Adding products to your service business – with Priya Khan, Little Crystal Minds

Adding products to your service business – with Priya Khan, Little Crystal Minds

INTRO (00:00:08):

Welcome to the, bring your product ideas to life podcast, practical advice, and inspiration to help you create and sell your own physical products. Here's your host Vicki Weinberg. Hi,

Vicki Weinberg (00:00:22):

Today I'm talking to Priya Khan from Little Crystal Minds. Priya is a mindfulness coach for children and parents supporting families to pause grief, connect, and feel calm through workshops and have mindful products. Priya actually started out just offering services and added on products to compliment of what she was already offering. So I think if you have a service business that this episode might, well get you thinking about how you could add products to what you offer to either way. This is a really interesting conversation. And so I as always, I hope you enjoy it. So without further ado, here's Priya Say hi, fi thank you so much for being here.

Priya Khan (00:00:58):

Thank you for having me. And you're welcome.

Vicki Weinberg (00:01:01):

Could you please start by telling us a bit about yourself and your business?

Priya Khan (00:01:04):

Yeah, sure. So my name's Priya, I am a mom of two boys company, age 10 and seven. I have to think about that sometimes. And I run a mindfulness based business. So I run sessions to help predominately parents and children, and even teachers in schools find their moments of calm and just find ways to, and tools to deal with the big emotions that come up in everyone's lives. And I really started off working with children and it's kind of grown from there.

Vicki Weinberg (00:01:39):

I thank you. And I, yeah, I think we all need a bit of calm in our lives, especially now. So actually before we go and talk about anything else, it might be quite nice to actually talk a little bit about what mindfulness is and for anyone who doesn't know and why it's so important, because I think that's like the basis of your business and that's probably a really good place to start that's okay.

Priya Khan (00:01:56):

Yeah, absolutely. I think mindfulness has a bit of a buzzword at the moment, but I'm not sure everyone understands what it means. And I like to just really simplify it. And I know when I do it with children, I just sort of say, you know, mindfulness is about you. It's about understanding what's going on in your world. So really being in the moment and being present and knowing what's happening with your thoughts, your feelings and your emotions, because a lot of the times we don't become in the moment. Well, thoughts are in the past

and we're worried about what we've said or what we've done or what we've not done, or we're worried abou the future what's going to happen. And all of those can cause anxiety, stress, and it's just understanding

those emotions and feelings and where they're coming from.

Priya Khan (00:02:43):

And it's not until we pay attention to ourselves that we can have that understanding and then have tools to deal with those emotions. So mindfulness is just really having an understanding of emotions within us.

Vicki Weinberg (00:02:58):

Oh, that's a great, thank you. So Do you teach people the tools to be, to be more mindful and be more in the moment?

Priya Khan (00:03:06):

Absolutely. That's exactly what it is. It's just understanding and how we can know where, why we feel certain way. So when we're angry, you know, where's that come from? What does it feel like? So what I would reiterate is mindfulness. Isn't about pushing any emotions away. We're not saying we have to be happy, which I think people think mindfulness is about. It's about being happy all the time. It's not about that. It's about being real and accepting emotions for what they are and just understanding them. So whether we are angry or frustrated or annoyed, you know, all of those emotions are happy or sad.

Priya Khan (00:03:47):

It's okay to have every single emotion going, but it's how we deal with them. And that's how I, what I teach is kind of how we deal with those emotions. So when we're angry, we're not screaming and shouting, or the kids aren't slamming doors, they kind of know what's going on within them because once we understand that we can deal with it a lot easier.

Vicki Weinberg (00:04:06):

Yeah. That makes a lot of sense. Thank you. So as well as the teaching, you do, I know that you have a number of physical products as well. So do you mind just talking us through what those, what those are festival for bigger places?

Priya Khan (00:04:18):

Sure. So I have a few products out in the moment. So my first product is my mindfulness affirmation cards. And that really came from wanting to bring products in what I do into people's homes and the school setting. And I've really always worked with mainly primary school children and parents. And so I want you to bring cards or physical products to bring mindful moments. Cause that's what I'm all about. Mindful moments. I'm not a mindfulness coach that says you have to meditate for 20 minutes, half an hour, a day is about bringing moments into your lives that you just have that awareness of what's going on. And that's what worked for me because I don't have time to meditate for a long period of time.

