3 Steps To Save Time & Money While Scaling, From Startup To Enterprise

Posted on by Kaylyn Perry

For scaling brands, every additional dollar of profit counts. Maximizing available cash to reinvest into your company often makes the difference between a successful campaign and one that falls short. While there are common issues companies face during periods of rapid growth, you can avoid them with the right tools and systems in place.

What Are Common Issues While Scaling?

“Efficiencies of scale.”

In e-commerce, this often reads as an oxymoron.

Have you previously struggled with inefficiencies while trying to grow? Costing you time, money, and frustration?

Well, you are not alone. 

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We get it… rising ad costs, the cost of financing new products, cash flow squeezes, software that doesn’t really solve your problems. 

These are all common complaints voiced by scaling brands, and many great companies are built specifically to address these problems.

Today, we’re here to talk about another major barrier to scaling – and how you can solve it

 

Fulfillment.

First, let’s review the common – and previously just accepted – fulfillment problems met by scaling companies:

  • Supply Shortages
  • Increased Shipping Expenses
  • Fulfillment Bottlenecks

Does any of this sound familiar?

Left unaddressed, these issues can cripple the operations – and future growth – of ecommerce brands.

In contrast, if your company takes the necessary steps to establish good fulfillment systems, these problems can be prevented. 

In fact, a fulfillment process working for you is a valuable asset that generates new opportunities for growth (particularly when other companies are forced to pause operations due to poor planning).

So, what can you do today to make sure your company is primed to scale?

 

Automate Your Inventory Alerts

It is critical for scaling brands to hold sufficient inventory to meet rising consumer demand, and also know when to replenish supply as sales ramp up. 

Otherwise, the dreaded “Out Of Stock” notification can put an abrupt end to your growth campaigns – often for a long period of time – leading to:

  • Lost potential sales
  • Misallocated ad costs
  • And damaged customer experiences.

Building a system to keep your warehouses stocked and stay in front of low inventory alerts is an important step for your brand to take before you start to scale. 

Previously, this was achieved through meticulous (and manual) tracking of inventory levels. Which we know is time consuming, prone to human error, and costly when mistakes are made.

Thankfully, times change. Your operations can now run uninterrupted with automated inventory alerts that help you:

  • Track Inventory Levels
  • Set Restock Thresholds
  • Reconcile Across Multiple Storefronts and Warehouses

The hurdle (and headache) caused by varying inventory levels and manual feedback delays is removed with inventory management software. (link entire sentence to https://www.soap-bx.com/features/pricing)

With your back-office business operations running smoothly, you will gain more time to focus on your product, more resources to allocate at scale, and experience less down time during key periods of growth.

Now that you’ve solved a common inventory issue prior to scaling, the next step is to refine your shipping solutions so you can extract the most margin from the increased sales coming your way.

 

Optimize Your Shipping Costs

With dozens of shipping carriers and rates to sort through, it’s difficult and time-consuming to manually find the most cost-effective option. 

At scale, this becomes nearly impossible without the support of additional staff or a logistics partner – which might not be part of your immediate plan.

As a result, scaling brands are prone to miss out on cost-savings from the best shipping rates or spend more than you would like to access them.

With the introduction of shipping software that automatically shops and selects the most cost-effective carrier for every order, the previous tradeoff is now completely avoidable. (link entire sentence to https://www.soap-bx.com/features/pricing)

Solving this problem helps you extract more profit from every order and spend less time shopping through catalogs of rates, which increases your ability to reinvest in your brand and further accelerate growth.

Great. 

You’ve already addressed inventory management and shipping costs, which were stealing valuable time and money from your business. 

The final step – to remove barriers to scale – is solving for bottlenecks in your fulfillment process.

 

Streamline Your Fulfillment Process

Often overlooked, a highly tuned and seamless fulfillment process can leave a lasting positive impression on your customers. It is also a necessity in order to scale without interruption.

In contrast, a poorly (or inefficiently) managed fulfillment process will damage brand reputation and place a limit on the level your brand can scale to.

Manual solutions are no longer suitable to address the complexities of fulfillment processes. 

With 1) multiple storefronts and marketplaces to keep track of, 2) multiple warehouses to fulfill from, 3) multiple packaging sizes to select from, and 4) multiple pick list, pack list, and labels to print…

Well, the complexities – they multiply.

This rings true for both startup and enterprise brands.

