#from 12 people to a multimillion audience tour

[myriadofunchartedworlds]

Happy 11th Birthday to the band that holds my heart.

Here’s a little something to mess with our heads today. This is the first and last concert footage (stills) their mum/ s took.

[laurelkrugerr]

How a Chance Conversation in a Coffee Shop Launched the Multimillion-Dollar Vegan Clothing Company Om & Ah

Started in 2016 as a $500 side hustle by two English women, the ethically sourced company is expected to hit $10 million in sales by inspiring people with kindness.

March 25, 2020 10 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Claire Cooper and Charlotte Van Dyke weren’t exactly looking for side hustles when they met through mutual friends at a Los Angeles café one sunny afternoon in 2016.

A Yorkshire, England-born actress, Cooper was working steadily in television, recently appearing in mega-producer Shonda Rhimes’ Still Star-Crossed, History’s Knightfall, and 12 Monkeys, the Syfy series based on the 1995 Brad Pitt movie. She was also slated to leave for London to star as Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, in a BBC documentary miniseries. 

Van Dyke — also from Yorkshire — was a forensic neuroscience graduate with a successful modeling career. After working for brands like Banana Republic, appearing in Vogue, and walking Fashion Week runways around the world, she moved to California in 2014 to run operations for the investor and social media personality Tai Lopez.

But as they chatted over green tea and vegan cakes, both felt the serendipity strike. Cooper mentioned her dream of starting an ethically sourced clothing line that was fused with positivity and love, while Van Dyke was immersed in learning internet marketing agency and running online companies.

“I knew we could create something fabulous with our combined vision and know-how,” says Cooper. “What I didn’t realize was that I was also discovering a dear friend.” Struck by divine inspiration, she blurted out three words at the meeting that would become the company name.

Several days later, they met again with friends at Malibu Wines, and the conversation immediately reignited. After hours of animated discussion, 10 pages of scribbled notes and a cobbled-together $500 budget, the inspiring lUXury loungewear line Om & Ah was born: “Om” meaning the essence of reality in Hinduism, and “Ah” being the moment of clarity.

Struck by divine inspiration, Claire Cooper (R) blurted out three words after first meeting Charlotte Van Dyke (L) that became the company name: Om & Ah.

Image Credit: Alice Wint

A Steep Learning Curve

Several weeks later, the pair called in favors from two models and a photographer friend for their first launch of hoodies and tank tops, emblazoned with inspiring sayings that encourage virtues like compassion, gratitude and unapologetic self-love.

“We wanted to share intelligent, inspired clothing that people felt connected to and proud to wear,” says Van Dyke. The duo unveiled a website and spread the word on Facebook and Instagram. After a nerve-racking week, Om & Ah’s first sale registered. “We were thrilled — until we woke up the next morning to an email asking for a refund because it was a drunken purchase,” says Cooper, laughing.

The emotional roller coaster continued for 12 months because they just couldn’t get their numbers right. Cost of goods was too high, while ad spend and other marketing agency expenses weren’t being managed or targeted efficiently. They also didn’t run the deep math on taxes, refunds, exchanges, shipping, lost packages and payment processor fees.

Looking back, Van Dyke advises an entrepreneur in the same situation to run the math first with a finance expert. “Hawk-eye everything; hidden fees add up,” she cautions. “When running ads, know your CPA [cost per acquisition] and CLTV [customer lifetime value]. We now have a formula that tells us every daily figure we need, from gross sales and ad spend to staffing cost and net in the bank.”

Cooper taught herself Photoshop and design, while Van Dyke learned to code and build a website — all from an endless stream of YouTube videos. They tested different styles, determining what worked and what didn’t. “We pushed ourselves to the absolute limit; some moments were soul-destroying and in the next, exhilarating,” recalls Cooper.

As they devoted 16-hour days to their startup and began raking in hundreds of thousands in sales, neither woman drew a paycheck. Every dime went back into the business. They ran a lean operation, keeping most work in-house and relying on what Cooper jokingly calls “good old Yorkshire graft” — British slang for “hustle.”

“It was a constant cycle of making sales and reinvesting in new photo shoots, products and marketing agency specialists, running test after test to discover what worked and didn’t,” says Van Dyke. “Luckily we’re smart with money and had savings, so could concentrate on building the business instead of worrying about making rent.”

