The Banno Raani value proposition

Why should businesses exist? What should be the key word in their mission statement? What would make one set-up better than the other?
These are some of the questions that I always ponder over in order to justify what I am offering with Banno Raani. Questions like, Why should someone buy earrings from Banno Raani and not from any other vendor or jewelry house? What does Banno Raani offer that others' cannot offer at a better price? 
Well, I've been a reading a lot of business books (you know I breathe books - don't you?) in trying to understand the core of business, marketing and economy. And, I am more than willing to share this knowledge with you.
So, to answer the question - why Banno Raani, here's why:

• We provide value - we understand the hardwork behind every dollar you earn and want to make sure it goes into something that will make you happy, make you feel good and most of all make you feel pretty!
• We provide luxe experience - right from the display trays sparkling with Banno Raani goodies that take your breath away to the shopping bag with the Banno Raani goodies that you walk away with, we work hard to give you a fabulous buying experience (I am sure our current clients would agree with everything from our presentation to packaging)
• We differentiate on our products - we offer only unique and elegant styles that fit your trendy lifestyle
• We care about how you feel when you pick up that Meena Panna earring or when you try on our Mughal Charm masterpiece and shriek in delight. Yes, we sprinkle love over everything we do and sell

Hoping this declaration of our goals was helpful - and I am very comfortable  sharing such knowledge with all of you, if it helps in any capacity. So, next time someone asks you why they should do business with your or why pick your firm over another, well make sure you can tell them exactly why with one magic word - value!

And in the spirit of sharing, here's a look at one of our earrings that will make you go "oooh, now I want that" : )

Hugs!

How to ask the right questions and promote business

Ok, this is not a "10 steps to a smart business" or "7 ways you can earn more" type of high pitch article. And, no I am not selling you anything. Just yet.

When I last mentioned Oleg Mahkov, I didn't even know that I would ever get to speak to him. But, within a few days, I found myself talking to him for an hour discussing tools for better business promotion, how to make a positive difference in life and pretty much everything about the concept of "maximization". Our conversation opened new doors of perspectives for me and I am truly thankful to him for that enlightenment.
As you know, Banno Raani is a brand new experience for Shikha and I. Well, almost brand new. With the type of busy lives that we lead, we also need to stay committed to the growth and expansion of the boutique. While we are constantly looking for avenues and ways to promote, we only know so much. So, when I read about "free consultation" on Oleg's website, I immediately knew what I had to do next - Ask for the opportunity to be considered for the free consultation - and, that's exactly what I did. I then got a response back from him saying that I had snagged one of the five limited seats he had - and my day was made! We decided on a time and date to discuss the questions/challenges I was facing, and I knew things would never be the same again.

So, now that I am a richer person (ok, ok, intellectually only - but, so what) I would like to share with you some of the ways Oleg helped in tackling the issues and the suggestions he offered. So, if you already have a business and want to break the mold or are thinking about setting up a business and want to know more or are simply in the same boat as as me, then read on:
{Oh, and some of these can be applied to life in general -- I mean who doesn't have issues, right?}


HOW TO IDENTIFY REAL ISSUES vs."I THINK THESE MAY BE ISSUES"


 - The first step is to know what is that you are looking to gain out of your business. Is it profit, breaking even,  having more clients, having a web presence, etc. Not all can be gained at the same time because prioritizing is important. Therefore, truly understand what is your "immediate" must have and then accept that as your priority # 1; number them consequently until you know the order of your wish list. It may sound all cumbersome and boring, but trust me it is simple and important. Best way to get this list is by having a discussion with someone you can talk business with or simply can trust. Sit down with them and just have a debate. Chances are talking with them will allow you to truly have an "out of mind" type of experience and you will be able to look at your objective from a new angle - the perfect new angle :)
 - Once you know your priority # 1, figure out what's delaying you from getting there. What can you do differently to attain that? Example: For Banno Raani, having a social network and more presence is priority # 1 and what is holding Shikha and I back are our busy daily (yes, rather very social) lives. We just cannot shirk our normal workloads and family get-togethers to focus on growing Banno Raani. Not good. So, now, we will dedicate atleast one hour a week (hope to keep increasing that gradually) at PR and publicity efforts. We will find new avenues and forums to spread the word on Banno Raani

And, this is how you isolate the real issues from not so real or not so critical ones. Trust me, having an understanding of your priorities and your shortcomings will definitely make it very easy for you to work on them and eventually produce warm and fuzzy results. Always know that not everything can be a priority or else you will feel overwhelmed and will find it hard to focus on all of them - and you know what happens when you get a feeling like that, don't you?

Hope this little article helpful. Conversation with Oleg truly helped me, and if you want to talk to him as well, by all means reach out to him via his website or just click on his name above!

Hugs!

Holiday Bazaar by Banno Raani

The Holiday Bazaar by Banno Raani is on!

So, if you are reading this, please feel free to stop by at the venue and allow the sparkles, colors and designs of our unique earrings melt you heart! You don't want to miss this, for rreal!

Please email us at: bannoraaniny@gmail.com for more details.

Hope to see you!

