How to Sell Socks Online (Fast)

The Snocks success story in the fynax podcast "Thanks for Shopping"

Socks - indispensable and yet one of the most underestimated items of clothing. Most people are probably realizing this as the days and nights get colder again. In addition to functional aspects, socks also serve fashion needs. And in times of negative interest rates and account fees, some people may even be celebrating the comeback of the good old savings stocking.

So why shouldn't socks be a promising business case? That's what the founders of Snocksthe brand for socks, underwear and more, was founded by cousins Johannes Kliesch and Felix Bauer when they set up the start-up in their own childhood bedroom. But how do young people come up with the idea of selling socks? In the fynax podcast "Thanks for Shopping", co-founder Johannes Kliesch answers questions from the two fynax managers Saravanan Sundaram and Nadja Müller.

The success story of Snocks can probably best be described as "taking the plunge into the deep end". According to the co-founder, Kliesch and his cousin Bauer were quite naive when they entered the sock trade. They simply got started, without market research and the like. In addition to their luck, they relied above all on the Amazon FBA service, which was launched in 2016. With Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), the American online marketplace takes over the logistics and customer service for retailers. The advantage: "No more stress. You 'only' have to send the products to Amazon and take care of listing and marketing. This makes it much easier for small businesses to get started," says Kliesch.

Supported by Amazon FBA, the cousins started selling in their own nursery in 2016. The idea: "To sell cool socks as a cool brand at reasonable prices". A risky venture with episodes fit for a movie. For a long time, "Hotel Mama" acted as a warehouse, while the imported products had to be cleared through customs at the airport itself. A lot of risk, Kliesch admits, but you need luck and the right timing when setting up a business.

Both had the Snocks-founders. Business went well right from the start and gave the young entrepreneurs the opportunity to grow quickly and develop professional structures. Today, the start-up has become a successful brand with its own online store and 60 employees. The established company has not only diversified its own product range, but has also opened its own café in Mannheim, where Snocks products are sold alongside coffee, wine and tapas, and where founders or those who want to become founders are invited to meet and chat. Instead of relying on luck, the company is now focusing on the power of data through market research, trend research and its own product development system. The next step is the internationalization of the business, even if this is "still a big plank to be drilled, especially from a tax perspective," says Kliesch.

The success story of Snocks So that confirms it: the secret to starting a business is often to just go for it and take a chance! Now here listen.