Ep 2. Queork

The Profit season 6 episode 2, titled "Queork," follows the host and entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis as he dives into the world of sustainable fashion. The episode centers around a company called Queork, which produces fashionable accessories made from cork. The founders of Queork, a married couple named Jeanine and Corky, believe that they have found a unique niche in the fashion industry with their eco-friendly and innovative products.

At the beginning of the episode, Marcus meets with Jeanine and Corky at their retail store in New Orleans. Upon entering the store, Marcus is impressed by the products and the aesthetic of the store, but he quickly realizes that the business is struggling financially. The couple shares that they have been in business for over 12 years but have not been able to turn a consistent profit. Despite having a loyal customer base and recognition in the media, the company's financials are in chaos.

Marcus does a deep dive into Queork's financials, inventory, and operations, and he discovers that the couple's lack of financial expertise and focus on custom orders have been their downfall. The business is heavily in debt, and they are struggling to keep up with production demands due to their custom-ordering process. Marcus also realizes that the company is underselling their products, which means they're not getting the revenue they should be.

Marcus works closely with Jeanine and Corky to implement changes to the business, including new financial strategies, more streamlined production methods, and a shift in the company's messaging. Marcus sees great potential in the business and believes that they need to capitalize on the uniqueness of their products while also improving their financials. Throughout the episode, Marcus walks the couple through the steps they need to take to make Queork a profitable business.

One of the challenges that Marcus faces is trying to get the couple to understand that they need to shift their focus from custom orders to more standardized production. Although Jeanine and Corky believe that custom orders are one of the things that make their products special, Marcus explains that custom orders can be time-consuming and are not always profitable. Marcus suggests shifting to a more streamlined production process that allows them to produce more products at a lower cost, thereby increasing the company's margins.

Another challenge that Marcus faces is trying to get the couple to understand the importance of raising their prices. Jeanine and Corky have always undersold their products, believing that lower prices would lead to more sales. However, Marcus explains that they need to charge more for their products if they want to make a profit. He educates the couple on the importance of understanding their margins and pricing their products based on their true value.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse into the personal lives of Jeanine and Corky. Marcus learns about the challenges they have faced in their personal lives, including the loss of a child and a cancer diagnosis. These aspects of the episode humanize the couple and make their struggles feel more relatable.

In the end, Marcus works with Jeanine and Corky to create a new business plan for Queork. The plan includes a shift in their production methods to standardized products, a price increase, and a change in their messaging to highlight the eco-friendliness of their products. The couple is receptive to the changes and implements them with Marcus's guidance.

Overall, The Profit season 6 episode 2 offers an insightful look into the challenges faced by small business owners. Marcus Lemonis's expertise and guidance help Jeanine and Corky to turn their struggling business around. Viewers who are interested in sustainable fashion and eco-friendly products will find this episode particularly appealing.