Disney/Pixar Celebrate “Coco” With an Interactive Music Experience at #CreateGood

In this segment, Paige Wiese, founder & CEO of Tree Ring Digital in Denver, CO, walks us through some of the ways she encourages clients to double down on marketing when business is slow. Paige built her business as a solopreneur graphic designer to a team of 15, helping clients with SEO, online ads, and social media management. Here’s her Take 5, plus more tips for surviving the business lulls below!

What's a recent small win for you and your business?

Paige: A recent small win has been just seeing business pick up again. I am seeing businesses start to engage with their marketing efforts and really trying to get to the root of why their website might be underperforming. We look at what they can be doing to see their money actually go to a place that it should be going.

What's a big piece of advice that you give to your clients?

Paige: A lot of them want to back off anytime there's a little bit of scarcity. I really think that's the time to double down, whether it be your digital presence, your website, or just adjusting how you're spending your money. But instead of just saying, ‘Hey, we're going to stop [investing in marketing],’ ask ‘How do we double down in the correct way and make sure we're seeing measurable results out of it?’ I do it myself anytime business is a little slow. I think we have to either change or we need to be doubling down. A lot of clients come to us when the pipeline is already dry and money is tight and they’re hoping for a quick fix. Marketing, unfortunately, isn't a quick fix.

See more tips for surviving business lulls below!

What's an unexpected business challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

Paige: I think one of the bigger challenges that we've run into has been more on the employee side, some of the retention or the hiccups that come along the way and then just learning from them. So how can we be a better, stronger company coming out of this and how do we use it as a growing opportunity?

How has the Verizon Small Business program helped propel your business forward?

Paige: I learned about the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). It's a free resource that’s self-paced and very digestible. The variety of topics it covers is a large gamut for any size business. The Selling with Storytelling course, especially, was really valuable to me, just really getting your messaging out there. I laugh that I sometimes enjoy the marketing ones a little bit more just because it is a refresher or another take on how we do this.

Thanks Paige!

Here Are More B+C Tips For Surviving The Small Business Lulls

1. Refine Your Strategy
   • Review your business plan and goals. Are you on track? What can be improved?
   • Analyze customer feedback and sales data to spot trends and areas where you can grow.
2. Boost Your Marketing Efforts
   • Refresh your website or social media profiles. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready’s free Put Your Website to Work course will help you get started with best practices for building your business website.
   • Create engaging content through blogs, videos, and newsletters. Verizon’s free Creating Compelling Content course can help you create consistent, quality content for your target customers.
   • Offer promotions or limited-time discounts to attract new customers.
3. Invest in Learning
   • Take an online course related to your industry, like Verizon’s free Planning for the Unexpected course for building resiliency in your business.
   • Stay updated on industry trends and innovations.
   • Engage with customers too. Send personalized emails to loyal customers or clients. Ask for reviews!
4. Improve Your Processes
   • Streamline operations or explore new tools to increase your efficiency.
   • Organize your workspace and declutter your digital files.
5. Self-Care and Rest
   • Take advantage of the slower pace to recharge. A refreshed mindset is exactly what you need to bring forth fresh ideas!

1. Create new revenue streams

As a small business owner, you want to look for additional ways to boost your income or diversify your revenue streams. With Whatnot, you can tap into the rapidly growing livestream shopping market and boost your bottom line. In fact, according to Whatnot’s State of Livestream Selling Report, 66 percent of Whatnot sellers earn more than $10,000 per month through livestream selling, and one in four sellers report making over $300,000 each year! That’s a pretty sweet side hustle, andyou may even find it’s your favorite way to sell.

2. Build your community

Whatnot isn’t just a sales platform; it’s a space where you can build a strong community. Through livestream selling, you can connect with customers in real-time, build meaningful relationships, and host dynamic auctions or flash sales – turning sales into engaging experiences that drive loyalty and repeat business.

3. Reach a wider audience

Finding the right customers is critical, and your odds are better when you can reach a broader audience instantly. Whatnot’s interactive format lets you share your product or service with millions of users. Livestreaming offers a way to reach potential customers who may not have discovered your business through traditional channels.

4. Make selling and buying more fun!

Whatnot takes e-commerce to the next level by making sales more interactive and fun. Livestream selling turns ordinary sales into exciting events, with real-time auctions, flash sales, and engaging chats. This approach not only boosts sales but also creates memorable experiences that keep customers coming back for more.

