My 5 Favorite Dispensary POS Systems & Why You Need One
Seamlessly streamlining and simplifying operations is top of mind for every entrepreneur, especially those in cannabis retail, and your point-of-sale (POS) system is one of the most crucial keystones in your personal algorithm. I have been serving cannabis brands for several years and thought it would be beneficial to the inquiring minds out there (you!) to share some of the professional opinions I’ve collected.
Here are the five Dispensary POS Systems I have been playing around with the most (and enjoying the experience with) (and why):
Dutchie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXRLiFhSH5M
Ever since the Forbes write-up, Dutchie will forever be known as “the Shopify of weed.” They’re the most well-known dispensary point-of-sale (POS) system in the American marketplace with a roster of over 5,500 dispensaries across the US and Canada.
Dutchie has paid close attention to the eCommerce industry as a whole and parlayed the best of the best into one (and probably the most robust) out-of-the-box ecosystem. Their cloud-based software means a unified customer ordering experience online and in-store.
Cova
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vae2TwqyJeA
Hailing from Canada, Cova is a real contender. They made a name for themselves as a market-leading industry disruptor, continuing to buy up innovative technology, products, and services to complement and grow their offerings.
They’re known for their white glove customer service and seamless technology integrations, as one of the few to sync directly with the popular WordPress (WooCommerce) platform. Plus, their alternative payment processing, custom-branded gift cards, and mobile-friendly customer queue status system only make them stronger and stronger.
FlowHub
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zkMi3ndWjg
People love the look and feel of FlowHub. The Colorado-based technology company is a proud home-grown company that was built from need and with the intention to serve. They were at the epicenter of Colorado’s budding cannabis market back in 2015 and were the first states-side offering to adopt and integrate directly with METRC, simplifying the reporting process.
IndicaOnline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnLgMOTcsNA
While not for everyone, these guys people really know their niche. The clients I’m serving that have found alignment and support with IndicaOnline are swooning over their fun hardware and customer service features. They’re also one of the few with clear, definitive, and front-facing payment plans that scale based on inclusion—so you never overpay.
The primary selling factors (that I have heard) include their inventorying wand (which calls on physical geo-tagging chips within product packaging) and their other delivery-related tracking services. They also offer SMS marketing as well as direct integration for digital (TV monitor) displays. Plus, they’re good friends with WeedMaps; making for seamless marketing there.
Treez
Treez has been growing in popularity along the east coast with its particular focus and preference for independently owned cannapreneurial ventures. I have found that mom-and-pop dispensary owners love these guys for their careful collaborative approach and customer service.
Let’s talk about the crucial role POS systems play in day-to-day operations, why you need them, and what makes them so important:
What is a METRC Dispensary Point-of-Sale System (or METRC POS)?
Point-of-sale systems are retail-focused software that help manage and perform every day operations across your store. Regardless of industry, POS Systems are essential to tracking sales and keeping up with (and track of) minute-by-minute inventory across your network of brick-and-mortar and click-and-mortar stores.
The best dispensary point-of-sale systems keep inventory and financial (read: sales and tax) information neatly organized and monitor buying patterns in a tight user interface. The more data you have, the easier it is to streamline restocking and re-marketing efforts like making customer-specific product recommendations and implementing rewards programs.
Some states, territories, and regions require that cannabis dispensaries work with point-of-sale systems that integrate with specific inventory management systems—like METRC. These special dispensary POS systems support age verification, tax reporting, inventory management and tracking, and more.
METRC is the most trusted and experienced provider of cannabis regulatory systems in the United States, however, they are now an out-of-the-box POS system. They are an advanced software and system solution that works with dispensary POS systems to track and trace cannabis from seed to sale. Their seed-to-sale tracking integrates directly across growers, processors, retailers, and regulations for safe, secure, and seamless compliance.
Most US-based medical or recreational markets require access to cultivation, manufacturing, and retail operations data via direct METRC integration through commercial point-of-sale or other inventory management software.
What key features should I look for my dispensary POS system?
First and foremost, the best Dispensary POS Systems (or METRC POS Systems) are those that integrate specifically with your regulatory commission's compliance protocols. (Because we are a US-based firm, we’re focused almost exclusively on METRC systems.) You should read and review the guidance outlined in the state- and locally-governed cannabis law to understand what you are going to be responsible for reporting and which POS systems to weed out completely.
The most popular key features in cannabis dispensary point-of-sale systems (beyond your individual regulatory compliance needs) include customer age and identity verification, real-time inventory management, taxation, and seed-to-sale reporting. You want to consider all of these as well as convenience features like payment processing, remarketing, and the like.
There are a number of other factors you definitely want to consider when choosing a cannabis dispensary point-of-sale system as well, like the technology and hardware that may be required to operate the system as well as the overall accessibility and user interface for budtenders and your customers. You’re an innovative business owner and you deserve an innovative solution with remote access via the cloud and the most robust catalog of features you can find to make work easy (or dare we say: fun).
eCommerce integration is also a big part of the decision-making process in POS selection for dispensary owners and not one to be overlooked or discounted, as accessibility and self-service become more and more of a personal preference for customers. Your POS provider should be eager and willing to show you how their system can integrate with your website and simplify the customer discovery and shopping (and/or delivery) experience.
