4 Must-Haves for Your Summer Fiesta

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. Don't say "yes" if you're not truly ready.

In Runaway Bride, Julia Roberts plays Maggie Carpenter, a woman who leaves her fiancés at the altar multiple times, and her track record leads her to be called "the runaway bride" by a journalist.

Perhaps there are two lessons here. Of course, while fleeing your own wedding day is bound to leave your partner with a whole lot of (valid) upset feelings, it's okay to say "no" and get out of a situation that isn't serving you, even if it feels like it's not what you're supposed to do.

But at the same token, remember that you shouldn't feel pressured into saying "yes" in the first place when you aren't genuinely ready to tie the knot with someone.

Being ambushed by a romantic proposal or facing expectations of marriage following a long-term relationship can be frightening. Still, don't allow yourself to be backed into a corner. Learn from Maggie's mistakes and say "yes" on your terms.

2. Manipulation isn't the way to get what you want.

My Best Friend's Wedding follows childhood best friends Julianne, played by Julia Roberts, and Michael, portrayed by Dermot Mulroney. They made a pact to marry each other if they were still single at 28 years old, yet four days before Julianne's birthday, she learns Michael is marrying another woman.

So, she attempts to break up her best friend's wedding, but let's just say it doesn't end well. I'm sure that all viewers could sympathize with Julianne's feelings of jealousy and heartbreak. Even so, this movie shows that trying to force someone into a relationship they don't want is manipulative (and won't work).

The lesson here? Respect other people's choices and realize that not every single romantic feeling has to be reciprocated.

3. Fame won't solve your problems. 

In Notting Hill, Julia Roberts plays Anna Scott, a famous actress who falls for the charming bookshop owner, William. Despite being a beloved film, it also serves as a master class in how fame can breed a whole host of relationship issues.

First off, Anna cheats on her boyfriend with William and cites the pressures of fame as an excuse. Instead of owning up to her actions, she seems to think that being a celebrity gives her a free pass to make poor decisions.

Then, Anna later takes it a step further by badmouthing William to strangers, again justifying her behavior as a consequence of her famous status. If that wasn't enough, when paparazzi harass her and follow her to William's house, she tries to pin the blame on him.

The takeaway here is that getting famous will not be a glamorous solution to all your problems. Rather, it often makes things worse. The spotlight can turn a person into a chaotic, out-of-touch mess who can't take responsibility for their actions.

Don't rely on grand gestures to fix your relationship. 

Finally, Valentine's Day is filled with romantic, grand gestures. From declarations of love to over-the-top surprises, the film portrays these moments as a way to fix whatever's wrong in a relationship. In reality, these gestures are surface-level and don't actually address deeper issues at play.

The real lesson is that true connection and lasting relationships are built on open communication, trust, and support. These things go much deeper than a bouquet of roses or an elaborate dinner.

Yes, grand gestures may be exciting, but they won't magically solve being on different pages with your partner.