Christina Tapley On Successful Sales
Christina Tapley of New Brunswick, Canada, has a passion for marketing, creating, and interior design. Tapley had always dreamed of having a business of her own, where she created her own merchandise, and in fall 2020, that dream became a reality. Twig and Ivory is a local business, that retails unique handmade polymer clay earrings.
Christina has nine years of experience in sales, she started as an Arbonne Consultant, she also has experience in sales and marketing at a small business in her hometown, and now through her own business Twig and Ivory.
Twig and Ivory was a passion project, Tapley had been searching for years to create a business of her own where she was the one creating the product, and then she purchased a pair of clay earrings, that began it all.
“I fell in love with a pair of clay earrings I purchased from a local shop and I was so interested in them. As time went on, I found myself on Pinterest and watching many YouTube videos on how I could create my own polymer clay earrings.”
Many attempts went into creating the earrings that can now be known by names like; Alexandra, Spread the love trio, The Avery Arch, and many more. Countless hours and determination went into creating polymer clay earrings but through that Twig and Ivory was born.
Tapley, says that she has many goals as a salesperson for her business now and in years to come. “When I named my business, I called it ‘Twig and Ivory Design’ so that it wouldn’t be specific to one product and I have plans to extend well beyond earrings and follow trends as they happen”
Twig and Ivory have now been in business for 4 months, and it already seems to have a very loyal customer base. Where she not only sells out in 10 minutes on her bi-weekly Sunday earring drops but also at a local boutique.
When asked about her connection with her customers, Tapley said:
“I think it’s an important part of my business. I want my customers to know who I am and know how I truly feel their support of my business.”
Tapley finds communication with her customers important, sometimes it can be overwhelming, but she believes it’s important as a salesperson, to have open communication with customers. She continued by saying this is how she measures the success of Twig and Ivory.
“Success to me through Twig & Ivory is receiving messages from clients wearing my creations and feeling confident and beautiful. When I started this business a huge goal of mine was to be able to give back to Charlotte County Cancer, a local organization who helped my family during a very difficult time in our lives. Through the sales of my business, I have been able to donate back to them and to me that is success.”
Because of this loyal customer base, we were curious, if she has seen any buying behaviours in her customers.
“I do a bi-weekly earring restock on my website every other Sunday evening at 9 pm Atlantic time.” Tapley began, “The earrings are known to sell out within the first 10 minutes of being posted and I have many repeat customers, but I change my designs very often, so they are normally always purchasing something different. Most sales are 1-2 pairs of earrings.” As a salesperson, it is important to notice those behaviours, and it is clear, Tapley knows what she is doing.
Through this interview it is clear, Tapley, takes her business and sales experience seriously, so we were curious to see, where she believes she can improve as a salesperson. Time management she said. She pours so much time into her business that she sometimes forgets to take time for herself so that she also gets some days off. Which is important for everyone.
Tapley, looks forward to seeing where her business leads her in the future, and has a bright future, for her business, through the support, and partnerships that she’s created in just 4 months of business. She also looks forward to bringing more value to her customers through her creations.
“I design handmade clay earrings that I personally feel beautiful and confident wearing and I hope my customers feel the same when wearing my creations.”
To find out more about Twig and Ivory for yourself make sure to check out their Instagram and Facebook: @twigandivory.
Wonderful article!