Mini Interview: Mayi discusses the idea behind her creative business, pricing your products, and her one tip she wants to share with you if you’re starting a creative biz:
1. I’m a big fan of your headbands and accessories. Where did you get the idea to make and sell them?
Awwww thank you April. That means so much to me. I wish I could tell you it was a one of those light bulb moments, but it wasn’t. The idea grew organically.
Let me rewind to a month before opening my boutique. I had just quit my 9-5 traditionally successful job + I as stuck, artistically that is. At least that’s what I thought.
You see, my forte had always been painting. It’s even what I went to art school for, so I assumed that artistic independence for me meant going back to the studio, whipping out a collection + pitching it to an awesome gallery + selling out a show + being rich + famous. Gosh I was wrong.
I tried so hard to force that mold on me. I failed miserably.
Thankfully, I had my parents to feed me + David to hug me + my 83 year old grandma to guide me, just like Master Yoda would. That eased things up a bit.
With a lot of time in my hands + a big studio filled with materials, I rolled up my pajamas sleeves + I began to play. I scribbled + I baked tons of cupcakes + I jammed my Hello Kitty sewing machine + I crafted like if there was no tomorrow. I was on unstoppably on fire.
One day, I was approached by a lady at my local supermarket. She asked me where I got my headband. I said, “Oh, I made it”. To which she replied, “I want one in every color, where can I go buy it?”.
POW!
I launched my shop + made my hair accessories my signature product. It felt right.
Now I have fascinators + DIY kits + paper goods + even started painting again. Go figure.
Phewww. That was a long answer to your question! I got excited. LOL.
2. You’re also a rock star creative coach and I want to tap into that expertise. A lot of creatives struggle with pricing their products and services. Can you provide some guidance on pricing?
Easy. You go to a Tarot Reader + she’ll give you the magic number.
Kidding (wink).
Pricing is one of those tricky subjects, for sure one of the biggest struggles my clients face, precisely because there’s no bullet proof formula.
My philosophy on price tags is more heart made (no pun intended) or intuitive. I don’t crunch numbers. I just don’t. I ask questions. Questions like:
– What’s the quality of the materials used?
– What’s you’r level of craftsmanship?
– How’s the product packaged + presented?
– What’s experiences are created when consuming the product ?
– What are you’re credentials?
– Is the item one of a kind + few of a kind + made for the masses?
– Is it a necessity or a luxury?
– Are you high end or affordable?
– What does your ideal customers think your product is worth? (Your mom doesn’t count).
– What are your idols charging?
– What dreams for the future do you have for your brand?
– What is it worth to you?
– What would you love your monthly gross sales to be?
– How many items do you have to make + sale to reach that number?
These are just some of the hard question you should be giving answers to before pinning a value to your items. Hopefully they’ll help you create a blueprint, your blueprint, one that works for you.
3. If you could only give one tip to someone starting a creative business, what would it be?
Oh easy. My advice would be: “make friends not fans”.
There is little doubt that Panama is a much better place because of Mayi. Her humor and sweetness is infectious even over the web.
So true!
Erika you are the sweetest. Thanks for giving my humor a little space in your heart. Sending you a big hug from Panama 🙂
I LOVE your follow fridays already!!!!! And of corse I Follow Mayi, I love her Friday Video Time Videos 🙂
I have started to edit all my photos like you told me and I am about to do a photo shoot with a photographer friend on all my skirts! Thanks soo much for the 25min chat on skype, you have really made me excited and given me hope to keep going!
Keep doing these Follow Friday videos!!
Loving them Already,
Beatrice
It’s so good to hear about your progress! I’m super happy for you 🙂
Beatrice YAYYY! Friday’s are the best!
I’m excited to see the revamp of yoru photos as well. Keep up the amazing work 🙂
I love Ms. Mayi! She always brightens my day:) Follow, everyone follow!!
Hahahaha….yes, follow, everyone, follow!
And I love you, Ms. Erin Sparkling Giles 🙂
I’m a big fan of Mayi as well & look forward to her FVT series. Her enthusiasm & genuine personality are what make her tops in my book. Great start to the series!
I agree–she rocks my world 🙂
What a coincidence I’m a fan of you Merry Danielle! Thanks for your support + encouragement always, specially the FVT lovin’ (wink)!
Definitely catching the Mayi bug. 🙂 At first I was a little hesitant because I’m a pretty reserved person and she is SO bubbly…but the bubbly is definitely contagious. I love her! Thanks for featuring her and thanks to Mayi for the great pricing advice!
It’s hard not to catch the Mayi bug 🙂
I like this Mayi bug thing. It makes me feel like a power puff girl + I like it!
Thanks for giving me a shot Jessica. I know the high voltage bubbly-ness is not for everyone, so I really appreciate giving it a shot + I’m soooooo glad it was contagious 🙂
I hope the pricing advice helps you a ton 🙂
I knew she would be the first on your follow friday series 🙂 She has done wonders with her blog & her enthusiasm is infectious. Great tips on pricing . Its certainly a different way to look at what your product & brand is worth .
Thanks for the support always my dear friend. I hope the pricing advice helps for your new plan to world domination (wink). Check your inbox 🙂
I changed my prices a while back because of Mayi, and changed my pictures, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that more people are looking at my stuff! She’s like the sister that I wished I had (I have two brothers) and it’s great to say that she’s just like her online self as her offline self! So bubbly 😉 And contagious 😉
That’s so good to hear 🙂
Lots of people are afraid to change their prices, and it can hold them back. Thanks for sharing!