5 Takeaways From Being Featured On CNBC's The Profit Starring Marcus Lemonis
The show aired last week and it allowed us to exhale, if only for a minute, before the exposure of a whole new audience at the height of the Holiday season gave us an enormous welcome by shopping with us online! So many people reached out on social media and email in support of our growth and many people asked questions and wanted more information so hopefully this blog post serves to answer some of those. For all they packed into a 45 minute episode the takeaway is rarely heard from the owner's perspective and so I wanted to share my personal takeaway in hopes it will further help other businesses. So here goes!
1. The success of your business has more to do with the people behind it than any other factor.
Before meeting Marcus I would have agreed with this however I would have thought that it referred more to the staff in the stores than the staff at the warehouse because the sales people are the face and voice that customers see. After meeting Marcus I learned that what you create is less important than who you become as a result of creation. I wish they would have had the time to feature our staff because they ALL are truly amazing! As the business owner I was about the only one that watched The Profit religiously and so I knew first hand what to expect when it came to being critiqued by Marcus...My staff however did not! As I mentioned in the show, my employees are like my children and we have a bond that is unlike any bond I have ever experienced in past careers. Marcus was hard on me but my team was my biggest fan club all the way and it did not take long for me understand why it was so important for us to succeed. When the show aired we held a watch party not having seen the episode. We knew all these people who showed up, many not being familiar with The Profit, might walk away thinking QUEORK was doomed under my leadership but a perfect example of the power of people happened instead. Every time an employee or me or Julie came up on the screen we all cheered and went wild. At the end, all the staff were jumping up and down cheering "QUEORK, QUEORK, QUEORK" until the whole place was doing it! As a company with such a unique product its easy to get caught up in just the education of cork and I think for all businesses whether you are a restaurant or a bowling alley we tend to put our customers focus too much on the product. Thanks to the show I realize now that who we are is just as important as what we sell.
2. You have to pick your battles and know your weaknesses.
Trying to pack the whole story into an hour long episode is impossible and one important fact that didn't make the cut is the closure of the two stores outside of New Orleans which happens in less than two weeks. Both the Santa Fe and Santa Rosa Beach stores had success early on but when we took on manufacturing these locations suffered and got little to no attention and became the source for much of our financial losses. Marcus taught me having a brick and mortar store model is great for certain brands but you have to also be present in the market or the market has to be the right fit. I made a bad choice but learned a valuable lesson. Our plan is to keep our presence in those locations via wholesale to local merchants, then take the money saved and use it toward marketing and manufacturing. As sad as we are to see these stores close, the importance is that we focus on our ability to make a difference here in New Orleans and then expand that through channels like wholesale and corporate gifts. It is not to say we will never open another store, but if we do it will be when we have the cash to do so and be in a location more relevant to our product.
3. One Thing That Cannot Be Avoided Is Smart Work.
As Marcus pointed out, his goal was to teach me to work smarter. I am already a hard worker, I love being busy, and I thrive under pressure. This turns out to be a bad trait when you are leading a company because constantly staying too busy to implement processes or notice inefficiencies means everyone suffers. When I watched the episode, looking at the old space made me actually feel stressed and overwhelmed. "The war zone" that Marcus walked into represented all that we left behind. The disorganized and unprofessional space made disorganized and unprofessional people. In that move, everything about the space changed and so did its people. Now our manufacturing "Depot" as we call it is full of life and energy and has a confidence that is shooting us all to the moon! P.S. We did clean up the old mess, just not before the cameras got here:) That was well deserved!
4. Embrace fear.
In the intro I mentioned 50% of my tears being fear. Because we either import or manufacture our own products we never had to have any sort of resale certificate from the State. Earlier in 2017, we finally needed one and when I went to look for how to get it, the State simply needed my account number that I paid the sales tax with. For some reason the number wasn't recognized. Long story short, for the entire time we had been in business I thought the website I'd been paying my taxes through paid all sales taxes however the state had its own tax and for several years it had never been paid! I found this out literally less than a month after taking out a significant SBA loan to consolidate our significant debt and I knew that paying these taxes and penalties associated with them was finacially impossible for our company. The first interview with the casting producer was the first time I told anyone about it. I was so ashamed and the thought of telling Julie, much less the whole world about it kept me awake more nights than I care to remember. Fear rarely motivates people and more often paralyzes people. My takeaway after the show is that I believe people see fear as something we have to conquer and face-off rather than something that can just be. I think the latter helps give us a perspective that can get us through the unknown vs never going through it at all.
5. Listen and allow others to help.
This goes without saying but it can be hard to practice. Owning a company is very personal, some describe it as their baby and so hearing other people's take on it can cause emotional knee jerk reactions. This was the biggest challenge for me. I watched the show religiously and every single time someone argued with Marcus it enraged me. "Why did you even call him?" I screamed at the tv! Now the table was turned and I am actually an extroverted overly talkative person. Every time the crew came through the doors I had to consciously tone myself down 1000% and remind myself to shut up and listen. I would rather be known as shy than be known as the person that argued with Marcus Lemonis! In all seriousness, I wanted all the advice I could get and Marcus isn't the only person that has experience in running companies. My advice to anyone is to surround yourself with as many like minded people as possible. Join business groups and network. Hire a mentor or coach. Getting outside of your own perspective is critical for success. Another one of my challenges was allowing Julie to help. These are just personal issues that have more to do with pride and ego than anything else. At the end of the day, the goal is to make whatever she invests a great investment and the only way to do that is to do what is good for the company, like paying your damn taxes!
If anyone wants to add to this feel free! We cannot directly respond to the comments because our blog is technically challenged but we do read everything!
17 Responses
Sonia
Show was just aired in Brazil. I wondered why in the show it was not mentioned Julie was a Portugal citizen and American. Products are amazing and helping these workers is amazing.