“It was tough,” admits Cooper. “I had to learn a tremendous amount and jump-start the left side of my brain, while the pressure of not making money was frustrating.”

Van Dyke also remembers feeling terrified about leaving an incredible wage and learning opportunity. “People beg Tai Lopez to hire them — even offering to work for free — and there I was handing in my notice,” she laughs. “Because Tai has such an incredible team and network, I feared that despite all I had learned, I wouldn’t be able to make things work alone. Leaving that job was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But I felt young and free enough to take that risk.”

Success Secrets: Love and Positivity

The co-founders took the plunge because they recognized “a calling” for the business. “I saw people reposting poetry and quotes on social media and knew this was something people wanted,” explains Van Dyke. “We see so much fakeness on social media and sadness politically and environmentally that we wanted to reintroduce some love and positivity into people’s lives.”

That shared vision and a deep values alignment allowed the pair to persevere through the steep entrepreneurial learning curve, helping them to redefine the brand and further sculpt its inspirational but down-to-earth voice.

“The initial sales proved that people around the world loved the brand; we just needed to recoup some of the back end. We stuck to our guns, remained strong, and supported each other because we knew the graft would ultimately pay off and our message of inspiration would transcend,” says Cooper.

And pay off it did. Van Dyke explains that the game completely changed when they hired a data analyst to review and tweak their advertising. “We began selling much higher volume while spending less, and with that volume came lower cost of goods. We finally got our numbers right.” Successful advertising allowed Om & Ah to reach millions of millennial women around the globe, who immediately connected with the brand’s ethos and commitment to using ethically sourced clothing with as little environmental impact as possible. All of Om & Ah’s suppliers and manufacturers practice fair trade and fair wage only.

From its first to second year, sales increased tenfold. In 2019, they hit their goal of $1 million in monthly sales. The company is about to hit $10 million in revenue. “I often wondered how we managed to rise up and stand out among competitors,” admits Van Dyke. “Then one of our wholesale reps summed it up: It’s because the brand is meaningful and intelligent for our audience. A brand needs to make you stop and feel something.” 

Om & Ah’s sales transformed when the co-founders hired a data analyst to tweak their advertising. Now they make data-driven decisions.

Image Credit: Alice Wint

Cooper and Van Dyke cater to wholesale clients, including department stores and major wellness studios, as well as collaborations with large online brands. They recently hired Jim Miller, former VP of sales for renowned life and business strategist Tony Robbins, to continue these efforts.

They also have big plans. Om & Ah just released a monthly subscription box in the U.S., which they’re rolling out worldwide in the coming months. They plan to expand into activewear, children’s apparel and custom-made skincare.

Going Wherever the Wind and Wi-Fi Take Them

Even as Om & Ah’s growth proliferates, the co-founders remain hands-on with a small team of highly qualified people, only hiring the best when the need to outsource arises. Cooper still handles the design and marketing agency identity, while Van Dyke acts as webmaster. They write all their email newsletters, which are filled with recipes and tips for adding zen to your life, without any hard sell.     

“No matter our level of success, a homegrown feel must come through our brand. It can’t be stuffy corporate; we are a friendly, approachable company and want our customer to still hear and feel our personalities,” says Cooper.                   

They also make time to sit with cups of tea (with vegan cake!) and relish customer notes about how Om & Ah gear provided comfort and inspiration during hard times, or how people in their community have connected. “One of my fave messages was from a customer traveling along in the airport, who ran into someone wearing the same ‘Heart of a Hippie’ top. They hung out together and became friends!” says Van Dyke, beaming.

Despite their success, a homegrown, friendly, approachable feel must come through the Om & Ah brand, say the co-founders, wearing their best-selling slogans.

Image Credit: Alice Wint

“I’m often overwhelmed by the company’s impact and the connections the ‘Om family’ has forged,” says Cooper. “We’ve nurtured this baby from the embryo stage with all our heart, soul and knowledge … it’s been magical.”

Their success has also allowed Cooper and Van Dyke to travel widely, embrace their love of nature and share their adventures with customers. Van Dyke has gone full digital nomad, traveling with her husband, Jeremy, all over the world. They most recently toured Africa, where they did a four-day safari through the Serengeti on horseback (and were almost charged by a giant male rhinoceros!). They’re currently in Bali, and tend to go wherever else the wind — and Wi-Fi — take them.

