The Business of Holiday: Coffee and Wine Edition

Today, I want to share some insights, challenges, and successes I've experienced in running my business of offering clean and sustainable coffee and wine during this festive time. I hope my experiences can inspire and offer some guidance to those of you considering similar ventures.

The Warmth of the Season: Challenges and Successes

Challenges

Seasonal Peaks: One of the most significant challenges I faced was the seasonality of my business. While the holiday season brings a significant increase in demand, the rest of the year requires creative strategies to stay afloat. To tackle this, Scout & Cellar helps me to diversify offerings, including special holiday-themed products and year-round accessories.

Supply Chain Constraints: Managing a beverage business during the holidays can be challenging due to potential supply chain disruptions. We saw this most during the peak of the pandemic and thereafter. No one can plan for the unexpected, but it's essential to plan for what is plannable. Maintain strong supplier relationships, and secure extra inventory to meet the surge in orders.

Successes

Customer Engagement: The holidays create a unique opportunity to connect with your audience. Everyone has just a teeny bit more time to slow down. Engage your customers through storytelling, sharing the passion behind your coffee and wine selections, and making them a part of your brand's story. It's the time to build lasting relationships and loyalty.

Festive Marketing: The holiday season allows for creative marketing campaigns that resonate with the festive spirit. Target doesn’t smell like coffee year round for nothing; and they only kick it up a notch during the holiday! Leverage social media, email newsletters, holiday-themed packaging, and yes the way your products create nostalgia to capture the essence of the season and drive sales.

Personal Experiences

Running a coffee and wine business during the holidays has been an incredibly rewarding journey. The joy of delivering that perfect bottle of wine for a holiday dinner or a cozy coffee blend for a winter morning is immeasurable. I get to be a part of curating an intimate moment with my customers no matter the time of day! It's more than just a business; it's about adding a touch of happiness to people's lives during a special time of the year.

Tips for Entrepreneurs

For those of you looking to make the most of the holiday season in your entrepreneurial journey, here are some valuable tips:

• Plan Early: Start preparing your holiday inventory, marketing campaigns, and partnerships well in advance. The earlier you start, the smoother the season will be. If I had to estimate, July would be your best bet.
• Stay True to Your Brand: While it's tempting to chase trends, don't forget what makes your business unique. Stay true to your brand's values and identity. If you’re not a TikTok dancing brand, don’t try to be one!
• Customer Service: A slowly dying art! Exceptional customer service can set you apart. Respond promptly to inquiries, be a problem solver, anticipate your customers needs, and ensure on-time delivery.
• Learn and Adapt: Each holiday season will bring new experiences. Keep learning from your successes and challenges, and be ready to adapt your strategy for the next year. More specifically, the last week of December, when you’re in the pause (hopefully!), write a list of what worked and what didn’t work. You’ll need this list next year when you start to plan.

May your ventures be successful, and your cups be filled with warmth and joy (and hopefully clean-crafted wine and coffee) this season!

I would love to hear your own experiences and insights on running businesses during the holidays. Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the comments. And to learn more about Scout & Cellar and how to develop your second stream of income for the new year, schedule a call with your favorite coffee and wine enthusiast (me!) https://calendly.com/kellyjcrabb/15min?month=2023-08?

Cheers!