Here's What We Found

Hey there! I’m Lena, and I’m the founder of What’s Poppin’ USA. My business got its start in July 2021 because I noticed how many small businesses were struggling during the pandemic. I saw the need for structure—people were running their businesses like hobbies, with no clear plans or systems. I stepped in to help by providing guidance and support. Since then, I’ve published four books focused on DIY business help, with more coming soon! These books share the real-world advice I wish I had when starting out. Helping others succeed is what drives me. One of the things I pride myself on is the doing . Most business consultants are hands- off with their clients, meaning they tell the client what to do, not SHOW the client what to do. I've found that most business owners, especially just starting out, don't have the discretionary funds to simple hire a team of contractors to fix their business specifics (web design, social medial. virtual assistant, payroll, etc). The DIY books are created from my DIY approach, showing business owners how to do for themselves, until they can afford to hire someone to do things for them. One of my absolute favorite things we do is the Hats N Heels Tea Party. It’s a women’s empowerment event that I trademarked in 2024, and it’s going into its fourth year! It’s not just about the tea and hats—it’s a space where women come together, support each other, and make lasting connections. Plus, we do some good while we’re at it, raising money for charity. #itsteatime Another thing I’m super proud of is my patent-pending DIY fascinators. They’ve been such a hit at our tea parties, and now through the SMILE Project, I’m able to send fascinator kits to organizations that need them. We even host charitable tea parties for kids at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), and seeing their faces light up is beyond rewarding. Last holiday season, I had the honor of being Mrs. Claus for both Mommy & Me, Toys for Tots and school-aged holiday events. It was so much fun spreading joy, and it reminded me why I do what I do—creating meaningful connections and making people smile. CHOA Scottish Rite In addition to all of that, What’s Poppin’ USA partners with local businesses to host expos and team-building events. Oh, and yes, we still throw those glamorous tea parties with mink stoles and petticoats—it’s all about bringing people together and having a good time. Looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come, but I’m even more excited about where we’re headed. What’s Poppin’ USA is so much more than a business—it’s a movement that’s all about helping people, empowering women, and giving back to the community. 💙❤️💙 Lena S HHIC | Head Hostess in Charge What's Poppin' USA

5 Challenges Every Small Business Faces and How to Overcome Them Running a small business is an exciting journey, but let’s be real—it comes with plenty of challenges. From managing money to staying ahead of the competition, small business owners wear a lot of hats. Here are five common hurdles every small business deals with and some down-to-earth tips to tackle them. 1. Cash Flow Woes Money makes the business world go round, but keeping it flowing can be tricky. Late payments, seasonal slowdowns, and surprise expenses can throw a wrench in your plans. How to Handle It: Plan ahead with a cash flow forecast  to see what’s coming in and going out. Offer discounts for early payments  to encourage customers to pay faster. Work out deals with suppliers to extend payment terms , giving you some breathing room. If needed, look into financing options  like a small line of credit to cover short-term gaps. 2. Finding and Keeping Customers Getting new customers while keeping the ones you already have is tough, especially when you’re up against bigger businesses with bigger budgets. How to Handle It: Get active on social media  to show off your brand and connect with people. Use email newsletters  to stay in touch with customers and keep them coming back. Deliver amazing customer service  to turn happy customers into loyal fans. Pay attention to customer feedback  and make changes to keep improving. 3. Managing Your Time Small business owners are pros at multitasking, but there are only so many hours in the day. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when everything feels like a priority. How to Handle It: Use tools like Trello or Asana  to organize your to-do list. Delegate tasks whenever you can, whether it’s to employees, freelancers, or a virtual assistant. Focus on the stuff that makes the biggest difference and set clear priorities . Try time-blocking  to dedicate chunks of your day to specific tasks. 4. Staying Ahead of the Competition It’s a crowded market out there, and keeping up with the competition can feel like a never-ending race. But small businesses have a secret weapon: flexibility and creativity. How to Handle It: Do a competitive check-in  every so often to see what’s trending. Focus on what makes you different and lean into your unique selling point (USP) . Stay open to change by adapting to customer needs  and trying out new ideas. Build strong relationships with your customers by creating personalized experiences  they’ll remember. 5. Hiring and Keeping Great Employees Finding the right people for your team can be tough, especially when you’re competing with bigger companies. Once you’ve got a great team, keeping them happy is just as important. How to Handle It: Offer flexible schedules  and a work environment that values work-life balance. Build a positive culture where employees feel appreciated and involved. Give your team chances to grow with training and development opportunities . Highlight the benefits of working for a small business, like having a real impact and being part of a close-knit team. Conclusion Running a small business isn’t always easy, but these challenges don’t have to hold you back. By tackling cash flow, customer retention, time management, competition, and hiring head-on, you can set yourself up for success. Remember, every problem is just a chance to get better and grow. Which of these challenges hits home for you? Let us know in the comments or reach out for more tips to help your business thrive! 💙❤️💙 Lena S.

