We’re famous AGAIN!
From the San Diego Business Journal:
Oceanside Mom Sets Up Shops Online
E-Commerce Experience Adds Value to Web Site Consulting Services
San Diego Business Journal Staff
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| Staci Brillhart of Quirky Bird Designs offers Web development services ranging from graphics and logo design to installation of shopping cart software. |
Four years ago when Oceanside resident Staci Brillhart became a mom, she was not ready to give up a career. Armed with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, a computer and a supportive husband, she launched an online business selling handmade clothing and accessories for babies.Within a few short years, Brillhart had traded in her sewing machine to focus on helping other mothers create appealing and functional Web stores. Today, more than 85 percent of Quirky Bird Designs Inc.’s clients are moms balancing families and their virtual stores.
“I have everyone from startups to redos or updates on Web sites, but most are moms,” said Brillhart, who has a 2 year old and 4 year old.
Brillhart owned, operated and made all of the products for her online baby boutique for three years before focusing full time on Quirky Bird Designs. She creates every graphic, background and element of the site. Included in the price is teaching clients how to maintain their sites completely on their own.
“We want you to be self-sufficient so there is no need to have to pay us for updates,” she said. “We set them up to be 100 percent efficient.”
Brillhart has now assisted more than 100 e-commerce sites. She said what sets her apart from other design firms is all-inclusive packages that include consulting, Web design, graphics design, installation of shopping cart software and design of logos.
“I felt that if they are hiring me to do their Web site, they should get everything,” said Brillhart. “They should get their logo. They should get everything installed. They should be taught how to use their shopping cart. They should be able to manage everything themselves. They should get business cards. They should get a blog. They should get everything they need for one price and not get nickel and dimed out of way more money than they were expected.”
While some clients know the exact look of what they want designed, others come to Brillhart looking for direction and experience.
“The more I have to share the more I want to share,” said Brillhart. “I am very much an entrepreneur at heart. I really believe in entrepreneurship and especially helping other women achieve their goal and dreams. What I really enjoy is not only being able to be creative but to help these moms by giving them all that information.”
Assisting Startups
Brillhart said that many of her clients have turned to her after poor experiences with other designers. She stressed the importance of communicating with these startup business owners openly and promptly.
Lorena Cedena, owner of an online store from Miami, Fla., said she was burned by other Web designers before turning to Quirky Bird. Her site BeniniBug.com sells hip baby clothing, accessories and items for moms.
“It was a nightmare,” she said. “Staci said she had a waiting list but could help us and we went live two weeks later.”
Cedena, a mother of two who is expecting a third baby, said from the moment she spoke to Brillhart, she felt like she was literally holding her hand and making her feel better.
“She walked us through the entire project and made us feel comfortable. The final product was, well, amazing,” she said.
Cedena will be opening a retail store next month as an expansion of her successful Web-based business.
Kinsey Dodson, owner of KorasKloset.com, a Texas-based online children’s store, also had a bad experience with a Web designer.
“I originally went with a large designing firm that was ranked in the top 1 percent of their business type nationwide,” Dodson said. “Working with this company was a nightmare. All they were worried about was getting their money; they didn’t care if you really liked the site. In fact, they pushed me into just settling with just a basic design that I was not happy with and their customer service was horrible. I was so frustrated. I decided that I needed to find somebody else that was more concerned with their customers and producing a great product.”
Tara Anne Harrup, owner of PolkadotPapoose.com, said Brillhart is a mom who understands how to juggle her responsibilities at home and work.