thread Re: What made it real for you? 🤩 in Retail & eCommerce

What made it real for you? 🤩

Hailey — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:51:07 GMT

Retail members, we wanna hear about your "WHOA, I'M REALLY DOING THIS" moments. Maybe it was your first online order, first tough review, or the day you decided to go all in on your business and bet on yourself.

Share the moment it all clicked on this thread👇

P.S. If you haven't yet, make sure to RSVP to the upcoming Future of Retail online event

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

BrianaJo — Sat, 10 May 2025 19:55:09 GMT

This feeling comes in waves for me. The moments are small and spread out, but it makes me wildly happy when I experience it.

Like, I normally work the behind the scenes business stuff from home. Most of the time it's just boring numbers. But when I go up to the shop after hours 😲 WOw! Seeing it, being there alone, for a split second I feel like I'm trespassing or breaking into some random building but I have to use my key to unlock the door! That's something only someone who's meant to be there or has authority to be there can do, so the realization that's ME! Then hearing the *click* from the door unlocking. Makes it all real and I think "OMG We're really doing it!" July 1st will be our shop's two year anniversary, or is it a birthday?

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

WoodCandleCo — Sun, 11 May 2025 02:13:07 GMT

I had (still do sometimes!) a big ole case of imposter syndrome so I never actually wanted to sell my candles to the public...just give them to friends. I affectionately say that my best friend 'bullied' me into doing it at a winter market. I'll never forever the moment I walked into the market and saw candles missing from my booth (picture a christkindlmarket crossed with consignment market). And it wasn't because they were stolen...people bought them!

That was the moment that I said to myself, "Woah, this is actually possible. People will actually spend REAL money on my candles!" Ever since, I've been chugging along, connecting with customers, teaching other business owners, etc. It's been a challenge learning everything, but I've loved it.

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

Subport — Sun, 11 May 2025 19:36:06 GMT

Your first sale always feels the best! It may be small but it feels like the world to me. Such a huge rush of motivation to know. The next best thing is when a customer is happy with their experience. That just keeps me going. Small wins add up!

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

DinaLRosenberg — Sun, 11 May 2025 19:51:52 GMT

honestly - whenever we pick something out and it sells out it's such a high to know what your customers like "they like me they really like me" 🤪

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

WoodCandleCo — Mon, 12 May 2025 02:44:08 GMT

Lol! This!! "They like me...they really like me!". Then you gotta do a lil happy dance!

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

BetaOtt3r — Mon, 12 May 2025 13:38:19 GMT

It is every time we sell an item with the store name and logo. I am always taken back by the fact that customers choose to carry or wear or store name and logo. It is a pinch myself kind of moment.

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

Helen — Mon, 12 May 2025 14:09:13 GMT

That's lovely, thanks for sharing! If you have a minute you'll have to share your store logo or a link to an item with it!

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

Hailey — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:24:46 GMT

I love this so much. It makes me so happy and proud of you and others who have those same recurring pinch me moments about their business. I feel like that "comes in waves" feeling is pretty universal — when you get those sparing moments to take a step back and slow down, it hits!

Happy 2 year BIRTHDAY coming around the corner (I would call it a birthday. What do other businesses think?!)

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

Hailey — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:26:14 GMT

Best friends make the world go round. Love that you have someone cheering so strongly in your corner, Tyler! You have this Community rooting for you always too 😊

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

Hailey — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:27:40 GMT

YES to customer reviews/positive feedback! @Subport , do you have systems in place to collect it? Like Google reviews etc? I find we hear from other sellers that referrals and reviews are a key driver for new business.

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

Hailey — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:28:46 GMT

We all just want to be loved and find our people - even in business when the "people" are your customers 💜

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

Hailey — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:30:02 GMT

That has to be the coolest thing! People rockin' my brand proudly would definitely do it for me

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

Subport — Mon, 12 May 2025 22:17:13 GMT

@Hailey We first ask in person to please review your experience. We then send out bi-weekly emails automated from Mailchimp to ask for a review. We try to get reviews on Yelp and Google mainly.

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

CareyJo — Fri, 16 May 2025 14:56:43 GMT

In our first few months of being in business this go 'round, we had a large commercial client put lots of faith in us, based on previous work we'd done. That was a five figure ticket and it made it really real! We'd never had a job that big in our previous business and since then we've had quite a few just as large. It's definitely fulfilling!!

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

CareyJo — Fri, 16 May 2025 14:58:56 GMT

That's so good!!!

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

CareyJo — Fri, 16 May 2025 14:59:15 GMT

I know that feeling!! Yaaaaay!!

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

CareyJo — Fri, 16 May 2025 14:59:41 GMT

The small things are so big!!!

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

CareyJo — Fri, 16 May 2025 15:00:10 GMT

That's such an awesome feeling!! Who-hoo!

Re: What made it real for you? 🤩

CareyJo — Fri, 16 May 2025 15:00:52 GMT

Whoop-whoop!! Anniversary!!