Two young women, Laura and Kendra, have contrasting approaches to business. Laura, initially struggling with her thrift store upcycling venture, perseveres after receiving encouragement and pivots to Instagram, achieving great success. Kendra, relying on family wealth, initially mocks Laura but ultimately fails in her own business endeavors. The narrative highlights the importance of passion and adaptability in entrepreneurship versus relying solely on financial backing. Laura’s journey showcases perseverance and finding the right platform, while Kendra’s story serves as a cautionary tale.

Live Clam: Passion, Perseverance, and Profit

Business Ventures and the Power of Passion: A Study Guide

Quiz

Answer each of the following questions in 2-3 sentences.

1. Why does Kendra mock Laura’s initial business idea?
2. What is Laura’s initial business plan for her clothing business?
3. What advice does Laura’s teacher, Miss Jacobs, give her about pursuing her business idea?
4. What role does Instagram play in Laura’s eventual business success?
5. How does Kendra’s financial background influence her view of success and business?
6. What specific challenge does Laura face when she initially tries to sell her products?
7. What does Laura mean when she states, “When you do what you love, the money will always follow?”
8. How does Laura demonstrate her resourcefulness and creativity in the context of her business?
9. What unexpected twist occurs when Kendra comes to apply for a job at Laura’s company?
10. How does the final scene of the excerpt tie back to the initial conflict of the story?

Answer Key

1. Kendra mocks Laura’s idea because she views thrift store clothing as “old” and “smelly” and believes it’s disgusting to wear used clothes. She also doubts Laura’s ability to make money selling inexpensive items.
2. Laura initially plans to buy used clothing, customize it by adding “bling” and other creative touches, and then sell the unique pieces for a profit, initially on social media and at events.
3. Miss Jacobs advises Laura to not give up, to continue doing what she loves, and that if she is passionate about her work, the money will follow. She encourages Laura to focus on her love for her product, not just sales figures.
4. Instagram allows Laura to showcase her products to a much wider audience. This is what transforms her business from slow sales to a booming success, leading to a huge social media following.
5. Kendra’s wealthy background leads her to judge others based on their financial resources, causing her to prioritize high-end products and doubt the viability of low-cost businesses. She believes that success comes from large investments and having access to wealthy contacts.
6. Laura initially struggles to generate significant sales because her Facebook posts don’t reach a wide enough audience, demonstrating the challenge of marketing effectively. People are not readily buying her products, resulting in her questioning her entire business strategy.
7. Laura’s belief reflects the idea that passion and dedication to one’s work will eventually lead to financial success. This philosophy suggests that doing something one loves is more important than the initial financial gains.
8. Laura’s resourcefulness and creativity are demonstrated through her ability to take used clothes and transform them into desirable and trendy items by adding bling and making them “cute.” She is able to create unique pieces and profit with minimal overhead costs.
9. Kendra is shocked to find out that Laura owns the company where she applies for a job and discovers that Laura’s business became very successful, while her own “funded” business is unsuccessful, leading to her searching for jobs.
10. The final scene highlights the shift in their fortunes and the difference in business strategy and overall success. Laura’s success demonstrates that passion, creative vision and perseverance can triumph, while Kendra’s initial arrogance is proven wrong.

Essay Questions

Consider these questions in developing a more thorough understanding of the material. Do not supply answers to these questions.

1. Analyze the contrasting attitudes of Laura and Kendra towards business and success. How do their backgrounds and personalities shape their approaches and ultimately their results?
2. Discuss the role of social media and marketing in the success or failure of Laura’s business. What does the narrative suggest about the evolving landscape of business and commerce?
3. Explore the theme of perseverance in the story. How does Laura’s experience demonstrate the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges?
4. Examine the role of mentorship and encouragement in Laura’s journey. How do the characters of Miss Jacobs and the first customers demonstrate the impact of belief and support?
5. Reflect on the message conveyed by the narrative in relation to wealth, status and success. Does it prioritize hard work and passion over financial resources? Support your view.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Thrift Store: A store that sells used goods, typically clothing, furniture, and household items, often at low prices.
• Bling: Flashy jewelry or decorative accessories, often sparkly or shiny, used to embellish clothing or other items.
• Customized: Modified or altered to suit individual preferences or needs, often involving unique additions or designs.
• Business Plan: A detailed proposal outlining a company’s objectives, strategies, target market, financial projections, and operational plans.
• Pitch (to investors): A presentation made to potential investors, aiming to convince them to invest money into a business or project.
• Birkin: A luxury handbag made by Hermès, known for its high price and exclusivity.
• Social Media: Digital platforms that allow users to create, share content, and interact with each other, such as Facebook and Instagram.
• Profit: The financial gain or surplus resulting from a business transaction after subtracting costs and expenses.
• Cosmetics Company: A business that produces and sells products related to personal care, makeup, and beauty.
• Uber X: A ride-sharing service offering standard vehicles at a more affordable price than luxury options.
• Senior Manager: A high-level leadership role within a company, often overseeing a team or department.
• Live Clam: Name of the company that Laura eventually owns, showing her ultimate business success.
• Resourcefulness: The ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties and solve problems.
• Perseverance: Continued effort and dedication to achieve a goal, despite obstacles or setbacks.
• Resilience: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties, showing toughness and adaptability.

Passion, Perseverance, and the Power of Instagram

Okay, here’s a detailed briefing document analyzing the provided text:

Briefing Document: Entrepreneurship, Social Media, and the Power of Passion

Overview:

This text presents a narrative contrasting two approaches to entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of passion, perseverance, and adapting to evolving market trends. It follows the journeys of Laura, who starts a business customizing and selling used clothing, and Kendra, who relies on her father’s wealth to pursue her business dreams. The story underscores how initial setbacks and skepticism can be overcome with a genuine love for one’s work and the willingness to embrace new platforms and strategies.

