Putting a Wholesale Program to Work in Your Wedding Business
Editor's Note: We're delighted to welcome a new guest contributor to WeddingIQ today, Audrey Isaac of 100Candles.com! Read more about Audrey at the end of the post!)
Creating a relationship with a wholesaler is one of the best things you can do for your business – not only do you get to provide couples with additional products that they’ll need (hello, happy clients!), but you’ll also make an extra buck while you’re at it. Talk about a win-win situation! While it’s not a difficult process, you’ll see the best results if you keep organized and stay on top of what you need to be doing.
First and foremost, if you’re in the ever-important research stage, it’s important to organize all of your options into one place, such as a spreadsheet. No two companies are alike and each brings different factors to the table – the only way to truly compare apples to apples is to have them outlined altogether to best compare their information.
Once you’ve assembled your “wholesale dream team,” be sure to keep all of their contact information in one spot so nothing gets misplaced. While the best wholesale companies will keep you abreast of relevant staff changes, give yourself a calendar reminder every quarter to review your accounts and ensure that you have the most current information on file.
They key to maximizing this new revenue stream is to work it into your standard operating procedures. Streamline the process by creating a set point in the planning to run through their options- if offering candles for example, have a checklist so you can discuss colors, types and sizes. Carving out a particular time in the process to discuss options will not only keep you organized, but ensure you’re maximizing the opportunity to its fullest.
Additionally, be sure you have a clear understanding of the shipping policies and the timeline for delivery. Order the products with more than enough time for it to be delivered, just to avoid being left in the lurch last-minute. While a quality wholesaler won’t send anything out late, sometimes bad weather and other unavoidable obstacles pop up in the delivery process so it never hurts to have a cushion.
At the end of the day, it’s vital to find a well-versed company that can anticipate your needs and is willing to work with you. If you have a quality supplier and you’ve build a strong rapport, they will follow up with you and let you know about new items that you may be interested in based on your purchase history. This is just one of the reasons it’s important to develop and nurture your relationships with retailers – you never know what can come from the right connections!
Whether you’re just starting out on your wholesale journey or you consider yourself a well-seasoned veteran, it’s never too late to get organized and streamline your regular processes.
Audrey Isaac is the spokesperson for 100 Candles, a wholesale market for candles and lights. Since 2002, thousands of wedding and event professionals have entrusted 100 Candles with their wholesale candle accounts. For more information, please visit http://www.100candles.com/.
