Shopify Masters What a Near-Bankruptcy Taught These Founders About Growth and Grit
Jul 10, 2025
Jamil Bhuya and Jaz Fenton, co-founders of Otherhalf Studio, share their inspiring journey in entrepreneurship and design. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster of brand building, revealing lessons from their near-bankruptcy experience. The duo highlights the importance of community engagement and authenticity in business. They also emphasize the transformative impact of design on e-commerce success and tackle the balance between AI and creativity. Additionally, they share insights on navigating love and business as high school sweethearts, stressing the need for open communication.
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Plan Product and Packaging for Retail
- Retailers want consistent innovation and a broad product mix, not just one hit product.
- Plan packaging and price strategy early to fit the type of retailer and market segment you want to enter.
Capitalize on Trade Shows and Community
- Use early momentum from major orders to attend trade shows and build community connections.
- Trade shows provide warm buyer leads and selling trends that can accelerate retail growth.
Jamil's Near Bankruptcy Story
- Jamil faced near bankruptcy during COVID with seven figures in debt and personal liability for CRA taxes.
- He navigated firing staff, fire selling stores, negotiating with landlords and lawyers to survive and eventually get acquired.