HOW to develop product-Based business owners into successful product designers. A CREATIVE APPROACH TO PRODUCT DESIGN & WHY PRODUCT-BASED BUSINESSES WORK WITH ME

I’M SHARING MY EXPERIENCE & CREATIVE APPROACH TO COACHING PRODUCT-BASED BUSINESSES INTO SUCCESSFUL OWNERS & PRODUCT DESIGNERS.

Are you curious about my creative approach to differentiate us as a Product Designers and why I'm considered to be a pro in the field of Product-Based Business Growth?

Allow me to share my creative approach with you and demonstrate why you should consider collaborating with me to create your product-based business from scratch utilizing the strategies I've developed over my accomplished career as a product developer for some of the biggest industry leaders.

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"A creative business idea is nothing more than the sum of thousands of tiny decisions, and each one of those decisions is critical to the success of your product design."

Let that sink in... how many hundreds of tiny decisions have you already made today?

Those decisions are what we talk about at QuickSource.co

We’re an online product development incubator that helps make each of those thousand decisions easier by demonstrating how you have the ability to grow your business by developing creative product designs that are unique & what your customers want.

I'm a firm believer that starting your own business should be fun for Everyone!

It’s a time to let your creativity run wild and make it a collaborative, imaginative and exciting experience that inspires you to keep growing outside of the box!

Hello, I’m Christine Sacramone & I want to Welcome you to Quick Source, where Creative Entrepreneurs Tune Into Video Workshops, Coaching & Personal Mentorship for PHYSICAL PRODUCT Design & Business Strategies.

My vision for Quick Source is to inspire, support, and educate creative entrepreneurs, like you, as they begin their journey into entrepreneurship.

My clients include multi-passionate entrepreneurs, product designers, artists, illustrators, stylists, and other creatives who aspire to attain the business + lifestyle they desire.

Does that sound like you?

Are you curious about my creative approach to differentiate us as a Product Designers and why I'm considered to be a pro in the field of Product-Based Business Growth?

Transforming your product idea into a lucrative business is a simpler task when you have a coach who is familiar with the obstacles you will encounter as you develop a business around a strong product concept.

I'll be your trusty sidekick in curating a powerful and united product design lineup that echoes your passions, dreams and interests when first starting to develop your product-based business.

I’m excited to be part of your creative journey.

Okay, Let's plunge right into the topic of discussion: You may be wondering… Why have other methods you’ve used failed to help you design a successful product-based business?

Well, many coaching & workshop frameworks tend to be either too complex or too vague, leaving you unsure of the next steps to take, right?

But the BIGGEST difference between me and other coaches is:

* They are coming in to help you SELL your physical products when you already have inventory and you’re struggling to connect with your ideal customers.

Let's face it, what if your product idea isn't exactly a stroke of genius?

Could it even be a total dud? Yikes!

Truth be told, no selling strategy can rescue a flawed product design.

That’s where you’ll find Quick Source different.

For three decades, I've been developing a career out of:

• Conceptualizing Product Ideas, validating, designing, researching, developing, sourcing & manufacturing physical products for some of the largest big box brands like Hallmarks Cards, Party City, Petco, Macys, JC Penny, Papyrus, Amazon, just to name a few.

• I'm not here to brag. I want to share how I have created multiple passion projects and royalty product collections that have successfully sold across the globe- so that you can do the same!

• As a product design team leader for various organizations, I always strive to push the limits of creativity & conceptual thinking beyond what a product idea is typically capable of achieving. There's always room to take it to the next level of ingenuity.

I can assist you right from the beginning, when you just have a seed of a product idea- it can be as simple as a doodle on a napkin.

I don't want you to be afraid to push your creative ideas to the limit- to create the best possible version of your product, it's essential to question and scrutinize every aspect of your design.

Your physical product is the foundation of your business. Literally… THE FOUNDATION! It can’t be an unstable product concept- there’s no way to build a business upon that.

I want you to get IT right and I know my workshops & guides will help you discover new insights into your design ideas, with no regrets & second guessing your decisions.

You'll be able to expand your concepts and engage with your most important customers more effectively.

That leads me to…What makes my self-guided workshops so different:

Well, I keep it simple.

I teach you the framework that has worked to generate millions of dollars in product based business sales & I show you how to think for yourself so you stop procrastinating, feel confident doing research, learn how to productively brainstorm and get going on your business idea.

