We recently connected with Nicole Watts and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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?

My first business venture was The Bronzed Beauty- Spray Tanning Salon. I went to Arizona, got certified- purchased my equipment- found a rental space and set up my social and financial stuff. As I had everything ready to accept my first client- my husband asked me….”So how are you gonna get people in here?” My response…. “Hit the pavement”.
That weekend my liver probably hated me… I went to every single bar in a 5 mile radius- chatting up bartenders and waitstaff who may need a spray tan. I offered a buy one get one free card for first time customers.
My first customer was Jaime. A stunning girl I met who just happened to be looking for a new spray tan location! She was my very first customer and my loyal customer for 5 years until I sold my business. I cried after she left. I was so nervous I almost passed out. To this day, she is such a special friend!

Once I moved from Dallas to Houston, the entrepreneur bug bite me again and I started Wagtail Dog Bakery in honor of my grand dog Daisy (basset hound) my Koozie (pomchi) and Zoey (chihuahua/terrier).
Knowing I had to have pictures that neeeded to be perfect, I turned to my mother in law Barbara Watts who is a miracle cake/dessert guru for tips and tricks. My cousin Jarrod and his wife Chana along with my cousins Margret and Rita were my first paying clients. My family happens to be pretty amazing. I then sold a birthday dog cake for my friend Tina- who’s Frenchie was turning one all the way back in Dallas!
In both business, my priority is to provide the best service and genuinely make people happy. It’s just what I think I’m meant to do.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Ive always strived to make my sons proud of me. I’ve been special education teacher for the past 14 years and always have gone above and beyond what was expected of me. One day my husband asked why didn’t I channel all the time into something for myself.

I’m most proud that I was an example of a strong work ethic and showed my boys that failure is ok. It does not define who you are. It’s a learning experience.

Nothing comes easy. You gotta take the good with the bad and really believe in what you are doing or it won’t work. Customers and potential customers can see right through the BS and if you aren’t genuine- it ain’t gonna work.

I’m so guilty of “paralysis by analysis”. Where I deep dive so much and try to cover and prep for every single scenario that I never start. I literally was afraid of a rolling pin. I don’t know why… but the thought of rolling out the dough just scared me into a panic attack.
Now, that rolling pin ain’t got nothing on me! And if I mess up a dog treat design… Zoey doesn’t care!

It’s important to me that people I come in contact truly trust me and know my intentions are genuine and true. I really wanna make people smile and bring joy to others….and their fur babies!

We’d appreciate any insights you can share with us about selling a business.

Let go. It’s ok. If you truly aren’t in love every doing what you do. Let it go. Be sure you do all your research on taxes and selling.
If you can’t imagine your face not being attached to the business name- it’s not time.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I jumped in not really knowing much about marketing at a concert. I just thought…. Ok… 5k+ folks… I’m in. I thought I’d be doing spray tans and what not. Oh was I wrong! It was over 95 degrees and folks were sweating to death at this all day/ night concert. People kept coming to my booth asking if we had water or sunscreen.
45 minutes later…. Every Walmart and target were sold out of their most economical sunblock and we bought 7 cases of water at Costco.
That day, we made 2 times the cost of my fee plus I made 12 new customers from the event! Give them what they ask for….

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wagtaildogbakery.com
• Instagram: @wholynicolie and @wagtaildogbakery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wagtaildogbakery/

Image Credits
Nicole Watts