Hello Reader,

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What a very busy month it has been!

Lunar New Year. Valentine’s. Lent. Ramadan.

And in the middle of all of that — I found myself unexpectedly deep in… sales.

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The Quiet Wealth of Consistent Friendship

We really loved celebrating Lunar New Year at home this year. I hope you enjoyed yours too — Gong Xi Fa Cai! 🧧🐎

Valentine’s was a family double date with one of our long-time couple friends. Both of us have toddlers the same age, so you can imagine the chaos. Loud. Interrupted. Unhinged hahaha

And yet — deeply meaningful.

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This couple has been with us through almost every milestone: Engagement. Marriage. Pregnancy. Birth.

We didn’t even realize how rare that was until we looked back and thought, they’ve quietly been present in every chapter.

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I’ve come to realize that deep friendship isn’t built on intensity, it’s built on consistency.

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Meaning Over Mechanics

This is also the first time in many years since leaving the Philippines that we intentionally observed Lent, starting with Ash Wednesday.

In our 20s, we were busy exploring the world, living in the Middle East, expanding our horizons. We greeted others “Ramadan Mubarak” – and somewhere along the way, we forgot our own sacred season.

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But something shifts in your 30s.

After a lot of inner work, reflection, questioning — you start noticing what isn’t really yours and owning what you’ve always had.

You also learn that it is not how theologically accurate some traditions are, but it’s about what it represents and if you are doing them from the right heart and intention.

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Oddly enough, the more I’ve seen the world, the more I appreciate my roots and inspire me to go deeper and embody it more.

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50 Items Sold & 300 Conversations Later

Now here’s the surprising part of this month: Sales. Yes, you heard that right. 😂

The past month, I’ve been selling some of our home items in preparation to move to our new place — and honestlyyyyy, I am enjoying it a little too much.

The challenge.
The psychology.
The negotiation.
The conversations.

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I’ve written some pointers on my realisations and lessons below:

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1. The 3 Types of Customers

After hundreds of conversations, I realized there are only three kinds of customers:

1. Yes Yes​
​2. Yes No​
​3. No No

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The Yes Yes

These are the dream ones.

Not just because they buy, but because there is alignment. They need exactly what you’re offering. There’s minimal negotiation. They usually just ask for the price and location – and it’s a deal.

With them, your job is simple:
Highlight quality.
Be clear.
Give them a good experience.

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These interactions remind you why what you offer has value in the first place.

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The Yes No

These customers want it, but they have objections: Price. Location. Features. Timing.

They need more information. More reassurance. More context.

This is where skill comes in.

I once had a buyer ask for an additional 20% discount. Instead of immediately agreeing or rejecting, I showed him the original purchase price, comparable listings, and additional photos. I addressed his objection directly.

He said yes.

Handling objections isn’t about pushing.

It’s about clarifying value.

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The No No

These are the ones who were never going to buy.

And here’s the lesson: identify them early.

Sales is not just a numbers game. It’s an energy game.

At the beginning, I entertained everyone including used furniture buyers quoting unbelievably low prices. It was draining.

Eventually, I learned to simply cross out non-target customers. They weren’t wrong. We just weren’t aligned.

And when someone doesn’t reply or says no?

Celebrate them.
Thank them.
Move on.

One No-No-Customer for a specific item ended up checking my page and buying something else – simply because our conversation ended well.

Imagine if I took it personally.

Discernment protects your energy.

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2. Close the Sale — or Release It

At first, I made a classic mistake.

I would send all the information in one go: dimensions, condition, history, price breakdown – thinking it would convince them.

It overwhelmed them instead.

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There’s an art to opening a conversation.
There’s an art to carrying the middle.
And there’s an art to closing.

Just like chess- your mid-game matters, but so does your checkmate.

I learned to:

• Start with short, clear responses.
• Answer what they ask, not what I assume.
• Guide the conversation step by step.

And when it’s time to close? Be direct.

“Would you like to confirm?”
“Shall I reserve it for you?”

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Confidence closes. Over-explaining confuses.

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3. It’s Not What You’re Selling — It’s Where & How

I first called all Used Furniture Buyers I can find on Google Map, and that’s when I learned that route is a no-go especially in the UAE and when you have enough time to sell.

Then I listed on Dubizzle. Responses were slow. I almost got demotivated.

I even thought – maybe in Dubai everything is just too fast and no one cares about second-hand items.

But I didn’t want to just throw away good items.
And I didn’t want to bring unnecessary clutter into our new place either.

So I tried Facebook Marketplace. At first – nothing.

Then I started experimenting:
Better descriptions.
Adjusted pricing.
Tweaked messaging.

And suddenly? Sales started flowing.

Nearly 50 items sold to date- including ones I never thought anyone would buy. I even surprised myself lol 😅

Same products.
Different platform.
Different strategy.

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Sometimes the problem isn’t your offer. It’s your positioning.

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4. Upsell & Post-Sale Thoughtfulness

I’ve always known that it costs more to acquire new customers than retain existing ones – this is true for marketing as well as sales!

After each confirmed sale, I would ask: “Are you looking for anything else? I’m also selling…”

Every item we delivered came with a handwritten note thanking them for choosing to give this piece a second life. I just really like writing letters haha, my friends would know.

I wasn’t expecting anything in return. But many replied with appreciation.
Some left great reviews.
Others came back to purchase again.

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Sales isn’t just transaction. It’s really an energy exchange.

When you learn that, it’s easy to take a no and it’s easier to identify your real customers.

People remember how you make them feel – even in small exchanges.

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What This Month Taught Me

Celebrations reminded me of gratitude.
Friendship reminded me of loyalty.
Traditions reminded me of roots.
Sales reminded me of value.

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In between toddlers, Lent reflections, and negotiating furniture prices — I feel like I’ve unlocked a new level of myself in this new season!

I feel it in my gut, this isn’t just decluttering before a move.

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It’s training in:
Discernment.
Communication.
Energy management.
Confidence.
Closing.

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Questions For You 🤍

• Is your offering weak or your positioning wrong? And no, I am not just talking about what you’re selling, think deeper. 😉
• What is this season quietly preparing you for?
• And are you confidently closing what’s meant for you, or over-explaining your worth?

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I’d love to hear your takeaway from this week’s newsletter.

Simply reply to this email or forward this to a friend who needs to hear it!

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With discernment, direction and good margins,

Denielle ( ˘ω˘ )💸