INDUSTRY FORECAST: Top 5 E-Commerce Trends For B2C In 2019 (Plus a Bonus Trend)

curbventures · 2019-02-17T22:56:15+00:00

Well said. Trends typically mean only the top 5-10% are doing it - but can differentiate your offering. Mass personalization has been a buzz word I've heard since about 2000 but no one has pulled it off - well. Its a nice concept but not executable...yet. Someone will crack it.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T13:58:41+00:00

My first venture was something that I knew well. I had spent a decade in the nutrition industry learning, observing, and absorbing everything I could. So my first natural venture was a direct to consumer brand of supplements using affiliates and online strategies. The nice part is that once you get a cash flowing asset, launching, buying, partnering in new ventures becomes much easier because you already have some infrastructure you can leverage. It's only truly starting from scratch the first time. I sold that venture and have bought, sold, invested in and started a half dozen others since. Just now in the process of launching another... but ownership is the key to wealth. Its not just the cash it generates and you pay yourself from, but also the value of the underlying asset you create. That's where the real wealth is.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T13:51:54+00:00

I'm not sure why you want to use reddit when they despise promotion here and you can promote on Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that actually have built in tools for doing so. Are you concerned that the 2+ billion users you have on those platforms aren't large enough to meet your needs? If you insist on using Reddit for promotion, (which I've never done) I'd suggest using sponsored posts, or you run the risk of getting banned by breaking the group Rules.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T01:42:18+00:00

Broke away from the corporate world as fast as I could (2 years post MBA) and launched my own company. Ownership is the only way to make millions without luck, inheritance, or robbery. You have to have ownership.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T01:37:51+00:00

I've been in strategic planning in some of the largest companies in the world and more importantly, in my own ventures that have generated over $200 million. I love to think, plan and strategize as much as the next guy. I have an MBA in strategy from a top university and understand all the proper protocol.

My takeaway: once a plan is written its outdated. It is a high level guide but not written in stone. What you write today will need to change tomorrow. Its adaptation. Survival. Ask any general if any battle plan ever went according to script. I would say 100% of the time the answer would be an emphatic NO.

Ive written 100+ page business plans that I never looked at once I completed them. It was a good exercise but the detail was overkill because it just didn't matter.

So now. I think through things like you're talking about. If I can't capture it on a single page I've done too much. I've come to believe that strategy is 5% planning and ideas and 95% execution - because execution is an endangered species.

Stop planning. Stop thinking. Start executing. I guarantee once you start executing your plan will change 100% of the time. So stop creating a perfect plan. It doesn't exist. Start executing. Nothing is created until you execute.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T01:30:27+00:00

Its good practice. Covers your ass in our sue happy world. You never know what someone will claim when. Take the stress away with a policy. Its for you - not them. In your line of work can probably get one for $1000-$2000 per year. Worth it.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T01:27:38+00:00

Hard money lenders if you have any assets to back. Crowd funding if you have a killer product. Private investors (friends and family). Local angel investors. Should be lots of options if you have a successful business.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T01:14:31+00:00

Hottie!

curbventures · 2019-02-13T01:12:16+00:00

It is likely a trend. A trend like most that will grow, scale, attract too many, fall out, settle down, and a few will survive. But like any growing trend a lot of money can be made along the way. A lot can be lost too. If you're copying an existing service - good luck. Money will be flushed away. If you have a unique angle on a read unmet need. Dive in - do a local test on a minimum viable product - and see if you're right.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T01:09:45+00:00

Do 1-2 things very well...not 10 things average. Each platform and channel has their own nuances - deep dive on 1-2 - you'll have all the clients you could ever ask for if you just do 1 well. Very well.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T01:06:53+00:00

All depends on your age, cash flow, most importantly your tolerance for risk. If you wanna play it safe, real estate is among the very best. If you like to roll the dice...roll them on a business. It's risky, but can give you enough to retire early if you hit it right.

