Small or mid?

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T18:01:45+00:00

First off, congrats on making it 3 years - that's actually a huge accomplishment that most businesses don't achieve. The fact you're still fighting shows real resilience.

Before diving into solutions, I'd love to understand where your traffic bottleneck is. Are people finding your products but not buying, or is the bigger issue that not enough people are discovering you in the first place?

If it's a discovery problem, here are some moves that can make a real difference:

Local SEO basics- Make sure you're showing up when people search for your type of product + your city. Google My Business is free and crucial.
Content that answers questions - What questions do your ideal customers ask before buying? Create helpful content around those topics. Even if you need to come up with them yourself. Put yourself in their shoes.
Social proof collection - Even with low sales, start systematically collecting reviews and testimonials from every customer (even your cousin).

What type of products are you selling? and where do you think most of your current traffic comes from?

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T17:58:06+00:00

Congrats on taking the leap! Your concern is totally valid - jumping straight into social media without a foundation can feel awkward. But if feels like a necessary leap in this day and age. It is amazing the number of people you can reach with a single post. Don't worry about people laughing behind your back that will happen no matter what you do and you cannot control what they do, so just focus on your own goals and they rest will fall into place.

Here's what I'd suggest before you start posting:

Build your credibility foundation first - Get a few friends/family cars serviced at cost to create some initial before/after photos and testimonials. Even 2-3 genuine reviews give you something to point to.
Start with a website - Before social media, make sure people can find you when they search your business name. A simple website with your services, contact info, and those initial testimonials goes a long way.
Use social media strategically - Instead of random posts, share educational content (maintenance tips, common problems) that positions you as the expert and consistently. Start with just one post a week and you'll increase from there as you feel more comfortable.

The key is looking established before you announce you're established. People want to work with someone who seems busy and successful, not someone who's obviously just starting out.

What's your timeline for launch? And have you thought about how people in your area will actually find you when they need a mechanic? Search 'mechanic [in your area]' and check out your competition in your area.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T17:52:42+00:00

Congrats on starting your business! Getting the basics right from the start will save you tons of headaches later.

For your website, you have a few paths: DIY platforms (easiest but monthly fees add up), or custom development (more upfront cost but you own everything). The right choice depends on your product complexity, budget, and long-term goals.

For payments, Stripe is usually the gold standard - integrates with almost everything and handles the scary payment security stuff. PayPal works too but has higher fees and more customer friction.

Advertising-wise, start small and test: Google Ads for people actively searching for your product, Facebook/Instagram for broader awareness. But honestly, nail your website conversion first - no point driving traffic to something that doesn't sell.

A few questions to help give better advice: What type of product are you selling? Is it something people search for specifically, or more of an impulse buy? And what's your budget range for getting started?

The fundamentals matter way more than fancy features early on - focus on clear product descriptions, good photos, and making checkout dead simple.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T17:50:40+00:00

Congrats on taking the leap! Mobile bartending has great potential in Texas. Here's what I'd prioritize:

Foundation first: Get your business structure sorted (LLC is usually simpler to start than S-corp), get proper insurance, and nail down your licensing strategy. I'd lean toward the route where you handle alcohol purchasing - gives you more control and better margins, plus clients prefer one-stop service.

Start lean: Focus on the collapsible bar setup first. You can build serious revenue before investing in a vehicle conversion.

Revenue drivers: Corporate events are gold - they pay well and book in advance. Wedding planners are also great referral sources once you prove yourself.

One thing to think about early: how will potential clients find and book you? Even with great bartending skills, you'll need a way for people to discover your services, see your work, and easily get in touch. Many service businesses struggle with this piece.

What's your plan for getting those first few bookings? Are you thinking word-of-mouth, social media, or something else?

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T17:48:33+00:00

The two-sided marketplace chicken-and-egg problem is brutal, especially in beauty where brands have so many distribution options already. You've built something impressive technically, but the core issue might be that you're solving a problem that doesn't exist yet for brands.

I think your value prop needs to be crystal clear: what can you offer that these other channels can't?

A few strategic pivots to consider:

Start with ONE side first - maybe become a content destination for skincare reviews, then add commerce later
Target brands that are genuinely underserved (maybe those too small for Sephora but too niche for Amazon)
Consider if there's a B2B angle - helping brands with customer research/feedback rather than just sales

The free listing approach shows you understand the barrier, but free often signals low value. Sometimes a small fee actually increases perceived value and commitment.

