Susie Taaf – Missy Massy

Who are you and what business did you start?

I am a single mum in Brisbane who started Missy Massy which is an online platform to help women feel amazing every day. We do this with our messaging plus products that are cleverly designed to help eliminate fashion pain points in women’s lives.

What’s your backstory and how did you come up with the idea?

Divorce and my ex-husbands bankruptcy killed my FIFO career as an Engineer. Being the sole caretaker and financial provider for three kids 5, 3 &1 I had to pivot very quickly. I had created my first product Petti-pants for myself in 2008 but this crossroads launched the idea that I could make them a commercially viable company to support me and my kids. Petti-pants Underwear are designed to eliminate chafe – an ugly word but a very common problem. They are designed to feel like you are wearing nothing and also prevent VPL and muffin top due to their stretchy, flexible fabric.
I bootstrapped the business whilst working in another flexible job for cashflow. It took 6 years for me to quit my other job to work in the business fulltime which I have been doing for nearly a year now.

Describe the process of launching the business.

It is online only so when I launched my website and Instagram/Facebook I thought my customers would just ‘find’ me. This wasn’t the case (surprise, surprise) so I proceeded to approach influencers to introduce my product to their followers. It was from these relationships that the business was truly launched.

Since launch, what has worked to attract and retain customers?

Definitely influencer marketing to attract new customers and I have extremely solid customer service which I believe helps to retain them. I answer questions as soon as I see them and do everything in my power to achieve a happy outcome for my customers no matter what their issues are.

How are you doing today and what does the future look like?

I have just started a digital marketing campaign and am feeling very positive about the results. I had a very quiet winter season here so I am planning to land stock in the US early next year to create an eternal summer for my business as they are primarily a hot weather product. With my recent success in digital marketing I am feeling very positive for the launch in the US.

Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?

Just keep moving forward – no matter how small. Each step you take forward will eventually change your trajectory and you WILL land where you want to be.

What platform/tools do you use for your business?

Shopify, Instagram, Facebook, Privvy,

What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?

I have done a million online courses and in person seminars – so many that at one point I had to stop learning and start doing! I highly suggest to do the mini free/low cost courses on what you need to learn more about and then decide if you need more learning to do that paid version which is usually offered at the end of the course.

Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?

It definitely will not happen overnight. Keep going forward and get help from others who have walked the path before you. Join a local business group and get a mentor if you can to cheer you on and provide advice!

Where can we go to learn more?

www.missymassy.com