Main Themes and Key Ideas:

1. Passion vs. Pragmatism: The story sets up a clear contrast between Laura, who is driven by her passion for creativity and upcycling, and Kendra, who is focused on financial success and status.

• Laura: Her motivation is evident when she says, “I do this because I love it, not because I’m here to make money.” This approach contrasts sharply with Kendra’s business plan, driven by a desire to make “$2 million in sales my first year.”
• Kendra: Kendra’s approach is pragmatic and focused on financial success, leading to her initially dismissing Laura’s business as “used trash.” Her ultimate goal is status and luxury items like a Birkin bag.
• Quote: “I was taught that when you do what you love the money will always follow” – This phrase, repeated by Laura and later by Miss Jacobs, embodies the core theme of the text.

1. The Power of Perseverance: Laura faces numerous challenges, including initial skepticism, lack of sales, and public ridicule from Kendra. Her ability to rebound from these setbacks showcases the power of perseverance.

• Initial struggles: Laura experiences slow sales on Facebook, feeling like her business is a “total failure”. This leads to her considering returning all her thrift store finds.
• Turning point: Miss Jacob’s encouragement, echoing Laura’s own philosophy (“when you do what you love the money will always follow”), re-ignites her motivation. This moment is a crucial one in which she goes from giving up to being excited and determined.

1. Adaptability and Embracing New Platforms: The story underscores the importance of being adaptable and willing to embrace new strategies. Laura’s turning point is her willingness to pivot to Instagram.

• Facebook Fail: Her initial attempt to sell her products on Facebook failed miserably, with many stating that “no one buys anything on Facebook”.
• Instagram Success: Laura’s discovery of Instagram is a pivotal moment, allowing her to reach a wider audience and ultimately achieve phenomenal success. “People all over the world start to discover her work” showing how a social media platform can make or break a company.

1. Social Media’s Impact on Business: The narrative shows how social media can be a powerful tool for both failure and success.

• Initial Ineffectiveness: Laura’s initial reliance on Facebook proves fruitless, showcasing the importance of selecting the right platform.
• Transformative Power of Instagram: Instagram provides the visual platform needed to showcase her products and cultivate a global customer base. This highlights the impact of the right platform, and how powerful a platform like Instagram can be.

1. The Dangers of Elitism and Condescension: Kendra’s character serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of elitism and dismissing others’ ideas.

• Early dismissal: Kendra consistently belittles Laura’s business model, expressing disgust at the idea of selling used clothes. She refers to Laura’s merchandise as “trash”.
• Karma: Kendra, in the end, is reduced to applying for a job at Laura’s hugely successful company, learning a lesson in humility.
• Quote: “you know 10 years from now while you’ll still be buying you stuff I’ll be shopping at a maze and buying Birkins” exemplifies Kendra’s elitist mindset and disdain for others not in her position.

1. Defining “Business”: The text touches on what constitutes a real “business.”

• Kendra’s View: Kendra initially dismisses Laura’s endeavor, arguing “you don’t have a business, you just have a dream,” because Laura hadn’t yet made a sale. This highlights her practical, metrics driven view of business.
• Laura’s reality: Laura, despite initially not generating much revenue, was clearly building a business through her actions, which later translates into actual sales and success.

1. Importance of Genuine Connection: The story suggests the importance of genuine connection with one’s customers and products.

• Laura’s Passion: She was passionate about what she did and as the business grew it wasn’t just about making money. It was about doing what she loved and sharing her creativity with others.
• Authenticity: Laura’s authenticity resonated with consumers and led her to success.

Character Dynamics:

• Laura: The protagonist, characterized by her creativity, passion, and resilience. She is willing to take a risk and learns from both successes and failures.
• Kendra: The antagonist, embodies privilege, pragmatism, and a condescending attitude. She ultimately learns a lesson about the value of hard work and passion.
• Miss Jacobs: She serves as a mentor figure, providing timely encouragement to Laura and reinforces the core message of the story.

Narrative Arc:

The narrative follows a classic arc of challenges and triumphs, from Laura’s initial spark of an idea to her eventual success. It also demonstrates the cyclical nature of success and failure, as Kendra’s initial position of superiority is reversed by the end of the story.

Conclusion:

This text offers a compelling look at the entrepreneurial journey. It celebrates the value of passion, resilience, and adaptability in achieving success. It cautions against arrogance and elitism, and highlights the power of social media as a business tool. The text’s most enduring message is that when you are passionate and love what you do, money and success will always follow. This narrative encourages budding entrepreneurs to persevere, adapt to market changes, and pursue business ventures that truly resonate with them.

Upcycled Business FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Starting a Business from Upcycled Goods

1. What are some of the key benefits of starting a business focused on upcycled or repurposed goods?

• Upcycling can be very cost-effective, as the base materials are often purchased at low prices or thrifted. This allows for a greater potential for profit margins when the items are customized and resold. It can also be a good way to create unique products as well as offer an alternative to fast fashion, appealing to consumers looking for sustainability and individuality. This model can attract those interested in creative and unconventional designs.

1. What challenges might one face when launching a business selling customized upcycled items?

• Initially, one may experience slow sales and struggle to find an audience. It can also be difficult to compete with well-established brands and businesses. Also, there could be skepticism about the value of used goods. Finding a suitable platform to reach an audience is also a challenge, as well as managing a high volume of items through manual processes of acquisition, customization and sale.

1. How important is passion and a love for the craft when starting a business like this, especially when facing challenges?

• Passion is crucial. It acts as a motivator to persist through difficulties such as slow sales, and can help cultivate creativity. The belief in one’s work, even in the face of skepticism, is needed. A love for the process can make the endeavor more than just about profit, providing intrinsic satisfaction even before monetary success is achieved.

1. How can social media play a vital role in a business selling upcycled goods?

• Social media platforms, particularly image-focused ones like Instagram, are essential for showcasing unique upcycled designs to a wider audience. They allow for global reach, enabling entrepreneurs to connect with customers beyond their local area. A strong social media presence can lead to rapid growth and brand recognition by sharing visually compelling content, attracting attention and potential customers.

1. What are some of the pitfalls of relying solely on personal funding (like family money or investments) versus bootstrapping a business?

• Relying solely on family funding may not develop needed business acumen through experience. It also creates an atmosphere where if money isn’t handled wisely there may be a loss of investment with little acquired in the process. Bootstrapping, while slower, can lead to a stronger foundation, more flexibility and a better understanding of the market. It also allows the entreprenuer to take ownership of their growth. Additionally, funding from a third party can potentially come with additional benefits like business mentorship and partnerships.

1. How does a focus on creating quality unique products stand against the pursuit of rapid profit generation?

• Focusing on unique products built out of love may initially yield smaller profits than strategies focused solely on financial gain. However, businesses based on a genuine passion and unique items can develop a dedicated customer base. When customers connect to the values of the product they are more likely to develop brand loyalty which can create long-term sustainability. This kind of business can attract those seeking something special.

1. What role can mentorship or advice play in an entrepreneur’s journey, especially when considering changing direction?

• Mentorship can offer crucial support, encouragement and valuable perspective, especially when a business faces setbacks. Wise advice can help entrepreneurs avoid giving up too soon and provide insights on new strategies, like moving to more suitable platforms (as seen with Instagram). Guidance can steer entrepreneurs to focus on core business values and help them pivot without sacrificing their core passion.

1. How can initial setbacks and criticism be a catalyst for growth and learning in a business journey?

• Negative feedback and early failures can be a necessary learning experience. It may reveal that certain strategies don’t work, thus promoting the business owner to try new approaches, find gaps in the market and ultimately refine the overall business model. When handled correctly, setbacks can strengthen resilience and improve business sense. Overcoming these hurdles can often lead to greater success as long as persistence and focus are maintained.

From Thrift Store to CEO

Okay, here’s the timeline and cast of characters based on the provided text:

Timeline of Events

• Initial Encounter at the Thrift Store/School: Kendra and Laura run into each other. Kendra expresses her distaste for thrifting and used clothes. Laura reveals her plan to start a business customizing and selling thrifted clothing and accessories.
• Business Plan Pitch: Laura pitches her business plan in class, detailing her idea of customizing used clothing. Kendra is openly dismissive of her plan. Laura expresses her belief that “when you do what you love the money will follow.”
• Laura’s First Sale: After school, Laura sets up a small table and is ridiculed by Kendra, who later trashes all her products. Despite this, Laura makes her first sales when a couple of friends purchase necklaces.
• Early Business Struggles: Laura begins selling her products on Facebook, but sales are very slow, leading to discouragement and the belief that her business will fail.
• Laura’s Decision to Quit: Laura decides to give up on her business and goes to the thrift store to return her unsold items.
• Miss Jacobs’ Intervention: Miss Jacobs, one of Laura’s former teachers, encourages her to keep going and reminds her of her “do what you love” motto. She also mentions the app “Instagram” as a new platform Laura could try to reach more customers.
• Business Success on Instagram: Laura tries selling on Instagram. Her business rapidly grows as she gains followers and customers and finds success.
• Laura’s Cosmetics Company: Laura’s business expands into a cosmetics company, and she partners with her fiance.
• Kendra’s Job Interview: Kendra, now broke, interviews for a senior manager position at Live Clam, Laura’s company. She reveals that her dad is mad at her for losing his money.
• Kendra’s Rejection and Offer of Assistant Position: Kendra is rejected for the senior manager position, which is instead offered to someone else. Laura is now the owner of Live Clam, not just an employee. Laura owns the company with her fiance. Kendra ends up being offered an assistant position in the end.
• Kendra Meets Laura Again: Laura reminds Kendra that when you do what you love, the money will follow, even though they both use Uber X as a mode of transportation.
• The Interview: Laura is shown starting the interview with Kendra for the assistant position.

Cast of Characters

• Laura: The protagonist. Initially a thrifter and student, she has a dream of starting a business customizing used clothes. She faces discouragement but perseveres and becomes a successful business owner with her own clothing and cosmetics company. She holds to the mantra, “when you do what you love, the money will always follow.”
• Kendra: The antagonist. A wealthy student who is dismissive of thrifting and Laura’s business aspirations. She is initially confident in her own financial advantages but experiences a reversal of fortune, ending up broke and seeking a job.
• Miss Jacobs: Laura’s teacher who encourages her not to give up. She reminds Laura of her philosophy of doing what you love and also suggests Instagram as a potential selling platform. She is an advocate for Laura’s success.
• Laura’s Fiancé (Mentioned only): Laura’s business partner, also co-owner of her company, Live Clam.
• Unnamed classmates: Several classmates buy a necklace at Laura’s first sale. There is also a general reference to students talking about Laura’s business when Miss Jacobs recommends the app Instagram.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thrift Store Empire: From Rags to Riches

A business that centers around thrift store items is the main focus of the sources [1-5]. Here’s an overview of key aspects of the thrift store business concept presented:

• Sourcing: The business model involves acquiring used items, like clothing and shoes, from thrift stores [1-3]. These items are typically low cost [1].
• Customization: The thrifted items are then customized to enhance their appeal. This includes adding “bling” or other creative alterations [1-3]. For example, a shirt collar is removed and made into a necklace [2].
• Sales Strategy:The initial idea was to sell the customized items in person at a table [2, 3].
• The business plan initially included a social media component with Facebook [3, 4], which proved unsuccessful [3, 4].
• The business owner later started using Instagram [4], which was significantly more successful [4].
• Pricing and Profit: The goal is to sell the customized items at a profit [2]. In one instance, an item was purchased used and resold for $7 [2].
• Challenges:Initially, the business owner faced skepticism from others who thought the concept was not viable [1-3].
• The business struggled with slow sales when relying on Facebook [3, 4].
• The business owner considered giving up due to a lack of early success [3, 4].
• Success Factors:The business owner was passionate about the products [4].
• The business owner was told by a wise person that “when you do what you love the money will always follow” [2, 4, 5].
• The business owner found a better selling platform in Instagram [4].
• The business owner was told to not give up [4].
• Outcomes: The thrift store business ultimately became very successful, with a large following and many customers [4]. The business owner also started a cosmetics company [4, 5].

Overall, the sources show the development of a thrift store based business from a struggling idea to a successful venture, highlighting the importance of passion, perseverance, and the right sales platform.

Upcycled Fashion Business Model

Customized clothing is a key element of the business described in the sources [1-4]. Here’s an overview of how it’s presented:

• Source Material: The clothing that is customized is sourced from thrift stores [1-4]. This allows the business to acquire items at a low cost.
• Customization Techniques: The business owner uses various methods to alter and enhance the thrifted clothing [1, 2, 4]. These techniques include:
• Adding “bling” [1, 2].
• Cutting off collars of shirts to make necklaces [2].
• Purpose of Customization: The customization is done to make the clothing more appealing and unique [1-4]. The goal is to transform used, ordinary clothing into “cute” items [1, 3].
• Examples of Customized Items: The sources provide several specific examples of customized clothing:
• Shirts with added “bling” [2].
• Shirts with the collars removed to make necklaces [2].
• Customized shoes [1, 4].
• Business Model: The customized clothing is the core product of the business [1, 2]. The business owner purchases used clothes, customizes them, and resells them at a higher price [1, 2].
• Sales:The business owner initially attempted to sell the customized clothing in person and on Facebook [2, 3].
• The business owner later found success selling the customized clothing on Instagram [4].
• Pricing: The customized items are sold for a profit, one example given was that a customized necklace was sold for $7 [2].
• Significance: The concept of customized clothing is central to the business’s identity and success. The transformation of used clothing into unique, desirable items is the foundation of the business [1, 2, 4]. The owner’s creativity and skill in customization are key to the business’s appeal [2, 4].

Social Media Sales: Facebook vs. Instagram

Social media sales play a significant role in the business described in the sources, though the effectiveness of different platforms varies dramatically. Here’s an overview of how social media sales are presented:

• Initial Attempt with Facebook: The business owner initially plans to use Facebook as a sales platform [1]. She intends to post pictures of her customized clothing on Facebook to find customers [1].
• This strategy proves to be unsuccessful. The sources indicate that “no one buys anything on Facebook” [1].
• The business owner’s Facebook posts do not attract customers, leading to slow sales and feelings of failure [2, 3].
• The lack of sales on Facebook is a significant factor in the business owner considering giving up [2].
• Success with Instagram: The business owner is encouraged to try selling on Instagram [3].
• She starts posting photos of her customized items on Instagram, which leads to a significant increase in visibility and customer interest [3].
• The business owner’s Instagram following explodes, and she gains a large customer base [3].
• Instagram becomes a successful platform for selling her products [3].
• Contrast between Platforms:
• Facebook is presented as an ineffective platform for the business, with the statement “no one buys anything on Facebook” [1]. The business owner’s experience supports this, as sales are slow and lead to her considering giving up [2, 3].
• Instagram is presented as a highly effective platform, leading to a large increase in sales, a huge following, and the overall success of the business [3].
• Significance:The source material underscores the importance of choosing the right social media platform for sales [1, 3].
• The business owner’s experience demonstrates that a social media strategy is not a guarantee of success; the platform must align with the target audience and product [1, 3].
• The transformation from struggling with Facebook to succeeding with Instagram highlights the impact that a suitable platform can have on a business [1, 3].

In summary, while social media is essential for the business described in the sources, the success of social media sales is heavily dependent on the chosen platform. The initial attempts to use Facebook to sell the customized clothing proved ineffective, while the shift to Instagram resulted in remarkable growth and widespread success for the business [1, 3].

From Thrift Store to Birkin Bag

Business success, as depicted in the sources, is a multifaceted journey marked by initial struggles, adaptation, and eventual triumph [1, 2]. Here’s a detailed look at the factors contributing to the business’s success:

• Initial Challenges and Setbacks:
• The business owner starts with a concept of customizing and reselling thrift store items [3].
• The business encounters significant skepticism from others, who doubt its viability [3].
• The initial sales strategy of selling in person and on Facebook proves ineffective [1, 4]. The sources specifically state that “no one buys anything on Facebook” [1, 4].
• The lack of sales leads the business owner to consider giving up [1, 2].
• She experiences slow sales and feels like her business is a failure [1].
• Pivotal Moments and Turning Points:
• A key turning point occurs when the business owner receives encouragement not to give up [1, 2].
• She is reminded of the principle “when you do what you love the money will always follow” [2, 4, 5]. This principle is mentioned multiple times and seems to be important to the business owner’s success [2, 4, 5].
• The suggestion to try selling on Instagram is critical [2].
• This transition to Instagram as a sales platform marks a significant shift in the business’s trajectory [2].
• Factors Contributing to Success:
• Passion: The business owner is passionate about her products and what she does [2].
• Perseverance: Despite early setbacks, she continues to pursue her idea [1, 2].
• Adaptability: She is willing to shift her sales platform from Facebook to Instagram [1, 2].
• Platform Choice: Instagram proves to be a successful platform for selling her products [2].
• Unique Product: The customized items are “cute” and unique, attracting a customer base [1, 3, 4].
• Creative Customization: The business owner’s ability to transform thrift store items into desirable pieces is a key factor in her success [3, 4].
• Outcomes of Success:
• The business experiences an “explosion” in followers and customers [2].
• The business becomes highly successful, surpassing initial expectations [2].
• The business owner expands her business to include a cosmetics line [2].
• The business owner is eventually able to afford luxury items like a Birkin bag [4, 5].
• The business owner’s journey highlights the importance of aligning passion with a viable sales strategy and the transformative power of perseverance [2, 5].
• Contrast with Another Character:
• The success of the business contrasts sharply with another character’s journey, who, despite having financial backing from her father, ends up applying for an entry level job with the company [3, 5]. This underscores the idea that financial backing alone doesn’t guarantee success [5]. The sources emphasize that doing what you love is a key component to success [2, 4, 5].

In summary, the business’s success is not a linear path but a result of overcoming challenges, adapting to new opportunities, and a continued commitment to the business owner’s passion. The effective use of Instagram as a sales platform plays a vital role in the business’s growth and overall success [2].

From Struggle to Success: A Business Journey

Financial struggles are a significant aspect of the business journey depicted in the sources, particularly in the initial stages. Here’s an overview of the financial challenges and how they were addressed:

• Initial Low-Cost Model: The business starts with a low-cost model, sourcing used clothing and shoes from thrift stores [1]. This allows for minimal initial investment.
• Pricing and Profit:The business owner aims to sell the customized items at a profit. For example, she sells a customized necklace for $7 [2].
• However, the business owner mentions that she is “not too worried” about the money, because she believes that if you do what you love, the money will follow [2].
• Slow Sales and Low Revenue:The initial sales efforts on Facebook are unsuccessful, leading to slow sales [3]. The source material states that “no one buys anything on Facebook” [3].
• As a result, the business owner makes very little money in the first few months, making “less than like a few hundred” dollars [4].
• This lack of revenue leads to feelings of failure and the consideration of giving up [3, 4].
• The slow sales make the business owner feel like her business is a “total failure” [3].
• Returns:The business owner attempts to return her unsold merchandise to the thrift store, a sign of the severity of her financial struggles [3].
• She is initially told that the store does not usually accept returns [4].
• Contrast with Another Character:Another character in the sources has financial backing from her father [1]. However, she doesn’t find success with her own business venture and ends up applying for an entry-level job at the successful business, highlighting that money alone does not guarantee success [5].
• Overcoming Financial Struggles:The business owner is encouraged not to give up and to continue doing what she loves [4].
• The business owner shifts her sales platform to Instagram, which leads to a significant increase in sales and revenue [4].
• The business eventually becomes very successful, demonstrating how financial challenges can be overcome [4].
• Long-term Financial Success:The business owner’s initial financial struggles contrast with her eventual financial success, as she is eventually able to afford luxury items like a Birkin bag and start her own cosmetics company [2, 4, 5].
• She also is able to hire a senior manager and an assistant, demonstrating the long term financial success of her company [5].
• She references that “when you do what you love the money will always follow,” as the cause of her financial success, referencing the earlier advice she received [2, 4, 5].

In summary, the sources portray the business owner’s initial financial struggles as a significant obstacle, with slow sales and low revenue. The shift to a more effective sales platform, coupled with her passion and perseverance, led to a transformation from a financially struggling business to a highly successful and lucrative enterprise.

Contrasting Business Approaches: Laura vs. Kendra

Laura and Kendra have contrasting business approaches, both in their initial ideas and their subsequent execution, which is highlighted in the sources. Here’s a detailed comparison:

Laura’s Business Approach:

• Concept and Ideology: Laura’s business is centered around customizing used clothing and reselling it [1]. Her core belief is that “when you do what you love the money will always follow” [2-4]. This suggests that her approach is driven by passion and creativity rather than solely by profit [2].
• Product and Customization: Laura sources her materials from thrift stores, which allows her to keep her costs low [1]. She customizes these items, making them “cute” by adding “bling,” cutting off collars to make necklaces and customizing shoes [1-3]. Her customization focuses on transforming used items into unique, desirable pieces [2].
• Initial Sales Strategy: Laura initially tries selling her customized items in person and on Facebook [2, 5]. This approach is unsuccessful, with the sources stating, “no one buys anything on Facebook” [3, 5].
• Adaptability: Despite early setbacks, Laura adapts by shifting her sales strategy to Instagram, where she finds success [3].
• Motivation: Laura is primarily motivated by her passion for creating and customizing clothing and her belief that if you do what you love the money will follow [2, 3].
• Financial Strategy: Laura focuses on low-cost inputs from thrift stores and selling her creations at a modest profit [1, 2]. She is not initially focused on making large sums of money.
• Long Term Success: Laura’s business eventually becomes very successful, as she gains a large following on social media, starts her own cosmetics company, and can afford luxury goods [3, 4].

Kendra’s Business Approach:

• Concept and Ideology: Kendra’s approach is characterized by a more traditional business mindset. Her initial plan is to secure funding through investors or her wealthy father and to create a large business [1]. The sources do not indicate that she has any specific passion for fashion or creating; she seems more motivated by money and status.
• Product and Strategy: Kendra does not create anything. Instead, her plan appears to be based around having a large budget and buying expensive items that are already considered desirable.
• Initial Sales Strategy: Kendra does not begin selling any products herself, but rather pitches her idea to investors [1].
• Financial Backing: Kendra’s business plan relies on funding from her father [1].
• Motivation: Kendra appears to be motivated by financial success, luxury, and status, such as owning Birkin bags [2].
• Contrast with Laura: Unlike Laura, Kendra is not driven by a love of her product or creativity; rather, she seems primarily concerned with profit and status [1, 2].
• Long Term Success: Kendra’s business plan fails and she ends up applying for an entry level position at Laura’s company [4].

Key Differences:

• Motivation: Laura is driven by her passion for creation and her belief that money will follow if you do what you love [2-4], while Kendra is driven by money and status [1, 2].
• Product: Laura focuses on unique, customized, low-cost items, whereas Kendra’s plan is focused on purchasing expensive, high-end luxury items [1-3].
• Financial Approach: Laura starts with a low-cost model, while Kendra relies on financial backing [1].
• Adaptability: Laura demonstrates adaptability by changing her sales platform [3], while Kendra’s initial plan fails, and she ends up needing to find a job with Laura’s company [4].
• Success: Laura’s passion and creativity ultimately lead to a highly successful business [3, 4], while Kendra’s initial business plan fails [4].

In summary, Laura’s approach is characterized by creativity, adaptability, and a belief in the power of passion, whereas Kendra’s is more traditional, focused on financial backing and status, and ultimately less successful. The sources emphasize that Laura’s success is due to her passion and that money will follow if you do what you love [2-4].

Laura’s Early Marketing Struggles

Laura initially marketed her products through a combination of in-person sales and online efforts, which are detailed in the sources:

• In-Person Sales: Laura began by selling her customized clothing and accessories directly to people. The sources mention that she set up her items on “some beastro tables” [1]. This suggests a local, small-scale approach to sales, likely in a physical location like a market or pop-up shop.
• Facebook: In addition to in-person sales, Laura also attempted to market her products on Facebook [1]. This was an early attempt to reach a broader audience online. However, this approach proved to be unsuccessful. The sources specifically state that “no one buys anything on Facebook” [1, 2].
• Initial Challenges: Laura experienced significant challenges in these initial marketing efforts. Her sales were slow and she made very little money, leading her to feel like her business was a “total failure” [2]. These struggles led her to consider giving up [2].
• Shifting Strategies: Eventually, Laura shifted her marketing strategy away from Facebook and in-person sales, due to their ineffectiveness [3]. This marked a turning point, where she moved to Instagram and found success [3].

In summary, Laura’s initial marketing approach involved a combination of local, in-person sales, and online efforts through Facebook. These initial efforts, however, were largely unsuccessful [1, 2]. It was only after transitioning to Instagram that her business began to experience growth and success [3].

Laura’s Entrepreneurial Triumph: From Rags to Riches

Laura’s ultimate business success was the result of several interconnected factors, evolving from initial struggles to eventual triumph, as described in the sources and our previous conversation. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements that contributed to her success:

• Passion and Perseverance: Laura’s business was fueled by her passion for customizing used clothing and her belief that “when you do what you love the money will always follow” [1-3]. Despite facing significant challenges, she persevered, demonstrating a commitment to her vision [4].
• Adaptability and Pivotal Changes:
• Laura’s initial marketing strategies, which included in-person sales and Facebook, were ineffective [1, 2, 4]. The sources specifically mention that “no one buys anything on Facebook” [2, 4].
• A key turning point was the suggestion to use Instagram as a sales platform [2]. This pivot was crucial for her business growth.
• Laura’s ability to adapt her sales strategies based on performance was essential to her success.
• Unique Product and Creative Customization: Laura’s ability to transform used items into desirable, unique products was a key factor [1, 5]. Her customizations were described as “cute” and included adding “bling”, cutting off collars to make necklaces and customizing shoes [1, 2, 4, 5]. The unique nature of her products attracted a customer base.
• Effective Use of Social Media: The shift to Instagram proved to be transformative [2]. By posting photos of her customized products on Instagram, she was able to reach a much wider audience. This led to an “explosion” in her following and customer base [2]. Her business expanded far beyond her local contacts and she gained worldwide recognition.
• Contrast with Kendra’s Approach: Unlike Kendra, whose business plan relied on financial backing and a traditional approach, Laura’s focus on creative customization, low-cost inputs, and using social media to market her unique products led to success. [1, 5]. Kendra’s plan ultimately failed [3]. The sources emphasize that financial backing alone does not guarantee success [3].
• Long-Term Vision: Her eventual success was far beyond what she initially imagined [2]. She eventually expands her business to include a cosmetics line [2, 3].

In summary, Laura’s success was not a result of one single factor, but rather a combination of her passion, perseverance, adaptability, creative customization, and effective use of Instagram. Her journey highlights the importance of aligning one’s passion with a viable sales strategy and the transformative power of perseverance. The key to her success was her shift to Instagram and the combination of that platform with her unique products, which resulted in a massive increase in followers and customers.

Laura’s Evolving Sales Strategy

Laura initially planned to sell her customized items through a combination of in-person sales and online efforts [1].

• In-person sales: Laura started by setting up her items on “some beastro tables,” which suggests a local, small-scale approach, likely in a physical location such as a market or pop-up shop [1]. This allowed her to directly interact with potential customers.
• Facebook: Laura also attempted to market her products on Facebook, trying to reach a broader audience online [1]. However, this approach proved unsuccessful, with the sources stating, “no one buys anything on Facebook” [1, 2].

These initial marketing efforts proved to be challenging, with slow sales and low revenue, making Laura feel like her business was a “total failure” [1, 2]. Eventually, she shifted her strategy away from these methods after experiencing little to no success [1]. It was not until she began selling on Instagram that she found success [2].

Kendra’s Disdain for Laura’s Thrifting Venture

Kendra initially reacted to Laura’s business idea with disdain and skepticism, expressing strong doubt about its potential for success [1, 2]. Here’s a breakdown of her reactions:

• Dismissiveness and mockery: Kendra was dismissive of the idea that buying used items could be “cute” [1]. She mocked the concept of thrifting, stating, “you think that buying other people’s used stuff is cute it’s really not that bad,” and calling the clothes “old smelly clothes” that are “disgusting” [1].
• Doubt about Profitability: Kendra expressed doubt about the profitability of Laura’s business, questioning Laura’s ability to make a substantial profit selling items for a low price [2]. When Laura states she is selling necklaces for $7, Kendra says, “are you kidding me?” [2]. Kendra’s business plan has her making “2 million in sales my first year” while she believes Laura’s plan will never generate any significant revenue [2].
• Belief in Failure: Kendra repeatedly stated her belief that Laura’s business would never work, telling her, “that little business idea of yours is never going to work” and “no one’s going to want to buy your used trash” [1, 2]. She implied that Laura should give up on her business idea, suggesting Laura should “return all that stuff and get your…$12 back” [1].
• Emphasis on Status and Material Wealth: Kendra’s reactions stemmed from her focus on status and material wealth. Her statement that in “10 years from now while you’ll still be buying you stuff I’ll be shopping at a maze and buying Birkins” indicates her focus on expensive luxury goods, and demonstrates a lack of understanding or appreciation for Laura’s approach [2].
• Condescending Behavior: Kendra’s comments were often condescending and mean spirited, as demonstrated when she threw all of Laura’s items in the trash [2]. Despite saying she was not trying to be mean, she still acted in a way to undermine Laura [2].

In summary, Kendra’s initial reaction to Laura’s business idea was marked by disbelief, mockery, and a general lack of support. She believed that Laura’s thrifting approach was inherently inferior and doomed to fail due to her own focus on status and luxury goods. Kendra’s dismissive attitude highlighted a contrast between her traditional, money-driven approach and Laura’s more creative, passion-driven one.

Kendra’s Ironic Career Trajectory

Kendra’s ultimate career outcome was that she ended up working for Laura’s company, despite her initial plans to be a successful business owner, as detailed in the sources. Here’s a breakdown of her career trajectory:

• Initial Business Plan Failure: Kendra’s initial business plan, which relied on funding from her wealthy father and a traditional approach to business, did not succeed [1, 2]. Her plan was focused on obtaining a large budget to purchase expensive items such as Birkin bags, rather than creating a product or service herself [1, 2].
• Job Seeking: After her business plan failed, Kendra needed to find employment. She applied for a senior manager position at Laura’s company, Live Clam, not realizing that Laura was the owner [3]. This shows a significant shift from her initial plan to own her own company to needing a job.
• Interview with Laura: Kendra was interviewed by Laura, the owner of the company, who revealed that she was the founder and CEO [3]. This surprised Kendra, who previously mocked Laura for her business idea [2, 3].
• Rejection for Senior Manager Position: Despite interviewing for the senior manager role, Kendra was informed that the position was no longer available because someone else had already accepted the offer [3].
• Accepting an Assistant Position: Kendra was then offered and accepted an assistant position at Laura’s company, as it was the only position available [3]. This was a significant step down from the senior manager position she had initially applied for, and was a far cry from her original plan to be a successful business owner [1, 3].
• Working for Laura: Kendra now works directly for Laura, whose business she previously doubted and ridiculed [2, 3]. This outcome is ironic, given her earlier comments and behavior [2].

In summary, Kendra’s ultimate career outcome is that she was hired as an assistant at Laura’s company, after her own business plan failed and she was rejected from a more senior position. Her change in career path is a direct contrast to her initial plans and her attitude towards Laura’s business. This shows a significant shift from her initial goals and a form of poetic justice for her previous behavior toward Laura.

