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Whether you’re a small business or a solo vendor, a sale isn’t complete until the product is delivered to the customer. Fulfillment refers to the steps taken between a customer placing an order to receiving it. While most large retailers can deliver their products to their customers, most e-commerce and small businesses outsource their fulfillment needs to third-party fulfillment centers.

If you want to learn more about the fulfillment process and how it works, continue reading below. In this article, we’ll cover the key steps of the fulfillment process and how Pietra’s fulfillment solutions can help your business expand and grow.

## How Does the Fulfillment Process Work?

A simple fulfillment definition characterizes fulfillment as the steps businesses take to deliver a product. But how does the fulfillment process work? There are several steps taken between a customer placing an order and receiving their product. These steps go as follows:

- **Receiving inventory:** The first step of the fulfillment process starts with receiving inventory. At Pietra, you can work with suppliers to find products to fill your store’s inventory and sell to customers.
- **Storing inventory:** As an e-commerce business, you can store inventory yourself or work with a warehouse. Pietra’s e-commerce fulfillment center allows you to store your inventory to free up space and save time.
- **Processing orders:** Once a customer places an order, it’s time to start processing. Working with a fulfillment center like Pietra eliminates the stress of picking an item off the shelf and getting it ready to be packed and shipped.
- **Packing the order:** After processing an order, it’s time to pack the item for shipping. With Pietra, you can work with a packaging supplier on the Pietra Sourcing Marketplace to find boxes, envelopes, and other materials that match your brand.
- **Shipping the order:** Next, the order will be shipped, typically with a third-party carrier like U.S. Postal Service, UPS, or FedEx.
- **Delivery:** Depending on the location of the delivery, the carrier may change during the delivery process. For example, a package may be processed with UPS but sent to the United States Postal Service if the destination is a remote area. It’s vital to provide tracking information to your customers so they can receive up-to-date information on their packages. Once the package is delivered, the order is fulfilled.
- **Processing returns:** In some instances, a customer might not be satisfied with the item they purchased and will choose to return it. To ensure return processing goes smoothly, supply customers with packing materials and a return label. Working with a fulfillment center can help the return process go smoothly by performing quality assurance checks and restocking returned items if they’re in good condition.

[Pietra Fulfillment Services](https://www.pietrastudio.com/platform/logistics-and-fulfillment) allows you to streamline your online business to ensure your products reach your customers' doorsteps quickly and in good condition. From working with manufacturers to co-packing and assembly, Pietra can help you with every step of the e-commerce fulfillment process.

## When Should I Outsource Order Fulfillment?

Order fulfillment is important for every business, as a smooth fulfillment process ensures customers get the items they purchased in a timely fashion. However, how do you know when it’s time to outsource order fulfillment to a third party?

While e-commerce and small businesses may be tempted to handle the fulfillment process themselves, it can stall growth and lead to errors that can tarnish your business’s reputation.

This is because fulfilling orders requires you to keep track of inventory, process orders, pack orders, and ship and deliver orders. This can be a timely and expensive process that can take away from focusing on other areas of your business.

If you struggle to keep up with fulfilling orders, it may be time to outsource order fulfillment. Working with a fulfillment center like Pietra can take the burden and stress of processing, packing, and shipping orders so you can delegate time and resources to other areas of your business. As you grow, Pietra will grow with you, so you can easily scale and expand your business.

## Fulfillment FAQs

### **What Is a Fast Fulfillment Center?**

If you’re looking for a fast fulfillment center, look no further than Pietra. Pietra offers fulfillment solutions and will ship your inventory directly from one of our warehouses to your customers in a timely fashion. With Pietra, you can ship your products worldwide with two-day shipping.

### **How Much Does Fulfillment Cost?**

Fulfillment costs can vary depending on the fulfillment center you work with, along with factors like storage, pallet size, and packaging. In some cases, fulfillment centers may charge hourly — anywhere between $15 to $35 per hour or more, or on a per-item basis, such as $3 per item. With Pietra’s fulfillment services, you can enjoy rates as low as $1.15 per order fulfillment.

### **What Does a Fulfillment Center Do?**

A fulfillment center takes care of each step involved in the fulfillment process. This includes processing, packaging, and shipping orders out to customers. Pietra is a third-party fulfillment center that can integrate with your current e-commerce website, or you can set up your business on Pietra on the Creator Marketplace.

## Wrapping Up: Fulfill Orders With Pietra

Fulfillment refers to the steps taken to get a product to a customer’s door once they place their order. From small e-commerce businesses to global retailers, a well-oiled order fulfillment system is essential.

Customers expect to receive online orders quickly in today's fast-paced world. Pietra makes it easy for businesses of all sizes to get products from their shelves to their customer’s homes. From storing inventory to processing orders and packing products to shipping, Pietra takes care of every step of the order fulfillment process so you can spend time on other areas of growing your business.

Learn more about [how Pietra works](https://www.pietrastudio.com) and our various services, including sourcing products and working with freelancers for logo design, branding, and more.

Fulfillment involves the complete process of preparing and delivering an order. Learn more about how Pietra fulfillment solutions can help your business, today!

What is Fulfillment & Fulfillment Solutions | Pietra

Whether you're a small business or a solo vendor, a sale isn't complete until the product is delivered to the customer. Fulfillment refers to the steps taken between a customer placing an order to receiving it. While most large retailers can deliver their products to their customers, most e-commerce and small businesses outsource their fulfillment needs to third-party fulfillment centers.

