Introduce your business and tell us your story: How did you decide on what to sell, and how did you source your products?
Determined to lose weight and get fit, I combined Crossfit exercises with weights and cardio 6 days a week. Months of this pullup progression (and all of the other exercises) resulted in me getting into the best shape of my life, but my hands were sure messed up! Gloves were bulky, made my hands sweat, and created blisters. Athletic tape bunched up and ripped and sometimes stuck to the bar when I released my grip. Every other solution failed as well. In the back of my mind, I knew there had to be a better way. I finally asked God for help to create something that really worked. He gave me the inspiration and the design to create HandBand Pro®.
I researched and sourced fabrics and grippy materials and spent a ton of money on materials that didn't work. When I found what I was really looking for, I created my own ridiculous looking prototypes (I can't sew), but they worked! I then trademarked and patented my design and found a company in the US to sew them for me. I still cut all the fabric and grips and sew the finger holes and sew on the label.
How did you earn your first sales? Which channels are now generating the most traffic and sales for you?
My first sale came through Facebook on May 4, 2014 before my official launch on May 5! Facebook consistently generates the most traffic for me. I use it organically and use their advertising platform. Organic Google searches come in next and then Instagram and Twitter.
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?
When I discovered the Shopify app store, it changed my life. I found that I had personal assistants that could help me to organize, manage and run my business and save me loads of time. The apps that have made the biggest impact in my business have been these: Kit, After Ship, Shipping Easy, Orderly Print, Abandonment Protector, and Shopify Product Reviews. I can't imagine doing all the jobs these amazing apps do for me. I would be overextended and exhausted. These have been easy to set up and put in motion and they are all on autopilot. Amazing. I am so thankful for the people who created these apps! We fulfill and ship all orders in house.
What are your top recommendations for new store owners?
Discover the Shopify app store and the wonderful solutions available to you to help you run your business. Keep your website fresh and relevant, and have fun building your business by building it on a foundation of excellent customer service.