Kreatelier is a creative fabric concepts company based in Providence, RI. Founded in 2007, Kreatelier provides custom home decoration services, sells fabric-based products from local and global designers, and offers a mix of sewing and craft-focused classes. The company's retail location is based in the city's vibrant Hope Street district, a bustling neighborhood packed with restaurants, bakeries, and other local businesses. The area frequently hosts festivals and is home to a mix of young families and independent professionals. Since opening the store in 2008, Kreatelier owner Line Daems has tried to find creative ways to engage with other local business owners in hopes of drawing in new customers.
When Daems partnered with Nift, her company joined a curated, invitation-only network of local businesses. These businesses thank customer with Nift cards, both physical and virtual, to bring great new customers through the door. To participate, Kreatelier featured a $25 gift certificate, and specified the maximum number of customers that could come in to redeem it each month.
When Daems partnered with Nift, her company joined a curated, invitation-only network of local businesses. Nift is an invitation-only network of neighborhood businesses. These businesses thank customer with Nift cards, both physical and virtual, to bring great new customers through the door. To participate, Kreatelier featured a $25 gift certificate, and specified the maximum number of customers that could come in to redeem it each month.
When other businesses thank their customers with Nift cards, the customers get matched, thanks to Nift's proprietary algorithms, to two gifts. Kreatelier's offer could be one of the options, incentivizing visits. For Daems, Nift simplifies marketing. "Nift does the work for you," she says. "I don't have to put any time into this. Everything is so set up on the customer side, the business side – it couldn't be easier."
Although Daems is pleased with her store's loyalty programs, Nift helps the business on that front as well, since Kreatelier can hand out Nift cards as a thank you. Her customers then get to discover another local business. "Every time a customer comes in and receives a Nift, they're surprised," Daems says. "Who doesn't like to get a gift card?"
Join Nift to Capture New Customers
Coupons, social media posts and online ads haven't helped Daems attract new clients, but Nift actively pulls in new people. "Almost all of the Nift customers have never been in the shop before," Daems says. "Many of them live close by. They knew where we were. They've driven past us or heard of us, but they never came in."
Join Nift to Maintain Control
In addition to the platform's ease-of-use, Daems touts the strong controls. She can adjust Kreatelier's offer, monitor the effectiveness of the program, and ensure that Nift is reaching her target demographic — all through a simple online interface.
Join Nift to Change Misconcept
Daems has found that locals and casual shoppers often mistake Kreatelier for a kids store or a simple fabric shop. Once inside, though, they experience the full range of the store's services. "Now they say they will come back because they have a home project," Daems explains. "By bringing people in the door, Nift helps us to show people the other things we do."
Join Nift to Boost the Local Economy
Nift is ideal for attracting local customers, but our constantly growing network means that potential clients from neighboring towns or even other cities are encouraged to visit. Daems has already seen this impact both her business and Hope Street in general. "I like the fact that it's not only Hope Street," she says. "We're getting new shoppers to Providence. That's important."
Although Daems has been running a successful business since 2008, she is still looking for ways to grow, and Nift has helped her bring in a whole new mix of local, loyal customers. Because of Nift, she's changing the way people see her store and forging stronger relationships with her clients and other local stores. "Nift will bring in customers from your neighborhood that have never been in," Daems says. "It's the first time a cross-networking system between local businesses has worked."
Fabric Store, Gift Shop, Home Decor
804 Hope Street, Providence, RI, 02906
Are you a small business owner? Want to thank your best customers, get discovered by even more customers, and support local businesses? Give Nift a try.