Day 19.

Today marks the 19th day after we officially launch De-Stylez.

While the feedback has generally been positive, mostly from colleagues and friends, but one thing hasn't quite gained any momentum - sales. An irony. Dive deep and bits and pieces of information starts to reveal:-

1. Lack of an impressionable name
2. Lack of a unique selling point 
3. Lack of marketing and awareness
4. Uncertain about product quality

Thought I would just defend myself here, in a space nobody (yet) knows.

1. Lack of an impressionable name 

De-Stylez to me is a big idea. It's a promise to help people find their style through De-constructing their (current) style to find their true style, or finding the (de) style that belongs to them. We are more than a blogshop, more than an online shop, but seeks to play an important role in every girls' life.

And hence, that is how I go about designing our logo. At first glance, it's a DS. Looking deeper reveals a swan-like picture - you get the meaning. Such beautiful idea, I refuse to follow the majority. Stubborn? Perhaps.

 

2. Lack of a unique selling point 

3. Lack of marketing and awareness

Lack of a USP? Lack of Marketing. Indeed. Being an entrepreneur isn't easy, less to say a noob with no contacts, budgetary constraint, saturated market with established players. But we are working on it. I'm glad that we have a dedicated team, and most importantly people who trust and believe in me. I am sure our effort will (one day) pay off and soon, the sun will emerge (smiling) from behind the clouds. 

4. Uncertain about product quality

What is considered a good product with good quality? Non-sheer, thick materials - really? Items are deliberately design in a certain way. While poor quality items definitely fits into this description 99% of the time, but does good quality items not have this? Lace, sheer are all part of what makes an item interesting and unique, strong indoor lights is often not truly reflective of what a pair of bare eyes see.

Being a buyer, I am a consumer myself. If an item is unique but made with sheer materials, a trade-off has to take place. Price versus design versus quality = Value - and this is what we sell. 

This may come across as a defensive post. But I would like to use it as a platform to say out what's on my mind. Perhaps a few years later, I will look back and read and laugh at my foolishness. But, what's more important than defending your own 'baby'?