Priya Khan (00:05:04):

So I just do mindful moments in my lives and it's made a massive difference on my home. And what I want to do is bring it into other people's homes. So the concert just bring in moments. And so that affirmation cards, positive affirmation cards for children. And they have a mindful activity to go with each cards because I feel we can all say great things. You know, I am happy, I am creative, but really experience in them really comes from an activity. So it's kind of brings an emotion sensation and everything all together. So you really believe in yourself and it's not just thinking you say you actually have a physical activity to do with that.

Vicki Weinberg (00:05:46):

And I imagine that's really helpful for teachers and parents as well to actually have the activity and also almost be guided through what they could be doing with the children. Often just reading out a card. Yeah,

Priya Khan (00:05:58):

Exactly. And it's great for, I always always encourage the parents to do it as well because you know, our children follow suit in what we do. So if we can practice the cards or practice mindfulness or affirmations, they will more likely do it themselves as well. So it's great family activity to do it together. Maybe once a week, I sort of have a, I am common, it's a breathing exercise. And so at the end of the week, we, I encourage families to talk about how, where in a day that you didn't feel calm and you can bring in that breathing exercise just to help you calm down. And for parents to talk about when they've had times where they've needed to use bread and exercise.

Priya Khan (00:06:48):

So the children then do the same as well. And what I found is that families really found conversation about emotions and feelings. Cause sometimes it's quite difficult to get that out of your children. Whereas when you use the cards, it kind of naturally comes part of it.

Vicki Weinberg (00:06:58):

So it sounds like these are a really nice tool for families who are working with you when you're not actually there to have, you know, to have that little bit, they have that resource basically in their home, as you say, they can carry on the work that they're doing with you without you. If you see what I mean. Yeah.

Priya Khan (00:07:14):

I think that's where they came from. It was more for the families I did work with to then have a tool that they can take home a news because I can teach the parents. But then I, you know what life's like, you'd like to just runs away with you and you just don't have time to sit down with your children and teach them what you've learned. So it's just nice to have these simple, easy, tangible tools that you can just read quite easily.

Vicki Weinberg (00:07:39):

And what's this product, something families asking you for or something you came up with or a bit of both.

Priya Khan (00:07:46):

Most though, I think I came up with, yeah, I think I just wanted to have a product that encompassed a lot of what I do into one set because I just felt I couldn't reach everyone in terms of my sessions. I ran, you know, I did it very localized as well, and I want you to kind of give tools to anyone and everyone that needed it. So I just, that's where the kind of mindfulness affirmation books came from just because I wanted to be able to provide it to as many people as I could. I had friends and family that live near nowhere near me were like, I can't come to any of your sessions. And so it was just a way of helping them as well.

Vicki Weinberg (00:08:28):

All right. So were your sessions all in person?

Priya Khan (00:08:31):

Yes.

Vicki Weinberg (00:08:31):

Oh, see, I've got, I've got a mix. We were causing this then just to give people context in October, the 1st of October and for so long, everything's been online. You almost forget there was a time when we did things in person.

Priya Khan (00:08:45):

Yeah. No, these cards have been out for a while now. I think every year, a year and a half, I think now. So face-to-face yeah,

Vicki Weinberg (00:08:57):

It goes to show doesn't it that I honestly forgot. There was a time when you used to be able to see people. Wow. Okay.

Priya Khan (00:09:05):

I miss that so much. I really, really miss the face-to-face sessions because you just get so much more from it than I think the online sessions, especially for me, I like to have that energy from my client.

Vicki Weinberg (00:09:17):

Yeah. And I know that we are getting a little off topic, but all your sessions online now, are you still offering sessions?

Priya Khan (00:09:24):

Not as many sessions online and the ones I do offer, I'm working with a friend and colleague and we're running sessions for adults, not so much for the children. So I think I have the products for the children and we're just running self care sessions for adults, because I think everyone needs to kind of look after

themselves. And one of my kind of mantras is you got to take care of yourself before you can give to others. And as parents, I think we're all run down and stressed and we don't take care of our own needs. So these sessions are really to help parents or anyone who's going through a lot during these times just to have some self care. So they are self massage techniques that my friend does.

Priya Khan (00:10:07):

Who's a wonderful Mrs. And then I do my guided, mindful meditation for whoever's on the sessions just to really kind of ease their minds and their body. So it's a mind-body combination.

