Summary

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers podcast, hosts Margaret, Jessie, and Shauna welcome Jessica Simon from Mississippi Candle Company. Jessica shares her inspiring journey from making candles as a form of grief to building a successful business that thrives on social media, particularly TikTok. The conversation covers the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of pivoting during tough times, and the role of family and community support. Jessica discusses her strategies for scaling her business, navigating the complexities of social media marketing, and the lessons learned along the way. The episode emphasizes the significance of trust in employees and the need for small business owners to adapt to changing market conditions.

Takeaways

• Jessica started making candles as a way to cope with grief.
• Her first sale came unexpectedly from a Walmart cashier.
• COVID forced her to pivot her business strategy.
• She gained confidence through early sales and community support.
• Jessica's husband encouraged her to sell candles to casinos.
• She faced challenges with shipping and product quality.
• TikTok became a game-changer for her business growth.
• She emphasizes the importance of nurturing employee relationships.
• Jessica believes in spending on people over ads.
• Trusting employees is crucial for scaling a business.

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🛁 Margaret –Warm & Fuzzy Soapery

🧼 Jessie –Country Lathers

🫧 Shauna –Bawauna Bath & Body

Summary

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers Podcast, the hosts delve into the often-overlooked emotional challenges faced by small business owners. They discuss the weight of isolation, decision fatigue, and the pressure of social media comparisons. The conversation also touches on the guilt associated with taking breaks and the resilience required to keep going despite the challenges. Through humor and candid sharing, they create a relatable space for listeners navigating similar struggles in their entrepreneurial journeys. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the various challenges and triumphs of being small business owners. They explore the importance of support systems, defining success, and the feelings of inadequacy and jealousy that often accompany entrepreneurship. The conversation also delves into the invisible work behind content creation and the motivation that drives them to keep going, particularly the desire to build a legacy for their families.

Takeaways

The hidden loneliness of small business ownership is often overlooked.

Decision fatigue can drain creativity and joy from the craft.

Social media often presents a curated version of reality, leading to unhealthy comparisons.

It's essential to take breaks to avoid burnout and maintain productivity.

Guilt over resting can hinder personal and professional growth.

Having a support system is crucial for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

AI tools can help alleviate decision fatigue in business operations.

Everyone experiences messiness in their lives; it's not just you.

Resilience and stubbornness are key to overcoming thoughts of quitting.

Acknowledging the emotional weight of entrepreneurship is the first step towards addressing it. Stubbornness and fear of disappointing loved ones can be powerful motivators.

Support systems are crucial for overcoming challenges in business.

Success can be defined in many ways, including personal fulfillment and community impact.

Making a difference in the community is a significant aspect of success.

The importance of collaboration and community among business owners cannot be overstated.

Finding a support system is essential for solo business owners.

The mental gymnastics of scaling a business can be exhausting.

Content creation involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work that often goes unnoticed.

Feelings of inadequacy and jealousy are common among entrepreneurs.

Family serves as a primary motivation for many business owners.

New Episodes Drop Thursdays

Join the Herd

Follow The Dirty Heifers! 🌿🐄

Stay connected with us on social media:

📍 Facebook: The Dirty Heifers

📍 Instagram: @thedirtyheifers

📍 TikTok: @thedirtyheifers

📍 YouTube: Dirty Heifers

Check out our personal businesses:

🛁 Margaret –Warm & Fuzzy Soapery

🧼 Jessie –Country Lathers

🫧 Shauna –Bawauna Bath & Body

Summary

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers podcast, the hosts dive deep into the complexities of pricing for handmade businesses. They discuss the importance of perceived value, various pricing strategies, and the emotional aspects of pricing, including imposter syndrome. The conversation also touches on personal experiences with pricing adjustments and the impact of market trends on pricing decisions. Additionally, they introduce a new segment called 'Farm Fresh Feedback' aimed at helping small businesses grow through constructive feedback.

Takeaways

Pricing can feel like a guessing game for many business owners.

Understanding perceived value is crucial for setting prices.

Calculating costs accurately is essential before pricing products.

Many small business owners struggle with imposter syndrome when pricing their products.

It's important to consider the quality and uniqueness of handmade products when pricing.

Raising prices can be necessary for business growth and sustainability.

Different pricing strategies can be employed based on market conditions.

Personal experiences with pricing can vary widely among business owners.

Transparency with customers about pricing changes can build trust.

The new 'Farm Fresh Feedback' segment aims to support struggling small businesses.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Market Strategies

00:36 Understanding Pricing Strategies

05:34 Calculating Costs and Pricing

13:46 Value-Based Pricing and Perceived Value

16:31 Pricing Strategies for Small Businesses

30:57 Understanding Your Value and Pricing Psychology

40:51 Lighthearted Banter and Hydration Humor

41:13 The Emotional Side of Pricing and Imposter Syndrome

43:09 Adapting to Market Changes and Pricing Strategies

45:06 Innovative Business Ideas and Community Support

45:38 Introducing Farm Fresh Feedback Segment

46:44 Closing Thoughts and Future Topics

47:54 short moo intro:outro.mp4