5. Stay competitive

By offering a platform that blends community and commerce, Whatnot empowers small business owners to scale faster, adapt to market changes, and stay competitive. The sense of community is an element that makes the sale less transactional and more relational. And that’s good for business!

1. Coffee Coolatta

The Coffee Coolatta from Dunkin' was a fan-fave for years. It was basically a blended frozen coffee drink with a smooth, creamy texture and plenty of sweetness. It was almost like a coffee milkshake! Though Dunkin’ discontinued it in 2017 and replaced it with their Frozen Coffee, a lot of die-hard Dunkin' fans say the Coffee Coolatta was lighter, sweeter, and overall more enjoyable.

2. Cookie Butter Cold Brew

“I was addicted to the cookie butter cold brew!!" one Redditor wrote in this thread. "Sooo delicious. 🤤” Well, sadly, this seasonal flavor is gone.

The Cookie Butter Cold Brew debuted in 2022, boasting brown sugar-sweetened cold brew topped with cookie butter cold foam and cookie crumbles. Yum. Unfortunately, it hasn’t returned to menus since its initial release!

3. Croissant Donut

Remember the famous "cronut" trend? This discontinued item was Dunkin's tasty take and it debuted in 2014. Basically a hybrid between two beloved breakfast pastries, it had the flaky, buttery layers you'd expect from a croissant and the deep-fried, goodness of a donut. It became an instant hit upon its release, but was nixed from menus in 2017.

4. Chicken Biscuit Sandwich

With the flavors of Southern comfort food, the Chicken Biscuit Sandwich was short-lived on Dunkin' menus. It boasted a crispy fried chicken filet sandwiched between a buttery, flaky biscuit. Luckily, Dunkin' still has a lot of breakfast sammies to choose from – though none of them feature chicken. 😭

5. Tomato Pesto Grilled Cheese

“I could live on those," one Redditor wrote at the mention of the Tomato Pesto Grilled Cheese. It was one of Dunkin's best lunch options, highlighting a savory medley of melted white cheddar cheese, roasted tomatoes, and basil pesto on toasted sourdough. Unfortunately, it was quietly discontinued.

6. Butter Pecan Iced Coffee

Dunkin's Butter Pecan flavor was all about the buttery and nutty, which go super well with coffee! Originally introduced as a seasonal customization, many Dunkin' fans still miss it.

“Butter pecan is the best flavor they’ve ever had," one Reddit user noted.

7. Beyond Breakfast Sausage

Originally hitting the menu in 2020, Dunkin' sadly discontinued the Beyond Breakfast Sausage after a relatively short run. It truly stood out as a great vegetarian or vegan breakfast option for those who don't (or can't) eat meat – many plant-based fans were disappointed after learning that Dunkin’ would continue offering it.

8. Pink Velvet Swirl

With the taste of red velvet cake and a smooth, pinkish hue, the Pink Velvet Swirl from Dunkin' became swiftly popular among sweet coffee fans. Dunkin’ offered it as a flavor addition in lattes, iced coffees, and other beverages in early 2021. Most notably, it was very Instagram-worthy with its vibrant color! Regrettably, the festive flavoring didn't make the permanent menu, and it has since been discontinued.

9. Arnold Palmer Coolatta

Made with half iced tea and half lemonade and blended with ice, the Arnold Palmer Coolatta was honestly the perfect summer drink from Dunkin'. It was sweet and tart with a satisfyingly smooth and icy texture. Dunkin' did end up discontinuing many of their Coolatta bevs in 2017 to focus more on their coffee offerings.

Miss the Arnold Palmer Coolatta too much? There's even a petition to bring it back.

"Those were a staple of my childhood during the summer 😫,” one Redditor commented.

10. Steak, Egg & Cheese Sandwich

Stacked up with a seasoned steak patty, scrambled eggs, and melted cheese, the Steak, Egg & Cheese Sandwich was a hearty and savory breakfast option that Dunkin' (somehow) decided to stop offering. The sandwich offered a protein-rich morning meal for those who wanted something filling and flavorful for breakfast, but was likely overshadowed by more common breakfast proteins like ham, bacon, and sausage.

"The sausage is a decent substitute, but the steak was godlike," one Redditor said.