The best cannabis dispensary point-of-sale (POS) systems are the ones that include the most features and the most inclusions for the best value. Remember that there is almost always a trade-off between offerings; where a subscription to one might include cool gadgets to support otherwise laborious inventory management tasks, another might better complement customer experience or re-marketing efforts. Where you see the most value is always up to you.
Here’s the deal on Dispensary POS Systems:
We’ve covered a lot here but I want to drive one thing home: One size rarely ever fits all especially when it comes to business software. Nor do you want it to when, in any regulated market, compliance should be your top priority.
Opening a cannabis dispensary is a lot of work and requires a lot of focus and resilience on the part of business owners and license holders.
There are a number of ways in which the team and I can support through creative services and longer-term collaboration including turn-key dispensary brand and website design and development.
I’m here to help!
Get in touch with me today or throw time on the calendar for us to bridge introductions at your earliest convenience and let's unpack the needs and get to work.
How to Choose a Dispensary POS System & My 5 Favorites (So Far)
Seamlessly streamlining and simplifying operations is top of mind for every entrepreneur, especially those in cannabis retail, and your point-of-sale (POS) system is one of the most crucial keystones in your personal algorithm. I have been connecting with and supporting a network of dispensary owners for several years and thought it would be beneficial to the inquiring minds out there (you!) to share some of the professional opinions I’ve collected.
Let’s talk about the crucial role POS systems play in day-to-day operations, why you need them (what makes them so important), and get an overview of my Top 5 Favorites.
What is a METRC Dispensary Point-of-Sale System (or METRC POS)?
Point-of-sale systems are retail-focused software that help manage and perform every day operations across your store. Regardless of industry, POS Systems are essential to tracking sales and keeping up with (and track of) minute-by-minute inventory across your network of brick-and-mortar and click-and-mortar stores.
The best dispensary point-of-sale systems keep inventory and financial (read: sales and tax) information neatly organized and monitor buying patterns in a tight user interface. The more data you have, the easier it is to streamline restocking and re-marketing efforts like making customer-specific product recommendations and implementing rewards programs.
Some states, territories, and regions require that cannabis dispensaries work with point-of-sale systems that integrate with specific inventory management systems—like METRC. These special dispensary POS systems support age verification, tax reporting, inventory management and tracking, and more.
METRC is the most trusted and experienced provider of cannabis regulatory systems in the United States, however, they are now an out-of-the-box POS system. They are an advanced software and system solution that works with dispensary POS systems to track and trace cannabis from seed to sale. Their seed-to-sale tracking integrates directly across growers, processors, retailers, and regulations for safe, secure, and seamless compliance.
Most US-based medical or recreational markets require access to cultivation, manufacturing, and retail operations data via direct METRC integration through commercial point-of-sale or other inventory management software.
What key features should I look for my dispensary POS system?
First and foremost, the best Dispensary POS Systems (or METRC POS Systems) are those that integrate specifically with your regulatory commission's compliance protocols. (Because we are a US-based firm, we’re focused almost exclusively on METRC systems.) You should read and review the guidance outlined in the state- and locally-governed cannabis law to understand what you are going to be responsible for reporting and which POS systems to weed out completely.
The most popular key features in cannabis dispensary point-of-sale systems (beyond your individual regulatory compliance needs) include customer age and identity verification, real-time inventory management, taxation, and seed-to-sale reporting. You want to consider all of these as well as convenience features like payment processing, remarketing, and the like.
There are a number of other factors you definitely want to consider when choosing a cannabis dispensary point-of-sale system as well, like the technology and hardware that may be required to operate the system as well as the overall accessibility and user interface for budtenders and your customers. You’re an innovative business owner and you deserve an innovative solution with remote access via the cloud and the most robust catalog of features you can find to make work easy (or dare we say: fun).
eCommerce integration is also a big part of the decision-making process in POS selection for dispensary owners and not one to be overlooked or discounted, as accessibility and self-service become more and more of a personal preference for customers. Your POS provider should be eager and willing to show you how their system can integrate with your website and simplify the customer discovery and shopping (and/or delivery) experience.
The best cannabis dispensary point-of-sale (POS) systems are the ones that include the most features and the most inclusions for the best value. Remember that there is almost always a trade-off between offerings; where a subscription to one might include cool gadgets to support otherwise laborious inventory management tasks, another might better complement customer experience or re-marketing efforts. Where you see the most value is always up to you.
Here are the five Dispensary POS Systems I have been playing around with the most (and enjoying the experience with) (and why):
Dutchie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXRLiFhSH5M
Ever since the Forbes write-up, Dutchie will forever be known as “the Shopify of weed.” They’re the most well-known dispensary point-of-sale (POS) system in the American marketplace with a roster of over 5,500 dispensaries across the US and Canada.
Dutchie has paid close attention to the eCommerce industry as a whole and parlayed the best of the best into one (and probably the most robust) out-of-the-box ecosystem. Their cloud-based software means a unified customer ordering experience online and in-store.
