“What about a Diamond Jewelry store?” She said excitedly over the phone. My friend Lydia and I were strategizing where to have my book launch last March 2014. We were discussing possible places to invite folks to share in my special day.
Normally, book launches are conducted at bookstores or libraries. Since my book is titled: Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters, Lydia suggested that I conduct the event in a Diamond Jewelry store. I thought it was a brilliant idea.
After researching online, I immediately reached out to a few local diamond Jewelers. Jewelry Depot Inc., the store I really liked is a family owned business. It was established more than 30 years in the community. When I called and spoke with the store manager, Lillian Sanders, I explained what I wished to do. She said: “You do know this is a Diamond Jewelry store and not a bookstore?” I told her I did, but it would be exciting and an honor to launch my book in that store.
She said she would present my proposal to the owner who was out of town. The next morning as I was walking out of a meeting, she called and told me the owner liked the idea. He wanted to meet with me to discuss it further. He has never done this.
The day I met with Ted, the owner, I brought a bottle of wine and a copy of my book for him. I told him that I wrote the book to help others learn how to live their purpose. I told him this occurred because my dad regretted not living his purpose on his deathbed. I told him I used the Diamond as metaphor to help my audience to understand how valuable each one is.
Ted loved my story and agreed to have me launch the book in his beautiful store. He even allowed me to put up a giant poster board and flyers in the store to announce the event. We agreed to schedule the event the weekend prior to Mother’s Day. Here is a copy of the flyer.
The day of the event was one of the worst downpour of rain. But it didn’t stop the folks from coming to the event. I was humbled by my friends, family and associates that braved the inclement weather to support my launch. It was a wonderful day for both the folks in Jewelry Depot Inc. and me. The attendees purchased my book and also bought jewelry for Mother’s Day gifts. It was a win-win experience.
As an entrepreneur, one has to move outside the conventional box in which we sometimes put ourselves, or society tells us we ought to be in it. Think of different ways to offer your service or deliver your product. Be innovative. If you need help, reach out to a friend or someone you trust his/her judgment. The cliche: two heads are better than one, is so true when you select the right person.
Lydia, Lillian and Ted saw my vision and helped me to experience one of the most memorable occasions of my life. Their inputs help pushed me in a different direction for marketing and selling my books. It proved to be a successful one.
Are you an entrepreneur and want to established you business for success? Are you struggling with a problem that perplexes you? In my experience, sometimes you need to move outside the box to find a great solution.
Find out how I learned these tips and more from my Diamond Cutters, my mentors and coaches, pick up a copy of Live a Diamond Life, A Life of Purpose: Diamond Cutters today.
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