I spent the last 10 years in the corporate fashion world working in merchandising and design, building brands for large companies. I always had an entrepreneurial spirit but, like many of us, couldn’t put my finger on exactly what it was I wanted to do.
As a fashion conscious woman, I had trouble finding sleepwear that I thought was relevant and fashionable but still comfortable and flattering. I didn’t understand the imbalance of our attention to daywear versus sleepwear. The thought that we only put value on the clothing that people see was a backwards way of thinking. The clothes we wear should be worn to make us look good and feel good for ourselves. Not for others. If you are blog worthy by day and ragamuffin by night, you are not honoring yourself or the importance of how clothing can make you feel, how important it is for you to sleep well. I put together a collection of classic sleepwear but the product is differentiated by quality of fabric, slimmer silhouettes and the ability to cross over to day wear as well.
I source everything here in Los Angeles with the exception of the silk which is imported from Korea. I find so much happiness in the fact that I am able to support local family owned business.
How did you earn your first sales? Which channels are now generating the most traffic and sales for you?
I earned my first sales through my blogger best friend. She has a big following and did a write up on my brand. It was the highest return on a blogger since. I'm now gaining sales through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Online Fashion Publications, Blogs and Magazines. InStyle Magazine featured us in September!
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?
I use Quickbooks online which I found MUCH easier than Quickbooks for Mac. I use EccCloud to connect my Shopify store/inventory to Quickbooks online. I also use Amex Open/Receipt Match which is an awesome receipt app for Amex card holders and Quickbooks users!
What are your top recommendations for new ecommerce entrepreneurs?
Get familiar with the backend of your site prior to launch. I was working 2 jobs and relied too heavily on my web developer resulting in some mistakes! Utilize the Shopify team whether it be live chat or phone call. They are the best…friendly, intelligent, helpful and understanding.
Don't try to save too much money on photography. It is what speaks for your product and helps sell it. Makes a world of a difference.