146 | Leveraging point of sale systems in a brick & mortar with Biff Ulm, MN Nice Enough
Hey friends, have you ever considered how you could leverage point of sale systems for trend tracking and buying decisions? Biff Ulm, founder of MN Nice Enough came on the podcast today to share how he uses technology to help grow his business and how he relies on the help of sales reps to ensure his store is stocked with products that are a fit for his customers.
Biff has a rich background in the product based business industry and has seen all sides of it including owning his own brick and mortar business, selling eCommerce, doing wholesale, as well as creating his own products. He’s done it all and has a vast wealth of knowledge in this line of business.
In this episode, we talk about everything from the challenges he’s faced from having multiple streams of revenue, what numbers he tracks, how he cultivates wholesale relationships and the importance of studying what bigger brands are doing in their businesses.
ON TODAY’S EPISODE:
Biff’s background in the product based business industry
His experience in selling retail at a brick and mortar, online sales, wholesale and creating his own products
Challenges he’s faced from having different streams of revenue
His three key principles and the motivator that keeps him going
The technology he uses to help guide his business decisions and how he leverages data to pick up on trends in his store
What numbers Biff tracks on a regular basis
His preferred method for cultivating wholesale relationships and finding new products
Biff’s experience with using sales reps for his business
Studying what bigger companies are doing in their business
What’s coming next for MN Nice Enough
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KEY TAKE AWAYS
“Managing my time, managing their time, and figuring out where to prioritize things. That's always an ongoing challenge.” - Biff Ulm
“It just really requires a lot of communication. That's what I have found. But at the same time, I've seen my team really blossom and grow .” - Biff Ulm
“I've talked to others, shop owners, people that are manufacturers and shop owners, about the benefits of wearing both hats. I know it can be a struggle at times, but there are also benefits because you can see the different perspectives of whichever side of the business you're selling at that point.” - Katie Hunt
“Number one is to create an experience for a customer. When a customer is coming into our store, it is an experience, and part of that is the product that we offer.” - Biff Ulm
“You're spying things, or finding things, in the market that you think are going to resonate with your audience. You're bringing it in-house, watching it, watching the sales data, to see what things are catching on, what things might be peaking. You can also see any downturns that start to happen.” - Katie Hunt
“There's a difference between buying things that you like and buying what is going to sell.” - Biff Ulm
“This is the reason I even have the podcast is there so much we can learn from each other's businesses. Their successes, the struggles, the growth, all of it. But looking outside of our immediate industry is so powerful .” - Katie Hunt
“Looking at what the big brands are doing, looking at what brands in other industries are doing. That's how we're going to improve. Because if we can see what someone else is doing, and refine it for the way our business works, it makes you more cutting edge. It makes you more ahead of the curve.” - Katie Hunt
RESOURCES
MEET BIFF:
MN Nice Enough was started by Biff Ulm in 2017. Biff owned a gift boutique in Nisswa MN, at the time. After attending Atlanta's Gift Market, he knew there was a better way to create quality products. With lots of grit and determination, MN Nice Enough was born. Biff operates on three key principles.
1. Creating success for others.
2. Designs are never sanitized. Every creation reflects real people and true personality.
3.Every product is made in Nisswa, MN by paying living wages and employing environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques.
CONNECT WITH BIFF ULM
Website: www.mnniceenough.com | Facebook: @mnniceenough | Instagram: @mnniceenough
Connect with Katie Hunt
Katie Hunt is a business strategist, podcaster, mentor and mama to four. She helps product based businesses build profitable, sustainable companies through her conferences, courses and coaching programs.
Website: prooftoproduct.com | Instagram: @prooftoproduct
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