Danielle
I find it disgusting you play this gig as if you are doing what you do is to help youth, by giving them a job while you dive into your attorney wifes pocket book, without a care in the world. I believe it was YOUR words when Marcus asked how much you have invested and your immediate response was “Oh, i just run the store”…FYI…that is when the audience realized you were part “owner” …AKA, money grubber to your attorney wife’s income. As far as the “youth program”, you ar offering them entry level positions, and by looks of it, you are truly only helping a handful. I would love to know what your starting wage, and highest wage employee is. Thats not empowering them long term, yes they learnd a trade. McDonalds or Subway is empowering youth moreso than you could ever. You are hiring cheap work under shitty management. They are entry level manufacturing positions. Dont act like and sell yourself as if you’re changing New Orleans youth by paying them middle wages off your wifes dime. Explain your “YOUTH PROGRAM” now..and also before The Profit came in. I could assume it’s changed, and if not, you are putting a big shiny sticker on cheap employment…AKA empowering youth to get your caring and big hearted wife to write YOU a check.
Salvador Solis
I watched your episode for a class assignment. Bravo on being brave enough to put yourself out there. You all have very cool stuff!
DIANNE GORDON
I JUST WATCHED THE SHOW THIS WEEK AND LOVED IT. I JUST CRINGED FOR YOU WHEN THE TAXES CAME UP. THE THING I WAS MOST IMPRESSED WITH IS YOUR ABILITY TO LISTEN. SO MANY PEOPLE CHOOSE TO TALK AND NOT LISTEN. YOUR GROWING EXPERIENCE MADE ME GROW TOO, SO MUCH INFORMATION TO DIGEST. I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOUR SUCCESS. THE STAFF HAS AN UNLIMITED PASSION FOR YOUR PRODUCTS AS WELL. HIGH FIVE TO ALL.
Paula
Wow, what an insightful and thoughtful reflection about your experience. It’s great that you’re working to develop the talents of young people in your community.
I have to say my heart ached when you spoke about losing your identity. I had a successful career and then things fell apart. I lost my identity and a real sense of myself. I feel disconnected from the world. I haven’t found my landing place and it is so terribly difficult. It was great to see someone that made it. Someday maybe I will too.
Good luck to you all!
Paula
Hanna Scott
Every year we go to New Orleans, we visit your store and purchase items. The rest of the year I proudly carry my purse, wallet, bag, place mats (you name it) and tell whoever will listen about cork as a product, and your store. Last night at dinner, I was showing off my purse and someone recognized Queork from the Profit show. (Now I have to look up and watch the episode!) Everyone of your employees I have encountered over the years, whether in your store, or on-line support, have been phenomenal. Such great customer service and enthusiasm for the products. I will say that I have had issues ordering on-line (incorrect items shipped, lag in response), and moving forward I intend to just be content purchasing from your shop whenever I am in NOLA.
Robin
Love Marcus Love Queork! Amazing how awesome the show delivered! The spirit of believing in your product and your team is priceless. Best wishes on you continued success!!!
Elizabeth
Lucky me! I live near Santa Fe and had never heard about your store or product. I found your website and will be ordering from it very soon. Your products and story are new and exciting and I thought your episode with Marcus was interesting and that you listened and learned very well. I wish you much continued success and growth. Businesses such as yours, who truly care a bout their employees and product deserve recognition and our patronage. Congratulations!
Karen
I enjoyed reading your takeaway from your experience with the show. It
Says a lot about you and your staff, how you work well together and are open to change and suggestions. Keep up with the positive work! Every piece I have from Queork has held up and traveled well. Queork! Queork! I love it.
Jim
Never seen the show. Have purchased from your santa fe store and love your products, displays and employees. I always purchase something but not enough I’m sure. I am sorry to see that unique location close, but I understand. I wish you much success and hope those taxes got paid!
Sherry
I have been a customer for years. I found Queork in the Quarter years ago and initially fell in love w/the product – taking 2 bags home with me. I was a little disappointed in the wear of the product but do know that has improved significantly. After the Profit show I am more in love w/your mission to help NOLA and the residents. Great job and thank you!
Robert George
I saw the episode that featured your show. I watch the Profit every Tuesday night. I have a small home based business and so I enjoy watching what Marcus can do for a business. Of course I’m too small (just a one person) on-line business to ask anyone for help, and really I’m OK where I am at. Nevertheless, I’m interested in business shows.
I am considering buying wholesale from you, but like I said, I’m small and the $500 minimum order is a little bit high for me to consider.
Congratulation to you and your partner and crew. Best wishes for a continued success !
Bob
Lorraine Schramke
A few years ago I went on a Viking cruise thru Portugal to Spain. I learned about Cork, and loved the product. I bought some souveniers and a few purses for myself. Traveling space is limited, so I didn’t buy any large items.
While vacationing in Santa Rosa Beach the next summer, I stumbled across your Queork store. I found a lovely larger purse, that is one of my treasures. I watch the Profit and was delighted to see that you were one of the businesses that were helped by Marcus Lemonis. His down to earth approach along with discipline is fantastic. Good luck to you and your staff.
Lorraine Schramke
Carol
I first saw cork products in September at an “earth first” fair in Budapest. I was sold!! I never buy animal products. The show introduced me to an American company, with great products, fast service, and excellent pricing (I ordered right after the show and my order arrived Friday). Can’t wait to visit on my next trip to Nola.
Lynne
And I still remember you standing outside the Today Show window! Too funny!
Lynne
Breathe! You’ll be great! Merry Christmas!
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anonymous
September 25, 2019
Thanks so much for posting this! Unlike anything else out there and very informative. The tax reveal on the show helped me understand our own tax situation a little better, which may come in handy in a few weeks… Really appreciate it!