Shop Introduction

AhBoy.Com is a blogshop established in October 2009, focusing on providing quality and value for money Japanese street fashion for males between 18 and 35 in Singapore.

Description of Blog Shop Owner

AhBoy.Com’s owner, Jeff, is a recent graduate from a local university, who recently went for a leisure trip to Tokyo and was intrigued by the fashion sense of the guys in Japan. Having read and learnt about various business theories in school and armed with practical experience in running his own technology firm in the past, he decided to start this blogshop to pave the path to move into fashion business.

Theories in relation to Marketing (Product, Pricing, Promotion, and Placing), IT (Search Engine Optimisation), and Strategies (Blue Ocean Strategy, Disruptive Innovation), have been carefully planned and administered in the running of AhBoy.Com.

Focusing on a niche market of Japanese fashion for male is an example of adopting the Blue Ocean Strategy where AhBoy.Com is contesting in a market that is still in the blue (not so congested with many other competitors). Pricing and placing the products in the “quality” and “value for money” segment is a way to break free from the low-cost disruption innovation that was used by many other blogshop owners.

Beside of business knowledge, technology plays a paramount role to a successful online portal. An online portal requires the exposure to search engines and getting it ranked high on selected keywords so that it can attract the right crowd (potential customers) to the site. Jeff understood the fundamentals of search engines which are based on the concept of “Hub and Authority”, and sucessfully optimised the search results to AhBoy.Com. The website now ranks #1 for search on “Japanese fashion for men Singapore”. In summary, Jeff’s view is that creating synergies between business and technology is key to creating a successful online business.

Ah Boy Products

Interview

SpreeCrunch is honored to interview Jeff, the sole owner of AhBoy.com which specializes in providing Japanese fashion for Men in Singapore. Totally new to the fashion industry, Jeff has been working in the financial industry and had even set up his own company.

1. SpreeCrunch: May I know what is your current occupation?

Ahboy: Nothing related to fashion, I am currently working in the financial industry.

2. SpreeCrunch: Is this your first time to start your own online business?

Ahboy: Yes, this is the first time I’m starting an online business, but not the first to run a business. I ran my own IT company for the past couple of years prior to my current job, providing IT consultations and services ranging from setting up office network to web applications development.

3. SpreeCrunch: How long have you been in this industry?

Ahboy: Slightly more than a month, but it feels like a long time to me already.

4. SpreeCrunch:What was the reason for you to start this business?

Ahboy: It was during my recent trip to Tokyo recently that I was intrigued by the fashion sense of guys in Japan. What came to my mind was that there might be a market back home. I am aware of the competitiveness of the fashion industry, and as such, decided to start a blogshop to test this market out. It is actually a test-bed for me to go full-fledged into the fashion business later on.

5. SpreeCrunch: What future plans do you have for this business?

Ahboy: My short term plan for first few months is to establish on a strong brand name by executing an intense marketing campaign, both online and offline. I want AhBoy.Com to be the first brand name that comes to people’s mind whenever they are looking for the Latest, Quality, and Value-for-Money Japanese Men Fashion Wear.

6. SpreeCrunch: What is the business current situation?

Ahboy: 1.5 months since I first started this blogshop, I’m pleased with the number of visitors and sales. It’s great and I think there is potential for further growth. At least I’m sure there is a market now for Japanese Men Fashion in Singapore.

7. SpreeCrunch: Have you faced any difficulties during the start-up?

Ahboy: I’ve not really encountered difficulty so far as the capital to start an online business is rather low, but I’m prepared for more difficulties to arise as I progress further.

8. SpreeCrunch: What other benefits do you have by starting this online business besides money?

Ahboy: I think other non tangible benefits are the experience and knowledge in the fashion industry. I’ve worked briefly in the retail line selling IT equipment, and running this blogshop complements my knowledge by adding on the experience pertinent to the fashion industry.

9. SpreeCrunch: What do you have to sacrifice in order to continue with this business?

Ahboy: Time! I’m spending a fair bit of my spare time maintaining the blog and responding to e-mails.

10. SpreeCrunch: What was the main thing that motivates you to continue with this business despite the unfavourable conditions?

Ahboy: I guess it’s intrinsic in me. I am an explorer who likes to explore and experience new things. Besides, I also like challenges and solving problems. Thus, whenever there are any problems, it motivates me to solve them. I enjoy the aftermath feeling.

11. SpreeCrunch: Where do you seek for customers?

Ahboy: To seek for customers, I’m currently building AhBoy.Com’s online presence through Search Engine Optimizations (SEOs) and targeted online advertising, while promoting offline through sponsorship of student activities in schools. In the long term, my plan is to sustain or expand the pool of customers mainly through word of mouth marketing.