Vicki Weinberg (00:10:21):

Sounds nice. And yes, I needed and I agree as well, but actually it's really hard to engage children online as well. I find that with my two, anyway, they just, you just can't hold their attention. Even if it's something they're interested in, it just doesn't work. Does it? Well,

Priya Khan (00:10:38):

And it's quite difficult with mindfulness because it's all about being calm and relaxed. And to do that online, I find, I found it challenging, I guess, with the children, because you know, they're not going to sit there and just listen to you. They need activities to be doing constantly. And it's quite difficult because it's all about, you know, focusing on your breath, noticing what's going on in your surrounding. And it's just so much more easier to do face-to-face with children. I think,

Vicki Weinberg (00:11:06):

I think so. I mean, there were so many distractions, a high amount there. And so, because I went completely off topic then, but I was just quite curious. So coming back to your product, say your affirmation cards for your first product. So do you mind talking us food, the office?

Priya Khan (00:11:20):

So the next set of cards are what I call my happy notes. And so the affirmation cards, obviously affirmations is things that you say to yourself. So I am kind, I am happy, I'm calm. And the happy notes are cards on one sheet for parents mainly, but anyone to give children or other people as your boost. So I think a lot of our self belief comes from what people tell us, you know, from the carers, the people that we sort of look up to and I wanted, they kind of notes really. So it's kind of sort of lead in children, know how you feel about them, but they're more tangible. They see it, they can feel it it's words are written down because I think we can say to our children, I love you.

Priya Khan (00:12:06):

You're the best thing in the world. You're so amazing, but it kind of goes in one ear and out the other. Whereas when they received these cards in their lunchbox, it's more of a surprise, maybe little note written at the back of it. There's so much more that comes from it. And I just get the feedback that, you know,

children have like tears in their eyes when they see a little note by their bedside table or at the breakfast table, just given to them. And there's 36 cards. So there's loads to choose from. And that just really affirm your child rather than them foaming themselves.

Vicki Weinberg (00:12:38):

That was a really lovely idea that makes me want to cry. Just thinking about it. I think it's so lovely.

Priya Khan (00:12:43):

Yeah. And it was just a really simple idea that came. Cause I think it was again, you know, it's lovely for people to offend, but you've really got to, it's got to start with the people that care about them the most, you know, and I hear so many people that say they remember that one teacher that just had that belief in them, and this is what these cards are just showing children or anyone that there's someone that's in your corner that champions you, that really really believes in you, no matter what happens in your life or what you do, you know, you're not going to be perfect. But to believe in yourself, you always need someone to have that belief in you as well.

Vicki Weinberg (00:13:16):

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. You need to know you've got someone in your corner or wherever that is because they would teach you. But yeah, ideally it as a parent and it's dying at home, so yeah, I think there's a, I think there's a lovely and I could actually see they could work well in schools as well. I suppose they could be quite nice little.

Priya Khan (00:13:30):

Yeah. Rather than you gold star, you can just give a line. Yeah.

Vicki Weinberg (00:13:34):

Yeah. There's so many uses for them. Say if you don't mind, it'd be nice to talk a little bit about sort of the process of sort of creating your products. Obviously we don't need to go into huge detail, but overall, how did you find, so you decided you wanted to create something physical. And so, so going from the idea of, okay, I want to create these cards to actually having them there, to hold. How did you find that process?

Priya Khan (00:14:02):

So the first set of cards, the ID, I mean, it was quite a longer process because I've never done it before and just trying to source because I'm an ideas person, you know, I can come up with these suggestions and right. But putting it all together and getting someone to create your vision can be quite challenging. So it's just finding the right person and also allowing it to evolve. You know, don't have kind of a set way of what you expect, you know, because with the cards, it was just an idea of like you said, having an affirmation and then a mindful activity. And then it turned into, let's have one full one, an alphabet affirmation for each alphabet letter of the alphabet.

Priya Khan (00:14:44):

And then it was like, well, let's have an animal character to go with each affirmation and they're just really evolved. And then that becomes kind of your unique, because there's so many affirmation cards out there, it just makes you a little bit more unique. So it's having someone that works with you is very difficult to do these things on your own. I think so making sure you find the right people to help you and support you, I find really helped with producing the cards. Cause then you can also bounce ideas because you have as someone that makes products, you have all these ideas and it's actually just honing down on what actually people would want to see.

Priya Khan (00:15:25):

And it's nice to have someone or a few people just to talk about.

Vicki Weinberg (00:15:29):

That sounds great. So you had a designer, did you that helped you with the Vail?

