How to Turn Pallets Into a Table in Under an Hour

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!

Madewell Petite Superwide-Leg Jeans

As a former wearer of skinny jeans, I've been on the wide-leg train for a while. They're roomier IMO and give me reassurance that I won't unnecessarily rip a seam when bending down. Particularly, I live in this pair by Madewell. They're the perfect wash and elongate my frame!

Style tip: I usually wear ankle strap pump heels with them for an elevated look!

J.Crew Factory Wide-Leg Crop Jean

I don't wear cropped jeans often, but J. Crew encouraged me to take a risk with this pair. The waist area reminds me of Madewell's Superwide-Leg design, but distressed hem makes them look less stuffy. I've purchased ankle jeans before and the fit was terrible so I was pleasantly surprised at how great these look on me!

Express High Waisted Light Wash Jeans

These light wash jeans are also cropped, but the hem is more straight-forward than J. Crew's version. I usually wear this pair when my household has doctor's or dentist's appointments because they have an air of comfortability about them. When you're on the go, it's important to be able to move around when you need to!

Banana Republic Factory Mid-Rise Straighter Carpenter Jeans (Petite)

The first thing that drew me to these jeans are their Ecru color. The second is how well they fit when I tried them on in-store. Lengthwise, they stop slightly below my ankles which is good when I actually want to show off my shoes. Sometimes I don't want to go for the oversized wide-leg look so these are always a good alternative for me.

Pistola Petite Lana High Rise Wide Leg Jeans

It's true — I'm preoccupied with this style of jeans. Aside from Madewell, Pistola has the best feeling denim I've had the pleasure of wearing. This pair specifically doesn't feel stiff, but they don't get wrinkled either! Also, the hem doesn't drag the ground which is a nice change from the pairs I own that do this.

Good American Petite Skate Jeans

Here's the thing — skate jeans were popular when I was in middle school. A few of my former friends used to wear them with Vans so I'll always have a soft spot for them. The only thing I don't recommend doing is wearing them on rainy days because that wet feeling on your ankles feels weird.

Ann Taylor Petite Cuffed Palazzo Jean

I never knew the words "cuffed" and "palazzo" could fit in the same sentence, but Ann Taylor's made me a believer. These jeans take business casual to the next level because of their darker wash and overall fit. They're not too "skinny" or "wide," giving you the perfect invitation to wear a slightly oversized blazer with them. At least that's what I do.

Talbots Everyday Relaxed Jeans (Plus-Sized Petite)

I'm not necessarily plus-sized but I added these relaxed jeans because one of my friends can't stop raving about them! She doesn't necessarily love the wide-leg look so having something that fits her frame and is easy to style works with however she feels like dressing on any given day.

Citizens of Humanity Petite Micro Relaxed Jeans

Are they relaxed or barrel jeans? It truly depends on how you want to classify them. According to Citizens of Humanity, they're the petite jeans everyone needs in their closet. Okay, I'm imagining that was the general consensus when they were designed.

Pilcro Kenna Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans

These are definitely barrel jeans and I love them! I tried a pair from a different brand last year and couldn't stand the way they looked on me, but Pilcro gets it right! The wash also has a very earthy tone to it, making it a good complement to brown, taupe, and cream tones!

Reiss Petite Skinny Jeans

Did you think I'd really leave skinny jeans off this list? I'm appalled! Jokes aside, I'm not against wearing them and found that I have specific requirements for the leg huggers. They have to look streamlined and can't make me feel like I have to peel them off my skin so I can breathe. It just so happens this pair understands the assignment.

L'AGENCE Leighton Cropped Stovepipe Jeans

What has cute red seams with a cuffed and cropped hem? L'AGENCE's pair of stovepipe jeans. They make me feel like I'm reliving the pair Olivia Newton-John wore in the original Grease so I try to slip into them when I'm feeling a little edgy.

P.S. Do you see the the slightly curved waistline??