We love working with femme founders who are on a mission and have for-purpose businesses (just like ours!).
It’s so inspiring to hear the different ways they approach their business.
In this installment of our Client Stories series, we catch up with Bronwyn from Promoloco, who is shaking up the world of promotional merchandise for the better.
Like many small business owners, Bronwyn Smith of Promoloco has a close working relationship with her customers. She initially ran her business on trust, but is now protected by a Checklist legal set of service conditions and privacy policy. Having collaborated with Bron on our gorgeous client gifts and Checklist Legal merch, we’re happy to confirm that despite leveling up her legal protection, she hasn’t lost any of the personalised spirit of her business approach!
Bronwyn Smith is the founder of Promoloco: a promotional merchandise and branded product business. She has the enviable job of helping customers plan unique and wow-worthy products that represent their brand.
Bron launched her business at a time when the industry was changing. She set out to offer something different to the traditional distributors, who were still trading in cheap, mass-produced, impersonal merchandise. With smaller runs of eco-friendly, local, and on-trend products, Promoloco stood apart by offering something different.
The one thing Bron didn’t change from the industry standard was the approach to contracts. Whether she was printing a logo on an eco-coffee cup or tote bag, Bron would email a mock-up of the product along with an off-the-shelf contract about the artwork. If anything went ‘wrong’ with a customer’s product, her manufacturers would fix it – wouldn’t they? At the very least, Bron hoped that the goodwill she extended to others would be returned. She was running Promoloco on trust.
Bron was caught out just once before she found Checklist Legal. A customer received her products and said: ‘That’s not what I thought it was going to look like!’. Thankfully Bron and her customer were able to come to a resolution. But she realised that next time she might not be so lucky. As a solo business owner, she needed backup.
Having sought legal and financial advice in the past from more traditional professionals, Bron found Verity’s input and approach refreshing. Together, they developed a Terms of Order agreement, and a Privacy Policy for the website. Verity’s approach to writing contracts – which includes a liberal sprinkling of emojis – means that Bron actually understands them! Her customers also love the fact that the branding and tone of voice is clearly Promoloco’s, and that they can quickly sign online (thank-you, Dubsado!).
Today, Bron has a newfound sense of empowerment. With the security of a bespoke Promoloco contract behind her, she can seek out new clients and bigger contracts; confident in the knowledge that her business interests and future are protected.
What can business owners learn from Promoloco?
- Trust is important in business, but there is no replacement for a rock-solid contract that will back you up if things go pear-shaped.
- Cover all your bases. Bron’s early contract was only about the look of the logo on products. Today, her Checklist legal service terms also cover the rights of the different parties, how ordering works, and who’s responsible for manufacturing.
- Treat yourself as a bonafide business owner from the start. Don’t rely on what you’ve seen others do or adopt a ‘she’ll be right’ mindset. Protect yourself and your business and get the right legal mechanisms in place from Day 1.
- Find an advisor who respects you and hears you. When Bron first launched her business, many traditional legal and accounting types labeled her business an ‘Etsy-style hobby’! By contrast, Bron knew she’d met someone who understood her business and shared her values when she met Verity. It was empowering!
You can find out more about Bronwyn and her planet friendly merch business via these links:
And if you want to chat about getting more confidence in your contracts and business processes, let’s talk!