Priya Khan (00:15:34):

Yeah, so I had decided, and she worked wonderful. She completely got my concept and helped me kind of produce what it is today.

Vicki Weinberg (00:15:43):

Yeah. Because I guess for something like that, the design is actually really important. Obviously the content is important, but I guess don't you say the design is what makes you different? What makes you stand out and what potentially makes someone choose yours over someone else's so it sounds like, yeah, that's absolutely key.

Priya Khan (00:15:58):

Yeah, absolutely. And also I think when you've got designers, even just stuffed, when it comes to the paper, the cards, you know, how it needs to fit on the design and when it goes to the printers and talking to the printers, I mean, I have no idea of any of that. And I think when you produce your project and an entrepreneur, you've got so much to think about and you need guidance. It's so difficult to learn everything on your own. So it's just really important to have people in there to support you.

Vicki Weinberg (00:16:27):

Yeah. And so did your desire to have the relationship with the printer already? Was that something she was able to help you fray?

Priya Khan (00:16:34):

So I searched printers and then she spoke to them and she was able to sort of say yet, there'll be great for

what you're looking for. Or she can just tell by the way they ask what questions they asked or what questions she asked, whether they would be the right printers or not. Whereas I would have no idea.

Vicki Weinberg (00:16:53):

Yeah, no that's, and that's understandable though. Cause it's really hard because if you don't know about paper and ink and colors and that sort of thing, which let's face it, a lot of us don't even know what to ask is, is really hard. Let alone knowing if you're getting, you know, sense for once. It is kind of like, you know, if you get someone in to do work in your house, I always think it's like, and you might have someone come in and say, you need to do this to your roof or you don't know da to take their word for it. So it's really hard. It's fantastic. He found someone, he, you, what they were doing and was able to help you free that. And what kind of feedback have you had, like from, from your customers on, on the products you've got safer,

Priya Khan (00:17:32):

Really good feedback. It's been really delightful. Just hearing the testimonials that have come back, you know, I've had with the cards, you know, both parents and children, you know, children that have gone into school, showing their teachers the cards and, you know, cause they've been reading them with their each day or each week and then the teachers have bought them because they've just, the child has come in and, you know, been parents said that he's your biggest fan, you know, absolutely loves to say you sitting there reading them, doing the exercises themselves. And then I've had parents that have said, you know, mum was doing it with their child and the father was listening and he joined because it was just such a lovely moment to have those conversations and talk about the emotions and feelings and just make it into a positive routine in their lives.

Priya Khan (00:18:25):

And just how much of a difference is made just to bring those conversations in and just help children just to understand the relations and just feel a bit, a little bit more competent within themselves.

Vicki Weinberg (00:18:38):

That's lovely and wherever your products available to sells to buy. So if someone's listening and they're interested, where, where are you selling them at the moment

Priya Khan (00:18:48):

They are on a number of sites. So you can go through my website at www.Littlecrystalminds.co.uk, and then when my shop's there or, or all by mama and Etsy

Vicki Weinberg (00:19:02):

Okay, thank you. So Priya, what, so obviously you sell services and products, which is quite unique. I say quite unique. I know other people do it, but a lot of people we've spoken to so far have only sold products. So I'd really interested to know what you enjoy about selling products and how it compares to delivering

services.

Priya Khan (00:19:24):

I think with the product, it's definitely the testimonials that I get and families, people using them within their families or teachers that come back and say they've used it within their school setting. And just, I think when you have a product of your own, just every sale, you kind of do a little happy dance with. And it's just a nice feeling of knowing that, you know, you could be sleeping at night and then you sold something when you wake up. And you've noticed that you've made a little bit of money just, but you know, when you're in your sleep. So it's just really nice to have something there, that one for me. Cause I'm just so passionate about it. It's making a difference in people's lives, but also it's bringing in some sort of a money stream as well and where the workshops, I absolutely love the workshops and I get a lot from them.

Priya Khan (00:20:14):

Cause you can really see the benefits that they have for yourself. I feel there's a lot more work that goes into workshops because I'm very bespoke with everybody I work with. I don't have a one size fits all with what I teach. I really work with each person individually or each group individually. And that means there's a lot of work in the background before I even get to do the workshop. And especially in this climate now everything's online. I find it even more difficult. So it's just nice to have those products available as well. Yeah. And I guess

Vicki Weinberg (00:20:48):

It's really nice for people who perhaps would like to do a workshop somewhere along the line. It's not possible right now, but at least they can take away something. They can have these tools that just start them on their mindfulness journey because that was really nice.

