Lakeesha Hargis is the founder of Goody Gal, a subscription box company that encourages its subscribers to grab life by the goodies. As part of the monthly subscription, Goody Gal makes it easy for women to try different lifestyle, fitness, and health & beauty products. Lakeesha also works in Marketing and PR; she enjoys the constant change in the marketing and social media landscape. Lakeesha resides in New Hampshire with her husband, two boys and their english bulldog, Bunny.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
My children were getting older and my life was getting slower, but I wasn’t quite ready to slow down just yet. I wanted to start something of my very own after helping my husband open his tattoo shop. A subscription box service was the perfect fit.
Tell us about your business.
Goody Gal is the only subscription box company that encourages its subscribers to grab life by the goodies. We make it easy for women to try new products geared toward fitness, health & beauty, and healthy living without having to go on the hunt themselves. We also believe in promoting companies that carry eco-friendly, organic or all-natural products. Our Goody boxes are full of good for you goodies – try saying that five times! Goody Gals empower each other, and in keeping with that theme, we feature a Goody Gal doing big things every month.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
1 Free Box with the purchase of a 3, 6 or 12 month subscription to Goody Gal Box. Code: LADYBOSS. Valid June 7th-June 30th.
Where is your business based?
New Hampshire.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I did some market research around what subscription boxes were already in existence. Once I had a comprehensive list of the types of boxes available, I thought about what I loved myself and would be happy to share with others.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Participating in Facebook group discussions and support groups. There are so many small businesses out there who are looking for support. It’s great that we can all help each other reach our goals.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Getting subscribers to commit. I have decent interactions with potential customers but when it comes to getting them to subscribe there’s something missing in the process.
How did you overcome these challenges?
I’ve learned that patience is key and that I need to vary the products that I offer. There’s something for everyone out there, it’s just about marketing to that person at the right moment they are looking to be reached out to.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
My family keeps me motivated along with my ambition to succeed. I know that I have a great idea – I just need to keep at it and try new things.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
I am my brand, and there is no one else like me. When I created Goody Gal, I created it for women like me. Women who believe in the healthy lifestyle and want to use all natural, healthy products while supporting other women who are doing great things in the world. But women who also have those days that a chocolate bar and bubble bath is needed.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
Use Facebook advertising, but use it carefully. Do your research before clicking submit.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Not every idea can be a good one, but you’ll never know if you don’t try.
What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?
- Canva because it allows me to get my creative vision across in my imagery.
- Pexels and Pixabay because they give me a range of photography to choose from until I’m large enough to take my own customized photography.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
I’ve been reading a lot about marketing lately. I read a marketing piece recently specific to subscription boxes: http://blog.imsocialsavvy.com/how-to-market-a-subscription-box-checklist.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
I’m looking to learn more about lead conversion. I want to take interested consumers and turn them into customers.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
My goal is to hit 500 subscribers by the end of the year. I plan to branch out my communications and continue to test my marketing avenues until something proves to be the secret formula to my success.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @Goodygal_box, @FitgirlKeesh
Twitter @Goodygalbox
Facebook www.facebook.com/GoodyGalbox
Website www.Goodygal.com
Email Keesha@Goodygal.com
Hashtags #Goodygals #Goodygalbox #mygoodies