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Sisters in Business run E-commerce site Sandinmytoes
With the summer in mind, we thought to highlight one of the dedicated bikini websites, this one called SANDINMYTOES, set up by sisters in business Louise (29) and Sarah Meakes (32). The two year old venture, an online designer beachwear boutique and a service that they offer called ‘Stylist Sessions’ was based on their own experience of buying swimwear: no time, no space in the changing rooms, and the question…does my bum really look big in this?
As they weren’t happy with existing cluttered and hard to use websites, they decided to set up one themselves: a beachwear site which featured the latest top-end beachwear, with a range of designer brands and accessories, all in one place. As the founders were often asked for clothing advice by their friends, they saw this as a key element to the future of their business.
Their USP for the website: They offer a personal and efficient retail experience with fast delivery to a the target market of cash-rich and time-poor consumers.
The website gives users style advice so they can pick designer swimwear from 12 international designers based on their true shape, style, size and colour. As to the shape, the website offers rather graffic illustrations of the different available apple, pear and other shapes. Currently, they also offer a personal albeit non scaleable service: Stylist Sessions where they visit their customers’ own homes with a collection of beachwear tailored to a personal brief.
Sisters in Business
All business decisions are made together, but Sarah Meakes, a right brainer with topmarks in English and a BSc in Social Psychology, is the creative force behind the brand who came up with the vision and design concept for the website, as well as the name. She is responsible for the products and the customer service, which means she still replies to all customers personally in order to build trusted relationships. Louise Meakes, a left brainer with top marks in Math, followed by a Law degree and a diploma in marketing, is strongly business orientated and developed the business, financial, sales and marketing plans for the business and she is the driving force behind its operation, development and progress.
The sisters share a house, which makes them being 24/7 together: On her relationship with Sarah, Louise says: “Sisters always argue, but I’m sure most business partners do, the difference is we’re never going to fall out completely – our parents would have something to say about that!
On their blog their relationship as sisters in business is a constant topic. It will be interesting to see how these partners in business will do in the coming years, also considering competition from big websites as Figleaves, headed by Julia Reynolds and other niche bikini sites such as Habinki of Chloe Holding around.
A children line has just launched, while swimwear for men, as well a their own label are on their wish list.
Launch bikini website Habinki
Habinki Website
Chloe Holding, one of thenextweb and thenextwomen’s mentees, has defied the credit crunch and launched her website HABINKI. The website offers a range of custom-made bikinis and necklaces.
Chloe set up Habinki from a passion she had for travelling to exotic places and buying clothes, translating these interests into designing bikinis and sourcing manufacturing and ultimately setting up her own e- business in sexy, glamorous and flattering swimwear for women. Read more
Who needs a mentor?
Chloe Holding is the founder of the very early stage startup Habinki. We talked to her about her start-up and why she was looking for a mentor. Here you can find out what happened after we last talked to her.
How did you find the response for the request for a mentor?
“I found the mentoring trial interesting, but also incredibly time consuming and I have found it hard juggling a lot of priorities at the moment.”
What did you get from the mentorship till now?
“I think that one gaines a lot of experience and information from every conversation that one has. Certainly just hearing about people out there who have done something similar and lived to tell the tale is incredibly valuable. I certainly enjoyed hearing about other entrepreneurs and the businesses they have managed to establish.”
Idea + Mentor = Start Business
Over the past weeks we have heard many entrepreneurs tell us that it is easy to set up a company. We talked to software developer and entrepreneur Christine Karman who said: “If you want to start a company, you put a sign up with the name of the company and you are in business.” Similarly, Glenys Berd, founder of lovethoseshoes.com commented: “I would say: Do it! I find many women are scared of running their own business. If you really want to achieve something. Just do it. Go for it.”
One or our aims in setting up this magazine is to motivate women to set up internet businesses. We can find a mentor to help you do it. If you have a great idea which you want to take beyond the idea-phase or if you are in the early phases of a start-up but do not know how to proceed, leave a comment or drop us an email and we will find an expert in your field to give you advice, warn you, help you put up a sign, whatever it is your business needs!
Here’s is one story of a mentee we matched to a mentor. Read more
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