Two Years!

July 27th was a big anniversary for Kiyi Kiyi!  Two years ago I sold my soap for the very first time at the local Farmer's Market. 

I can't believe it has been 2 YEARS!  To be honest, it feels like a lot more time has passed.  We've packed a lot of changes into 2 years.  

In 2 years Kiyi Kiyi has gone from a few soaps sold at the Farmer's Market to a full line of products shipped daily to every state in the US and also sold by more than 10 independent retailers in 4 different states.

How did we get here?

I have no idea!

Honestly, I make things that I love and share them with other people.  It's pretty simple.  

How will we keep up Kiyi Kiyi's momentum?

1 - Be competitive.  It's ok it be competitive!  It keeps you sharp.  

2- Be a quitter.  If something is not working.  Stop doing it.  

3 - Be thankful.  Tell your customers that you appreciate them.  They don't know it unless you tell them.

4 - Be yourself.  Other people's opinions are great, but you know what your business needs - not other people, so also don't be a copycat.

5 - Be honest.  When you make a mistake - apologize.  "I'm sorry" are some of the strongest words you will say.  

I never set out to be a business owner or entrepreneur, but it has been fun to learn along the way.

Reaching Your Goals

November 2014 - Nearing our goal!

Last fall (2014) I noticed that we were getting very close to our goal of shipping to every US state.  We only had a few states left!  I posted this picture on Instagram and Facebook.  Within a couple of hours my amazing customers had shared the post and we had orders from 3 of the remaining states.  

I was so excited and happy to color in 3 more states!  

It was wonderful to know that we were getting closer and closer to reaching our goal, but even MORE surprising was knowing that we had the support of our customers!  I was blown away - they cared about my little goal for my tiny business.    

March 2015 - one state left - Iowa

By March 2015 we had ONE state left.  Iowa was the last hold out to try Kiyi Kiyi products.  I had to laugh, because out of all the states the last state was one of our closest neighbor states!  

We still had a few months to our 2 year anniversary, but I was resigned about not reaching our goal. 

At the beginning of April we attended the HAMMS (Help a Minnesota Maker Succeed) event.  At that event we told many, many customers about our goal of shipping to every US state and that we were ONE state short of our goal.  Near the end of the event we met an amazingly kind customer that chose to help us reach our goal.  She asked if she could buy a soap for a friend that lived in Iowa and have us ship it to her friend.  Would that help us reach our goal?

Yes!  With her help we would reach our goal of shipping to every state!

How unusual is it to find a stranger that will go the extra mile and help you reach a goal?  

Through my small business I have discovered that it isn't that unusual.  People want to care about other people, but we don't get many opportunities in our daily life to show that we care.  

If you have a small business, whether you realize it or not, you rely on the kindness of strangers.  Customers are people that have chosen to invest their dollars and time in your business.  They choose to try your products and invest time in your business by sharing their experiences with their friends.  

I love my customers and without them I wouldn't have a business!  

Thank you to each and every one of you kind strangers friends that helped us reach our goal.  We couldn't have done it without YOU!    

April 2015 - We've shipped Kiyi Kiyi products to EVERY US state!