufacturer websites. For pennies. And then tells you that they are "designing" in Canada and glosses over the "Made in China" part. 


Hair clips can be bought for less than 5 cents from Chinese manufacturers and are then sold to you for $4+ per pair (more often closer to $8/ pair). There are Canadian manufacturers who would happily make these, so why aren't they being hired? Because they cost too much. Why aren't local people being hired? Because they cost too much. The bottom line is that outsourcing to China means huge profit margins. (stay tuned and we'll post some of the vendors from China so you can see what we're talking about) Wouldn't you at least like to know whether you're buying an imported good or a handmade in Canada good?

Are the factories where those products are being made treating employees fairly? Are the materials safe? Are they using child labour? You don't know, and chances are, neither do the companies selling you those products. It's up to us as consumers to ASK. I'm the first to admit that I buy things at the dollar stores, but at least I know what I'm buying. And I'm paying dollar store prices.


We paid $10/hr to start for our products to be made. Our longest-time staffer made closer to $12 (or more, actually) per hour for making what are essentially craft items. We think it was well worth the money to know that our manufacturing was done in a safe environment, giving work to Canadians who wanted or needed it. 

Made in Canada matters.

We hope you think so, too.

But wait, there's more!

So long, and thanks for all the fish SALE!

Due to a death in the family, our sale has been a wee bit delayed, but we're good to go now!

Sale prices are marked and it's while supplies last!

Run!

www.clippo.ca 

Long time comin'

There are a number of you who've known this was coming for a few months now, and for some this may come as a surprise. To you all, I thank you for your incredible support of this business. It has been an absolute joy starting and growing Clippo for the past five years. What started as a craft I made in my spare time turned into a huge full-time success all because of the amazing people I've worked with and had as customers. I'm lucky to have you all.

The time has come to put Clippo on a shelf and focus on other things. 

Remember when I wrote this post? I still mean every word. So many changes have happened to Clippo since that post. You proved to me that it was the right decision by supporting the company beyond my imagination. To think we'd be more successful without selling through retailers still blows my mind. I thank you all for sticking with us, and bringing your friends along, too.

My children are now five years old and two years old, and I miss the days when I could drop everything for a trip to the zoo. I miss the times when my evenings were spent hanging out with my husband watching movies. Clippo has been all-consuming  for a long time now, and it's time for me to take a break and spend some quality time with my family. I also miss my storage space. ;) When I decided to leave the traditional workforce, I didn't have to bring home an income. I started the company for fun... but the fun became a whole lot more work than I ever dreamed possible in such a short time. And five years later, I am so proud of how far we've come.

Growing a home-based business  has been the most exciting adventure I've undertaken to date. As someone who never dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur, it's been such a phenomenal personal growth experience. I've learned more about sourcing materials, product development, accounting for small business, website development, marketing, public relations, competition (and competitors... hoo boy, that's a blog post in the works!); I could go on forever with the absolutely incredible things I've learned these past five years. 


I've been lucky enough to meet the people behind the companies I respect most, like Admiral Road and Mabel's Labels and Name Your Tune CDs, and call them friends. Because of my job, I've met customers, online acquaintances, celebrities and made friends with them all, and it's just been so much fun! This hasn't been an easy decision, to say the least. Many people call me "Clippo" and it has become a part of my identity.

Of all my lessons in business, the most important thing I've realised is that Spider-Man's Uncle Ben was right:  With great power comes great responsibility. (Spider-Man, 2002) I've got a big job here at home raising my peeps and I'm lucky to be able to not have to work. So instead of choosing to do so, I'm choosing to be with my kids for just a little while longer. It won't be forever; goodness knows they grow so fast they'll both be in school full-time soon enough. And when that time comes I'll need something new to challenge me again and fill my days. 


But for now I'm choosing my family as my only priority.

Remember that success isn't always related to money.
Remember that family comes first.
Remember that time is fleeting and we cannot rewind these years.
Remember that it isn't the money spent that matters, it's the time spent that they'll remember.

These are the things I'm telling myself as I sell off our current stock and head back to the couch with my husband and off to play with my kids.

Starting January 30th, 2012, there will be a HUGE blowout sale over at Clippo.ca, while supplies last. Enjoy!

I can still be found on Twitter and on my personal blog, too.

Thank you. All of you. I hope to see you soon.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

 

Kindness Matters

My friend ClickFlickCa shared a link on Twitter to this video that demonstrates how one small act of kindness sends ripples of good things through our world.

Kindness is a cornerstone in my life and in this business. I try to impart upon my kids the importance of small kindnesses; that it doesn't take a lot of money or time to make a good impression on our world.

Hold a door for someone with their hands full.

Donate some outgrown toys to a shelter. 

Buy a coffee for someone on the street.

Send an e-card to a friend.

Bake some cookies for a teacher.

Smile.

Every kindness you send out into our world will come back to you plenty, I promise. Kindness is something we will never run out of, as long as we keep sharing it.

I love hearing stories of kindness. Share 'em if you got 'em.

From our family to yours:

If there's one lesson I'd like to impart upon my children, it's that family is what we've got when we enter and leave this world. Whether that family is biological, adopted, created or assumed doesn't really matter. The point is that our personal relationships are what matter the most. We encourage our children to play together, be tolerant of one another's annoying behaviours and to include one another in their daily lives. Although there's a three year age difference, we find activities they can do together to create a bond between them. (They're currently doing crafts together, actually.)

The crayons we made out of all the broken bits of crayon

Salt clay ornaments

The salt clay ornaments my five-year-old painted! 

So many cookies!

Right now, Clippo is shut down for orders for the Christmas holidays. While I'm working behind the scenes on the spring line, new products, etc., it's nice not worrying about the flurry of orders that generally arrive during any given day. It's giving everyone involved in Clippo the chance to spend more time with their families. My kids and I are doing things that I hope create happy family memories for them as they grow older.

We've made cute crayons out of the bits of old crayons (you saw those up there). We've baked a myriad of cookies. We've written lists to Santa and sent cards to family far away. We've played outside, had spontaneous hot tub parties and lazed about in our pajamas for entire days.

This is what I wish for you all for your holidays, whatever you celebrate. Draw close those people who mean the most in your lives and give them a true piece of quality time with you. Remind friends you love them, and family that you care.

It isn't about the presents, it's about your presence.

From the Clippo family to all your families out there, we thank you so much for supporting our business and we wish you a peaceful, happy holiday season and all the very best for the coming year.

My Clippo Cuties: Mason & Story