5 years. 5 years since I sat on our lounge couch with a laptop computer (in Ashford, Surrey), clicked the ‘publish’ button in nervous anticipation and launched the Tikiboo website into existence.
With few merchandise to advertise and restricted inventory, we did not fairly know what to anticipate. With solely 5 orders in February 2015, we knew this challenge could be an uphill battle, however an thrilling problem all the identical.
On the time we had no thought that we might nonetheless be operating the web site 5 months later, not to mention 5 years!
We had no plan to grow to be a model (an internet store promoting different manufacturers was the preliminary intention; the unique identify in 2014 was Tikiboo Boutique for that reason), however by way of the assist of our superb clients, we (one way or the other) turned one.
What went from being one thing Faye and I might work on for a couple of hours within the evenings quickly utterly took over our lives (to the purpose that we needed to go away our day jobs and dedicate all of our spare time to Tikiboo). From modelling and images to social media and customer support, to product growth and design, to web site updates and packing orders, the two of us labored relentlessly to maintain the enterprise rising.
There have been factors after I typically labored 20 hour days to maintain up with the workload (I might prefer to say that this has modified now that we have now a staff, however as the whole lot has grow to be a-million-times-busier, I nonetheless discover myself working late at evening making an attempt to maintain issues operating easily!)
Admittedly, I by no means fairly understood the attraction of vibrant leggings initially. Not being from a health background, I could not fairly work out why our Tikiboo merchandise had been standard (not that I used to be complaining as I used to be grateful for the customized, however I used to be additionally puzzled).
I appreciated the merchandise from a design perspective (coming from a inventive background), however sporting them? I did not get it.
Except for Faye championing vibrant leggings to each health class you may ever think about, I did not see many individuals sporting clothes like Tikiboo in 2015 (the panorama has modified considerably these days!)
Nonetheless, after I began seeing buyer photographs throughout social media hashtags displaying their enjoyment from Tikiboo merchandise, and the model itself, it began to make sense.
Seeing the varied use circumstances (photographs of sports activities and health courses I by no means knew existed), the positivity on buyer’s faces and the inspiring buyer tales (the weight-loss journeys are unbelievable) helped me to grasp what Tikiboo is. The expansion of a supportive Tikiboo Neighborhood lately now much more so.
Additionally, having tried on a few of the leggings myself since then (I shan’t be modelling them, I would add), I now perceive the attraction (they’re so snug!)
It has been a really implausible journey.
The expansion from a easy thought between 2 individuals in a lounge to a full-blown enterprise with workers and places of work in Windsor is one thing I by no means anticipated in hindsight.
The nice individuals we have labored with and met alongside the best way. The friendships we have made. The enterprise partnerships we have fashioned (I by no means as soon as imagined I might be having conversations with workers at Sesame Avenue in New York). The publications we have featured in. The varied awards we have received. The cash our clients have helped us increase for charities.
All of it has been superb, and we’re very grateful for the whole lot.
To anybody who has ever positioned a Tikiboo order, or supported us on our journey in any approach, we thanks.
5 years, full.
Here is to the following 5 years and to us doing our greatest to proceed to supply nice merchandise and happiness by way of the fantastic world of Tikiboo!
Daniel Jobbins
Tikiboo Co-Founder / Director (aka Tikibossman)
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