Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Maggie Liu, Owner of Agi Jagi Shop, located in Indianapolis, IN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Agi Jagi Shop is where plushies are born! “Agi Jagi” is a Korean phrase used to describe things that are small, cute, and happy! We pride ourselves in creating a range of cute merchandise for anime fans of all ages. There is an incredible amount of love that goes into creating each and every single item here at Agi Jagi Shop. We work with a wonderful team of amazing and talented designers and different manufacturers to create each plushie and item found in our shop.
Our mission is to spread happiness around the world with adorable plushies! We pride ourselves in creating the cutest plushies, pins, and bags inspired by anime characters and all things kawaii! We are based in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can also come to see our booth at different anime and pop culture conventions in the United States!
Tell us about yourself
Hi! I’m Maggie, and I’m the owner and creator of Agi Jagi Shop! Being able to create things has always been the center of my happiness. My entrepreneurial skills started blooming at a young age, and I started my first business when I was 16 years old. Running a small business that I’m passionate about brings me so much pride and joy! I started Agi Jagi Shop as a way to express myself and to allow others to express themselves too!
A few years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. At that time, I owned an online clothing shop on Etsy, but living in Korea inspired me to start creating other things I love, like plushies, pins, and more! After studying abroad in Seoul, I took a trip to Japan, where I visited a fortune forest. The fortune I received from this forest told me that I "had better seek the chance to start something new." Then, Agi Jagi Shop was born that summer in my small apartment.
My customers motivate and inspire me each day to do what I do! It’s so heartwarming and exciting to know that something I helped create has brought happiness into someone’s life. I’m extremely grateful for all my customers, and I always love seeing the lovely reviews and kind feedback I get from them. They never fail to bring a smile to my face and make my day brighter!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I started Agi Jagi Shop in 2018 in my tiny apartment, and we have since expanded so much that we moved into a 2,500 sq. ft. warehouse with office space last summer! We have plans to move into a larger warehouse by next year! Since moving into this new space, I’ve been able to turn it into the creative haven of my dreams! Agi Jagi Shop as a brand is constantly growing, and I'm always so excited to show my customers all that we have planned for the future!
I’m so thankful for everyone’s support and how far Agi Jagi Shop has come. I still remember walking to the post office once a week to drop off a few packages, and now we’re scheduling for the post office to come daily to pick up our packages (and sometimes even filling up a whole mail truck with our packages!)
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Being a business owner definitely isn’t always easy, and it comes with many challenges. When you start off, you will most likely have to handle everything by yourself, from creating content, managing social media accounts, communicating with manufacturers, dealing with customer service, shipping products, taxes, etc. It’s important to learn what you’re good at and what you enjoy doing vs. what you’re not good at so that you can hire help later down the line.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Find something that you’re extremely passionate about and start from there! I believe that you have a higher chance of succeeding if your passion is your business. Make sure to enjoy the journey!
- Being able to interact and connect with your customers through social media is so important! It’s a wonderful way to build customer loyalty, attract new customers, get customer feedback, keep your customers updated on new shop updates, and more!
- Look at failure as a form of helpful feedback and a learning opportunity! The mistakes I’ve made in my business journey have ultimately led me to where I am now! Failing is just a part of owning a small business. Learning from your mistakes can help you improve your business and learn more about yourself in the process.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
When starting a new business, always keep in mind that good things take time to build. Be patient with yourself because most small businesses take years to become successful. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who will push you to be your best and cheer for you along the way! It’s important to work hard, but don’t forget to take breaks and treat yourself too! You got this!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://agi-jagi-shop.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agijagishop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agi.jagi.shop/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/agijagishop
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.