A couple of years ago, I started a business with three partners. We have designed and manufactured a wonderful perfume, which is now available at a couple of local boutiques and via our web site. As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time to launch a new fragrance onto the market. We are currently very, very low on funds, and sales are extremely slow. Our product is outstanding, and the story behind our product is compelling. We have a major amount of product in inventory but very few sales outlets.

I feel that our team has done a great job thus far, but we may not have the right combination of skills and experience to take the business to the next level.

I'd love to get feedback on issues such as, financing, sales, marketing ideas, etc.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Remember...The Promise. www.loveraina.com.

There are lots of free online marketing methods. I offer free advice and training on many of them via my website and newsletter in my sig file.

Also, what about giving out some free samples. Perfume lends itself very well to this sort of thing. You could attend local networking meetings such as the chamber of commerce, go to big events with lots of people etc.

Thanks so much for your response. We have given out several thousand sample vials at events such as high school assemblies, law enforcement dinners, MADD events, etc. We've also place our product in the gift bag of the San Diego Film Festival. While our perfume is very well received at these events, we are finding it difficult to convert to actual sales. Most of our sales have been through our web site (www.loveraina.com), but we've also had some sales in local spa's and retailers.

Thanks again, and have a great day.

You may want to contact boutiques/spas in other citys to see if they would be willing to carry your perfume on consignment. That way, you'll get your inventory out to more people.

You may also want to consider going to craft shows and such. I realize that this may not necessarily be what you want to do (and may not work depending on your price point), but, you'll have to hussle to sell - particularly in this market :)

Best of luck!

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Thanks so much for you advice. We've tried craft shows and have only managed to break even. We've lowered our price point, so we may need to revisit that idea.

Remember...The Promise. www.loveraina.com.

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The next thing would be to go to trade and gift shows, state-wide and then national, then you will build up enough reputation and experience to taking it to the next level.

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