To really build something that is sustainable, something that grows with you and not just because of you, you need to be able to measure what’s working. That’s where KPIs come in. I've written a number of other blogs about KPI's (linked below) and I continue to write about them because they are one of the single most important things you can do for your business to ensure success.
Key Performance Indicators are metrics that show you how your business is actually performing and they are often overlooked, especially in our industry. But they’re everything. They’re the pulse of your business. They tell you when something’s off, when something’s thriving, and when it’s time to shift.
We use KPIs to guide decisions within Kin all of the time. You may have noticed over time we’ve phased out products that we carried. The numbers showed they weren’t resonating with our customers, and that matters more than our personal attachment. It’s not always easy, especially when you’ve invested time and money into something. But letting go of what isn’t working creates space for what is. Literally. Remember, our shelves make us money and if we have retail that's not selling it's taking up space for what could be selling.
And when something is working? We lean in. One of our bestsellers, Dermathod Priming Peel Booster Pads consistently performs during all seasons, and because we track that, we’re able to plan our marketing and inventory around it. We push it when we know demand will be highest. We build education and campaigns that support it. That strategy wouldn’t be possible if we were just guessing.
You don’t need to be a data analyst to track KPIs—you just need to care about your business enough to stop flying blind. Start small. Choose a few numbers that matter: how often your clients rebook, what your bestsellers are, your average order value, your retail-to-service ratio. And don’t just look at them once. Watch them over time. What are they telling you? I recommend making a KPI spreadsheet in Google Sheets - it's easy and free.
When you know your numbers, you stop reacting and start leading. You stop guessing and start building. And that’s how you create a business that lasts.
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