Running a small business is no joke. Whether you’re a one-person show or managing a small team, juggling everything from marketing to operations can feel overwhelming. Luckily, there are digital tools that can lighten the load—and you don’t have to break the bank to use them! Here are some of the best free or low-cost digital resources every small business owner should know about, including some AI-powered gems. 1. Canva (For Graphics) Need to whip up a social media post, flyer, or logo? Canva’s got your back. This design platform is perfect for non-designers who want pro-level results. With its drag-and-drop interface and tons of customizable templates, you can create stunning visuals in minutes. While there’s a paid version, the free plan is packed with enough features to cover most small business needs. Pro Tip:  Use Canva’s Magic Resize feature (on the paid plan) to repurpose your designs for multiple platforms. 2. ChatGPT (For Content Writing) Got writer’s block? Or maybe you just don’t have the time to craft blog posts, emails, or captions. Enter ChatGPT! This AI-powered tool can help you brainstorm ideas, draft content, and even refine your writing style. Plus, it’s easy to use and affordable (with free and paid plans available). How to Use It:  Ask ChatGPT to generate catchy headlines, write engaging Instagram captions, or help you come up with ideas for your next newsletter. 3. CapCut (For Video Editing) Video content is king, but editing can feel like a chore. CapCut is a free, user-friendly app that makes creating polished videos a breeze. It’s loaded with features like text overlays, music, and transitions, perfect for creating reels, TikToks, or YouTube content. Why It’s Great:  It’s free, intuitive, and offers advanced features like green screen effects and auto captions. 4. Trello (For Organization) If you’re drowning in tasks, Trello can help you get organized. This project management tool uses boards, lists, and cards to keep everything in one place. Whether you’re planning a product launch or managing daily to-dos, Trello’s flexible layout makes it easy to stay on track. Pro Tip:  Use the Butler automation feature to set reminders and streamline repetitive tasks. 5. Buffer (For Social Media Scheduling) Consistency is key on social media, but who has the time to post daily? Buffer lets you schedule posts across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. The free plan allows you to manage up to three social accounts and schedule up to ten posts per account at a time. Bonus:  Buffer’s analytics can help you figure out what’s working and what’s not. 6. Pexels and Unsplash (For Free Stock Photos) High-quality visuals can elevate your brand, but not everyone has the budget for a photoshoot. Pexels and Unsplash offer stunning, royalty-free images you can use for social media, blogs, or ads. Pro Tip:  Search for niche keywords to find unique images that align with your brand’s vibe. 7. Google Workspace (For Collaboration) Google Workspace is the ultimate toolkit for collaboration. Tools like Google Docs, Sheets, and Drive make it easy to share and work on files in real time. While there’s a paid version for businesses, the free tools are plenty robust for small teams. Why It’s a Must-Have:  The seamless integration between tools makes multitasking and collaboration a breeze. 8. Grammarly (For Proofreading) Whether it’s an email, blog post, or website copy, Grammarly ensures your writing is polished and professional. The free version checks for grammar, spelling, and basic clarity issues, while the premium plan offers advanced suggestions like tone and style. Pro Tip:  Use the browser extension for real-time corrections while typing anywhere online. 9. Wave (For Accounting) Managing finances doesn’t have to be a headache. Wave offers free accounting software designed for small businesses. You can track income and expenses, send invoices, and even manage payroll (for a small fee). Why It’s Awesome:  The invoicing feature is super easy to use and lets you accept online payments. 10. Otter.ai (For Transcriptions) If you host webinars, record podcasts, or have meetings you’d like to document, Otter.ai can transcribe audio into text quickly and accurately. It’s perfect for creating blog posts from recorded content or keeping detailed meeting notes. Free Plan Perk:  Get up to 600 minutes of transcription per month. Conclusion These tools can help streamline your workload, save you time, and boost your small business’s efficiency. Best of all, they’re either free or budget-friendly, so you can make the most of your resources without overspending. Have you tried any of these? Got a favorite tool we missed? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you! 💙❤️💙 Lena S.

