Recently our class got to hear from an established entrepreneur named Scott Moran, who is the co-founder of Samcart, a digital retail business meant to help entrepreneurs get their products out in the world. I was intrigued so I did some more research into this company. It condenses all of the hard steps of creating a website, arranging product bundles, figuring out how to add payment options  and more by making it super easy and attractive to potential customers. This can be done for both digital and physical products. The program is designed to adapt to each individual entrepreneur’s needs because the founders themselves know how to draw in, and keep, people.

This is the part I want to focus on. In both the in-class interview and articles that I read, Scott Moran focuses more on the idea of returning customers because they provide more revenue than just one time buyers. This means that it is vital to both cater to people who have come back but also focus on what exactly makes people come back and, conversely, they don’t like. He zeros in on upsells, cross-sells and constantly reaching out through emails.

An up-sell is what a customer sees when they are ready to checkout and then they see a suggestion that would add to their experience or perhaps further their experience with the product they are set on buying. This gives the costumer something else to consider and keeps adds a possible product to purchase.

Cross-selliong is similar but it focuses on suggesting different options for the original product that the customer is already looking at. This gives options and provides the customer with choice which means that they browse for longer.

Scott stresses the need for getting repeat customers but first you have to get them in the first place. There is a need to get people through the gateway, so to speak. Gain access to potential customers’ emails, and then you can send them enticing offers that may get them coming back.

I think what’s an important take away from Samcart’s business model is that an entrepreneur must always be aware of what works and what does not. Not what works for me myself, but what appeals to the people that I am trying to sell something to. This requires foresight and adaptability, which is what I think the Moran brothers display most of all.

Lily’s inspiration behind her product Kangaroo cups came from a personal story. Lily’s grandfather, who had Parkinson’s disease, was constantly spilling his cups and her grandmother had to constantly be cleaning up after him because there was no easier way for him to drink something. She was eight years old at this time, and began thinking of ways she could make life easier for her grandparents. She started by using some moldable plastic and was able to create her grandfather a cup that she determined wouldn’t spill so easily. The body of the cup was in the middle with three prongs sticking out from the cup to balance it. This was a simple but innovative fix to the problem she saw, and she didn’t think of it more than something she made specially for her grandfather. However, whenever her father had spilled coffee on his computer and Lily made him a special cup also out of pottery, her dad realized that these cups could benefit a lot of people. Together, Lily and her dad decided to take this cup to market and call it the Kangaroo cup. They visited manufacturers to perfect the model and create the cups on a mass scale. Lily was only 10 at the time her business started, but is 16 now and has sold tens of thousands of cups all over the world, has been interviewed on many news stories, and listed as Business Insider’s top 11 year old in tech. Lily’s story is so inspiring because she saw a real issue and was determined to find a way to fix it, even at such a young age. Her heart to help her grandfather and grandmother is what now allows her to help many other people who have had the same issues in their lives. In an about me page, she talks about being a shy girl, but how she didn’t let that stop her from following her dreams. I also love how her creativity and innovation is what sets her apart. She envisioned a cup that no one had ever even thought to create, and now it is her signature model that people love.

Dominic May created this start up in 2018 to use his love and knowledge for marine tourism to its fullest potential. After working as a scuba tour guide in Newcastle, Australia, he majored in entrepreneurship and innovation as well as business, staring this company while still in university. This start up allows people from out of the area to go on marine life tours such as whale watching, get a lay of the costal area of Newcastle, and go “bushwalking” (sounds kinda scary to me). CoastXP has two custom built boats and and 5 team members, so its most certainly a tight fit group, with unique knowledge and skills, I’m sure. as an entrepreneur, Dominic has had to work with his team and figure out how to run things well. Awesome to see someone use their passions in an innovative way, and find a way to help others while doing it!

Could sharing your interests with others be your breakthrough business venture? That’s exactly what Dominic May asked himself, which led to his creation of CoastXP. Dominic grew up in Coffs Harbour, Australia, and always loved being near the ocean and the beautiful coasts of Australia. Dom worked as a commercial boat master and scuba diver instructor before going to college. While at the University of Newcastle, Dom pursued a Bachelor’s in Business and Innovation/Entrepreneurships and majoring in Tourism and Management. During the end of his time a University, Dominic dove into starting his business, CoastXP, at 23 years old.