What Is Fulfillment?

If you’re looking to bring some of your favorite aromas into the homes of people across the globe, candle making might be the next venture for you. To help you get started, we’ve created an all-encompassing guide on how to start a candle business that allows you to fulfill your passion while remaining profitable. Read on to learn more about the top reasons for starting a candle business and seven steps to get you up and running.

## Why Should You Start Your Own Candle Business?

Candle making is a billion-dollar industry. Not only are consumers buying candles to spruce up their homes, but businesses like restaurants, spas, and stores, use these scented products to create an ambiance that targets their customers and clients.

With that said, there are many exciting possibilities and opportunities that come with starting a candle business, including:

- **Popularity:** Candles are popular. In fact, Verified Market Research found the candle industry to be valued at $7.1 billion in 2020, and expected to grow to over $10.6 billion by 2028.
- **Personalization:** To stand out in this competitive market, you can easily personalize your candles with scents and details that set you apart from your competition.
- **Straightforward process:** Creating a unique line of candles is easy, as Pietra allows you to create your own artwork, select the wax, and choose your fragrances and vessels in a few simple steps.
- **Selling options:** There are plenty of options when it comes to selling candles, such as online, local businesses, fairs, and markets.

Starting a candle business is a great idea for several reasons, from its projected market growth to its extensive selling options. Now that you’re interested in starting a candle making business, let’s explore how to start a candle business from scratch.

## 7 Steps to Start Your Candle Business

Running a candle business is a great way to create a lucrative income stream while working in a creative market that brings joy to homes and businesses across the world. With Pietra, you can create a candle business from start to finish, including finding a supplier, designing your logo, shipping your products, and more. Learn how to start a candle making business with these seven steps below:

### **Step 1: Find Your Niche**

While the candle making industry may seem saturated at first glance, there are plenty of ways you can stand out and make your business known. The first step is finding your niche, which can be done by keeping several factors in mind:

- **Target audience:** To find your target audience, analyze your business goals and think about the demographics of the people you want to sell to, such as age, location, gender, and interests.
- **Target industry:** In addition to your target audience, you want to consider your target industry if you’re planning on selling to businesses, such as spas, restaurants, and retail stores.
- **Type of candle:** Lastly, think about the types of candles you want to sell. For example, do you want to sell luxury candles or affordable candles for the masses? Soy candles, wax candles, or vegan candles? Or, consider whether you want to sell decorative candles or traditional candles, such as taper, votive, and pillar candles. Focusing on one or a few different types of candles can help you perfect your craft and define your niche.

### **Step 2: Choose a Creative Business Name**

The next step to starting a candle business is to choose a creative business name. There are a few routes you can take when picking a business name, such as using acronyms, your own name, creating a new name, or using foreign words. You can also draw inspiration from the types of scents you’re recreating through your candles or the location of your business.

### **Step 3: Define Your Business Plan**

One of the key elements of a successful business is having a detailed business plan. A business plan is a written document that serves as a roadmap of how you will run and operate a profitable business. At Pietra, you can gain access to our Creator Blueprint, which is a business plan that can be personalized for your company.

Explore the components of our Creator Blueprint below:

- Find a trusted supplier to work with
- Order samples to test quality
- Select the components and customizations
- Hire a creative freelancer to create your logo and design your artwork
- Order a production run
- Ship products to Pietra's Fulfillment Center
- Have a business setup call with the warehouse
- Connect your website
- Create content to promote your products
- Start selling and have Pietra ship your customer's orders to their home

### **Step 4: Create Your Product**

Now comes the fun part—creating your candles. If you want to know how to start making candles, you’re in the right place. Pietra helps streamline every aspect of your candle making business from start to finish. With Pietra, you can find a supplier to create your candles for you, whether you’re interested in wax, soy, or beeswax candles, for example.

Once you find your supplier, you can hire a freelancer on the platform to design your packaging, and leverage Pietra’s fulfillment center to ship and send your candles anywhere in the world. With Pietra, creating high-quality candles is easy.

### **Step 5: Build Your Brand**

Now comes the fun part — building an image and message that allows you to shine. To build your brand, consider these tips:

- **Color palette:** Choose a color palette that consists of your primary and secondary brand colors that tie into your brand identity.
- **Candle label:** Design a candle label that’s easy to identify and showcases your logo, contact information, candle scent, warnings, and other pertinent information. At Pietra, you can work with our creative freelancers who can create the artwork for your labels directly on our platform.
- **Packaging:** Choose your packaging. This is the first thing customers will see when they open your product, so think about aesthetics and sustainability. With Pietra, you can find a packaging supplier on the Pietra Sourcing Marketplace to find packaging that matches your brand. You’ll also be able to customize your packaging to make your brand stand out.

### **Step 6: Master Your Marketing**

Once you’ve created your brand, it’s time to start marketing your products to reach your target audience. This means creating a detailed marketing plan that helps you reach your business goals. Some components you should integrate into your marketing plan include:

- **Social media:** Create an online presence via social media and take professional photos of your candles and products to create an aesthetic feed that matches your brand. Popular platforms include Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok.
- **Giveaways:** Host contests and giveaways to engage with your followers and spread brand awareness.
- **Referrals:** Create a referral program that rewards loyal customers and brings in new ones.

