Taking a Home-Based Online Retailer to Brick and Mortar with Ali Reff, Founder of Alice & Wonder
Dear FoundHer...Real Founder Stories for Women Small Business Owners
Lindsay Pinchuk
4.9 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 5 April 2022
⏱️ 47 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Does the price of traditional boutique shopping prevent you from finding the perfect pieces to add to your wardrobe? For many women, this is a constant struggle. In today’s episode, Lindsay Pinchuk and Ali Reff, Founder of Alice & Wonder discuss how she transformed her business from a home-based retailer to one of Chicago’s most sought-after affordable brick and mortar boutiques.
Like so many other founders, Ali built her business brick by brick. Originally selling her products online from her apartment, Ali has recently taken her business to the next level. Whether you’re looking for the perfect statement piece or a personalized gift for a loved one, Alice & Wonder's mission is to bring unique yet affordable items to market. Throughout her journey, Ali's dedication to her core values combined with her relationship with her consumers has been the main key to the success of her business. Today, Alice & Wonder provides affordable shopping both online and in-person at either of their two storefront locations.
Tune into this episode of Dear FoundHer… for an honest conversation about bringing a business to brick and mortar. Learn more about the importance of connecting with your consumers, learning from your mistakes, and challenging yourself to step outside your comfort zone so you can take your business to the next level.
QUOTES:
• “That in-person experience in accompaniment with an online presence is super important because people want to feel like they're part of the experience, especially in clothing.” (09:44-09:54)
• “Life is all about how you react to the circumstances around you that happen. The pandemic put small businesses through hell, but for companies like Alice and Wonder, it also provided a lot of opportunities.” (13:47-13:57)
• “Social media is ever-evolving, but small businesses need to embrace it. Look at your following as your community, your family.” (19:29-19:51)
• “I am very similar to the customer that I am trying to attain. I have always wanted our brand to appear very approachable.” (23:43-23:54)
• “The best interaction between clients is getting to meet people in the store and see their reaction.” (24:23-24:29)
• “We would not be where we are today without making mistakes and hearing feedback.” (38:49-38:55)
Connect with Ali Reff
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/aliceandwonder
Website: https://aliceandwonder.com/
Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Dear FoundHer on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!
Looking to up your social media game? Join Lindsay for her FREE Social Media for Small Business Masterclass starting April 25th. SIGN UP HERE. Want even more resources for growing your business?
• Grab one of Lindsay’s FREE quick small business marketing guides: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/freebie
• Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk/
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Dear Founder, as you know, there's no blueprint for entrepreneurship. You wear so many hats, |
| 0:09.7 | you burn the men'side oil, you pour your heart and soul into everything that you do. But without a |
| 0:14.7 | doubt, the journey is worth every single second that you put into it. I'm Lindsay Pinchuk, |
| 0:20.5 | host of the Dear Founder podcast. I say this |
| 0:23.3 | because I've lived it for over a decade. I started my first company with $500 in my pocket and a |
| 0:29.1 | baby in my belly. I grew it and I sold it all. This podcast is my weekly letter to you. We'll talk |
| 0:36.1 | all things starting, growing, nurturing, and in some |
| 0:39.7 | cases even selling a business. Together with some of my closest contacts, I'm here to help you find |
| 0:45.1 | your own success, whatever that means to you. The ride as a founder is the ride of your life. |
| 0:50.8 | So come on and join me for another episode that will get you one step closer to |
| 0:54.9 | reaching your own founder goals. Welcome back to another episode of Dear Founder. Before we get |
| 1:01.0 | into today's conversation, I want to let you know a little bit about something I have going on. |
| 1:05.5 | A lot of you have been DMing me and sending me messages asking me when I'm bringing back |
| 1:09.8 | another small business workshop or another class. Well, good news. On messages asking me when I'm bringing back another small business |
| 1:11.0 | workshop or another class. Well, good news. On April 25th, I'm kicking off a free masterclass |
| 1:17.0 | social media for small business. If you're looking to up your social media game when it comes to your |
| 1:21.9 | business, you're absolutely going to want to register and join me. You'll walk away with a comprehensive |
| 1:26.6 | idea of what to post |
| 1:28.1 | where, when, and how to do it efficiently so that you can focus on the number one important thing |
| 1:33.5 | in your business, which is growing your bottom line. Click the link in the show notes for information |
| 1:38.2 | and to sign up. Again, it's free so there's no excuse not to come. Don't wait, doors closed soon. |
| 1:44.7 | I'm so excited to introduce you to today's guest, Allie Ref, founder of Alice in Wonder. |
... |
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