Social Media Madness

As I am sure you're aware there are many facets to running a small business, some exciting, some interesting, and some challenging. And on a whole, mostly rewarding.


The last couple of weeks, my challenge has been 'Social Media'. 


Having worked in Advertising for years as an Account Manager, leaving only to run Plie, I thought I still had some idea how the media world kind of worked.... 8 years out of the picture and wow how things have changed! 


'Back in my advertising days, no one 'pinned' anything, there was no 'tweeting' or 'poking' no 'following', no 'liking', 'posting', or 'sharing', no 'walls' and no 'timelines'. I think I had a personal myspace page, and that was about it! Of course I have facebooked, instagrammed, and pinned etc etc but until now, I have not really used it on a business level.


I know, I know, It's about time Plie and I got up to date! 


What a great medium it is for small business!  Customers 'choosing' to interact with you, at their leisure, at a time that suits them. We can personally contact our customers, and create a much more personal relationship with our customers. Its definitely not all about sales. It's so much more about building relationships and contacts.

The average Facebook user spends 20 minutes on his or her account during each visit * - thats alot of time for a customer to interact with you - and even better, all their friends follow the interaction too. There is really no other medium like it. 


And it works both ways. I have found some great products and suppliers for the store, just by using social media. Learnt new ways of merchandising, found window display inspiration and even a few awesome cupcakes for my kids parties. 


And most of all, its FUN! And just slightly addictive... 

Our first 'Social Media' promotion. To get involved,  visit us on facebook.com/pliedancewear or follow us on Instagram @plieboutique or, you can even just good old fashioned email us - enquiries@pliedancewear.com


*Experian - 2011 Social Media Consumer Report

'Eisteddfod Season'

Well, we are certainly in the midst of Dance Eisteddfod season at the moment. Of course we see so many beautiful dancers at Plie, all ready to do their best each week, and especially at the Eisteddfods.

Every year we’re impressed by how much young talent there is in our local dance schools. But even more impressive is the enthusiasm of all the young dancers and the commitment to their dance and their schools.

And, we’re not just talking about the dancers who win the competitions and blitz their exams, but also the dancers who just LOVE going every week to class. Who dance ALL the time. Who come into Plie and want every kind of dance accessory available to them, just cause they LOVE dance. Their passion is admirable. 

Just like my Niece Olivia. On the weekend, Olivia put on a dance performance for us. At home, she dressed up in her leotard, had her cousins ‘introduce’ her to her eager audience of Aunties and Uncles and cousins, and she danced her little heart out.

It was adorable.

Olivia reminded me on the weekend, how much I used to LOVE dance too. Although, unlike Olivia, I was no star, never blitzed any exam. But, I loved it all the same.

My Daughter Amalia watched her big Cousin like it was the most amazing performance ever. And has been playing ‘Dance Classes’ ever since.

Dance can get a little serious sometimes, and at Plie, we are witness to it all. So thanks Olivia, for reminding us what dance is really all about.

Olivia dances at Dynamite Performing Arts on Sydney's Northern Beaches. For any enquiries go to their website www.dynamitepa.com.au or give them a call on  02 9979 1277

Gotta love your Mum!

Even though I run a small business – first and foremost I am a Mum. I have two beautiful children - Amalia and Chase, who, along with my husband - Craig, are the light of my life.

A lot of the local and on line businesses that we love, are also run, just like ours, by Mums. We've come to hear a lot about this new term that’s been floating around – ‘Mumtrepeneurs’.

Did you know, that according to the Australian Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry that at least 700,000 Australian small businesses are run by women. And that ‘Mumtrepreneurs’ form one of the country's fastest-growing sectors.

Go Mums!

Just a few of our Northern Beaches Favourites are:

Little Paper Lane

Palm Beach Collection

Northern Beaches Kids Guide

Cornflower Blue

Little Pearl Designs

Little Feet Dance School

And of course many more…

While we’re on the subject of ‘Mums’, I have to make a special mention about mine. Without doubt the most supportive, amazing Mum/ Nonna/ Friend. I definitely wouldn’t be able to run Plie the way I do, without her help. Or do much else for that matter : ) Love you Mum.

Who is your favourite ‘Mumtrepreneur’ business? We would love to check them out. 

Inspirational 'Repetto'

At Plie our window displays are important to us, and we find inspiration from everywhere to create our themes and designs. We take pride in our window. Its a window to our store, what we stock, who we are, and how we would like to be viewed. In our search for ideas, there has been no one more inspiring than 'Repetto' Paris. It is truly an amazing store, and we just wanted to share some images with you.

You don't have to do dance, or even like Ballet to appreciate how amazing this store is. Imagine having a real life window mannequin. Or making bird cages look this amazing! We hope to create beautiful windows, but we can only dream of creating something this magical!