I have developed a simple group of exercises that works for product based business owners to design & generate killer product ideas that resonate with who they are!

Together we dive into multiple brainstorm sessions using a method called Idea Mapping. I use this method throughout all of my training materials- Wonna know WHY?

Because Pen To Paper IDEA MAPPING brainstorming works!

It's the fastest way to generate product ideas that line up with WHO YOU ARE!

Allow me to share a story of how idea mapping came to be in my creative journey.

As a young child, I was a doodle maniac! I drove my mother crazy! I doodled away on everything and anything I could get me hands on.

Unlike most kids in my neighborhood, I didn't spend my childhood drawing in coloring books or using chalk to create art on the driveway.

I was clearly different and danced to the rhythm of a unique melody, a beat that only I could hear.

For instance, when I was younger, I used to lay on the living room floor and chat with my brothers. While we talked, I would crawl under the wooden coffee table and sketch design ideas that were swirling around in my head on the underside of the table.

I would bring my creative ideas to life in a kind of dream state of mind where anything was possible. It was my magical realm where imagination had no boundaries.

Any blank surface became my canvas. I filled them with colors and lines, creating my own world within the confines of my imagination.

Years later, my mother stumbled upon a collection of cave-like drawings that told stories. The drawings were found in various places around the house such as closet walls, under mattresses, tree trunks outside, and on the floorboards of the attic.

My mind was constantly in creator mode. My larger than life imagination created a happy place I would go to fully embrace my creativity- I’m sure many of you relate with a similar story.

As a child, I used to sit in my father's home office, sketching away on his antique architectural drafting table. Instead of scribbling aimlessly, I would take the cigarette butts piling up in my dad's ashtray and painstakingly draw elaborate little characters on each one. Looking back, it might seem a bit gross Huh?

Well, My mother held on to those peculiar little mementos to inspire me to keep expressing myself in unique and creative ways. This memory has stayed with me, and during times when I experience creative blocks, my mother reminds me of how free I was as a child and encourages me to continue on that path.

(I'd like to take a moment to honor my mother. She was the true embodiment of love, a creative soul, and my greatest supporter. I feel so fortunate that she always believed in my artistic pursuits. Thank you, Mom!)

Fast forward to my first year of college, I had a hard time grasping the importance of some of the foundational courses required for art school.

During lectures and discussions, I would frequently fill my notebooks with doodles and drawings inspired by my professors' teachings and explanations.

It may have appeared that I wasn’t paying attention, but on the contrary… I was a visual learner! Doodling the lesson helped me focus on & absorb what I was being taught. But still some professors didn’t appreciate my learning method!

One day in class it hit me… my professor was giving a lecture on the GREEKS. I became fascinated how they developed memory systems that allowed them to recall hundreds & thousands of facts perfectly by a Greek memory system based on imagination and association - which I noticed to my own amusement that was exactly what I had been doing in my notebooks, under coffee tables and in ashtrays.

This amused me. So,I looked around at everyone's notes… I saw jumbled letters, words, on top of words, crowded together, scrambling to keep up with the lecture.

I was the only one who dared to explore the idea of **Imagination & Association** as a learning principle.

I suddenly realized I had created a head space that allowed me to think & learn clearly – free of a gigantic, jammed up pile of words that everyone else was following.

From there I set out to search new ways to customize & alter the Greeks method. I absorbed as much as I could find about significance of providing the brain with a roadmap to foster creative thinking and problem-solving through imagination and association. I delved into this topic with great interest and absorbed as much information as possible.

I began to focus on how this could be applied to the product design world and how creativity could be elevated.

I quickly discovered that most of the great thinkers, especially Leonardo da Vinci, used pictures, codes and connecting lines in their brainstorming notes.

They ‘doodled’ and thus made their IDEAS come alive on paper.

I did a great deal of exploration of my own throughout art school doodling and expand my creative ideas into so much more than where they started. What emerged was a creative exercise of IDEA MAPPING that was a fluid train of thought, a simple and beautiful tool that reflected the natural flow and radiance of the creative thought process.

I recognized that this liberating creative thinking tool could be advantageous for both product designers and entrepreneurs. Over time, I have created numerous Idea Mapping Templates for my clients to tap into their creative potential. These templates have enabled them to become proficient idea generators, unlocking hidden creative ideas. I use these tools in workshops to help individuals unleash the full potential of their thoughts, allowing them to generate new ideas with ease and speed.