Cova
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vae2TwqyJeA
Hailing from Canada, Cova is a real contender. They made a name for themselves as a market-leading industry disruptor, continuing to buy up innovative technology, products, and services to complement and grow their offerings.
They’re known for their white glove customer service and seamless technology integrations, as one of the few to sync directly with the popular WordPress (WooCommerce) platform. Plus, their alternative payment processing, custom-branded gift cards, and mobile-friendly customer queue status system only make them stronger and stronger.
FlowHub
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zkMi3ndWjg
People love the look and feel of FlowHub. The Colorado-based technology company is a proud home-grown company that was built from need and with the intention to serve. They were at the epicenter of Colorado’s budding cannabis market back in 2015 and were the first states-side offering to adopt and integrate directly with METRC, simplifying the reporting process.
IndicaOnline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnLgMOTcsNA
While not for everyone, these guys people really know their niche. The clients I’m serving that have found alignment and support with IndicaOnline are swooning over their fun hardware and customer service features. They’re also one of the few with clear, definitive, and front-facing payment plans that scale based on inclusion—so you never overpay.
The primary selling factors (that I have heard) include their inventorying wand (which calls on physical geo-tagging chips within product packaging) and their other delivery-related tracking services. They also offer SMS marketing as well as direct integration for digital (TV monitor) displays. Plus, they’re good friends with WeedMaps; making for seamless marketing there.
Treez
Treez has been growing in popularity along the east coast with its particular focus and preference for independently owned cannapreneurial ventures. I have found that mom-and-pop dispensary owners love these guys for their careful collaborative approach and customer service.
Here’s the deal on Dispensary POS Systems:
We’ve covered a lot here but I want to drive one thing home: One size rarely ever fits all especially when it comes to business software. Nor do you want it to when, in any regulated market, compliance should be your top priority.
Opening a cannabis dispensary is a lot of work and requires a lot of focus and resilience on the part of business owners and license holders.
There are a number of ways in which the team and I can support through creative services and longer-term collaboration including turn-key dispensary brand and website design and development.
I’m here to help!
Get in touch with me today or throw time on the calendar for us to bridge introductions at your earliest convenience and let's unpack the needs and get to work.
Everything You've Been Wondering: About Special Projects
I had no idea that Special Projects Leadership was a thing until I had been doing it for half a decade: It was a normal-as-anything day in late summer, circa 2018 when a friend and colleague bridged an introduction over email. “Copied here,” the email read, “Is Eric Michael, a good friend, and US-based Special Projects Lead that I know can bring your ideas to life… He’s the best!” (That last excerpt because: butterflies.)
My first thought was, “Is this what we’re doing now? Handing out professional titles?” My second thought was, “Did I do this? Have I put ‘special projects’ somewhere in my messaging?” (No.) And then, I’ll admit, “That’s exactly what I am.” (And then I immediately added the title to my LinkedIn, business cards, and everything else.)
Doing this felt like taking a long (exaggerated) look over my shoulder to learn a whole corner of my creative practice had been completely concealed. I had done so much in presenting the traditional creative services I carry out for clients—print, graphic, and web design—that I had left all of my Special Projects in the dark. Plus, I thought, if I didn’t know I was a Special Projects Lead, surely there had to be others. Maybe?
There weren’t. Turns out most of my network, including past and prospective clients, considered me a reliable (aka “solid”) Special Projects lead. Mostly because of my work with Airthings, The Home Depot, Visit Philadelphia, and countless other collaborators (ranging across fashion, psychedelic medicine, wellness, tech, and travel and tourism) had built me a pretty solid reputation in the space. Groovy.
My hope for this article is to hold some space and shed some light, through some frequently asked questions (aka supplemental reading material), as I work to assemble a dedicated Special Projects page on my site. There you’ll be able to dive deeper into my practice and explore some of the previous work.
Let’s get started but, before we do, if you’re interested in being alerted when the Special Projects page goes live, drop your email below.
What is a Special Projects Lead?
A Special Projects Lead, by my definition, is an individual that works to assume the role and execute duties required of leading projects or assignments towards a productive goal.
What do you consider a ‘Special Project’ to be?
Special Projects run the gamut, for me. I consider anything appealing, attractive, or attainable to be a Special Project. Sometimes a Special Project can be purely conceptual, assisting an organization or brand with a new product or identity. Whereas, other times, a Special Project can be more complex and multi-disciplinary, like designing and presenting unique brand activations and integrated marketing initiatives.
I even look at and approach some digital property (website) design and development assignments as Special Projects, like those requiring content creation or intro-to-market support. It’s safe to say that you (or any client) would want any partnership requiring the activation of 2+ services would be tackled and treated as something special.
How long is the term of a Special Project?
This too is a sliding scale. Historically speaking, Special Project terms have spanned between three and six months—depending on the need and style of collaboration.
How do you select which Special Projects to attach yourself to?
At the end of the day, aside from relational and (corporate) cultural compatibility, I make the decision to propose or accept Special Projects on a case-by-case basis; on the appeal and (probable) success rate of the identified desire or need.
10-for-10: Beth Lawrence
Beth Lawrence is the founder and chief executive officer of an eponymous, award-winning independent meetings and events consultancy group. She's the current sitting President of Philadelphia's Professional Women's Roundtable (PWR) network and fearless leader of a number of other inspiring initiatives.
