
You can prepare as much as you like to receive orders, but when the first one comes in, everything gets very real. The journey to our first sale was exciting and full of learning experiences that helped us streamline our processes and understand the true demands of our business.
Building and Launching Our Website
The first marketing piece we completed was our website (we also opened an Etsy shop but we were aware this would take a long time to mature). We knew the website would be developmental but it was a crucial step in establishing our online presence and making our products accessible to potential customers. Building a website does not automatically generate customers, but it does act as a credential for consideration and our early usage stats make interesting reading.
Once the website was live, we reached out to our local contacts and connections to let them know about our new venture. This initial communication led to some early sales, which was incredibly encouraging. These early transactions were invaluable as they provided us with practical insights and allowed us to refine our processes.
Learning from early sales
Using these early transactions as a learning experience was essential. It helped us prepare for more extensive commercial activities and made our workflow more efficient. We quickly learned the importance of establishing a clear production timeline for each order. This not only ensured that we could meet deadlines but also highlighted the specific workstreams and material requirements needed for each product.
When those first few sales came in, we faced numerous tests. We had to ensure that we got the order details right, maintained high-quality control, and figured out the best postage process. Integrating shipping into our daily routine was another challenge, as it required careful planning and time management - specifically, being able to get to a post office in time to meet the despatch deadline. These early sales taught us to pay attention to details and to continuously improve our processes.
Reflections on making our first sale
Making our first sale was exhilarating. I remember how that first notification on my phone brought a sense of accomplishment and excitement, but it also served as a reminder that the outside world was ready to test us. On the journey to customer satisfaction, every aspect of our business, from production to shipping, would be under scrutiny, and we have to be prepared to meet these challenges head-on.
The experience of those initial orders was a significant milestone for us. It showed us that no matter how much we thought we knew about our business, real-world transactions would always bring new lessons and insights. It was a thrilling and humbling experience that reinforced the importance of preparation, flexibility, and continuous learning.
Looking back, the journey to our first sale was filled with valuable lessons that helped shape our business. Building and launching our website, learning from early sales, and experiencing the excitement and reality of the first order all contributed to our growth and success.
These experiences have prepared us to handle future challenges and continue to improve our processes. We look forward to sharing more about our journey and the lessons we learn along the way. Needless to say, we are still learning and we continue to anticipate the next big 'unknown.'