People + Passion = SALES. This is what you’re going to learn about today as we bring in Kati Whitledge. Kati is the owner of an upscale boutique salon in Madison, Wisconsin called Be Inspired Salon. They opened in 2010 with 2 employees which has now scaled up to 22 members.
She further created Meet Your Match with the purpose of increasing the retention rates of salons which is currently at 30%. Through this platform, they are able to help visitors find the stylists that would be the best fit for them based on profiling and lifestyle preferences. Kati’s endeavor has become so successful that she is turning this into a national platform which will go live in the next month.
Dig this: The relationship with your stylist can actually surpass that of your spouse.
But what does this have to do with you as a salesperson? Well, you’ve got to pay very close attention to find out as Kati shares with us tons of valuable information that could help you better your sales.
Here are the highlights of my conversation with Kati:
The benefits of Meet Your Match:
- Increases the speed of the sales process by alleviating the fears of new guests sitting in the chair of the stylist they have no idea about
- People buy from those they know, they like, and they trust.
- It’s not about the client finding the best stylist but it’s about the stylist who they do their best work with. Stylists pre-qualify their buyers
People + Passion = Sales
- People buy from who they know, they like, and trust.
- It’s not about your product. It’s about who you’re selling to and why.
- Trust is key.
How do you build trust?
- Be vulnerable.
Be out there. Don’t be scared if people won’t like you. If they don’t, then they’re not your people. You’re not perfect and that’s what makes you real.
- Be authentic.
People will do business with those who believe what they believe. Be who you are to naturally attract the right people to you.
- Decide on the values of your company.
Everyone is not your customer. Follow your passion and the people who it’s for, they will gravitate towards it.
- Be genuinely interested in people.
Get to know people around you on a deeper level. Ask them questions. Take care of people you already have as they become your second sales force.
Where does sales come in here?
When people see how fired up you are and you believe in what you have to offer, they will believe it and when you become real, the sales part comes easy… so easy that you don’t have to offer discounts or devalue what you’re selling. Sales becomes effortless. It’s just a result of being great with people and believing in what you have to offer.
More tips from Kati:
Practice makes permanent. Don’t skip steps. Go all the way and follow through.
Kati’s Major Takeaway:
Be authentic. Be yourself. Don’t be fearful that people won’t accept you. By being vulnerable and authentic, you will attract more of the right people that you want to do business with.
Connect with Kati Whitledge on Facebook , Twitter @kati_whitledge, and LinkedIn.
Visit www.meetyourmatchus.com
Episode Resources:
Get a free audiobook download and a 30-day free trial at audibletrial.com/tse with over 180,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, Kindle or mp3 player.
Check out Simon Sinek’s YouTube video: If You Don’t Understand People, You Don’t Understand Business
Book mentions:
Grant Cardone’s book, Sell Or Be Sold
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