Priya Khan (00:21:03):

Yeah. You don't have to have any background of mindfulness or anything for my products at all. It's all in them. They're self-explanatory and you know, therefore four, five, six year olds, so anyone can use them. And it's just nice that actually it's not just children that have been using them when I've sold them at Christmas markets, you know, people have bought them for their sisters or for their friends are just into, you know, affirmations and positive mindset or just feeling down and struggling in life. And just seeing that these cards can really help boost them.

Vicki Weinberg (00:21:36):

That's really nice. Did you, did you anticipate that when you created them in your mind, were they just for children and families or did you ever anticipate that they'd be used by such a range of people?

Priya Khan (00:21:47):

Not at all. It wasn't until I actually sold them at the markets where you can be face to face that people were

saying that they would really love to buy them for other adults. I've actually, I thought, Oh, it could be on the market for another set of cards or just even these cards. It doesn't matter. Even for me, I felt the feel was for the younger children, with the animal characters and the way they were written, we really wrote them to be very simplified for the younger children. So to know that it doesn't matter that they can benefit anybody was just really lovely.

Vicki Weinberg (00:22:33):

I guess that's one of the benefits of sort of being able to do markets back when people could do that and actually see who's buying your products is they often, you don't actually know when people are buying online and you just have a name and a shipping address. You don't actually know who's buying them. So I guess that's, that's really nice to see as well. And as you say, perhaps an opportunity for another products along the line as well.

Priya Khan (00:22:45):

Yeah, exactly. It's when you do these face-to-face conversations, it's market research, I suppose, isn't it that people actually look at it and talk about it and then they can kind of give you some ideas or they give you suggestions and you yeah. Or it just brings up other creative juices within you that you think, Oh, there's another opportunity here.

Vicki Weinberg (00:23:05):

Yes. And speaking of opportunities, I know that you're working on another project right now and by the time this episode goes out, the product will be available. So I'd love if you could tell us a bit more about it.

Priya Khan (00:23:16):

Oh yes. I'm really, really excited about this project. So again, it's using all the tools that I've had with used with children and putting it into a box. So it's a mindful box of calm and really what I've wanted. And it's Nike, I've had for a couple of years now. So I'm really pleased that I'm actually making that step to produce there. And I know when I've done my sessions with children, the past there's certain tools that they really gravitate towards. And what I wanted was for children to have a books of tools where they can just really understand their emotions and use a sense it's like a sensory box, but a mindful sensory box.

Priya Khan (00:24:02):

So there's very holistic, natural products that the children can use, like a singing bowls and crystals or whatever therapy, but I've also produced activity sheets so they can understand how to use it breathing exercises. And it's, it's a tool I want parents to use instead of like the naughty step or go to your room and not know how to handle big emotions that children have. So it's kind of their pacifier for their emotions and a kind of go-to books to handle these big, crazy emotions that not only children have, we all have.

Vicki Weinberg (00:24:40):

So yeah, that sounds lovely. And again, it sounds like kind of a product that could work really well for adults and older children as, as well as younger ones.

Priya Khan (00:24:49):

Yes. Actually I am producing two books there, so I am producing one for six plus, and then for your teens and tweens box as well. So you do have, so they've written slightly different for the younger children and then you've got those for the teenagers as well. Cause I think teenagers could really too, with a boost in,

they go through so much with that hormones and emotions at that age that they have a little box to go to. So the books that I'm producing is kind of your starter kit with the point of big items that will really help you deal or children deal with their emotions. But what I'm hoping down the line is that I can then if it takes off and does really well that I can do some sort of subscription box.

Priya Khan (00:25:37):

So you can add to your starter kit, cause it's quite a big box and then you can month or every other month have more tools to your box.

Vicki Weinberg (00:25:46):

Well, that's a really nice idea. Yeah. I think that sounds fantastic. And I will, in the show notes, this episode, I will link directly to the product page so that people can go and take a look right away. But you know, I am going to ask a few nuts and bolts questions now, which I hope you don't mind. So, so I'd love to know how you went about sort of putting together all the items that go inside the book. How did you select them and how did you find them?