### **Step 7: Determine Where You're Selling**

You’re almost there! Now, it’s time to determine where to start selling your candles. There are several routes you can take, such as selling in a brick-and-mortar store or at craft fairs, markets, and local businesses.

Another option is creating an eCommerce candle business that allows you to light up the homes of people across the globe. Pietra is the perfect place to start.

At Pietra, you can easily [create a candle eCommerce business](https://www.pietrastudio.com/platform/logistics-and-fulfillment) to [sell candles](https://www.pietrastudio.com/platform/sales-and-marketing). Pietra will work to find suppliers and fulfillment options to streamline your eCommerce, and help run your business for you. Through Pietra, you’ll have the following options to sell:

- Connect your Shopify website to fulfill your orders
- Sell on Pietra’s Creator Marketplace — a vast shopping destination for independent brands
- Allow Pietra to set up products on various sales channels, such as Instagram Shopping, Google Shopping, and other online marketplaces

Pietra gives you all the tools you need for starting a candle business.

## Light Up the World With Pietra

Spread light and love through your candle making business with Pietra. In a few simple steps, you can start a lucrative candle business without worrying about the complexities of operating a business, such as sourcing materials and finding fulfillment services. Create your candle business with Pietra by registering today.

We've created an all-encompassing guide on how to start a candle business. Read on to learn seven steps to get your candle business up and running.

How to Start a Candle Business | Pietra

If you're looking to bring some of your favorite aromas into the homes of people across the globe, candle making might be the next venture for you. To help you get started, we've created an all-encompassing guide on how to start a candle business that allows you to fulfill your passion while remaining profitable. Read on to learn more about the top reasons for starting a candle business and seven steps to get you up and running.

How to Start a Candle Business

In addition to handling day-to-day operations and long-term strategy, small business owners are responsible for finding trustworthy suppliers to do business with — and that's no small task. That's why Pietra vets suppliers for small business owners depending on their specific business needs. With our vast amount of resources and tools, we can help you avoid common problems and find the most profitable solutions for your business.

Most startups want to test several suppliers, but that can be challenging and time-consuming.

Many small businesses in America have suppliers based overseas, but this isn't always the best practice as it can distance business owners from their product and leave room for a lapse in communication. This strategy also makes it easy for business owners to get locked into high order quantities with private manufacturers. If you go this route, your capital can get tied up in inventory, or your shipment can get stuck in a place you can't even find.

There are alternatives to this option. You can efficiently discover low minimum order quantity (MOQ) suppliers who share your values and match your needs. We can help any small business owner find the perfect fit, including those wondering about:

* How to start a fashion line

* How to start a makeup line

* How to start a candle line

* Private labeling suppliers

* Contract manufacturers

## 8 Traits to Look for in Suppliers for Small Business

You need competent suppliers who can deliver state-of-the-art products on time with prices and quantities you are comfortable with. It's also becoming increasingly important to work with suppliers who share your customers' values.

### Matching Values

Finding suppliers for small businesses whose values align with yours can seem impossible because most overseas manufacturers are thinking only about how they can make and sell more of their products.

They don't attach the same importance to social issues that you and your customers may have. Here are some of the parameters that may make your products more attractive to discerning shoppers:

* Sustainable
* Made in USA
* Made by women
* Organic
* Handmade
* Made by BiPOC
* FDA certified
* Affordable pricing
* Made overseas
* Luxury
* 10+ years in business
* Ethical manufacturing
* Expert craftsmanship

A good search tool designed specifically for finding small business suppliers enables you to creatively set your parameters to search hundreds of reliable, vetted suppliers quickly.

### Reliability

Reliability means that you get the right products as described delivered on time.

Large suppliers are usually reliable because they've been in business long enough to grow big and learn the high value of reliability. They also have the resources and systems to deliver even if a problem arises.

However, with a small supplier, you may be able to grow a close working relationship, particularly if you're the principal customer. You may get better responses to requests like holding stock for you or fulfilling rush orders.

### Stability

Stability is important. An experienced supplier who has been in business for a long time isn't going to disappear when you need them. Stability becomes even more critical if they are the sole supplier of an item your business depends on.

Exercise due diligence by checking credit history and talking to other businesses who have used the supplier.

### Private Labeling or Contract Manufacturing?

Private labeling allows you to market an existing product with your private label on it. Private labels enable you to move quickly to sell proven products as your own. This is especially important if the product needs certification or development that can take a long time. Apparel suppliers, makeup suppliers, and fashion accessory suppliers often offer private labeling.

Use contract manufacturing when you want to create a product yourself that no one else is making. You get a unique offering, but it can take longer to bring it to market than private labeling. If you have your own jewelry designs, scents, or health product formulas, this is the way to go.

### MOQ Compatibility

MOQ requirements that force you to buy more than a certain number of units exist because many manufacturers have very low operating profits. This is especially true in Asia.

Suppliers can set MOQ at total number per order or number per model, size, or color. That's why it's smart to confirm MOQ before ordering.

Make sure you are comfortable with their MOQ, especially when you're first starting so that you aren't stuck with inventory. It may be better to pay slightly higher prices to get low MOQ suppliers.

While you can sometimes negotiate a lower MOQ, it's not realistic to ask for a lower MOQ and lower prices together.

### Pricing Compatibility

Find a supplier whose pricing matches your pricing model. You may need to determine your pricing model before you can realistically search for the best supplier.