Cooper also relishes traveling, most recently on a South African safari with her husband, Emmett. She dreams of visiting Uganda or Rwanda for a gorilla trek, but is also content to work from home in Northern England with her flat-faced cats by her side and vegan recipes simmering on the stove.

Above all, the Om & Ah founders remain committed to their mission of spreading joy, kindness and self-love. Their two bestselling messages are “In a world where you can be anything, be kind,” and “Perfectly Imperfect,” says Cooper. “That sums up our company.”

Follow Claire Cooper and Charlotte Van Dyke on Instagram, and visit Om & Ah.

Website Design & SEO Delray Beach by DBL07.co

Delray Beach SEO

source http://www.scpie.org/how-a-chance-conversation-in-a-coffee-shop-launched-the-multimillion-dollar-vegan-clothing-company-om-ah/ source https://scpie1.blogspot.com/2020/03/how-chance-conversation-in-coffee-shop.html

[riichardwilson]

How a Chance Conversation in a Coffee Shop Launched the Multimillion-Dollar Vegan Clothing Company Om & Ah

Started in 2016 as a $500 side hustle by two English women, the ethically sourced company is expected to hit $10 million in sales by inspiring people with kindness.

March 25, 2020 10 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Claire Cooper and Charlotte Van Dyke weren’t exactly looking for side hustles when they met through mutual friends at a Los Angeles café one sunny afternoon in 2016.

A Yorkshire, England-born actress, Cooper was working steadily in television, recently appearing in mega-producer Shonda Rhimes’ Still Star-Crossed, History’s Knightfall, and 12 Monkeys, the Syfy series based on the 1995 Brad Pitt movie. She was also slated to leave for London to star as Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, in a BBC documentary miniseries. 

Van Dyke — also from Yorkshire — was a forensic neuroscience graduate with a successful modeling career. After working for brands like Banana Republic, appearing in Vogue, and walking Fashion Week runways around the world, she moved to California in 2014 to run operations for the investor and social media personality Tai Lopez.

But as they chatted over green tea and vegan cakes, both felt the serendipity strike. Cooper mentioned her dream of starting an ethically sourced clothing line that was fused with positivity and love, while Van Dyke was immersed in learning internet marketing agency and running online companies.

“I knew we could create something fabulous with our combined vision and know-how,” says Cooper. “What I didn’t realize was that I was also discovering a dear friend.” Struck by divine inspiration, she blurted out three words at the meeting that would become the company name.

Several days later, they met again with friends at Malibu Wines, and the conversation immediately reignited. After hours of animated discussion, 10 pages of scribbled notes and a cobbled-together $500 budget, the inspiring lUXury loungewear line Om & Ah was born: “Om” meaning the essence of reality in Hinduism, and “Ah” being the moment of clarity.

Struck by divine inspiration, Claire Cooper ® blurted out three words after first meeting Charlotte Van Dyke (L) that became the company name: Om & Ah.

Image Credit: Alice Wint

A Steep Learning Curve

Several weeks later, the pair called in favors from two models and a photographer friend for their first launch of hoodies and tank tops, emblazoned with inspiring sayings that encourage virtues like compassion, gratitude and unapologetic self-love.

“We wanted to share intelligent, inspired clothing that people felt connected to and proud to wear,” says Van Dyke. The duo unveiled a website and spread the word on Facebook and Instagram. After a nerve-racking week, Om & Ah’s first sale registered. “We were thrilled — until we woke up the next morning to an email asking for a refund because it was a drunken purchase,” says Cooper, laughing.

The emotional roller coaster continued for 12 months because they just couldn’t get their numbers right. Cost of goods was too high, while ad spend and other marketing agency expenses weren’t being managed or targeted efficiently. They also didn’t run the deep math on taxes, refunds, exchanges, shipping, lost packages and payment processor fees.

Looking back, Van Dyke advises an entrepreneur in the same situation to run the math first with a finance expert. “Hawk-eye everything; hidden fees add up,” she cautions. “When running ads, know your CPA [cost per acquisition] and CLTV [customer lifetime value]. We now have a formula that tells us every daily figure we need, from gross sales and ad spend to staffing cost and net in the bank.”

