The Foolproof Way to Find Your Perfect Foundation

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. Hair Bedazzlers

The ultimate way to bling out your look, hair bedazzlers let you snap tiny, sparkly rhinestones into your locks for a very princess-meets-pop-star vibe. Whether you were channeling your inner Britney or just wanted some extra glitz for a girls’ sleepover, this wacky gadget made every strand shimmer.

2. Bump-Its

Now this is a classic. Remember those commercials? Nothing screamed "2000s hair" quite like Bump-Its. They were plastic inserts that promised to give your hair (especially your bangs) that effortless poof without endless teasing. We look back at them now and cringe.

3. Crackle Nail Polish

We wish this one still existed, TBH. Crackle nail polish was the edgy, rebellious older sister of your regular ol’ nail polish. It created a cool, shattered effect as it dried. Our favorite thing to do was to pick out a silver crackle nail polish to layer over neon pinks or oranges. It’s giving Avril Lavigne energy!

4. Lip Tattoos

Lip gloss, who?! Lip tattoos let you rock everything from pink zebra stripes to a glittery cheetah print on your lips. Why this existed, we don’t know, but they were definitely a fun novelty at the time.

5. Makeup “Phones”

Claire’s took so much of our money in the 2000s for these little makeup-packed phones. Beauty met tech (kind of…) with these makeup compacts disguised as flip phones – because what’s more 2000s than touching up your lip gloss while pretending to take a call?

6. Bouncy Blush

Not quite a cream, but not quite a powder, bouncy blush was a weirdly satisfying cheek color with a wacky, squishy texture. It made applying blush feel like playing with putty, which made our teenage hearts sing. Half the fun was just poking it in the pan between uses.

7. Hair Crimpers

Somehow, hair crimpers snuck their way into 2000s beauty trends, all the way from the ‘80s. They were the go-to styling tool! With just a few squeezes of those zig-zag plates, your hair totally transformed – but if we tried one now, it’d totally make us look like Weird Barbie.

8. Lip Smackers

Every 2000s kid had at least five Lip Smackers floating around in their backpack! We were loyal to the classic Dr Pepper, but the brand dropped many more wacky flavors like Coca Cola, Skittles, and Fanta. They truly weren’t just lip balms – they were status symbols at every sleepover and middle school lunch table. Bonus points if you had the jumbo ones.

9. Hair Chalk

For those who wanted to be rebels (but didn’t want to totally upset their strict parents), hair chalk was the #1 way to bring bold, colorful streaks to your locks without major consequences. While it did give a cool effect, it really didn’t stay on your strands for very long.

10. Sun-In

You were so cool if you brought a bottle of Sun-In to the pool party. This lemon-infused lightening spray was the ultimate DIY highlight hack, but looking back now, all it did was damage our strands. We’ll never forget that smell, either!

Pinup Milkmaid Sundress

A milkmaid neckline will never not flatter your figure. Plus, with plenty of florals, this dress is totally spring-ready!

Holipick Strapless Tube Top Sundress

Your next vacation 'fit is calling! This easy, breezy sundress lets you get some good sun while still shaping your waistline, thanks to the stretchy smocked top.

Talisea Off-The-Shoulder Puff Sleeve Maxi Dress

We love a white maxi dress for springtime! This one is sooo dreamy with its puff sleeve design and tied front. Pair it with your fave sandals or flats, and you're ready to step out in style.

Amegoya Boho Square Neck Floral Midi Dress

Just look at those colors! This tiered maxi moment is exceptionally flattering since it features a tie-back waist that'll cinch you in nicely.

Dokotoo Tie-Back Lantern Sleeve Dress

Talisea Sweetheart Neckline Dress

The light chiffon material this mini's made of practically screams springtime.

Pinup Chiffon Smocked Midi Dress

This charming dress couldn't be more comfortable! This stunning pattern features some shiny, tiny gold dots to enhance your look without being entirely overwhelming, pattern-wise.

Scomchic Wrap Skater Mini Dress

This dress combines both a v-neckline and a wrap silhouette to hug your body in all the right places.

Hanna Nikole Casual Bohemian Maxi Dress

This classy style features a pleated front, which adds a head-turning factor to your spring looks. This number would look stunning with some tall boots (especially a little cowboy boot moment) and a denim jacket!

Pinup Strapless Ruffle Beach Dress

If you've got a beachy vacay planned, you need to add this strapless dress to your packing list. It's easy to put on and even easier to wear, thanks to the loose-fitting skirt.

Soly Hux Short Sleeve Mini Dress

Hello, pink! This mini is undeniably flattering with a milkmaid neckline and fitted waist to pull you in comfortably.