CoastXP combined Dominic’s interests of marine biology and tourism into a profitable business that benefits his community. Dom’s elevator pitch goes a little something like this: “Aboard a fast, custom-built boat, guests get the opportunity to learn about our coastline, history, Aboriginal heritage, local geology and interact with magnificent marine life – all while in a fun and safe environment.”  The Newcastle area of Australia is a beautiful coastal metropolitan area with a rich history going back to 1797. It is also a top tourism destination, so Dominic was risking a lot going into the tourism industry, but he offered it from a new perspective. CoastXP is a unique opportunity for tourists to see a portion of the Australian coastline for themselves, learning about it while it is in front of their eyes. CoastXP has expanded to include five local marine and wildlife experts that give both land and boat tours in Newcastle and in Lake Macquarie.

CoastXP was named the 2023 Newcastle Young Citizen of the Year. This was given in recognition for Dom’s contribution to local tourism, especially his contribution to the city’s “post-pandemic economic recovery.” CoastXP has personally benefitted many in Dominic’s community.

Now, Dominic’s story was not without hardship. Like many of us, he struggled to know where to focus his time. Dom focused on many details that took up his time for very little return. But he has learned from that and advises that investing in your community network always pays off, especially when your product can grow and enrich that community.

The triumph of Dominic’s story is that he combined his interests into a business. He saw the potential in the community and landscape around him, and created a business that strengthened that community.

About CoastXP:

https://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/insider-guides/meet-dom-may-from-coastxp

https://www.newcastle.edu.au/hippocampus/story/2023/young-entrepreneurs

GamerSupps was founded in 2015 by a multitude of different people and is an energy drink brand that is targeted to the gamer community. During this time the brand had a lot of controversy and was not doing too well, this was until a YouTuber by the name of “JSchlatt” took over. Jschlatt started his YouTube career in 2013, but he didn’t take off until about seven years later in 2020 during Covid. It was at this time he gained his fame which allowed him to buy and turn around the falling company of GamerSupps. As stated previously, GamerSupps is an energy drink brand that is targeted towards gamers and E-sports players. It has zero calories and is sugar free which makes it a great alternative to sodas and other energy drinks. Although the brand started in 2015 it didn’t really get its start until Schlatt took over the company. The reason for this is because he has such a big following of fans that he is able to advertise to, he uses his connections and influence to showcase the brand. Another reason the brand is doing a lor better now is because of all the collaborations they do. Schlatt is a very sociable creator and makes friends with a lot of other people on the platform, this is where he gets most of his collaborations from. These collaborations allow for the other creators to get their name out and also make a profit while doing so. If you watch several of the creators that Schlatt and GamerSupps have partnered with you’ll notice them, also say use code “Blank” and get 10% off. This code benefits the customer, the creator and the company, which I think is great. This brand doesn’t just sell their powdered drink, but it also sells shaker cups to go with it. Overall JSchlatt is a great creator who used his name and likeness to turn around a company that is now doing well with their sales and brand name.  

At the age of 13, Hart main wanted to buy a $1,500 bike in order to start competing in triathlons. He brainstormed ideas on how to achieve that goal and he landed on starting his own candle company. He always teased his sister for her candles because they had girly scents, so he decided to make candles that had scents more tailored for men. Hart named his creation Mancans. At first Hart and his family were making the candles out of their home. The unique part about the candles are they are made using soup cans. As the demand for the candles grew their house became overcrowded with soup cans so they moved the business to a warehouse. They hired some employees and in 2014 the company began manufacturing with the Beaver Creek Candle Co. in Lisbon. All of the candles are masculine themed including campfire, bacon, sawdust, fresh cut grass, and grandpa’s pipe.  Many of the scents are created by the Main family but others are suggested by customers. As of 2016 Hart’s candles are sold in every state and sales above 6 figures each year. His business is also focused on giving back. He gives a percentage of the sales to soup kitchens in multiple states, 75 cents for every candle sale to be exact. His candles are also produced by a workforce consisting of people with developmental challenges.

Hart has continued to grow his successful candle business, and he also wrote a book. His book is called “One Candle, One Meal”. Main wants to teach young entrepreneurs the lessons he learned through his business and encourage other young people to follow in his footsteps. His book can be bought on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles and Total Fusion Press. Hart then went to Kent State to study economics and plans to be a sports agent while continuing to reap rewards from his business.

Here is the link to the story if you would like to read more.

https://www.timesreporter.com/story/news/local/2015/07/21/young-entrepreneur-hart-main-17/985981007/