Business PSA: Pay your workers ON TIME!! Business ownership is a rough game. Rewarding, but rough. There comes a time in business life where you'll need to expand and collaborate with others to grow and scale your business. Usually, this happens by hiring contractors to work and build out specific facets of your business, like social media, customer relations, automations, virtual assistance, etc. As a business owner, I can relate. I begin dreaming again and get soooooo excited when contractors tell me what they can do for my business, to take it to the next level. And this is where discernment and integrity come into play. I've seen it a few ways, as being both the owner and the contractor. Owners: 1. You get excited and say yes, yes, YES!! to all the fabulous ideas the contractor lays out for you. But, when it comes time for you to pay the invoice, you are slow to pay or you haggle about pricing AFTER the work has been done by the contractor, because you didn't budget well. Set an honest budget BEFORE hiring someone. Never agree to pay for a service and then not have the funds to pay. No dine and dash here. Definitely no bueno. 2. You have personal monies, but not business funds. I see and experience this a lot. You will spend frivolously on vacations, eating out, whatever, but won't pay your business contractor or workers properly or timely. For the love of Pete, do not drone on about your travels and purchases. Loan money to your business and pay your contractors and workers!! They want to go on vacation, eat out and be able to pay their own bills too. Contractors: 1. You get sooooo excited to be hired that you do not write up a proper contract nor do you get things in writing. You jump right in and begin the work without securing payment or deposit first, and then have to fight and scratch later to get the money out of the client. Let's reverse this. Get a deposit first, if not full payment. AND secure a signed contract to CYA, all BEFORE you begin the work. 2. You see the red flags of how the hiring business owner operates (or doesn't operate) their business. Take heed - being organized, general business practices, timeliness, communication, etc are all extremely important. If you can't get the potential client to a meeting timely or constantly have to remind them of stuff, they are not for you. Save your wits and be selective about the types of clients you take on. Money is green, but the aggravation factor is real. Not all clients are good clients, and not all are clients for you. Take the time to research, interview and vet the hiring business or owner to see if they are a good fit for your services. 3. This should go without saying, but I feel that I must. Contractors, never claim to have an ability you do not have. Do not promise the client things you cannot do. Instead, be underestimated, and ALWAYS over deliver. 😏 Business reputation and etiquette. Policies and procedures. SOP. How do you hire or get hired? Develop criteria, intake forms, handbooks, or whatever's needed in your business's back end to iron out the wrinkles for your hiring and contracting. It'll make you life easier. 🤷🏾‍♀️ *steps down off soapbox* 💙❤️💙 Lena S HHIC #supportsmallbusiness #whatspoppinusa #smallbusiness #hiringpractices #contractors #hirehelp #sop

Does this resonate with you as a small business owner? Sometimes people see you as just a friend named April or a nephew named John. Folks don't want to 'just give money to their friend Paul,' even though Paul may be doing a project for them. They would pay a big retail store full price before paying a friend, associate or even a family member, what they are worth. Why is that? Sad but true. 😩 Firstly, people are cheap with people they know well. And most times our strongest supporters and most loyal, full-paying customers are complete strangers. Again, sad but true. A stranger sees your skill and expertise. The neighbor just sees you as 'the kid next door.' Secondly, those cheapskates who didn't really believe in you, will begin to ask for favors and discounts once they realize that you DO know what you're doing. They'll be upset, and totally forget all the 'gimmes' and 'freebies' they've already received. But then remind yourself of the vacations they take and the dining out that they do, and then laugh to yourself. Let's be real - you're not a charity, you're in business to make money. Thirdly, it's lonely at the top! As your business grows and expands, your personal network shrinks and your professional network expands. Not everyone is meant to go on this growth journey with you. Think about who actually belongs in your circle. 💙❤️💙 Lena S. #whatspoppinusa #badcustomers #smallbusinesshelp #businesshelp #perserverance

