Sara Minkus, Founder of Love It Labels
Name: Sara Minkus
Founder: Love It Labels
Who is Sara Minkus?
I started my career as a middle school math teacher in 2004 at Highland Middle School in Libertyville and from 2005 - 2013 at Hauser Junior High in Riverside. What a wild and rewarding ride that was!!
After becoming a mom, I worked for a professional organizer, The Organized Mama, which gave me more time and flexibility while still doing something I loved.
Fast forward to the pandemic, we stopped going into houses to organize and I focused on organizing my son's at home school space with labels. Once I realized other moms wanted the labels I was making, Love It Labels was born and I started selling all different kinds of labels for gifts, birthdays, businesses, schools, camps, clothing, etc...
In less than three sentences tell us about your company and what you do.
I design custom labels using bright and colorful images for school, camp, favors, gifts, organization, brand packaging, or any event. Our most popular item is stick on machine washable name labels that can be put on clothing tags, water bottles, lunch containers, sports equipment, winter gear, etc... Items that help families stay organized and includes some type of label fits right into the Love It Labels umbrella of growing products.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
Having my own businesses that I created from nothing gives me a huge sense of accomplishment. I continue to grow and learn as I go and even surprise myself in the process of what I am capable of. Being able to connect with so many people and help them is very rewarding and gives me so much joy. :)
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
One of the most rewarding parts of my business is being able to design and print brand packaging labels and cards for other female founders. I now help over 20 small businesses, and I love sharing and promoting their business on social media.
I also donate my services for non profit organizations like The Dragonfly Foundation and partner with other camps/schools to give a % of proceeds back to them.
What lesson or skill did you take with you from a prior job to help you succeed in your role today?
100% without a doubt - ORGANIZATION. When I was a teacher, I used that skill every single day to help plan, help deliver successful lessons, help my students know our classroom routine and be independent, help communicate with parents, and be a successful team leader!
How did you land your first client?
I opened up to my community! I first asked a group of mom friends to test out, and then I posted on a community facebook group's page of other moms in my son's grade. I knew then that my targeted client would be other moms wanting help organizing all the "stuff" that comes with having children.
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?
I would have reached out to an accountant and started quickbooks first thing. I have it up and running now, but it was hard to play catch up!
What are three strategies you use to market your business, grow brand awareness and
generate bottom line growth?
1) Sounds simple, but talk to people! Was just in a store the other day buying clothing for camp, and I mentioned what I do, and now we are going to partner and do an event!
2) EMAIL - I many times feel I get a larger return when I email people on my list than when I post on social media. These are the people who are interested in what I'm selling and have "bought in" to what I am doing.
3) I and now participating in events/shows which I really feel helps with exposure and driving in more sales.
What was an obstacle you overcame to get your business where it is today?
Learning how to make machine washable labels! I knew that if my business was called Love It Labels, I had to figure out how to do this for my customers.
People started asking for them so I started to research how to make them and I kept coming up with nothing! Seriously! It was like a complete mystery on the internet.
This was no easy ride in the park. It took a lot of research, calling different manufacturing companies, trial and error, and testing. Countless hours went into figuring out how to make this a successful product. Now I'm proud to say I get the best feedback from other moms who use the machine washable name labels!
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