When you have strong selling points like a brand name with a large following or a unique, premium product, your per-unit profit margin might be high enough to give you wiggle room on price. You could offer suppliers slightly higher prices to gain benefits in other areas.

If you're selling based on price alone, you'll need to find the supplier who can give you the best price while maintaining acceptable quality standards.

### Testing Suppliers

Test out more than one supplier to find the right one for you. You'll need a supplier who:

* Can scale with you
* Has goals compatible with your plans
* Achieves 100% on-time delivery
* Is ISO 9000 approved
* Is fully responsive within 24 hours
* Offers assistance with new designs
* Provides new samples quickly

### Get the Right Fit

Be prepared to go through several rounds of samples to make sure the fit is right. It's impossible to properly evaluate reliability, responsiveness, and personal chemistry without working with a supplier through more than one order cycle.

### Professional Help Choosing the Right Supplier is Available

Pietra helps small business creators find the perfect supplier and launch their product business. We offer creators an easy-to-use way to search small business suppliers, as well as:

* Access to our supply network
* Creative brand services
* Packaging design
* Fulfillment
* Warehousing
* Shipping and returns

You'll find everything a business creator needs to launch a product business, all on one platform. You get instant access to more than [1500 vetted sources](https://www.pietrastudio.com/platform/sourcing-and-production) offering trouble-free sampling. You can easily create a business blueprint using any of our services that match your business needs, including:

* Product line suggestions
* Expert creative designers
* Trusted suppliers
* Help financing your business
* Step by step business setup

Pietra enables you to quickly find the perfect suppliers for small businesses while removing the headache of working with overseas and high MOQ vendors. Get started free with Pietra right now. 

With Pietra's vast amount of resources and tools, we can help you avoid common problems and find the most profitable solutions for your business.

How to Find the Best Suppliers for Small Business to Increase Profitability | Pietra

In addition to handling day-to-day operations and long-term strategy, small business owners are responsible for finding trustworthy suppliers to do business with — and that's no small task. That's why Pietra vets suppliers for small business owners depending on their specific business needs. With our vast amount of resources and tools, we can help you avoid common problems and find the most profitable solutions for your business.

How to Find the Best Suppliers for Small Business to Increase Profitability

In 2021, Shopify was home to 1.75 million online retailers. The allure for retailers is that the platform is easy to use and offers features that let you sell, ship, and process payments. It's also easy to integrate with tools such as CRM and email marketing software. Below, this guide will offer you top tips on how to design a memorable Shopify website.

## Shopify Themes

Your Shopify design will determine the look and feel of your shop. Choose one that fits with your branding and makes it easy for customers to find their favorite products. You have multiple options from which to choose, so peruse the database and narrow down your choice of themes. Tips for Shopify themes that stand out include:

## Set Your Budget

Shopify has a wide variety of themes at various price points. As a small business owner, you may not have the capital to spend a lot on marketing, but your website is your primary branding tool. Look for a theme that fits within your budget, but make sure it has the features and flexibility you desire.

## Research the Developer

When you've narrowed down your desired Shopify theme, do a quick search for its author. Look for cues on theme functionality and support. You don't want a theme developer who won't be responsive when your site goes down. Also, look at their experience with Shopify. If they have built multiple themes for the site, you might find that yours is more responsive and includes a wider range of features.

## Use the Tutorials

If you have some coding knowledge, you can bypass premade themes and design your own. If you go that route, watch Shopify's tutorials to learn the Liquid programming language and tips on how to improve your designs.

## Photo Tips

One of the best Shopify hacks for getting your site noticed is to elevate your product photography. Including high-quality product pictures is one of the best ways to make your Shopify website better.

## Minimal Background

Product photos are made for showcasing different product features. Your background should be minimal. Either get a white lightbox or photograph your products against a solid-colored backdrop. If you are creating an editorial photo for different site pages, make sure the background doesn't take away from the product.

## Good Lighting

The best light for taking product photos is natural light. If you have a large window, take pictures during the day, preferably when it's overcast. If your products are being hit with direct sunlight, use a large white screen to diffuse the light and soften the shadows.

Also, using a professional lightbox can help you photograph your products in the best light.

## Multiple Angles

Take multiple photos of your products so you can feature different angles in your product catalog. Add an image carousel to your product landing pages so people can scroll through to see each angle.

## What Pages You Should Have On Your Shopify Website

Your Shopify site should include the following pages:

* Home

* Contact

* About

* FAQ

* Collections / Catalog

* Returns Policy

* Shipping Policy

* Privacy Policy

## Shopify Inventory Management With Pietra

Integrating your Shopify website with other software is easy and is one of Shopify's best features. Pietra's inventory management and shipping platform take logistics off your plate, but you need your Shopify site's inventory to be accurate. Integrate your Pietra software so your customers will know the availability of their favorite products in real-time.

When you receive orders on Shopify, your site immediately notifies us, so we can get started on manufacturing and distribution. This automatic updating of your inventory creates a seamless experience for your customers.

If you're a small, direct-to-consumer company, you're likely handling inventory management, shipping, and order fulfillment with a smaller crew. Operating this way can lead to errors that ruin customers' experience. You may find that some orders are being partially shipped when a customer emails to let you know part of their order is missing. Or your distribution time could be longer than your customers want.