To ensure the success of your creative business, it is crucial to have a well-conceived physical product idea. Without it, you may end up wasting time and effort trying to sell a product that doesn't resonate with your audience. Please don't make this mistake!

Investing your time in Idea Mapping will generate fresh concepts that enhance your product's overall design & sale-ability. (the links to workshops are below)

Speaking of enhancing & elevating your design ideas… Have you thought about how a physical products can be developed with an emotional connection?

Creating a physical product design that can elicit an emotional connection from the consumer is a critical aspect of product development. Here are three points on how it can be achieved:

1. I want you to Gain a strong understanding of your target audience: You see, to create a physical product that connects emotionally with the consumer, it is essential to understand the target audience during the design phase of your product idea. Identify their needs, preferences, and values to create a product that resonates with them. It is also essential to consider what evokes an emotional connection for them when using your product?

2. Next, I don’t want you to underestimate Storytelling as a powerful tool that can create an emotional connection with the consumer. I’m talking about incorporating a narrative into your actual product design. I want you to think about what you do to help consumers connect with your product on a deeper level. Give that a lot of thought.

3. And thirdly, it should go without saying BUT Design elements play a critical role in creating a memorable and emotional experience for customers. So what are some elements you should consider to elevate your products experience?

Well, Let’s talk about Color.

• Color evokes emotion and conveys meaning. (As creator we all know this.)

• It is essential to select the right color palette that aligns with your brand values and personality and this directly translates into the products you create.

• For instance, blue is associated with trust and reliability, green with nature and growth, and red with passion and excitement. Do you know what emotion you want to convey in your product collections?

The right combination of design elements can evoke an emotional connection with customers and create a memorable product experience. It is essential to select design elements that align with your brand values and personality.

By incorporating these design elements, a physical product can be created that connects emotionally with the consumer, fostering brand loyalty and customer satisfaction.

It’s a simple fact...it’s not enough to be a me too product company or designer these days. You must infuse character, energy and a certain vibe into whatever product business you choose to pursue.

When someone looks at your product collection you want them to say “Oh, I know that style, I know who created that!”

That’s what I want you to achieve in all the products you create and my workshops help you accomplish exactly that!

I don’t want to sound like a broken record BUT Other coaches try to create this AFTER you’re sitting on raw materials & product inventory that’s not selling.

WHY would you wait until that point to learn these simple strategies to make your product so uniquely YOU that you’re attracting ideal customers that love you and your products.

The only way this happens is by addressing YOUR PRODUCT CONCEPT during the design & development phase of your business idea.

This is when You will become aligned with a physical product idea that will make you money! Isn’t that the ultimate goal? BTW... Be sure to watch my FREE VIDEO TRAINING: How To Become A Successful Product Designer for tips on what you should avoid as a creator when 1st starting to design your very own products. (links below)

Let’s look at another point of view... MAYBE YOU HAVE A PRODUCT ALREADY & YOU KNOW IT’S NOT QUITE RIGHT…

Here are some possible reasons why your product may not be selling as well as you hoped:

• One of the most common reasons is that there is no market demand for your product. This means that even though you may have a great product, people simply aren't interested in buying it. It's important to research your target audience and understand their needs and preferences before launching a product.

• Another reason could be that your product is priced too high. If your product is priced significantly higher than similar products on the market, potential customers may not see the value in paying the extra cost. It's important to conduct market research and understand what your competitors are charging for similar products.

• A third reason could be your lack of a marketing strategy- by this I mean selling strategy. Are you selling your products on the right platforms? Are the customers you want to sell to buying on that platform? I see this mistake made by so many product design companies. Even if you have a great product, if the RIGHT PEOPLE don't know about it, they can't buy it. Make sure you have a clear marketing strategy that reaches your target audience effectively.

• Other possibilities of a products failure can be a manufacturers error, OR your packaging may not be effectively communicating your products features & benefits at point of purchase. All of this will result in lack luster sales potential & slow growth.

The frustrating part is… YOU KNOW YOUR PRODUCT IDEA has the potential to be REALLY GOOD!

So, consider these factors to help identify the issue and work towards a solution. Your product may just be a few TWEAKS AWAY FROM SUCCESS!

