We're always really excited when we find a new brand to rep and especially one that is yummy for our horses and is helping out people in our community. ​

The DayBreak Farm Muffin Company evolved from a desire to make unique, delicious horse treats and a passion to provide meaningful work for individuals with Special Needs. 
 
The Maychuk Family, who own and operate The DayBreak Farm Muffin Co. know first hand how difficult and challenging finding work can be if you have someone in your family with Special Needs. Their daughter, Tessa, 24, has Down Syndrome.
After high school and a 3 year Vo-Tech program, most individuals find obtaining full time work, even volunteer work, extremely disappointing. They then go on to live isolated lives, often staying home with little socialization and stimulation.
 
Kim Maychuk, who owns KT Saddlery along with her Husband Tony, partner with local vocational Special Needs programs to provide work for these individuals...and welcome them into their store where they then can be out and about in their community and have a rewarding experience. The DayBreak Farm Muffin Co. gives back a portion of their profits to these programs to use in whatever way they wish.
 
Moving forward, The DayBreak Farm Muffin Co. envisions a larger bakery to accomodate even more individuals and to be able to partner with other causes, such as Veterans Programs, Breast Cancer Awareness, Animal Rescue, etc. with their color themed treats.
 
That is why they call their treats: The Muffins with A Mission.
 
By partnering with them, You and Your Horse Can Make A Difference!  

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Find DayBreak Farm Muffins at these great local tack stores; 
Rick's Heritage, PA
Maryland Saddlery, MD
Toll Booth Saddle Shop, NJ
Cross Roads Tack Shop, PA
The Surrey, MD
Ramapo Saddlery, NJ

Independent Retailers are seeing big engagement increases using this recent Facebook Tool. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned social media maven consider adding 1 Facebook Live Video each week to your social media outreach. Ideally, you will do this on the same day and time each week. I know this may sound scary and time consuming, but it really isn't so difficult to do. 

Here's what you need:

1. A topic that will educate your audience and position you as an expert. What are you really good at or passionate about? What do you want to share? Think about all the ways you can get that information across. How about a tip or a how to? Do you have a new product that relates to the topic that you can review? The topic should be something you can discuss for about 3 minutes. It can sometimes take a little time for your viewers to find you. 

VIDEO TIPS: You may need to practice before you go live. Have a friend video your presentation several times and watch yourself on playback. You'll see what you need to correct. You will get more comfortable each time. I begin with a list of thoughts I want to include. I find that I need about 3 dry runs before I get it "right". I'll do those 3 to get my delivery down and then do the Live shoot. You can also have a prompter next to your camera person with big cards that have your points or reminders on them to help keep you on track. You can also use a timer clock to keep you on track with time.

2. Give your video a catchy title that will make your audience stop what they are doing to watch you immediately. 

3. Check your tech. Make sure your WiFi connection is good. Enlist a camera person who understands how to use your phone and can shoot a steady video. I suggest a tech test about 10 minutes before you plan to start.

4. Begin by introducing yourself, your store and your location. Thank people for viewing and remind them to like and share your video.

5. Present your topic. Welcome new viewers when you are about 1.5 minutes in. Thank people for viewing and remind them to like and share your video at this time too.

6. Bring it home with a summary or conclusion. Remind people who you are, your store name and location. Promote your next Facebook Live date and time. Thank people for viewing and remind them to like, comment and share your video again.

7. Save the video - You all know by now that I am all about using the same content in as many ways as possible. You can archive these on YouTube, creating a YouTube channel and promote the archive on your website and through your other social media channels.

8. Boost this post to customers within a certain distance of your store. Boosting is a great way to get customers in your area to come to you.

Some data collection and analysis here can be very useful. First, you may like to keep a count of customers each day and track if your traffic is higher after these boosts. Remember, it isn't all about the traffic. It is about converting that traffic into sales and then making that customer a fan. Second, you could add a discount code in your wrap up and count how many customers come into the store and use it.

Need help? Ask us how.
Anne Cecil
[email protected]

Let me repeat that the one thing a brick and mortar store can do that an online store can't is offer an Immersive Customer Experience. Let me also repeat that customers WILL pay for an experience and the FUTURE of the retail store is to BE the experience. That being said, most stores do not offer an experience, let alone an immersive experience.
Here are 5 Elements a store can DESIGN and control that will create a memorable immersive experience.

1. Engage all 5 senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. Our senses can create memories that last a lifetime. If your store does that you have gained a lifelong customer. Take a moment to ask yourself what word your store invokes for each of the senses. What sight, sound, smell, taste, touch do you see when you think of your store? For example, if you carry tack, your store may smell of new leather. How can this smell be used to engage your customer?

2. Be Unique. Use methods, language, processes or rituals that are different from your competition, yet are natural with your store. Customization is a big draw right now, particularly for millenials who want to be unique. Keeping on the tack theme for example. Incorporate the term "custom" into the way your store sells a new bridle. 

3. Personalizing the shopping experience makes a customer feel valued. Making the experience of "customizing" the bridle with an "expert" and creating a bridle that is unique to your customer and their horse is highly personalized. The final bridle feels personally made for them. The bridle and the experience become a "special" memory.

4. Surprise!  Provide something (an object or interaction) that is completely unexpected. It can be small, but it MUST be DELIGHTFUL. If you are on the mark, this will leave a lasting impression. In this example, maybe the "custom" bridle with a "toiletry" kit for cleaning and caring for the bridle in a very special "toiletry" bag. 

5. Make it Repeatable. The process must be consistent across the store. Sales staff must understand how to implement it seamlessly and spontaneously and authentically.

Make it your goal to chip away at these 5 elements in 2017. Don't just sell product, become the experience. Need help? Ask us how.

Anne Cecil
[email protected]