All posts tagged small business

diaper bag review: the birch bag

Would you believe that we have never had a proper diaper bag? Six years ago, when I was pregnant with Remy, my dream diaper bag was out of our reach. It was simply much too expensive. As a result, we turned a vintage shoulder bag into a makeshift diaper bag.

Then with Wilder, we used one of my favourite leather backpacks. Although pretty, it lacked on pouches and compartments.

You had better believe that I was over the moon when my friends at Parker Baby Co. contacted me and said that they wanted to send one of their diaper bags! I was about to give birth to our third child and we had everything but that! We ended up choosing the unisex Birch Bag in gray so that both Geoffrey and I would feel comfortable wearing it. Believe me when I tell you that it is just as beautiful in person as it looks online!

What I love about the Birch Bag is that it is incredibly functional. It comes with a changing pad, stroller straps, insulated side pockets, and even a key ring. Not only that, but it is waterproof inside and out! Plus, it has over 10 pockets (which is a huge improvement from my backpack with just a single pocket).

I literally cannot wait to go places and bring this with us. I will no longer have to root through the bag to find an item as everything is just so nicely organized now. Plus, it looks amazing!

Be sure to check out more items on their website here. In doing so, you will be supporting a family business.

Emory

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by Hello, Scarlett Blog on 01/24/2022  •  Permalink
Posted in baby, what i bought
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Posted by Hello, Scarlett Blog on 01/24/2022

https://helloscarlettblog.com/2022/01/24/diaper-bag-review-the-birch-bag/

SEO tips for promoting your small business

Search Engine Optimization is an important part of a digital marketing strategy. It can help drive traffic to your website and products, which means more chance of landing sales. Many companies offer SEO services, but there are also some things you can do yourself without having to outsource.

Some people might think that only large companies have the capital and necessity to use SEO services. As a matter of fact, SEO can even help more for local small businesses. No matter if you are running an appliance repair company or car detailing business, you can reach more customers by working with an experienced SEO team.

The best things you can use yourself are keyword generators, blogging, and optimizing your images. These tools are not expensive and can give you more visibility if used properly.

Keyword Generator

Keyword generators can help you find the right words to use for your business. Like searching for words relating to what you do. These tools rank keywords, so you can see how they perform on search engines currently.

It gives you some information on how searches change over time as well as if people use certain words regularly. These tools are there to help you narrow down the right keywords to use in your content.

Once you find keywords you like, make sure to save them. Having a list of keywords at the ready will help you get your content written and published quickly.

Start a blog

Now that you have your keywords, you need to utilize them. Several case studies investigated how good blog content can generate more traffic. Many of them analyzed some companies’ existing content and rewrote some of it with selected keywords.

Blogging can keep your website current. Regularly updated websites build more trust with readers. No one wants to land on a blog that hasn’t been updated in years. And outdated websites don’t rank well on search engines.

Google in particular doesn’t like showing outdated information to their searchers. Good content will also keep readers engaged and keep them on your website for longer.

Optimize images

Most people wouldn’t think the name of their file would make an impact on their reach. The truth is, it does! If you search for anything on your search engine, 8 times out of 10 the file name will contain your keyword.

Additionally, a good alt tag can provide context to your images. And even when images aren’t loading, search engines will still be able to help rank your website because it just ‘reads’ your alt text. The best option is to include brand-related words for a visibility boost. But, whatever you do, don’t keep piling on the keywords. It will become too ‘crowded’.

** This was a contributed post.

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by Hello, Scarlett Blog on 04/23/2021  •  Permalink
Posted in guest blogger
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Posted by Hello, Scarlett Blog on 04/23/2021

https://helloscarlettblog.com/2021/04/23/seo-tips-for-promoting-your-small-business/

what i bought // minkpink and vintage rocking horses

WIB 1-1I am an avid supporter of shopping online. I even do my part to contribute to this new age phenomena. Gone are the days when you have to physically walk into a store to find some really great items. There are quite literally millions of websites that will allow you to shop their inventory without lifting so much as a finger. Ok, so maybe you will have to move just one, but not more than that.