However, combining together manual oversight with best-in-class fulfillment software takes the complexities out of your fulfillment process. (link entire sentence to https://www.soap-bx.com/features/pricing) 

You will stop losing hours every week solving logistics problems, reduce the potential for human error, and find hidden cost savings using fulfillment software that enables you to:

  • Add and sync your storefronts and marketplaces for a single-view dashboard of your e-commerce business
  • View, split, and fulfill orders from all your storefronts, marketplaces and warehouse locations
  • Automatically recommend and select the best shipping packaging for your orders based on availability
  • Print your pick list, pack list and purchase labels from one place

The outcome is a fulfillment process designed to help your brand grow (not prevent it)… and make you shudder at the thought of returning to old systems.

With inventory, shipping, and fulfillment barriers removed, your brand will be well positioned to scale efficiently and rapidly.

 

How Soapbox Can Help You Scale Efficiently

Whether your company is just getting started, prepping for growth, or looking to improve upon current systems, optimizing your fulfillment process is an important step to operate at scale.

While legacy software offers solutions to separate steps of the fulfillment process, they fail to provide a comprehensive tool that connects all elements of fulfillment under a single platform.

Likewise, companies can function using manual systems, but they fall short on time commitment required, fulfillment accuracy, and inflated cost – all important factors to optimize for high-performing brands!

We created our fulfillment software tool to address the shortcomings of manual systems and outdated software, so that brands are free to scale without the hassle of previously accepted “growing pains”.

Soapbox is an e-commerce command center for your fulfillment operations. 

Our solution covers your end-to-end needs, from storefront listing and order management, to inventory reconciliation, warehouse, and shipping management. 

The software is designed for, and as, a best-practice fulfillment workflow to get your products to your customers easier, quicker, and more cost efficient.

By removing common barriers to growth – and automating the areas most prone to human error or inefficiency – your company can leverage our software to scale:

  • Quicker
  • Efficiently
  • Without interruption
  • And across multiple platforms simultaneously

Visit our website (link to https://www.soap-bx.com/features/pricing) to learn more about our software and see how easy your shipping and fulfillment can be.

This is a guest post from our partner Soapbox. Soapbox seeks to give business owners full control over all aspects of fulfillment, giving sellers time to focus on the more enjoyable parts of running a business.

How to sell Wholesale to Retailers

Posted on by Kaylyn Perry

If you’re a seller who is looking to get your product in front of more eyes, selling wholesale to retailers is a great way to do it. By working with retailers, you can reach a large audience quickly and easily. 

In this post, we’ll walk you through the basics of selling wholesale to retailers, so that you can get started on your own journey to success.

Do wholesalers sell to retailers?

Wholesalers are companies that sell products to other businesses, typically in large quantities at a reduced price. Retailers are businesses that sell products to customers, usually in small quantities and at a higher price. In most cases, wholesalers will not sell directly to retailers.

 Instead, they will work with distributors, who act as middlemen between wholesalers and retailers. 

Distributors typically buy products from multiple wholesalers and then sell them to retailers. This allows retailers to purchase the products they need without having to deal directly with a large number of wholesalers. 

In some cases, however, a wholesaler may sell directly to a retailer, depending on the size of the order and the type of product involved.

What is the process of selling wholesale to retailers?

The process of selling wholesale to retailers is relatively simple. 

First, the manufacturer produces the product and ships it to the retailer. The retailer then sells the product to customers at a marked-up price. In order for a manufacturer to sell its products wholesale, it must have a business license and a tax ID number. Additionally, the manufacturer must create an account with the retailer. Once the account is created, the manufacturer can start listing their products for sale. 

Retailers typically require that manufacturers offer a minimum discount off of the retail price. For example, a manufacturer may need to offer a 10% discount in order to sell their products wholesale. In some cases, the retailer may also require that the manufacturer provide exclusive rights to sell their products. 

This means that the manufacturer cannot sell their products to other retailers or directly to consumers. 

Benefits of selling wholesale to retailers

The advantage of selling wholesale is that it allows manufacturers to reach a larger customer base than they would be able to if they were selling only through brick-and-mortar stores or online retailers. Another benefit of selling wholesale is that it enables manufacturers to take advantage of economies of scale. 

When selling products in large quantities, manufacturers can often negotiate discounts from suppliers, which can help increase their profit margins. 

When you sell wholesale to retailers, you are guaranteed to get a higher price per unit than if you were to sell directly to consumers. This is because retailers are interested in making a profit on the products they sell, so they are willing to pay more for goods that will allow them to do so. 

