Brainstorms

How Scanning Kickstarter Could Help Your Business

The crowdfunding site is not all anti-Zombie soaps and inflatable Lionel Richie heads.

Published

6 years ago

April 21, 2020

INSTORE Staff Instore May 2020 Issue

Do some product research occasionally on Kickstarter.com. Not only will you be exposed to fun, experimental ideas — like steampunk jewelry, wearable greeting cards, and samurai rings — you may get a chance to get in early on a product with viable commercial prospects. The owners of Urban Pooch Canine Life Center, an independently owned pet store in Chicago, IL, told INSTORE’s sister magazine Pets+ that they were among the first stores in the country to start stocking a hot-selling pet toy called Tearribles (with velcro limbs that can be torn off and reattached) after spotting it on the crowdfunding site. “We were able to get our hands on a large stock order (160 pieces) several months before they were made available for purchase anywhere else in the world. And we nearly sold out of them in just a couple of weeks,” store owner Ed Kaczmarek said.

Closing With Confidence: How Bailey's Fine Jewelry Achieved Outstanding Results With Wilkerson

When Trey Bailey, President and CEO of Bailey's Fine Jewelry, decided to close the Crabtree location in Raleigh, North Carolina after 15 years, he knew the decision needed to be handled with intention and professionalism. The goal was clear: exit the location while maintaining financial strength and honoring the store's legacy. Having worked with Wilkerson successfully in the past, Bailey understood the value of their comprehensive approach. "They understood both the emotional and financial sides of the store closing sale," Trey explains. "Their reputation for professionalism, results and care made it a very easy decision." The results exceeded expectations. Wilkerson helped Bailey's sell through significant inventory while maintaining the dignity of the closing process. "They don't just run a sale, they help close a chapter in the best way possible," Bailey says, strongly recommending Wilkerson to any jeweler facing a similar transition.