We recently connected with Skye Amundsen and have shared our conversation below.

Skye, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

Our business journey began in 2018, with humble beginnings in the basement of our co-founder’s home. Initially, we had no prior experience building a business, especially one manufacturing its own products. However, we knew that if we wanted to achieve significant growth, we had to lay a solid foundation and create a high-quality product that customers would love and passionately recommend to others.

From the start, we had our sights set on scaling up, but we understood that overnight success was rare. Instead, we chose a path focused on sustainable, organic growth through word of mouth and social media. To achieve this, we recognized the power of influencer marketing within our niche. By reaching out to key influencers and developing genuine relationships, we found that they were more than willing to promote our product. Their authentic endorsement carried weight because they genuinely enjoyed using it.

In addition to influencer marketing, staying attuned to market trends and being agile enough to pivot quickly were crucial aspects of our scaling strategy. We understood that markets change rapidly, and adapting our approach allowed us to stay ahead of the curve and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

One pivotal decision that contributed to our success was the relentless focus on customer service. Although time-consuming, building a strong community of loyal customers became a game-changer. The bonds we formed with our customers went beyond transactions; it fostered a genuine sense of brand loyalty. As a result, they became enthusiastic brand advocates, recommending our products to their friends and family, effectively amplifying our reach through organic word-of-mouth marketing.

Of course, our journey wasn’t without its share of challenges and setbacks. Initially, we attempted to scale using paid marketing campaigns. However, we quickly learned that success in this area required a deep understanding of our target audience and a strong brand identity. We had an unfortunate experience with an agency that provided lackluster results, prompting us to take matters into our own hands.

To ensure a more effective paid marketing strategy, we invested time and effort into learning the foundations of this domain. With this knowledge, we gained better oversight and control over our marketing efforts, avoiding unnecessary expenses on ineffective ads. Before diving into paid marketing again, we took the time to refine our website and develop a clearer understanding of our ideal customer. This preparation made our paid campaigns significantly more successful and cost-efficient.

The key takeaway from our scaling story is the significance of slow and steady growth, which allowed us to maintain our product’s quality while steadily building a robust brand. We believe listening to and engaging with our customers meaningfully plays a central role in our growth and learning. Regularly seeking customer feedback enabled us to understand their evolving needs and preferences, helping us continuously improve our offerings.

In conclusion, our scaling journey has culminated in relentless dedication, learning from mistakes, and nurturing authentic connections with our customers and partners. While it may not have been a rapid ascent to success, our sustainable growth has resulted in a strong and flourishing brand that continues to expand through word-of-mouth, complemented by our well-executed paid marketing strategy. We remain committed to the core principles that guided us from the start – delivering a top-notch product and fostering a loyal community – as we embark on new chapters of our business’s growth.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

hope&plum is a women-owned and operated baby carrier company offering a diverse range of high-quality, size-inclusive baby carriers. Our mission is to provide parents with ergonomic, stylish, and comfortable solutions for babywearing. Our product lineup includes wraps, ring slings, and soft-structured carriers catering to various needs, body sizes, and preferences. Based in Minnesota, we prioritize safety and sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and ethical manufacturing practices. Our commitment to sustainability extends to every aspect, from sourcing to packaging, even using baby carrier production remnants to create accessories. At our core, we strive to empower caregivers, fostering a strong sense of community and support while bonding with their little ones.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

We are proud to say that we manufacture our baby carriers in-house. However, when we first started, we had no prior experience in manufacturing or sewing. It was new territory, but we were determined to learn and realize our vision.

The journey of getting started with manufacturing was challenging yet rewarding. Initially, we spent countless hours researching and self-teaching the fundamentals of manufacturing processes and sewing techniques. We needed to understand the intricacies involved in creating a high-quality product that we could be proud of.

At the outset, we knew that finding the right team of seamstresses was crucial. We were focused on ensuring that our product’s craftsmanship was of the highest standard. To achieve this, we embarked on trial and error to identify and hire skilled seamstresses who shared our passion for creating exceptional baby carriers.

Initially, there were some setbacks and learning curves, but we continued refining our manufacturing process. We believed that continuous improvement and a strong commitment to quality were essential to the long-term success of our business.