The Original Text

if you weren’t going to buy those shoes I would have they’re so hot yeah and I love how they go with your new bag yeah I was actually thinking that I could wear it with this one outfit excuse me oh I’m I’m I’m so sorry Laura hi Kendra wait do not tell me that you shop at the thrift store uh yeah I just picked up some really cute things C what cute it’s a way of saying cute oh got it let me get this straight you think that buying other people’s used stuff is cute it’s really not that bad you save a ton of money plus most of the stuff has hardly been worn look no I could never wear someone else’s old smelly clothes that’s disgusting seriously ew yeah I can’t believe you’re going to wear all that oh it’s not for me to wear it’s for me to sell what do you mean I’m starting a business where I customize clothes and shoes and I make them look cute like check these out I bought got them used and then I added my own bling to them and You’ never even know they cost less than $10 right wait you’re wearing $10 shoes you’ve got to be joking Kendra just spent over $600 on a pair oh our Uber black just got here I’d love to stay in chat but we got to go and I’m just looking out for you but that little business idea of yours is never going to work you might just want to return all that stuff and get your I don’t know $12 back so that’s my plan to own my own clothing store and who knows maybe I’ll even own my own makeup line one day it’s very impressive and I’d imagine expensive how do you plan to fund it all oh well that’s why I created this business plan to pitch to investors and if they say no I’ll just ask my dad he’s got a lot of money that makes sense all right well great job [Applause] Kendra let’s see how about Laura awesome job yeah you killed it thanks this should be good whenever you’re ready okay so I’ve actually already started my own business where is there something funny about that Kendra yeah when you say you’ve already started your own business have you sold anything yet not yet but I plan to after school today when I set up my uh I’m not talking about the future I’m talking about now have you made a single Dollar in sales um no then you don’t have a business you just have a dream don’t get them confused hey be nice sorry Laura you can continue okay so I have a dream to start a business where I take used clothes make them cute and then sell them for example take this shirt I cut off the collar add some bling to it and with that I made this necklace wow that’s so creative yeah I can’t believe you made that thanks and the best part is that I can sell it for just $7 and still make a profit $7 are you kidding me what’s wrong with that my business plan has me making 2 million in sales my first year what are you going to make selling $7 necklaces oh well I’m not too worried about that I was taught that when you do what you love the money will always follow I actually really like that with that mentality She’ll always be shopping at the thrift store Kendra what I can’t tell the truth sorry you didn’t get a chance to finish Laura but excellent presentation all right class we’ll pick back up tomorrow you know 10 years from now while you’ll still be buying you stuff I’ll be shopping at a maze and buying Birkins I’m really happy for you [Music] Kendra hey don’t let Kendra get to she thinks because her dad has money she can treat people however she wants personally I love your idea really thanks hey guys you want to come check out this stuff sorry I don’t have time okay no worries hey any of this stuff interests you I’m all right [Laughter] thanks well let me guess no one’s bought anything yet not yet but I think someone will soon so this is your business idea huh to sell a bunch of used stuff on some beastro tables well just to start I plan on posting everything on Facebook and then getting my customers on there no one buys anything on Facebook yeah that’s never going to work well with the way social media seems to be going I think they will one day it doesn’t even matter no matter where you sell no one’s going to want to buy your used trash what’s your problem Kendra I haven’t done anything to you why do you keep being so mean a you think I’m being mean I’m sorry that wasn’t my intention at all if I was trying to be mean I’d probably do this hey why would you do that because that’s where it belongs just like that necklace you’re wearing it’s all [Music] trash hey is everything okay no Kendra just threw all this stuff in the trash are you serious I can’t stand her you should just ignore everything she says I try to but sometimes I can’t help but think what if she’s right maybe my idea will never work hey don’t say that I really like your business thanks but like Kendra said it’s more of a dream than a business I haven’t sold anything that’s not true what do you mean I’ll take one bling necklace please really okay thank you here thanks for being my first customer so I guess that makes me a second I’ll take that one thanks um okay two three four five six shoot I’ve only got $6 oh that’s okay don’t worry about it are you sure I feel bad I know you don’t make much off of these no it’s it’s fine I do this because I love it not because I’m here to make money thanks I can’t wait to wear it and just like that Laura made her first sales she would take things she bought from the thrift store and customize them to make them look cute or should I say cute [Music] she started taking pictures of all of her pieces and posted them on social media excited to find some customers she sold her products everywhere she could and things seemed to be going great that is until she realized that her sales were really slow people didn’t really seem to be [Music] interested and nobody was seeing her Facebook posts Laura started feeling like her business was a total failure and then one day she even decided to give up great what else could go wrong well well well look who it is what do you want Kendra I’m not in the mood why do you seem so upset I don’t want to talk about it now please leave me alone let me guess that little dream of yours didn’t work out no it didn’t that’s why I’m here returning all this stuff is that what you wanted to hear a I’m sorry can’t say I’m surprised though I tried to warn you well I guess I should have listened hey don’t beat yourself up over it I’ll tell you what my dad just agreed to fund my business so after it takes off maybe you can come work for me I’m sure I’ll need an assistant to carry all my Birkin bags hey uh can I help you yeah I’d like to return all this stuff if possible oh um we actually don’t typically accept returns but since you shop here a lot maybe I can go talk to the manager just give me one second thank you [Music] Laura hey hi Miss Jacobs what are you doing here I just came to look for some things after hearing your presentation a few weeks ago I’ve become quite hooked on thrifting check out this belt I bought from here can you believe this only cost $4 that’s amazing thanks so what are you doing here uh I I’m just returning some stuff you don’t need all of that for your business things didn’t work out like I’d hoped so I decided to give up no don’t say that you barely even started why would you give up so soon in the past couple of months I’ve made less than like a few hundred my whole plan to sell things on Facebook let’s just say was a bad idea no one buy anything well let me ask you something are you passionate about the product you make well yeah and do you love what you do I did I mean I guess I still do why and you shouldn’t give up because a wise person once told me when you do what you love the money will always follow wow I can’t believe I almost forgot that don’t worry about how much you sold just keep going and everything will fall into place you’re right thanks Miss Jacobs I’m I’m never going to forget this [Music] anytime so good news my manager agreed to let you return everything actually I’ve changed my mind but thank you okay well have a good day bye Miss Jacobs wait one more thing what’s up I’ve been hearing a lot of my students talk about this new app it’s called Instagram I’m not sure if you heard of it but supposedly it’s all the rage maybe you should try selling there I’ll definitely check it out thanks you’re welcome and by the way that belt is so cute thank you with the new level of excitement and motivation Laura decides to keep going she keeps making all kinds of new products including customized shoes shoes necklaces and [Music] clothes this time when she takes photos she posts them on Instagram and people all over the world start to discover her work over time her following explodes she ends up with millions of followers and thousands of customers all loving her photos and excited to buy her products her business became even more successful than she could have ever imagined and eventually she even started her own Cosmetics company with a little bit of help of course hi guys hey babe but what do you think of this palette a it’s cute you mean CA Ella let tell Daddy it’s so cute do you like it yeah here’s your strawberry is saw you refresher oh my gosh thank you so much your 12:30 is in the conference room waiting oh perfect do you mind putting that in my office and grabbing my bag I left it in there oh yeah no problem thank you so much okay bye El M have a kiss a love you bye good luck hey what are you doing here oh hey I’m here to apply for a job I didn’t realize you worked here but I thought you started your own business oh well that didn’t exactly go according to plan my dad’s still pretty mad at me for losing all of his money oh no I’m so sorry to hear that it’s fine I’m actually here to interview for a senior manager position here at live clam if I end up getting it who knows I might still end up being your boss oh well hi hi you must be the owner I’m Kendra it’s so nice to meet you I was actually just talking to your assistant here oh um she’s not my assistant she isn’t no she’s my boss Laura owns this company with her fiance you do yeah thank you so much wait is that a Birkin mhm do you mind if I of course wow I’ve never held one of these in person before it’s so nice I guess selling $7 products from the thrift store really worked well you can say that gosh sorry to interrupt hi I just got a message from HR Sally accepted the senior manager offer oh wow so that means that this position uh unfortunately this position is no longer available oh my gosh I’m so sorry I’ll totally reimburse you for your time I mean is there any other position available just the assistant position oh no Kendra would not no that’s fine honestly I’ll take whatever I can get oh okay then have a seat oh here’s your bag thank you so I’m dying to know how did you get to where you are well it’s like I’ve always said when you do what you love the money will always follow I remember hey babe uh no rush but our Uber X will be here soon okay thank you so much I’ll be right there okay thanks with all your guys success you still ride Uber X I mean there’s nothing wrong with being Thrifty well not for everything right all right so let’s get this interview started [Music]

By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog

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