Meryam Queenan understood the challenges faced by modern women juggling motherhood and style. In response, she founded 8twenty3 Boutique, a brand that embodies the spirit of effortless chic. With a commitment to inclusivity, the boutique offers fashionable clothing for women of all shapes and sizes. Through its online store, live sales, and a growing team of fashion enthusiasts, 8twenty3 has become a beloved destination for women seeking trendy and affordable attire.
We sat down with Mimi, as her customers lovingly call her, to discuss her journey and her experience working with Apptile.
Q: Can you tell us about 8Twenty3 Boutique and how it all started?
A: So, 8Twenty3 started way back in 2013 with just $40 to my name. Crazy, right? I used every last penny to launch a little kids' clothing line. The name? That's a shoutout to my second youngest, born on August 23rd. From my garage to a warehouse, it's been one wild ride. Now we're dressing both kids and adults – and loving every minute of it!
Q: What challenges led you to seek a new live selling solution?
A: We faced several challenges with our previous platform. Our app disappeared from the Google Play Store, hindering customer access. Customer support became unreliable and unhelpful, and we lost our dedicated account managers, making strategic adjustments difficult. Additionally, the platform's integration with Shopify started to cause problems.
Q: How has Apptile's live selling solution impacted your business?
A: We’ve seen significant improvements across the board! Our Facebook reach has skyrocketed from almost nothing, and our core customers who switched to the new app are now spending 25-30% more. Our push notification reach and open rates are at an all-time high. The seamless Shopify integration has also effectively resolved our previous challenges. Plus, our app costs have dropped by 40%—a big win for us!
Q: What features of Apptile do you find most valuable?
A: What I love is that it's not your average app. You get to do so much and with so much ease. The customization options stand out. We can create a unique, branded app experience that resonates with our customers. Also, the improved user experience has been noticed by our customers - they appreciate being able to find products easily instead of endless scrolling.
Q: How has live selling through Apptile helped you connect with customers?
A: The new platform has allowed us to maintain the personal touch our customers love. We can interact more effectively during live sales, and the improved app experience keeps customers engaged. The ability to quickly respond to comments and questions during lives has been crucial in building and maintaining our community.
Q: Have you noticed any changes in customer retention or repeat purchase rates?
A: While it's challenging to make exact comparisons due to the transition, we've observed that our core customers who moved to the new app are spending more. This suggests improved retention and repeat purchases among our most loyal customers.
Q: How has Apptile's platform integrated with your existing e-commerce setup?
A: The integration with Shopify has been seamless, which was a crucial factor for us. It's solved the issues we were facing with our previous platform and has streamlined our operations.
Q: What strategies have you used to encourage customers to switch to the new app?
A: We've been transparent about the change and its benefits. We regularly remind customers during live sales and through other communications to download the new app. We're also exploring features like offering store credits for actions like joining a live stream or adding items to the cart, which we believe will help encourage more customers to make the switch.
Q: What's next for 8Twenty3 Boutique?
A: We're excited about upcoming features like waitlist support and enhanced cart functionality. We're also continuing to expand our product lines, including a new preteen line that my daughter - the inspiration for our boutique's name - is helping to launch. We're always looking for ways to improve our customers' shopping experience and grow our business.
Q: What advice would you give to other businesses considering a switch in their live selling platform?
A: Change can be scary, but if you're not growing, you're slowing. Investing in change is essential for any business to thrive. Have a solid plan for the transition, market it effectively to your customers, and focus on the long-term benefits. Your most loyal customers will follow you to the new platform if you've built strong relationships with them.
You too can unlock your boutique's full potential with Apptile. Experience the future of commerce through our best in class live selling features, broadcasted simultaneously across multiple channels. Create deeper connections with customers, drive sales, and strengthen your brand with our custom mobile app.