As we progressed, we established solid relationships with our manufacturing team. Open communication and mutual trust were key to fostering a productive and collaborative working environment. These relationships ensured the consistent quality of our products and allowed us to explore new ideas and innovations together.

Implementing a rigorous quality control process was another vital aspect of our manufacturing journey. We learned that maintaining strict quality standards was essential for customer satisfaction and our brand’s reputation. We introduced multiple checkpoints throughout the production process to monitor and address any issues that might arise. This commitment to quality control helped us deliver products that exceeded our customers’ expectations.

Along the way, we also discovered the importance of having a sustainable supply chain. Sourcing materials responsibly and ethically was a significant consideration for us. We wanted to ensure that our products met our high standards for quality and aligned with our values as a brand.

As our business grew, we faced the challenge of scaling our manufacturing capabilities while maintaining the same level of quality. Expanding our production without compromising on craftsmanship required careful planning and investment. We hired additional skilled staff and provided training to ensure consistency across our growing team.

Our manufacturing journey has been one of perseverance, learning, and growth. While we started with no prior experience, we were determined to create a product we could be proud of, and that passion has driven us to overcome numerous challenges along the way. Building a successful manufacturing process involves more than just creating a product; it requires fostering strong relationships with our manufacturing team, ensuring rigorous quality control, and maintaining a commitment to excellence in all that we do. Today, we are proud of the high-quality baby carriers we produce, and we look forward to continuously improving and evolving as we serve our valued customers.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Keeping in touch with clients and fostering brand loyalty are vital aspects of our business strategy. We believe in building strong, authentic customer connections to create a loyal and engaged community. Here’s how we achieve this:

1. Social Media Engagement: Social media platforms play a crucial role in our communication with clients. We actively use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to share updates, product launches, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of our lives as parents and entrepreneurs. By being real and relatable, we connect with our audience on a personal level, fostering a sense of trust and familiarity.

2. Transparency and Authenticity: We believe in transparency and authenticity in our interactions. We openly share our business journey, successes, challenges, and milestones. By being honest about our experiences, we create a genuine bond with our clients, allowing them to feel connected to our brand and story.

3. Community Involvement: Our customers are more than just consumers; they are valued members of our community. We involve them in certain business decisions, such as selecting designs or product features. This participatory approach empowers our clients and makes them feel invested in our brand’s success.

4. Personalized Engagement: We actively engage with our clients through direct messaging (DMs) and respond promptly to their inquiries and feedback. By providing personalized attention and acknowledging their support, we show our clients that they are essential to us, reinforcing their loyalty to the brand.

5. Private Facebook Group: We have created a private Facebook group exclusively for our community members. This group serves as a platform for open discussions, sharing parenting experiences, and seeking product recommendations. It fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens the bonds between our clients and the brand.

6. Exclusive Offers and Rewards: To express our gratitude to our loyal customers, we offer exclusive discounts, rewards, and early access to new product launches. These perks make our clients feel appreciated and valued, encouraging them to remain loyal to our brand.

7. Exceptional Customer Service: Providing top-notch customer service is a cornerstone of our brand. We ensure that our clients have a seamless experience throughout their journey with us. Addressing their concerns promptly and efficiently leaves a positive impression and encourages repeat purchases.

8. Customer Feedback and Surveys: We actively seek feedback from our clients through surveys and reviews. By listening to their suggestions and preferences, we can continuously improve our products and services, showing our commitment to meeting their needs.

9. Building Emotional Connections: We strive to create an emotional connection with our clients by sharing stories and experiences that resonate with them. Tapping into their emotions makes our brand more memorable and meaningful in their lives.

10. Consistent Brand Messaging: Consistency in brand messaging is essential for building trust and recognition. We ensure that our brand values and voice are reflected consistently across all communication channels, reinforcing our identity in the minds of our clients.

Fostering brand loyalty is an ongoing process that requires genuine care, active engagement, and a commitment to meeting our clients’ expectations. By keeping in touch with our customers, involving them in our journey, and prioritizing their needs, we aim to create a loyal community that will continue to support and advocate for our brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hopeandplum.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopeandplum/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hope-plum-baby-carriers/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc1lwd_UMnms0zVdZ3Zgkkw/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/hopeandplum/