Using Beads And Color To Inspire High Sales

Here's another entry in our Big Business Contest describing a company's personal struggle to grow, succeed, and thrive.

Stay tuned to follow the next stage as they compete for the two final prizes -- specialized consulting from a business expert and a trip to Maui for business- and wealth-building seminars.

When I launched my bead art website in 1998 I had no idea people would flock to it and to me to learn about color. So I answered the need I saw by writing books about color and my methods. I self-published 2 books and published 2 more with the largest art book publisher in the country, Watson-Guptill. Since then I have been invited to teach, speak, and write for major magazines across the country. Inspiring people to express themselves through color and beads thrills me. I have a loyal following of customers and a small but dedicated opted-in mailing list with a consistent 45% open and 45% click through rate.

I'm a published author, artist, and color expert. Creating beauty and inspiring people to find their creative voice are my passions.

I'm entering this contest in hopes of strong business guidance. My partner (and husband) and I have hit a ceiling which we know is self-imposed by our limited business practices and knowledge. Ambitious and hungry learners, we attend business and marketing seminars as often as we can. We read blogs, articles, and books, and listen to podcasts about business planning and marketing. (Seth Godin and David Meerman Scott are household names.)

The largest bead magazine in circulation, Bead & Button, boasts a paid circulation of 131,700. I want at least 1/4 of them to be voluntarily subscribed to our newsletter, and half of those to purchase my next book, The Beader's Color Palette (which will hit the shelves June 10th). That’s a projected sales of 16,462 copies in its first year. This is a reachable goal.

Inspired by Kevin Kelly's "1000 True Fans" concept, I want our company to gross over $400,000 by 2015. We want 4000 customers spending $100 a year on our products and services. Through book and products sales, teaching (in person and online) and writing, this is a reachable goal. After that we want to continue expanding exponentially. Beyond this business, my partner and I are augmenting our income and pursuing financial freedom using specific investing strategies and other methods.

We are committed, hard working, enthusiastic and so very ready to take off!