Let's take a look at my recent conversation with Beth...
Let's start with an introduction, for those that don't know you: Who are you? Where are you from? And, what is your official title?
I'm Beth Lawrence (formerly Beth Minkus), a South Jersey native in a lifetime love affair with Philly. I'm from a very small town called Pemberton, NJ, which is in the middle of the Pine Barrens. Somehow, I developed a love for the city early on in life. My "official" title is President & CEO, but as a (mostly) solopreneur, I wear many hats.
Tell us about what started your entrepreneurial journey.
I was working for a startup company I loved for a few years, when I was laid off right before the holidays in 2017. I call it "being kicked out of the nest," because I had wanted to start my own business for as long as I could remember. In the conversation with my then-boss, she even said "We know you'll do great things, working for yourself or someone else." I caught the entrepreneurial bug a long time ago but was too scared to pursue it! I now look at the layoff as the biggest blessing.
Who was your first ever, freelance client? And, what did you learn from working with them?
For a final project in college, I planned a National Marketing conference with my professor, Robert Kieserman. It was so successful that he hired me as an 'official' freelance event planner the following summer. I learned a lot from Professor Kieserman, and was very lucky to have that experience as I entered the workforce.
What are some of the assignments you're working on right now?
Right now is the busy season, so I'm working on quite a lot! I'm consulting for an amazing company, Kahner Global, that produces conferences for investors in the cannabis industry. I'm coordinating all logistics for the events in Toronto, New York City and San Francisco, and did so for the company's Ft. Lauderdale and Beverly Hills conferences earlier this year. This weekend is my client Airy Kitchens' open house - they're a high-end interior design firm based in Mt. Airy and have just opened the most gorgeous showroom space.
And, after that?
I'm fortunate to work with Lasserre's Own Hands, a nonprofit founded by a friend who is from Haiti, and recognized the amazing impact that educational opportunities had on his life. He and his family built a school, and they have funded over 200 children' education since their inception in 2015. I've been hired to produce an event and campaign this summer--so stay tuned for that!
In addition, I've been working on some innovative events in the cannabis industry, locally, with this super charming, talented branding and marketing professional (of course, I'm speaking about you).
We're bringing the education that the Philly community has been asking for when it comes to cooking and mixing with CBD, and incorporating this brand new industry in a tasty, safe, and legal way. Later in the summer, I'm excited to produce a pop-up shop in LA for HerHQ, an app that aims to connect female entrepreneurs and creatives. What could be better than that?
Is there a client out there that's like "the dream client?" Who are they? Or, what do they look like?
I love designing IRL experiences for brands that have a digital presence. I'd love to produce an experience for someone like American Express, Refinery 29, or Glossier. My biggest-of-the-big goals? To plan the Grammy's.
You're so invested in self-care. Has it always been very easy for you to make the necessary time and space for it? How do you find the strength to pull away from work and dive into self-care?
Self-care is so essential to me, and I notice immediately if I am out of whack with it. It's not always easy, especially when busy season hits, but I always try to remember how good I'll feel if I do it. Anything from journaling, to meditation, to walking my dog, Diesel is self-care to me, because it's making myself and my time a priority. I actually schedule "self-care" days in my planner now, where I don't plan anything. That way, if I wake up that day and feel like staying home, I can do that without guilt. If I feel like going out, I can meet up with friends or family. My longtime best friend gave me that suggestion a long time ago and it's worked wonders.
How do you practice self-care? Where do you turn when your head gets busy?
I work it into my day in little bits: After waking up, I try to journal any dreams I've had the night before, as well as make conscious lists of what I'm grateful for. Then, I take my dog for a walk or run to the park--sans phone, if I can help it. Getting connected to nature and grounding myself helps so much when things get insane. Exercise has always been an outlet for me, and recently I found a community at my local gym of incredible women who practice Buti Yoga, which is a combination of dance, yoga and plyometrics. It's perfect because it doesn't feel like working out and it gives me some much-needed time away from my phone.
My husband and I work opposite schedules, so we have only a few days a week to hang out. On those nights, my phone is almost always on "Do Not Disturb." I like to have uninterrupted time with him because it's rare to have that for us.
I actually schedule "self-care" days in my planner now, where I don't plan anything. That way, if I wake up that day and feel like staying home, I can do that without guilt. If I feel like going out, I can meet up with friends or family. My longtime best friend gave me that suggestion a long time ago and it's worked wonders.
Back to work: Where do you actually work? Are you a home office maven? Or, a co-working powerhouse?
I love these titles, first of all! Keep them coming :)
After I was laid off, my husband made me the most gorgeous little home office "nook" in our bedroom. It has inspirational quotes, books, and all of the other work essentials. You'll find me here most of the winter or on rainy days when the comfort of home is what I need.
I also belong to 1776 co-working spaces, and I love it there because they have multiple locations, including a new one in the Cherry Hill Mall. It's amazing because if I need to get out of the house but don't want to cross the bridge, it's a short drive to my 'office'. If I want to go into the city, I can. I need that balance.
