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CutiesandPals‘ Gavin’s wife and himself were looking to start a business together, it was mainly due to having had an apartment in Spain which they flew to quite regularly that they found that hand luggage was very boring, so Gavin and his wife came up with their own idea of making more colourful luggage with pretty designs, and through doing research they found that there was very little in the children’s market for luggage, and from there that’s where the started the brand cuties and pals!

Click to tweet: Hi everyone, Gavin from cutiesandpals shares their incredible journey on SellingOnlineToday! Download link

Some thoughts from the interview

“We were invited on BBC DragonsDen and we had a good reception from the dragons“

“Research thoroughly, be confident, when you put your money where your mouth is, you are going to get some back”

“It’s grown from a small acorn into a much flourishing tree”

“We designed different styles, different brands, and different products”

“We opened up universally, we opened up the website and also Amazon and eBay”

“We distribute now to 35 countries (started with 10 products): “

“We’ve both enjoyed our journey, you’re in control of your own destiny”

“Do proper thorough investigation, make sure the product that you’ve got is going to be sellable”

“As long as you register your designs you’ll be protected”

“Best advice: make sure you’ve the right product, right price and research, know your market”

“Control would be much easier in the UK, but Suzanne did a lot of research and it was just too expensive”

“Times have changed, China prices have gone up but the UK prices are still too high”

“We started universally, when we opened up the website, we opened up Amazon and to eBay, so all 3 channels right from the start”

“A lot of distributors will market by Germany or Spain so it spreads the marketing”

“”why don’t you do an umbrella” or “Wellington boot”, but it then becomes a new market we don’t know, we have to research and that can take away from your core business”

“You have got to make sure that then market you’re selling in will accept it”

“It helped us to get into places like John Lewis and house of Frazier because of that exposure”

What do they offer?

CutiesandPals have a great range of childrens’ travel luggage ranging in lots of shapes, sizes and cute animals. To match the playful children luggage Cuties and Pals have a few accessories such as clothing, cards and baggage accessories.

How to contact CutiesandPals!

Twitter      Website      Facebook    Or email: info@cutiesandpals.co.uk

Resources 

Check out my list of resources, free tools and great advice: Resources Here

I offer strategic consultations for your own eCommerce business: Consultation Here

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