We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Haht recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jessica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?
I always say I am an accidental business owner!
I purchased a VERY small laser engraver as a “Merry Christmas to me” gift during the good sales that time of year to just play around with as a hobby. A friend of a friend needed some leather patches for their business, and I made them for her for fun. Then she told another friend, and another patch order. Doing this “not really a business, but helps cover the cost of the toy” style of business for a couple months, I made sure to take pictures of everything I made.
Then in a large and very active facebook group, someone posted they were looking for awards with leather patches on them, and someone I had done work for tagged me in the group, so I responded with a few photos of what I had done. I ended up getting multiple orders from that one post, and from there I just kept getting referrals. I advertise almost not at all, but I work hard to cultivate repeat customers- I still do work for those first individuals who reached out four years ago. I have scaled up to four business grade lasers now, but I do everything I can to make each person I work with feel like they are my most important customer.
Jessica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Haht Shot Design specializes in creating custom laser-engraved equine event and rodeo awards, as well as offering collaborative graphic and web design services. We are dedicated to helping our clients stand out with personalized awards that capture the pride of the competitor’s achievements and gifts that can’t be found on a shelf.
While our speciality of awards originates from our life long roots in the Western/Rural way of life, we also offer promotional goods for businesses of every shape and size.
We started our business in 2020, and are continually expanding the products we offer, as well as welcoming any custom projects and can source just about material needed to bring a client’s idea to life.
We pride ourselves in our attention to detail, and going the extra mile is our standard practice.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
For me, my growth comes from keeping my niche very focused. I think its important to listen to what your sales are telling you. I know where I connect with people- the bridge that I provide. People in the western and rural communities often aren’t big fans of learning technology. I am unique in that I have always had horses and technology as my two biggest interests, and Haht Shot Design is a fusion of those two worlds. The ever growing number of laser engraving side hustles are making the market for the ornaments, tumblers and the usual laser goods somewhat saturated, so for me, it was about identifying what unique need I could fill, and then going all in on doing that in a way that sets me apart. I think the earliest a business can identify a niche, the easier it is to set your goals, build your road maps, and target new clientele.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Be an expert!
No one likes going to the hardware store and talking to the kid who doesn’t know anything about the item you are looking for. I have spent countless hours educating myself on the capabilities of each of my machines, about where to source the best blank materials, and establishing a very long list of wholesale accounts at the places I know my clientele want quality name brand finished products from. I didn’t end up specializing in the type of offerings where I thought best margins lived- it was where my deepest knowledge is. I had several years ago gotten into leather crafting, and drew from that knowledge about the types of leather that are the highest quality, and the weights and dyes that work well. I also can talk “rural” with my clientele- knowing the terminology used at horse shows, rodeos, and cattle operations. My clients don’t have to try and explain what they are hoping to have created. I can design quickly, answer their questions or provide quotes without a delay to research, and it is part of my personality to always do more than is expected. The majority of my business is repeat customers, I think in large part because they feel like I am one of them, and the comfort level and ease that goes into ordering with us stands out! As someone who has competed myself, I understand the market from both ends of the spectrum -from being an event organizer and the massive job it is to manage the budget and hours spent ordering awards, to the smiling kid who is so excited to hear their named called as a winner. Nothing goes out our door I wouldn’t be excited to present or receive at a competition.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hahtshotdesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haht_shot_design/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hahtshotdesign
