Business Tips from June Dion of Barerose Tokyo

How do real people build a profitable business in Virtual Worlds? Learn from this interview with one of the most successful business owners in Second Life.

Living in Tokyo Japan, June Dion is the owner and designer of Barerose Tokyo. Well known for frequent release of affordable quality outfits, her shop is a favorite among many Second Life residents, myself included.

Four years after the start of her business, June still enjoys hanging out at her shop, conversing and getting to know her customers on a daily basis.
 
Interview with June Dion

Todd Borst: Since Barerose’s start in August 2005, you’ve created literally thousands of quality costumes and outfits. How did you motivate yourself to consistently create new products?

June Dion: I started building as a hobby and I keep building to learn things, so if I get any good idea I keep trying to make it real. Also I get people’s input with requests and such, which motivates me to keep creating content. Also, thanks to SL, I keep meeting people from around the world, and learning their culture. It is exciting to be able to build for such different people, it’s both a pleasure and a challenge.

Todd Borst: Your shop is one of the most well known in Second Life winning multiple Resident Choice Awards. Besides quality content, what are some of your most effective marketing efforts?

June Dion: It is important for me to contribute to people’s enjoyment, to make clothes for funny events too and show it everyday. We also try to help people as best as we can with all our staff at BareRose, reply IMs when possible on a daily basis, and talk to customers personally whenever I get the chance. Also keep improving our support to help them with their issues. Keeping up the work everyday without rest is the most important, I think.

Todd Borst: What are your biggest challenges in running Barerose? How do you handle common issues such as content theft?

June Dion: For content theft, some people get banned even before we get to know they are stealing our content, thanks to our customers who keep sending reports if they find some of our content has been stolen; we really appreciate their help.

June Dion: And if we got a report from our customers, we try to talk with content thefts before acting in any way against them, if possible; I have to thank the people from our Staff too with their help regarding this, because content thefts don’t speak English, sometimes, and we feel it’s important to be able to communicate with them before reporting, because this kind of report may end with all of their assets deleted. This takes time but it’s important to at least give it a try, because sometimes users steal content without even knowing they are ’stealing’, simply because they don’t know how copyright laws work. I have to say that most of them understand after a chat.

Todd Borst: Barerose staff currently consists of 35 people from around the world covering about 8 languages. How did you build such a diverse and dependable team?

June Dion: I think I am Just lucky to get such a nice staff. We are all friends, most of them came to BR introduced by other staff, I think it’s a very nice chain.

June Dion: Staff help is a very important asset, but responsibility relies ultimately on you, the owner. Also, keep working hard everyday if possible, and keep your good health both in body and mind, thank you very much.

 
Todd’s Takeaways

• Love what you do. Because it will make the work easier.
• Contribute to others’ enjoyment. Let their enjoyment to motivate you.
• Connect with your customers. Be open to their input.
• Be consistent and work hard, but remember to relax.
• Be kind and give people benefit of the doubt when resolving conflicts.
• A great team is built through friendship and trust.

 
Thank you June for the interview. If you’ve enjoyed her insights, share your appreciation through a visit to Barerose Tokyo in-world or its official blog by Tori Heart.

For additional interviews with June Dion and Tori Heart:
• 2009 Interview on mmorpg.com
• 2008 Interview on rezmagazine.co.uk
• 2007 Interview on Kuro Neko’s blog

 
This article is the beginning of my interviews with entrepreneurs who are living off their Second Life income. There will definitely be more of these in the future. If you know individuals that fits this criteria and would like to see them interviewed, suggest them in the comments. I will do my best to politely pick their brains.

-Todd