Hello Pretty describes itself as South Africa's largest online marketplace. Among their most popular items are art pieces made from pencil shavings, selling for up to $25 each.
Hello Pretty describes itself as South Africa's largest online marketplace. Among their most popular items are art pieces made from pencil shavings, selling for up to $25 each.
Hello Pretty
There are currently over 1,600 stores on the platform. Co-founder Sam Marx says: "We have people purchasing from all over, including farms in the middle of nowhere. Our largest customer base is from Johannesburg."
There are currently over 1,600 stores on the platform. Co-founder Sam Marx says: "We have people purchasing from all over, including farms in the middle of nowhere. Our largest customer base is from Johannesburg."
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Bow Peep store owner Leila Badsha was Hello Pretty's first seller. "They have helped my business grow by providing a great platform for local creatives," she said.
Bow Peep store owner Leila Badsha was Hello Pretty's first seller. "They have helped my business grow by providing a great platform for local creatives," she said.
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Company co-founder Marx says: "We didn't want people getting cheeky and putting Chinese imports on. In the beginning, we were limiting our approvals quite heavily because we had to be careful about the look of our site."
Company co-founder Marx says: "We didn't want people getting cheeky and putting Chinese imports on. In the beginning, we were limiting our approvals quite heavily because we had to be careful about the look of our site."
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The platform's founders build close relationships with the designers they host, including fashion designer and founder of Lo Studio Elzanne Louw. "Elzanne was very instrumental in mentoring Hello Pretty when we got going, and showed us the ropes in the design scene. She gave us a great foot in the door," said Marx.
The platform's founders build close relationships with the designers they host, including fashion designer and founder of Lo Studio Elzanne Louw. "Elzanne was very instrumental in mentoring Hello Pretty when we got going, and showed us the ropes in the design scene. She gave us a great foot in the door," said Marx.
Simon Deiner / SDR Photo
Hadfield and Marx work closely with over 15,000 designers to create each Hello Pretty store. "We answer every e-mail ourselves," says Marx. "We look at every seller application ourselves. We review their stores and give them instructions on how to build their brand online."<br />
Hadfield and Marx work closely with over 15,000 designers to create each Hello Pretty store. "We answer every e-mail ourselves," says Marx. "We look at every seller application ourselves. We review their stores and give them instructions on how to build their brand online."
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One of Hello Pretty's most popular products is from store Bamboo Watch Revolutions, who say they are one of the first companies to develop a watch face made from bamboo.
One of Hello Pretty's most popular products is from store Bamboo Watch Revolutions, who say they are one of the first companies to develop a watch face made from bamboo.
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"These keyring sets have been flying off the shelves," adds Marx, of laser-cut decor store Hallo Jane.
"These keyring sets have been flying off the shelves," adds Marx, of laser-cut decor store Hallo Jane.
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Cape Town-based Stacy Adriaans specializes in silver jewelry design, and set up her store 'a ring to it' on Hello Pretty.
Cape Town-based Stacy Adriaans specializes in silver jewelry design, and set up her store 'a ring to it' on Hello Pretty.
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Hello Pretty also hosts well-established stores like Leg Studios, founded in 2006 by designers Leon Erasmus, Giulia Odendaal and Tim Richert.
Hello Pretty also hosts well-established stores like Leg Studios, founded in 2006 by designers Leon Erasmus, Giulia Odendaal and Tim Richert.
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One store owner explains: "Hello Pretty offers what every seller wants: quick and easy shop set-up and management, fast payouts, local & international marketing and an amazing team that bends over backwards to promote sellers."
One store owner explains: "Hello Pretty offers what every seller wants: quick and easy shop set-up and management, fast payouts, local & international marketing and an amazing team that bends over backwards to promote sellers."
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Confectionary-maker The Lollipop League has been built up from nothing into a successful small business, said Marx, who called the store's founder Brigette Barnett a "flavor scientist".
Confectionary-maker The Lollipop League has been built up from nothing into a successful small business, said Marx, who called the store's founder Brigette Barnett a "flavor scientist".
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Cape Town-based Anne Hodgson quit her job to set up her own store with Hello Pretty selling wooden products.
Cape Town-based Anne Hodgson quit her job to set up her own store with Hello Pretty selling wooden products.
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Hello Pretty store Take Charge creates leather bags with a built-in micro USB port, a smartphone adapter and a hidden battery to electronically charge mobile devices.
Hello Pretty store Take Charge creates leather bags with a built-in micro USB port, a smartphone adapter and a hidden battery to electronically charge mobile devices.
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"House of Kallie are our top seller by a mile," said Marx. "They're the ultimate small-business success story. They make jewelry out of old South African coins and wood." South Africans adore Kallie's jewelry, said Marx, because it's "really sentimental".
"House of Kallie are our top seller by a mile," said Marx. "They're the ultimate small-business success story. They make jewelry out of old South African coins and wood." South Africans adore Kallie's jewelry, said Marx, because it's "really sentimental".
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