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Hi, I'm Arianne, founder of Aeolidia. We create effective Shopify sites and email marketing for thoughtful, independent brands. Our newsletter shares advanced, need-to-know ecommerce strategies. Not on the list yet? Join here. |
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Hi Reader,
Guess what? I think I figured out how we're going to make it through this new, messy era of business. You and me both.
Those of you who have been in business as long as I have have been through a bunch of different phases where the barrier to entry has suddenly dropped really low. Each time, things got super competitive, and you had to figure out how to stand out from the crowd and endure.
Remember when ecommerce suddenly got easy and everybody could set up a site using Shopify? Remember when drop shippers were absolutely everywhere? Or when everyone was working from home and decided to start side hustle businesses online? People have been trying to get rich quick in ecommerce since it began.
AI, of course, has now brought about another "easy" way to build a business online. We all know that easy doesn't last, and these businesses disappear when things get tough, but it is something we need to deal with in the moment.
I got this great note from Georgia, who runs a bead store:
"Your most recent email really struck me and we have the most SPECIAL little business, with a website opening page that needs HELP showing how special we are and why."
Yes! This is exactly why my business exists. We're here to help you show your customers how special you are.
There is more competition now. Customers are more skeptical than ever. You need to prove that your shop and brand are real and trustworthy immediately. You site needs more proof that you're legit, in the form of:
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Press and store logos that your customers will have heard of.
This example is from our site for Little Apple Treats.
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Your story and your longevity.
This example is from our site for Sugar Paper.
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Customer testimonials, like on our site for Cashmerette.
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A show-and-tell of your IRL stores, like on our site for Hester & Cook.
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Showing us you, like on our site for PINCH.
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...and many many more ways to help people feel a sense of instant trust for your brand and your shop. This is what we've been doing for the shop owners that trust us for over 20 years.
If you can continue to explain what you do in a way that resonates with your customers, you will get through this, and you will be fine.
Rather than approaching 2027 from a place of fear and scarcity, I plan to be brave, knowing that what I'm doing is real and legitimate and proven to work. The people who get it will still value it. The importance of relationships remains unchanged (in fact, everyone I talk to values relationships more than ever).
The same goes for you. You've been through this type of thing before. What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? Let's do those things next year. I think we've got this!
If this resonates with you, we're your people, and we know how to help you find and talk to your people. I would be more than honored to work with you, person to person, to make your business stronger in 2027.
Aeolidia gives you the trifecta. We are equally talented at storytelling, gorgeous design, and can develop the custom features you need to run your business efficiently.
We are now booking projects for November and January. Interested to get our help? My team and I do everything we can to make each project well worth it.
includes a link to schedule a call
If you're not quite ready for a call, email me back to ask some questions. There is nothing I enjoy more in my inbox than a chance to come up with ideas for you and help point you in a good direction, whether it's with us or not.
P.S. If you want to compete against those using AI, don't use AI to tell your story (or hire anyone who plans to do that). It will sound soulless, and like everybody else's AI writing. Let's dare to be different! I have a brand strategist and a novelist/copywriter on my team who can do things for you that AI can't dream of (because it can't dream!). I can't wait to work with you on this.
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Here's a reader question about app hacks, from Claudia, as answered by Helen Hulskamp, Director of Ecommerce on our team:
Q: The last project I did with you guys was installing Rebuy on my storefront, but it was brought to my attention today that Rebuy was removed from the Shopify Store when they did the app purge after the hacking attack a couple of weeks ago. Next Friday is the biggest sales event of my year. Should I remove Rebuy and just go back to the standard Shopify Cart? |
A: This is a great question! During the recent hacking attack, Rebuy proactively alerted Shopify about a potential vulnerability (which they have fixed), knowing they would be temporarily delisted. Their system was never breached. Over 400 apps were delisted from the app store, but only a handful were actually compromised.
At this time, we are not aware of a reason to remove Rebuy, as they continue to be extremely proactive about maintaining security and protecting their shops. If we become aware of a reason that they should be removed from stores, we will let folks know.
If you do choose to remove Rebuy, it should simply be a matter of turning off their cart.
Question: Answered
Our team includes experts in branding, design, development, email & SMS/text marketing, search engine optimization, copywriting, conversion optimization, ecommerce strategy, business growth, and more. Have a question for us? Email back, and I'll consult one of our experts and share one weekly response over email.
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Interesting Clickables
Missed something? ⚓️ Read past issues of Aeolidia's newsletter here
- 29% of shoppers plan to do most of their holiday buying in early to mid December, possibly beating Black Friday sales?
- UPS rates go up 5.9% on December 21, right when last minute gifts are shipping.
- Want to see some things I've loved on Instagram lately? A shower mosaic project, these ceramic seals, a stained glass egg carton, a frog lifecycle quilt, the beaded fish dress, a shelf octopus, and the most amazing ceramic nudibranchs. I notice a few trends here: things that take forever to make just because it would be cool, ceramics, and watery animals. Now you know what to get me for Christmas. 🦭
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From the blog
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What We Saw at Shoppe Object and NY NOW 2026: Trends and Takeaways for Product Brands
Exploring the NYC trade shows: what we saw and what's changed, plus tips for exhibitors.
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Finding Growth and Support in Mastermind Groups
Why you might want to seek the support of business owner mastermind groups, and how to get started.
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12 Black Friday Tips For Online Shops in 2026
How to get your ecommerce website ready for Black Friday / Cyber Monday holiday gifting.
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Wishing [COMPANY GOES HERE] all the best,
Arianne Foulks | CEO & Founder
Aeolidia, Shopify Plus Partners
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Refer a Friend
If you have a colleague who could use help with ecommerce, email marketing, and/or branding, I invite you to connect them with me. Refer a friend »
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