12. SpreeCrunch: How do you boost your popularity online?

Ahboy: I’m doing it through online advertising and SEOs (which I’ve learnt formally in school on the workings of search engines and am now putting my knowledge into practice!).

13. SpreeCrunch: What exactly makes your online business stand out from the rest?

Ahboy: If you realize, the turnover of my stock is rather higher. I intend to keep that momentum where I will only bring in a few pieces of each design each time and will phase them out after a short period. This will ensure the uniqueness (not commonly seen in Singapore) and quality of the products. Also, this way, customers will not find a pool on people wearing the same clothes on the street while still keeping up with the trend in Japan.

SpreeCrunch’s Remark

Ahboy has joined SpreeCrunch since November 28th, 2009. After reviews by our team members, SpreeCrunch is pleased to invite Ahboy for an exclusive interview as it has met our criteria. SpreeCrunch was delighted that Ahboy has decided to accept the interview.

Even though Ahboy is being operated alone, it has big plans for its future. SpreeCrunch works on a global scale and we welcome all online shops to join our network. We strive to help out as much as we can to promote online shopping. SpreeCrunch would like to express our thanks to Ahboy for their support and we hope all online shoppers would support Ahboy as well.

Shop Introduction

Oops Treat offers fashionable clothing at affordable prices for both casual and formal occasions. We invest time and effort in sourcing for the best outfits which are demanded by shoppers coming from all over with different preferences. Currently, we have a range of casual and formal tops and party dresses to offer and we are looking to enhance our collection to fulfill the ever-changing demands of our customers.

We take pride in delivering the best service to all the shopaholics out there in the aim of gaining satisfaction and positive feedback from all shopaholics whom stumble upon Oops Treat. This is because we believe customers’ satisfaction is the utmost critical factor in keeping us move forward. Essentially, our aim is to be the blog shop that you visit when you are in need of a new outfit or simply for some retail therapy!

Description of Blog Shop Owners

One evening, three good friends (Suet Yun, Ying Yoong & E-Chuin) were hit by a wave of aspiration… To start an online boutique selling clothes catering to young working adults as we ourselves who had just started to work understand the dilemma: “How to be fashionable with the rising cost of shopping?” Yes, this is such an ugly truth! Therefore, Oops Treat was born to a main objective: To provide fashionable working clothes and yet affordable to the shopaholics just like us.

And as we move on, we realize that working adults needed to attend numerous functions. From annual dinners to clubbing to casual drinking with colleagues/friends (what we all usually refer it to: socializing!!). Therefore, we decided to provide casual outings clothes, evening wears and sexy attires at the lowest price and we know that our gals will totally love the deals that we offer.

Our online boutique is named Oops Treat. Notice the similarity between Oops Treat and Britney’s song “Oops! I Did It Again”? The three of us are huge fans of Britney since back then when we were schooling.. And with all the treats that we are offering to all the gals out there.. Hence, TA-DA!! Oops Treat!!

YY: Our young and bubbly yet capable Chief Finance Officer who does the accounting and banking matters loves to talk and eat and still manages to work extra hours and be top in her studies while keeping up with the world of fashion.

EC: Our Chief Fashion Officer who loves nothing except to shop, shop, shop and shop but still manages to keep up with her EXTRA workload and EXTRA working hours and still stay as cheerful, energetic and pretty as always.

SY: Our full time model who has the flair to brings out the best in each fabulous piece of clothing she puts on. She is also our part time PR Officer and Stock Management Personnel, wonder how she juggles so many roles at once and yet stay so fit? Ask her!

Oops Treat Products

Interview

SpreeCrunch is honored to interview E-Chuin, Suet Yun and Ying Yoong, owners of Oops Treat. They are considered freshmen in this online business industry but they have made a name for themselves despite being new. They managed to juggle between their day jobs and this online business which is part of their lives now. E-Chuin is currently working as an auditor, Suet Yun is a tax consultant and Ying Yoong is a banker.

1. SpreeCrunch: Is this your first time starting this blog shop?

Oops Treat: Yeap, this is our first blog shop.

2. SpreeCrunch: How long have you been in this industry?

Oops Treat: 3 months from May. We’re quite new in that sense. But we’ve spent quite some time researching before we start off.

3. SpreeCrunch: What was the reason for you to start this blog shop?

Oops Treat: We are actually regular online shoppers ourselves and we came to realize that prices of clothing can be quite expensive. Thereafter, we decided to indulge in this interest of ours to share our choice of fashion with gals out there and also we also surveyed on the pricing and make sure our prices are affordable. Our current objective is to cater not only to young working adults, but also students.

