“Don’t be afraid of hard work and don’t be afraid of NO. In my opinion No means I have to work harder. Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone! Believe it or not some people still LOVE conversations!”
Meet Karen Smoots, Founder, DMG Inc. (aka) The Green Glove Dryer started her business in 2014.
What does your business offer?
Thegreenglovedryer TM
A non electric glove, boot, shoe, hat, bag and accessory dryer that uses only recycled “green” energy in your home to dry. Simply place the dryer over a register or vent and allow the air to be captured and circulate up into the wet articles. No plugs, no tools. Simply using the heat/energy currently running in your home! Solves the age old problem of WET, STINKY gloves, boots & shoes!
MOMS
SCHOOLS
SKI RESORTS
ANYONE SURVIVING WINTER, WET WEATHER
How has PR and Marketing helped your business?
Social Media – Fair results
Green America – Fair
Local News Stations – Good results
Mom Groups – Good results
What’s your greatest success to date?
Our greatest success in a test in Bed Bath and Beyond Stores (30 initially, and ending up with 215 stores)
2) All Michigan Dunhams Sports Stores
3) 2 appearances on QVC
What’s been challenging and how did you overcome it?
Our biggest challenge is developing a new brand with limited advertising dollars/budget.
Very few people know about our product. We have minimal advertising dollars to spend therefore most is word of mouth initially. Landing deals in retail has helped significantly.
We overcame this challenge by getting involved with local news stations. Asking them to feature us on segments has been extremely successful. Running campaigns on social media has also been helpful.
What steps are you taking to achieve your goals?
Reinvesting all revenue back into the company to build our brand. Using all income to develop HD ready video to have a commercial ready in the near future.
We’re all parents here so give you your best tips on managing family and business.
If there is such a thing? I do try very hard to be a hands on mom while working as a solo Mompreneur. I wake up everyday at 5:30 to give 45 minutes to check emails/etc. Then the day starts with my 12 year old off to school at 7, 9 year old off at 8. Head to my office and crunch time. I am a MOM first.
If I am not traveling I pick my kids up from school EVERYDAY that I can (because pretty soon, they won’t care). This gives me time to connect with each of them individually and talk about school, peers, friends and their day. They come home unwind and I usually finish up work until 5:30. Dinner, etc. comes next…practice..etc.! Then in the evening during showers, I sneak into my office to finish up on last minute details and make a list for the next day!
What are your favorite tools and resources?
Book – The richest man in Babylon
Show – HGTV/DIY shows
If you could wave a magic wand right now, what would you wish for?
A commercial and advertising budget! Once people know about our product, they love it. We just need everyone to know its here!
(and probably someone to manage social media. I am almost 40 and some of this is over my head!)
Where can readers go to learn more about you and your business?
www.thegreenglovedryer.com