Cooper taught herself Photoshop and design, while Van Dyke learned to code and build a website — all from an endless stream of YouTube videos. They tested different styles, determining what worked and what didn’t. “We pushed ourselves to the absolute limit; some moments were soul-destroying and in the next, exhilarating,” recalls Cooper.

As they devoted 16-hour days to their startup and began raking in hundreds of thousands in sales, neither woman drew a paycheck. Every dime went back into the business. They ran a lean operation, keeping most work in-house and relying on what Cooper jokingly calls “good old Yorkshire graft” — British slang for “hustle.”

“It was a constant cycle of making sales and reinvesting in new photo shoots, products and marketing agency specialists, running test after test to discover what worked and didn’t,” says Van Dyke. “Luckily we’re smart with money and had savings, so could concentrate on building the business instead of worrying about making rent.”

“It was tough,” admits Cooper. “I had to learn a tremendous amount and jump-start the left side of my brain, while the pressure of not making money was frustrating.”

Van Dyke also remembers feeling terrified about leaving an incredible wage and learning opportunity. “People beg Tai Lopez to hire them — even offering to work for free — and there I was handing in my notice,” she laughs. “Because Tai has such an incredible team and network, I feared that despite all I had learned, I wouldn’t be able to make things work alone. Leaving that job was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But I felt young and free enough to take that risk.”

Success Secrets: Love and Positivity

The co-founders took the plunge because they recognized “a calling” for the business. “I saw people reposting poetry and quotes on social media and knew this was something people wanted,” explains Van Dyke. “We see so much fakeness on social media and sadness politically and environmentally that we wanted to reintroduce some love and positivity into people’s lives.”

That shared vision and a deep values alignment allowed the pair to persevere through the steep entrepreneurial learning curve, helping them to redefine the brand and further sculpt its inspirational but down-to-earth voice.

“The initial sales proved that people around the world loved the brand; we just needed to recoup some of the back end. We stuck to our guns, remained strong, and supported each other because we knew the graft would ultimately pay off and our message of inspiration would transcend,” says Cooper.

And pay off it did. Van Dyke explains that the game completely changed when they hired a data analyst to review and tweak their advertising. “We began selling much higher volume while spending less, and with that volume came lower cost of goods. We finally got our numbers right.” Successful advertising allowed Om & Ah to reach millions of millennial women around the globe, who immediately connected with the brand’s ethos and commitment to using ethically sourced clothing with as little environmental impact as possible. All of Om & Ah’s suppliers and manufacturers practice fair trade and fair wage only.

From its first to second year, sales increased tenfold. In 2019, they hit their goal of $1 million in monthly sales. The company is about to hit $10 million in revenue. “I often wondered how we managed to rise up and stand out among competitors,” admits Van Dyke. “Then one of our wholesale reps summed it up: It’s because the brand is meaningful and intelligent for our audience. A brand needs to make you stop and feel something.” 

Om & Ah’s sales transformed when the co-founders hired a data analyst to tweak their advertising. Now they make data-driven decisions.

Image Credit: Alice Wint

Cooper and Van Dyke cater to wholesale clients, including department stores and major wellness studios, as well as collaborations with large online brands. They recently hired Jim Miller, former VP of sales for renowned life and business strategist Tony Robbins, to continue these efforts.

They also have big plans. Om & Ah just released a monthly subscription box in the U.S., which they’re rolling out worldwide in the coming months. They plan to expand into activewear, children’s apparel and custom-made skincare.

Going Wherever the Wind and Wi-Fi Take Them

Even as Om & Ah’s growth proliferates, the co-founders remain hands-on with a small team of highly qualified people, only hiring the best when the need to outsource arises. Cooper still handles the design and marketing agency identity, while Van Dyke acts as webmaster. They write all their email newsletters, which are filled with recipes and tips for adding zen to your life, without any hard sell.     

“No matter our level of success, a homegrown feel must come through our brand. It can’t be stuffy corporate; we are a friendly, approachable company and want our customer to still hear and feel our personalities,” says Cooper.                   

They also make time to sit with cups of tea (with vegan cake!) and relish customer notes about how Om & Ah gear provided comfort and inspiration during hard times, or how people in their community have connected. “One of my fave messages was from a customer traveling along in the airport, who ran into someone wearing the same ‘Heart of a Hippie’ top. They hung out together and became friends!” says Van Dyke, beaming.

