Kara Yearling Slashes Monthly Costs by 65% with Apptile Switch

For Kara Yearling, creativity has always been second nature. From sewing to sculpting, her childhood was filled with artistic pursuits. But it was the sparkle of crystals and beads that truly captured her heart. Kara's favorite memories revolve around weekend trips to Betty's Bead Bank in Milwaukee with her father, where they would craft unique jewelry pieces together. Those early experiences laid the foundation for what would eventually become KaraMarie Boutique.

Fast forward to 2010, when Kara decided to transform her lifelong passion into a business. She founded KaraMarie, offering handmade jewelry and crystallized accessories created with the finest Austrian crystals. As an approved designer, Kara had access to top-quality materials that allowed her to bring her bold, eye-catching visions to life.

We sat down with Kara and her husband Mark to learn more about their entrepreneurial journey and how partnering with Apptile has propelled KaraMarie Boutique to new heights in 2024.

Q: What inspired you to take the leap and launch KaraMarie Boutique?

Kara: Jewelry-making has been my passion since childhood. I love how crystals reflect light and emit an energy that ignites my creativity. When I design a piece, my goal is to create something that makes women feel confident and empowered. Starting KaraMarie was a way to share that joy with others while doing what I love.

Q: How has your business evolved since those early days?

Kara: Initially, I focused solely on handcrafted jewelry and accessories. But as our online community grew, I realized there was an opportunity to expand into clothing and build deeper connections with our customers. Around 2016, I started incorporating live selling into our social media strategy. It was a total game-changer! Suddenly, I could interact with our audience in real-time, share styling tips, and showcase new arrivals. Our Facebook group ballooned to over 10,000 members!

Q: What challenges did you encounter as your live selling presence took off?

Mark: As Kara's community grew, so did the demands on our tech stack. We were using another platform for our website and app, but their recent split with Shopify posed major problems. We tried migrating to their new Video platform, but it was glitchy and lacked features our customers relied on. Plus, the commissions and fees were eating into our bottom line. We paid over $1,500 per month on top of standard payment processing costs. It wasn't sustainable.

Q: Why did you ultimately decide to switch to Apptile?

Kara: Two things drew us to Apptile: customization and affordability. With our previous apps, we were stuck with generic branding that didn't truly reflect our boutique's personality. Apptile gave us the tools to create a fully tailored shopping experience. We could infuse every screen with our unique sparkle! Plus, their pricing model was much more straightforward. Instead of paying 3% commissions, it's just one flat monthly fee. We're saving roughly $1,000 every month.

Q: How has Apptile impacted your core business metrics?

Mark: I won't sugarcoat it - migrating to a new platform always comes with a bit of a dip in total sales. Some customers inevitably drop off when you ask them to download a new app. But here's what's interesting: our conversion rates and average order value among our most loyal shoppers have actually increased since switching to Apptile. We're seeing higher engagement during live sales and more return purchases. So while the transition has been bumpy, we're positioning ourselves for long-term growth.

Q: What do your customers love most about shopping on your Apptile-powered app?

Kara: Our customers rave about the product detail pages! They can now zoom in on photos, read sizing info, and add items to their cart without ever leaving the live stream. It's such a seamless experience. We're also having a blast experimenting with Apptile's video clip feature. Bite-sized styling videos are perfect for catching people's attention as they scroll.

Q: What advice would you give to fellow boutique owners considering a new live selling solution?

Kara: Change is inevitable in this industry. To stay competitive, you have to be willing to experiment. Look for a platform that will grow with you, not hold you back. Prioritize the features that will delight your specific audience. And make sure your brand voice shines through every touchpoint! Apptile has been an incredible partner on all those fronts. The future is bright!

From a homegrown jewelry business to a one-stop fashion destination, KaraMarie Boutique is proof that creativity and adaptability are the keys to longevity in ecommerce. By staying true to her artistic vision while embracing new technologies, Kara has built a vibrant brand that sparkles on every screen.