Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?
Ashley Kimler: Aurajinn actually started out as a small Shopify apps company. I bought some apps, hired some developers, and launched. Our first few articles were actually written to help attract specific Shopify store owners who might have wanted to use these apps. After a few months, I decided to pivot. I have always had a passion for eCommerce. As a seller myself and after working on content marketing campaigns for some major eCommerce tech companies, I have unique knowledge that I can provide. So, it seemed natural to focus on the content (what I do best) without the sole purpose of trying to toot our own horn.
Great Companies: What are the various services provided by Aurajinn?
Ashley Kimler: Aurajinn provides in-depth advice for online sellers at all stages — we’re a blog, plain and simple. Our goal is to help merchants actually level up their businesses.
Great Companies: What makes Aurajinn different from hundreds of other similar service providers?
Ashley Kimler: I think the unique experience that I have is what makes our content different. I’ve been writing and working in tech while running online stores for over a decade now. Not only do I have recommendations of what to do, but I really like to share with sellers what not to do as well. I think I’ve learned as much if not more from failures as I have from successes.
Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
Ashley Kimler: I would say that one of the greatest struggles I faced when I first launched was trying to do something I didn’t know much about (develop software). Rather than just give up when I wasn’t the right person to manage a SaaS, I decided to take the momentum we’d gained in other aspects of the business and focus my energy there. I’m happy with that decision, and I would encourage other entrepreneurs to do the same.
Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Aurajinn?
Ashley Kimler: We’re actually looking at not only content but interactive tools for online sellers (not Shopify apps). We have a few simple yet innovative ideas in the works that I’m hoping will provide online sellers with unique insights to truly skyrocket their sales. By next year, I hope to bring on additional experts to do some of the writing so that I can focus more on establishing stronger relationships with my readers and help them solve their greatest challenges. Within five years, I want Aurajinn to be well-recognized amongst a young generation of online sellers.
Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Ashley Kimler: One piece of advice for a blog owner just starting out would be to find your unique voice and niche. With countless blogs already in existence, it's so important to differentiate yourself. You need to offer a unique perspective, style, and expertise — when you actually know what you’re talking about and you can give people those little nuggets of wisdom, they’re more likely to stick around and read more of what you have to say. So, think about your passions and interests and carve out a specific area where you can provide valuable and engaging content. Building a strong and authentic personal brand will help you stand out in the crowded blogosphere and attract a loyal audience.