Finally, selling wholesale can help to build relationships with other businesses in your industry. These relationships can be beneficial in many ways, including gaining access to new markets and networking opportunities.

Tips to selling wholesale to retailers

While there are many nuances to selling wholesale to retailers, there are a few key things that all sellers should keep in mind. We’ll discuss some tips to help you get started. 

Pricing strategy

When selling wholesale to retailers, pricing is one of the most important considerations. You need to strike a balance between making a profit and being competitive. Research your competition. Find out what other businesses are charging for similar products. This will give you a good starting point for setting your own prices.

Keep your margins reasonable. You don’t want to price yourself out of the market, but you also need to make sure you’re making a profit. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a 50% margin. Offer bulk discounts. Many retailers are willing to pay more for products if they can buy them in larger quantities. Offering discounts for bulk purchases can help you increase your profits without jeopardizing your competitive position.

Product sourcing

You’ll need to find a reliable source for your products. This can be difficult, as you’ll need to find a supplier that can provide high-quality goods at a reasonable price. 

Establish your policies

Before you start selling wholesale, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your policies. How much of a discount will you offer? What are your minimum order quantities? Are there any terms and conditions that retailers need to be aware of? Answering these questions ahead of time will help to prevent misunderstandings down the road. It’s also a good idea to put your policies in writing so that both you and the retailer are on the same page.

Determine what shipping and handling costs will be

Shipping and handling costs can be a make-or-break factor when selling wholesale to retailers. If your shipping costs are too high, retailers will likely look elsewhere for suppliers. On the other hand, if your shipping costs are too low, you may find yourself in the red after fulfilling an order. The best way to determine shipping and handling costs is to calculate the average cost of shipping per unit, including both materials and labor. 

Once you have this figure, add a reasonable markup to cover overhead expenses and you will have a good starting point for negotiations with potential customers. Remember, the goal is to find a happy medium that meets the needs of both parties.

Create a website to sell wholesale to retailers

You need to create a website that clearly outlines your terms and conditions for wholesale orders. This should include information on minimum order quantities, pricing, shipping, and returns. You also need to make sure that your website is easy to navigate and includes clear product photos and descriptions. You may need to promote your website through online advertising and social media.

Approach retailers to sell your products

Make sure you approach the right retailers. Consider the type of product you’re selling and the type of store that would be most likely to sell it. Then, do your research and make sure you contact the decision-maker at the store (this is often the buyer or store manager). Be prepared to answer any questions they have about your product and why it would be a good fit for their store.

Maintain relationship with retailers / long term relationship building

It’s important to build and maintain relationships with retailers. This is a long-term play – you want to establish yourself as a reliable supplier that they can count on for quality products. That way, when they’re looking to place an order, they’ll think of you first. 

Other considerations… 

When selling wholesale to retailers, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to have a good relationship with your customers. Retailers are busy and they need to be able to rely on you to provide them with high-quality products and good customer service. Finally, you need to be flexible. Retailers’ needs can change on a dime, so you need to be able to adapt your business in order to stay afloat. 

How Kickfurther Can Help

Wholesalers everywhere know that one of the hardest parts of the job is making sure you have enough inventory on-hand to meet the demands of your retail customers. It’s a delicate balancing act – order too much product and you’re stuck with costly overhead and inventory carrying charges, but order too little and you risk losing sales (and maybe even customers) to the competition. 

Fortunately, Kickfurther can help. We provide a way for you to get funding for product inventory quickly for a price you can afford. Kickfurther is the world’s first online inventory financing platform that enables companies to access funds that they are unable to acquire through traditional sources. With Kickfurther you can fund millions of dollars worth of inventory at costs of up to 30% lower than the competition. It gets better though – you don’t pay until you start making sales. You’ll truly have the opportunity to create a payment schedule that works for your business. You’ll outline expected sales periods to create customized payment terms. With more than $100 million in inventory funded to date, Kickfurther can help you get funded within a day or even minutes to hours. If your brand sells physical products or non-perishable consumables and has revenue between $150k to $15mm over the last 12 months, you are a prime Kickfurther candidate. 

Conclusion

Wholesale selling can be a great way to move your products and increase profits, but it takes some effort to get started. These tips will help you navigate the process and make connections with retailers that can sell your products for you.

Interested in getting funded on Kickfurther?  Create a free business account, complete the online application, review deals, and get funded in as little as minutes!

