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Articles by Gogo Zoger
How Rocky Xu Built the Most Coveted Matcha Brand While Working Full-Time
When Rocky Xu served matcha at a Louis Vuitton office during Paris Fashion Week, it wasn’t just another catering gig—it was proof that Rocky’s Matcha had transcended the beverage industry to become something much bigger. What started as a “happy accident” at a friend’s flea market has evolved into one of the most coveted matcha brands in Los Angeles and beyond, with a cult following that spans celebrities, artists, and tastemakers worldwide.
The Ultimate Guide To Growing Your Beauty Brand Through Affiliate Marketing
When beauty giant Sephora approached Reverie about a potential partnership in 2015, founders Garrett and Hillary Markenson did something unexpected—they said no. “We originally said, We’re not ready, we can’t do this,” recalls Hillary, the brand’s president. Fast forward six months, and Sephora came knocking again. This time, the bootstrapped brand took the leap and became one of Sephora’s first clean hair care brands, helping establish the retailer’s Clean at Sephora standards.
How Fur’s Founders Pioneered A New Beauty Category Through Trust And Persistence
Childhood friends Laura Schubert and Lillian Tung launched their New York–based brand, Fur, in 2015. It’s a beauty brand that transformed an overlooked personal care category into a multimillion-dollar business. Starting with a $10,000 investment, Laura and Lillian built a company focused on the care of pubic hair and skin. The attention to grooming and natural ingredients elevated Fur, and it now sits on the shelves of major retailers like Ulta Beauty—all while remaining self-funded.
From Dorm Room To 300 Stores: How To Grow Through Community Building
Aliyah Marandiz started out making sugaring paste in her college dorm room late at night, but never imagined it would evolve into a multimillion-dollar beauty brand. Focusing on her local community and authentic marketing, she transformed an ancient Middle Eastern hair removal method into a modern beauty revolution. Aliyah tapped into her local support system of friends, family, and neighbors—along with seasoned manufacturers—to bring Sugardoh to life.
How Kloo’s Year-Long Soft-Launch Strategy Led To Rapid Growth
When Claudia Snoh and her mother, Mariella Cho, launched Kloo, their craft coffee concentrate brand, they took an unconventional approach: soft launching to elicit customer feedback so they could refine the brand and product before an official brand launch. This strategy might sound counterintuitive, but it proved to be the cornerstone of their current success.
The Slow Burn Strategy To Massive Retail Success
In 2012, Calgary-based endurance athlete and adventure television host Simon Donato knew it was time to launch his dream oatmeal company. He had been recognized for years as “the health guy,” and he was ready to build a consumer packaged goods (CPG) brand around it. Simon and his cofounder Brad Slessor invested $30,000 to $40,000 each into launching Stoked Oats.
Key Strategies For Disrupting An Industry
Growing up as the daughter of a Chilean hairdresser in Sweden, Babba Rivera experienced firsthand the challenges of cultural identity and professional limitations. So, she launched her hair care brand, Ceremonia, with a mission to transform an entire industry by celebrating her Latin American roots and challenging beauty’s status quo. Accepting and celebrating her heritage is a coming home of sorts for Babba.
From Family Shop To Luxury Chocolate Empire: Lessons From Compartés Chocolate
Since the age of 15, chocolatier Jonathan Grahm has worked at Compartés Chocolate, having started out in the shipping department. By the time he was 21, he was the company’s lead chocolate maker. Jonathan, along with his team, handmakes the ganache-filled truffles and candy-center bars crafted with fresh, natural ingredients out of the company’s La Brea, California, chocolate factory.
Universal Lessons That Will Increase Brand Longevity
In 2014, sisters Taylor and Ali Frankel, along with their chemical engineer mother, Jenny, launched NUDESTIX from their home in Toronto, Canada. Their mission was clear: create easy-to-use multitasking makeup products for every woman. They knew their audience: the woman who preferred an extra 10 minutes of sleep over elaborate beauty routines. Their flagship products, makeup sticks that provide a fresh-faced appearance, were designed without the need for brushes or complex techniques.
