Introduce your business and tell us your story: How did you decide on what to sell, and how did you source your products?
No one in Australia seemed to be selling natural-yet-luxe products for home, skin, hair, body, babies and lifestyle - while also providing insightful information and education about good products, good health, chemical reduction, and so on. We did a lot of research (mostly through Instagram!) to find small makers from around the world, creating animal cruelty-free, luxe products that are safe for the environment and amazing looking. From cleaning products to mascara, face wipes to dog shampoo, body oils to anti-dandruff shampoo, we've found healthier options.
How did you earn your first sales? Which channels are now generating the most traffic and sales for you?
One of our closest friends placed an order the minute the store opened! Social media is by far our best referrer, and newsletters work well too. We find that word of mouth is also a very powerful referrer for us, as customers are so excited when they receive their orders; wrapped with herringbone ribbon, a hand written note and a free sample in every order, our customers can feel our appreciation for their order and loyalty. Running pop-up shops helps us sell product to friends and family without having to place orders through the site and refund shipping costs.
Tell us about the back-end of your business. What tools and apps do you use to run your store? How do you handle shipping and fulfillment?
Shipping and fulfillment is handled internally. We use a combination of Australia Post and Fastway Couriers and pack all orders ourselves.
What are your top recommendations for new store owners?
Find a way to offer a unique online shopping experience. Try to create a relationship with your customers so they get to know you; from how you write product listings, to how you converse with customers on social media, to the presentation of the order once it's received - these things all count towards a sense of kinship and the desire to keep supporting your small business.