How to Successfully Launch a Product Online

Posted on by Kaylyn Perry

If you’re getting ready to launch a new product online, you’re probably overwhelmed with ideas. Wondering what you should do and what you shouldn’t do can keep you up at night. Take a few minutes to read through the information below and you’ll be on the path to success for your new product launch.

What is a product launch?

A product launch is the strategic process of introducing a new product to the general public. Before the release of the product you’ll want to create plenty of buzz to hype consumers. Every step of a product launch requires strategic planning and careful though. Oh and plenty of funding too. 

Benefits of launching a product online

There are several benefits of launching a product online. First, you can reach consumers all over the world. Second, you can keep costs down by not having a physical storefront or fewer locations.

Through the use of online distribution channels like digital ads, social media, and email blasts, it’s easier than ever before to increase brand awareness and build anticipation for a launch.

How do I launch a product online?

A successful product launch is much more than just setting a launch date and selling a product.

The framework of a successful online product launch includes market research, a digital marketing strategy, product hype, customer engagement, and a post-launch strategy.

To launch a product online you will need to set up a portfolio of creative assets, social media accounts, an email subscriber list, and a website with ordering capabilities. You will also need to define and know how to reach your target audience. Platforms such as Instagram, Google, Facebook, and more you can reach your target audience and deliver your message.

Tips for a successful product launch

It’s crucial that businesses know how to get the most out of their product launch while avoiding the common pitfalls that can occur.

During every stage of the product launch process, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Develop a strategy: A successful product launch strategy should include market research, product development, inventory management, marketing, and customer engagement. We’ll cover each of these points in more depth below.
  • Know your competition: What sets your brand apart? Identify your product’s unique selling point(s) and know what makes you different. This information should inform both your overall product launch strategy and your marketing plan.
  • Know your target audience: Who is your target customer? What are their needs? How can you reach them? Knowing the answers to these questions allows brands to come up with products that best meet the needs of their target audience and then know how to market to them. Understanding your target audience is critical for your ability to present relevant and engaging content to your customer base.
  • Create a marketing plan: Once you know your target audience and your brand’s biggest competitors, you can utilize this information to create a detailed marketing plan for your new product. Although the best plans include both digital and print advertising, don’t be afraid to think outside the box, with traditional means of marketing giving way to digital campaigns, product tours, and other innovative ways of engaging consumers. Keep your target customer persona(s) front and center as you create a marketing plan.
  • Stock your inventory to be prepared: Inventory management is a common roadblock for many up-and-coming businesses. Make sure that you have enough product in stock to keep up with the possible consumer demand. Since anticipating how much product to have on hand can be extremely difficult with a new product launch, now is the perfect time to consider the use of inventory financing to fund upfront inventory purchases without the need for purchase orders or invoices. With inventory funding through a company like Kickfurther, your balance is paid back when the sales revenue comes in.
  • Build hype and anticipation for your product: As part of your marketing strategy, begin to build hype for your product launch several weeks or months in advance. This can be done through email drip campaigns, social media posts, and teaser videos that give your audience a sneak peak of your new product. In addition, take advantage of brand partnerships and social media influencers. The more you can get your followers excited about your product, the more sales you can expect on release day.
  • Utilize social media: The right social media strategy builds engagement and increases brand loyalty. If you don’t feel confident enough to do it yourself, there are a variety of agencies and contractors with expertise in social media who can help you plan, create, schedule, and post all of your social media content. Make sure that your brand has an active presence everywhere that your target audience would be online. Most businesses today maintain accounts across the following social media platforms: Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
  • Build your email list: In addition to posting on social media, now is the time to engage your audience with e-mail marketing. Make sure that you are collecting customer emails on your website, in your sales funnel, and even through social media. Once you have an email list, don’t forget to engage them. An email distribution schedule should be a part of any new product launch strategy. Boost email sign-ups by giving subscribers early access to new product releases and exclusive coupon codes.
  • Create post launch engagement: The work doesn’t stop after your product has launched. Now is the time to go hard with customer engagement and content distribution. Consider implementing digital marketing campaigns that involve social media influencers or call for user-submitted content. For example, a clothing brand might ask their followers to post photos of themselves wearing the latest shoe release.