The Best Strategies For Evolving Your Branding
In 2012, Peter Maldonado and Rashid Ali launched Chomps with a clear vision: Create a healthier version of Slim Jims for the CrossFit crowd. They began their journey on Shopify as a niche ecommerce brand offering high-quality, grass-fed beef jerky sticks and have transformed into a provider of family-friendly snacks stocked in major retailers across the US.
Marketing Strategies Every Entrepreneur Can Use
In the fast-paced world of beauty and skin care, longevity is rare. Yet OSEA Malibu, a brand that offers seaweed-based skin care products, founded in 1996, has not only survived but thrived for nearly three decades. CEO Melissa Palmer, daughter of company founder Jenefer Palmer, has steered the brand from its humble beginnings in Malibu, California, into a global presence.
Bill Bachand’s Renu Therapy: Pioneering A Niche In Wellness With Passion And Innovation
Bill Bichand’s entrepreneurial story is not just about starting a business; it’s about reinvention and healing. Bill found his calling in a personal crisis—a severe back injury followed by surgery in 2016. This experience led him to discover cold water therapy to alleviate his pain, and sparked the idea for Renu Therapy, a multimillion-dollar wellness brand that creates sleek at-home cold water tanks.
A Viral Moment Inspired This Young Founder To Launch Her Dream
Having a viral moment on social media is amazing, but can you build a successful company around it? The answer is yes—if you make the right moves. When Kheris Rogers was getting bullied in school for her dark complexion, her sister decided to empower her by posting photos of her online with the hashtag #FlexinInMyComplexion. The posts ended up going viral on Twitter.
Building A Thriving Beauty Empire: Etienne Ortega’s Journey With ORTEGA
In the competitive beauty industry, standing out requires more than just talent and creativity—it also demands a robust network. Etienne Ortega, founder of makeup line ORTEGA, embodies this combination of artistic flair and entrepreneurial acumen. From transforming his passion for makeup into a career to launching his own brand, Etienne’s path highlights the importance of networking, particularly in the beauty industry. “You have to build a strong foundation to grow a clientele,” Etienne says.
Expert Tips For Keeping Your Customers Coming Back
Katherine Oyer found herself shopping for baby clothes while traveling long before she became a mother, which led to her noticing that the brands she found abroad were lacking distribution in the US. To fill this gap, she launched Francis Henri, a modern shop for little ones. Francis Henri’s curated collection started online and it recently opened its first retail space, causing sales to more than double.
Crush Your Pitch With This Investor’s Proven Strategies
Table of Contents Toggle Crafting the perfect pitch to deliver to investors can be time consuming. And, if you don’t have the right resources, understanding the venture capital world can be intimidating. That’s why tapping into others’ expertise can be valuable. Elly Truesdell spent nearly 10 years at Whole Foods, sourcing new brands as global director of product innovation, before starting her venture fund, New Fare Partners.
Bootstrapping Basics From A Successful Beauty Brand
Ann McFerran’s life changed when she invented magnetic eyelash extensions and launched her brand, Glamnetic. Discover her strategy for bootstrapping her way to $50 million in revenue after her first year in business. More This article originally appeared on Shopify and is available here for further discovery.
Money Management Tips Every Entrepreneur Needs
How To Evaluate The Worth Of An eCommerce Business 2024
Strategies For Collecting Market Research And Community Feedback
Nadya Okamoto launched August after compiling years of market research and community feedback. Discover her favorite tools for connecting with consumers and delivering products they love. More This article originally appeared on Shopify and is available here for further discovery.
Strategies For Collecting Market Research & Community Feedback
Nadya Okamoto launched August after compiling years of market research and community feedback. Discover her favorite tools for connecting with consumers and delivering products they love. More This article originally appeared on Shopify and is available here for further discovery.
