Founding her company in February of this year, Mary Hampton was just in time for the COVID-19-induced general economic slowdown. She incorporated specific operations — some at the last minute — to fortify her online model.
Hook & Hunt is a resale company of new, brand name products that are “the latest and greatest items people need, want and love at an unbelievably discounted price,” Hampton says, putting into practice advice she’d been given to “find what people need or want and create a way to provide them options in the best way possible.” Inventory includes designer handbags, furniture, technology, landscaping tools, home appliances, office supplies “and even some essentials,” she says.
Describing herself as “a relationship-driven people person,” Hampton shares that learning a business model that is totally online has been a challenge. To make sure people can purchase the goods being sold, Hook & Hunt provides delivery, in-store pickup, and shipping to get a product to the customer’s door.
There are several other pieces to Hampton’s online platform. The first is a website that wows. Says Hampton, “An online business model is a safe bet, but do not cut corners when trying to wow customers. Trends this year include oversized lettering, asymmetric layouts, animation and custom images.”
Other aspects address the realities of today’s COVID-19-impacted economy. Having an automated lead machine in place she feels is important because “if the economy goes down, you are going to have to sell twice as much as you were previously, and without automation, you are running an uphill race.” She has made her advertising decisions based on her observation that “people are looking at their phones now more than ever,” and says, “With the right targeted audience on social, a surprisingly small amount of money will get your business in front of thousands of potential clients.”
Says Hampton, “The journey thus far has been the most interesting to learn for me as far as connecting to our clients with strictly an online platform. Being able to pour my passion into the business, website and the product selection we sell has helped bridge the gap.”
