Category: Marketing Automation

Adobe Illustrator is a popular tool for designing vector graphics, logos, icons, and more.
But when you’re a web or graphic designer with a small budget, you probably can’t afford Adobe Illustrator’s steep $239.88/yr pricing and want a cheaper or free alternative.
Luckily, there are plenty of top-notch free and low-cost options on the market, some of which offer features unparalleled by Illustrator. In this post, we’re sharing the top twelve alternatives to Adobe Illustrator so you can produce beautiful designs on a budget.

If you’re shopping for a program that offers features comparable in quality to Adobe’s product, check out our list of the top free alternatives to Illustrator.

Best Free Adobe Illustrator Alternatives
1. Inkscape

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Best for:
Pro and semi-pro illustrators and web designers
Platform:
Mac, Windows, Linux
One of the most comparable substitutes to Adobe Illustrator, Inkscape has plenty of similar sketching, illustrating, and editing tools, including keys to move and rotate by screen pixels, bitmap tracing, color painting over objects, and edit gradients with handles.
You can create complex textures and gradients in Inkscape, too. Unlike some free tools, this tool allows layering, grouping, and locking objects so you can completely customize the look and feel of a project while maintaining a streamlined workflow.
Inkscape is a quality product for pro- or semi-pro web designers working within SVG file format. It also offers an open source vector graphics package, so if you have the technical skills, you can incorporate Inkscape into your other software programs.
2. GIMP

Best for:
Advanced designers who need a custom tool to create illustrations and graphics
Platform:
Mac, Windows, Linux
GIMP, which stands for GNU Image Manipulation Program, has limited vector functions but has similar tools to Photoshop, making it an impressive image editor with powerful image manipulation options. Better still, GIMP provides options for customization and third party plug-ins, so if your image editing needs are somewhat unique, you might want to check this tool out.
GIMP is free and open source, so there is a market of third party plugins to enhance your productivity and design capabilities. If this sounds technically advanced, GIMP offers tutorials for newcomers to the tool so you get the most out of it.
3. Pixlr

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Best for:
Individuals whose position requires them to work from different devices to create images
Platform:
Windows, Mac, Web Browser, Mobile
Pixlr offers plenty of features for editing, creating, and sharing creative images. While it’s less advanced in function than Illustrator, it’s cloud-based and supported on mobile, desktop, or the web.
Pixlr has two options: Pixlr E for photo editing and Pixlr X for graphic design. Pixlr X includes regularly updated templates for social media, presentations, resumes, business cards, newsletters, and event invitations. Pixlr E includes a photo collage maker that combines your favorite photos into a clean, cohesive design.
4. DesignEvo

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Best for:
Individuals starting a business who need a logo and other assets
Platform:
Mac
Although this design tool is free, it brings a lot of value. With over 10,000 design templates to get you started, this app is ideal for the designer who’s just starting out. DesignEvo helps you perfect your style, develop your workflow, and build your portfolio — all without spending a penny on expensive software.
You’ll have access to royalty-free fonts, color schemes, and an easy-to-use logo editor (plus dozens of logo categories). When you’ve designed the perfect vector, logo, or icon, export it from DesignEvo and into your preferred storage cloud in the most popular high-resolution formats.
5. Vectornator

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Best for:
Designers who want to a user-friendly tool that cuts down work time
Platform:
iPad app, Mac app, iPhone app
Vectonator has been downloaded from the App Store over 6 million times — and for good reason. Its intuitive and user-friendly features, like the auto trace tool, automate tedious tasks and allow you to get your best work done faster.
Vectonator also features unlimited artboards, a sophisticated text editor with custom font imports, PDF editor, and support for touch, pen, mouse, keyboard, and wacom pad. Plus, its multiple integrations and import/export features make it easy to switch between multiple design tools.
6. Figma

