How Black N Bianco Took a Slice of the Kids’ Formal Wear Market

This week, we’re taking a closer look at the small online business success story of Black N Bianco. This Endicia customer and successful online business offers a plethora of high-quality kids’ formal wear options at the lowest possible price points.

With years of experience in the retail business, there’s no doubt that Lisa Chu, owner and founder of Black N Bianco, really knows her stuff. We recently chatted with her to find out what tips she has for fellow small online businesses.

Endicia: Looking at your unique business model, it’s apparent you had a distinct vision in mind for Black N Bianco. How did it all start?

Lisa: For years I worked in the retail and clothing manufacturing business, but when the economy took a nose dive in 2012, I was laid off by my previous employer. It was a tough time, but I knew I could persevere thanks to my knowledge and experience in the children’s clothing industry.

I noticed that there were a lot of companies selling kids’ formal wear, but the clothing was all overpriced and, for the most part, of mediocre quality. I came up with an idea for a high-quality and affordable children’s clothing brand, found a reliable manufacturer and got to work.

I never dreamed that my business would become the biggest competitor to my former employer, but it has.Endicia: Wow, that’s very impressive! How do you think your company became so successful so quickly?

Lisa: I believe the fact that I had previous experience and extensive knowledge in the industry made all the difference. I wasn’t fully starting from scratch. This also helped me come up with my business plan, considering I knew where I could wiggle my way into the industry and do something that wasn’t already being done.

Endicia: Absolutely, a unique business model can really make all the difference. What was the biggest obstacle you came across when starting your small online business?

Lisa: I think my biggest challenge was not realizing that Black N Bianco could and would grow so quickly, and therefore not being prepared for that growth. I needed to find services and new ways of doing things that would help me save time, stay organized and keep my processes all running smoothly.Endicia: Even as a small business, it’s virtually impossible to do everything yourself! Is there any specific advice on this front that you would give to your fellow small business owners?

Lisa: I think a key piece of advice is to use a shipping platform. As your company grows, so does the volume of shipments. I soon realized that Black N Bianco wouldn’t be able to keep up with our orders by manually copying and pasting them into the USPS website. We had to find reliable, scalable and easy-to-use shipping platforms to help keep everything organized. That’s where ShippingEasy and Endicia came in. Since adding these services to my business plan, my shipping strategy has been hassle-free.

For another inspiring children clothing online business success story, check out the post, “How Posh Peyton Designed Its Thriving Online Business.”

Loryll DeNamur

With a passion for great stories, Loryll takes Endicia’s public relations and marketing content to the next level. She brings fresh ideas and more than a decade of writing and editing experience to Endicia’s table. And when she’s not at Endicia’s table, Loryll’s trying her hand at new culinary recipes for her own kitchen table.

Share
Published by
Loryll DeNamur

Recent Posts

USPS HOLIDAY SHIPPING RATE INCREASE STARTS OCTOBER 3

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is temporarily raising rates for select package services from…

1 month ago

 2024 USPS Rate and Service Changes

Last updated September 10, 2024 At least once a year – and sometimes multiple times…

2 months ago

How Carriers Like FedEx, UPS, and USPS Are Turning to Dynamic Pricing

This year, we have seen fixed pricing on postage rates is becoming less common as more…

2 months ago

What Are Demand Surcharges and How Do They Affect Your Mailing & Shipping Costs?

What are demand surcharges? Demand surcharges are extra fees that shipping carriers add during busy…

3 months ago

 2023 USPS Rate and Service Changes 

Welcome to our United States Postal Service Updates blog, the hub for staying in the…

12 months ago

Unlocking the Benefits of UPS® Ground Saver

Businesses are contending with rising costs all around. It’s become increasingly imperative to find savings…

1 year ago