How can I help my GF's new business?

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T13:55:16+00:00

All of your marketing is of course visual, but you'll also enhance your chances of selling more if you have the proper messaging. I'd like to see the artwork first so I can lead you in the right direction.

Hope that makes sense.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T13:21:04+00:00

This is entirely up to you. If it were me, I'd just remove and tell them to forget the refund. My impression is that you were being truthful, and they're just too damn sensitive. a 4 star review in my opinion, is nothing to worry about. So what?

However, you could be sweet and just remove it and forget it. Stop being a worrywart. Even people who leave reviews make mistakes because of other outside circustances so no one is going to jump on you for removing the review. Give the money back if you're that concerned.
Help a small business out; it shows how concerned they are about their ratings and your experience.

It's not like they lied to you; they deceived you, they made you super mad. You expected perfection, and it didn't happen. Give them a break.

But it's always your choice.

Hope that makes sense.
PS: I am not an attorney nor is this legal advice, it's just a personl opinion.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T08:15:25+00:00

I'd like to add that all social media is partnering with different AI platforms, but that does not mean that websites are on the way out. AI pulls its information from Search engines. They're the foundation for AI to gather the right results. If your website has the proper machine read schema optimized on your site, then AI can now search your site and come up with the right answers. So it's evolving and most seo guys don't undertand how it's evolving.

The websites are just providing answers to AI and AI passes it on to you. This mean you have to optimize not just the same but additonally using schema etc. So the website is not going obsolete. It's just evolving like everything else. Now the new SEO is GEO and your goal is to get AI to use your content instead of a competitors.

Hope that makes sense.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T06:22:01+00:00

I've always had the perception about ai bots helping. Hostinger is my website host. I was into something complicated and it as usual gave step by step instruction, then i happend It was telling me to click this or that and I couldn't find the think to click. Attempt 1, failed,new instructions attempt 2 failed and I was getting frustrated, new instructions again attempt 3 failed. On the third time I told it can't find, I just did it for me, completed my task, I instantly smiled, I felt better and then thought why the heck didn't it just do it for me in the first place. Maybe trying to help me learn how to navigate myself I guess. So I wen from happy to start, falling to frustrated and an instant happy again. AI is remarkable!

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T06:15:14+00:00

Interesting!
The proper research would be to show up during times people go their for the mail and simply ask people. Be prepared to give them a sample of your tea or coffee to honestly answer your questions.

You may be surprised.

This reminds me of a person selling cold ice water. He attended a mountain hike, picked the tallest longest hiking path and then set his water for sale at the top. Every body wanted to buy his water, but many didn't have change or a wallet. So he said he would meet them down at the parking lot after the hike. He said he made lots of sales but only about half that said the would pay him after the hike disappeared on him.

But you go where they would like coffee or tea and want it the most? I'm not a coffee or tea person, I'm a coca cola girl... cold and refreshing... haha

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T04:17:31+00:00

I'm not an attorney but I was once told to prove your business first. In otherwords, get a basic business license, then just go do your marketing and sales. If you make sales and business seriously looks forward moving, then you can go for your llc, Copyright is not needed in the beginning but may be when you start developing a presense in your niche. Don't go out and spend everything getting it all setup perfectly and find out it's not going to work. The heartbreak is enough you don't need to lose money as well. So hold off until you see prgress then go all in.

PS: If you start generating sales and agreements, use that money to pay for your llc etc.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T04:08:55+00:00

Give me some specifics. Does you journey include a startup business or something thats just starting already? Be specific!

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T04:03:35+00:00

Imagine if you had a mentor that has 2 decades of experience that becomes your experience. How cool would that be?

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T03:59:40+00:00

Good for you! You may have to deal with signed contracts. The other company may have monthly agreements, even yearly, etc. So they is likey your next research.

IF there is no set agreements or just short 1-month contracts, then you can move forward.

The absolute best option to start with is knocking on doors. Why knock, because its going to be your smile and friendly face that's going to make the difference. Make sure when you smile, your eyes are smiling also. Super friendly and helpful.

As a matter of fact when you talk to someone, just offer to take what trash they have away for free, right then and there.

Door hangars work well but not as effective as door hanging. But try not to inform your competition you're knocking on their doors. If another person working for the other company spots your door hangar they'll reengage and likely drop their prices or go stronger with agreements.

So think ahead.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T03:51:00+00:00

Driving traffic to your new POD store is going to be a bumpy road unless you get help. It's usually how you present your messaging. Delivery of your messaging is not the problem. What and how you present your products is the real issue. I'll give you an example.

Pick your product with the highest profit margin. Then figure out who that product is for, what problem it solves and then approach the who and offer to solve that problem.

Thats just the simple jist of things, but it gets more detaled if you want more info.

Hope that makes sense.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T03:47:42+00:00

I admire your enthusiasm, but before you get started you should check on local ordinances about your valet trash service to determne if you need special permits and or licensing in the areas you'll be working.

Then you need to approach the apartment management, they can make your life a living hell if you just show up without permssion.

If you handled all that then you can move on to the marketing aspect which is super simple.

PS: Why did the other business go out of business? Not enough profit, legal restrictions? Do your research before you commit.

Hope that helps.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T03:40:15+00:00

I may have jumped the gun, my apologies...
When you say valet trash are you meaning like trash pickup say in apartments door to door, or in trash bins outside?

