Trying to SAVE my Failing Business

[@theneck5157]

Growing up in NYC we had some really cold winters and a few of my friends owned home made Italian ice businesses and all of them did similar strategies during off season, they would make them into soup shops and they turned out to them sell soups year round because they became popular for soup lol .. they perfected 2-4 soups plus a meat chili and fresh soft Italian bread for dipping … for people that don’t own there property and have to still pay rent off season any form of income helps … one friend did hot dogs we called them dirty water dogs or sewer dogs lol when you grow up in NYC everyone called street hot dogs those names lol .. so these guys literally saved there businesses with ideas to help out during the winter …

[@lnicko]

Just started following you, im not sure where you've hiding, im at a loss with my little business, I certainly wish i had your creativity! But that has given me some inspiration, so thankyou!

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Welcome aboard! Check out my podcast too Here’s a link Https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/james-sinclairs-business-broadcast-podcast/id1495894637

[@michaelcockburn7208]

I run a VC backed tech company James, all of this is completely out of our wheelhouse, and I have to say, the business fundamentals you talk about, the energy, the passion you have for what you folks are doing is totally inspiring, and entertaining. I'm sure your channels are going to explode. Great work! Thanks for putting it all out there.

[@readmycomment3157]

Another great video. It just shows that making that extra effort can really transform a business. High Street isn't dead, it just needs to be turned into a compelling experience.

[@john-francis-robinson]

Nail on head...

[@Church_Of_Kloppism]

High Street isn't dead for food yeah, this is food lol, soon the highstreet will be repair shops and food outlets.

[@DW-dd4iw]

It always makes me laugh when you say "we do our own printing by the way" in literally every video 😂

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

It’s my favourite “in joke” for regular viewers!

[@nickrobinson8339]

Best ice cream ever. I grew up in Chelmsford in the 60s and all us kids used to queue up for the Rossi's ice cream van rather than any other. I had a Great Dane called Tara then and even she loved the stuff and I used to get her a small tub that came with a wooden spoon and we would feed her it. I have been ordering it from Asda online for 3 years, about every 6 weeks, yet they have only had it in stock on three occasions down here in East Sussex. I managed to get two tubs three weeks ago and it still has lumps of ice in it and has that unique creamy flavour and that pale colour that I always remember. Basically if you are from Essex then Rossi's should need no introduction. Good Luck with the business.

[@ckspark2]

We stopped visiting Southend when the council increased the cost of car parking making one of the most expensive places to park in the UK. We always to visit at least once a month and buy a Rossi`s ice cream. I wish you all the best with your business.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Hi Chris The parking is a joke and something we are active In campaigning about. If you come regularly, you can pay £8.50 a month to park for 3 hours a day anywhere in Southend.

[@alrightwithms845]

Southend has great memories for me. The Cliffs & Rossi’s was a big part of that. Congratulations the transformation is magical 🎉😊

[@johnnorthwood]

Drove past the other night and got to say it looked fab! A great job by all your team for the fastrack turnaround 🎄

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Thanks John- appreciate the really kind words

[@GreenhouseSensory]

I love your videos mate. As a business owner myself, I find these inspiring ⚡️

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

That is so very kind of you to say!

[@stuartmoles843]

Good luck to you, fantastic team effort. As you say it really needs to Instagram ready now days, you cannot rely on 50+ coming in for the odd coffee

[@Bussellification]

So much energy and enthusiasm!

[@steveharman8907]

James, well done, we come to your restaurant many times every year and hope to move over there one day....love this, all the very best..

[@kevinbowie7464]

congrats on taking over the Rossi parlour, I seen you've had your eye on in since you first bought Rossi. Spot on

[@Cleancymru1]

1.8k reviews on your shop too! Great work mate! Love the podcast and videos too, thank you and keep it up!