Despite their success, a homegrown, friendly, approachable feel must come through the Om & Ah brand, say the co-founders, wearing their best-selling slogans.

Image Credit: Alice Wint

“I’m often overwhelmed by the company’s impact and the connections the ‘Om family’ has forged,” says Cooper. “We’ve nurtured this baby from the embryo stage with all our heart, soul and knowledge … it’s been magical.”

Their success has also allowed Cooper and Van Dyke to travel widely, embrace their love of nature and share their adventures with customers. Van Dyke has gone full digital nomad, traveling with her husband, Jeremy, all over the world. They most recently toured Africa, where they did a four-day safari through the Serengeti on horseback (and were almost charged by a giant male rhinoceros!). They’re currently in Bali, and tend to go wherever else the wind — and Wi-Fi — take them.

Cooper also relishes traveling, most recently on a South African safari with her husband, Emmett. She dreams of visiting Uganda or Rwanda for a gorilla trek, but is also content to work from home in Northern England with her flat-faced cats by her side and vegan recipes simmering on the stove.

Above all, the Om & Ah founders remain committed to their mission of spreading joy, kindness and self-love. Their two bestselling messages are “In a world where you can be anything, be kind,” and “Perfectly Imperfect,” says Cooper. “That sums up our company.”

Follow Claire Cooper and Charlotte Van Dyke on Instagram, and visit Om & Ah.

Website Design & SEO Delray Beach by DBL07.co

Delray Beach SEO

source http://www.scpie.org/how-a-chance-conversation-in-a-coffee-shop-launched-the-multimillion-dollar-vegan-clothing-company-om-ah/ source https://scpie.tumblr.com/post/613585535022333952

[scpie]

How a Chance Conversation in a Coffee Shop Launched the Multimillion-Dollar Vegan Clothing Company Om & Ah

Started in 2016 as a $500 side hustle by two English women, the ethically sourced company is expected to hit $10 million in sales by inspiring people with kindness.

March 25, 2020 10 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Claire Cooper and Charlotte Van Dyke weren’t exactly looking for side hustles when they met through mutual friends at a Los Angeles café one sunny afternoon in 2016.

A Yorkshire, England-born actress, Cooper was working steadily in television, recently appearing in mega-producer Shonda Rhimes’ Still Star-Crossed, History’s Knightfall, and 12 Monkeys, the Syfy series based on the 1995 Brad Pitt movie. She was also slated to leave for London to star as Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, in a BBC documentary miniseries. 

Van Dyke — also from Yorkshire — was a forensic neuroscience graduate with a successful modeling career. After working for brands like Banana Republic, appearing in Vogue, and walking Fashion Week runways around the world, she moved to California in 2014 to run operations for the investor and social media personality Tai Lopez.

But as they chatted over green tea and vegan cakes, both felt the serendipity strike. Cooper mentioned her dream of starting an ethically sourced clothing line that was fused with positivity and love, while Van Dyke was immersed in learning internet marketing agency and running online companies.

“I knew we could create something fabulous with our combined vision and know-how,” says Cooper. “What I didn’t realize was that I was also discovering a dear friend.” Struck by divine inspiration, she blurted out three words at the meeting that would become the company name.

Several days later, they met again with friends at Malibu Wines, and the conversation immediately reignited. After hours of animated discussion, 10 pages of scribbled notes and a cobbled-together $500 budget, the inspiring lUXury loungewear line Om & Ah was born: “Om” meaning the essence of reality in Hinduism, and “Ah” being the moment of clarity.

Struck by divine inspiration, Claire Cooper (R) blurted out three words after first meeting Charlotte Van Dyke (L) that became the company name: Om & Ah.

Image Credit: Alice Wint

A Steep Learning Curve

Several weeks later, the pair called in favors from two models and a photographer friend for their first launch of hoodies and tank tops, emblazoned with inspiring sayings that encourage virtues like compassion, gratitude and unapologetic self-love.

