The Product Boss Podcast - Episode 652 Summary

Host: Jacqueline Snyder
Guest: Leysha, Owner of Kumu Mea
Release Date: January 2, 2025
Episode Type: Coaching Session

Introduction

In Episode 652 of The Product Boss Podcast, host Jacqueline Snyder engages in a deep-dive coaching session with Leysha, the passionate owner of Kumu Mea. This episode addresses the intricate balance between managing a full-time job, motherhood, and striving to elevate a side hustle product business to the coveted six-figure mark.

Guest Introduction

Leysha, the founder of Kumu Mea, has been running her brand for a decade. Kumu Mea specializes in handbags, accessories, and apparel, emerging from Leysha’s personal journey as a breast cancer survivor. Her business not only serves as a creative outlet but also as an inspiration for others facing similar challenges.

Leysha’s Background and Business

Leysha launched Kumu Mea when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, channeling her struggles into creating meaningful products. Over ten years, she has built a loyal customer base primarily through in-person pop-up events on the Big Island of Hawaii. As she approaches the ten-year milestone, Leysha is preparing for an anniversary sale and the launch of a new fall collection.

Challenges Faced by Leysha

1. Time Constraints:

   • Balancing a full-time job, parenting three children, and managing her side hustle leaves Leysha with limited time to focus on scaling her business.
   • Quote [00:00-00:14]: "I am working full time and would I love to be able to do this full time? Absolutely."

2. Role Bottleneck:

   • Leysha is the primary force behind all aspects of her business, from creation to sales, making her a bottleneck in the growth process.
   • Quote [09:29]: "I work a full time job, right. And my career itself, like, I've been doing what I've been doing for over 20 years."

3. Brand Awareness:

   • Despite success in local markets, expanding brand recognition beyond the Big Island remains a hurdle.
   • Quote [12:49]: "I feel like it's more brand recognition or awareness. So I also realize it's getting involved in more things."

4. E-commerce Development:

   • Currently, only about 10% of sales come from her website. Enhancing her online presence is crucial for scaling.
   • Quote [32:07]: "I do need to be better about my email. I know that's."

5. Inventory Management:

   • Maintaining and managing inventory efficiently is a significant operational challenge.
   • Quote [45:42]: "I love to create and I'm not having time to be able to do that because I'm doing all the other things as well."

Strategies Discussed to Overcome Challenges

1. Time Management and Buying Back Time

• Self-Audit: Leysha is encouraged to audit her current time usage to identify tasks that can be delegated, automated, or eliminated.

  • Quote [15:04]: "If I were to tell you I need you to free up... how much more time do you want to buy back?"

• Delegation: Hiring help for non-essential tasks, such as inventory counting, can free up significant hours weekly.

  • Quote [15:45]: "I'm not sure, because part of it is we live far where we live... I would love to buy back time and travel because I would gain an hour and a half every day."

• Automation and Outsourcing: Utilizing services like Instacart for grocery shopping or hiring virtual assistants for administrative tasks.

2. Delegating and Systematizing

• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Creating detailed SOPs to train team members ensures consistency and reliability, especially when Leysha cannot be directly involved.

  • Quote [21:07]: "So that if the person doesn't understand it or doesn't know, they can check their phone or they can open up this book and figure it out."

• Training: Implementing a structured training period for new hires to ensure they can handle tasks independently within 90 days.

3. Focusing on E-commerce and Brand Awareness

• Enhancing Online Presence: Investing time and resources into building a robust e-commerce platform using Shopify to streamline sales and manage inventory.

  • Quote [05:31]: "So I sell handbags, accessories and now we've moved into some apparel, but our main product are handbags."

• Leveraging Marketing Channels: Identifying and doubling down on marketing channels that are currently driving sales, whether organic, paid, or partnerships.

  • Quote [34:52]: "It's more at your level now. It's more data tracking and not throwing spaghetti at the wall."

• Visual Content Enhancement: Improving online product visuals to better mimic the in-person experience, showing product usage and functionality.

