Best Startup
A QUICK INTRODUCTION ABOUT WHAT YOUR COMPANY DOES/YOUR VALUES/MISSION.
We at chattyfeet thought that grownupland gets a bit too serious at times. So it soon became our mission to inject more fun into people’s lives through our characterful ChattyFeet socks. Each sock character has a punny name like William Shakes-Feet, Ada Shoe-Lace or Frida Callus. We love seeing people getting playful with ChattyFeet and think it’s a very cheerful product.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF?
My background is User Experience Design and I’m passionate about creating memorable interactions for people. The first 8 years of my career were mostly dedicated to creating digital services but I was missing a bit of humour and ownership, so I started to get interested in self-initiated projects. The idea for ChattyFeet came up at a friends’ gathering and once the spark had been ignited we simply couldn’t turn it off… When ChattyFeet launched, it seemed like a disruptive idea which left people puzzled but today you can see our socks at Tate Modern, MoMA, Van Gogh Museum and many other great shops.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME A YEAR OR TWO, WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF?
Two years ago, the biggest challenges for us were dealing with COVID and Brexit. It forced us to find a new warehouse in the EU in order to keep our existing clients. Many of the institutions we worked with had to close down so it was a serious hit. More people were ordering online which kept the company afloat. The only advice I would give myself for this particular time is to be more attuned to changes in production quantities and prices. Some of our manufacturing conditions changed and it would have been helpful to research alternatives earlier. It takes a very long time to make changes in production so it’s crucial to act fast.
WHAT PROBLEM DOES YOUR BUSINESS SOLVE?
In some ways, it’s the same problem comedians are dealing with. Life can get very challenging and people need experiences which offer a temporary escape. Many people say that our socks cheer them up which is a very meaningful and motivating feedback. We want to help people get more fun moments in their lives.
WHAT IS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR BUSINESS?
What if your socks could talk’ was one silly thought that sparked the idea for ChattyFeet. We thought that it would be entertaining to have an illustrated character on your feet which you can animate using your toes… It’s a fusion between performative arts and accessories. The character your wear gives you an excuse to get silly and bring out the child in you. The designs are created by illustrators around the globe and inspired by the world of art, science, music, royals and more. Many people buy ChattyFeet as a cheerful gift for friends.
WHAT IS YOUR MAGIC SAUCE?
We’re a design-led business which cares greatly about the user experience. It’s important that our products will bring joy and last long. The price is competitive while keeping the quality high. The magic sauce is about keeping your mind fresh and coming up with new fun ideas.
WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?
The plan for ChattyFeet is to first expand the team to support business growth as well as getting into new markets. We started with 4 sock designs only but grew the collection to include mugs, enamel pins, paper models and greeting cards. Developing new types of products is always on our radar and something we’re passionate about.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE FACED SO FAR?
Brexit and COVID were the most challenging events for our business. It forced us to find a new warehouse in the EU and change the focus to B2C when our B2B sales slowed down. Running a business often requires to observe dynamic changes and react in order to stay relevant.
HOW DO PEOPLE GET INVOLVED/BUY INTO YOUR VISION?
We want anyone who is looking for unusual gifts to visit our website at https://www.chattyfeet.com/ – you can get £2 off if you subscribe here:
https://www.chattyfeet.com/pages/subscribe-chattyfeet
If you’re a store owner and interested in becoming a seller, you can contact us here: https://www.chattyfeet.com/pages/contact-us
Lastly, if you want to see our sock adventures, you can follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chattyfeet/