## Shopify Orders Sent Through Pietra

With your Pietra subscription, you have the option of selling your products through a custom website or through our marketplace. Since your Shopify website is integrated with Pietra, your inventory will be updated, and you can track and manage all sales.

Pietra takes over this part of your business, connecting you with high-quality manufacturers and logistics professionals. Our platform works seamlessly with your Shopify store, cutting down on shipping delays. If you're ready to hand over inventory management and shipping to improve your customer service, contact us to get started. 

Shopify was home to 1.75 million online retailers. The allure for retailers is that the platform is easy to use and offers features that let you sell, ship, and process payments.

Tips for Designing a Shopify Website | Pietra

In 2021, Shopify was home to  1.75 million online retailers. The allure for retailers is that the platform is easy to use and offers features that let you sell, ship, and process payments. It's also easy to integrate with tools such as CRM and email marketing software. Below, this guide will offer you top tips on how to design a memorable Shopify website.

Tips for Designing a Shopify Website

As the world continues to deal with the climate crisis, more consumers are focusing on how they can make better choices in every aspect of their lives, including fashion. Customers are also concerned about the human rights of those who manufacture their clothing, and more of them are starting to buy sustainable, ethically made fashion. These sustainable fashion brands are on the rise with customers looking to minimize their impact while remaining stylish.

## House of Sunny

House of Sunny is a British brand offering high-quality, everyday staples which can be easily integrated into any wardrobe. This company is dedicated to slowing fashion, creating two collections per year.

This brand has risen in popularity, particularly with eco-conscious members of Gen Z. House of Sunny has reached these buyers through TikTok. Its TikTok feed features behind-the-scenes videos showing how garments are made, compostable packaging, and other eco-friendly highlights.

In 2015, 73% of Millennials indicated that they were willing to pay more for sustainable brands. Gen Z is following suit as they move into adulthood. In 2019, 62% of Gen Z shoppers said they prefer sustainable brands.

Founder Sunny Williams grew the brand primarily through social media. Williams met social and marketing executive Camilla Ley at a party, and brought her on board. She used her community-building knowledge to connect with customers and influencers alike, eventually growing the House of Sunny Instagram to 623,000 followers.

Although this brand was built on sustainable principles, which are predominantly featured on the website and other marketing materials, it also uses a diverse array of models in print ads and on social media. People of all shapes and sizes can be seen wearing items from this collection, which further appeals to its online community. Everyone can feel included.

## Faithfull the Brand

Another company tapping Instagram to create a community and promote its ethics is Faithfull the Brand. Founded in 2012, this company specializes in easy looks that you can wear on the go. Faithfull clothing is made in Bali, Indonesia using eco-friendly techniques like hand dying.

The company's Instagram appeals to travel and fashion influencers alike, with a cool and chic vibe. Each post features people looking carefree in picturesque travel settings. While the company embodies the opposite of fast fashion principles, it has been successful with a number of fashion influencers on Instagram. Each post includes details about garment materials, and the company is transparent about how they are produced.

## Hope Macaulay

Most luxury brands are already known for creating quality pieces that can be worn for decades with proper care, which is a hallmark of sustainable fashion. Irish designer Hope Macaulay takes luxury a step further and delivers a high-quality, eco-friendly brand. She achieves her sustainable fashion goals by bringing back a classic fashion feature – bespoke clothing.

Her clothes are custom tailored and made to order, eliminating wasteful inventory overflow. This company doesn't even start making an item until someone orders it, which lengthens the distribution process but also eliminates a lot of the brand's environmental impact.

Founded in 2018, this label is young, but Macaulay has already created a buzz with biodegradable fabrics and expertly tailored clothing.

Macaulay brings a whimsical aesthetic to the company's Instagram feed, which has helped grow the brand. Along with chunky knit sweaters for which the brand is known, its social media features images of models who look like customers wearing these items in the wild.

Hope Macaulay took a skill that she learned from her grandmother and developed it into a business that has grown on its uniqueness. As a small business owner, you can follow suit by creating inventory on demand, which cuts down on waste and reduces your environmental impact.

## Prism Squared

Based in London, Prism Squared combines two big fashion movements: sustainability and activewear. This company focuses on swimwear, leggings, bralettes, tanks, resort wear, and other athleisure staples. Prism Squared is an extension of the existing Prism brand, which specialized in sunglasses and swimwear.

Sustainability is a core part of Prism Squared's branding strategy. Many articles about the company make reference to its Greenpeace certified factory and eco-friendly dyes. Founder Anna Laub talks about her desire to make things that will be used to death rather than worn once and discarded. Garments in the Prism Squared collection serve multiple purposes. For example, you can swim in the leggings, which makes them great for triathlon training.

Laub was able to build this brand off the success of an existing product. Extension lines don't always work out, particularly if they are a strong departure from your existing brand. But if you have a successful fashion line and want to launch an offshoot collection that is more sustainable, you can market it to your existing customer base.

## Build Your Sustainable Fashion Brand

In this market, it's not enough to say that a company is sustainable. They have to back up their claims. Up-and-coming fashion brands in this area need to find sustainable suppliers for their small businesses. They also need to connect to sustainable apparel suppliers and sustainable makeup suppliers. Each part of the manufacturing process should be eco-friendly.

Customers might research suppliers and distributors, so it's important for these to live up to a brand's sustainable reputation, particularly if it's a key part of your branding like these sustainable brands. Pietra Studios can connect sustainable businesses to these suppliers.