[@howardlake6178]

My 2 mums are laid to rest in my home town of Sarrr fend as I believe it has been pronounced. I may be coming back there in the new year and for the nearly 30 years since I moved away I have been planning to have a Rossi’s. I won’t excite you too much, unless it all happens, but if it does I think I’ve just been reminded of the perfect location for a meeting with an old friend. If I can make it so, it could include a little positive publicity for you, as Rossi’s has very special childhood memories. Including, my father telling me 40 years ago, one of the family he knew, made a pound a minute clear profit. In Summer of course, but 40 years ago, that was some profit margin. All the best

[@georgeharrison2795]

Very good luck over winter. I wish the ice cream tasted more creamy, especially the tubs i can buy in shops - they seem so watery sadly so dont buy them anymore. But your store is an icon so well bloody done

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

When did you last buy it? Since I have taken over I have reduced the air in the ice cream and upped the quality.

[@mrjamesmay3548]

Glad I found these vids.. we are opening an ice cream parlour and I’m nervous as hell with the current climate! We’ve never done it before so I shall be binging your other videos 👍

[@CharlesFloate]

Awesome to see the success with some holiday spirit mixed in! Will be buying my gold ticket for the September event first thing in the new year, looking forward to learning a lot and meeting you in person.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Look forward to seeing you there!

[@AlexPettitt]

Just discovered your channel. Top work! Big thanks for putting me on the Rossi nice list too 😉

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Thanks for watching!

[@jackwicksproperty]

Love your video's James, You are a classic old school business man. Sleeves up and crack on, do what it takes and handle the issues. You should do a series where you go around and help other businesses who may be struggling.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

That’s the plan. 3 steps… 1. Build up KZbin 2. Become a dragon on dragons den 3. Make a tv series on your comment

[@john-francis-robinson]

Brilliant. Love the cross promotion too. Make it a giant advent calendar next year James.

[@m4ckm4n59]

Yeah. Advent calendar. Great idea!

[@autoboatguy]

Your energy is so great, James.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Thanks so much!

[@marshallsonmotorsltd2101]

Love your attitude, turning everything into a positive and an opportunity.

[@ThomasSmith-tv7gp]

I’m gonna be honest, seeing negative comments on a channel that is exiting interesting and obviously has had a lot of work and thought put into it always makes me feel better; because for someone to be that pissed of surely means their life is a lot shitter than mine 😂 great video James, really like that setup and the Christmas marketing for Rossi. Have you tried marketing Rossi to farm shops around Suffolk and Essex? They focus on British produce which is Rossi’s product placement, as well I think it’s a different type of consumer that shops their, more willing to spend extra on premium organic produce. I know from running a business that having a diversified consumer market was the best shielding against economic downturns and slumps in overall consumer confidence. All the best James!!

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Absolutely- farm shops, local stores and restaurants are a huge part of Rossi Wholsale business. If you know anymore - we would love to supply and look after them.

[@ThomasSmith-tv7gp]

@@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur Not sure how far you stretch eastwards, but I know along A120 to A12 towards Beccles the whole route is littered with garden centres other similar stores which I see Rossi doing brilliantly in. As well I think there's a new farm shop that's popping up in Chipping Ongar. I know people have bad expectations of the market 2023, but to me a lot of stuff down that way is still chugging along despite higher expenses.

[@justinmirche]

This is so inspiring! You are definitely going places!

[@MattCowlinn]

He's already gone places 😂

[@samhillsmithify]

I love your videos - I know it is marketing material - but so educational too. As a side note I used to live in Oxford and there is a chain of ice cream shops that are always busy in the winter and have great branding. G&Ds is the name. Would be some great content if you went to review their business

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Thanks, I’ll checked them out. They do some nice flavours!

[@pro-cleanteam7610]

Cool video ! What you could also do is ( here and to various resellers) sell Santa his "official" Rossi ice cream cake. People order and pay for their ice cream cake here or buy it in the store. And can get it delivered to their home on the holiday of their choice. Good margins and a nice product where you put the Rossi family brand on the table of many people's homes.