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Best for:
Designers in need of an all-in-one tool
Platform:
Web Browser
From design features to prototyping, Figma is a free illustration app that has all the tools you need in just one platform. It allows you to install plugins and widgets that automate tasks and boost productivity. Plus, resizing and moving design elements are easier than ever with the auto layout tool.
With cloud-based software, you can work on your illustrations from anywhere with internet access and seamlessly share files with other team members.
While Figma’s free Starter plan has all the features an entry-level designer or small team would need to get started, more seasoned designers and larger teams may consider a Professional plan for access to features like unlimited version history, sharing permissions, team libraries, and more. Professional plans start at $12 per editor/month, and are free for students and teachers.
7. Vectr

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Best for:
New designers who want a powerful tool with a low learning curve
Platform:
Web Browser
Perfect for beginners, Vectr is a simple illustrator tool that makes designing and editing graphics a breeze with its intuitive technology and user tutorials.
Since Vectr is web-based, it is accessible to anyone with internet access. Collaborating is also super easy with its real-time sharing capabilities and chat features.
Best Paid Adobe Illustrator Alternatives
8. BoxySVG

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Best for:
Designers who produce a low volume of designs but still need a quality tool
Platform:
Mac app, Windows app, Chrome app, Web app
BoxySVG runs as an extension in Google Chrome, so it’s easy to store vector graphics including icons, charts, and illustrations on the web. It provides options for Google Fonts integration and has an Open Clip Art Library, as well as illustrator tools including pens, bezier curves, groups, shapes, text, and more.
Ultimately, BoxySVG is simpler than Illustrator, and while this means less advanced tools, it also means a quicker and easier process for creating vector graphic files.
The intuitive user interface gives you a clean workspace so you can complete your workflow without clutter or overlapping toolboxes. Keyboard shortcuts keep tools accessible without switching between tabs or searching through several icons.
The 15-day free trial includes these features. After that, you’ll have the option to purchase either the premium or standard plan.
9. Corel Vector

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Best for:
Freelance illustrators and designers who need a robust design tool
Platform:
Mac, Linux, Windows, Chrome, Web Browser
You’ll find plenty of your basic vector-editing tools in Corel Vector, including pen, line, knife, slice, bezigon, gradient editor. It also has more advanced features, such as boolean operations, symbols, international text support, and more.
Plus, it’s designed in a user-friendly interface and offers video tutorials. Corel Vector works from right within any browser, which means you can edit and export your files anywhere with wifi. Even if you don’t have access to wifi, the tool allows users to work offline for up to 15 days at a time. It also supports CMYK rendering, so you can print quality images without downloading anything.
You can also import and export files in a variety of formats including pdf, png, jpg, svg, and sketch — which makes this option more flexible than Illustrator.
Corel Vector offers a free 15 day trial. After the trial period ends, users must purchase a subscription plan.
10. Affinity Designer

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Best for:
Experienced designers with a need for advanced vector and raster tools
Platform:
Mac, Windows, iPad
With rasterizing controls, infinite zooming, a precision-engineered pen tool, automatic snapping points, colors that pop, and an extensive array of vector editing tools, this system truly compares in design and function to Adobe Illustrator.
The price of a universal license is $99.99, but you can also purchase much cheaper individual licenses for MacOS, Windows, and iPad. The 30-day trial version is free and offers plenty of the full version tools.
What’s unique about this tool is that it supports vector and raster workspaces — with the click of a button you can switch between the two for a versatile design experience.
Your workflow is the foundation of a great design, so Affinity Designer gives you unlimited artboards, detailed version history, customizable keyboard shortcuts, and the ability to save your file in the most popular vector and raster formats.
11. Sketch

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Best for:
Collaborative design teams
Platform:
Mac app, Web Browser, iPhone app
For a design tool to keep your team organized and in sync, look no further than Sketch. Its Workspaces allow you to store and share files, manage your team, collaborate on projects in real time, and hand off designs to developers.
Other features include: vector editing, prototyping tools, artboard templates, customizable toolbar and shortcuts, offline work capabilities, and more.
Standard plans start at $9 per month. You can also try Sketch for free with a 30-day trial.
12. VectorStyler

