CalliopeDesigns.com is a great example of a single channel e-tailer out on the web. Not only do they serve their business to business clients, but they are growing a healthy direct consumer base as well. Having been in the gift business for over 30 years, Calliope's owners Stephanie and Dorr Eddy have watched the small business ecosystem evolve over time. Securing an early web presence was key - as was choosing a platform that got them up and running quickly.

Tell us about your business - when you started and why. 

Our business wasn't really a "business" when we started - it was a way to make a little extra money and finance our youthful hobby of world travel!  In 1972  two very talented department store buyers - one from Neiman Marcus and one from  Macy's New York -watched  as  customers were crowding around our stand at a local Renaissance Faire where we were selling our handcrafted dough Christmas ornaments like crazy!  They approached us with an interest in including our products in their holiday selection, and almost overnight we were a part of the retail gift industry. 

Remember, this was the time of a revival of interest in crafts, and all things hand made.  We went from being craftspeople to being manufacturers and distributors of our charming little products and personalized Christmas ornaments.  Over the years we've added many fine gift shops and department stores to our customer base, and we continue today, 36 years later, to support ourselves and our family and actually occasionally enjoy some of the travel we did in our youth!

When did you launch your web presence? What prompted you to launch the site?

We developed an information only website in 2001 so that our wholesale customers could easily find our contact information and to attract new gift shops and department stores.  In 2004 we launched our current site, www.calliopedesigns.com, as a retail website selling to our existing retail customers all over the world.

What technology, code and platforms have you used throughout the process?

We use Storefront 7.0 shopping cart software.

How did it help your business initially? Not sure if you mean the technology? Or having a website? 

The technology:  Using the shopping cart software allowed us to be up and running with a secure site almost immediately.

Having a website has brought us a lot of attention from potential wholesale customers.  In fact we get more inquiries from exposure to our website than we do from expensive magazine advertisements!  On a retail level, the website as greatly increased our company revenues!

What are you immediate goals for the future? 

Our immediate goals are to continue to grow the website business through new product development, web optimization, and various other promotional tools.  We would like to learn more about social network marketing and how that could contribute to our growth.  We are always thinking about 3-5 years down the line and planning for what's coming around the corner.  Any ideas???

How does it help your B2B customers vs. your B2C customers? 

The website has been a surprisingly effective in attracting new wholesale customers as well as direct retail customers. 

What have been your biggest challenges?

Keeping up with the rapid evolution of web optimization.  Trying to use good solid optimization techniques and balance that with the goals of competition for those high ranking results in the search engine indexes.  Luckily I have some really great help!