[@Drivingexplorer]

Your videos has help me to be a better leader especially in marketing Me and my family really like your ice cream we buy once a week Keep up the good work Business leaders like yourself who keep this country growing

[@JasonBarker_YT]

The thing I live about James and his businesses are that they are not sexy. He’s not promoting some bull shit course or making money by building a unicorn company that has secured 200 million £ funding. It’s almost Del Boy but if Del Boy was successful. A true hand on money making entrepreneur.

[@hitmusicsociety]

This was GENIUS! And she was right about the white not showing lol. She understood the assignment, and esthetics!

[@davidmoody3810]

in the cold months you just have to diversify into "hot"offerings....youve got the nuts and bolts of the business, premises, catering equipment.....you start serving "Everest" hot chocolates with the usual cream marshmallows but stick a candy cane in the top or a gingerbread man or festive flavours like mint chocolate, cinnamon chocolate, gingerbread chocolate and give out a free cracker to the kids....could do hot waffles, soups etc, all quick and cheap to make for a good profit.....you just put together some festive themed branding and names and you're quids in

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

We do all of that already. It’s a big part of the business.

[@siradamrees]

Merry Christmas James and the team

[@lincolnshirevideography5303]

Love everything you do James!

[@jimdavis762]

My dad had an ice cream van in East London in the late 60’s early 70’s , he worked for Rossi’s

[@danstastudios2602]

What a brilliant idea! Only just found this channel - I have subscribed!

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Good to have you with us!

[@PatrickWalshBusiness]

This is BLOODY brilliant James. Well done 👏👏

[@V43301]

I love your marketing creativity😎

[@MrFlyingguy]

very enjoyable to watch and achievable with such a dedicated and sorted team. props

[@billywhippet]

I used to go to Rossi's in East Ham when I was a kid, best knickerbocker glory ever.

[@Philxxxxxx]

Wow just wow. True entrepreneur love this stuff.

[@deanwilsher8189]

Excellent job James. Love your videos. From a fellow 6 store retail business owner. 👏👏

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

What type of store?

[@deanwilsher8189]

@@JamesSinclairEntrepreneurFour Bakeries, and two Coffee shops. James. 👍

[@deanwilsher8189]

Opening two more in 23 and then really going to push to 8 more in 24.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

@@deanwilsher8189 well done! What are they called

[@deanwilsher8189]

@@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur Good Taste. Based in Surrey

[@fullcircle8973]

Hi James this is a perfect explain of team work makes the dream work. I find your videos and yourself very inspiring and hopefully i can come along to a seminar this Yr and maybe get an autograph alongside more wisdom. I like to thankyou for trying to help and encourage us fellow entrepreneurs and wish you a great Christmas and all the success in 2023. Best Regards Ben 👊

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Ben, thanks so much for your super kind message! Look forward to meeting one day!

[@elizabethward5685]

Great stuff James. You’re a lateral thinker. I’ve seen some nail bar and beauty businesses do really well with great make overs using fabulous fake flower displays and so on. Really abundant decorations make people feel enriched and expansive and spend more. Love the concept. Next year Winter Wonderland- snowy Arctic landscape.

[@iamjoebaxter]

Proper grafter. Inspiring stuff. Videos are getting better, keep it up!

[@photomad8829]

Just found your channel, love it you should be on telly 🔥

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Hahhahaha - thanks. Make sure you subscribe!

[@thomasr8130]

Well done James. Smashed that and your video are always a inspiration to help me grow my business

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Thanks Thomas

[@greghill7759]

Saw this a few weeks ago when I saw Squeeze at the Westcliff Pavillion. The Ice-Cream Parlor/Santa's Grotto vibe is a perfect, if somewhat short-lived match.... Keep an eye out for Pancake Day!

[@anillchandi]

Amazing videos James!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽

[@coasttocoast1140]

Great content James as always, happy Christmas

[@ImpactMediauk]

Love this - such an exciting company and story.