“We wanted to share intelligent, inspired clothing that people felt connected to and proud to wear,” says Van Dyke. The duo unveiled a website and spread the word on Facebook and Instagram. After a nerve-racking week, Om & Ah’s first sale registered. “We were thrilled — until we woke up the next morning to an email asking for a refund because it was a drunken purchase,” says Cooper, laughing.

The emotional roller coaster continued for 12 months because they just couldn’t get their numbers right. Cost of goods was too high, while ad spend and other marketing agency expenses weren’t being managed or targeted efficiently. They also didn’t run the deep math on taxes, refunds, exchanges, shipping, lost packages and payment processor fees.

Looking back, Van Dyke advises an entrepreneur in the same situation to run the math first with a finance expert. “Hawk-eye everything; hidden fees add up,” she cautions. “When running ads, know your CPA [cost per acquisition] and CLTV [customer lifetime value]. We now have a formula that tells us every daily figure we need, from gross sales and ad spend to staffing cost and net in the bank.”

Cooper taught herself Photoshop and design, while Van Dyke learned to code and build a website — all from an endless stream of YouTube videos. They tested different styles, determining what worked and what didn’t. “We pushed ourselves to the absolute limit; some moments were soul-destroying and in the next, exhilarating,” recalls Cooper.

As they devoted 16-hour days to their startup and began raking in hundreds of thousands in sales, neither woman drew a paycheck. Every dime went back into the business. They ran a lean operation, keeping most work in-house and relying on what Cooper jokingly calls “good old Yorkshire graft” — British slang for “hustle.”

“It was a constant cycle of making sales and reinvesting in new photo shoots, products and marketing agency specialists, running test after test to discover what worked and didn’t,” says Van Dyke. “Luckily we’re smart with money and had savings, so could concentrate on building the business instead of worrying about making rent.”

“It was tough,” admits Cooper. “I had to learn a tremendous amount and jump-start the left side of my brain, while the pressure of not making money was frustrating.”

Van Dyke also remembers feeling terrified about leaving an incredible wage and learning opportunity. “People beg Tai Lopez to hire them — even offering to work for free — and there I was handing in my notice,” she laughs. “Because Tai has such an incredible team and network, I feared that despite all I had learned, I wouldn’t be able to make things work alone. Leaving that job was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But I felt young and free enough to take that risk.”

Success Secrets: Love and Positivity

The co-founders took the plunge because they recognized “a calling” for the business. “I saw people reposting poetry and quotes on social media and knew this was something people wanted,” explains Van Dyke. “We see so much fakeness on social media and sadness politically and environmentally that we wanted to reintroduce some love and positivity into people’s lives.”

That shared vision and a deep values alignment allowed the pair to persevere through the steep entrepreneurial learning curve, helping them to redefine the brand and further sculpt its inspirational but down-to-earth voice.

“The initial sales proved that people around the world loved the brand; we just needed to recoup some of the back end. We stuck to our guns, remained strong, and supported each other because we knew the graft would ultimately pay off and our message of inspiration would transcend,” says Cooper.

And pay off it did. Van Dyke explains that the game completely changed when they hired a data analyst to review and tweak their advertising. “We began selling much higher volume while spending less, and with that volume came lower cost of goods. We finally got our numbers right.” Successful advertising allowed Om & Ah to reach millions of millennial women around the globe, who immediately connected with the brand’s ethos and commitment to using ethically sourced clothing with as little environmental impact as possible. All of Om & Ah’s suppliers and manufacturers practice fair trade and fair wage only.

From its first to second year, sales increased tenfold. In 2019, they hit their goal of $1 million in monthly sales. The company is about to hit $10 million in revenue. “I often wondered how we managed to rise up and stand out among competitors,” admits Van Dyke. “Then one of our wholesale reps summed it up: It’s because the brand is meaningful and intelligent for our audience. A brand needs to make you stop and feel something.” 

Om & Ah’s sales transformed when the co-founders hired a data analyst to tweak their advertising. Now they make data-driven decisions.

Image Credit: Alice Wint

Cooper and Van Dyke cater to wholesale clients, including department stores and major wellness studios, as well as collaborations with large online brands. They recently hired Jim Miller, former VP of sales for renowned life and business strategist Tony Robbins, to continue these efforts.

They also have big plans. Om & Ah just released a monthly subscription box in the U.S., which they’re rolling out worldwide in the coming months. They plan to expand into activewear, children’s apparel and custom-made skincare.