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Best for:
Experienced designers who prefer to purchase a one-time license over a subscription plan
Platform:
Mac, Windows
For an advanced illustration software for a fraction of the cost of Adobe, check out VectorStyler. It has all the drawing tools you need to create stunning illustrations and designs, including vector brushes, shape effects, advanced typography, path sketching, text on path, open native AI, and more.
Designs can be imported and exported through common file formats: PSD, AI, SVG, PDF, Postscript, EPS, JPEG, BMP, GIF, PCX, PNG, TGA, and TIFF.
A free-trial for VectorStyler lasts for 42 days. After that, you’ll have to purchase a license for a flat rate of $95.
Adobe Alternatives for Any Budget
Creating professional vector graphics doesn’t have to be an expensive line item in your budget. If you’re just starting out in the graphic design field or if you’re an experienced designer looking for budget-friendly tools, one of these free alternatives is sure to work well for you.
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in June 2018 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

A product ecosystem functions in a very similar way to an environmental ecosystem. Like the symbiotic relationship found in nature, a product ecosystem is when products can coexist in a way that’s beneficial for the customer (not to mention, brings in more revenue for the business).

In this post, we’ll take a look at how to build successful product ecosystems and why buyers want to be a part of them.
Skip to:

What a product ecosystem is
Importance of product ecoystems
How to build a product ecosystem
Product ecosystem examples

Why is a product ecosystem valuable?
The process of building a successful product ecosystem is valuable for businesses for numerous reasons — product ecosystems work …

To solve for all of the needs of your customers — which helps improve brand loyalty and advocacy.
To boost revenue by making it easy for customers to expand their library of your products.
To prevent your customers from having to invest in other products that are sold by your competitors and other brands.
To make the lives of your customers easier by solving for a wide array of challenges within the system they’re already a part of.
To create products that support each other and coexist in a way that makes them stronger and more useful for customers.
To support the development of your product line over time by making updates that improve their ability to connect and work in tandem with each other.
To offer a greater range of services for customers and, therefore, improve your chances of becoming known as an impactful player in your industry.

Let’s dive deeper into how you can create a product ecosystem of your own.

How to Build a Product Ecosystem
You can build your product ecosystem in a number of ways. Below, we’ll review four of the most common steps when doing so. These steps are all-encompassing so you can incorporate them into your process no matter the industry you’re in.
1. Listen to your customers.
For a product ecosystem to be beneficial to buyers, you need to ensure your products or services are effectively solve the challenges and pain points of your target audience. To do this, listen to your customers. Ask them what they’re missing in your current products and services; ask them about the work they do on a daily basis so you can determine the best ways to meet and exceed their needs with the support of your product ecosystem.
Here are some ways to develop a stronger understanding of your customers, and listen to their needs, to ensure your product ecosystem is valuable:

Create buyer personas
Conduct focus groups
Share customer feedback surveys
Look at the product ecosystems of your competitors

2. Simplify the connections within your product ecosystem.
Part of the reason buyers want to be in a product ecosystem is the ease that comes from using the products of a single brand. For example, as a HubSpot user, you can manage your entire business, across all departments, within the one system. As the businesses of HubSpot customers grow and their needs expand, they can easily purchase or connect to additional products, tools, or Hubs within the software in mere seconds.
By making connections and integrations simple, your product ecosystem becomes more valuable for customers. This also helps you improve your brand loyalty, as customers will be less likely to get frustrated and spend time identifying the product ecosystems of other businesses that are simpler and more efficient.
3. Consistently update and improve your product ecosystem.
As mentioned, your first step in creating a product ecosystem requires you to ask for, and listen to, customer feedback. Continue to do this as your ecosystem evolves and expands, not just as you make your initial plans to build it.
This way, you create products within the ecosystem that effectively solve the needs of your customers. It will also help you update and improve individual parts of your ecosystem as needed in a way that makes being a part of it valuable for customers.
4. Make joining your ecosystem valuable for customers.
By working through the above steps, you’ll likely have no issue achieving this final step — however, it’s still important to reiterate the need for your product ecosystem to be valuable for customers to join.
Think about it — your ecosystem won’t succeed among your target audience and customers if it includes products with functions and features that aren’t cohesive or powerful when grouped together. After all, this is how any ecosystem functions — through the collaboration of each piece and member.
Next, consider some examples of successful ecosystems to gain a better understanding of the way in which they function.

