Meet Rochelle Boreland of Rochelle, Yanique Inc.
September 29, 2011
Long, short, natural, curly – Rochelle loves it all! Hair is her favorite accessory and the final touch on any look. After years of visiting hair salons and spending large amounts of money, Rochelle decided to compile her favorite affordable products and techniques to share with others. Rochelle Boreland is a renowned hair fanatic, innovator and mastermind!
Name: Rochelle Y. Boreland
Professional Background: Master of Public Administration, University of Miami and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Miami
What you wanted to be when you grew up: I always wanted to run for political office.
What you are: Legislative Analyst, Miami Dade County.
Brief Summary of your Start Up: Coaching programs: My company, Rochelle Yanique, Inc. was developed to educate and provide women with cost effective solutions to styling their hair. I offer a wide range of protective styling techniques that are ideal for the woman on the go. Accessories offered through Rochelle Yanique, Inc. range from hand sewn custom wigs to clip in pieces. Through the online blog, women are taught maintenance tips that help in procuring healthy hair growth.
Company Website: www.iamrochelle.com
What inspired you: As a graduate student in college, I was forced to find more economical ways to keep up with current trends. Because money was limited, I researched “do-it-yourself” techniques and became proficient in various hair styling techniques. I was inspired by the need to do more with less.
How long have you been in business? Incorporated for 4 months; Building my brand since September 2010.
How did you fund it? Through money received from my services and my current employment.
Do you have a Fairy Godmother or Mentor? An old co-worker– She is a well known financial guru and has been mentoring me since graduating high school. When I decided to start my business, she guided me in the right direction and lent her support wherever it was needed.
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Not Currently.
Current Business Challenge: Money! Start up can be difficult for a new business. I am struggling most with introducing my line of products and making my brand one that is well known.
What are you doing about it: I have hired a publicist to connect me to key media outlets that are within my target group. I’ve also used social networks like Twitter and Facebook to stay connected to my audience.
Favorite motivational quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard”
Family: Not married.
Favorite book? The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley
What do you do to relax? I love to lay poolside and do absolutely nothing! Still, that never lasts too long. Before you know it, I’m thinking up another topic for my blog.
What do you want to change most about your world? I’d adjust my level of patience. I come up with a thousand ideas a day, and I want to see all of them come to fruition all at once. I’ve got to learn to pursue ideas one at a time and in order to give them adequate focus.
What are you most proud of? Achieving my Masters degree and becoming a business owner by age 22!
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Always remain passionate about your ideas. Never become discouraged. You are the best advocate for your business or service– Consumers thrive off of your passion!
Favorite Magic Wand? Online small business communities and forums. There are tons of people with the same questions as I do. I love logging on to different business forums and learning from other owners who face the same challenges as I do.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Diamonds of course!
Thanks, Rochelle!
Shift Summit Giveaway! Win an Apple TV or Cricut Machine
September 28, 2011
Our #StartupChat this week features a conversation about creative social media marketing sponsored by Shift Summit.
Shift Summit is a company dedicated to social media and online marketing education.
Next week on October 4th at 12pm MST I’ll be doing a class on “How to be a Rockstar on Twitter” – to sign up click here
We are excited to announce that Shift Summit is sponsoring a giveaway for an Apple TV or a Cricut Machine. The deadline for entering the giveaway is October 4th midnight.
To enter the contest CLICK HERE
For an additional entry follow Shift Summit on Twitter and leave a comment here letting us you know that you did.
Touchpoint coming to you – learn from amazing women entrepreneurs from your home or office!
September 16, 2011
As you know this week is Touchpoint in Salt Lake City. We’ve had women fly in from all across the country, but even more of you are asking: How can I be a part of it from where I am?
You asked, we answered! We’re going to provide a Live Stream of the event today. You can watch today or next week, but don’t miss it.
Hear:
Ishita Gupta – on being fearless in business!
Tiffany Peterson – on your #1 business skill!
Heather Ledeboer – on Cinderella as your CEO!
Anita Campbell – on Bootstrapping Your Business!
Carley Knobloch – on Killer Video Marketing for your Business!
And more!
Women in the room paid $259 to get what we’re offering you for $19.95. And the best news is you can watch it now, or access it later.
Register here to receive the URL and password: https://startupprincess.infusionsoft.com/cart/?product_id=32
Highlights of #StartupChat “Sales Channel Discussion”
September 7, 2011
#StartupChat is a twitter event we host weekly to help startups grow. Join us every Wed 2pm EST on Twitter with hashtag #startupchat!
