Pittsburgh Internet boutique, ModCloth, is a hot business these days, its indie and vintage style brands flying out the door while its business triples in size.
Eric and Susan Koger, both graduates of Carnegie Mellon University, founded the Internet business in their 3-story Friendship home in 2002 and were growing at a leisurely pace until last December when sales went literally through the roof.
“We started it as a hobby,” explains Susan, the company’s creative director. “We operate similar to a small boutique. We buy items at wholesale and put them up on our site. I think we’re one of the most unique sites on the Internet for the variety of items we carry.”
ModCloth features unique retro, indie and vintage fashion from a stable of 40 hot designers that include Soundgirl Clothing and Stop Staring. Looking for mod London loafers or an Agent 99 trench coat? Here it is.
To make room for its growing inventory, ModCloth is looking to move its operation to an 8,000 square foot office and warehouse space. Plans call for adding an additional 14 people to the eight person team, including a graphic designer, customer care manager, vendor manager, shipping and warehouse team, fashion writer, full-time photographer and a marketing manager.
A $50,000 private investment late last year enabled ModCloth to invest in more inventory and the result was explosive growth in December, explains Eric, co-founder and CEO. In December the company had 250,000 unique visitors to its site and the number is growing by 20,000 hits a month, thanks in large part to the Google search. ModCloth is on target to quadruple its revenues this year.
Eric will be the featured business speaker at this month’s MIT Enterprise Forum on Wednesday, March 19th at the Pittsburgh Golf Club. For more information on the event, click here.
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Eric and Susan Koger, ModCloth
Image courtesy ModCloth