4. SpreeCrunch: Where do you seek for customers?

Oops Treat: We normally send updates to blog shop reviewers, we also create a group in Facebook to gain access to our extended network, and we occasionally post our items in other forums to redirect them to our blog shop.

5. SpreeCrunch: What did you benefit from this blog shop besides money?

Oops Treat: Like we mentioned earlier, it is our interest to source for clothing at affordable prices. In doing this, we also strengtened the bond between the 3 of us. Also, we learn a great deal from running this blogshop, from enchancing our knowledge in fashion to managing our funds and accounts. Moreover, we learned to be business minded in pursuing our interest in this blog shop. Most importantly, we gained satisfaction from seeing the pieces that we personally hand-picked are selected as our customers’ choice of clothing.

6. SpreeCrunch: What makes your online business stands out from the rest?

Oops Treat: We would think that our pricing stands out from the rest of the blog shops. Also, most of the items that we hand-picked are versatile for both formal and casual occasions. We also strive to respond to customers within the shortest time possible and to mail out the items to customer immediately the day after payment is confirmed as we know customers are always anticipating to receive their newly bought items. We are actually offering the Early Bird rewards whereby shopoholics are given 10% discount on the purchases they made within the first 3 days of our newly posted items!! So far, we have not seen any blog shops offering that now.

7. SpreeCrunch: Do you have any future plans for your business?

Oops Treat: We are looking to expand our clientele network in Malaysia and hopefully overseas. We foresee a long term commitment and we hope to build a strong base of network to pull us through.

8. SpreeCrunch: What do you have to sacrifice for this?

Oops Treat: We would need to put in more personal time in order to achieve this and we need to manage between our day job and online blog shop, but we do enjoy all the effort and time spent, especially when there is response from our customers!

9. SpreeCrunch: Did you experience any difficulties?

Oops Treat: It’s the time management bit and also to increase our online traffic.

10. SpreeCrunch: What do you need for your online business now?

Oops Treat: We need to expand our collection and to source for a wider range of clothes to cater to different shoppers.

11. SpreeCrunch: Are you satisfied with your current business situation?

Oops Treat: We are still in the initial stage and we aim to achieve better sales and a higher traffic to our blog shop. We are satisfied with how things are advancing at the moment. But nevertheless, we would take more initiative to increase sales and improve our collection.

SpreeCrunch’s Remark:

Oops Treat has joined SpreeCrunch since June 12th, 2009. After reviews by our team members, SpreeCrunch is pleased to invite Oops Treat for an exclusive interview as it has met our criteria. SpreeCrunch was delighted to receive an eager response from Oops Treat.

Oops Treat is based in Malaysia. Even though they are not primarily based in Singapore, they are improving and expanding overseas . SpreeCrunch works on a global scale and we welcome all online shops to join our network. We strive to help out as much as we can to promote online shopping. SpreeCrunch would like to express our thanks to Oops Treat for their support and we hope all online shoppers would support Oops Treat as well.

Shop Introduction

Serendipity Soul strives to be the ultimate shopping destination for Korean fashion lovers, showcasing product lines ranging from apparel, bags, shoes and lifestyle products such as diaries. Imported directly from Korea, our items are not only of high quality but affordability as well. We help our customers to save on overseas shipping costs through bulk order-taking and direct purchases from Korean sellers. Serendipity Soul makes every effort to provide our customers with the best shopping experience whether purchases are from ongoing sprees or the in-house collection. Updated on a bi-monthly basis, customers are treated to an ever changing array of items in the store, reflecting the swift-changing trends in Korean fashion!

Description of Blog Shop Owners

Serendipity Soul is run by a team of 3 dedicated people – Laura, Edward and Maki. Laura is the owner of Serendipity Soul and assumes marketing responsibilities. She engages mainly in product sourcing, site development as well as customer liaison. Edward is the finance guru of the team, keeping track of expenditure and revenue as well the overseas logistics in-charge. Maki is the advertising whiz, internal logistics in-charge and often dabbles in other roles to assist if necessary.

The idea of creating Serendipity Soul was conceived in the month of September 2008, and launched at the end of October 2008. The motivation to start Serendipity Soul was largely due to the frustration of the lack of stores (both offline and online) selling high quality and affordable Korean fashion. In addition, the lack of trust in purchasing from blog shops was also a hindrance to many Korean fashion lovers which Serendipity Soul identified and sought to change.

Serendipity Soul Products

Interview

We are honored to have this special opportunity to interview Laura, the owner of Serendipity Soul. Laura is currently a Masters student at NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. This online business is something Laura does besides schooling. Laura speaks Korean and in fact, Kang, one of their team members is a Korean and helps with their logistics and external liaison.

1. SpreeCrunch: Are most of your products from Korea?

Laura: Yes, 100% for all the spree items. As for the in-stocks, there are about 20% of the items which were purchased from live journal shops.

