Since my last blog Opening an Etsy Shop: Month 2, I've been constantly thinking about my "niche."
I started thinking about why I started Dumplings and Us and "how" it started with my first illustration of my "twin dumplings." Originally Dumplings and Us was about my kids and how I see them as unique individuals stuffed with a variety of love. However, as I continue to think about my products and why I'm creating them, I had to take a pause and ponder. I first thought about my target audience, who are they and what do they like? Well that was the most difficult question to answer because although my products are "cute", they do not relate to everyone. There is no such thing as "one product" fits everyone. So to figure out my target audience I thought of myself first as the consumer... I'm a woman in my 30's that loves food, loves giving and going the extra mile for gift giving and hosting parties. My passion is giving and hosting parties. Throughout my life I have always been the one to be "extra" when giving gifts or planning parties. When I'm out shopping for my friends or family I try to buy gifts that are intentional, meaningful, and memorable. Therefore, I can never just buy a "one item" gift. My gifts are usually a "bundle" of small gifts for ultimate excitement and fun. I absolutely love the reaction my friends and family give when they open their presents. I have a co-lead in my business (D.C. Zhang). Her birthday is around the same time as Christmas, and her gift from me is typically a big bundle of everything related to food, coffee, and writing, because I know that's some of the things that she loves. Not only is putting together a gift fun, it is also about making them personalized and special. We celebrated my husband's birthday this past April and I didn't want to buy him a cake from Safeway, I went and looked for something that was unique and special for him - so I found Pikachu designed french macarons - it was perfect. I started Dumplings and Us with "dumplings" as my first illustration. Why Dumplings? Dumplings can be wrapped up in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Dumplings can be stuffed with a wide variety of ingredients, all of which will taste delicious every single time. Dumplings and Us is a place where you can find memorable gifts for any occasion, and that is starting with the basics, greeting cards and note cards. Greeting cards for all occasions and seasons in life. The ability to pick a uniquely designed card from a small shop like mine and write an intentional note to pair it with the perfect gift for your friends and family members. Many of my products are food-designed, and that's because I love food! Food is the core of relationships - sweet, salty, and everything else - it brings people together for a variety of different reasons and seasons! Food is delicious and it brings joy and excitement. So here I hope you will find meaning from my shop - a reason to be more intentional with gift giving by pairing my cards with your gifts- no matter the season and reason. There is always a reason to party, always a reason to celebrate, and always an opportunity to give an intentional handwritten card or note to the recipient. Make giving gifts memorable, make them exciting, and pair them with anything and everything that brings excitement and fun. So as I continue to journey through this "business" of mine - you can see I'm going through a lot of learnings. I'm learning a lot specifically around:
I will continue to develop and learn more as a small business owner, and it's going to take time. It's important that I remain patient throughout this process and celebrate the small wins of opportunity I'm given (as there have been so many!) So if you've been following me from the start- you know that from where I started to where I am now it's definitely been a roller coaster of an experience, but that is OK. I'm here to talk about what I'm going through and hope it resonates with some people out there going through the same. I'm going to continue growing, continue learning and continue developing as a small business owner. :)
1 Comment
What a beautiful blog post! Thank you for this. Many advices have been to make my business more personable so people can relate to who we are. And I see and understand why that is! While I love your products, I also have to know that the owner is someone I enjoy and can relate with. This is an inspirational post! Thanks again 🥰🥳 May The Lord guide thee continually and bless thee according to His lovely Word! 💐💖
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