We recently connected with Kristen Hatfield and Jill Griffin and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kristen and Jill thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Starting this business required a certain level of risk-taking and a willingness to go for it! Ashley Clark from Skout Interior Design truly inspired us to launch this business, saying, “It’s genius – go for it!” In our community, many choose to just give away their furniture to family or friends, opting for the path of least resistance—they simply want it gone. Moves or remodels often leave people with items that no longer fit in their new spaces. We created a solution that allows people to sell their items without the hassle of price negotiations or the inconvenience of taking them to consignment stores. The sales cycle is short (10 days +/-) and we have a highly targeted + qualified audience of followers. We also provide “The Works,” a service where the SNAPup team manages the entire resale project from beginning to end, overseeing and coordinating every aspect of the process. Our goal is to make selling furniture SIMPLE + STREAMLINED!
Kristen and Jill, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Growing up in Newport Beach and being deeply involved in our community helped us initially grow SNAPup! Leveraging our network of friends, family, and acquaintances, personal recommendations and feedback from our customers proved incredibly powerful.
We wanted to grow slow and steady building a quality customer base of both sellers and buyers. So we launched literally with a backyard SNAPup! cocktails and light bites in our backyard. We invited our friends and colleagues to get the word out about SNAPup! In a little over one year we have close to 3,000 followers on Instagram and over 1,000 subscribers to our weekly emails.
We’ve formed mutually beneficial partnerships with other local businesses. Our Designer Spotlight series highlights top community designers, supporting each other while building our brand. This collaboration helps introduce their business to our community and vice versa.
Providing exceptional customer service and building personal connections have helped us create a SNAPup community of both buyers and sellers. Offering high-quality, current, and relevant products fosters loyalty and encourages word-of-mouth referrals.
We love supporting local charities and sponsoring events. This year, we sponsored our local high schools’ Home Tours, which boosted SNAPup!’s community exposure. It’s been a great way to meet potential buyers and sellers and connect with designers, home organizers, stagers, and architects.
We actively seek and act on customer feedback, committed to providing a simple and streamlined solution for selling furniture. Customers have praised how EASY we’ve made the selling process. By removing the burden, we’ve turned selling furniture into a positive and profitable experience. Happy Snapper “Super easy process and my new addiction. I listed my items and they were sold in less than 2 hours!! I am looking every day at what is for sale too because there are so many great items. All high end and in excellent condition!”
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Certainly, word of mouth is a powerful force for us. Our Happy Snappers enthusiastically share their SNAPup! experiences, often making SNAPup! the topic of conversation at dinner parties, social gatherings, and beyond. It’s incredibly fun + rewarding to hear our name buzzing in various circles. We recently discovered a new customer source through home organizing companies. SNAPup! has proven to be a valuable resource for their clients, offering an easy solution for those looking to sell furniture that no longer fits their needs. “Great experience. Super easy and even fun! Great job. Keep it up!” – Happy Snapper
How’d you meet your business partner?
We’ve known each other for years, both having been born + raised in Newport Beach. We attended the same schools, played the same sports, and were brought closer together by our husbands, who are best friends and college roommates from UCLA. Our marriages deepened our friendship, and we’ve been fortunate to raise our kids together and share many great times as families. With mutual interests and a passion for home design + decor, it was only natural that when the idea for SNAPup! emerged, we wrote our business plan, launched the company, and haven’t looked back!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Our lifelong presence in the community has allowed us to build strong relationships and establish a solid market foundation. We’re both hardworking, passionate, and dedicated to our community. When we launched SNAPUp! we had a trusted base of supporters willing to give us a chance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.snapup.shop
- Instagram: @shop_snapup and @shop_snapupLA
- Linkedin: SNAPup! Furniture + Accessories