Product Ecosystem Examples
1. Hubspot
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HubSpot’s product ecosystem enables users to connect external services to its platform, in addition to offering a suite of its own software solutions, to help customers grow better.
HubSpot’s CRM helps users track their contact and customer data all in one place. For developers, HubSpot’s API lets teams build their own custom integrations based on their brand’s needs. Websites and apps can be built within the platform, plus the ecosystem boasts numerous tools, apps, and vetted service providers to help your business scale.
From sales to marketing to service and development, the HubSpot ecosystem offers solutions that work together to remove friction so you can focus on what matters most to your business.
2. Apple
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Apple has a host of products that connect with each other to effectively and easily meet the technological needs of its target audience. For example, you plug your iPhone into your MacBook Pro to view all details related to the phone including your storage, different aspects of your phone’s history, your music library, and more via your laptop. And speaking of your music, connect your AirPods in just seconds to your iPhone and your MacBook for seamless listening opportunities cross-device.
Then, lock your phone and close your MacBook Pro prior to heading out on a run. Throw on your Apple Watch so you can leave those larger devices at home while maintaining access to your music with your AirPods. Don’t worry, your Apple Watch will still notify you of your call, text, and email notifications while out on the running trail.
Meanwhile, your mileage, time, heart rate, and other workout details will also be recorded while you’re running. Then, when you return from your run, head into your home office and plug your Apple Watch into your iMac to view your workout summary on the easy-to-view display screen.
While we’ve only mentioned a few, all of the products within Apple’s ecosystem coexist to improve their value to and simplify the lives of its customers.
3. Square
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Square has long been a popular POS system for small businesses. From retail to restaurants to ecommerce, Square offered a simple solution for businesses to accept and process payments. Now, their offerings have expanded to a full service payment processing solution.
In addition to the POS systems available to businesses, they now have access to:

Square Appointments: Software that aids in scheduling and booking clients.
Online ordering and checkout: Use their platform or integrate it into your existing website.
Loyalty Program: Set up a customer loyalty program to reward existing customers and recruit new ones.
Staff solutions: Software to help you manage scheduling and payroll in one place.
Banking: Checking, Savings and loan offerings from Square that allow you to manage your cash flow in real time.

So business owners can not only use their POS system and inventory tools, but meet most of their operation needs in one place.
4. Adobe
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Most of us are familiar with Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat PDF reader. However, they have more products in their roster, the Creative Cloud. For those in creative fields, the Creative Cloud provides numerous apps to tackle all of your projects:

UX Design
Photography
Video Editing
Graphic Design

Whether you’re a student, running a business, or just like to dabble in different creative mediums, the Adobe Creative Suite offers a variety of programs to suit your needs. In addition to software, Adobe also offers a series of tools that make it easier for you to collaborate with others and manage your projects to provide a seamless experience for users.
5. Google
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We’re all familiar with Google’s search engine and their G-suite (Google Drive, photos, collaboration tools, and email), but the company is also pivoting to build an ecosystem similar to Apple’s.
Google’s ecosystem focuses on the Android OS, Android TV, Chrome OS, and smartwatch. With these product and software options, the brand can branch out to offer a variety of accessories and services connected to each. With the tagline “Better Together,” you can see that the brand has ramped up efforts to provide better connectivity and functionality across all of its products and services.
Build Your Product Ecosystem
Building a product ecosystem your buyers want to be a part of is how your business can improve loyalty among customers, boost revenue, improve retention rates, and become better known as an industry leader. So, think about the needs of your customers, the ways in which you can better serve them with your ecosystem, and how an ecosystem can make your product line more valuable.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in January 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Welcome to HubSpot Marketing News! Tap in for campaign deep dives, the latest marketing industry news, and tried-and-true insights from HubSpot’s media team.
Earlier this week, Sephora and TikTok announced a new joint venture with agency Digitas: an incubator program to help new beauty brands leverage creator content.
As part of the Sephora x TikTok Incubator Program, TikTok creators will teach select brands how to implement creator-focused social media strategies to drive growth and engagement.  
The first round of participating brands includes Hyper Skin, Topicals, and Eadem, selected from Sephora’s Accelerate program. These BIPOC-owned brands will learn from popular TikTok creators including Amy Chang (@bondenavant), Nyma Tang (@nymatang), and Rocio Lopez-Jimenez (@rocio.roses).
Why the Sephora x TikTok Incubator Program Makes Sense
For years, users have acknowledged the persuasive power TikTok has on their purchasing choices through the hashtag #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt, and few spaces have been as influential or lucrative as #BeautyTok.
From 2020 to 2021 consumption of beauty-related content on TikTok grew by 1,000%, and beauty brands have benefitted from the surge.
Beauty retailer Ulta reported an 18.2% increase in sales from 2021 to 2022 with annual revenue exceeding $10 billion for the first time in the company’s history. During this same time period, Sephra saw a 23% increase in sales earning a record-breaking $82.6 billion in revenue.
Sephora acknowledges the success of its stores is dependent on the success of the brands it carries. And the success of those brands is deeply impacted by having strong relationships with creators.
“Brands that have a savvy understanding of creator led social media and creator relations have a clear advantage in not only conceptualizing beauty content that resonates with their audience, but also in building genuine connections,” says Brent Mitchell, VP of Marketing at Sephora.
With this program, Sephora is investing in the creator-focused social media strategies of up-and-coming brands. The return on this investment will ideally come from sales driven by creators.
Marketing Snippets
The latest marketing news and strategy insights.
Twitter announced 10K character tweets will soon be allowed on the app.
Meta is developing a decentralized messaging-based app.
TikTok is introducing a new “series” feature that will allow creators to monetize their content on the app.
Conversational AI: learn what it is and how to leverage it for your marketing strategy.
Spotify expanded its suite of podcaster tools and introduced new features including video, polls, and more in-depth analytics.
How pirating sites are impacting revenue for major advertisers.

