Vote for Helen and Dotty Fish>>
Closes Sunday 24 November 2019.
Our amazing friend and client, Helen from Dotty Fish, who design and sell beautiful soft leather shoes for babies and toddlers that look after the feet. She now exports over 80% of her turnover online to countries in Europe and worldwide.
Amazon:
So this is Helen from Dotty Fish. Helen, congratulations on being shortlisted as a Finalist in the Exporting Small Business of the Year Awards. I take it you’re feeling very very happy.
Helen:
It’s very exciting. It’s an award that actually means a lot to me, because it hasn’t been an easy journey, but it’s one that I’m very passionate about. I love my business and this is just really the icing on the cake.
Amazon:
Exciting times. So tell us about the business then and where you are based as well?
Helen:
So we are a baby shoe business. We’re based in Farnborough in Hampshire and I set the business up nearly 14 years ago when my little boy was born.
Helen:
So I drew a few pictures and I found someone overseas and I just ordered 500 pairs and started selling them online. And then it really went from strength to strength, because I am an online business. We expanded into the garage and then I got my first offices. And yeah, it’s just really exciting.
Amazon:
And it seems that there’s a shoe for all seasons with all your products.
Helen:
Obviously. You can never have too many shoes. Let’s just get that straight.
Amazon:
Talk me through different looks that you’ve got.
Helen:
Well, we have lots of looks. For instance, we do a lot in Germany, a lot in Italy… Different countries like different colourways or like different products. And it’s about knowing your customer and thinking, well hang on a minute. The German market like these colours more, what can we do?
Amazon:
When did you first start selling on Amazon?
Helen:
So I started selling on Amazon, around six years ago and I originally just started on Amazon UK. I didn’t think I would have the ability to sell abroad. I had an email from Amazon saying, do you want to sell abroad? And I thought, well, can I? And I was like, yes, and I can’t even begin to tell you. I never forget the first few months – I’d made 15,000 euros in a month in Germany and I thought, oh my goodness, I was like, my life is going to change. It was so exciting.
Amazon:
So has the export side of your business really grown since you’ve been selling on Amazon?
Helen:
Massively. There is only one answer to that question! We now export about 80% of our turnover. It really is a life changer. We were always doing well, but now it’s opened so many doors and the opportunities, like I say Germany, Italy, we’ve just started selling on Amazon Australia. The world is your oyster.
Amazon:
Huge impact then?
Helen:
Well yes, and that’s the thing, technology today. Amazon, who doesn’t buy from Amazon?
Amazon:
And if you could look back at your younger self. What advice would you give yourself?
Helen:
My younger self? Well I think actually one of the things would have been not to be scared of selling abroad, because I really genuinely didn’t think I’d be able to do it. I really didn’t, and I don’t think I realised the power of the internet in those days. I was just thinking, oh, I’ll just sell online a little bit and I might pay for a few holidays. And even my husband, I don’t think ever thought, we’d get to where we are now.
Amazon:
It’s obviously going really well for you now, you’re really enjoying it. What does the future hold for you?
Helen:
Well, that is the thing though, is that we’re selling online. There can be no limit, and that’s what I love. And I know you might think that’s really cheesy. But I just think you’re never going to get to a cap. There’s another country, there’s something else.
Amazon:
Worldwide domination.
Helen:
Absolutely. And I’m all for it.
Amazon:
So obviously we can find you on Amazon. Can we find you on social media too?
Helen:
Yes, you can, you can find us on Instagram @dottyfish and on Facebook @DottyFishLtd.
Amazon:
Great to meet you today. Good luck with it all at Dotty Fish and with the competition.
Helen:
Thank you.
Vote for Helen and Dotty Fish>>
Closes Sunday 24 November 2019.