I'm also a huge fan of the random coffee shop. Between Philly and Collingswood (Where I live) there are so many cute spaces with free WiFi. It's nice for a change of scenery.
Last question: Would you please be a guest on the podcast? I feel like we need to extend this chat...
You know I'll always extend a chat with you! Let's get it on the calendar!
To learn more about Beth Lawrence or attend some of her legendary upcoming events or read my interview with Beth. Please visit BethLawrenceLLC.com.
Professional Ghosting: A National State of Emergency
There’s an epidemic among us, people.
A decade-long tenure at [doing anything] will surely teach you so much. One of the things wearing the ‘consultant’ hat has taught me, over the last ten years, is that you have to trust your gut. And, right now, my gut (and weeks of research among my peers) is telling me that Professional Ghosting is on the rise. If you’re not familiar, ghosting, as defined by Urban Dictionary is, “When a person cuts off all communication with their friends or the person they're dating, with zero warning or notice before hand. You'll mostly see them avoiding friend's phone calls, social media, and/or avoiding them in public.”
Professional Ghosting is when that activity hits the boardroom.
It’s safe to say that no one likes being on the receiving end of ...nothing. It’s even safer to say that being on the receiving end of all that nothing can be pretty detrimental to one’s flourishing. It presses the pause button on a good chunk of productivity as the propositional contractor innately starts preparing for the, hopefully, fast-approaching follow-up chat where they’re sure to be put on the spot with more tangible ideas. It can hurt one’s self confidence, for sure, but it can also have a longer term ripple effect that lead the ghosted to question their processes, policies, and future tactics.
The best part is that while ghosting may have a negative personal impact on the propositional party, Professional Ghosting has an enormously detrimental effect on ghostee: A recent McKinsey study states that the average worker contributes an estimated 28% of the workweek to managing emails; that means, chances are, if you've been pinged for a follow-up, at best, it can be assumed you've seen the message. And, another research study, done out of USC, shows that most surveyed professionals - 90% in fact - confirm that replies happen within a day of receiving the message. So, if you haven't replied in a day or two, it's fine to assume you won't receive a reply at all.
That means the disappointment sets in far sooner than the average Joe (or Josephine) may think.
If you’re the ghosted - this article isn’t for you: The most important takeaway is that you need to take the high-road in all of this. It's the only way it all works out. Take a look at the communication process, the personal (emotional?) investment you made into the prospect, and grow from it. (And, most importantly, don't ghost other people.) I have, many a time, come face-to-face with a ghost and found myself biting my tongue. Sometimes to a point where I thought it might bleed. Remember that, in those instances, people feed off of your energy and you don't *really* know what came up as to why that person ghosted in the first place. And, frankly, 9:10 times, it's more of a blessing than a curse.
Dear Ghosts,
I am a very energy-driven person. I feed off of the inherent humanitarian connection we all share and, while that might make me a little more invested in this topic than most, I think it's important to share I also have good understanding that some others may not relish in my same motivations. For instance, while I make a deliberate effort to respond to every note that comes across my desk, I understand that others may find it easy to brush memos off and not respond at all. I don't, personally, know what breeds the belief that ignoring people is okay from a moral standpoint any more than I can condone it, but I accept the fact that it happens. For the record: Ignoring people is rude.
This is not a debate about choosing. It is totally your right to choose whomever or whatever service provider you deem is the best fit for your company. But, take action. Communicating your choice to potential partners and the reasons why - if you can do so in a respectful manner - can make the world a better place. Literally. Feedback like that leads to lessons learned and changes implemented and future opportunities being secured. You could be doing them a world of good for just a minute or two of your time in the long run.
Ghosting someone immediately and most importantly shows a lack of respect for the recipient. It's also a good way to instill the notion that you lack a certain level of professionalism, reliability, and overall accountability.
Fun Fact: If there’s one thing we all know for sure is that it’s a small world we’re living in. Think of your own industry. How connected is the professional population? Probably very. Everyone from C-Level Execs to part time custodial workers can probably tell me what’s going on in their same seat within other organizations, at least regionally if not nationally. (And, they often do.) The same rings true everywhere else. I can say, honestly, when someone comes to me with the news that they’ve been approached by an unprofessional, unreliable, and unaccountable force that has burned me in the past, I don’t shy away from sharing that opinion. No one does.
How do you fix it?
It might be rude to wait an eternity to respond to an inquiry but responding late is always better than never. The best way to clear up the situation is to simply handle it. Draft a note - maybe even a new thread altogether - and start with the customary, "Sorry for the delayed response," bit. But, if you want to really win them over take a deep breath and capture exactly what comes to mind. Even if that's a deeper apology.
This approach claims responsibility. It explains your actions and provides greater detail to the nature of the situation. In short, accountability is restored. No one can really hold you choice (to go in a different direction) against you. Next time, simply let them know. "Thanks for that awesome proposal, however, we have decided to go in a different direction with the assignment." Never, ever, lie. Never allude to shelving the concept or terminating an initiative if you're really not. Be clear, be honest, and be concise.