How Kickfurther Can Help

Launching a product can be costly. It can also strain cash flow. As you shell out money for advertising, there may not be much money coming in – that is until after the product launch. To ensure you have plenty of funds for operations and marketing as well as plenty of inventory on hand, you may need inventory funding. Kickfurther is the world’s first online inventory financing platform that enables companies to access funds that they are unable to acquire through traditional sources. With Kickfurther you can fund millions of dollars worth of inventory at costs of up to 30% lower than the competition. It gets better though – you don’t pay until you start making sales. You’ll truly have the opportunity to create a payment schedule that works for your business. You’ll outline expected sales periods to create customized payment terms. With more than $100 million in inventory funded to date, Kickfurther can help you get funded within a day or even minutes to hours. If your brand sells physical products or non-perishable consumables and has revenue between $150k to $15mm over the last 12 months, you are a prime Kickfurther candidate. 

Interested in getting funded on Kickfurther?  Create a free business account, complete the online application, review deals, and get funded in as little as minutes!

5 Ways to Increase your Amazon Sales

Posted on by Kaylyn Perry

As an online business owner, you know that it’s crucial to diversify your sales channels. Amazon is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms in the world, so if you’re not selling on Amazon, you may be missing out on a lot of potential sales. 

But how can you increase your Amazon sales? Here are five tips that can help you increase Amazon sales. 

5 Tips to Increase Your Amazon Sales

Here are five tips that will help you boost your Amazon sales. 

Optimize your title and product description

As an Amazon seller, you know that the written portion of your listing is just as important as the quality of your product photos. After all, your title and product description are what convince potential customers to click “Add to Cart.” If you’re looking for ways to increase your Amazon sales, start with optimizing your title and product description.

Your title should be attention-grabbing and keyword-rich, so that it appears near the top of search results. And your product description should do more than just list features — it should also tell a story that speaks to the needs of your target customer. By crafting persuasive copy for your Amazon listing, you can give yourself a big boost in the search rankings and convert more browsers into buyers.

Use relevant keywords throughout your description so that potential customers can easily find your product when they search on Amazon. In addition, you’ll want to make sure that your descriptions are clear, concise, and easy to read. 

Use bullet points or short sentences to get your point across, and avoid using jargon or technical terms. You should also include important information such as size, weight, color, and material in your description. Finally, be sure to proofread your work before you hit publish! 

Perform competitive research 

Want to know how to increase sales on Amazon? One of the best tips is to look at what everyone else is doing – and mimic them.

If you’re selling on Amazon, it’s important to stay up-to-date on your competition. A good way to do this is to regularly check their listings and see what kinds of products they’re selling, what keywords they’re using, and what kind of pricing they’re offering. 

You can also sign up for Amazon’s Seller Central newsletters so that you can receive alerts when new products are added to the marketplace. By keeping an eye on your competition, you can adjust your own listings and strategies accordingly in order to stay ahead of the game. 

In addition, it’s also a good idea to regularly check Amazon’s Best Sellers list in order to see which products are currently selling well. This can give you some insight into which items might be worth investing in for your own store. By staying on top of these things, you can give yourself a much better chance of increasing your Amazon sales.

Use high quality images

If you’re selling products on Amazon, then high-quality photos are essential for driving sales. After all, potential buyers need to be able to see what they’re buying, and poor-quality photos can make even the best products look bad. Fortunately, taking great product photos is relatively easy, as long as you keep a few key things in mind.

First, make sure that the products are well-lit, preferably with natural light. Second, use a plain background so that the items are the focus of the photo. And third, use multiple angles to show off the item from different perspectives. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your product photos will help you boost sales on Amazon.

Poor quality images can lead to customer confusion and ultimately lead to lower sales. In addition, using multiple images from different angles can be helpful in showing potential customers all the features of the product. 

Finally, using zoom functions and image enlargements can also be helpful in giving customers a closer look at the product. By following these tips, you can ensure that your images are helping to increase your Amazon sales.

Ensure you never run out of inventory

As an Amazon seller, one of the worst things that can happen is to run out of inventory. This can lead to lost sales and customers who are unhappy with your service. There are a few things you can do to avoid this problem.

First, keep close tabs on your inventory levels. Make sure you know how much you have in stock at all times and how fast it is selling. Use this information to place regular orders with your suppliers so that you never get too low.

Second, consider using Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon program. This will allow Amazon to store and ship your products for you, which can help to reduce the risk of running out of stock.

Finally, make sure you have a good returns policy in place. This way, if a customer is not happy with a product, they can return it without any hassle. This will help to keep your customers happy and increase the chances of them doing business with you again in the future.

