Why the change babe?
Hi lovelies, it is Stephie here. I wanted to fill you in on why we needed to make some changes to our range, ok without further ado..
Why the changes:
Bonbon started 5 years ago in my garage; we had no money for marketing, just a Kiwi idea to treat customers kindly, and to make them the best shower and bath treats to make their lives feel so much better! If we could do that, our customers would share their love for Bonbon and this is how we would grow, on love alone! ❤️
Skip forward 4 years and here we are, with lovely staff with families to look after, an amazing factory, a big range that is loved but was looking very messy on the retailers shelves.
"We didn't know how to plan a brand, let alone a retail shelf! Things were a mess out there and nothing made sense, it was a mishmash. We were trying new things and confusing everyone in the process".
After Covid, we were lucky enough to get some sessions with KPMG to do a deep dive on our business, branding etc. We did customer surveys, they helped us with customer data, took a deep dive into our products and processes, and ... I was mortified to hear the results! We had a lot to do to get our wee brand in line in lots of areas, but the area that hit my in the heart the most was hearing what some customers, who didn't know Bonbon, had to say.
Here is a wee selection of consumer feedback 🙈
- Your stand looks like it's for babies
- It looks too busy, what even is all that stuff
- Nope, not for my wife, it looks like it's for kids
- We can't tell it's Kiwi made, I wouldn't try it myself
- Those sprinkles on the whips look weird
And that's only a sample of the comments. 😒 Not to mention all of other hard stuff I had to face, like how Covid effected ingredients and packaging, prices had gone through the roof and securing supply became tough.
"To say things are an opportunity in disguise, felt like a stretch"
So enough sulking, sitting still was not an option. I had to dig deep and make some big decisions, something had to change to bring this Bonbon into the aligned, happy Kiwi brand I had imagined!
So I got a hold of Kirsty, my graphic designer, our team got together and Josh my business partner and I pulled apart the facts, the products, the processes and we faced up to reality. If we were going to meet the goal of being a Kiwi brand to be proud of, we needed lift our game and be spectacular.
- Brand makeover - find all of our best sellers, make them shine
- Make our range more gorgeous and happy, cleaner, simpler and fresher.
- Less is more and some of my babies had to go in order for us to deliver a cleaner, more understandable and irresistible range
- Have a clear customer in mind, brand properly and stick with it
- Focus on bringing happiness to each shower and day of our customers
- All so our lovely customers (you included of course!) know exactly what they are buying and feel good when popping it up on their shower caddy ☺
Stephie
If you are keen to try something new or in pretties packaging, here is a Free Shipping Coupon babe, and it gives you 10% off Code = fallinlove
13 comments
I had not thought too much of your products until I actually came into your store in Whakatane. When I had a good look at your range there and brought a few products home to try I realised just how gorgeous smelling they are. My family and I are hooked on the shower washes(Whips?) And body butters.
Knowing they are vegan is great as well.
Cant wait to buy more.
LOVE LOVE LOVE what you guys do…. your beautiful products and the philosophy/energy/imagination behind them!!
Oh my goodness! I can’t believe that you had such negative feedback! I loved your products and packaging how they were – sprinkles and all !
I am sorry to hear that your sense of fun and whimsy has taken such a hit.
I am thrilled that you have found a way around covid’s nasty implications – would have been heartbroken to discover Bonbon had not survived.
Keep working your amazing magic and dont ever doubt that what you are sharing with us is sheer awesomeness – no matter how it is packaged and no matter how many sprinkles! It’s what’s on the inside that counts ! <3
Good for you girl and congratulations on your self reflection that’s never an easy thing to do. As a business owner I know the affects of brutal customers and how much it can hurt at the time but at the end of the day you need to roll with the times and keep customers happy. I personally love your new limited look as it feels more exclusive and special when buying a gift or treating yourself. Hopefully others will view it positively too 😍
It all looks great! Only thing I’m sad about is the unicorn fluff 😢 That was my go to for birthday presents for kids! Will miss the cute colours
Love the new look, you have to evolve as a brand I feel? And Bonbon factory does it so well! I honestly LOVE the Bonbon stands when I go into the chemist. I don’t feel like it’s messy. To me, it’s like Christmas! :) Im sure I’ll love the new one too. SOOO many goodies, that look and smell amazing. I think your new direction is awesome! It looks clear, and will be easy for anyone to shop! I’ll always be a supporter no matter what! Even when you go through the changes! My partner loves the mechanic scrub, so awesome that it’s staying wooo 😀 I also loved the Healing Balm and Hush Bunny(helps me sleep soo much, but I’ll try anything you bring out even if it ends up not staying! Your brand is one of a kind and makes people feel special. That’s the difference! :) Emily