We were lucky to catch up with Chanel Beizer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Chanel, appreciate you joining us 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?
When I first started my business, the biggest challenge was to get it up and running and attract customers. To begin with, I of course, reached out to the people closest to me first but I also promoted my business on social media. My first customer happened to be my then-boyfriend. He then spread the word to our close friends and family, and it grew from there. As my business operates in a highly competitive industry, I knew that I needed to stand out and also receive feedback from those closest to me first. When the first customer (who wasn’t a friend or acquaintance) completed their order, I was elated! It was then that I felt my dream had become a reality. Then when I saw the first few reviews come in, it felt even better to know that the products I make are enjoyed by people. It’s one of the best feelings in the world to know that people are supporting you and willing to help you build success.
Chanel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
When I moved to Georgia from South Florida, I knew I wanted to begin hiking and exploring the state and surrounding areas as much as possible but this was just before the pandemic. I only knew two people in the whole state and they lived nowhere near me. When I was told I needed to work from home until my organization decided it was safe to return to the office, I had a decision to make. I could either sit at home being lazy every day until the world opened back up again or I could immerse myself in nature and try to explore as much of it as I could while still keeping myself and those around me safe. So after work every day, I would go to a nearby park or hiking area and try to get at least an hour or two of hiking, walking, or jogging in before it got dark. Hiking and being in nature became an addiction for me. Once I was able to, I started branching out to explore places further from home and challenged myself on longer and more strenuous hikes. Before I knew it, I lost 40 pounds just by changing my lifestyle and refusing to sit still. It changed me and even changed my outlook on life. I wanted to show those around me that they could do the same thing by embracing nature. I also wanted to emphasize this with people of color, who looked like me to show them that being outdoors and exploring the spaces around us can also be a beautiful experience for them. I started my t-shirt brand to express myself but more importantly to bring awareness to those who would never think to go on a hike or walk in nature. We can’t be afraid to take the road less traveled – it just might lead you to your dreams. When it comes to living a fulfilling life, there’s nothing more important than following your path. Despite what others may say or do, sticking to my convictions took more courage and determination than I ever thought I had.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients for me is social media by far. By showing how my products look and can impact your experience in different settings, it paints a picture for clients, helping them to see themselves in the products.
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
When I began working towards building my brand, I knew I had to do this on my own and couldn’t rely on loans or help from others. I began to save what I needed to start getting samples of products so that I knew the quality I’d be putting out into the world. It took almost a year but I was able to get going on my own and was even more proud of myself for doing so.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.enigmatradingcooperative.com
- Instagram: enigmatradingetc
- Facebook: Enigma Trading Cooperative