Use Amazon sponsored advertising

Amazon sponsored advertising is a great way to increase your sales on Amazon. By targeting relevant keywords and phrases, you can ensure that your product appears in front of potential customers who are already interested in what you’re selling. You can also use Amazon’s impressive data and analytics tools to fine-tune your campaigns and improve your ROI. And best of all, you only pay when someone actually clicks on your ad, so you can be confident that you’re getting a good return on your investment. So if you’re looking for ways to boost your Amazon sales, be sure to give Amazon sponsored advertising a try.

How Kickfurther can help

Part of driving sales is making sure you have plenty of inventory so that you never miss an opportunity. At Kickfurter you can get affordable inventory funding that is up to 30% cheaper than other options. Kickfurther is the world’s first online inventory financing platform that enables companies to access funds that they are unable to acquire through traditional sources. With Kickfurther you can fund millions of dollars worth of inventory at costs of up to 30% lower than the competition. It gets better though – you don’t pay until you start making sales. You’ll truly have the opportunity to create a payment schedule that works for your business. You’ll outline expected sales periods to create customized payment terms. With more than $100 million in inventory funded to date, Kickfurther can help you get funded within a day or even minutes to hours. If your brand sells physical products or non-perishable consumables and has revenue between $150k to $15mm over the last 12 months, you are a prime Kickfurther candidate. 

Interested in getting funded on Kickfurther?  Create a free business account, complete the online application, review deals, and get funded in as little as minutes!

10 Essential Resources for Female Founded Businesses

Posted on by Kaylyn Perry

Successful businesswomen are often asked how they did it, and what kind of advice they would offer to up-and-coming entrepreneurs. While there is no one formula for success, there are many valuable female entrepreneur resources that can help you surpass your wildest dreams and goals. 

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in business for a while, these resources can help you succeed. Here are 10 of the best resources for female entrepreneurs.

10 best resources for female business entrepreneurs 

Starting and running your own business can be an extremely rewarding experience. The challenges along the way only make it more rewarding. As a female business owner, you may face unique challenges and require different resources than male business owners. Here are 10 of the best resources for female entrepreneurs. With these tools at your disposal, you’ll be on your way to success!

Amber grant

The Amber Grant is a grant given monthly to a woman entrepreneurial business owner. The grant was established in 1998 in memory of Amber Wigdahl, who was working on her start-up company when she died suddenly at the age of 26. 

Each month, a panel of business owners and experts selects one qualifying woman business owner to receive the $500 grant. In addition to the cash award, the winner also receives mentorship and support from the Amber Grant community. To date, the Amber Grant has awarded over $1 million to female entrepreneurs across the United States.

SBA 

Starting and running a business is no easy feat, but there are a number of resources available to help female entrepreneurs achieve success. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is one such resource. The SBA offers a variety of programs and services designed to help women-owned businesses start, grow, and thrive. 

For example, the SBA offers business counseling, access to capital, and training on a variety of topics such as marketing and financial management. In addition, the SBA has a Women’s Business Center program that provides resources and support specifically for women-owned businesses. With the help of the SBA, female entrepreneurs can overcome the challenges of starting and running a successful business.

Astia

Astia is a global non-profit that works to promote equality in the entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing access to capital, mentorship, and community programs. In addition, Astia also hosts events and workshops on topics such as business planning and pitching to investors. By providing these services, Astia helps level the playing field for female entrepreneurs so they can achieve their business goals.

The Women’s Venture Fund

The Women’s Venture Fund (WVF) is a unique program that provides funding and support for female business entrepreneurs. Launched in 2011, the WVF has helped thousands of women start and grow their businesses. 

One of the key benefits of the WVF is that it offers flexible funding options. Whether you need a small amount of seed money to get your business off the ground or a larger sum to expand your operations, the WVF can provide the capital you need. In addition to funding, the WVF also offers mentorship and resources to help you succeed. With an experienced team of mentors, the WVF can help you navigate the challenges of starting and running a business. If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, the Women’s Venture Fund can help you make it happen.

Rise

Rise is a company that helps female entrepreneurs grow their businesses. They provide resources such as mentorship, funding, and access to a network of like-minded business owners. Rise also offers educational resources on topics such as marketing, finance, and business strategy. 

Their goal is to help women succeed in the business world, and they have been very successful in achieving this. In the past year, they have helped over 1,000 women start and grow their businesses. Rise is an excellent resource for any woman who wants to start or grow her own business. If you are looking for help in starting or growing your business, I highly recommend that you check out Rise.