Recently we discussed online sales channels with guests who sell on eBay, Etsy, independent shops and more. Guests included @PlumDistrict, @sarahjanestudio, @ecoglominerals, @creativethurs, @mom4lifecom
Here’s highlights of the conversation:
When deciding how to sell your product or services, what should you consider?
Plum District: Consider your cost, time, and the value of a new customer. Are you interested in unloading product or obtaining new customers?
creativethurs: Choose a product that you love & inspires you that is also commercially viable
ecoglominerals: Find out who your target market is!
sarahjanestudio: Help the consumer visualize the product use. Photography & Presentation is key!
startupprincess Does your target audience (you’ve got one, right?!) want what you sell & are they willing to pay for it.
What benefits have you experienced from selling online vs off?
ecoglominerals: Huge benefits! I can be a work-at-home mom by selling online only. You can gain customers from around the world!
mom4lifecom: Online you are not limited by local demographics
creativethurs: Ease & privacy of selling online outweighs standing in retail space-love hearing from customers once they’ve made decision
sarahjanestudio: Selling online allows production on demand. Less $$ upfront
Why did you choose your specific sales channel(s)?
mom4lifecom: I stared on eBay, this allowed me to begin with a low startup cost, as business grew, I moved to a website
ecoglominerals: I’m not a fan of the fees that etsy or eBay charge, esp. when I can make my own website and cart that I like. More freedom! eBay and Etsy are great to start with as they can get you a lot of traffic! Gain a customer base first.
lepapierstudio: The more platforms you sell the better.
creativethurs: Important to remember that any online venue you choose to sell through brings exposure as well as possible sales
Tell us about the benefits of your sales channel(s)?
PlumDistrict: Daily deals offer a zero cost upfront marketing avenue for a business to reach a wide audience – for us moms
ecoglominerals: Freedom in webdesign, all aspects of a cart- you can choose the cart that works best for you. No fees besides normal hosting fees.
mom4lifecom: With our YouTube channel I have seen GREAT Google rankings from our videos within days of uploading them
creativethurs: New people find my work daily via @Etsy. It’s more than an online shop but a marketing opportunity as well
Expenses/fees to sell? When is it NOT worth it to pay fees to sell online?
mom4lifecom: If you are not able to measure results
ecoglominerals: When you are not making a nice profit or when gaining no sales/customers from specific channel
Any potential challenges for the consumer to purchase via your sales channel?
mom4lifecom: With my YouTube channel, customers need to be given a clear call to action 2 my website
ecoglominerals: Like all online sales, customer can’t see product in person so good photos are essential!
creativethurs: Not being able to see product in person b4 purchase. however once you build trust & relationship w/ customers = non-issue
PlumDistrict: One barrier is that we only offer our deals to registered users, although free, this can be an extra step for someone
What success stories have you experienced working with your sales channel?
creativethurs: I was able to make a full time living as an artist selling online
ecoglominerals: Being a work-at-home mom and working during naptimes and in the evenings when my hubby is home 
. Very convenient!
PlumDistrict: We have seen powerful relationships between the biz and their community evolve as a result of running a deal on our site
lepapierstudio: I was able to Quit my Day Job from selling online.
What recommendations do you have to get the most out of your experience selling online?
ecoglominerals: Advertise your business through social media.
mom4lifecom: Find other companies to cross promote with
PlumDistrict: Know what your objs are before you run a daily deal. If it is long term engagement, then this could be a great venue 4 your biz
startupprincess: I recommend impeccable branding, strong products & solid messaging for online sales
creativethurs: All the same advice for any business owner especially = be willing to be more transparent and be yourself
mom4lifecom: Use social media to connect w/ and get feedback from your customers
What secret to success is using a blog with your sales channel?
ecoglominerals: Keep it updated. It is a constant reminder that you are around and always improving your biz
creativethurs: Starting a blog was key in building my online business = a channel to share my art & let my customers get to know me
mom4lifecom: Having a blog has allowed me to put fresh content in front of our customers regularly while also helping google ranking
lepapierstudio: Having a blog allowed me to share my story and built a community. I would have never made it without it
Any other tips on How to ROCK Online Sales?
startupprincess: Be sure to offer a ‘freemium’ for people to sign up for newsletter
ecoglominerals: I am a big fan of social media. USE IT a lot. Do sales, giveaways (I do a lot!), have a newsletter, they all help!
creativethurs: Last but not least, try not to lose sight of why you created the product {you love} & started a business in the first place
You can see and hear more from @mom4lifecom and @sarahjanestudio at Touchpoint September 15-16! Join us! Use code ‘startupchat’ for $50 OFF
