For many businesses, getting products and services to markets and customers is the hardest part of the journey. But for entrepreneurs in South Africa, there is now a specialist service on offer. ShopLi, the brainchild of Nureshka Viranna, is helping businesses to create their own online stores and catalogues, to attract customers and convert them into sales.
LoA met with Nureshka to find out more about this highly niched business.
What does your company do?
ShopLi helps companies sell and/or showcase their products and services online, making their products available 24 hours a day on the Internet. We help our customers by designing and developing beautiful, mobile-friendly online stores and catalogues to convert online window shoppers and browsers into customers. A delightful, conversion-optimized online store or catalogue will not only make every rand you spend more effective, it will make your customers fall in love with your product and share it with people they know and care about. Now you are not limited by a specific location and can sell anywhere and at anytime!
"We help our customers by designing and developing beautiful, mobile-friendly online stores and catalogues to convert online window shoppers and browsers into customers."
What inspired you to start your company?
I was very unhappy in my previous job as a teacher and knew I needed to do something about it. I was introduced to a serial entrepreneur by my dad who helped me realize that there's more to life then going to work, slogging and being miserable yesterday. He inspired me to leap and do something I would love. I was very into technology and he had an idea where he saw the need to help people sell online and together we co-founded ShopLi. Little did I know that technology and e-commerce was so much more than I could imagine but the thrill of being my own boss, learning more about technology and having a partner to support me was inspiration itself to take a leap of faith.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
As business owners, we are all very busy with our day to day tasks and important deadlines and payments that worrying about managing an online store comes across as just having more work. That's were we come in, we provide an e-commerce solution where we do everything for you. Our focus is to grow your business by making e-commerce easier, so you can focus on what you do best. We help our customers by designing and developing beautiful, mobile-friendly online stores and catalogues to convert online window shoppers into customers. Now business owners are not limited by a specific location and can sell anywhere and at anytime. We have taken the hassle out of e-commerce, making it perfect for a beginner or an expert.
"The thrill of being my own boss, learning more about technology, and having a partner to support me was inspiration itself to take a leap of faith."
Tell us a little about your team
We are a small team of six. We have four partners that are in charge of different areas in the business. We all work together very well having a shared vision of helping people sell online and reducing overhead costs.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I do not come from an entrepreneurial background but from spending quite a bit of time with my mentor I feel that I have the knowledge I need now - he has really taught me a lot and expected nothing in return. As shared previously, I started out as a teacher. I studied for 4 years and have a B.ed specializing in Foundation Phase. I resigned without looking back and with no regrets.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
It's now time to scale. Currently we are growing in Durban. My future plans are to grow nationally and then internationally. We provide a service that is becoming the future and it gives me pride knowing I am making a difference by innovating businesses and helping people. I want to also educate people on e-commerce and the importance of it.
"It gives me pride knowing I am making a difference by innovating businesses and helping people."
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Knowing that I am making a difference by innovating businesses and helping people. Having more time to learn, grow and improve myself, networking and meeting new people, working with people I choose. Not having to apologize for things I never did wrong, and not having to comply with policies but instead create them.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
It's not easy but it is definitely worth it. Having a support system and mentor is a must. It helps during those stressful days and when you need some inspiration. There are going to be curve balls and you may have to make sacrifices, but there is no better feeling than having your own company, nurturing it and helping other people.
Contact or follow ShopLi
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL nureshka@shopli.co.za
Why LoA loves it….
With so many consumers now looking to online retail for their shopping purchases, the trick for many businesses and brands is to engage those consumers in a high impact way online. However that can be daunting for many. And, that’s where Nureshka Viranna and ShopLi come in, creating really engaging and effective online shop windows that will connect with those all important customers. She is putting online retail power directly into the hands of startup and established brands, winning not just customers but also fans of her practical approach to e-commerce. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa