Episode 153 – What To Do When You Mess Up

Episode 153 – What To Do When You Mess Up

Author: Custom Apparel Startups June 24, 2021 Duration: 1:12:35
You mess up an order, upset a customer, make a huge mistake, how to handle them and WIN It's a good policy to just figure out what you're going to do IN ADVANCE. What will you do when you or an employee makes a mistake? Don't wait for someone to be angry or disappointed, figure it out now. Don't Panic! 1. Just like the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - “I like the cover," he said. "Don't Panic. It's the first helpful or intelligible thing anybody's said to me all day.” 2. If you Panic you will make an irrational decision. 3. Panic will yield an emotional response and you want to make a business decision, not an emotional one. Be nice to yourself 1. You aren't stupid or a fool. You made a mistake, all humans do every day. 2. You will make another mistake tomorrow, probably later today. It's ok. Figure out a plan 1. You will have to address this mistake, what the plan? 2. What could you do? 3. Print wrong logo on shirts - you have to order new ones and reprint 4. You ordered wrong color shirts - will customer be ok with that? 5. You forgot to file your quarterly taxes - call CPA 6. Forgot to order shirts - now order will be late Contact the customer (etc) ASAP 1. Don't wait for ALL the answers (necessarily) first 2. Make sure they know and they have time to react 3. Be ready for attacks and an emotional response 4. Apologize 5. Agree to a solution Aside - How to apologize properly according to MindTools "How to apologize" which sites psychological research 1. Express Remorse (you ARE actually sorry and show it) 2. Admit Responsibility (It was your mistake or your business's mistake) 3. Make Amends (what can you do?) 4. Promise it won't happen again (you learned a lesson) Figure out the source of the problem 1. How was the mistake made? 2. Is there something you could do differently next time? 3. Can you add extra quality control? Scenarios.... What to do if? 1. What if they want to cancel their order 2. What if they want the order 100% for free 3. Should you give a discount or refund 4. Should you offer free items next time? 5. What if you cannot resolve it on the first call? Mistakes are part of business, if you handle them well, the customers you made a mistake with can become your biggest advocates. Podcasts for Reference: Episode 63: https://customapparelstartups.com/episode-63/ Episode 106: https://customapparelstartups.com/episode-106/ Episode 55: https://customapparelstartups.com/episode-55/ Products Mentioned in this Episode: Epson F2100 DTG Printer: https://coldesi.com/epson-f2100-dtg-printer/ Vapor Apparel: https://colmanandcompany.com/vapor_apparel.html

There’s a certain magic in turning a blank t-shirt or hat into something people are excited to wear, but the path from that first spark of an idea to running a sustainable company is rarely straightforward. Custom Apparel Startups digs into that journey, focusing on the practical realities that new founders often miss. While passion for design and decoration is essential, this podcast operates on the belief that understanding the operational backbone-the "business of the business"-is what separates a fleeting side hustle from a thriving enterprise. Each episode brings conversations and insights aimed at those who have the drive and perhaps a modest budget, but who might lack a formal business plan or years of industry experience. You’ll hear about navigating supplier relationships, managing cash flow, effective marketing on a shoestring, and the technology that can streamline a small decorating operation. It’s built for the entrepreneur who knows their way around a heat press or screen but wants to build a firmer foundation for growth. The tone is straightforward and rooted in a genuine appreciation for the field, avoiding overly theoretical advice in favor of actionable steps. Tuning into this podcast means getting a regular dose of grounded perspective, reminding you that a successful custom apparel venture is crafted with equal parts creative vision and operational savvy.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Custom Apparel Startups
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