Priorities. What are yours and do you have them? So many times in our business we prioritize our personal dealings and situations over our business. How many of you don't have set hours because you have other stuff to do personally? How many of you don't respond to your DMs or emails because you're running around doing other stuff personally? How many of you miss meetings and give excuses because you're running around personally? Until your business becomes a priority, and you give it the true dedication and attention that it deserves and needs in order to thrive, it won't. You will continue to be stagnant. You will continue to not have customers. And you will continue to not have public trust. Then why are you in business? Everybody wants one! It's a trend! It's cute to say you're an entrepreneur or a business owner. What isn't cute is not putting in the work. What isn't cute is putting in all kinds of money and resources into your business just to let it falter because you don't have the time or you don't want to make the time. Set your priorities in your business. Work life balance is important, but everyone knows that business owners work harder than employees any and every day of the week. So, where do your priorities lie? 💙❤️💙 Lena #supportsmallbusiness #whatspoppinusa #girlboss #priority #businesstips #LenaSpeaks

When is the last time you took stock and inventory of your business? I'm not talking about physical inventory or physical products. What I am referring to is your businesses processes and programs and overall health. What is working for your business and what is not working for your business? Although all great ideas take time to develop and come to fruition, it is advisable for you to review your business dealings at least twice a year. Maybe you have implemented programs or products that you thought would fly off of the shelf, and all you have gotten is crickets instead. Maybe you introduced something by mistake and it took off. Maybe the one thing that you've been trying to get off the ground for the last bit, isn't it. Although time consuming, your business needs a health checkup every so often, just like your own self and physical body does. Some things go out of whack and we have to corral them back in. Some things break and we have to fix them. Some things need better attention and additional maintenance. We are now 6 months into 2024. Have you taken a look at your business this year yet? What does your social media look like? Do you have an actual marketing campaign or do you just post willy-nilly? What do your newsletter or client communications look like? Are they consistent? Is your marketing and branding still appropriate for the direction and the feel of your business, or have you pivoted a little bit? Are you still speaking the same language as your current clients or potential clients? Where is your fresh clientele coming from? Are you in the same business space as you were 6 months ago? 12 months ago? Or even 5 years ago? You age, and so does your business. Just a bit of food for thought. It's time for your business health checkup! 💙❤️💙 Lena S. HHIC Head | Hostess in Charge What's Poppin' USA W: 262-4POPPIN C: 470-991-6324 W: WhatsPoppinUSA.com E: whatspoppinusa@gmail.com *Business assistance available at https://www.whatspoppinusa.com/services

