If running a single business feels challenging to you, imagine running two. I've always been the kind of person who can never sit still, constantly eager to do more and grow in the shortest amount of time. So, even though running two businesses—Joyce Tsang Content Marketing and my bubble tea shop, 2324—is quite insane, I know with confidence that I would have regretted not acquiring the latter earlier this year.
However, what I've learned is that running a boutique consultancy is far easier and better suited to my personality. I enjoy planning ahead and managing expectations, allowing me to schedule tasks and work around my desired lifestyle.
On the other hand, running a bubble tea shop is a different story. Many unforeseen issues can arise suddenly, beyond any planning or forecasting, requiring immediate attention to resolve. For instance, due to the unexpected combination of scorching heat and heavy rain last month, a whole 10kg batch of cream cheese at the shop went bad. It felt like throwing my money out the window.
Nevertheless, this experience made me realize that I have a dependable team at the shop. They detected the problem, took appropriate action, and promptly adjusted the recipe while involving regulars to test the new product. I couldn't have asked for more.
Therefore, even though the economy may appear bleak with numerous other shops closing down, I remain optimistic. There are so many things I want to try and accomplish. In just the past three months, the shop has garnered significant attention from customers, applicants, and collaborators, bridging the gap between my marketing expertise and my product side.
i) Marketing Strategies for My Bubble Tea Shop as a Small Business Owner
One reason I feel so driven and passionate about marketing a bubble tea shop, in addition to the fact that many people or leads who are fascinated by my work at Joyce Tsang Content Marketing believe they can't do it themselves because they don't sell a similar service or think they lack interesting stories to tell, is because I see a significant gap in what most industry players are doing.
Typically, it's promotion after promotion, with content that primarily focuses on their product, ingredients, and occasionally their staff. Rarely do they have a strong and clearly communicated mission or value statement for the public to grasp. With 2324, I strongly believe in our vision and our ability to fill that void.
In addition to the usual tactics of having influencers visit and promote our shop, I've been sponsoring events that align with our messaging, "Spark Growth Over A Drink," and collaborating with niche targets, such as a Vtuber community, to emphasize our commitment to supporting those who are striving to grow.
Furthermore, I successfully connected one of my JTCM connections to my bubble tea shop, and we are now registered on CHOMP, a food saving app. Last but not least, I'm actively working on hosting various experiences at the shop to truly spark growth within the community. Our upcoming event will feature music performances. If you're interested in joining as a performer, visit our Instagram now!
ii) Mentoring and Providing Advice to Aspiring Business Owners
Of course, I haven't forgotten about JTCM's core offerings and our focus on education. Last month, I had the honor of being invited by MakerBay to serve as a mentor for their Impact Innovation Lab cohort. I was delighted to meet a group of aspiring entrepreneurs who sought advice on their business plans to apply for SIE funding.
During our conversations, I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my thoughts on their projects and inspiring them with fresh marketing ideas to consider.
iii) Growing My Network and Building Connections with Inspiring Individuals
I made sure to connect with some amazing individuals this past month. I'm thrilled to be part of the newly established group of marketers for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. During our first meeting, we introduced ourselves and discussed potential future topics based on our areas of expertise. It was a fantastic experience meeting professionals from diverse industries, and I'm eagerly looking forward to learning from them and collaborating with them in upcoming Cancham marketing committee events!
Furthermore, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with one of my former dance students, who has now become a highly successful entrepreneur. She runs her own floristry business, offering professional courses, as well as providing exhibits and displays for renowned global brands. It was a joyous occasion to bring her to my shop and share my latest venture with her. I couldn't be prouder of her remarkable achievements. People like her serve as my motivation to work harder and smarter!
All in all, it has been a busy yet fruitful month. Slowly but surely, I'm finding a way to balance the workload of two businesses while cherishing my lifestyle with my dogs and husband. Hiring my executive assistant last month was a brilliant decision. She has been a lifesaver, helping me with numerous daily tasks for JTCM. This gives me peace of mind, knowing that everything else is being taken care of, allowing me to focus on our client work.
I'm filled with anticipation for what this summer holds, and I can't wait to share more about the new marketing tactics and systems I'll be implementing for my bubble tea shop with all of you.
Joyce
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