January 31, 2019

[174] Growing a Business via Customer-Led Product Development with Jacinta Taylor

39 minutes

Like many of us, Jacinta’s business started when she couldn’t buy something she wanted – so she figured out how to make it.

Fast-forward a number of years later, and she’s developed a successful niche business making products out of laminated cotton.

One fascinting element of Jacinta’s business development has been the way she’s focussed on customer-driven product development. That is – listening to her community, and creating products that they want, rather than creating products and then finding a market for them.

We talk about the importance of listening to and learning from our customers, and how you can leverage that knowledge to give people what they’re looking for.

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Quotes and highlights from this episode:

Jacinta’s business originated when she couldn’t find a washable high chair mat and sourced fabric to make her own. When she shared this on Facebook lots of people requested one and her business grew from there.

“We all have the same problems – if you have a problem there’s a chance that there are a lot of other people who need a solution to this problem.” {Jacinta}

Jacinta listened to customer comments, feedback and requests to create new products that solved problems for others.

“Sometimes we gloss over messages on social media but there can be real gold in these.” {Jess}

“Once three paying customers you don’t know directly are happy to buy it this is going to be a product that will work.” {Jacinta}

Jacinta values markets as this allows her to connect with customers and gather feedback and ideas. She rotates through lots of markets and engages with smaller regional areas.

She wholesales selectively which creates an intermediary to audiences she may not generally connect to.

“Not everyone will like you but they may like your product.” {Jacinta}

Jacinta expanded her business in 2018 to hire a staff member to assist with production and social media.

To best use her time, Jacinta uses a weekly plan where she sets goals and breaks tasks down.

“A mistake a lot of people makes is they overestimate how much they can get done in a week.” {Jess}

Lower your expectations on what can get done in a week and become comfortable with the idea that you will never have a blank slate on your business to do list.

Jess discusses the Urgent/Important task management matrix.

Visit Jacinta’s business: Laminated Cotton Shop.

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By Jess Van Den

4.9

9595 ratings