One of my favourite clothing stores in the province, Cade Style Lounge, is located 2.5 hours away from where I live. I follow their Instagram page as a way to be able to shop and support them since they, too, are a small business. Plus they have some really cool stuff. I previously dedicated an entire post to a purse that I bought from Cade. I still wear it, and only it.

WIB 1-6Last week I ended up seeing a shirt that I liked on their Instagram page. I contacted them through direct message, and after it was all said and done, I ended up getting:

1. Vintage Rocking Horse necklace

2. MINKPINK crop top

3. Gentle Fawn leggings

4. Cade bracelet (free)

Obviously, the many advances in technology make our lives so much simpler. They also allow small businesses to increase their traffic by reaching further audiences, which consequently increases their sales. As an owner of a retail store, I know that I would never be able to operate successfully without my presence on these sites, namely Instagram. While many may disagree with my proclamations on the benefits of social media platforms, I personally think that the strengths outweigh the negative aspects. At least in regards to local shops. I can only hope that these advances will persist. Until then, I will not only continue promoting my store, Potomac Trading Post, Ltd., but will also be an avid supporter of other independent shops. I hope that you will too!

Have the best weekend! See you on Monday.

<3

Emory

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by Hello, Scarlett Blog on 02/21/2015  •  Permalink
Posted in wears, what i bought
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Posted by Hello, Scarlett Blog on 02/21/2015

https://helloscarlettblog.com/2015/02/21/what-i-bought-minkpink-and-vintage-rocking-horses/

potomac trading post, ltd.

1.jpgFamily, friends, readers, wanderers, lovers, haters, and everyone in between. Today I have big, big news for you! I am in the process of opening up a vintage, handmade, and wears store in Saskatoon, SK. The name of my hip new shop is Potomac Trading Post, Ltd.

5.As most of you know, I have been running an online business for over a year now. More recently, I have expanded it from only clothing to include handmade goods and antiques. The amount of inventory that I had accumulated was quickly taking over our living space. I decided that I would need a place to store it. Somewhere small, in the city, and centrally-located. Within a matter of days, I had found a great space that was only a few blocks away from Little Green. A few days after that, I began the process to incorporate my business but under a new name. I wanted a fresh start, and I feel that in the end, it picked me. Largely inspired by this post, Potomac literally translates to “the place where people trade.”

Here is the timeline of my new venture:

July 26: Decided on PTP while on a date with my husband.

6July 29: Found a downtown location to have my store.

July 31: Visited a lawyer to begin the incorporation process.

August 6: Heard back from the lawyer. Now to wait to sign the documents.

August 25: Finally signed the documents.

August 26: Bank appointment to set up a business account.

August 29: Met with a graphic designer team.

August 30-31: First buying trip.

2September 2: Received the keys for the store.

September 3: Bought store supplies.

3September 5: Applied for a business license.

Now – October: Setting up, more appointments, establishing a website, etc.

47I cannot even begin to explain how much of a whirlwind this experience has been. Add onto that we are still building our house and both working full-time, my mind functions on a hour to hour level. Gone are the days of being organized and planning ahead, I literally cannot remember where I parked, what clothes I wore the day before, if I’ve left anything behind, or any other small yet important detail in regards to being a normal and functioning human being. All I can remember is to be home to walk and feed the dogs, what time I have to work, and what appointments I must be at. My head is all business and not personal. However, I am certainly not ungrateful. I realize that this is a rare opportunity that not many people have the courage or desire to undertake. Whatever knocks (both opportune and bad) come my way during this process, I make sure to embrace them. I’m going to try my damnedest to ensure that Potomac Trading Post, Ltd., and everything else in my life currently, is a success.

8(Before)

9(After)

<3

Emory

10P.S. Stay tuned for many more updates on the store over the next few weeks!

by Hello, Scarlett Blog on 09/12/2014  •  Permalink
Posted in Potomac Trading Post
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Posted by Hello, Scarlett Blog on 09/12/2014

https://helloscarlettblog.com/2014/09/12/potomac-trading-post-ltd/

  • Hello! My name is Emory. I am a wife, mother of four (three on earth in heaven). This is our life on the Canadian prairies.
    email: helloscarlettblog@outlook.com

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