Build An Engaged Online Community With These Tested Strategies
Timm Chiusano blew up on TikTok after experimenting with content topics and formats. Learn his steps to building an effective social media strategy. More This article originally appeared on Shopify and is available here for further discovery.
Unlock Brand Growth With A Community Event Strategy
Niall Horgan and his two best friends launched lifestyle brand Gym+Coffee in 2017. Today, that brand is an eight-figure business, thanks to its event programming and community-first strategy. More This article originally appeared on Shopify and is available here for further discovery.
Cultivate A Community Online In 3 Simple Steps
Liah Yoo built an audience on YouTube before launching her brand KraveBeauty. She shares how to create a community online while redefining your industry. More This article originally appeared on Shopify and is available here for further discovery.
Harness The Power Of Tools To Skyrocket Your Side Hustle
Raven Gibson’s entrepreneur mindset will help you tap into your intuition and inspire you to move with conviction in business. She’ll share the apps and services you need to help bring your ideas to life and reach new customers. More This article originally appeared on Shopify and is available here for further discovery.
4 Proven Ways To Fund Your Next Business Idea
Vicky Pasche took a risk to launch her business, Dapper Boi. Here, she shares different funding options to help you get your company up and running. More This article originally appeared on Shopify and is available here for further discovery.
Fuel Business Growth With This Founder’s Winning YouTube Strategy
In 2010, Mimi Ikonn co-founded Luxy Hair, a line of hair extensions and accessories, and grew the brand’s YouTube channel to reach over three million subscribers. She later sold the multimillion-dollar company and launched Intelligent Change. Again she found success, selling more than two million copies of the company’s Five Minute Journal. Mimi’s success as a serial entrepreneur can largely be attributed to a YouTube strategy that has allowed her to build communities online.
Grow Your Profit With This Aprés Ski Brand’s Social Strategy
What if you could turn a hobby you love into a thriving business? South Van Der Lee took her passion for knitwear and après ski fashion to grow GOGO Sweaters into the successful brand it is today. As president and designer, South works with a team of knitters in Calgary, Canada, to create handmade luxury designs. Today, you can find GOGO Sweaters in stores like Free People, Revolve, and Holt Renfrew, thanks to international demand for the brand.
5 Key Traits Of A Successful Entrepreneur
Whether you’re searching for partners or trying to secure funding, growing a brand takes determination. Venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton looks for that determination, and other traits, in an entrepreneur to determine if their business will be successful. As the founder of Backstage Capital, Arlan invests in overachieving, underrepresented entrepreneurs. To date, she’s backed 200 companies, including Shop Latinx, Bippy, and Couplet Coffee.
5 Ways To Make A Big Splash With Your Business Launch
Tinned fish is the latest food item taking over social media, and there’s one brand leading the charge. Fishwife co-founder and CEO Becca Millstein became inspired during the COVID-19 pandemic to make a big splash in the canned food industry by offering ethically sourced, premium seafood in beautifully designed tins. Becca was able to pull off a successful launch, gain hundreds of thousands of fans, and land features in publications like Vogue, and The New York Times.
Can You Launch A Successful Business While Working Full Time?
Do you have a business you’ve been growing on the side? Are you wondering how to scale your brand so you can leave behind your 9-to-5 job? Shanae Jones did just that, scaling her dream business without quitting her day job. Shanae founded Flyest, a hip hop–inspired tea company focused on music and herbal properties—all while she was still working full time. She launched her brand in November 2016, growing the business slowly until she left her job almost four years later.
A Behind-The-Scenes Look At A Viral Marketing Campaign
Excitement is likely not your first thought when seeing a can of beans. Kat Kavner wants to change that. Her brand is redefining a pantry staple to bring some magic to the canned foods aisle. She’s accomplishing this by meeting customers where they are—in unexpected ways. Canned beans was a sleepy product category before Heyday Canning came along. Kat and co-founder Jaime Lynne Tulley shook things up when they started selling flavor-packed beans with viral marketing.
