“If we don’t invent the bicycle, let’s create a special relationship with our customers”

Creating a brand is a dream come true, full of daily challenges

Although many still think that having your own knitwear brand means living easily, enjoying a free schedule, photo sessions and customer attention, Giedrė answers to those who think so: “You have to admit – it’s a hard and long way to a stable brand loved by regular customers.”

However, I have always worked hard and still work hard, I am very particular about details, so it is natural that customers come back, and I am very happy about that. To this day, I remember the first customers who keep ordering new products. I realized that my hobby could turn into a business only when such loyal handmade knitted customers started to increase, they started asking to inform them about the news, so I urgently had to think about how, on which platform and in what way to tell about my work and their stories”, – she tells about the idea of ​​the birth of the brand.

We are too small a country to compete with each other

When asked if it is difficult to survive and grow her business, or if there is a lot of competition in the market of handmade, limited edition products, the entrepreneur has a clear answer.

“It seems to me that the biggest mistake that small family businesses can make is to compete with each other. Although the majority of my audience is Lithuanians, who are scattered all over the world, I always take a broader view and repeat that there is enough space under the sun for everyone who works sincerely.

I am sincerely happy that more and more people are choosing products of Lithuanian brands, thus providing opportunities for all of us to create and nurture sustainable and ethically developed brands”, the interviewer explains.

The founder of the creative brand says her biggest breakthrough came when she started connecting with clients, showing herself and sharing behind-the-scenes of the business.

“When there is a connection with the buyer – the process of launching new collections becomes so stable and assured, because the community itself dictates colors, trends, models.” I don’t need to look for inspiration in fashion websites or magazines, it comes from conversations, stories, to which I give a unique character and style”, says Giedrė.

Pixel collection for women, men and teenagers has become a business card

The businesswoman has been looking for integrity and recognition “at first glance” in her work for many years. It has already happened that, based on the everyday life of a modern person, life in front of screens, when reality is forgotten and identification with the images and aspirations of social networks is felt, she presented the collection “Pixel”, inviting to find harmony between the virtual world and reality.

“Maybe it’s the idea of ​​this collection, maybe it’s the fact that technology is very close not only to women, but also to men – the collection decorated with a square pattern was liked not only by women, but also by men and teenagers.” It is the latter, according to the parents who still buy clothes for them, who say that they want a few quality items and not to succumb to the wave of mass consumption, so they choose Giedrė Venckė knits sweaters, scarves, hats,” Giedrė says about the success of the exclusive collection.

The biggest personal achievement of the developer is the orders of the Christmas season in recent years, which included orders from large corporate companies for their employees and customers.

“Of course, I felt a special responsibility, because the desire of the partners to surprise and delight their employees depends on my abilities, and in the process it was necessary to manage orders for special yarns and labels, coordinate the work of knitters, but the thanks received and happy customers encourage me to think about new ideas specifically for those businesses , who start choosing high-quality business gifts instead of mass-produced accessories with a logo,” emphasizes Giedrė.

Creative impulses and the search for sustainability

“It may sound strange, but I never knew what I wanted in my life. However, I always knew for sure what I did not want and what would not be in my life. Same with my knits. I never make a plan. All I know is that it is important to me that the clothes I create do not end up in the waste container,” assured the interviewer.

Currently, she does not stop burning with the desire to create the most universal, long-lasting knitwear suitable for all seasons and genders. One that you would like to pass down from generation to generation and then sell on the secondary market as a valuable and quality product.

“It seems to me that all environmental protection problems begin with the fact that we make a mistake at the moment of choice. Then there are things in our closets that not only do not perform a function (because we do not wear them or wear them only once), but also do not create any emotion for us.

If I manage to knit such clothes that you want to wear continuously, but at the same time with respectful protection and proper maintenance, so that they last as long as possible – my mission will be fulfilled”, Giedrė shares sustainable ideas.

The news portal lrytas.lt continues the project “Business gene 2024” for the eighth year and invites young entrepreneurs, people and teams to participate. Registration takes place on this page: Business gene 2024.