Hugs

Getting ready

A month ago, when I found out that the Columbus Circle (NY) holiday market still had few openings left for booths, I got very very excited. Then I saw the price chart, and I got very very sad. Shikha and I wanted to take part in the holiday market so bad, but our budget did not allow us to take a huge strain on the capital just yet. So, we strategized as to what would be the appropriate thing to do. We could take part in the holiday market, acquire debt, and connect with prospective clients or we could wait another year, gather enough capital and inventory and then participate with a full bang. Luckily, it didn't take us long to go with the latter option, and in a way I am glad that that's the road we took.

Sooo, here's our plan: we are getting ready for hosting a Banno Raani's first ever holiday season party. Details coming soon....stay locked in here! You will love it, promise!!

Hugs!

Discipline

True results come from true discipline. I always knew it but did not care to follow this principle. But now, as I grow older and wider wiser, I cannot help but keep my mind focused on this simple equation. It seems to make so much sense now. So, what changed? I am still the same, my spirit is the still the same, but it is my mind that is now accustomed to a more relaxed, rich and robust style - a style that truly yields results.
A good example - my commitment to this blog. Although, this blog is meant to showcase what Banno Raani is all about (and, which it does), I also use this as a platform to paint  my thoughts, my feelings and my life. I have set aside an hour each night to dedicate my thoughts to this 4x6'' box of white space and transform it into a colorful play of words (hopefully you will agree : )). I know this blog allows everyone to not just see Banno Raani's awesome collection, but to also get to know the people behind it and the situations they go through in their daily lives. Yes, there are struggles on this path to entrepreneurship, there are uncertainties, and things that Shikha and I cannot even anticipate - but we continue to take full hearted steps and keep moving forward. And, therefore, the blog is a testament to that discipline. It is also a simple way of staying connected with clients and a unique way of sharing lives!


Hugs!

Of inspiration and aspiration

Inspiration is everywhere and anywhere. 


And, so when we think about Banno Raani, we look for inspiration in the fabulous artwork that is being done around us, in scores of fashion magazines, design websites and hey, even home furnishing catalogues! Influence of these sources allows us to truly understand the scope of a limitless possibility with designs. And in this spirit, we share with you a little glimpse of our aspiration(s)!


Happy Wednesday!

Mela part deux

This past Sunday, Shikha and I took part in another Diwali Mela, and this time around it was in the burbs of New York. But, the drill was the same - excitement, crossing off the to-do list, nervousness, singing amusing songs to self, happiness and finally gratitude.

We kicked off in the morning around 9 and reached our destination around 10:30 {picked up Aunty and Uncle on the way - yes, they offered to help again!!}. At the Mela grounds, the truck was unloading the tents, tables and chairs - and there was chaos everywhere. I was antsy to find the organizer to figure out where our booth would be set up. After having multiple back and forths with multiple people, I finally nailed the booth location and off we went on the unpacking and decorating spree. My heart kept giving out a big thump -- like it was beating against a wall -- yeah, I was that nervous! :)

The event started around 1pm, and we were all set to showcase our best. This event was a lot different than the South Seaport Diwali Mela - where the crowd busted with energy from the minute the clock hit 12pm. I couldn't help but do some comparisons, although it wasn't fair to do so. But, I guess because the Seaport Diwali Mela was our first - I just had to keep coming back to it for references.

Anyhow, the make up of visitors at Hicksville Mela was a lot different. For one, it was full of family type groups, as opposed to independent minglers and secondly it had more men than women (strangely). But, hey, that did not stop us from being our best.

Shikha and I took our spots behind the counter, and greeted all lookers, prospective buyers and even passers by with a genuine smile. To us it wasn't about selling, it was about inviting them to the booth and then letting them make a decision once they had viewed what Banno Raani had to offer. And, boy, did they make a decision or what!! The response was awesome and we really got some great feedback and future clients! :)

We did get some nay-sayers as well who scoffed at our products and prices, but that did not deter us at all. We knew with confidence what we brought to the market, that our products were unique and that our presentation and services were truly above par. Nothing could shake that - if anything, it only made our commitment stronger! So yeah, in a way, we were thankful for such nay-sayers.

Well, keeping the essence of gratitude alive, we would like to take a few lines here and thank all the fabulous folks who visited our booth this past Sunday at Hicksville Diwali Mela. Thank you for stopping by and for taking a dekko at our collection. We love what we do and are honored to be given an opportunity to pass on our love for classiness, elegance and oomphness to you!! :)

Hugs!

Finally

The internet is here!! The internet is here! Oh, how I suffered when it was gone. Although, I managed to check emails on IPhone -- laptop is a whole different ballgame. But, not to worry, now everything is normal...phew!

As I had promised, I am putting up few pics of our collection - finally!! I am still in the process of taking good shots of each earring (just so I can do them justice), so please bear with me on the quality of the pic... : )

Most popular of all ...and blinged to the max! : )

Delicious purple...oh yes, gotta' have em'

Perfect to jazz up any outfit-- must wear

I call them green mangoes...oh, how cute

Turquoise magic...don't you love the color and the shape?

And, here we have Bhairavi modeling one of our unique pieces...thanks girl!

Knocked your socks off??? Do I hear a YES?

Well, hopefully these pictures will give you a glimpse of what we are about, and where we are going with Banno Raani. So, come by or call us, and let us make you feel pretty!!!

Hugs!