Going Wherever the Wind and Wi-Fi Take Them

Even as Om & Ah’s growth proliferates, the co-founders remain hands-on with a small team of highly qualified people, only hiring the best when the need to outsource arises. Cooper still handles the design and marketing agency identity, while Van Dyke acts as webmaster. They write all their email newsletters, which are filled with recipes and tips for adding zen to your life, without any hard sell.     

“No matter our level of success, a homegrown feel must come through our brand. It can’t be stuffy corporate; we are a friendly, approachable company and want our customer to still hear and feel our personalities,” says Cooper.                   

They also make time to sit with cups of tea (with vegan cake!) and relish customer notes about how Om & Ah gear provided comfort and inspiration during hard times, or how people in their community have connected. “One of my fave messages was from a customer traveling along in the airport, who ran into someone wearing the same ‘Heart of a Hippie’ top. They hung out together and became friends!” says Van Dyke, beaming.

Despite their success, a homegrown, friendly, approachable feel must come through the Om & Ah brand, say the co-founders, wearing their best-selling slogans.

Image Credit: Alice Wint

“I’m often overwhelmed by the company’s impact and the connections the ‘Om family’ has forged,” says Cooper. “We’ve nurtured this baby from the embryo stage with all our heart, soul and knowledge … it’s been magical.”

Their success has also allowed Cooper and Van Dyke to travel widely, embrace their love of nature and share their adventures with customers. Van Dyke has gone full digital nomad, traveling with her husband, Jeremy, all over the world. They most recently toured Africa, where they did a four-day safari through the Serengeti on horseback (and were almost charged by a giant male rhinoceros!). They’re currently in Bali, and tend to go wherever else the wind — and Wi-Fi — take them.

Cooper also relishes traveling, most recently on a South African safari with her husband, Emmett. She dreams of visiting Uganda or Rwanda for a gorilla trek, but is also content to work from home in Northern England with her flat-faced cats by her side and vegan recipes simmering on the stove.

Above all, the Om & Ah founders remain committed to their mission of spreading joy, kindness and self-love. Their two bestselling messages are “In a world where you can be anything, be kind,” and “Perfectly Imperfect,” says Cooper. “That sums up our company.”

Follow Claire Cooper and Charlotte Van Dyke on Instagram, and visit Om & Ah.

Website Design & SEO Delray Beach by DBL07.co

Delray Beach SEO

source http://www.scpie.org/how-a-chance-conversation-in-a-coffee-shop-launched-the-multimillion-dollar-vegan-clothing-company-om-ah/

[businessguide12-blog]

3 unique business ideas worth millions

New Post has been published on https://businessqia.com/trending/3-unique-business-ideas-worth-millions/

3 unique business ideas worth millions

Do you know how to spot a million dollar business idea?

Some of the most successful businesses are the ones you’d never expect to succeed. But peel back the curtain and you’ll find even the most unique business ideas follow a proven formula for success. See how even regular people can find million dollar ideas that worked.

When you’re trying to find the right idea for your business, sometimes all you need is a little inspiration. Let’s see what we can learn from two unique business ideas worth millions — and one worth billions.

Bonus: Start solving problems and getting paid! Discover 30 proven online businesses that you could start this weekend. Click here to claim your copy of the free report.

Million-dollar business idea #1: Cards Against Humanity

Cards Against Humanity is anti-establishment in every way — including its business model.

Known as “a party game for horrible people,” it was created by a group of high school friends who liked to make up their own games for fun. Once they realized other people were interested in this particular game, they put it online for free under the Creative Commons license.

Money didn’t even come into play until two years later, when they launched a Kickstarter campaign to print a physical pack. With a goal of only $4,000, Cards Against Humanity ended up raising $15,000. And in just two years, the game generated $12 million in revenue, even though it remains available for free as a PDF download to this day.

“We have not really opted in to the traditional publishing system for games or anything else,” co-creator Max Temkin told The Blueprint. “We’re doing this really weird model where we own all of our IP, and we make everything ourselves, and we sell it direct to the customer.”

This intimate setup has allowed the creators to remain 100% in control of the branding. That means they can choose how to scale their business and pull crazy stunts like selling boxes of cow poop on Black Friday.

