Small business spotlight: ONE.CHEW.THREE

ONE.CHEW.THREE create unique, boutique teething toys for babies, and modern necklaces and accessories for Mums. With a background in corporate marketing, the business was inspired by owner Elisa’s own desire for something modern and stylish. Elisa’s passion for branding, creating, a strong focus on safety standards and a solid vision for the future, has seen the business grow since launching just over a year ago. ONE.CHEW.THREE products are sold online and through a network of retailers across Australia and overseas that is growing daily. We asked her to share a little about how she runs the business (alongside two young boys, and a part-time day job!)

Can you tell us a little about how One Chew Three started?

ONE.CHEW.THREE started while I was on maternity leave with my second bub. I had bought a silicone necklace and wanted another, but I struggled to find a design I really loved. I was also a few months out from returning to work and thought it would be a great opportunity to get my head back into a business focus. So its just expanded from there. I’m a mumma of two boys – 4 years and almost 2 and have since returned to work 3 days so it’s a pretty hectic little life, but I’m loving (almost) every minute of it! Did someone say coffee?

What are some of the tools you use to run your business?

I love the simplicity of the Shopify platform for my website. Having no web experience, it’s such a simple solution with a built-in ecommerce and payment gateway so its perfect for us. I’m only just getting into the apps to plug in too to add new features. Of course I’d love a custom site, but its such a great option to get started. Oh, and a trusty pen and paper to do list – I’d be lost without it!

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in running your business?

Time, without a doubt! I have so many ideas on what I want to do and how I could build the business, but I just don’t have the time to pursue it all. The organic growth has been truly amazing, but I would love some extra time to focus on some specific strategies. You really do underestimate the time it takes for admin, accounts, ordering supplies, testing and compliance, registrations, the list goes on. All the stuff that has to be done on a business in the background. I’ve also not really had experience in managing business finances at this level, so that’s been a really steep learning curve.

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to other small businesses?

Put yourself out there and take up opportunities. I think every product is so different there’s no one magical formula for growth, it’s literally just giving it a go and seeing what happens. You’ll learn pretty quick what works best for your business so you can focus your attention on that. I’ll always try something new but if it doesn’t work, I just learn and move on. It also means you meet a lot of amazing, supportive people along the way!

What’s next for One Chew Three?

The past year was such a massive focus on new product releases because I wanted our online store to match my vision for the brand pretty quickly – to be known for all things teething in Australia. We have two more major products releases in the pipeline (keep an eye out in the next month or so), then the focus for 2017 is getting stocked in brick and mortar stores. So any baby retailers out there, drop me a line!

See more!

onechewthree.com.au
instagram.com/one.chew.three
facebook.com/one.chew.three
or say hi at hello@onechewthree.com.au