The Girlboss Foundation

The Girlboss Foundation was founded in 2014 by Sophia Amoruso, the CEO and founder of Girlboss, a media and e-commerce company. The Girlboss Foundation’s mission is to empower women to become their own bosses and build successful businesses. 

To date, the foundation has awarded over $1 million in grants and scholarships to women entrepreneurs. In addition, the foundation offers an online course called “Girlboss 101” which teaches women how to start and grow their own businesses. The Girlboss Foundation is a great resource for women who want to start their own businesses and achieve financial independence.

Women Founders Network Fast Pitch Events

Women Founders Network (WFN) is a global community of female entrepreneurs committed to increasing the number of successful women-led businesses. One way they achieve this goal is through their Fast Pitch events, which provide a forum for female business owners to pitch their businesses to a panel of experts. 

These events are not only an opportunity for entrepreneurs to get feedback on their businesses, but they also serve as a networking opportunity. In addition, the expert panel provides valuable insights that can help attendees fine-tune their business plans. WFN’s Fast Pitch events have helped to launch many successful businesses, and they continue to be a powerful force in the world of female entrepreneurship.

Women 2.0

Women 2.0 website is another excellent resource. The site offers a variety of articles and tools to help women start and grow their businesses.

How Kickfurther can help

Kickfurther can help female entrepreneurs get the funding they need for inventory that is up to 30% cheaper than other options.

Kickfurther is the world’s first online inventory financing platform that enables companies to access funds that they are unable to acquire through traditional sources. With Kickfurther you can fund millions of dollars worth of inventory at costs of up to 30% lower than the competition. It gets better though – you don’t pay until you start making sales. You’ll truly have the opportunity to create a payment schedule that works for your business. You’ll outline expected sales periods to create customized payment terms. With more than $100 million in inventory funded to date, Kickfurther can help you get funded within a day or even minutes to hours. If your brand sells physical products or non-perishable consumables and has revenue between $150k to $15mm over the last 12 months, you are a prime Kickfurther candidate. 

Interested in getting funded on Kickfurther?  Create a free business account, complete the online application, review deals, and get funded in as little as minutes!

For female entrepreneurs who are looking for a way to get started or take their business to the next level, Kickfurther is an excellent option. It offers financing for inventory, business expenses, and anything else you need to get up and running. With more than $1 million funded to date, Kickfurther is a smart choice for women who want to have the money they need for inventory financing without having to turn to personal loans, high interest credit cards,  or other sources of funding. 

With Kickfurther, you can get the funding you need in just hours (instead of days or weeks) so you don’t have to worry about missing out on new opportunities to build or grow your business.

Conclusion

So, if you are a woman with an entrepreneurial spirit, where should you start? Check out our top 10 resources for female founded businesses. These websites and articles offer valuable advice and support to help you get started and grow your business. 

And don’t forget to try some of the tips we shared earlier. With a little hard work and dedication, you can turn your passion into a thriving business. What resources have been most helpful to you as a female entrepreneur?

How to Successfully Pitch your Business to Investors

Posted on by Kaylyn Perry

What is a business pitch?

A business model investor pitch is a concise presentation of an entrepreneurial idea, typically given to potential investors. The purpose of a business pitch is to secure funding for the startup or early-stage company. A successful business pitch effectively communicates the company’s value proposition and persuades the audience to invest in the venture. It should be clear, concise, and persuasive, and it should tell a story that captivates the audience. A well-crafted business pitch can be the difference between securing funding and seeing your startup fail.

How to pitch a business to investors

Your business is your baby. You’ve nurtured it, grown it, and now you’re ready to take it to the next level by pitching it to investors. But how do you make sure your presentation is top-notch? And more importantly, how do you ensure that your business will be a hit with potential investors? Here are a few tips to help you out. 

Tell a story

To be successful at pitching a business, you’ve got to tell a compelling story. There are a few key essential elements to any successful pitch: a clear explanation of the problem you’re solving, a compelling vision for the future, and a solid plan for how you’re going to get there. 

With those ingredients in place, you’ll be well on your way to getting the funding you need to turn your business into a reality.

Create a great presentation

An effective presentation will be well-organized, clear, and convincing. It should start with a strong opening that grabs the audience’s attention and sets the stage for the rest of the pitch. Then, provide an overview of your business, including its key products or services, target market, and competitive advantages. 

Be sure to back up your claims with data and real-world examples. Finally, close with a clear call to action that outlines what you’re asking for and how it will benefit the investor. 

Value proposition

When it comes to pitching a business to investors, the most important thing is to have a strong value proposition. This is what will convince investors that your business is worth investing in. 