The takeaway: Start with something you’re passionate and knowledgeable about

If you’re not sure where to start when brainstorming your ideas, begin with what you do for fun, what you love to research, or what you usually help other people with. That might be coming up with games to play, giving tips on how to stay in shape, or polishing people’s resumés.

GrowthLab CEO Ramit Sethi suggests asking yourself these four questions to find a profitable business idea:

Notice how much these questions are about your friends, your hobbies, and your passions. Those were exactly the ingredients that gave life to Cards Against Humanity.

This business proves that no idea is too strange, as long as you can find demand for it. When the co-creators first came up with the concept, they never imagined they’d turn it into a multimillion-dollar company and a household name. But once they saw people flocking to their fresh and fun new game, they knew there was room to grow and ultimately profit.

Million-dollar business idea #2: Spanx

At 27 years old, Sara Blakely was annoyed with the old-fashioned pantyhose she wore every day to work. They were uncomfortable on her feet, but she liked the control-top. So, one day, she cut off the bottom of the pantyhose and wore them underneath her pants for a slimming effect. That’s when she realized she’d created a garment that hadn’t existed yet. And there might be more women who wanted it in their wardrobe.

Two years later, Blakely launched Spanx. She did it with $5,000 in savings, a self-made patent for $150, and no formal knowledge about fashion, design, or retail. But through her own research and networking, she was able to land a deal with Neiman Marcus, get featured on Oprah, and host regular segments on QVC.

Spanx is now a billion-dollar business, and in 2012, at 41 years old, Blakely became the youngest woman to join the Forbes World’s Billionaires list.

The takeaway: Put a new spin on an old solution

When Blakely set out to manufacture her prototype, she realized that the entire undergarments industry actually needed to be refreshed. It was largely run by men, and new products were tested on mannequins instead of real people.

As she told Inc., “It dawned on me that maybe that’s why our pantyhose had been so uncomfortable for so long because the people making them aren’t wearing them.”

She saw an immediate need for a female perspective, and she was going to be the one to provide it.

Remember this when looking for business ideas. Ask yourself:

If you can’t answer these questions right away, start by researching an industry or field you’re passionate about (or even annoyed by!). Like Blakely, you might find an opening where your voice is needed.

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Million-dollar business idea #3: Museum Hack

After falling in love with The Met in New York City, Nick Gray started offering free tours to his friends, showing them his favorite pieces and telling cool stories about the museum and artworks. Gray’s tours eventually spread by word-of-mouth, and he started hosting weekend events and even birthday parties at the museum.

Finally, Gray wrote a blog post about his tours, and he immediately saw the demand flood in — thousands of people emailing him and wanting to join his events. That’s when he launched Museum Hack, the antidote to boring and stuffy museum tours. You know, the ones you associate with school field trips and monotone voices.

Museum Hack is now a $1.2 million business, running ongoing public tours at five museums in four major cities. They even host private scavenger hunts, corporate team building events, bachelorette parties, and consultations with museums that want to engage new audiences.

The takeaway: Aim for the golden goose

Museum Hack fits right in the sweet spot of the demand matrix. That is, the “Golden Goose” section, with many customers and high-priced services.

GrowthLab’s Demand Matrix

Think about it: Gray could’ve written a coffee table book about his museum tours and anecdotes. But that might’ve landed in the “Labor of Love” section, with few customers.

Instead, he went right for the Golden Goose, launching a variety of in-person tours for high-paying corporate groups and parties. And he even offers coaching services to museums that want to develop their audiences.

Consider the matrix when narrowing down your unique ideas. Having a great concept is the first step. But you’ll also want to make sure you can turn it into a profitable business going forward.

Finding your million-dollar idea

Your unique idea might not come while you’re playing cards, cutting clothes, or strolling through a museum. But it will likely come while you’re exploring something you’re passionate about and skilled in. In fact, all of the ideas above started with personal experiences or hobbies. But most important, they were something that people were willing to pay for.

Once you find an idea, don’t be afraid to test it out with friends, family, and colleagues. Create a prototype, mock up a plan, and get feedback. If people keep asking you to tell them more, you might have the start of a successful business. Maybe even a million-dollar business idea.

Download this free guide for 30 successful online business ideas you can start today.

Source

https://growthlab.com/unique-business-ideas-worth-millions/