As a former lecturer of the fashion business and with 25 years in retail and wholesale, Mel has had two multi-million dollar product businesses that she has since sold, owned a retail store, being a buyer and seller for big brands, exhibited at over 50 trade shows and worked with 100's of brands to help them grow to over a million in sales. Click the button to learn more about Mel.
Meet Melissa Robbins, Product Business Coach and Life Instyle Expert
Tell us a bit about you and your business.
I am a Business Coach for product-based businesses. I have been in the Retail and Wholesale industry for over 25 years. I love to guide another woman on how to build a sustainable and profitable product-based business.
Why did you decide to start your own business?
It has been evolving for many years. I have always been a teacher and educator and now after years of running my own Retail store and Brand, I get to share with others how to build theirs!!
What was one major challenge you had to overcome and how did you overcome it?
I had to figure out how to not spend all my time IN my business and really focus on bigger-picture strategy and working ON the business. This was the turning point for my own Retail store and brand, so I really emphasize this now when working with all the different businesses.
How do you define success?
The freedom to choose where I work and when.
For those starting out, such as the New Breed entries - what is your advice for new start-ups?
Build strong foundations. Make sure you have your pricing right, multiple sales channels mapped and planned,and that you have a strategy for marketing your business.
Is there anything you would have done differently if you were starting out now?
Oh yes!!! I would have valued the wholesale sales channel more as the customers have a much higher LTV (lifetime value).
As loyal members of our Life Instyle family, how has Life Instyle helped your business and how can it help others in the retail industry?
The exposure to buyers and the ability to continually bring so many people together in one place is phenomenal. It really is a world-class boutique trade event.