Here’s some things I want you to think about…

Take Shark Tank as a Case Study:

How many designers go on Shark Tank that are down to their last penny because they’ve spent 10 plus years designing their product concept?

Those that are lucky enough to get a deal with the Sharks immediately face a rebranding of their products with updated packaging, new point of purchase displays, rewriting their products message and repositioning the product so that they are attracting the biggest audience to grow their brand.

Do you know the 3 top things Shark Tank looks for in a successful product design and you should pay attention to in your own business?

1. Product Innovation - One of the most important factors the sharks consider is the level of innovation in the product design. They look for unique and creative ideas that solve a problem or fulfill a need in the market. YOUR TAKE-AWAY: A product that is truly innovative has a higher chance of standing out and attracting big sales.

2. Marketability - The sharks also consider the marketability of the product. They evaluate if there is a large enough demand for the product and if it has the potential to generate significant revenue. YOUR TAKE-AWAY: A product that has a clear target audience and a strong marketing strategy has a higher chance of success.

3. Scalability - Lastly, the sharks look for products that have the potential to scale and grow quickly. They want to invest in businesses that have the potential to become successful and profitable in the long term. YOUR TAKE-AWAY: A product that can be easily expanded upon has a higher chance of attracting investment. They don't want a one-hit wonder- and neither should you!

It's important to focus on the full product development process: from innovation, marketability, and scalability to increase your chances of success.

AND That’s my super power!

I look at the full picture when it’s in front of us in the product design phase... not when it’s behind us with a poor selling product in inventory!

This is KEY to understanding the ins and outs of DESIGNING A SUCCESSFUL PRODUCT.

For Example: Designing a successful handmade physical product business can be a great way to express creativity and provide a personalized customer experience.

However, it does require a significant investment of time and may have limited scalability. It's important to weigh the pros and cons before starting a handmade business to ensure it's the right fit for you.

Let me share a little more about my point of view when it comes to product development...

My job for 3 decades was to DESIGN PRODUCTS that would bring in millions of dollars in sales for several years so that the products gross profit margins we’re worth the investment in inventory.

I was given extremely high sales targets even before beginning to design the product collection.

For Example : For decades, I have been tasked with the exciting challenge of Christmas product development. My goal is to generate 3 million dollars in sales for a new collection that has yet to be designed.

It was my job to figure out how to design killer products that will achieve extremely high sales goals.

My task wasn't simply to design something and hope that it becomes a top seller!

My objective was to develop a strategy that would enable both my US and Asia-based teams to produce groundbreaking, innovative products that would boost the company's profits.

To achieve this, I established a clear plan of action, which included the following steps:

• Assessing current inventory and crafting a plan to sell through existing products

• Avoiding designs that would compete with our current collections & trade-off sales.

• Introducing a fresh look, style, and format that would excite retailers and increase sales with new account penetration.

• Designing products that generate buzz in the industry

• Researching competitors and the market to gain insight into customer preferences.

By prioritizing these key "topics," you will gain a significant advantage over your competitors and these are topics I address in my workshops and private coaching.

Unlike coaches with limited product design experience, I approach the process with a strategic and structured mindset, emphasizing the creation of top-selling products from the very beginning.

It's crucial to comprehend the significance of this matter.

I want to share a STORY of my own creative journey after college…

I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to work for Hallmark Cards Corp offices in Kansas City, MO for several years.

This experience came right after I graduated from Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia.

I'm so grateful for the incredible career path that Hallmark has put me on! But what I really want to talk about is THE POWER OF ONE!

I have a story for you!

Tune In To PART TWO:

WHY YOU SHOULD WORK WITH ME AND WHAT I LEARNED AT HALLMARK CARDS.

(Here's the Link)

I hope you found this helpful. Please LEAVE A COMMENT so we all grow.

It's time to show your products to the world!

Helpful Resources & Tools Related To This Topic:

All The RESOURCES a Creative Needs To Run A Physical Product Based Business:

LINK: Free Product Design Training Video & Workbook Session

LINK: Design Your Products With IDEA MAPPING Workshop

LINK: PART TWO: HOW HALLMARK CARDS HELPED ME BECOME YOUR TOP PRODUCT-BASED BUSINESS COACH

There are many ways to work with Christine:

LINK: Work With Me

www.QuickSource.co