Your value proposition should be clear and concise, and it should explain why your business is unique and how it will solve a problem or address a need. It should also be tailored to your audience – remember that investors are looking for businesses that will make them money, so make sure your value proposition demonstrates how your business will do just that. 

With a strong value proposition, you’ll be in a much better position to pitch your business successfully to investors.

Be confident

When it comes to pitching a business to investors, confidence is key. After all, if you don’t believe in your business, why should anyone else? But that doesn’t mean you should be arrogant or overbearing. Instead, let your passion for your business shine through. 

Be clear and concise when explaining your business idea, and make sure to answer any questions investors may have. Remember, you only have a limited amount of time to make your case, so make it count. Be prepared to talk about your business model, your target market, and your competition. 

And most importantly, have a solid plan for how you will use investment funds to grow your business. If you can show investors that you have a sound plan and the drive to succeed, you stand a good chance of getting the funding you need to take your business to the next level.

Offer a solution

Do your homework. Make sure you research your target investors and know what they’re looking for. You’ll need to tailor your pitch to resonate with them, so offer a solution that meets their unique needs.

Keep it simple. Don’t try to cram too much information into your pitch. Instead, focus on key points that will give investors a clear idea of your business and its potential.

Include contact details

Don’t forget to include your contact information in your pitch so that investors can easily get in touch with you after the meeting. 

Pricing / revenue model

It’s also important to have a solid financial plan in place. This will show investors that you’ve done your homework and that you’re serious about making your business a success. You will want to have clear information about how much revenue you anticipate your business to bring in (and when) along with information on how much it will cost for your investors to invest their money in your business.

Practice

If you’re looking to raise money for your business, you’ll need to learn how to pitch to investors. This can be a daunting task, but if you’re prepared and practice often, you’ll be able to give a great pitch that will encourage investors to put money into your business. Practice your pitch so well that it is more or less committed to memory. 

Milestones

Any good business pitch should include a clear timeline of milestones and objectives. This allows investors to see the big picture and understand how their money will be used to further the company’s goals. 

Some key milestones to include in a business pitch are: completing a working prototype, securing initial customers or partners, and reaching profitability. These milestones show that the company is making progress and that the investment will be used to drive continued growth. 

Including a timeline of milestones also gives investors a sense of when they can expect to see a return on their investment. By including these key milestones in a business pitch, entrepreneurs can give investors the confidence they need to make a decision.

Your team

So, who should you include on your pitch team? Here are a few key team members to consider:

First, you’ll need someone with a strong understanding of your business model and financials. This person will be responsible for answering any questions the investors might have about your numbers. Second, you’ll need someone who can speak passionately about your product or service. This person will be responsible for getting the investors excited about your idea and convincing them that it has potential. 

Finally, you’ll need someone with experience in pitching to investors. This person will be responsible for keeping the pitch on track and ensuring that it flows smoothly. Including these key team members will help you give a strong business pitch that leaves investors eager to support your venture.

Funding needs

Here are a few tips for writing about your funding needs in a business pitch. First, be clear and specific about the amount of money you need and what you plan to use it for. This will show investors that you have a well-thought-out plan for how to use their money.

Be realistic in your assessment of how much money you need. Overasking can turn investors off, while under-asking could leave you short on funds.

Don’t be afraid to ask for more than one round of funding. This shows investors that you are planning for long-term success and are willing to give them a return on their investment down the road.

How Kickfurther can help

A common problem business owners face is finding affordable inventory financing. After jumping through all the hoops business owners may find a way to qualify, but ultimately the cost may outweigh the benefits. At Kickfurther you can get affordable inventory funding, much faster than through traditional sources. To get started, you’ll need to create a free business profile. Your profile can include a pitch to get backers to buy in. 

Kickfurther is the world’s first online inventory financing platform that enables companies to access funds that they are unable to acquire through traditional sources. With Kickfurther you can fund millions of dollars worth of inventory at costs of up to 30% lower than the competition. It gets better though – you don’t pay until you start making sales. You’ll truly have the opportunity to create a payment schedule that works for your business. You’ll outline expected sales periods to create customized payment terms. With more than $100 million in inventory funded to date, Kickfurther can help you get funded within a day or even minutes to hours. If your brand sells physical products or non-perishable consumables and has revenue between $150k to $15mm over the last 12 months, you are a prime Kickfurther candidate. 

Accelerate the growth of your business. . . get inventory funding today!