[@bazyb2586]

Absolutely amazing! I love your passion for creating amazing customer experiences. I enjoy all of your content and would like to see more videos like this one.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Well, we’re making more and more and more !

[@ashleybarker937]

Not sure how I came across this video. I remember going there as a kid, 50 years ago. Good luck

[@DoingBits...]

Looks great James!

[@vivdoolan6846]

It really looks amazing! Fantastic! Get kids in to do a lantern making project for your Easter theme and make a million Easter eggs lanterns to hang outside with lights inside ;)

[@AllanThailand]

Fantastic videos James, loving your content and the passion. Inspirational stuff, keep 'em coming and Merry Christmas!

[@usalinksystem5312]

It was very interesting! This proves the strong meaning of good holiday marketing once again. It's not banal, because clients are waiting for something special during the holiday season. So, they are looking for vibes, emotions, and businesses that give it to them will stand out.

[@2000globetrotter]

I used to eat Rossi's ice cream when I was a kid and it was the best ice cream around. Better than Walls (Ola) or Bastianis (another local brand). I hope it hasn't changed.

[@93CMJ]

Love it great video, Alain will always be on the good list for selling up 😉

[@chrislake3664]

We came down a few weeks ago and it was great. Now you've popped up on my KZbin feed. Fate!?

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Absolutely- next time please say Hi!

[@chrislake3664]

@@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur if you're there I definitely will.

[@jasonhazlehurst389]

Goes without saying- Alice in wonderland / winter wonderland would be good themes too maybe. Great work though!

[@AlexConstantinou]

Hot desserts? Pancakes, waffles, crumbles, even sponge cakes with hot custard go down well on a cold day.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

We sell all those - big business for us!

[@eccentricity9697]

James you could make camels comes and buy heaters. You’re a beast.

[@OvertheWheels]

That's a great idea and the results are fantastic. Congratulations. By the way, how much was the cost for the makeover?

[@antonclark3420]

Well done. Love to see local businesses doing well!

[@ArcadiaRugSpa]

May the 4th, star wars theme, nerds and geeks drink loads of coffee 💜💜😁😁

[@edwardsteele4022]

does anyone know where I can get dome printing done? cant find anyone

[@DH-zp7bc]

Good Teamwork.

[@pauldownes5345]

I hope you make it a successful business again good luck mate 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@MrDopeSmokes]

I’ve never seen a Rossi yet but maybe like in the local papers for the towns around for each seasonal event a voucher for a free scoop for a child, which the kid will love hopefully making them say can we get rossi ice cream when they next walk by, long term I think this would be a good idea or something along these lines keep it up your videos are always interesting 👌

[@flipsidefreedom]

James, you are a legend

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Not really, but thanks. Just having a go a to keep things going.

[@m4ckm4n59]

James.. do you do your own printing?? ;) Great work BTW !!

[@ianbaulk9766]

You never stop amazing me what you and your team achieve you deserve everything you’ve got and more well done and happy Christmas

[@nxtgenacademy9439]

Fantastic video James

[@simong7735]

James would waffles in winter with ice cream also work? Chocolate waffles, plain waffles, made fresh with a premises machine with toppings…sprinkles etc….🤔🤔🤔 You’re always an uplifting watch too mate 🙏👍👍👍

[@hlvisuals]

Such a great idea! Excellent video as always, keep up the hard work - very inspiring :)

[@entrepreneurpodcastclub]

Amazing job, well done.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Have you been watching us for long?

[@entrepreneurpodcastclub]

@@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur No, first time watching.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

@@entrepreneurpodcastclub let me know what you think of the channel!

[@1stdayoftherestofyourlives]

New England sells more ice cream in the cold.

