Internet is a great help in finding people and keeping in touch. And it is a great medium to do business.
I started using my online shop heavily at the beginning of 2020 for the obvious reason. That was literally the only way to sell anything as you might recall.
However, I was always concerned that I might not be able to communicate all the information that I wanted to, not least because my hats are all more or less-different from mass produced ones and the ones from other hat makers and the smallest styling tips and other information would make so much difference.
So I’m so happy that,so far this year, I am able to meet my customers again and make sure that they know everything they need to know. We can have in-person contact that is important for trust. And that’s also why I prefer to meet my customers by appointments. This way I can prepare my hats and myself so I can focus on sharing my knowledge and ideas based on their needs.
So from this year on, I will be selling much less online, limiting it to the items with styles that people are more familiar with. I will also be always willing to engage in extra communication to answer any question you may have.
This will however naturally limit my ‘business opportunities’ but helps me to ensure that each customer is happy with my hat. I’m terribly sorry that I can only offer smaller range to those who live far away but if anyone thinks ‘Ok then one day I want to check out that small studio when I travel to Amsterdam’, that’ll be my utmost pleasure and ‘international expansion achieved’ by my own definition. And if you can make it an opportunity to look for and support a similar studio with their own unique creations locally, that will lead to a sustainable local entrepreneurial environment with minimum impact to environment and unique thriving community-based culture.
So see you all one day, soon or later and until then please take care of yourself and keep in touch!