Unblocking Success: How to Build Personal & Professional Momentum
There are moments, as someone who works for themself, where the “getting going” can be tough. I sometimes struggle to find the energy or even just remind myself to continue fostering my creativity. It’s strange, to me, because I am actually one of those people that loves what he does - when I actually get to do it; I have built a strong practice built on even stronger relationships.
These vulnerable moments where the future almost always seems uncertain or totally absent from view are a normal part of life and business.
Even with this at the forefront of my mind, like everyone else, there are still days I hate waking up in the morning if I know there are less than pleasurable tasks ahead of me or that the day to come will have no room for exercise or mindfulness. The feeling was worse and far more frequent when I was in-house for a short time a way back, but it’s most definitely gotten better.
The trick is to take better care of yourself; prioritizing your mental and physical health above all else. Below are some talking points that’ll help you gain (or regain) momentum in life and business. Ready?
Come to terms with the reality that ‘normal’ does not exist. The concept of normalcy is not only unfair, it’s is unrealistic, too. Our ideas of normal are basically reflections of the lives we see around us but it’s important to remember that everyone’s life, struggles, and journey are different; based entirely on their individual circumstance, level of privilege, and determination.
The best thing you can do is surround yourself with the right people. Personally and professionally, it’s important to audit the pool of people that make up your life. You want to make sure your personal relationships are benefiting the personal side of things and that your professional ones are equally as fulfilling. You’re looking for quality over quantity; fulfillment over distraction.
Start paying attention to the advice you receive. More important than listening to advice is analyzing it. Make mental note of its value and credibility and track your source’s success rate over time. Is the person preaching familiar with the topic, you, or even remotely close to the level of success you want? Afterall, you wouldn’t take directions from a tourist. Would you?
#LifeHack: Find or fix up a 1” x 1” piece of paper and write the names of those closest to you on it. Your friends, family, and most trusted colleagues. These are the people that matter most. These are the people we need to think about before we speak and those that should have the most influence on our lives.
Find a mentor. There is no one on this planet who has or will ever accomplish anything without the help of another person; emotionally, physically, and mentally we are all in this together. Your mentor needs to be someone who directly relates to your career path or life trajectory and they shouldn’t be so far ahead of you in that journey that you’re unable to keep up. That’s important.
Get a grip on your time. Time is our single most valuable asset. It depreciates every single second and we never know when the market is going to tank completely. We need to cease every single moment possible and you’d be a fool to waste a day - especially the younger we are. I tell everyone [who asks] to work as hard as they can to get to an 80/20 Production vs Consumption ration; to be mindful of every hour we spend consuming (content, lectures, media) we should spend another four producing.
Finally, listen to yourself and invest in your own flourishing — in whatever way possible. It has always been my belief that our focus needs to be on these four key areas: Education, Wellness, Audience, & Character. They’re the things that make us who we are and the topics we need to revisit weekly - if not daily - to ensure we remain on a thriving path.
I had always felt confident with my ability to analyze and correct the areas of education, audience, and character. Generally speaking I am a very inquisitive and relatively mindful person; it’s easy for me to seek out new learning and audit the people that influence my life, as well as check myself into when and how I need to recalibrate. But, in the summer of 2017, I chose to no longer ignore my struggles with my weight, body image, and confidence and worked tirelessly to embrace a new wellness plan. I hired Jamel (my trainer) and an amazing nutritionist, Raquel, here in Philadelphia; together they filled in a gaping void that had been deteriorating a very long time.
Remember, no matter where you are on your journey - you get to decide what happens next. It’s never too late to regain control and implement positive habits to shape the future.
A Decade in Business
On June 12th I woke up to a friendly reminder on my iPhone that read, “Anniversary!” It comes every single year and marks the day I signed my first freelance client in 2008, making 2018 the tenth year I have been at it. The tenth year I have been in business. There has been an item on my to-do list since January, “10 Year Anniversary Blog Post,” but I haven’t gotten around to it. I’d like to say I have been too busy but that’s not quite it. I have felt there’s nothing to say.
Ten years into anything and there should be an abundance of things to say. Ten years into a marriage or a relocation or… anything at all and you’re overflowing with wisdom, lessons learned, or even humorous reflections at that. Not me. Still, not even today. Yet, the two year mark, the five year mark, even the eight year mark were welcomed with countless characters of self-praise, reflection, and entrepreneurial wisdom — or at the very least a tweet.
Ten years feels like someone has a gun to the back of my head and is shouting at me to speak “or else” and I am just like, “Pull the trigger already. Please.”
Here, let me meditate on it.
I think about where I was — both personally and professionally — and find it hard to ignore the incredible trajectory of my career and how I achieved even this minute level of success. Most of my endeavors ended up being conceived, launched, and propelled by nothing other than my own finance, conviction, and determination to see their success. My consultancy practice came to life because I told a business owner flat out, “I could do it better than [the existing marketing agency was] doing it — but you’d have to pay me more,” and he did. My blog has been nothing more than a recap of the surely insufferable exploits of my daily life the past ten years. I had no proof anyone would care to read it, but they did. The magazine amplified my voice (in 2012) because I had an opinion and couldn’t keep it to myself. The clothing line launched and the store opened (in 2013) because I was passionate about design (fashion and digital).