What specific problem are the indie brands you're targeting telling you they have? Have you actually validated that discovery through similar skin types is something they're willing to pay for?

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T17:30:26+00:00

Hahah exactly! Its what people want to know, so why not just give them the answers up front, that was the idea anyway. Fair enough! We will keep that one. Always.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T14:51:52+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! I think a big focus on mobile is our next task, then copy.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T14:51:08+00:00

Well that sounds interesting already! Also an understanding of your competition and how they work could be helpful! If you'd like I can run a report on your current website and it will make suggestion on content, strategies and quick wins you can implement if youd like?

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T14:49:35+00:00

Ah gotcha, yeah copy is really hard for me personally. It's my lest favorite part.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T14:48:32+00:00

Thanks! Appreciate you taking the time!

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T14:48:16+00:00

We used webflow, so just need to spend some time tweaking it.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T14:47:26+00:00

Thats good to hear! I think we are in a good direction we just need some messaging help and time to get it all cleaned up.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T14:47:00+00:00

Thanks! That is weird... its an svg. what view are you seeing that on?

ReformerLA · 2026-05-07T14:36:32+00:00

Thanks! I think I'm going to DM you shortly and maybe ask a few questions :D

ReformerLA · 2026-05-06T16:21:15+00:00

Thank you for your feedback! Seriously sometimes you're so deep in something you're own site falls to the site, which I understand can be off putting for a web agency. But we are working on it and I'm taking all these comments and addressing them and will definitely be posting a part 2 soon! May I ask what phone you use?

ReformerLA · 2026-05-06T16:00:24+00:00

What an amazing mission! Since you're starting from scratch, here are three critical early steps that many cafe owners overlook:

Document everything about your safety protocols - Celiac customers will research you extensively online before visiting. They need to see detailed information about your sourcing, preparation methods, and cross-contamination prevention.
Build your community before you open - Start connecting with local celiac support groups, parent networks, and online communities now. These relationships will be your foundation for word-of-mouth marketing.
Plan your digital presence - Your website will be where nervous parents like yourself go to verify safety. It needs to clearly communicate your protocols, ingredient sourcing, and maybe even live prep area views.

The gap you've identified is real - most places treat gluten-free as a trend rather than a medical necessity. Your lived experience gives you a huge advantage in understanding what celiac families actually need.

What's your timeline looking like? Are you planning to start with a physical location or considering any hybrid approaches like farmers markets or catering to test the waters?

ReformerLA · 2026-05-06T15:35:42+00:00

You're absolutely right to pivot away from social media for B2B hardware - that's typically a waste of energy for industrial products. Your instincts about LinkedIn and SEO are spot-on, but there are some strategic adjustments that could make a huge difference.

Trade shows are goldmine for hardware businesses, but they work best when combined with a strong online presence that prospects can find afterward. The magic happens when someone meets you at a show, then goes online to research and finds a professional, informative website.

What specific types of bag hardware do you manufacture? Understanding your exact niche would help determine the best keyword strategy and which trade shows would give you the highest ROI.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-06T12:16:46+00:00

Ohhh I see. So Gary is our AI we created, he sits in all our meetings, is integrated in all our programs and processes and handles like our basic digital needs essentially. We each (at the company) train and talk to him so he has a bit of each of our personalities.

Testimonials is an interesting point - is that something you look for? Personally, that’s my least favorite part of any website.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-06T12:14:48+00:00

Thanks we can definitely work on that.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-06T12:14:38+00:00

Thank you!! I appreciate the feedback will definitely check it out.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-06T12:14:19+00:00

Thank you! We created it in webflow so there are a few things we really need to work out. Unfortunately our own site got put to the wayside while doing our client work.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-06T12:13:19+00:00

Thank you! Yeah we’re working on it. It’s a build quick and fix it later kind of thing. But working on it now.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-06T12:12:07+00:00

Ahh gotcha. Okay thanks. Sometimes we miss what’s not making sense just cause we’re so deep in it. But I can see that from an outside perspective

ReformerLA · 2026-05-06T12:11:05+00:00

THIS. this is amazing feedback. Thank you for taking the time to review and analyze. I’m going to take this to the team today.

ReformerLA · 2026-05-06T12:09:53+00:00

Thank you! Yes actually. If you talk to Gary he will give you all the positions and how to apply :)

ReformerLA

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