4. Data Tracking and Marketing Focus

• Understanding Metrics: Tracking where sales are coming from (e.g., website, Instagram) and understanding customer behavior to inform marketing strategies.

  • Quote [32:35]: "What's the percentage right now?... it's 10% online."

• Email Marketing: Strengthening email campaigns to nurture leads and convert them into loyal customers.

  • Quote [34:52]: "You need to not only figure out a way to buy back your time by delegating or hiring, but then with the time you do buy back, you need to use that time to focus on the needle moving tasks in your business."

• Focused Marketing Efforts: Concentrating on strategies that have proven effective rather than spreading efforts too thin across multiple channels.

Key Insights and Conclusions

1. Buy Back Your Time: Leysha needs to prioritize freeing up time by delegating non-essential tasks, allowing her to focus on strategic growth areas.

2. Systematization is Crucial: Implementing SOPs and training ensures the business can operate smoothly without Leysha's constant involvement, paving the way for scalable growth.

3. Enhance E-commerce Strategy: Building a strong online presence through Shopify and optimizing her website for conversions is essential for expanding beyond local markets.

4. Data-Driven Decisions: By understanding and tracking her business metrics, Leysha can make informed decisions that drive revenue growth effectively.

5. Focused Marketing: Prioritizing marketing channels that yield the highest returns will enable Leysha to maximize her marketing efforts without overwhelming herself.

6. Community and Support: Engaging with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, such as The Product Boss Academy and Multi Stream Machine, provides Leysha with the support and knowledge needed to scale her business.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [00:14] Jacqueline Snyder: "All you need is the right mindset, a little courage, strategy and support, and you too can be the next million dollar product boss."

• [05:31] Leysha: "So I sell handbags, accessories and now we've moved into some apparel, but our main product are handbags."

• [12:49] Leysha: "I feel like it's more brand recognition or awareness. So I also realize it's getting involved in more things."

• [15:04] Jacqueline Snyder: "So let's say we're going to buy 10 hours back. What are what in your schedule? What could you just stop doing or get help in doing so that you could buy back 10 hours in your week?"

• [21:07] Jacqueline Snyder: "So that's the systemization for you right now. And you've got time to get ready for December that you really, I think, think first off."

• [32:35] Jacqueline Snyder: "What's the percentage right now?... it's 10% online."

• [34:52] Jacqueline Snyder: "You need to not only figure out a way to buy back your time by delegating or hiring, but then with the time you do buy back, you need to use that time to focus on the needle moving tasks in your business."

• [45:42] Leysha: "I love to create and I'm not having time to be able to do that because I'm doing all the other things as well."

• [52:15] Jacqueline Snyder: "It's so powerful. I'm glad you're reflecting on that."

Final Thoughts

Jacqueline Snyder provides Leysha with actionable strategies to overcome her current business hurdles. By focusing on time management, delegating tasks, enhancing her e-commerce presence, and making data-driven decisions, Leysha is well-equipped to scale Kumu Mea beyond the six-figure milestone. This episode serves as a valuable blueprint for other product entrepreneurs facing similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of systematization, strategic focus, and leveraging community support to achieve business growth and create a balanced dream life.

Additional Resources Mentioned:

• Shopify Free Trial: theproductboss.com/shopify
• Product Boss Academy: multistreammachine.com
• Crafty Base Inventory Management: theproductboss.com/craftybase
• A Year of Content: www.instagraaoneyofcontent.com
• Do Delegate Delete Worksheet: Available in the show notes.

Connect with Leysha:

• Instagram: @kumumea
• Website: kumumea.com

Join Jacqueline Snyder’s Programs:

• Design to Scale Lab: For businesses generating $100K to $500K annually.
• Inner Circle Mastermind: For businesses aiming for half a million to multiple millions in revenue.

Subscribe to The Product Boss Podcast to stay updated with insightful coaching sessions and strategies to elevate your product-based business.