How do you deal and what would you do? Adversity: Have you encountered and how have you overcome adversity in your business? Let's go further. How about blatant disrespect, racism, bigotry, sexism or __________ (fill in the blank). How did you deal? I'm trying to take the dignified route. But it isn't working. Sponsorships, Partnerships and plain B2B dealings can be precarious or fabulous. We've had a bout of both recently, and the former is burning my biscuit. We have put out a call for Sponsorships and B2B collaborations for our 3rd Annual Hats N Heels Tea Party. Remaining unnamed, *sigh*, because i'm petty, but have integrity, I submit photos of what was given as in-kind sponsorship by an antique store. Can we scream WTF??? The shop owner requested that their donated items be returned back on multiple occasions, and when explained that in-kind sponsorship doesn't receive donated items back.... THIS IS WHAT WE RECEIVED (not the sofa though!!!😐) 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 (YES! I think that's blood) 🧐🧐🧐 Do you consider this a proper donation from an antique store, to adequately represent their brand at a glamorous vintage tea party?? This screams SLAVE CLOTHING to me. 😳😳😳😳. We have also been offered a dilapidated jewelry box. There is SO much tulle stuffed to it to hide its raggedy-ness. On attempting to inspect it, it collapsed shut, almost clipping my fingers. I was unable to see its actual contents for the amount of tulle and its unsturdiness. What an insurance liability. There is no possible way to utilize this box part of their donation with the public either, unless the risk of injury. Do they REALLY think all of this is appropriate, or are they trying to just give us something they can't sell, since they can't get it back. We requested vintage hats, wraps, tea cups and sets. But that is not what we received. SHAME ON YOU, ANTIQUE STORE‼️ I still have this foolishness. Do I: 1. Toss it, send a nasty professional message 2. Give it back with a nasty professional message What do you think? Here is the One Star ⭐ review given, to give more context: It is with dismay, and after much internal debate, that offer this unflattering account of interaction with the shop's owners. For months, What's Poppin' USA has been in direct communication, face-to-face and written correspondence, with antique Traditions, particularly its owner, Lorraine. Our company is holding its annual, signature event, and this year have included the local historic Norcross area Merchants as friends and sponsors of the Tea. While we received honest and candid yays and nays from various merchants, Lorraine has been consistently vague. On several occasions, Lorraine asked if we could RETURN the donated merchandise after the event.This is not what sponsorship is. Sponsorship is a form of advertising. You are sponsoring or paying to advertise at an event to help its hosts cover costs and such. After reviewing your donations, we do not feel that they are appropriate for the Hats N Heels Tea Party event. Though a pop-up vendor event, this is a WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT event. It's full of glam, sophistication and girliness. We have thousands of dollars in antiques and sweat equity into the Tea event. The tattered and blood-stained items donated, do not represent glamour. The items are indicative of tattered slavery wear, which is NOT a safe space as a Black woman in the Deep South. Your shop is stuffed with gorgeous vintage items, but you have chosen to donate sub-par, raggedy items to our event. As a personal donation from a grandmother's closet, maybe. But as a business to business donation, what you've provided is completely unacceptable and quite disrespectful. If we were to display the tattered items that you gave us, and put a sign saying that Antique Traditions donated these items, it would shed an unsavory light on your shop and make you look pretty dismal. Items in that condition might belong in a historical museum, but are not a respectable donation for business purposes. Donated items should be a stellar reflection of your Shop, not castaways that you are unable to sell. We have seen the Historic Norcross raffle basket. We wonder if you've offered a set blood-stained knickers to the recipients as well? Our initial request was a collective effort from the HN Merchant's Association. We were sidelined, put-off and disregarded... on various occasions. Highly disappointed. 💙❤️💙 Lena S.

I was asked how to change your business name on your Facebook business page. 👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 From the desktop (NOT phone app), go to your business page. 💙 Left side menu, click SETTINGS ❤️ Select PAGE SETUP 💙 Click VIEW to view and edit your page NAME. ❤️EDIT as desired. 💙 SAVE changes. ❤️ Be sure to SAVE this post for future reference! 🚨 More business help at whatspoppinusa.com We've got SMALL business in the BAG! 💙❤️💙 #whatspoppinusa #supportsmallbusiness #businesshelp #girlboss

Have you ever encountered a situation, a teachable moment? In my daily, I deal with a myriad of small businesses between service providers and product makers. This is for the makers. When someone places a custom order from you, and there is an error on your part, on the makers part, it is unwise to add further insult to injury, by charging the customer to fix your error. Small businesses don't typically have stellar cash flow, and we have to make ends meet and use our materials wisely. As a fellow business owner, I understand this, and, I believe most people would agree with this statement. However, when an order is placed and you make a mistake of not including something in the order that was requested, or you make an error or there is a quality issue with the product you provided, please take accountability for your blunder. Do NOT charge the customer additional fees or charges to complete the project to satisfaction. Not taking accountability for an error, that is not the customer's error, causes friction and the loss of that particular customer. Why would you penalize the customer for an error that you made, or the business made? Just some food for thought for people who do make products, especially those made to order customized or personalized products. Business is business. This is not a feelings or criticizing moment, this is about ethics and integrity and accountability for your actions in your business. *steps down off soapbox* 💙❤️💙 Lena