After years of working in the outdoor industry for brands across America and Europe, Veronika took the leap to start her own business called Shishka, meaning pine cone. With a wealth of experience as a product designer and project manager, she couldn’t wait to bring her passion for the outdoors to life in a whole new way.
Veronika now produces the warmest junior sleeping bag on the Canadian market. That’s because, nestled in the heart of a beautiful mountain town in British Columbia, she understands the importance of staying warm and cozy on all your outdoor adventures.
1. Please tell us a bit about your online store
Our SHISHKA online store serves as an essential hub of product information for our customers. Alongside offering our products, which are also available in local and nearby outdoor stores, our website serves as a valuable resource for both store owners and customers. We’re continuously expanding our product range to include additional accessories and outdoor essentials to cater to the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and families.
2. What else did you have going on in your life when you first decided to start your business?
Originally, over a decade ago, I embarked on designing my first sleeping bag, driven by the need to tailor a sleeping bag for my next Himalayan expedition. I always loved bringing my outdoor garment improvements and designs to life. Later, during my maternity leave, I moved towards creating handmade outdoor products for children. My focus then shifted back to sleeping bags, when I was unable to find an ideal, high quality sleeping bag for my kids. SHISHKA, meaning “pine cone” in my language, started a small top-tier sleeping bag collection. Fueled by a combination of personal experience in outdoor activities coupled with years of product development expertise, I embarked on creating a brand that fills the gap in the market for top-tier sleeping bags for kids and youth.
3. Why did you decide to start your own business? What inspired you to start?
The decision to start my own business stemmed from a culmination of years spent honing my skills as a product designer and project manager for various outdoor brands across Europe and America. The inspiration to create SHISHKA arose from a desire to bring to life my own designs, ideas, and vision. Living in a beautiful mountain town in British Columbia, surrounded by a community of avid outdoor enthusiasts and families, motivated me to launch a brand that offers affordable, high-quality sleeping bags for kids and adults alike, complementing the outdoor lifestyle.
4. Do you have any advice for new store owners?
To new store owners, my advice is simple yet crucial: persevere and stay committed to your dream. Building a successful business takes time and effort, especially in navigating challenges such as product development and compliance. Embrace the journey, learn from setbacks, and prioritize customer satisfaction, as their appreciation ultimately validates the dedication invested in your venture.
5. What were the results you were hoping to achieve when you first signed up for a freewebstore?
When I created websites initially, my aim was to have a basic website with made-to-order product options. However, logistical constraints led me to transition to an actual online store provider. At first, I was a bit overwhelmed with all Freewebstore features and options, and especially payment/google/SEO settings, but after a time it got all perfectly settled. Freewebstore is user friendly, intuitive and supports the end user very well. It delivers all necessary features for free – which gives time for small business owners to create perfectly tailored online stores without additional financial burden. I am only sad that the human support was removed for free accounts. This move is however understandable and this platform is still offering a lot for free users.
6. What is your most popular product?
Our flagship product, the down Junior sleeping bag Dolpo, is the warmest junior sleeping bag on the Canadian market. Designed with 600g of RDS down filling—nearly double the amount found in similar products—it stands as the warmest junior sleeping bag available. Its lightweight, compressible design ensures optimal portability, while its quality guarantees longevity, making it an investment that can be passed down through generations.
8. If you could choose one magic power, what would you go for?
If granted a single magical ability related to my business only, I would choose knowing my customers needs and taste – to better suit products to their expectations.
9. And finally, where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
In five years’ time, I envision myself fully immersed in the growth and evolution of SHISHKA and expanding our product portfolio to encompass outdoor essentials. With a great amount of ideas waiting to be realized, I anticipate further SHISHKA’s presence within the outdoor industry, catering to the diverse needs of adventurers worldwide.
Veronika is taking her family business to the next level by running her online store as a hub for services. If you would like a similar website, you can have one set up in just a few clicks with freewebstore.
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