Struggling Small Business: Deciding the Future | Aja Dang

Delve into the world of entrepreneurship as I share the challenges of my struggling small business, MSTRPLN. Built using the layouts I used myself to get out of debt, MSTRPLN Budget Planners have helped thousands of people get out of hundreds of thousands of debt over the past 4 years. Unfortunately, the future of my small business is up in the air as we simply are no longer growing or selling planners. Experience the highs and lows of deciding the future of the company and the personal reflections that accompany such a journey.

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[simantha]

This is just my opinion but I think the main reason people buy your planners is because of your YouTube videos but the less you plug them the less they will buy them. So your marketing is so intricately linked with you that the minute you stop making videos and mentioning the planners, people will slowly forget about them.

[bringitdanielle]

I agree with the other commenters:

-undated planner
-show your planner on here cuz I honestly didn’t know you had a planner company until a couple months ago. I don’t have socials and only watch you on YouTube

[misciasimmons]

Evolve it! MSTRPLN can be more about you helping people figure out the steps they have to take to reach goals, financial or other. You can still have the MSTRPLN planners digitally and add new pages as you find stuff you use in your life. I know we would love for you to do more videos. I even enjoy when you take stuff to get redyed, walking the dogs, trying food from different places, and working on your style.

[britneyknowles]

Physical product is a very honed skill. I have spent my career in product management, now a business leader. All products have challenges with forecasting. You have one of the absolute hardest being a time bound physical product. One path is to make “blank” yearly planners and allow the customer to fill in months/days. You could take it virtual completely (but I do think there is still a market for physical paper planners). I see a few paths to alleviate the issue of “expiration.” Also, give yourself grace. You have done an incredible job even coming up with the business in the first place. Not something many could do, let alone actually bring to market.

[disney.daze.]

My two cents:
1. I love the planner but it’s huge I like to carry a planner around and it just doesn’t fit in any bag I have except for a full-size backpack. I’d love a smaller one, like an A5 or even A6 size
2. One thing that might be hindering it is the focus on budgets. That limits your potential customer-base. If you have a planner that’s just for planning, you can attract new customers. Those of us who know you and love the budgeting aspect are more likely to buy-in as it is now, but some may just want a “normal” planner.
3. Ok, 3 cents - maybe not feasible now but different color covers! Maybe have a black and then every year a special color? Something different to excite and bring people in.
Love you, Aja! Using my 2023 as we speak

[bennycups]

Based on the last few minutes of the video, it sounds like your digital products, wedding and home, are selling well while your physical one isn’t. Due to shipping cost, maybe you should cut the physical products from your business

[camillemarie]

I will forever buy the physical planner each year as long as they are available. Satisfied customer!

[bebop]

I’ve bought a physical mstrpln planner in the past and I really loved its quality! The main factor that deterred me from buying it again was that it wasn’t very portable - it was a bit heavy especially as a commuter. Wish it came in smaller size / perhaps in 6 month increments so it could be more lightweight

[ssincerious]

I love the physical planners! Perhaps switch to undated versions for the future?

[ms.z]

Someone else mentioned it but an undated planner might be the next step for 2025. Gives the MSTRPLN a journal feeling to it.

Also, maybe create a series where using MSTRPLN is at the core of every video. I know back in the debt payoff days, you used to do videos on how to budget, track payments etc. Maybe you can do the same but using subscribers stories.

[viviena]

I would really miss you from youtube 🥺 whenever you post a new video you make my day❤️

[outletmusic]

Hi Aja, longtime fan here. I’m so obsessed with my MSTRPLN if there’s some way that we as an audience and consumers can help you move forward or grow as a business that would be incredible. I’d be so lost without my MSTRPLN. I’m going through a debt payoff journey alongside planning a wedding. You’re incredible and such an inspiration and bright light

[cristinaregine]

I'm a planner girl and I found you and started following you because of your video about getting out of massive debt. You helped me so much during that time as I had a lot of debt and it was honestly taking its toll on my mental health. You helped me budget (even without the release of the MSTRPLN yet) and I got myself out of debt and am doing amazing enough that i dont really have a need for a specific budget planner. I know a lot of serious budgeters also do online spreadsheets or apps for budgeting as well. I know that finance was what made you blow up but that video was years ago and a lot of your OG viewers have probably grown and did well for themselves BECAUSE of your help. If you came out with a regular non budgeting specific planner I would LOVE to get one.

[HelizhabethHCruz]

I LOVE my MSTRPLN. I can't live without it honestly. I've gotten another friend to use it also. Would prefer dated but if undated is the future, that's totally fine with me. If we don't have physical planners at all, I'd be sad but I understand. I def think u should share more about the planner and market more on your channel. Thanks for everything Aja!

[bertarovira]

Working on short feedback loops from your customers like small surveys every quarter on what planner they are interested in and working with a freelance data analyst to set up for you some forecast/sales dashboards maybe helps. Sending lots of energy, starting business are hard work but these might be just growing pains! You tested products and that’s how one learns what sticks. 🎉❤

[PaperPanduh]

Budget planning is just getting started in the planner community. I think if you push for another season of business it could still go up!!

[InternetGirl]

Maybe in the future, if you still want to do dated planners you can open up pre-orders for planners starting in August of the year prior.

For example, for 2025, try to open up pre-order no later than August 2024, assuming that gives you/your producer enough time to have them made and delivered by December 2024/Jan 2025?

I usually hate pre-order situations, but that may be the only way to start getting better at estimating demand.

[FallenDragon]

I absolutely LOVE your physical planners. I’ve gotten one for the last 3 years and idk what I’d do if they were no longer available. I swear on them any time someone asks where I got them.

[ianbquay]

Aja, hiya! Just a not-so-brief comment here, I fully respect you taking a critical examination of your business. Sounds like something a smart owner would do : ) It's wise, too, to assess all of your products, the quantities, what sells & doesn't - exactly as you are. Likewise, a sage business owner would look at their year on year, too - and just as you're doing now : )

The only part about this that I kindly do not support is questioning that maybe you may not be cut out to be a business leader! Just don't buy that for a minute. You are speaking as one, you are one - and you have been one with this entire channel, building such a massive audience which very few could ever accomplish.

I've loved watching your journey. Like you, I also climbed my way out of debt. So I know this, and can say this, you can accomplish anything you set out to do. I would wager that you know that's true, too.

If you don't want to be a business owner, then by means. As one myself, I wouldn't blame you a bit! It's incredibly challenging, often times isolating too, isn't it? Very well may be best & more profitable working for an employer, there are so many benefits. And you would bring so much value to any company you join.

Just remember, tho, a P&L is just a P&L. It's not a reflection of skill or promise, or what you are capable of. And so many entrepreneurs fail before they succeed. Just imagine if you had, say, let debt define your potential. It would be like thinking you would never be able to get the other side. And look at you!

That's my $0.02. I hope this is helpful. I'm a fan of yours, I'm rooting for you & will be rooting for you in whatever you do - and I believe in you, Aja!

[BottenFieldofDreams]

I'm sorry things have been hard. Don't give up!! All small business go through learning periods. I really enjoy our youtube videos so it would be sad to see you go. But I understand the desire to grow into other areas. Sending good vibes and prayers your way!