The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
While we’ve been fortunate in many aspects of our business, we’ve navigated the unpredictable waves of market life, experiencing months of success followed by periods of struggle. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic presented a unique set of challenges, particularly in managing a business deemed non-essential during lockdowns. However, it also prompted a surge in online gifting, especially for babies, which helped sustain our business during uncertain times. In times of crisis, our husbands have stepped in as invaluable support, becoming our handy tradesmen, assembling stands at the last minute, and even fixing embroidery machines late into the night. We’ve learned valuable lessons from product mishaps, like a misinterpretation of material in the design of a clothing product, which surprisingly became one of our best sellers. The initial quality of our backpacks did not meet our standards, prompting us to travel interstate and establish relationships with new suppliers to ensure our products meet our exceptional standards. Each challenge has taught us resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of continuous improvement, ultimately strengthening our business and enhancing our commitment to delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer experiences.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
On the challenging side, there’s the constant juggling act between family life and the demands of the business. It’s often a struggle to find enough time to accomplish everything we’d like to for the business while ensuring our families receive the attention they need. Balancing work and family becomes particularly challenging when our children fall ill, requiring us to juggle caregiving responsibilities with business demands.
However, the rewards of running our own business far outweigh the challenges. One of the greatest pros is the immense feeling of achievement that comes with building something from the ground up and seeing it thrive. The positive feedback from customers is incredibly gratifying; knowing that our products bring joy to families is immensely fulfilling. There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from hearing feedback from people who initially discovered us through receiving gifts from Curious Grace Co and then became loyal customers themselves. Witnessing this journey from recipient to customer is truly remarkable.
Receiving five-star reviews is not only a testament to the quality of our products and services but also a source of pride and motivation to continue delivering excellence.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
An exciting journey of growth and expansion! One of our primary focuses is on growing our personalised range even further. We envision offering an even wider array of personalised products. To achieve this, we’re eager to invest in more embroidery machines, allowing us to increase production capacity while maintaining the high quality that our customers love.
We are excited and committed to scaling our online presence, both domestically and overseas. We believe that every family, regardless of location, should have access to our unique and thoughtful gifts. By reaching new markets globally, we hope to spread joy and create cherished memories for families all over the world.
Central to our vision is growing our brand and increasing brand awareness. We want to be synonymous with exceptional quality, personalisation and innovation in the world of children’s gifts and fashion. This means not only getting our name out there through targeted marketing efforts but also fostering a community of loyal customers who trust us to create one-of-a-kind gifts and keepsakes for their families.
Visit the Curious Grace Co website to find out more, and connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.
