Our eComm Ignitor graduates are pretty remarkable. They are grounded, incredibly diligent, purpose-driven humans who run their businesses with heart.
And they have great stories to tell.
We are excited to introduce you to eComm Ignitor alumni Gina Galvin from KitMaii
Gina’s story will inspire you to live better and remove single-use plastics from your life easily and effectively.
What does your online store sell and who does it help?
I sell a range of reusable, sustainable, eco-friendly products for people trying to reduce their use of single-use items and create less waste in their home and daily lives.
Tell us a little bit about your story? Why did you start your online store?
Our family lived in Asia for many years. There we observed a lot of plastic, packaging and waste associated with nearly everything we purchased.
On returning to Australia, it was obvious there was so much waste here too. I found myself learning from my adult children who were op-shop shopping, using reusable straws and cutlery and repurposing jars and generally thinking about purchasing items that could be used for a long time.
I then knew it was my turn to do my bit and this is when KitMaii (KitMy) which means ‘think new’ or ‘new way of thinking’ in Thai, was born.
I feel very fortunate to have met Megan and Karyn and undertook the Unstoppable Ecommerce Programme. (Nawww, Thanks heaps Gina).
Apart from the wonderful and comprehensive content of the programme, the amazing, supportive student alumni have been very important to all of us involved. From drought to bushfires and now the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have workshopped ideas, offered suggestions and supported each other along the way. This I believe is very important as many online business owners operate on their own and it can be quite lonely.
What has been your biggest challenge with your online store?
Keeping costs under control to make the business viable and actually make some return. It is very hard to get excited, work really hard and be wonderfully enthusiastic, but the reality of things like packaging materials, postage/shipping costs, apps, add ons, fees/charges, even import duties where applicable can eat up all that’s leftover.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“You’re never too old to start something new”
“It may not be perfect, but just get started”
What’s your favourite product that you sell on your online store – and why?
Oh gosh, that’s hard as I love and enjoy them all. I think I would have to say the Jute Shopping Bag (which was the first product ordered). It’s a great bag, very functional and does what it’s supposed to – strong, holds loads, looks good and I take one everywhere (with other products inside too of course).
Where to next? What are your goals for the next 12 months?
In the next 12 months, I would like to add more items to the range created by local creators and small businesses. During these unsettling times, more and more people are embracing their community and believe supporting small businesses around them to be very important.
When you’re not working on your online store, where could we find you?
I love to exercise and enjoy the gym and the outdoors (it helps me cope with the stresses of life and is a great time for thinking and reflection). I also enjoy cooking, reading, listening to music and most of all spending time with my family.
Check out KitMaii here:
Gina, Thanks so much for your words of wisdom. We absolutely love working with you and your dedication to making the world a better place. Keep kicking goals.
Written by Megan Winter
Megan is an award-winning marketer and has worked with some of the fastest-growing eCommerce brands in the world.
Megan loves helping ethically-produced, heart-centred, soul-driven online store owners to make more income and achieve more impact.