[@kwtreecare4023]

Come on, I offered you my cherry picker for free for the day! We would of come and helped overnight! Great work and a true inspiration, you get out what you put in. Bravo 👏

[@marklewis3023]

Nice video, really enjoyed it & a great way to boost a business that's out of its normal season. If you had a burger van (obviously decorated up) or something like that serving hot food & with the seating inside available this would have been a big boost & then people can think of ice cream as a desert afterwards. Crossing the streams slightly but diner/ice cream parlour isn't a big jump.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

We do loads of hot food. Roast dinners, soups, stews, burgers, breakfasts - about 50% of our revenues.

[@marklewis3023]

@James Sinclair OK it wasn't mentioned or shown in the video, so looked like it was ice cream & hot drinks you were relying on. If you're doing food as well then its ticking all the boxes, nicely done! Interested to know if you buy that hotel & turn it around.

[@shomcotter]

This is fabulous!😀

[@brendanwatches3094]

You deserve to do well!

[@peterjohnclayton]

Would have been more interesting to see the underlying profit after all the additional expenses had been taken into account, skewed figures otherwise and a success hyped more than it actually was, if it made money. An additional thousand (gross not net) a day over a short period would barely cover that expense.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

It will make us more profit, It’s also helped us grab lots of new customers that will come back again. If customers come 4 times a year at £50 spend per year and we get 500 new annual customers that’s £25k extra a year. ( I think this is the bottom end of what we’d expect) I think we will be 40k up on last Decembers revenue , based on current run rate, of which 20k will be bottom line after Vat and overheads. The cost to do the Decs, with time and capex is circa 15k; with about half being able to be re used for next year and year after. The awareness in the local press and social media has also been a cherry on top. So overall it’s definitely added profit and long term new customers.

[@peterjohnclayton]

@@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur Great info, would make the films even more interesting if the full results were shown. Nice stuff.

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

@@peterjohnclayton I’m usually very open on this stuff in my videos; but only when it’s concrete facts.

[@richardgreen7621]

Class idea it looks stress to organise tho 😂😂😄

[@barrymcdonagh9646]

Inspiring content! Thank you

[@charlottewheeler1421]

Looks great! If people swim in the sea in December they will eat icecream 😂

[@jacrentals]

Man what a great job.

[@davidstroud8783]

All looking good Well done😅

[@FaulksDigital]

The most talked about thing in this CITY James ;)

[@simoncaine9515]

Do you do your own printing? You didn't say ☺️

[@carlrea]

Do you have wide format printers onsite?

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Yes lol

[@michellepontier145]

So flipping cool!

[@alicocklington3372]

How have you protected all the decorations against local vandals?

[@nonsequitor]

8 mins: potentially some room for growth as a leader there 😉 Great job tho 👌

[@adriandeb2710]

Looks great.. 🎉

[@ortontom]

Well done, love a rossis...

[@thegingerhustle3173]

Amazing May I ask how much that cost?

[@clondon84]

Excellent channel

[@jamiemarshall9654]

Great video James 👍🏻 I’d have love to have know the cost of this all? What do you predict your return on investment to be after all costs? I have a family business in clacton on sea right on the seafront. Merry Christmas to you and your team 🎅🏻☃️🎄

[@JamesSinclairEntrepreneur]

Cost about 15k to do with Labour and materials - we have a lot of resources in house so I think the real cost will be 20k. I think we will double our money and over time get people to try and come back again and again. ( that’s a hunch based on experience, but I can’t accurately say for sure) I also feel because we have nothing either side, we stand alone that also helps. This is also not Southend - it’s Chalkwell/westcliff.

[@jamiemarshall9654]

That’s great I hope it succeeds as it looks fantastic! Some food for thought for my business for sure 👌🏻 are you Taylor’s or carpigiani ice cream machines? Are you producing your own ice cream mix?

[@Cablesmith]

“We did Santa a favour and printed this ourselves” 😂 Also, to be able to tell people you can sell ice cream in the winter is an achievement, sounds like one of those old sayings “he could sell water to a fish”