Lulus’ Secret To Keeping Customers Happy For 25 Years
In 2016, Crystal Landsem joined Lulus, a 10-figure fashion brand, and more than doubled the company’s growth potential. This was thanks to the team’s deep connection to its core customers and Crystal’s commitment to giving them exactly what they wanted—including a brand new retail store. Prioritizing the customer experience has always been front of mind for Lulus.
The Influencer Strategy That Transformed The Honey Pot Into A Household Name
Many founders want their brands to do more than just sell great products—they want to change their industry. The team behind The Honey Pot’s wanted to create products and resources to support vaginal health and encourage conversations that traditionally have been taboo. With the help of a network of influential creators, VP of marketing Giovanna Alfieri transformed The Honey Pot into a household name.
One Founder’s Secrets To Building A Loyal Following
To build a loyal community, sometimes you have to immerse yourself within the network of potential customers on social media. Ali Osterholz has connected with tens of thousands of artists and grown her business through her vibrant Instagram page, where she shares her passion for the arts and nature. Ali sells collections of naturally hand-dyed yarns and fibers known for their unique colourways and limited drops that sell out each month.
Make More Money With RetentionEngine: A How-To Guide
Understanding why customers cancel, delivering personalized rebuttals to retain them, and building a feedback loop for data-driven decisions are all critical components of a successful retention strategy — and your bottom line. That’s why a tool like Stay Ai’s RetentionEngine is so valuable to your subscription program. Many brands that have thoughtfully implemented RetentionEngine cancellation surveys have saved six figures in revenue (or more) in a year.
How Second-Time Founders Can Come Back Stronger
Entrepreneurship is often about following your dreams. Kimberley Gordon followed her own into the imaginative world of Selkie, a size-inclusive ready-to-wear brand created around dreamy designs and low-waste production. Kimberley built Selkie while mourning the loss of her first success, Wildfox, a fashion label known for its edgy graphic tees.
3 Ways To Make Passive Income From Real Estate
You can always do it with some extra money. However, when you have a regular job or other commitments, taking on the responsibility of another job is easier said than done. Passive income is fast becoming the ideal choice for several Americans. This is shown by the statistics that indicate that 46% of Americans earn a passive income. Fortunately, you can earn passive income in several ways, one being through real estate. If you have a property, you may wonder how it can be a source of passive income.
Elevate Your Online Presence: Building A Top-Notch Website
As an online business owner, it is imperative that you prioritize creating a practical website. Your website is the virtual equivalent of a physical store, and it must be visually appealing and aligned with your brand to make a lasting impression on your customers. Ideally, you should have a significant online presence that includes several social media accounts covering different platforms, but let's stick with the website for this post.
What Is Entrepreneurship? How To Get Started In 2024
Imposter syndrome. Self-doubt. The urge to give up. You’ve likely experienced these feelings at some point in your working life. If you’re lucky, you’re surrounded by people who affirm your talents. But what if you’re a company of one? Since the beginning of time entrepreneurs have taken on risk, invented new technologies, and supported their communities—often alone on their uncertain path. But the rewards outweigh the risk for these innovators and dream chasers.
How To Achieve Brand Consistency For Your Business In 2024
What makes you recognize the jingle from a popular fast food chain? Why does a certain color palette invoke your favorite beauty brand? These elements stick in your mind because the brands behind them have been relentless about consistency. Brand consistency is the secret to a sticky slogan or an iconic, wordless logo (think Nike’s swoosh). And achieving it isn’t just a “nice to have.” Brand consistency can raise brand equity, grow brand loyalty, and even increase sales.
Shopify’s BFCM Globe Brings Commerce To Life Like Never Before – Here's How Our Engineers Built It
For entrepreneurs, this weekend is their Super Bowl. Thanks to our engineers, you can watch all of the action in real time. Shopify's Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) Live Globe is an interactive, real-time visualization of purchases made through Shopify-powered merchants worldwide. For this year, our engineering team rebuilt the foundation to free up more CPU and GPU. This allowed them to create richer visualizations, like fireworks that go off when a merchant makes their first sale.