Don’t ask how I did it all at once because I could never tell you. I don’t mean I can’t release the recipe to my secret sauce, I mean I could never put into words the amount of effort it took to build and manage all of the digital properties: My own. The consultancy group. Client websites [to keep food on the table]. The magazine. The clothing line’s corporate property and then the retail store. And all while creating content (blogs, media, social), writing articles (three a day for three years), answering emails (250 a day at the peak of it), managing 10+ social media accounts and engaging with every follower, designing seasonal styles (fashion), preparing marketing collateral, and whatever else it took to get the jobs done — and that’s just a birds-eye-view of it all. I guess it all boils down to passion.
Here we go:
If ten years in business will shine a light on anything it’ll shine an internal light on yourself. You’ll be pushed in the most unbelievable of ways. If you stick to it, continue to exercise your creativity and curiosity - in and outside of your industry, and remain focused on the general end goal (success, in whatever it is you’re doing) there’s no doubt in my mind you’ll walk away with a whole new level of self awareness. You’ll find indefinite limits to your adaptation, resilience, and intuition to simply accept the change that comes across the board. If you hire and/or manage a team, you’ll walk away with a new understanding of what it means to be accountable and responsible for the financial and personal success of another. You’ll learn, whether you like it or not, to trust the process; to relinquish control (if only for the sake of gaining it elsewhere) and to slowly find confidence in the reality that in the end it’ll all be okay.
Sure, you’ll see the darker things too. You’ll find out they weren’t kidding when they told you that entrepreneurship is “the loneliest career path one could take” and that even in a crowded room the silence can be deafening. You’ll rewrite your understanding of the concept of stress, anxiety, and doubt — and not for the better. But, at the end of the day or at the end of the road or just at the end of your time wearing the Leader hat you’ll find faith, hope, and a healthy dose of codependency in the very real acceptance of the fact that the darkness is always banished with the light.
I want to leave you with encouraging words of advice or a one-size-fits-all roadmap to “being the most successful person you can be” but I haven’t any (of any). Instead, I want to leave you with this — an opinion:
If you ever find yourself contemplating a notion — whether it be starting a new business, embarking on a new adventure, standing up for yourself, standing up for another, or just [in some other way] grabbing life by its balls — just do it. Set the deadline, strategize, revise, implement, [accept your failures, learn from the lessons (yes, the hard way), express gratitude for those lessons, share what you have learned with everyone and anyone who will listen,] lift those up around you whenever you can, and never settle for anything other than the dream of success you have always envisioned for yourself.
Thank you for being a part of these last ten years. Thank you for adding much-needed purpose, accountability, and support to my life. Thank you for being you.
This article first appeared in Eric Michael's personal commentary on MrEricMichael.com.
The Ten Percent
At the top of my career as a creative consultant, way back in 2009, I emailed (a very famous) celebrity mother and asked her kindly to be my mentor. (For the record: We had no mutual connections, no prior contact, and I had absolutely no right.) But I got an immediate response that spoke candidly about the growing demands of her professional life as her family rose to stardom and she generously offered me “at least one phone call and we could go from there.”
We talked for two and a half hours about a myriad of things (most of them personal) from situation to circumstance, curiosities and creativity, success and fame (and the difference between them), and, of course, at the very end, what the hell I was going to do with my life. I’ll never forget what she told me: “I don’t know what will ultimately become of [my life] but I know you know that it’ll be rooted in good.” I agreed and she continued with a lesson she learned from her daughter, “The easiest way to drop those roots is to embed it into your culture.”
I hung up on that call having gained two things: The first was a new friend and mentor who went on to make herself (and her network) available to me at what felt like my disposal, even when I clearly didn’t know what to do with it. The second was the informal framework for the core of what would become known as my (drum-roll please) corporate social responsibility, also known as “how I give back to the people and organizations that keep our communities thriving.”
My primary objective has since been to donate at least 10% of our resources (profits or time) to deserving non-profit organizations or not-for-profit initiatives.
The result of that commitment has yielded an unfathomable sense of gratitude and a bold underscore to the permeating daily reminder of the fragility and richness of my (and most of our) individual circumstance. The commitment itself has ensured I never reckon and rumble with the dreaded boredom and the accountability (needing to answer “when was the last time you leaned-in ‘just because’?”) has become a siren call; bringing me back to Self while pushing to-and-through gratitude year-after-year.
If you’re curious: I tend to be called into the arenas of supporting those living with or healing from childhood cancer, recovering from addiction, poverty, resource scarcity, and homelessness, as well as the fights against suicide prevention and discrimination and social and criminal injustice of every kind—including the fight for widespread equality and humanitarian liberation.
If you’re at the helm of a philanthropic organization, charitable giving endeavor, or another worthwhile initiative that you think might benefit from a collaborative partnership, please use the below form to get in touch.
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Things to Consider When Choosing Your Domain Name
It’s such an exciting part of the digital property development phase. You know what it’ll look like. You know what the tone/content will be. Now, what will you call it? Choosing a domain name is similar (read: identical) to choosing the name of an organization. It requires a lot of consideration. The name you choose will ultimately end up being your world wide trademark on the web. The name you choose should not only be a solid fit for your organization, but also easy for people to find.
