Cover Story: Jenn Low Shares 5 Ways To Build A Successful Global Brand

Wanderlust+Co, the jewellery line founded by Jenn Low turns seven this year. But seven as it turns out, is a lucky number for Jenn who will be steering the brand towards new markets in Southeast Asia and diving head-first into the challenging offline retail space. Just early this year, Wanderlust+Co announced a new partnership with Luxasia, the behemoth behind the regional retail of numerous beauty giants including Make Up For Ever, Dior and Benefit.

In our April 2018 cover story, Jenn who is also the managing director of the brand shares more about what we can expect from this new partnership with Luxasia, how she is taking her online e-commerce brand offline with several shop-in-shop launches and what it takes to survive in the fast-paced trend-driven business. Here are five key quotes from the resilient entrepreneur who took a homegrown brand to the global stage.

Focus On Your Brand Message

I wanted to create a brand that not just sets out to sell things to people but is also an uplifting outlet, when you experience the brand it feels aspirational and inspirational , it is attainable yet makes you want to live your best life. I saw a gap in the market online especially for an affordable accessories brand that is still designer looking and that was when everything fell into place.

Listen To Your Customers

I’ve learned the hard way that comparison is the thief of joy and as a brand it’s important to understand what your competitors are doing but at the same time continue to just work at your pace and do what you’re doing better every day. That’s the approach that has brought us to where we are and we’re going to keep practicing that. Your customers at the end of the day are already giving you all the answers and pointing you in the direction of where your brand needs to go and you just have to balance that with trying new things, create a plan, execute well and trust in that journey.

Take Failure As A Lesson

You have to be tenacious. You have to sometimes just accept that if you’re having a tough time or a tough day, that’s just a moment in time and it is not a definition of your leadership or your brand or your team. You have to experience those moments, take the lessons and get back up and keep moving forward. A lot of brands probably don’t move past the first couple of years because it is challenging but the truth is, I wish brands would just keep trying. I think there’s so much for independent brands to achieve today and how they offer a point of difference.

Build Your Dream Team

Culture is everything. Having an A+ attitude is more important than anything. Empathy, compassion and understanding as well as honesty and good communication is what I look for when I hire someone.

Learn To Pivot

Grit. Have grit because it’s not about being stubborn nor is it about having all the answers. It’s about having grit and learn to pivot quickly. Trust your intuition and trust your gut as well as do your research. I know it’s pretty 360 but just continue to do all the right things and be patient. I’m still guilty of that sometimes. I’m really impatient for results and it could work for you because you keep pushing but it could sometimes work against you because things will happen in time.