Priya Khan (00:26:14):

Yeah. So I listened to your podcast and just, yeah, just tried to find ways of knowing where to go best places and your podcasts were amazing. I have to say they really, really gave me some really useful tips in sourcing companies, how to position it as well. So I use some of your tips and tools and just, I, well actually I say I knew what I wanted in the box, but I have such a large amount of products that I would love to add. Hence why I think I might do a subscription box and I just had to hone down into four or five products that I thought would really benefit children.

Priya Khan (00:27:01):

And what I want to do is use all the senses. So your sight hearing, feeling all of that. So you're using all the senses within, and then I just researched suppliers as much as I could. And just try to find people that kind of fitted with my brand as well.

Vicki Weinberg (00:27:23):

And by the way, thank you for the feedback. So I had no idea you were going to say that, but that's really nice. So I like that

Priya Khan (00:27:29):

It was brilliant. It really, really helped me just kind of, cause like you said, like you say, you know, I not, I'm an ideas person, but actually putting the post together, which is why I haven't done it for two years. Cause it just scares me and knowing where to go and how to even start sourcing it. So yeah, just listening to your podcast really kind of gave me that push,

Vicki Weinberg (00:27:51):

Can you say much? And I'm so pleased that you've gone and done it and I can completely see why you'd be doing ticket. It's not just one product. It's like five w the same five separate products that you've had to source. That's a big job.

Priya Khan (00:28:03):

Yeah. It's more actually, because we've got two boxes and they've got different products in them

Vicki Weinberg (00:28:08):

And I assume as well, that would, did you manage to get them all from the same supplier? Where were you looking at? Or were they from different suppliers? Cause I guess logistically

Priya Khan (00:28:16):

Yeah, some different suppliers. Yeah, exactly. And one supplier isn't from this country because it's a singing bowl and you just can't get the singing bowls here. And so I had things like customs tax, like stuff I just have no clue about. So just trying to understand that side of things, because I think when you produce a box with

different from different suppliers, you know, the costs, understanding costs and is it gonna be where, you know, financially being able to make some money from it, you just don't know because there's so many additional costs in everything you do, isn't there that you don't realize.

Priya Khan (00:28:59):

It's not just about supplying it. And there's marketing, there's printing, there's the actual boxes themselves. And it's just understanding all of that. And again, your podcast really helped me understand and I think you have some downloads as well. Don't you? What it all entails.

Vicki Weinberg (00:29:17):

I do. And thank you for mentioning those. I little say link phase in the, no, it sounds like I've paid you to say it this way. I promise I haven't rank you. And then I guess it's the time as well. Cause I'll use sort of manually collating the boxes once you have all the products or are you getting that Darnell?

Priya Khan (00:29:36):

No, I'll be doing that cause I really want to make them unique individualized. So to start with, I am having a

small number of boxes produce because I think I've learned from my first set. So when I did the MyFitness affirmation cards, it's cheaper to buy more, but then you have a whole load of books is that you've got to try and sell and then it can be disheartening when you've got these books is sitting there and you're not selling

them as much as you thought, or as quickly as you thought you would. So what I would do is just have a small number of boxes and see how well they go.

Priya Khan (00:30:17):

And if they take off, then I'll be producing more. So I think I'll just be kind of putting them together myself to start with.

Vicki Weinberg (00:30:25):

Yeah. And I think it's also a nice idea to start off small because you can get some feedback on the boxes as well and the things that are inside them. And if you have to make tweaks, at least you haven't got hundreds of something sitting around with no use for it. So I think that's a really smart move because you may find when you put them out that people say actually, could this product be slightly different and then you've still got an opportunity now by starting small to make any changes that you need to before you do another batch. I think that's really, that's a really good idea. We have so many components.

Priya Khan (00:30:54):

Yeah, absolutely. And I think I've learned that from the other two where I did kind of go a bit crazy with the numbers I kind of ordered. And then if there were any tweaks I wanted to make, you know, it's not really worth it until I've sold out of those and then starting again. So yeah, it's just from China and error, I think which happens. But then it's lovely to have these sort of sessions where you kind of learn from other people's mistakes. Yeah,

Vicki Weinberg (00:31:19):

Absolutely. Because when we've faced it, we've all made them. And I think for printed products, I can totally see why you would go for a high number because you know, the higher, the volume that the costs really go down. So yeah, I can totally see why as a higher print run makes sense.

Priya Khan (00:31:35):

I've gotten these boxes. I've got now the, the cost of me so much because I am just doing a small number. Whereas if I kind of triple debt, the cost would go down dramatically. But I just think it's worth doing now just because I do want to kind of get the feedback first.

