Built Online Podcast Episode 76 Summary
Title: How Focus and Discipline Led to $450,000 in Sales with Briggette Glymph
Host: Cody McGuffey (EverBee)
Release Date: November 18, 2024
1. Introduction to the Episode
In Episode 76 of the Built Online Podcast, host Cody McGuffey welcomes back Bridget Glymph, a successful e-commerce entrepreneur who has achieved remarkable sales through print-on-demand on Etsy. Cody emphasizes the podcast's expanded focus beyond Etsy to encompass various online business models, reflecting the vast opportunities in the e-commerce landscape.
Notable Quote:
"We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue their passions, live life on their own terms."
— Cody McGuffey (00:25)
2. Bridget Glymph’s Journey and Achievements
Bridget shares her transition from a nurse with a decade of experience to a thriving e-commerce seller. Starting with a printable shop, she ventured into print-on-demand, overcoming initial skepticism and numerous challenges. Over nearly three years, Bridget's Etsy shop has amassed close to 14,000 sales, generating $450,000 in revenue.
Notable Quotes:
"I still keep my license. I've been a nurse for like 10 years, but then I stumbled on like a Print on Demand..."
— Bridget Glymph (02:18)
"450,000 in less than three years in revenue. All print on demand. And yes, damn, that's special."
— Cody McGuffey (04:19)
3. The Importance of Mindset and Belief
A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the critical role of mindset in achieving e-commerce success. Bridget emphasizes that believing in the possibility of success is foundational. Without this belief, skills like design, research, and SEO remain ineffective barriers to success.
Notable Quotes:
"If you are not coming in with, like, your realistic expectations, you're not able to focus, you don't have the persistency, you're not consistent, like, you're just not going to make it."
— Bridget Glymph (05:10)
"People that I found success in this industry or anything that they do in life is because they first believe that it was possible."
— Bridget Glymph (05:10)
4. Focus and Discipline as Key Drivers
Bridget and Cody delve into focus and discipline as essential elements for scaling a business. Bridget underscores staying committed to one platform and mastering it before diversifying, contrasting with the common entrepreneurial temptation to juggle multiple ventures simultaneously.
Notable Quotes:
"You have to pick one. This is what you’re going back to what you said. Discipline, fully disciplined."
— Cody McGuffey (19:16)
"Focus on one thing at a time. Focus on learning one platform at a time."
— Bridget Glymph (17:43)
5. Overcoming Shiny Object Syndrome
The conversation addresses the shiny object syndrome—the tendency to chase new trends and platforms instead of solidifying existing ventures. Bridget advises entrepreneurs to resist diversifying too early, advocating for deep concentration on a single successful channel to build expertise and revenue before exploring additional opportunities.
Notable Quotes:
"If you really want to make money, you want to make a ton of money, focus on one thing at a time."
— Bridget Glymph (18:35)
"Entrepreneurship... you have this shiny thing syndrome. And everything is like, oh, you should sell tumblers, you should sell shirts..."
— Cody McGuffey (19:16)
6. Research and Customer Understanding
Bridget emphasizes the necessity of continuous research to understand customer needs and market trends. Utilizing tools like EverBee, she demonstrates how to analyze top-selling products, refine niches, and adapt designs to align with customer preferences, thereby driving sales and customer satisfaction.
Notable Quotes:
"If you want to make a ton of money on Etsy, you have to give people what they're looking for. And the way that you get better at doing that is by researching what people are looking for."
— Bridget Glymph (27:11)
"Use that extra time to go and research... because if you want to make a ton of money on Etsy, you have to give people what they're looking for."
— Bridget Glymph (27:11)
7. Utilizing EverBee for Market Analysis
Bridget provides a practical walkthrough on leveraging EverBee for market research. She illustrates how to identify high-performing products, analyze competitor strategies, and pinpoint profitable niches. This approach allows sellers to stay informed about market dynamics and optimize their product offerings effectively.
Notable Quotes:
"I like to start broad every time I research. So I would just put on the Etsy output like maybe nurse shirt. And then I will see what shows up on the first page."
— Bridget Glymph (30:48)
"Look at this. Look at this white space around it... this is your design. This is what's selling."
— Cody McGuffey (37:02)
8. Rapid Fire: Key Takeaways from Bridget
In the rapid-fire segment, Bridget shares personal insights and actionable advice:
-
Favorite Business Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear.
-
One Thing She'd Known Earlier: Designs improve over time; initial creations may not meet sales expectations, emphasizing the importance of realistic self-assessment.
-
Worst Business Advice Received: The notion that multiple streams of income are essential from the outset, which can dilute focus and hinder success.
-
Weekly Work Hours: Approximately 4-5 hours per day, primarily dedicated to research and strategy.
-
Personal Traits According to Others: Focused, disciplined, caring, and honest.
Notable Quotes:
"If you are going to pick one for this year, this entire year... get really good at that one thing."
— Bridget Glymph (19:45)
"The worst business advice... you need to have multiple streams of income and spread yourself everywhere."
— Bridget Glymph (37:47)
9. Conclusion and Resources
The episode wraps up with Bridget promoting her Bookmark Stupid Easy Pod membership and YouTube channel, where she offers additional resources, tutorials, and support for aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs. Cody assures listeners that links to these resources will be available in the show notes and YouTube description.
Notable Quotes:
"The membership has a ton of videos about that to kind of help you, you know, kind of get out of that and kind of get that started."
— Bridget Glymph (43:04)
"I guarantee this is helping at least one person, but probably a lot more."
— Cody McGuffey (44:30)
Key Insights and Takeaways
-
Mindset is Foundational: Believing in the possibility of success is crucial. Without this belief, even the best strategies and skills may falter.
-
Focus Over Diversification: Concentrate on mastering a single platform or niche before expanding to multiple streams. This deep focus drives expertise and significant revenue growth.
-
Discipline and Consistency: Regular, committed effort, even when motivation wanes, is essential for sustained success.
-
Continuous Research: Understanding customer needs and market trends through diligent research ensures product offerings remain relevant and competitive.
-
Leverage Tools Like EverBee: Utilize market analysis tools to inform strategic decisions, optimize product listings, and identify profitable niches.
-
Embrace Learning and Adaptation: Initial failures and imperfect designs are part of the growth process. Continuous learning and adaptation lead to eventual success.
-
Reject Counterproductive Advice: Avoid the temptation to spread efforts too thin across multiple income streams early on, as it can impede the mastery of a primary focus.
Resources Mentioned
- Bridget Glymph's Platforms:
- YouTube Channel: Stupid Easy Pod
- Membership: Scholar Stupid Easy Pod Membership
Links to Bridget’s resources will be available in the show notes and YouTube description.
Join the Conversation:
Stay tuned to the Built Online Podcast for more insights from top e-commerce entrepreneurs. Subscribe on your preferred platform to never miss an episode!
Timestamp Reference:
Each notable quote is referenced with its corresponding timestamp (MM:SS) from the transcript for easy navigation.
This summary encapsulates the essence of Episode 76, providing comprehensive insights and actionable strategies for aspiring and current e-commerce entrepreneurs.