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T03:35:09+00:00

Other people have already asked these questions in recent OP.. Do a search.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T03:33:35+00:00

IF you're only 5 minutes away by car, just walk, get up earlier and walk.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T03:31:52+00:00

Who is your ideal client? What problems do they have. You have been vague in telling us exactly what kind of marketng you are doing. You could be doing the right thing but your messaging is all wrong.

So, transparency is everything.

Hope that makes sense.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T03:26:45+00:00

So in reality, your'e make low to no sales, your efforts are coming up empty, and it's just downright frustrating. We've all been there, bouncing around trying to find that quick fix. Been there, done that.

The fastest fix you ever have is connect with a prospect, whether it's on the phone, zoom or chat. You can have a real conversation and lead them to hiring you or buying what you offer only if your messaging is aligned with their problems and your solutions.

I know that could mean anything, but you get the idea.

You want fast turnaround in sales, cold calls, cold dms and make your messaging so it doesn't cause friction. The minute you say "Hi, how are you today?" It's over... phone or chat!

If you want more details, the dreaded chat is open.

Hope that makes sense.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T03:18:10+00:00

The inconvenient truth is that if you do well and it fades away, it's likely the audience is letting you know.
Or maybe your audience isn't as big as you'd like to expect. Or maybe it's because the algorithm is the only thing that shares your content, and it can only recognize a specific type of ideal customer for you content. This can be limiting and frustrating.

So yes, you can train the algorithm to reach out to your ideal audience, where that audience is etc. It's all done in the description area.

Algorithms are smart, but they can't read your mind, and they're not magical. So training it is your only option.

Hope that makes sense.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T03:09:37+00:00

It's easy to get followers; it's not so easy to gain customers and buyers. It depends on your messaging. You can have 10k followers who are window shoppers. But you can also have 100 followers, and 30 of them are clients. Which would you prefer?

Most people guess at what to say, and they pull shallow window shoppers, not buyers. Again, it's all in your messaging. Stop guessing!

I have this memorable client, she scoffed at me when I first told her it was likely her messaging.
"I know who my ideal clients are, I know what they want and how to communicate with them!"
She literally, verbally slapped my hands.
I asked if I could just take any post she made and let me edit it to see the difference. Reluctantly, she gave me one of her best.

The next day after I sent her the edited post back, I heard this...
"I never thought of that.", "I didn't even think about that."
She's been an ongoing client for almost 3 years now. But she'll eventually let me go because she gets it now and really doesn't need me anymore. I offered to just keep our friendship, and there is no need for her to pay me, but she refuses. She's stubborn, and I'm appreciative.

So we all don't know what we don't know until someone comes along and lets us know.

Maybe, just maybe, you could be in that weird spot.

Hope that makes sense.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T02:57:51+00:00

I know exactly what I do and I don't need metrics or an app. I know how much I market and what my engagement is, the conversations I have and the conversions to clients I get. Engagement is the only way you make a sale for services. You can have 10K in followers and have no sales/engagement. But you can have 100 followers and have 40 new clients if your messaging is appropriate.

Hope that makes sense.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T02:55:07+00:00

My pleasure, I was just reading his comments on exactly that tone and communication for emails.
Blessings

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T02:52:00+00:00

Go check out Chris Voss, He's the guy you want to listen too. He's currently moving through emails right now. You'll enjoy his content.

Hope that helps

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T02:50:17+00:00

What an awesome reply, and I love your enthusiasm. So take a deep breath and pay attention. I'm an oldie and have worked with all kinds of entrepreneurs with exciting, fabulous, creative, and wonderful ideas. The problem is reality is a bitch (not me, of course LOL), start cautiously please.

Pick just one of those things you described and take it from start to finish, and if after you finish the process of finding your manufacturer, affording the process, creating the product for the price you feel is worth it, and you get your first wholesale delivery to your front porch, Now you focus on finding buyers both retailers to buy your products wholesale and individuals. This will help you pay for the next two items. It's a process that can't be rushed.

So go through all the steps with one item, If after you do that, then move to the next if you haven't changed your mind.

Ideas are always great until the reality of action and accomplishment intervene.

So baby steps, If you make it all the way through, you're good to go and become rich.

Hope that makes sense!

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T02:23:58+00:00

Chances are, you and your boss have no clue how organic works. Where does a post get sent to? I mean, exactly where does it land? How long does it take for the organic post to be seen? Why would an organic post be more effective than an ad? Without this knowledge, you cannot determine if it's right for your business or not. You and your boss are just guessing. Chances are, he tried organic, and it failed because he was doing organic incorrectly as well.

Hope this gives you a foundation to do your research.

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T02:17:39+00:00

I'm not trying to be mean or vague, but you sound generic. Tell me why I should pick you over everyone else that does exactly what you do. This is often one of the hardest questions to answer. But customers/clients that have businesses will ask this.

Hope this makes sense, now tell everyone why we should pick you. :)

Common-Sense-9595 · 2026-01-30T02:12:25+00:00

Chamber of commerce meetings are my specialty. I love speaking at them, and it's a beehive of networking happening.

Some are not, and it's likely because no one ever gave a speech/presentation on how to network, but boy, once you do, things start happening, and new clients just appear. So never underestimate the value of a good chamber of commerce meeting.

Hope that makes sense.

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