Entrepreneurship

Zenpreneur Success Talks interviews Probyn on Branding and Social Media

Thrilled to be featured on Zenpreneur Success Talks with Richard Atkinson. Learn with Joanne Probyn about authentic branding on social media.

LISTEN NOW

 

Koko Monk Chocolates Case Study

Chip Wilson, Lululemon founder, congratulates Dincer, Koko Monk Chocolates, "New Business of the Year" finalist and Probyn, ReadyGo Media, "Service Excellence" nominee at the West Side Business Awards.

ReadyGo Media recently partnered with Koko Monk Chocolates to launch their new retail shop and café located in Kitsilano.

Industry experts put the new business failure rate at 60-80% in the first year–with food services and new food products scoring as one of the worst sectors. While the figures vary, one thing is certain–ReadyGo Media understands every decision is critical for new and growing businesses.

According to Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, most restaurants fail due to a lack of :

  • Marketing budget (consequently, they remain unknown)
  • Poor communications with consumers (frustrating and loosing the few customers they do have)
  • Negative consumer perception of value (often caused by inconsistent, undistinguished and inferior branding causing distrust), and;
  • Failure to integrate a vision and mission into the operation (weak branding leading to confusion and rejection)

ReadyGo Media helped Koko Monk Chocolates define key business goals empowering them to get the most from their  budget and  time. They needed to build the brand and drive awareness.

Key Tactic: Exclusive Media Event

ReadyGo Media spearheaded the planning, promotion and publicity for an exclusive, sponsored media event marking the launch of their first retail store.

The results? Brand development and exposure that built trust–of consumers and affiliates–achieved through an outpouring of compelling, authentic stories…ultimately generating more and more opportunities.

Measurable results (achieved in less than two months):

  • Successful, exclusive event featuring guests including The Globe and Mail and key industry influencers resulting in 14 published stories with a reach of at least 500,000+
  • Secured event sponsorships from strategic partners valued at $4000+
  • Built a passionate online community resulting in valuable recommendations, publicity and word-of-mouth advertising
  • Strong relative growth; maintained good sales during their off-season
  • Generated a 40% increase in Facebook fans
  • Doubled unique website visitors
  • Increased website visits 61%
  • Increased Twitter fans 500%
  • Increased engagement and established a Klout score of 45

Measured over a five week period before and after the campaign.

Brand Assets:

  • Powerful brand messaging
  • Press kit
  • Photography
  • Promotional media booklet
  • 5 star Yelp and Urban Spoon ratings

Paul Dincer, Founder Koko Monk Chocolates and Joanne Probyn, Founder ReadyGo Media with friends at the West Side Business Awards

Consequent Success Highlights

  • West Side Business Awards “New Business of the Year” finalist
  • Professionally produced video valued at $10,000 by TELUS OptikTV
  • Retail placement at Granville Island’s Edible Canada at the Market
  • Successful new product development
  • Built strong relationships resulting in invitations to participate in high-profile events including:
      • BC’s largest local food evening, Taste BC at Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver
      • Liberty Wine’s Port & Chocolate Night at Vancouver Rowing Club
      • Suki’s Salon and Spa “Treat Yourself” evening
      • City Food Magazine’s Hot Chocolate Festival
  • Invitation to present at Vogue Theatre’s Pecha Kucha Night (1200 attendees)
  • Vancouver Foodster Barista Competition
  • Blogger interviews, video footage and articles
  • Social Shopper  promotion launching new classes

Partnering with ReadyGo Media has proven to be an excellent business decision. With strong signs of continued growth, recognition and profitability, Koko Monk Chocolates is looking forward to their first year anniversary just around the corner in February 2014.

“Working with ReadyGo Media was a perfect fusion

between our needs and their professional strategic implementation,”

~ Paul Dincer, Founder and Chocolatier, Koko Monk Chocolates

ReadyGo Media’s Business ProCast with Maureen Webb, Co-founder of Project Limelight Society

Meet a multifaceted, dynamic woman…Maureen Webb. Maureen is a casting director, talent agent, restaurant/café owner and a simply a kind soul who supports young talent and phenomenal ideas. Have an exclusive inside look into her life, saturated by stage decorations, talented people, creative children and non-stop 24/7 action. 

Topics: performing arts, casting, Vancity, creative education, entrepreneurialism, time management, multitasking, restaurant business, funding, productivity, hospitality, film, acting, theatre, arts.

Links: projectlimelightsociety.org, castawayproduction.com, http://eastofmaincafe.com/

ReadyGo Media’s Business ProCast is our new podcast featuring interviews with business and not-for-profit leaders. We connect you with the people and information you need to start and grow your business. Get inspired by authentic success stories told by extraordinary entrepreneurs all around the world!

Podcast: 004_MW