We recently had the chance to speak with Tabitha Osler, the founder, and CEO of fairechild, who discussed the recent Intuit QuickBooks study, effective strategies small businesses can use to help customers purchase online easily this holiday season, strategies she is currently implementing to minimize the impact of inflation, and tools and advice Intuit QuickBooks has offered in the QuickBooks Holiday Hub to support small businesses.
Tabitha Osler, the director and founder of fairechild, is an ethical fashion designer and entrepreneur with a vision for a more sustainable future. Tabitha is originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia. She obtained a Masters in Fashion Design at Antwerp Royal Fashion Academy and later worked in the fashion industry in Canada and Europe. Tabitha’s growing awareness of the urgent need for change in the fashion industry led to the creation of fairechild in 2018. The end result is children’s outerwear that is designed in Canada, completely waterproof, chemical free, made with 100% recycled materials and the finished pieces are also 100% recyclable. l’m an advocate for getting outside – an ambassador for puddle jumping, if you will – but those aren’t the only hats I wear. I’m also a designer and most importantly, I’m a mother. As a parent, I know that we all want the best for our children. This includes a world with bounties of food, natural resources and access to clean water. When I worked in luxury women’s wear, I witnessed the wastefulness of the fashion industry. I knew it wasn’t sustainable and I wanted to be a positive force for change.
What motivated you to found fairechild? And what do you hope to accomplish through your work?
fairechild was born out of necessity . . . it’s a response to the wastefulness I saw, while working for luxury fashion designers in my 20s. I wanted to create products that support a deeper connection to the earth – not its devastation – and my heart pointed me towards children’s outerwear. Their future is what drives me, especially now that I’m a mother of three. We have since launched a unisex collection for adults, so families can explore the wilderness together.
What do you think of the latest Intuit QuickBooks study that found holiday spending at small companies in Canada may reach up to $10 billion if customers purchase locally?
It’s incredible to see the power of shopping locally. As a small business I work to support fellow businesses and avoid Amazon and big box retailers.
What are the efficient strategies small businesses – like you – can use to help customers purchase online easily this holiday season, as the majority of consumers desire small businesses to make it simple for them to do so?
Free shipping at a low order value and easy returns are key. It’s also important to have comprehensive descriptions and size charts onsite so customers are confident they are buying the right fit.
Why do you believe customers will spend more money at small businesses over the holiday season in 2022?
I believe customers are seeking connection. Small businesses provide an experience that is unparalleled with big box stores. When you want to return an item or are not sure what to order, small businesses offer a bespoke experience, a conversation, a connection that is unparalleled in big box shopping.
Have you experienced any effects of inflation on your inventory orders? If so, are there strategies you are currently implementing to minimize the impact?
We are taking a multi-pronged approach. We have reduced our skus, simplified our systems, halted all R&D and have focused on sales every single day. We are feeling major impacts but are strategizing for success.
What are your thoughts about the tools and advice Intuit QuickBooks has offered in the QuickBooks Holiday Hub to support small businesses in achieving success this year?
We have already implemented most of the advice in the QuickBooks Holiday Hub, which is a great sign! It’s important to know we are on the right track.