We can help find the right manufacturers and distributors for fashion and cosmetics products. Our supplier database is easy to navigate. Clients can filter suppliers based on their needs, whether they want to concentrate on materials, sustainable practices within the factory itself, or any combination of factors. All of our suppliers are hand picked. We can answer questions and connect each business owner with the right supplier.

Pietra also offers eCommerce tools. Anyone operating a shoppable website with us can highlight sustainability in their bio and product listings. They can integrate their shop with Instagram and other social media feeds. Pietra can help find the right suppliers to meet each customers' needs.

Sustainable fashion brands are on the rise with customers looking to minimize their impact while remaining stylish.

Sustainable Brands are winning consumer's loyalty through authenticity | Pietra

As the world continues to deal with the climate crisis, more consumers are focusing on how they can make better choices in every aspect of their lives, including fashion. Customers are also concerned about the human rights of those who manufacture their clothing, and more of them are starting to buy sustainable, ethically made fashion. These sustainable fashion brands are on the rise with customers looking to minimize their impact while remaining stylish.

Sustainable Brands are winning consumer's loyalty through authenticity

Before the advent of social media, a business owner had to establish their company and build their brand before becoming successful. With the rise of the influencer, many content creators are using their established brands to branch out into business. From makeup to clothing to food, popular content creators are leveraging their social media followings to launch businesses and make money in the creator economy. The following are content creators who have successfully transitioned from content creation to establishing their own creator economy brands.

## Emma Chamberlain (Chamberlain Coffee)

Emma Chamberlain has been a YouTube personality for much of her life. What started as a fun hobby for friends soon
ballooned into a channel with over 11 million subscribers. Emma is known for her style and her fun sense of humor, and each video she posts receives millions of views.

But Chamberlain was not content to simply rule YouTube. She created Chamberlain Coffee to share her passion for coffee with her followers. Chamberlain Coffee is an ethical and sustainable brand founded with the intention of connecting people over a cup of coffee. Chamberlain shared in an interview with Refinery 29 that her focus is more on product quality than branding. She wants to appeal to her fan base, but also to people who appreciate fine coffee.

Chamberlain Coffee now offers subscription services people can use to stay restocked. Emma largely keeps her two brands separate but occasionally shares content featuring her products. Her social media savvy has led to an Instagram following of 389,000 for her company.

## Hailey Sani (ILYBABY — A Pietra brand)

Hailey Sani has 1.37 million YouTube subscribers and over 700,000 followers on Instagram. Sani is originally from Turkey and has built her following by connecting with young women all over the world. She posts videos featuring advice and life lessons along with personal glimpses into her life.

Sani's followers love her carefree personality and the fact that she likes to tackle topics that would often be
considered taboo. Sani knows that growing up as a young woman can be tough. She offers a big sister vibe to her
followers and answers their burning questions honestly.

Sani founded the clothing company ILYBABY to serve as a uniform for people who wish to embody her kind spirit, earning money in the creator economy in the process. ILYBABY brands itself as attire for people who approach life from a place of love. She crafts pieces that are comfortable and easy to wear.

ILYBABY uses Pietra to manufacture and ship its clothing to customers. Our self-service platform meets Sani's needs, connecting her to the manufacturers and other suppliers that can help bring her vision to life and fulfill orders without having to research each supplier individually. For content creators who want to branch out into their own branded merchandise, Pietra makes it easy to connect with the suppliers they need to achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

## Ella Rose (Skin by Ella Rose — A Pietra Brand)

Ella Rose is a Swedish model who transformed her fame into a successful Instagram brand. She currently has 787,000
Instagram followers who love to see her outfits, modeling photos, daily life, and daughter, Lily.

Modeling gave Rose access to a wealth of skincare knowledge, so she launched her own brand — Skin by Ella Rose. She takes a minimalistic approach to skincare products with a brightening cream blush and eyebrow gel that customers can use to perfect their 5-minute skincare routine.

On the Skin by Ella Rose Instagram feed, many women are featured wearing the product. The photos present everyday people so followers can easily visualize themselves using the brightening cream and eyebrow gel. Customers also commonly tag their content with the brand's products using #skinbyellarose.

Skin by Ella Rose uses Pietra to manufacture and distribute products to customers. Rose is committed to sustainability, opting for limited packaging to reduce waste. Our platform allows her to connect with sustainable manufacturers who meet her requirements, create high-quality products with less waste, and make money as an influencer.

## Jeanne Damas (Rouje Paris)

French women have been known for their style for centuries. In the 1920s, Coco Chanel revolutionized women's fashion by encouraging women to ditch their corsets for easier styles. French fashion influencer Jeanne Damas rose to prominence by posting on Tumblr. She eventually transitioned to Instagram where she now shares chic and sophisticated content that serves as inspiration for anyone who wants to emulate French style.

Damas' Instagram currently has over 1.5 million followers. She used her popularity and innate style to launch the
fashion brand Rouje Paris and monetize her influencer audience. Founded in 2016, the brand offers clothing, accessories, beauty products, and footwear.

Rouje Paris appeals to people who follow Damas for her style. Her clothing is affordable, giving more people access to French style that is normally reserved for those with money to spare. Rouje Paris embodies Damas' online brand,
featuring pieces that are elegant yet easy to mix and match. The brand highlights how to move an online brand beyond traditional merchandise. Damas' followers can shop this fashion line to achieve her effortless style, and they can find each other by tagging the brand in their posts.

