{Interview} Becki owner of Whippy Cake

Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won’t have time to make them all yourself.

~Alfred Sheinwold

You can also learn a lot from the successes of others too! And that’s why we were excited to interview Becki, the owner/designer of Whippy Cake “Tempting Accessories”.

Becki has successfully created a ‘tempting’ brand and image for her business – one that is sure to help you whip up some inspiration for your own business!

I can tell you…one thing is certain, this savvy business woman clearly ‘gets’ marketing! ENJOY!!!

NAME OF COMPANY: Whippy Cake

WEBSITE URL: www.whippycake.com

COMPANY: Whippy Cake “Tempting Accessories”

YEAR BIZ LAUNCHED: 2008

TARGET CUSTOMER/NICHE: Women, girls, mothers, daughters

[ Website ]

HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA TO START WHIPPY CAKE?

I had just given birth to my first child, a boy named Kingston, and I didn’t really like any of the accessories or clothes in the stores. I started out selling clothes and accessories for boys, girls, and moms, but have refined the business to headbands and appliques over the years.

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION:

My three kids, especially my two daughters London and Dempsey. I want to be successful for all of them, but having two girls helps me to create new designs and inspires my collections.

WHERE DID THE NAME COME FROM AS WELL AS THE THEME/OVERALL IMAGE/BRAND?

The name Whippy Cake came from my husband, it was a nickname I had for him that he actually hated being called. When I first started, I was making cupcake charms so I thought the name fit well. The overall image and brand just developed over time from what I liked in photos, magazines, etc.

WHAT WERE SOME CHALLENGES/MISTAKES YOU MADE ALONG THE WAY?

Not having a business plan from the beginning was probably my biggest mistake. I didn’t plan for how successful my business would be, so I had to go back and develop the infrastructure, branding and image after the fact, instead of having a clear direction from the beginning.

WHAT ARE YOUR 3 BEST MARKETING STRATEGIES TO GETTING NEW CUSTOMERS?

Networking with other businesses who have similar markets,
Capturing leads through my website/CRM Infusionsoft, and
Through social media.

IF YOU HAD TO NAME ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN CATAPULTING YOUR BUSINESS TO SUCCESS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

First was realizing and refining my product identity to headbands and appliques. I’d also say having an original idea played a major role. I had an idea that my headbands and appliques should be interchangeable, so I was the first to make them with clips and velcro attachments. Finally I think having my own website and a “collection” approach instead of releasing one new product at a time helped build excitement and boost business sales.

WHAT ADVICE/LESSONS DO YOU HAVE FOR NEW SMALL BIZ OWNERS?

One of the biggest pieces of advice I can offer is to be original and infuse a little bit of yourself into your product. The last thing you want is to be known as a less successful version of someone else’s product/company. Also, keep your ideas simple and directed. Running a business can be overwhelming, so try to simplify every part you can, and only do the things you are great at.

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Here are a few other Whippy Cake marketing goodies I wanted to share with you – notice how the brand and image is CONSISTENT throughout ALL of her marketing efforts!

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