The 4-Step Plan To Building A Memorable Brand Identity
Meet OffLimits, the vegan and gluten-free cereal brand with its own world of fun and playful mascots. Before creating her own branded breakfast company, founder Emily Miller studied global trend forecasting and wrote BREAKFAST: The Cookbook, featuring authentic home-cooked breakfast dishes from all around the world. Now, Emily’s brand OffLimits focuses on re-writing the breakfast narrative through inclusive mascots that represent a new generation of cereal eaters.
Hatch Collective Is Throwing Events Everyone Wants To Go To
Ariane Goldman founded Hatch more than a decade ago. Her business centered on the 12 key pieces she believed were necessary before, during, and after her pregnancy. Although Hatch established a standard in the maternity space, the lessons are applicable to entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey, particularly those seeking nontraditional methods to running a business. Through in-person events and activations, Ariane caught the attention of Marquee Brands.
The CXO Of The Most Luxe Coffee Machine Explains Why CX Was The Second Hire
CX has been one of the most critical investments for Terra Kaffe from the very start. In fact, a customer experience manager was one of our very first hires. – Cate Marques, Chief Experience Officer at Terra Kaffe Terra Kaffe is known as the Tesla of coffee machines. This sleek, stunning machine makes an incredible cup of coffee that's won the hearts of coffee afficiandos.
Turn Your Restaurant Into A Booming DTC Business
The dream for many is to turn family recipes into a thriving food business. Jen Liao and Caleb Wang made that dream a reality with their company, MìLà. Initially launched as a street food restaurant, they transitioned MìLà into a multimillion-dollar direct-to-consumer (DTC) food brand, selling authentic frozen soup dumplings. Running MìLà allows Jen and Caleb to connect to their family history while adding to the tapestry of Chinese cuisine within the American food ecosystem.
Building In Public: How To Let Customer Feedback Guide Your Brand
Many brands find success through TikTok marketing. But building a business on TikTok offers more benefits than just attracting new customers. Minted New York founder Marcus Milione saw the social media platform not only as a marketing channel, but a customer feedback tool, too. Marcus creates TikTok videos about fashion and fitness, generating more than 12 million likes to date and counting. He also uses TikTok to take followers behind the scenes and gather feedback and ideas for new designs.
Entering A New Product Category? 4 Tips For A Successful Launch
Sometimes the best ideas aren’t entirely original. Rather, they innovate upon an existing product or find a new use or market for it. That’s just what Ryan Close and his team did when they launched Bartesian. The brand’s machines use single serve recyclable capsules to make cocktails, similar to how coffee-pod machines work. But marketing this easy-to-use concept wasn’t simple. Ryan had to create a new product category, educate customers, and negotiate with manufacturers for licensing deals.
Is A CFO Required To Run A Business?
If you have your own business, you might be wondering if you will need Fully CFO advisory or not. A CFO is the chief finance officer, which means they are in charge of all finances and the accounting department. In big companies, a CFO is like a financial expert who helps make important decisions. They're needed to manage things like budgets, risks, and compliance with rules. For smaller businesses, especially starting out, having a full-time CFO might not be necessary.
3 Ways To Level Up Your Social Strategy
Having a good product is key to a successful business. But building trust in your brand all comes down to how you communicate with your customers online, according to Charlotte Palermino, a licensed aesthetician and co-founder and CEO of skin care brand Dieux. Charlotte found the formula for success on TikTok, where she amassed eight million likes—and counting—by dispensing honest, well-informed skin care advice.
Boost Efficiency And Accuracy In Ecommerce With OCR Software
Are you tired of spending countless hours manually inputting data and dealing with pesky errors in your ecommerce business? Say goodbye to these time-consuming tasks because we have your ultimate solution! Introducing OCR software – a game-changer that will boost your efficiency and accuracy like never before. In this blog post, we'll unravel the secrets behind this cutting-edge technology and explore how it can revolutionize your ecommerce operations.
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