Telescope Studio

How Chloe Sapienza's Telescope Studio Revolutionized Corporate Gifting and Branding

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About
Business

Chloe Sapienza

Founder, Telescope Studio

Founders

Telescope Studio

telescopestudio.com

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started January 2020

Founders

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Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2020

Customer

B2B

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2020

Customer

B2B

Who is Chloe Sapienza?

Chloe Sapienza, founder of Telescope Studio, is a Los Angeles native who studied product design and graphic design at NYU's Gallatin School, and she has extensive experience working with small creative design businesses and promotional products companies.

What problem does Telescope Studio solve?

Telescope Studio solves the headache of creating meaningful corporate gifts by managing everything from sourcing to delivery, ensuring your gifts are unique, sustainable, and impactful.

How did Chloe come up with the idea for Telescope Studio?

Chloe Sapienza's journey to founding Telescope Studio began with a blend of creativity and practicality. Growing up surrounded by art and design, she developed a passion for solving problems through creative means. Her exposure to the world of corporate gifting while working for a small promotional products firm sparked an interest in bridging the gap between creative design and functional merchandise solutions.

Chloe's thought process involved recognizing the untapped potential of the corporate gifting space, where many companies were struggling to create meaningful and memorable branded experiences. She saw an opportunity to elevate the standard by offering sustainable and locally sourced options, thereby addressing both corporate needs and environmental concerns. This insight was further validated through her work experience and feedback from potential clients about the lack of cohesive service offerings in the industry.

To refine her idea, Chloe collaborated with her husband, who brought expertise in operations and logistics. Together, they tapped into their networks to fill gaps in knowledge and skills, and they embraced trial and error to perfect their business model. The key lessons from their journey included the importance of aligning creative vision with practical execution and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers and clients to ensure a seamless gifting experience.

How did Chloe build the initial version of Telescope Studio?

Chloe Sapienza built Telescope Studio's product offering by leveraging a holistic approach that combines design, sourcing, and fulfillment under one roof. The building of their products begins with curating and sourcing items that fit clients’ timelines and budgets, with an additional emphasis on sustainability and local sourcing.

Chloe used her extensive network and her husband’s experience in operations to overcome challenges related to logistics and fulfillment, a process crucial for a seamless customer experience. The first prototypes involved working closely with suppliers to ensure products met design and quality expectations, with adjustments made through trial and error.

The integration of services took time to perfect and involved tools such as Shopify for setting up merchandise stores, and project management software to streamline operations, making it a complex but rewarding process.

How did Chloe launch Telescope Studio and get initial traction?

Networking and Early Partnerships

Chloe Sapienza, founder of Telescope Studio, relied heavily on her existing network and partnerships to get the initial word out about her business. Having worked in the promotional products industry, she used her connections to reach potential corporate clients who needed creative corporate gifting solutions. By leveraging these relationships, she could tap into a pool of potential customers who were already familiar with her expertise.

Why it worked: Networking allowed Chloe to access a ready audience who trusted her skills and services. Her established reputation in the industry facilitated word-of-mouth referrals and introductions to key decision-makers in various companies.

Personalized Outreach

Chloe and her team engaged in direct and personalized outreach to businesses they believed would benefit from Telescope's unique corporate gifting offerings. This involved researching target companies to understand their branding needs and reaching out with tailored proposals showcasing how Telescope could enhance their corporate gifting strategies.

Why it worked: By focusing on personalized communication, Telescope could address the specific needs of each company, showing them the potential value of customized, locally sourced, and sustainable corporate gifts. This approach built trust and showed potential clients the bespoke service Telescope could offer.

Showcasing Success through Case Studies

Telescope used case studies of successful projects with other companies to demonstrate their capabilities and what potential clients could expect when working with them. For instance, customizing Allbirds sneakers for a software company highlighted their creativity and ability to deliver unique branded products.

Why it worked: Case studies provided tangible evidence of Telescope's expertise and creativity. They offered prospective clients insights into the effective and bespoke solutions Telescope could offer, making the company more appealing as a partner for corporate gifting projects.

What was the growth strategy for Telescope Studio and how did they scale?

Design and Fulfillment Services

Telescope Studio offers a comprehensive service that covers the entire process from idea to delivery for corporate gifts and merchandise. They have established strong relationships with suppliers, which allows them to manage logistics and ensure high-quality fulfillment. This holistic approach helps save their clients time and ensures consistency in branding.

Why it worked: By offering a one-stop service, Telescope simplifies the process for businesses looking to source and design corporate gifts. This approach has enabled them to build strong relationships with their clients, as they handle everything from creative design to logistics, ensuring a seamless experience.

Customized Shopify Stores

Telescope builds Shopify stores for their clients, whether for public use or internal company use. This not only helps companies maintain brand consistency across merchandise but also allows for the collection and analysis of data on product performance and customer preferences.

Why it worked: Having a tailored online store allows Telescope’s clients to streamline their corporate swag processes while gaining insights into what products perform well. This data-driven approach enables informed decisions on inventory and design adjustments, directly impacting their clients' satisfaction and repeat business.

Sustainable and Locally-Sourced Products

A key part of Telescope's strategy involves curating products that are sustainable and locally-sourced when possible. This appeals to businesses that are looking to minimize waste and support local industries, aligning with broader corporate social responsibility strategies.

Why it worked: This emphasis on sustainability not only differentiates Telescope from competitors but also attracts companies that prioritize eco-friendly practices. By providing a value-driven choice, they strengthen client loyalty and attract businesses with similar values.

What's the pricing strategy for Telescope Studio?

Telescope Studio offers all-inclusive corporate gifting solutions with custom pricing, focusing on eco-friendly and locally sourced products without a fixed pricing model for their services.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building Telescope Studio?

Embrace Data-Driven Decisions: Telescope's use of Shopify data to identify product issues and adjust strategies highlights the importance of using data to make informed decisions that improve customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Focus on Relationship Building: The emphasis on strong client and supplier relationships underlines the necessity of personalized service and communication in business, fostering loyalty and long-term partnerships.
Sustainability Matters: Telescope’s commitment to sustainable and local sourcing not only reduces waste but also resonates with clients who value environmental responsibility, showing that eco-friendly practices can be a unique selling point.
Prepare for Seasonality: Recognizing and preparing for the seasonal spikes in demand, particularly during holidays, is crucial for managing workloads and maintaining team morale and efficiency during busy periods.
Leverage Team Strengths: Chloe’s collaboration with her husband, who brought operational expertise, exemplifies the power of leveraging complementary skills within a team to fill gaps and drive business success.

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