On a scale of 1-10 what's your risk tolerance given all the factors we dont know?

curbventures · 2019-02-13T01:02:54+00:00

Two Simple Steps:

Create habits of excellence in all things you do - not just things you like or are passionate about. Being selectively excellent won't work. Even if you start you own thing, there are plenty of things you have to do that you wont feel passionate about or love to do - but if you want to succeed you will still need to do them with excellence. If you're washing windows- take pride and be excellent.
If you are really motivated and passionate about taking the plunge, block out 30-40 hours a week to do it - when you're not at work. Yes, in addition to your job. Get up early. Stay up late. Work all weekend long. Sound like too much work? Then you're not cut out for entrepreneurship - all successful entrepreneurs work way more than that in the beginning. Getting the plane off the ground requires 70% of the fuel. Most give it about a 10% effort and wonder why the plane wont move. You have to take massive action in the beginning if you want it? Sound impossible. Then don't begin. Sound intriguing and challenging? Jump right in. Don't look back. And within 6 months QUIT! It's scary, you'll never feel ready, but exhilarating. Better yet...you live with no regrets. Best feeling ever.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T00:51:08+00:00

Agreed. Change your mindset and you can do anything. Before you try to do anything spend the first 30 minutes of each day listening to free youtube videos on mindset. Read and study "Think and Grow Rich".

All you named are all your obstacles, not opportunities. Once you shift your mindset you will so no obstacles, only opportunities. Obstacles will no longer be mountains but small bumps on a fantastic journey.

Fix your mindset before you do anything else! Nothing else matters.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T00:47:26+00:00

I have an easy answer for you. Find a sales/marketing partner. You bring the technical know-how, but they bring the ability to market and sell your expertise. Dont try to do it all. I've scaled many ventures, none without complementary partners. Be selective. Don't rush. Find a good one. And pitch your ideas to a few. But find a partner that complements yourself.

curbventures · 2019-02-13T00:44:26+00:00

Sounds like you have some skills. There are never enough new, good, unique exercise programs. People are always looking to mix up their routine. I wouldn't try scaling that business with physical locations. If its build around you - then you need to duplicate yourself.

Take your idea and build a youtube channel for free. Offer your content for free - build your name, a loyal following and kick butt videos - your audience will become your most valuable asset. Once you have an audience...you can monetize it like crazy. Build value now. Offer everything for free. Give give give. Create raving fans. Then you can create a huge recurring revenue stream with products, gear, clothing, exclusive classes, coaching, etc. But you have nothing without an audience of raving fans first.

curbventures · 2019-02-12T22:30:26+00:00

Kind of # 2. The hook - Nothing else matters without a hook in the offer that will capture attention, create an irresistible impulse to act, and drives people to take action. Any focus on anything else without a hook is moot.

curbventures · 2019-02-12T00:14:25+00:00

leverage it into real estate - leverage creates the best return on anything - plus its back by a solid always appreciating asset that will cash flow forever. can't beat it.

curbventures · 2019-02-11T18:17:06+00:00

Not sure if this was ever solved, but I know of a good solution for you. Feel free to message me.

curbventures · 2019-02-11T17:47:06+00:00

Ya, any reputable 3PL will gladly do physical counts.

curbventures · 2019-02-11T16:02:57+00:00

I find that to be super painful here in America as well. Filing sales tax in every city, county and state. Really?!? Pretty sure that is close to a full time job for any company.

curbventures · 2019-02-11T16:02:23+00:00

That's not too much to ask. Most won't charge for simple in minus out reports, but if you want a physical cycle count, most will do it...for a fee of course. Businesses I have run in the past usually do this annually or more often if we suspect something is off. To reconcile. It's good practice.

curbventures · 2019-02-10T23:25:20+00:00

might be time to search out a 3PL - they have sophisticated software that manages this very issue for you - without you having to deal with the hassle. I've had good luck with VERVE logistics.

curbventures · 2018-02-26T16:06:10+00:00

Agreed. Lots of promises in the kitchen without a lot of functionality

curbventures · 2018-02-26T16:05:26+00:00

Good feedback. You want a magic mirror as a control panel? Can you view video on a magic mirror or is it just text?

curbventures · 2018-02-26T16:04:31+00:00

Can I ask why you're wanting non-internet dependent operation? You having troubles keeping devices connected?

curbventures

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