## How Pietra Can Help Content Creators Transition to Entrepreneurs

Pietra is an intuitive platform for content creators who are interested in selling anything from beauty products to home goods. We have raised over $15 million to help content creators create and launch their own creator economy brands.

What started as a marketplace for luxury goods and jewelry has blossomed into a creator hub where content creators can easily spin their existing brands into viable businesses. We provide cost-effective solutions for creators who want to launch a business but aren't familiar with the specifics of manufacturing and other logistics. We help brands started by influencers sell directly to consumers without having to research and interview suppliers.

We thoroughly research our suppliers so each of our creators can focus on producing quality products without slow
delivery tarnishing their existing brands. Any creator who is interested in how to start an influencer brand can contact Pietra to learn more.

With the rise of the influencer, many content creators are using their established brands to branch out into business.

How the Creator Economy Transforms Online Personalities into Business Owners

Before the advent of social media, a business owner had to establish their company and build their brand before becoming successful. With the rise of the influencer, many content creators are using their established brands to branch out into business. From makeup to clothing to food, popular content creators are leveraging their social media followings to launch businesses and make money in the creator economy. The following are content creators who have successfully transitioned from content creation to establishing their own creator economy brands.

You've probably started a clothing line because you're creative and passionate about sharing your designs with others. Becoming a cult favorite might not be high on your priority list, but having a large customer base does make it easier to keep doing what you love.

These inspirational fashion brands have it figured out. Here is how they have appealed to fans and built a following, plus steps you can take to improve your brand visibility.

## Ma®ket

This streetwear label is a favorite with celebrities including Michael B. Jordan, Eva Marcille, and Apolo Ohno. The brand boasts 864,000 followers on Instagram and is known for its signature smiley face basketball and its DNA collection. Founded as Chinatown Market in 2016, Ma®ket rebranded earlier this year following violence against the Asian American Pacific Islander community.

For Ma®ket, this sense of community is key to success. According to High Snob Society, Founder Mike Cherman was inspired by New York's Canal Street and has done a fine job of mimicking bootleg tees and hoodies commonly beloved by shoppers in that area. Cherman commonly references pop culture in his designs, creating bold and distinctive streetwear that often sells out.

After starting his career at Nike, Cherman built this brand with custom t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatpants long before COVID-19 made these items wardrobe staples. Customers like this brand because the clothes are comfy and affordable.

But Cherman truly built his business on relationship management. His earliest clients are young. Instead of ignoring them or responding to customer inquiries with a canned response, Cherman responded to each one. He listens to customers and uses their input to influence designs, often finding pop culture inspiration in his followers.

Interacting with your customers makes them feel valued, which helps increase your brand loyalty.

## Rowing Blazers

Founded in 2017, Rowing Blazers has quickly gained cult status among fashion enthusiasts. The New York-based brand has been photographed on celebrities including Dwayne Wade, Pete Davidson, Tan France, Mindy Kaling, BTS, and many others.

Its founder, Dr. Jack Carlson, is an archaeologist who was once a member of the U.S. Rowing team.

Rowing Blazers offers sporty styles that appeal to the preppy in anyone, and they look good on people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. One way in which this company has built its following is by collaborating with other brands and organizations on limited-edition collections, which lends a level of exclusivity to its clothing. Given Carlson's sports background, it's not surprising that the brand has done collections with the NBA and U.S. Rowing. It has also created a collection with Sperry and Harry's New York Bar, which is a well-known city institute.

These collaborations are not the only way Rowing Blazers has improved its visibility. The company also runs an affiliate program through which content creators and people who run internet shopping sites can earn a commission for referring buyers directly to the Rowing Blazers site.

As a small business owner, you don't always have access to big-name personalities, but you can leverage your current customers through affiliate marketing and loyalty programs.

## Cherry LA

This west coast streetwear brand was founded in 2018 by Joseph Perez and David Levy and has quickly risen to popularity.

Cherry LA has created a sense of nostalgia, its designs are reminiscent of 90s styles that were popular in Southern California 20-years ago.

Cherry LA does not often post to its Instagram page, yet the brand has amassed over 127,000 followers. This notoriety has largely been built on followers like Bella Hadid who tag the brand in their own Instagram feeds. Much like Rowing Blazers, Cherry LA launches limited-edition collections, which makes the brand more exclusive and coveted by its fans.

But the root of Cherry LA's success lies in its designers. A quick glance through Joseph Perez's Instagram feed shows glimpses into his laid-back personality and distinct Los Angeles skater style. Similarly, David Levy highlights trips to the beach or simply relaxing in Southern California's outdoors. These designers create clothing that they would wear and they infuse their personalities into each item. Their authenticity shines through in their clothing, which is also well made and built to last.

## Black Milk

Australian brand Black Milk has been around longer than other cult faves on this list, but its followers are no less devoted. Black Milk offers fun, colorful styles that stand out. New releases often sell out, and the brand's fans love showing off their new items through social media.

Black Milk grew by cultivating an online community. The brand uses its own Instagram followers on its website, which appeals to customers because it's easy for them to see themselves in the clothes. Black Milk also encourages members of its Facebook community to meet up in person and trade clothes or make new friends.

