We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carly Martinez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Carly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
My first customers resulted from dropping off my candies at one of my family restaurants. The second wave of customers came from a cosmetology school where I worked full time, with students making direct purchases from my office, creating a line of buyers. It certainly excited me that students kept coming back for more candies and customers at my family’s business were consistently selling out each batch of candies I dropped off. Those were my initial experiences prior to selling on social media.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’ve long desired to be a business owner, but I needed to pinpoint my niche. In pursuit of my niche, I explored multiple interests, ranging from makeup artistry, lash artistry, a hairdresser, operating under the assumption that my niche would be found within the beauty industry, an area I was strongly drawn to. It wasn’t long before I discovered that my true niche lay elsewhere. I had become increasingly dissatisfied working for someone else, feeling stagnant with no more opportunities for growth within the company I was working for at the time. I became determined to seek a more rewarding life both personally and financially. I understood that this leap of faith would be frightening and demanding, but I placed my faith surrendered it to God’s will. I now offer handcrafted chamoy candies made with high-quality imported ingredients from Mexico, accompanied by other authentic Mexican imported treats. My business stands out due to its high-quality ingredients and the love invested in crafting each candy. My small business is my greatest accomplishment and I work extremely hard to reach it’s present level, growing stronger with each passing year. I’m grateful for all my valued customers.
I offer Chamoy Candies that I make with imported ingredients from Mexico and offer other Mexican Imported treats
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Establish a strong online presence by engaging with your audience on social media. Promote your brand everyday, pose questions, and cultivate meaningful relationships with your customers. Understanding the needs of your customers. I go live on TikTok 4-5 times a week to grow and engage. I never stop promoting. Being charismatic and finding common ground with my audience is essential.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
To be honest. Social Media (TIKTOK) has saved me and my small business. The Future of e-commerce lies in interacting with live selling audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dolcepicachamoy.com
- Instagram: @dolcepica
- Facebook: @dolcepica
- Other: TIKTOK @ dolcepica
Image Credits
N/A