2. SpreeCrunch: Do you get your products from the local suppliers in Korea?

Laura: Yes, we do and that is why we are able to sell our clothes at a lower rate than those found in Far East Plaza or other shops selling Korean clothing. However, unlike live journal shops which get their clothes from Thailand, clothes from Korea are not cheap, especially if they are manufactured in Korea. So in terms of pricing, it can be quite competitive.

3. SpreeCrunch: What makes you want to start this online business?

Laura: The motivation to start this online business was because we recognized the lack of affordable clothes from Korea being sold in Singapore. Also, the range of products imported from Korea is not wide. However, the situation seems to be changing. Mainly, we wanted to experience what it was like to run an online business.

4. SpreeCrunch: How is your business situation now?

Laura: It’s good. We were on hiatus for a month during mid-June to mid-July but we have started again with new sprees and new collections. It is good to see many customers returning again to purchase from us.

5. SpreeCrunch: Where do you gain customers?

Laura: We engage taggers to advertise for us and recently, we have started using Google as well which is useful for people who search for Korean clothing. As for word of mouth, it is still tough for us as we are not sure whether people recommend friends to our shop, but compared to live journal shops for instance, i think word of mouth effort is still quite slow for us.

6. SpreeCrunch: Do you face any difficulties during the start-up of your business?

Laura: Of course! A lot of difficulties. Actually, when we first started out, we mainly imported clothes to sell which was a bad idea! Furthermore, business was very slow and building customer base online is tough since there are so many blogshops out there. Also, people always flock to the popular ones. So we decided to change the spree model, which was equally tough because we had to make sure we had enough orders so as to reduce shipping costs from Korea to Singapore.

7. SpreeCrunch: Do you consider your business as successful?

Laura: A lot of blood and sweat was invested in this blog shop. I would say it is growing. Maybe successful in terms of growing presence but we still have lots more room to expand!

8. SpreeCrunch: What do you have to sacrifice for this business?

Laura: Time, lots of personal time, as well as money because we had to incur some losses before the profits started coming in and last of all, energy.

9. SpreeCrunch: Are there times that you feel like giving up?

Laura: Many! Especially when you have to give up sleep and time to rest or when problems arise such as supply of clothes etc.

10. SpreeCrunch: What kind of situation do you think is tough?

Laura: Site maintanance and sourcing for products as they take time but when you hear your customers giving good feedback about the clothes, it is actually quite rewarding.

11. SpreeCrunch: Are your products mainly for females ?

Laura: Yes, for now. I think for female shoppers, it is never enough! We have not really focused on other items such as accessories. For now, i think we will just concentrate on our female clientele.

12. SpreeCrunch: Do you have any goals for your business?

Laura: Yes, definitely. We hope to keep our customers happy! Existing customers even happier and attract more customers over to SerendipitySoul. We also planned to expand our product line, you can check back with us maybe in 2-3 months time!

13. SpreeCrunch: What makes your shop stands out from the rest?

Laura: I think there are several factors.

1. The layout. I think we have a cleaner and more standardised layout compared to many other blog shops.
2. Customer service. We believe in good customer service, for example, quick replies, constant communication, fast delivery etc.
3. High quality. Believe it or not, ever since we started in Oct. 2008, we have not had a single complaint from customers about quality. This is because our team member, Kang in Korea, checks the stock before they are sent to Singapore.
4. Range of clothing. Most of the feedback we get is about the unique products we offer and I hope to keep that up.

14. SpreeCrunch: What do you think of these online shopping directories?

Laura:Well, i think they are useful for first-time online shoppers but once these online shoppers find shops that they like, i think that they will reduce the reliance on directories and continue to go to shops they are comfortable or familiar with.

15. SpreeCrunch: What do you think will happen to your online business in the future?
Laura: Hm, I hope it will continue growing and we hope to become the one-stop destination of Korean clothing for Singapore and regional shoppers too.

SpreeCrunch’s Remark:

Serendipity Soul has joined SpreeCrunch since November 2nd, 2008. After observing  its popularity, rating, feedback and comments by online shoppers, SpreeCrunch decided to invite Serendipity Soul for an exclusive interview. SpreeCrunch was delighted to receive a prompt response from Serendipity Soul.

From this interview, SpreeCrunch managed to delve into the world of blog shop owners and learn more about them. Their struggling times were unnoticed by many others and this is which SpreeCrunch plays an important role. SpreeCrunch welcomes all kinds of feedback and we would continue to improvise our site to bring more exciting events. Lastly, SpreeCrunch would like to express our thanks to Serendipity Soul for their continuous support and we hope all online shoppers would continue to support Serendipity Soul.