Growth

It's been a while since I wrote a newsletter here on Linkedin. Such is the life of an entrepreneur who has many different plates spinning. I suppose I was a bit ambitious with my schedule for a weekly newsletter. Clearly, that isn't something I'm able to do on a routine basis.

(By the way, shameless plug: If you aren't subscribed to my newsletter on the Aerial Resupply Coffee Website - go here now and subscribe so you can see all of the awesome news and promotions. The newsletter signup is at the bottom of the website)

So before I dive into the topics on this newsletter - what do you think would be a frequency you'd like to see?

Let's dive into today's topics!

Writing Growth:

If you're like me, you've seen countless posts about how to become a better writer. Maybe you've even bought a course or a book on how to write better copy, better posts, or even better comments. For me - I believe that the best writing comes from repetition and from the books you are reading.

• Blogs: When I figure started Aerial Resupply Coffee? - I learned that a blog is a great way to increase your writing. But as a small eCommerce business, I've also learned that a blog is a necessity. So I created The Flightline Cafe where I publish all of my blog posts. Have you had a chance to see them? In fact, here's the very first one that I ever wrote (and I may or may not cringe at my own writing from a year ago).
• Product Descriptions: I'll admit - this exercise is harder than it looks. How do you write good copy that makes people interested in your products? I'll be honest when I say that I've personally struggled with this, as I deal with imposter syndrome and a feeling that I'm being too cheeky with some of my descriptions. Of course, I remind myself that I can do what I want, and that helps me feel better (sometimes!). I do love the product description that I came up with for 15W40 Dark Italian Roast coffee. Have you seen it?
• LinkedIn posts: This is the area that everyone points to. So - let's talk metrics. In 2019 when I really started applying effort to LinkedIn for job hunting purposes, posts that I would make roughly generated around 100 views and maybe 1 or 2 likes and comments. Now, having learned HOW to write, and how to hone my topics to be enjoyable, I routinely see posts average 4-6000 views and impressions with 50-100 reactions and comments. What do I attribute that to? Being a better writer.

The important thing here is that you take the time to look back at where you've started so you can appreciate the journey. It's extremely easy to get caught up in real-time metrics, but if you aren't comparing them to YOURSELF (not others) over time, it's hard to see or respect the personal growth journey you've accomplished.

Company Growth

It's hard to believe that at this time last year, Aerial Resupply was only 23 days old. In fact, when I closed out the month of August after launch, the total amount of revenue generated in those first 15 days was less than $600.

Quite honestly, I thought that I was going to sell one bag to my parents, and that was about it.

Fast forward one year, and Aerial Resupply Coffee is on pace to be a high 5 figure business with a pretty incredible growth trajectory.

And to be honest, I haven't even figured this entire thing out yet. There are still plenty of things that don't get done because of priorities, lack of knowledge, or just flat out time availability.

But do you know what does get done? Anything that involves customer and friend relationships. I think, as a one-person business, I've done a pretty good job of keeping my eye on the ball for what is truly important: the people who believe in what I'm doing.

Which leads me into my third point....

Relationship Growth

They say that being an entrepreneur is a lonely road. I've written a post about that here. I'll sum it up very quickly: you will only be alone if you allow yourself to be alone.

There are so many resources available to help small business owners that if you don't actively seek them out, then there isn't much anyone can do for you.

Being an entrepreneur has taught me that relationships really matter. Both in sales, in customer service, in employment, and in procurement, the phrase, "it's not what you know, it's who you know" rings through the loudest.

I've been blessed to meet some fantastic individuals. People who frankly, if I had the capital to do so right now, I would hire in a heartbeat to be a part of Aerial Resupply Coffee? .

And that's the growth in me that I see developing over time. It's not enough to just start a business. I want to be an employer - specifically to #veterans. While it's fairly ridiculous to claim that I'm going to hire 10,000 veterans or whatnot, especially at this point in the ballgame, it is my stated goal to become a fixture of employment here in the Virginia area, where veterans ARE whom I desire to be a part of my company.

My journey in ownership has me connected with a ton of awesome people, far too many to list or identify. It's the one thing that is irreplaceable and the one aspect of growth as a business owner that I cherish above all else.

Coffee Talk

Did you know that there are multiple promotions that ALWAYS exist in the store?

• WELCOME10 is the 10% off promotion for new customers. Sign up on the website (or use this code here) and it's automatic.
• I've partnered with GOV-X to offer automatic 10% off discounts when you verify your military and law enforcement affiliation, as well as teachers and first responders.
• Speaking of teachers, use code: TEACHERSROCK and apply a 15% discount.
• Want to save on subscriptions? If you use code: SUBSCRIBE you'll save an additional 10% off your first two subscription charges for auto delivery. And let me tell you, there is nothing better than receiving your coffee at your front door. You'll smell it the moment it arrives, I promise you that.
• We offer free shipping on any order over $60.

And this doesn't even include the many many many many Brand Ambassadors who have their own discount code to offer to you at a much higher rate.

There are so many awesome things coming to the store for the holidays and I can't wait to share them with you.

Make sure you are subscribed to this newsletter - and to our store newsletter. I wish I knew how to make it much easier to sign up over there - someday I'll learn (or someone will tell me). Click here to sign up for the store newsletter (and save 10% with WELCOME10 for new customers)