As the champion for the brands of tomorrow, Yotpo has long supported the types of brands that we want to see succeed. They’re scrappy disruptors, able challengers, and upstart brands that take risks — the ones that will do everything they can to provide value to the customers they serve.
But sometimes, the moment calls for something more. That’s why we started Yotpo Grow, a brand incubator program designed to partner with small businesses that are underrepresented in the eCommerce space. This first class of the Yotpo Grow program will support Black-owned brands. In each new class, the spotlight will change.
(Update: Yotpo Grow is now Yotpo RX!)
The idea for Yotpo Grow came from conversations we were having within Yotpo about new ways we can engage with the world around us, while capitalizing on our strengths as a company. With plenty of empty statements circulating from big brands, we wanted to create something actionable and personal.
Yotpo Grow is the result of that. In addition to bringing about broader change, we also want to make our industry more equitable, for the benefit of the entire marketplace.
About the Program
- What Yotpo Grow offers, first and foremost, is community. That includes personalized events, forums, and a network of brands and mentors as the ranks of our incubator grow.
- Yotpo knowledge is something that we’ve honed over the course of a decade to the benefit of thousands of customers. For Yotpo Grow, we’re providing a dedicated Customer Success Manager and training to our first class of incubator brands.
- In addition to sharing our wisdom, we’re also making all of our platform tools available to our Yotpo Grow brands for free. This means unparalleled access to the data, insights, and practices that will boost customer loyalty and revenue.
We launched the program in May of 2021, and we’re proud to introduce the six businesses that make up the inaugural class of Yotpo Grow (so you can fall in love with them as much as we have).
Meet the Yotpo Grow Brands
Each of the Yotpo Grow brands is based in a different community, has an inspiring origin story, and offers a different mission for the market.
Whether it’s making the world more sustainable and more inclusive, or bringing more authenticity and creativity to the eCommerce space, we’re excited to learn from them — and we hope you will too.
Sir Dogwood
Sir Dogwood offers a globally sourced selection of dog wear, toys, and accessories thoughtfully curated from the most unique designers from around the world. A portion of their monthly sales are donated to a non-profit working to end pet homelessness.
Some of Sir Dogwood’s goals during Yotpo Grow include laying a foundation to scale up and become more of a lifestyle brand, eventually opening brick and mortar stores. They also want to focus on improving their abandoned cart recovery rate, and they recently launched campaigns taking advantage of the SMS swipe up feature on Instagram.
Our mission sets us apart — we are committed to making the pet industry more inclusive by supporting women and BIPOC-led brands, amplifying their voices and increasing their visibility in our store, on our blog, and through our social media platforms.”
CanDid Art
Founded by designer Candace Cox, CanDid Art is an artisanal jewelry, home decor, and kids lifestyle brand influenced by the modern African diaspora and cosmic geometry. Cox uses recycled metals and has been running the business for 10 years.
Some of CanDid Art’s goals during Yotpo Grow include learning techniques to capture and use more customer data, and rewarding repeat customers with loyalty.
CanDid Art lives true to its promise of authenticity and unbridled creativity. Our freeform approach leads us down a path of continued discovery and experimentation with various materials, shapes, sizes, and substrates.”
AVEC
Founded during a tumultuous 2020, AVEC is a line of better-for-you cocktail mixers. Rethinking the drinks category with full-flavored, low sugar, and low calorie mixers, AVEC prioritizes body- and environment- friendly ingredients and materials. Co-founder Dee Charlemagne is also an Amazing Women in eCommerce Honoree!
Some of AVEC’s goals during Yotpo Grow include working closely with Yotpo teams to continue scaling, reaching new markets, and increasing customer loyalty.
Our drinks draw from the tastes and experiences of multiple cultures. We are inspired by the best the world has to offer — yuzu from Japan, pomelo from South East Asia, and blood orange from Italy.”
Karen Jai Home
Karen Jai Home offers luxury home decor curated for the design-obsessed. They offer personalized, online design consultations by appointment.
Some of Karen Jai Home’s goals during Yotpo Grow include elevating their commerce tactics, adding an SMS marketing channel to their strategy, and laying the groundwork for a brick-and-mortar store.
We are more curated than most other home decor brands and we specialize in accessorizing the home with decor additions rather than every category of home decor.”
Your Sustainable Home
Your Sustainable Home is a fair trade and ethically-sourced home decor and lifestyle brand, using commerce to bring financial stability to marginalized communities globally.
With reviews and visual UGC already implemented on the site, some of Your Sustainable Home’s goals during Yotpo Grow include renewing and refining their brand voice and growing its operations into a mainstream home brand name.
We are intentional about representation. Making sure that those who live in marginalized spaces have an opportunity to let their voices be heard. How many retail spaces do you walk into where you know exactly who made the piece and how?”
Alaffia
Alaffia is a clean, plant-based personal care and beauty brand with methods and products rooted in ancient African tradition. They’re on a mission to alleviate poverty and advance gender equality in West Africa through a social enterprise model.
Some of Alaffia’s goals during Yotpo Grow include setting up a loyalty program and boosting conversation rates.
Together we are cultivating beauty, equality and empowerment through our empowerment projects, which provide immediate and sustainable support in the areas of maternal care, education, reforestation and regenerative agriculture.”
As we grow with these incredible brands, we’ll share more stories about their journey and their successes. Keep an eye out for more!
