Every day, we solve problems that could improve our quality of life or make our communities better. But have you tried solving a problem that most people around the world face?
That’s exactly what Nerdwax did—and it made them an ecommerce star!
Find out what that problem is and how they used this as leverage in the ecommerce game.
- From a simple problem-solver to a global sensation 🌏
- Scale your business to success 📏
- The secret to being an ecommerce star ⭐
- Turn challenges into profit 💰
SCRATCHING THE SURFACE
How a start-from-scratch brand dominated ecommerce by solving a worldwide problem
Slippery frames are an everyday annoyance. That is until Nerdwax slid onto the scene. This beeswax-based wonder in a tiny tube keeps glasses in place, no matter the chaos.
But the real kicker? The brand’s story is just as clever and inspirational as its product!
👓 It all started with a problem
Nerdwax started as a passion project for inventor Don Hejny. He wasn’t some big-shot entrepreneur, just a regular guy tired of constantly adjusting his glasses. But instead of complaining, he got creative. He crafted an all-natural, beeswax-based formula to solve the problem. And boom—Nerdwax was born!
But here’s the thing: Don didn’t have a giant budget or investors lining up. So, his team embarked on an incredible journey:
- From Kickstarter to game-changer. In 2014, he turned to Kickstarter to crowdfund his dream of creating a sustainable, all-natural solution for slipping glasses.
- The campaign skyrocketed to $62,000—almost double its goal! People loved the idea of solving such a universal problem with a simple, eco-friendly fix. ❇️
- The "Shark Tank" plot twist. After a successful Kickstarter, Nerdwax caught the attention of Shark Tank producers. Don and his team pitched their product to the Sharks in 2015 but left without a deal. Turns out, a bigger plan is prepared for them.
- Nerdwax used the national exposure to grow organically. Within 72 hours of its Shark Tank debut, it raked in $150,000 in sales.
🐝 Trust your product
The journey to success isn’t always a straight line, and Nerdwax learned that firsthand. But if your product solves a real problem, you’re already on the right path.
Just like Don with Nerdwax, the key is believing in what you’re offering, sticking to your vision, and pushing through the tough times. You never know where your idea might take you.
TOGETHER WITH WALMART MARKETPLACE
Scale your business to success with this smart solution
Multiple sales channels. One world-class supply chain.
Selling on more than one eCommerce site?
With our Multichannel Solutions (MCS) program, you can leverage Walmart’s supply chain to fulfill orders quickly and reliably—meeting customers’ expectations no matter where they shop.
Program benefits:
- Competitive storage & fulfillment costs
- Fast, reliable shipping options
- Plain, unbranded packaging
- Simple inventory management
- Returns managed by Walmart
MCS helps your business scale by:
- Optimizing inventory consolidation and enabling growth across Walmart.com and other sales channels simultaneously.
- Allowing you to leverage the world’s largest supply chain and Walmart Fulfillment Service’s full suite of benefits to drive efficiencies.
DIVING DEEPER
What’s Nerdwax's secret to standing out in the ecommerce game?
Think you need a massive product line to make it big in ecommerce? Think again!
Nerdwax is proof that sometimes, less is more. Their journey started with one product: a small tube of glasses wax solving a simple, everyday problem. Founder Don Hejny had five new product ideas ready to go from day 1 but chose to wait years before adding to the lineup.
And that laser focus? It’s what made them a household name.
🏆 What’s their secret?
1. Doing one thing really well
- By pouring all their energy into perfecting their core product, Nerdwax built a reputation for quality and innovation. They didn’t rush to add a dozen other items to their lineup.
- Instead, they doubled down on what they did best—creating a simple, effective solution that customers couldn’t get enough of.
2. Expanding at the right time
Sure, Nerdwax eventually branched out into related products like cleaning cloths and kits, but only after establishing their main product as a must-have. They grew at their own pace, focusing on customer trust and brand loyalty before expanding their offerings.
Moral lesson: if you’re just starting out, don’t stress about launching with a full-blown catalog. Instead:
- Focus on your hero product. You can pour your time and effort into making it the best in the market.
- Build a strong brand. Let your product be the foundation for your reputation.
- Expand strategically. When the time is right, introduce products that complement your original offering.
Remember, it’s not about how many products you sell—it’s about how much value you bring to your customers. Nerdwax proved that a limited product line doesn’t limit your potential. In fact, that one great idea, executed well, can take you farther than a dozen mediocre ones. 📌
SUCCESS BLUEPRINT
7 strategies to turn ecommerce challenges into profit gold
Capturing a bigger slice of the ecommerce pie isn’t just about having a great product. Seasonal demand, cultural trends, and economic shifts can send your order volume soaring or plummeting.
✅ Extensiv listed 7 tips to keep your profits in check (and your stress levels low).
- Perfect your pricing game. Pricing isn’t just about slapping numbers on your products; it’s about reading the room—or rather, the market. Keep tabs on trends, see what competitors are doing, and study your customers’ buying patterns. 💲
- Streamline your supply chain.Avoid overstocking (or understocking) by using tools that track inventory in real time.
- Bonus tip: Hunt down cost-effective shipping solutions to keep your expenses lean and mean.
- Let data do the talking. Use analytics to uncover patterns in customer behavior and sales trends.
- Partner with a third-party logistics (3PL). If shipping logistics is stressing you out, a 3PL partner can help you out. They handle the nitty-gritty of shipping and returns.
- Win customer loyalty. Show customers some love with exclusive deals, personalized emails, and maybe even a VIP loyalty program. A little effort goes a long way in turning one-time buyers into lifetime fans. ❤️🔥
- Automate for extra hours in your day. From inventory tracking to order processing, automation tools can handle the boring stuff, so you can focus on growing your business.
- Upsell, cross-sell, and profit. If you’re not upselling and cross-selling, you’re leaving money on the table. Suggest complementary items during checkout, bundle products for discounts, or offer upgrades that scream “must-have.”
🛍️ Smarter selling, bigger wins
Boosting your ecommerce profit margins doesn’t have to feel like climbing Mount Everest. With the right strategies and a dash of automation, you can turn those peaks and valleys into smooth, steady growth.
Here’s to smarter selling and bigger wins—one clever move at a time!
