Pixie Dust & Profits

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your online business. In this episode, we discuss how we attempt to maximize our work time with kids at home.

Disney paves the way in customer experience, but even moreso, they know how to delight kids' senses and help them stay engaged. Channel your inner "what would Walt do?", and listen now for tips for balancing your time at home with little ones.

Listen now and discover:

• How Disney cast members are always prepared (and why they carry fun trinkets in their pockets)
• Our favorite interactive ride lines and how they help pass the time and keep kids (& adults!) engaged
• Simple ways you can maximize your work time at home with babies and kiddos around
• Why you should always map out your weekly plan on Sunday night to have a successful week

Your small business takeaways:

• Why it's important to honor that you may be in survival mode and not growth mode
• Write down one priority each day on a sticky note- when it's completed, throw it away!
• Even if it's 5 minutes of work at a time, be proud of that accomplishment. Juggling work and parenting is tough work

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can better run your digital business. In this episode, we're sitting down with our first ever guest interview (she also happens to voice our intro!)

Christina Scalera is the attorney and founder of The Contract Shop®, a place to purchase contracts and legal templates and get your small business legally buttoned up. Listen now to hear about copyrights protecting your business online.

Listen now and discover:

• How to be highly inspired without copying someone else
• What "park bounding" means and the rules Disney has to protect their characters (and guests!)
• Creative ways that small businesses describe their products online so they're not infringing on Disney copyrights
• The real difference between trademarks vs. copyrights
• How Disney is making it easier for small shops to legally use their work

Your small business takeaways:

• Own the niche you're in and pursue inspiration rather than copying
• Make sure your work is legally protected online

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can grow your small business online. In this episode we're discussing the latest updates on how Disney is managing COVID-19.

Disney continues to deliver a magical experience, but it hasn't been an easy ride for their bottom line this year. Listen now to hear about their financial losses and how they're planning to recover as the parks continue to re-open.

Listen now and discover:

• Why Disney's stock prices have bounced back to pre-Covid levels
• How the parks are committed to operating safely so they can increase capacity (and revenue generation)
• The reason why airtight boundaries actually give your customers a better experience
• Interesting ways Disney is communicating their guest expectations and rules

Your small business takeaways:

• Don't wait for a big issue to arise to have strong systems in place
• Reinforce your messaging often
• Under promise and over deliver!

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can grow your small business online. In this episode we're discussing how empowered team members can help your business soar to new heights.

Disney's Cast Members are celebrated by fans around the globefor their ability to create magical guest experiences… because they are trusted and empowered to do so. Listen today to learn from why letting your team take ownership over their roles can lead to a better customer experience and also make them more dedicated team members.

Listen now and discover:

• How Disney empowers their Cast Members to make a guests experience even more magical
• Some of the magical moments we've been blessed to have with Cast Members
• Why it's important to let your team members make mistakes and how it can make them even more committed to your brand
• Simple ways you can implement trust to your team members in your business today

Your small business takeaways:

• Trust your team members and believe in their expertise
• Have clear boundaries so your team is not left confused
• Let go of the small things you can't control

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can grow your small business. In this episode we're answering listener questions from small business owners and digital entrepreneurs.

We'll dive into questions like ways to gain exposure for your business, how to manage a waitlist as a booked-up service provider, and if Black Friday is the right time to launch that brand-new business. Listen now to hear our advice for entrepreneurs like you!

Listen now and discover:

• Kim of Brand Kits, on ways to gain exposure for your business that don't break the bank.
• Amanda of Amanda Warfield, on how to manage a waitlist of potential customers who want to work with you.
• Angela, on whether or not Black Friday is the right time to launch a brand new business.

Your small business takeaways:

• Stay connected to customers (and potential customers) so that you stay top of mind.
• Consider your audience when putting a new sale or promotion out there.

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can grow your small business. In this episode we're taking questions from small business owners and answering them in this 2-part Q&A.

We will be diving into questions like how to know when a project is truly finished, ways to pivot your business to make more revenue (especially during a pandemic), and why small business finances are so important. Join us as we answer these questions in today's episode!

Listen now and discover:

• Misty of The Maker's Resource Shop, on how to know when you're done with a project
• Bethany of Grey Loft Studio, on how to take your in-person photography business online
• Eva of The Funderista, around financing and fundraising for business owners

Your small business takeaways:

• Budget, budget, budget!
• There is always someone out there who will want what you have to offer

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can grow your small business. In this episode we're discussing how to capture your customers online, by using tips from Disney's career page.

As a small business owner, it's our job to connect with a variety of different customers. Using inspiration that we find around us, even from a career page, can help us capture the interest of potential customers.

Listen now and discover:

• Why browsing Disney job openings will make you excited...no matter what type of business you have
• The 3 things you need to talk about when trying to convert a potential customer online
• How to give even the simplest page a quick makeover, and why it will matter to your customer

Your small business takeaways:

• Think about your different customers' when writing description pages on your website
• Don't be afraid to show your fun personality!

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can grow your small business. In this episode we're discussing the recent Walt Disney Co. layoffs due to COVID-19, and how sometimes there are parts of being a business owner that aren't easy or fun..

The Parks and Resorts division of Disney has been the hardest hit by the pandemic, and over 28,000 jobs are being eliminated as Disneyland continues to be closed and Disney World has reduced capacity. Listen now to hear our tips for how to best hire and let go of contractors or employees as an entrepreneur.

Listen now and discover:

• How Walt Disney World is taking precautions for COVID so they can operate safely, and why Disneyland's continued closure has led to lay offs, even in Florida
• Why you should never rush into a new hire and how to determine if they'll be a good fit for your business
• Ways to support your new hire to ensure a successful first few weeks
• How to evaluate when it's time to let-go of an employee
• Why it's important to part ways on good terms

Your small business takeaways:

• Understand that some days, you're going to have to do things you don't want to do or don't enjoy—it's part of being a business owner
• Take your time when considering adding a new team member
• Always end work relationships on a positive note, you never know when you'll work with them again

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can grow your small business. In this episode we're talking about what happens when things go wrong in your business, and why it's important to keep your customers happy.

Even Disney, the billion dollar corporation, can have hiccups in customer experience, but that doesn't mean they abandon even their most loyal fans. Listen now to hear why you should follow their lead and continuously improve the processes to delight your customers.

Listen now and discover:

• The times our Disney experiences felt not-so-magical and how they were resolved
• How to captivate and nurture your audience so they feel appreciated and continue supporting your business
• The value difference between customer retention and customer acquisition
• Why you should be spending ⅔ of your time caring for your current customers and how it will impact your growth
• What you can learn from business owners who have a loyal audience

Your small business takeaways:

• Focus on your business model and notice where you spend your time and efforts
• Love your new audience as well as your current customers
• Small issues will always happen...improve and move on!

Each week, we come to you with ideas from the Mouse on how you can grow your small business. In this episode we're discussing how to immerse your customers in a great experience when engaging with your business.

From scents and sounds, to personalization and gifts, Disney gives us some of the very best customer experiences to 'wow' our senses. Listen now to hear how you can create a 360° experience that will enchant your customers.

Listen now and discover:

-The creative tools Disney uses to make you feel like you're in a different world

-Why creating an immersive experience for your customers really matters

-Simple ways to engage in interactions that will leave a lasting impression on your customers

Your small business takeaways:

-Step back and look at all of the ways you interact with your customers, audience and team members.

-Create one new way to engage with your customers to show them they're important to you.