Rachel is a speaker at eComm Live 26-27th April. Book tickets with 15% discount with code ‘SYNC15’ for SyncNI readers here.
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you became involved in eCommerce?
My first failed venture in eCommerce was trying to sell products online - that was hugely unsuccessful but gave me a good insight into the challenges online sellers face. I then stumbled into the tech side of eCommerce, working as a CMO and then found myself in a COO role for a leading Shopify Plus agency in London. I took that experience and started my own business that specialises in helping eCommerce agencies operationalise their business so the business owner can get out of the day-to-day and instead lead from the front.
What challenges have you faced in the industry and how have you overcome them?
As a female entrepreneur in a largely male-dominated industry, one of the biggest challenges I face is navigating money. Unfortunately, people expect as a woman that I am more flexible when it comes to budget and it's something I've had to learn to be more assertive with. Due to the overwhelming number of agencies run by men in this industry, I work mostly with male agency owners and I think it's allowed me to leverage my skills both on the business side and more maternal side when it comes to helping my clients face some of the people related challenges that come with growing a business.
What inspired you to get involved with the Women in eCommerce Panel session at eComm Live?
With significantly fewer female founders in the industry, I'd like to provide encouragement and support to other women in the industry as a female founder that's carved a niche in the industry and in 4 years managed to position myself as the leading authority internationally for eCommerce agencies.
What do you hope attendees will take away from the panel session, and how do you think it will benefit the eCommerce industry as a whole?
The main thing I'd like to convey is having the confidence to lean into who you truly are is the best way to achieve your goals. Conforming to other people's standards will only result in you selling yourself short when it comes to your personal and professional development. The more people in the industry that have strength in their convictions and are passionate about what they do, will lead to more authentic conversations and experiences for everyone involved.
Are there any particular eCommerce trends or innovations that you are most excited about, and how do you think they will shape the future of the industry?
I'm excited to see Videowise establish a new approach to shoppable videos, and also looking forward to seeing how the advancement in AI will enhance the industry.
Finally, can you share any tips or advice for businesses looking to improve their eCommerce strategies and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly crowded market?
The number one tip I always give people is to invest in understanding who your target is, their challenges/pain points and how you help solve that problem. The more specific and niche you are, the easier it is to find your ideal client and for them to find you.