Here are my #WorkHacks for choosing the perfect domain name:
Make it easy. Your domain name — regardless of your site’s purpose — shouldn’t require too much guess work. It should be both easy-to-type and somewhat self-explanatory to the content users will find.
Keep it short. I always tell clients to keep their domain name’s less than (or no more than) sixteen characters in length. Not just for brevity or because (traditionally) they rank better, but for continuity: Social media usernames typically cap at 16-18 characters.
Be open-minded. Sometimes what you’re looking for is already taken, be prepared to rely on a signature keyword (or even a primary campaign name) to host your presence. Whatever it is, the name should end up being whatever people will be searching for.
Targeting is fine. If your organization is hyper-local don’t be afraid to include the city or state you’re reppin’. Doing this not only points out the obvious (where you’re at) but also increases SEO ranking as people search “service-xyz in anytown.”
Try and avoid numbers and hyphens. They’re mostly misunderstood as people who hear a web address don’t know if it’s numeral (12) or spelled out (seven). Trust me. (Eh hem, 12Seven.com.) If you must, be prepared to register and forward the alternative options as well: TwelveSeven, Twelve7, 127, etc.
Also, avoid business prefixes: companyxyzllc.com, companyxyzinc.com. They’re annoying and take up precious character space. Mostly, though, it drives me insane.
Stand out. There are millions upon millions of domain names in the tangled world wide web we’ve weaved. It’s crucial to have a domain name that’s both catchy and memorable.
Dig into the data. Do your fair share of research and make sure the domain name you want isn’t already trademarked, copyrighted, or being used by another organization. Even “remote similarities” could be a big issue down the road. Like, a big legal issue.
Be mindful of the extension. Extensions are the suffixes that trail your domain; there’s more to the internet than the .com’s we’ve all com{e} to know and love. Each has a secific use, so wether you’re thinking .com or .net, the trendy .co’s or the industry specifics (.photography, .work, .guru, etc.) don’t be afraid to break with convention.
Air on the side of caution. Protect your identity and overall brand authenticity by purchasing as many varieties of the name as possible. This includes extensions as well as easily misspelled variations. This prevents competitors/poachers from knocking you off.
Be quick. Like that coat you had your eye on for a week and went back only to find it sold, domain names sell very quickly. Thankfully, unlike that coat, they’re inexpensive. So, get on it!
Did you know?
Domain names can me (optionally) registered and parked complementarity for all new digital property (website) design clients that come through The Studio, for the first year. Afterwards, renewal is a breeze.
How It Works: Advertising & Media Buying
Once upon a time there was a young graphic designer, peddling his ernest creative talents to small and medium-sized businesses in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Interest was high though, try as he might, each project seemed to be a “one off.” Once he completed their web development work, a client would leave; only to return when edits or software updates were needed. This inspired the need for a recurring revenue generator and what motivated the budding entrepreneur to begin offering media buys.
I was that young designer, and that’s exactly what brought me into the world of media buying.
Media Buying — by industry definition — is the process by which a third party agency collaborates with a client to budget and place advertising dollars over an extended period of time. Since 2010, I have been helping small to large-sized organizations curate, implement, monitor, and recalibrate their marketing and communications efforts. Media Brokering has been an integral part of those operations; the secret sauce that’s whipped up behind the scenes.
It’s no longer enough to just populate your various feeds across the tangled world wide web, this interactive content needs to be boosted, promoted, and sponsored in order to land in front of the correct audience. Why? Because, you’re looking to attract new customers — not just the ones who have already subscribed to your feed. (Though, the content still needs to speak to them.)
There are three key reasons why an organization might want to retain a media buying specialist:
Because a buyer forces you to work smarter, not harder. Specialists, with experience in media buying, are going to work with you to research and align your individual product or service with the right media outlet. Most people, when they do it themselves, they go with whatever outlet/station/platform they think is most popular and effective with very little research. Throwing money to the wind, so to speak.
Because a buyer has power. Third party agencies/brokers know what questions need to be asked and can spot the appropriate time to negotiate on rates. (Which, happens to be all of the time.) They have the leverage you need to get the most bang for your buck. Contrary to popular belief, this leverage surpasses traditional media outlets and dips into new-age platforms as well, with the right connections.
Because it’s convenient. Beyond the rush of incoming calls from ad sales reps, producers, and everyone else who has learned you’ve got funds to allocate, buying your own ads sometimes leads to those ads being run in the less-attractive windows in the broadcast period. Why? Because they can. Media brokers reduce the risk of these kinds of practices; in most cases, the station/network is relying on the support of the broker for more than one account.
How it Works
BRIEFING
Together, we meet to discuss current pain-points, objectives, messaging, overall expectation, and touch on budget.
PROPOSAL
Information in-hand, I plan and promptly present suggestions for the best platforms, methods, and allocation of the overall budget.
ACTIVATION
Formal budgets are set, agreements are signed, campaigns are coordinated, and resources disseminated to the appropriate partner.
TWEAK
Once implemented, we carefully monitor campaign exposure, engagement, and make necessary adjustments to maximize the client’s ROI.