Day 22/30: Product or People?

My Journey Navigating the Uncharted Territories of E-commerce and People-Centric Ventures

As I sit down to reflect on my journey as a founder, I'm compelled to share the raw and unfiltered insights gained from navigating the challenging, yet immensely rewarding, landscapes of both e-commerce and people-centric ventures. Lazysuitcase and @Meetmumz and Mother/Founder, all had technology and people around it, with a bit of e_commerce in the offering.

Key Discovery: E_Commerce, even as a small part of the offer, if done right, helps the $$ moving in your direction!!

Following are the musings, the lessons learned, and the stories that have shaped the very fabric of my entrepreneurial narrative. something I will walk away with great insights.

Launching Your Business - Where Passion Meets Skill

Launching a business, be it in e-commerce products or people-centric services, is like entering a crucible. It's a test of our mettle, a dance with uncertainty. What I've come to realize is that our expertise, more than our comfort zones, is the secret sauce that molds the destiny of our ventures.

Insight: As a founder, finding clarity in what you excel at is the first step. Start where your greatness lies, even if it means stepping out of the familiar. Between e_commerce products, subject matter experts, technology and people :

If your creative side helps you create a scope of tangible products or your expertise allows you to share your unique knowledge and skillsets to help others, in both scenarios know it, there is no running away from People and Technology!

They are your best friends!( Kinda, apart from a few instances)!

Crafting the Narrative - A Channel Dilemma

Ah, the challenge of channels!

In an ever increasing world of multiple platforms, service providers, social platforms, for those immersed in tangible products, it's about spreading wings across websites, social media, and bustling marketplaces. Retail Outlets, and Collaborations, Margins and Affiliates, PopUp Counters and Shopping Malls. Having the OmniChannel OR YET, Test small across one market, Automate, and Strategically Collaborate to Spread your wings!

On the other hand, If, like me, you're navigating the world of services and people, it's about creating an online/offline presence that resonates and masters the delicate art of client acquisition. The weave of your mission, vision and intention across your tales through your personal platforms can help you craft a unique space for your services! More than the packaging of the product, it becomes more about the packaging of your services

The Heartbeat of Your Business

The HEARTBEAT FOR ANY BUSINESS lies in the customer journey. It is about that feeling that your product and/service can help make their life's easier, or better. An offering that helps understand how it makes your customer feel.

For an e-commerce venture it starts from the impact of owning the tangible product, the pricing, the quality, the tingling of 5 senses, the packaging, the sell service , the after service, the add on service and more. It is about

For a service based set up, it starts from the Pain point , the person behind solving it, the credentials, the expertise, the certifications, the flow, the follow ups and the human touch of empathy!!

Insight: Reflect on your passion. Does the thrill of packaging your beautifully curated/created products make your heart race, or does your soul resonate with mastering the art of service excellence.

You will know, where to start!

Fulfillment and Engagement - A Balancing Act

Explored both e_commerce and engagement, Fulfilment of an order across online channels was more than shipping and packaging; it was crafting an experience for my customers who were looking for solutions.

For those venturing into services, it's beyond the contracts and the trust on building relationships. The Engagement, the follow ups, the connector, the solver.

Insight: Question yourself. What do you love more – the fulfillment of your creative side or the art of creating meaningful client relationships?

Decide Accordingly!

As founders, our journey doesn't conclude; it evolves. with every set back, failure, our learning continues to grow.

Staying ahead in the e_commerce world means predicting market trends and adjusting inventory accordingly. For service-centric entrepreneurs, it's about continuous learning, adapting services to meet evolving needs, and remaining relevant in a dynamic landscape with constant meaningful engagement with your customers.

Insight: Assess your appetite for learning. Are you the trend spotter, always one step ahead, or the eternal learner, embracing the evolving nature of your expertise?

In conclusion, my short journey in e-commerce enlightened in me the passion, skills, and personal choices I have serving people. Here's now to betting on myself, navigating the unknown, and crafting a narrative that resonates with my unique skills.

May this journey be as fulfilling as the dreams of yesterday that sparked it! ??