Knowing how to create an online community will help you build word of mouth, and it's an effective customer relationship management channel.

## How You Can Learn From These Brands

Success doesn't happen overnight. Building a small business takes work and dedication. Each of these brand founders spent months connecting with the right customers and building their client base. Their journey could have been simplified with Pietra.

We connect your DTC brands to top suppliers who can help with manufacturing and order fulfillment. You don't have to spend hours creating custom t-shirts like Mike Cherman who built Ma®ket in his off hours following his day job working for Nike. Some of these brands are still experiencing shipping backlogs, even with limited inventory.

You can use Pietra to distribute your orders, so you can focus on design and stop worrying about logistics. Most importantly, Pietra offers you visibility, which is key when you want to start a brand. You can list with us and invite customers and fellow creators to join your community. You can also find other artists for collaborations and exclusive collections.

Starting a fashion business takes time and sacrifice, but our tools can help make it easier. So be inspired by your own community, create clothing that is authentic to your personality, and build a community to elevate your business. Need help turning your clothing line into a well-known fashion brand? Contact us today!

These inspirational fashion brands have it figured out. Here is how they have appealed to fans and built a following, plus steps you can take to improve your brand visibility.

Inspirational Fashion Brands with a Cult Following to Watch this Fall | Pietra

You've probably started a clothing line because you're creative and passionate about sharing your designs with others. Becoming a cult favorite might not be high on your priority list, but having a large customer base does make it easier to keep doing what you love.

Inspirational Fashion Brands with a Cult Following to Watch this Fall

What if launching a creative business with physical products was as easy as starting a blog or a newsletter? What if the millions of creators currently building their audiences had access to the infrastructure needed to bring their vision to life in 30 days or less? This is what we aim to deliver with the Pietra's Creator Initiative.

Silicon Valley has done a remarkable job over the years at lowering the barrier to starting a software business. Yet, in 2020, if you want to start a creative business that sells a physical product it takes many years of on-the-ground hustle and thousands of dollars in costs to bring an idea to market.

Are you a creative person who is passionate about jewelry and wants to launch a collection? Or a florist that wants to expand into fragrances and premium candles? Or a fashion influencer who wants to design a quality handbag? It's hard to know how to begin or who to ask, and when you finally figure out how to take one step forward, every subsequent step seems unnecessarily difficult. Sourcing materials, finding great manufacturing partners, negotiating pricing and minimum order quantity, building a kickass website to sell your product online — it's not easy, and it takes time. Too much time. And even worse, you may go through this entire process only to have to do it all over again with another supplier once your business starts to grow.

Pietra is here to change that. We want to handle all the hard, boring, and tedious parts of launching a business, so you can focus on what you're passionate about: being creative.

[Today, we're announcing Pietra's Creators Initiative that makes following your passion and launching your creative business as easy as starting a blog.](https://www.pietrastudio.com)

![](https://miro.medium.com/max/4352/1*lpVxEJMJQ8aap3OV-3NXvw.png)

Pietra's Creator Platform offers:

* *A way to connect with trusted suppliers and manufacturers.* Many of our manufacturing partners produce goods for top luxury brands.
* *A way to design your product samples and custom packaging.* Collaborate with Pietra's Design Team to turn your idea into real samples.
* *A way to sell directly to your audience.* Set up a Pietra Shop in less than 15 minutes and start selling your products. When something sells, we'll take care of fulfilling and shipping your orders for you.
* *A better way to promote your products.* You can even connect your Instagram account to your Pietra Shop and sell directly to your audience. Post on your Shop's Community Page to start discussions with your followers, post behind the scenes content, and get a chance to be featured on Pietra's homepage.

Launching a product AND running your business has never been easier. Once you've approved your samples, and posted them on your Pietra Shop, Pietra will take care of running your business. When a customer purchases from your Pietra Shop, we will handle the logistics involved with producing your items and shipping it to the customer. Just like Amazon's Cloud Services, as your business scales and you become more successful, Pietra offers additional services that makes scaling a hands-free, easy process. Whether you're an influencer who's looking to monetize your audience, or a passionate hobbyist looking to launch your first business — Pietra has you covered.

![](https://miro.medium.com/max/2300/1*Do0mfneKe5mhGvhAk_jnlQ.png)

It's time to bring your vision to life. Launch your creative business for as little as $49/mo for 3 products. That means that for the cost of running a website, Pietra will help you launch your business, and then keep it running for you.

Pretty cool, right? Now what are you waiting for? Take that idea you're passionate about and start building your empire.

[You can also view this blog post on Medium.com.](https://medium.com/@Ro_Pietra/pietra-powering-the-passion-economy-39c315587082)

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What if launching a creative business with physical products was as easy as starting a blog or a newsletter?

Powering the Passion Economy | Pietra

What if launching a creative business with physical products was as easy as starting a blog or a newsletter? What if the millions of creators currently building their audiences had access to the infrastructure needed to bring their vision to life in 30 days or less? This is what we aim to deliver with the Pietra's Creator Initiative.

Powering the Passion Economy

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Learn how to create a clothing tech pack with templates, examples & AI tools. Speed up factory production & get your apparel manufactured right.

Tech Pack Guide: How to Create Clothing Tech Packs Fast

Learn how to create professional tech packs that speed up factory production, reduce costly mistakes, and ensure your clothing designs are manufactured exactly as you envisioned, from first sketch to final product.

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