Thread by @eI_dominus, My brand had its first 12k monthStill feels like yesterday I was [...]

My brand had its first 12k month

Still feels like yesterday I was shipping out the first order

Here's a few things I've learned so far:

I'll continue to add to this thread as time goes on become I've learned enough to fill a novel and can't rattle everything off the top of my head right now

I simultaneously also know nothing

Enjoy

Dealing with suppliers is tedious, annoying, and a lot of fun

Learn to enjoy it and accept the issues that will follow otherwise you'll hate every second of it

You can dot your i's and cross your t's but you're still gonna miss something...

Shopify shipping isn't all that it says it to be... after 50 orders I went off-platform

It's more "manual" work, but can barely call it that and the amount you save adds up quick

Customer service has been such dog shit over the years that people have become accustomed to it and when you provide the bare minimum (to me), it's above and beyond in their books

Do what you'd do for a friend, the same a customer... they forked out their $$ for you

If you have a clear winner (product wise), follow it and build around it... no matter how much I wanted others to be winners they weren't and I wasted time and $$ on trying to prove something that the market was telling me otherwise

No attachments

If you sell out of product, keep selling... 90% will be more than understanding of your issue and willing to wait... just keep it real

90% is a conservative number

Good way to test a product is to turn on manual payments in Shopify, let the orders roll in, then place bulk order

Reason being you can cancel/void the order without losing fees in the transaction... just don't let it expire

Commit to 30-100pcs to start... better to sell out and create demand than have your dick in your hand with 300pcs taking up inventory

If the MOQ is just too large no matter who you contact, move on from that product and keep it in your back pocket for the future

My ads right now are 4x-6x ROAS and to be truthful I don't really have any idea what I'm doing

I'm aware of the audiences that are likely to convert based off of last years tests, but I'm still only spending $100-$150/day

CBO > winning audiences > 3-5 creatives

^ I'm adding 1-3 new creatives each week to refresh the algorithm and seems to do well... learned this from some guys here on twitter but don't remember exactly who, otherwise I would tag them

That brings me to my next point on ads...

Have discipline

It's tempting to spend $1000/day right now on ads to possibly hit a 6 fig month, but I don't have the inventory or the resources whatsoever...

I'm still working a full time job

Daily routine as follows...

- Wake up to package orders
- Find time to workout
- Go to work
- Go home at lunch to pack more orders
- Answer emails and socials during work
- Go home at 11pm to talk to suppliers until 2-3am
- Repeat
- 80/20 eating healthy during this too

I've tried creating around 15 brands since I was 13

All have more or less failed

This one finally worked... but I was/am willing to try another 1000 brands until it sticks

Overnight success is unlikely, so don't throw in the towel because you lost $1000

I was -$12,000 on paper for last year and then the sun started to shine

Also filed for bankruptcy at 21

Life is a beautiful game, enjoy the process, and dedicate your heart and soul to this shit because if you don't, you're better off in the 9-5

Which there's nothing wrong with btw ^

I have tons of dudes that wake up and love what they do at their day jobs, and I highly respect that

I just love THIS game far too much

Lastly, for now, I can't express enough the gratitude I have for every customer willing to fork out their hard-earned $$'s just to buy something I made...

That feeling doesn't go away and I'm indebted for their support... that energy goes into every email, DM, hand-written note

There are so many dudes I've learned from on this platform and I don't want to be the "tagging" guy, so just go through my "following" if you're new

But @coltybrah and @Saint_Dici course is what gave me the inspo and foundation to start this, I owe them more than words

Not only for biz but for life

@kobegatsby was one of the early dogs I followed in this corner, he constantly provides value and has always shown love

@nickm1k is someone relatively new I've followed by does insane numbers and has golden nuggets in his tweets

So many little tactics from @SchroedsBiz and his super successful brand.. I don't think he gets enough credit for his content

@AEndregaard has been an absolute brother

Fuck man, I'm gonna stop there otherwise this is gonna be 20 tweets of just tags... SO many people to learn from on the TL

I appreciate each and every one of you man, much love

Again, if you're new, just follow the people I follow and filter out/unfollow as you go

Last year when I launched I delayed myself by 4-6 months waiting to have the perfect products/perfect amount of products to launch with

That was 6 months wasted... don’t make the same mistake I did and just LAUNCH and build as you go

Focus on one thing

Idk how many times people said to focus on one thing, but I have this sickness where I must do what others say not to do so that I know FOR SURE not to do it...

So many projects to be done, brands to build, revenue streams to explore...

Dedicate yourself to one thing and be consistent

I became a “viral overnight sensation” in early 2020... was the biggest distraction

Cut that off in Jan of this year to focus entirely on this, and look what happened

It’s ok to watch some Netflix, chill with the boys, go to a party, etc

Moderation

Just make sure you’re dedicating majority of free time to your craft

I’m obsessed with business and I can’t shut it off, so I tend to spend a little more time on it

I think for people like myself that are obsessed in the truest definition of the word, we need to find a disconnect

I struggle with that and burn myself out quite frequently tbh

Hobbies, nature, sunlight, exercise will combat this

I still struggle regardless though

Oh shit, @ecomchasedimond I almost forgot you!

I can’t even express the help on email chase was, as well as the relative @DimondEmail...

You guys helped tremendously in that department... absolutely incredible the content you’re willing to put out for free

I worked in retail as a teenager and never understood why we were receiving winter products in August (before fall)

I know understand...

You need to be creating products for launch 3-5 months in advance

It’s rare that things go smooth + production and shipping are slow af

There’s a fine line between celebrating a launch of a product you’ve spent months on, but also not getting carried away because you gotta focus on the next ones you’re building for the future

It’s a really weird think tbh... not sure it’s something that can be taught

Knowing how much inventory is still far too new for me, both from an experience and data perspective

You don’t want to be a hype brand that drops and sells, but don’t want to carry too much stock that collects dust either..

This will take some time for sure

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