Daring Made

Startup Reflections: 6 Lessons & 6 Mistakes of Launching Vacay Beauty

• Sasha Fedunchak • Season 1 • Episode 8

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Dive into the entrepreneurial journey with Sasha Fedunchak as she shares a candid look back at launching her first company, Vacay Beauty, a spray tan salon. Discover the six strategic moves that propelled her brand to success, and the six missteps that offered invaluable lessons. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Show Notes:

  • Winning Strategies:
    • Unique Brand Positioning: Learn how Vacay Beauty carved out a niche by offering an experience, not just a service.
    • DIY Website & Branding: Get the scoop on how a well-designed website and booking system set the business up for success from the get-go.
    • Leveraging Micro-Influencers: Find out how a creative influencer event amplified brand visibility.
    • The Power of Networking: Sasha discusses stepping out from behind the screen to forge valuable community connections.
    • Diversifying Income: Hear about the importance of creating multiple revenue streams within your business model.
    • Community First: Discover why building a community around your brand can lead to lasting relationships and business growth.

  • Learning from Mistakes:
    • Rebranding Regrets: Sasha shares the costly lesson learned from premature rebranding and printing.
    • Event Investment Misstep: Understand the risks and rewards of big-ticket event investments.
    • Personal Boundaries: Learn why separating personal and business communications is crucial for your sanity.
    • Video Content Challenges: Hear why stretching too thin on platforms like YouTube can lead to burnout.
    • The Missed Potential of Paid Ads: A reflection on the growth opportunities that paid advertising could have offered.
    • The Solo Venture Trap: Sasha opens up about the toll of handling a business solo and the importance of seeking support.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Business Launch, Brand Strategy, Micro-Influencers, Networking, Revenue Streams, Community Engagement, Branding Mistakes, Event ROI, Business Communication, Content Strategy, Mental Health, Business Support.

Call to Action: If Sasha’s stories of wins and warnings resonate with you, subscribe to Daring Made for more enriching content. Share your thoughts with us and let's continue to learn and grow together!

Get immediate access to my FREE 7-day challenge: Become THE Magnetic Brand That Everyone Wants, and learn how to apply the 7 principles of influence to your marketing for faster brand growth and more seamless sales. Click HERE to get started.

Connect with Sasha:

Welcome to another episode of Daring Made, where we share real-life entrepreneurial journeys, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. I’m your host, Daring Made, and today I’m taking you behind the scenes of my very first business adventure: Vacay Beauty, a spray tan company that taught me as much about what to do as what not to do in the world of startups.

Starting a company is like setting off on a wild expedition. You're bound to encounter some spectacular views and a few pitfalls. So, buckle up as I share six mistakes and six wins from starting Vacay Beauty.

Let’s start with the wins, because hey, who doesn't like a bit of good news first?

Win #1: Positioning From day one, Vacay Beauty wasn't just a service; it was an experience. We positioned ourselves with a unique twist - not just a luxury brand, but a mini vacation complete with a pink mini fridge stocked with wine and drinks. It was about feeling good, not just looking good.

Win #2: Web Presence I DIYed our website, ensuring everything from design to photoshoots screamed consistency and professionalism. Plus, automating bookings right from the start saved me from the chaos of DM-based scheduling.

Win #3: Influencer Outreach We hosted a 'Bronze and Bubbles' event with photographers and micro-influencers, which wasn't just fun – it put us on the map.

Win #4: Networking Hiding behind a screen wasn’t enough. I hit the local scene, joining business groups and attending events. That effort paid off big time – hello, feature in Philly Mag!

Win #5: Diversification Vacay Beauty wasn't just about spray tans; we had retail items, clothing, face sprays – a little bit of everything to keep the cash flowing.

Win #6: Community Building The relationships I built were the real jackpot. Many clients became friends and, later, connections for my branding agency.

Now, let's switch gears to the things I’d do differently. Yes, the blunders.

Mistake #1: Printing Costs In the thrill of launching, I rebranded too soon and splurged on printed materials that ended up in the recycle bin. Ouch.

Mistake #2: The Wedding Event Flop Caught up in the excitement, I overspent on a wedding event that didn’t return the investment. A hard lesson in cost-benefit analysis.

Mistake #3: Personal Cell Mayhem Using my personal number for business? A rookie error that led to boundary issues and a lot of unnecessary stress.

Mistake #4: YouTube Burnout Ambition met reality with my YouTube channel. I was juggling too many balls and dropped the video ball pretty quickly.

Mistake #5: Paid Ads Pass I skipped paid ads, thinking organic growth was enough. In hindsight, a little paid push might have turbocharged our growth.

Mistake #6: Solo Overload The biggest lesson? I tried to do it all. It consumed me, affected my mental health, and strained my personal life.

There you have it – a mixtape of entrepreneurial lessons. Each win and mistake was a track in my business journey, and I hope sharing these can be a part of your success playlist. Whether you’re starting a spray tan company or any venture, remember: balance is key, learn fast, and never underestimate the power of community.

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Sasha Fedunchak

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