Made to Stick

Some things are made to stick…ideas, songs, a great ice cream flavor… Some things you try, once or twice, and say, no thanks, or meh…but other times, you find just the right thing, the perfect fit.

I did that in the classroom. I was never much of a “worksheet junkie”. I liked to give students real projects and activities that deepened their abilities. The activities I searched for were the ones that were made to stick. In the classroom, they were usually fun, sometimes funny and usually hands on and colorful. And even though I taught 8th grade for many years, I never underestimated the power of a hot pink piece of paper to liven up a project.

When I started My Gnome on the Roam, my first goal was to create something I could use with my son to make and capture our adventures, and to turn them into stories and memories. I wanted something that was beautiful and something that would last. I think we have built it (and about 8-10 awards add to my confidence.)

However, there is one challenge in building something that is made to last. When you find a delicious pack of gum or a great cup of coffee, you fall in love and then you buy it again and again and again. Food brands are smart in a way I didn’t understand until I entered the world of marketing. I never understood the power of the repurchase until we were well on our way. There is such value in creating something that people love. And I loved the idea that families could buy our kit once and use it forever. (Even pass it down through generations). The problem is- there is nothing more to buy! In order to continue and grow, we need a constant new source of people to buy from us. And while that seems lovely, it’s expensive and exhausting. Because we are all about the business of building a community. Thank heavens for our app…

The app is our answer. It is a monthly dose of fun and connection and ideas. And for us, it is our answer to the question of what can our Gnomies fall in love with and want day after day and month after month. And an income stream that will allow our business to grow and thrive. If you haven’t joined our app yet, this is the perfect time. The first month is free and the rest is cheaper than a single cup of coffee per month. But the memories you will make…well, only you can put a price on those.

Three cheers for things that stick,
Team Gnome