Introduce your business and tell us your story: How did you decide on what to sell, and how did you source your products?
I noticed that there was a lack of help being offered to guys to keep a journal. So I created a journal designed specifically for men that would help them manage the modern situations they face. The result has been overwhelming. Being a designer myself I was able to work with suppliers that I sourced myself. I also partnered with a book and packaging designer to help create other elements of the product. I'm now working with manufacturers in Italy, London, and New Zealand.
How did you earn your first sales? Which channels are now generating the most traffic and sales for you?
After a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $60,000 I was able to capitalise on the hype that I was still getting for MindJournal. I received coverage in online magazines such as Uncrate, Gear Patrol, Huffington Post and more. Email marketing and articles that are still be written about MindJournal by bloggers and editors of magazines. Since I've created MindJournal more of a lifestyle brand then a wellbeing / self help book, it is getting picked up for its design quality.
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?
Shopify app for tracking sales. PayPal for taking payments overseas. And ZenStores for fulfilling orders. Shopify is the best and biggest for the reach and ease it offers my customers in the US. They're more confident to buy via a Shopify store. Shipping and fulfillment is manual. I want to learn more about how the system before I outsource it. I feel it will help me learn more about my product and how to make the experience better for my customers. I want to control it all and manage all the margins while I grow.
What are your top recommendations for new store owners?
Don't overcomplicate it. Keep it simple and focused. Pick and niche and then find a niche within it. People will then know exactly what you do and remember you for it. And then return. Do as much of it yourself to learn more about your product.