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The eCommerce industry moves at the speed of light. And now, with the recent AI developments largely impacting digital marketing, it can feel impossible to keep up.  Don’t get left behind. Instead, take advantage of this amazing tool to stay one step ahead of the game. You can use generative AI, like ChatGPT, to assist…
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Last Updated on March 15, 2023 by Rakesh Gupta Over the last decade the Salesforce AppExchange has been widely successful due to its ability to help businesses drive success and growth. Today there are 6,000+ apps and consulting firms listed on the exchange. With so many great options available, identifying
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Last Updated on March 15, 2023 by Rakesh Gupta If you’ve ever needed to collect data while in the field, you know how challenging it can be. Either you’re stuck keeping track of endless paper forms or you have to bring a laptop wherever you go. Even if you have
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Every early stage founder like myself dreams of the day when we have the ability to activate high performing targeted online ads, a dedicated social media team, and other tried-and-true marketing techniques that would put us on the same playing field as long-standing heritage brands. But since I bootstrapped SHAYDE BEAUTY, a skincare line that prioritizes the needs of melanin-rich skin, from the get-go, that hasn’t been my reality (yet). As a woman of color, I’m acutely aware that female founders of color only receive 1.2 percent of the overall venture dollars invested in the US. Instead of focusing my energy fighting for funding to fuel a massive marketing budget, I decided to get scrappy. I asked myself: How can I get the word out there organically, authentically, and without having to spend a lot of money? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Priya Shah (@wellnesswithpriya) After trying a few techniques, I landed on the most old-school approach there is: Meeting customers IRL. There is something about an in-person, hands-on experience that the post-Covid consumer is craving. During my first year in business, I would go to art shows and set up a table filled with product samples and business cards in the hopes of getting people to sign up for our email marketing list. I’d cold call boutiques around NYC to see if they’d let me do a pop-up shop for a few hours. I’d even go to Washington Square Park once a week with a bag full of sample jars and business cards to hand out to strangers. I’d approach people in the park (mostly women who looked like me and may struggle with similar skincare challenges), explain who I was, and ask if they were open to chatting about skincare.What arose out of a necessity turned into my secret weapon. In fact, this “boots on the ground” approach has been instrumental in growing my brand’s reach and gaining me some of the most dedicated customers around. Is it the most efficient way to market? No. But here’s why it’s been so valuable to carve out opportunities to meet potential customers face-to-face.I can better educate my customersMany consumers have had the experience of walking into a Sephora and feeling overwhelmed by the countless options available and then feeling too intimidated to ask for help. Unfortunately for those of us with melanin-rich skin, the market has vastly overlooked our needs, leaving us with the opposite (but equally as frustrating) problem. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve met with a potential customer who shares gripes such as, “I have hyperpigmentation, I’ve tried this product that’s supposed to work for this issue, but it actually made it worse.” By being face to face, I can explain how many products on the market aren’t formulated with skin of color in mind and can actually make some skincare problems worse. I also share how SHAYDE BEAUTY focuses on the percentages of active ingredients to ensure issues are targeted while still keeping the skin looking healthy—and that the product was created by someone who has struggled through the same challenges as them. There are so many myths out there around melanin-rich skincare, and talking to customers gives me some meaningful time to quash them.I also get to educate them on my journey and how the products I’ve created transformed my skin. It’s one thing to write some nice copy that shares this story on my website—it’s another for a customer to see in person how good my skin looks. Once I pull up a picture of where it was five years ago and talk through the changes I’ve made in my routine and why they’ve worked, the customer almost instantly becomes motivated to purchase and support the brand. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SHAYDE BEAUTY (@shaydebeauty) I can respond to the needs of my customersEveryone’s skin has different needs, and by talking with customers regularly, I’ve been better able to learn about and respond to them. Getting to speak to each customer and ask, “What struggles are you dealing with, and how can we help?” guides not only what I recommend for them in the moment but also broader product decisions for the company. For one, I can take the time to understand what’s going on with their skin and make tailored recommendations of which products would work best. Whether it’s over a Zoom call or in a store, I love having a potential customer tell me about their skincare routine and what’s working or not working about it, and then finding tailored solutions for them. It’s been reported that 91 percent of consumers are more likely to shop with brands who offer personalized recommendations.These conversations are also an incredible avenue for market research, sparking fresh inspiration and evolving the future of the brand. Anytime I share samples with customers, I also ask what types of products they wish they had, or what’s not working for them about the solutions currently available on the market. This helps guide new products we may develop or tweaks to our existing formulas. I’m constantly shocked by how most skincare companies don’t respond to the needs of customers, but because we’re small, we can move quickly and adapt as needed. I think our willingness to do so sets us apart.I can create lasting relationshipsI’ve seen time and time again how excited potential customers are to be introduced to me, the founder, alongside my products—and how that interaction creates brand loyalty.People who first met me five years ago when I was set up on a folding table at an art show are still my customers today, and I think it’s partly because they experienced that one-on-one connection in the beginning. Sometimes customers who just met me that day will go home, try the product, and do an Instagram story that night, excitedly sharing how they met the founder of an amazing new product. Just that little moment of putting a face to the brand gained us a new customer and made them excited to be an advocate. Over time, these relationships have helped land our first major retail partnerships—companies want to see social proof and positive feedback before they make a decision to work with us. I get it: As a consumer myself, I know I feel more loyal to brands when I have some kind of personal connection. As my company grows, I want to ensure I have the same kind of touch points with my customers on a larger scale, even if I can’t be there in person. For one, I’m tapping heavily into ambassadors for the next wave of marketing. By developing a network of skin coaches and estheticians that focus on skin of color, the ambassadors can build similar one-on-one connections with customers and help educate them about the products. Additionally, I’ve been conceptualizing ways of how I can translate this approach to our social channels. For instance, if customers I talk to are always asking the same questions, can that inform educational posts? Or, if meeting me is the draw, would Live shopping events allow me to connect with a larger audience? No matter what, I still plan to prioritize spending at least one day a week on the floor of one of our retail partners, meeting potential customers face-to-face. These conversations remind me why I started this brand in the first place—and push me to keep going so I can help as many people as possible and bring overall market awareness to the unique needs of melanin-rich skin.