Vicki Weinberg (00:31:52):

Yeah. It's always the, in a bit of testing and also it sounds like it's been like a huge task to put everything together, but as I'm sure that you'll recognize next time, it's just gonna be so much easier because you've done most of the hard work now. So for any sort of subsequent products you want to add or change, you've

done the bulk of it. So yeah. So it does get easier. I mean, that's something that saves people a lot, honestly does get easier the more, the more that you day. So it talks about your new product. So what we get to talk about, if there's, are there any sort of challenges that you've encountered during the process or anything that, anything that you've learned? I mean, you, you talked then about learning from other people's mistakes. Is there anything that you'd like to share that you think people might be able to learn from

Priya Khan (00:32:39):

I this round I have got myself a mentor, a wonderful, wonderful mentor. That's helping me with making sure kind of, I have put the right processes in to post. So I think that's quite valuable for people. If they are kind of setting up a new product or, or new business as such to have someone to support them, make them accountable for what they're doing, but also guide them because it is quite difficult to do it on your own. I know every process that comes up, especially once you've got your project, just even marketing is another minefield and having someone that can help you through it makes all the difference just to give you ideas and suggestions.

Priya Khan (00:33:20):

You still got to do all the work don't, don't get me wrong. They don't do that, but it's just someone to help you. I'd make sure you're going on the right track because it also saves you time because there's so much out there that you could research everything, but it's a minefield on what's out there and what's the right way or the wrong way. So definitely having someone supporting me makes a massive difference.

Vicki Weinberg (00:33:45):

Okay. Thank you. And one final question, if that's okay, which is, what is your number one piece of advice for anyone else wanting to start selling products?

Priya Khan (00:33:55):

I would say find your tribe, find people that are going through a similar experience to you because it can be quite difficult and quite lonely and you can get just heartened quite a lot. And actually everyone's going through the same process. So finding people that understand your challenges, your pain points really helps because also they help you. Like you say, everyone makes mistakes and they probably made mistakes. And you can just ask the question and they can help and support you and guide you as well and vice versa. And it's just nice to have a community. So that would be my top tip is don't do it alone. Find your tribe, find your community to help you.

Priya Khan (00:34:38):

And I think I've done that and I'm going to just plug them all by my group have been brilliant for me. I've had a few communities that I've gone to in the past, but I think it's difficult to find the one that you kind of connect with and just keep trying.

Vicki Weinberg (00:34:52):

Yeah. That's great advice. Thank you. And you'll know that I'm powerful by mum as well. And I also think that it's a great community, but whatever community you choose, I agree it is invaluable. And this has come up in, say met with so many guests I've spoken to recently. Cause as you say, it's just really nice to have people that have been there, done it before and can, you can learn from their mistakes or you can find out that actually that mistake that you've made, isn't the end of the world. Cause that's something else as well. I think you're completely out on your own. It's really easy to get disheartened and think you've messed up or there's no way forward. And so that encouragement as well, I think is so important to just someone to say, it's okay, I did this and you know, you get over it and it'll be okay.

Vicki Weinberg (00:35:36):

Yeah. Important. Absolutely.

Priya Khan (00:35:38):

And that's what having the communities about is supporting you. And it's same with parenting. It's exactly the same. Like you think, Oh no, I've just, I've just thought the worst thing in the world. And we've all been there. We've all done that, you know, you get through it and it's the same when you've got your own products or your own business, you're going to make mistakes and just having people there just to help you through them makes all the difference.

Vicki Weinberg (00:36:04):

Absolutely. Well, thank you so much. I find your tribe is brilliant and advice. Okay. Say, I am going to link over in the show notes, this episode to your website, your social media and to your new book box. So people can go and take a look because they will be available when this episode is published. So thank you so much for being here. Thank you so much for sharing your story and everything you've done and your mistakes, because like you say, it's, it's fantastic to just have some honest conversations and find out what it's really like T to quit is great. Your own products. Yeah, absolutely. Thank you.

Priya Khan (00:36:40):

Thank you for having me. Yeah. It's been really enjoyable.

Vicki Weinberg (00:36:43):

It's been lovely. Thank you so much.

Vicki Weinberg (00:37:52):

Clean and myself. We hate that you enjoyed listening to this episode and that's always, I would love to hear from you. You can email me Vicki@tinychipmunk.com or you can find me on Instagram. I think he wind back product creation and take care and have a lovely week.