E-commerce
October 1, 2026
Are you wondering how to create a product to solve a personal problem? That is exactly what Sarah Moret, founder of Curie, did by launching her aluminum-free deodorant after searching in vain for an effective solution for her marathon training. This approach, starting from an intimate need, made it possible to build a loyal brand, with a high repurchase rate and an engaged community.
But beware: creating a product is not enough. You still need to sell it, make it known, and above all, build customer loyalty to generate repeat purchases. Curie's story shows how to transform a personal idea into a profitable business, even with an almost zero marketing budget.
So how do you create a product to solve a personal problem? On the agenda:
Why is starting from a personal problem a good starting point?
How to launch a product with a small budget?
What strategies to build loyalty among the first customers?
How to use customer feedback to expand the range?
What is the role of technology in this adventure?
Let's go.
Summary
Why is starting from a personal problem a good starting point?
Sarah Moret, an accountant by training and an athlete, could not find any aluminum-free deodorant that worked for her intense workouts. This personal observation pushed her to create her own solution, long before thinking of turning it into a business. This approach has several advantages: deep motivation, intimate knowledge of the need, and an authenticity that speaks to customers.
For an e-commerce merchant, starting from a lived problem allows you to develop a product with real perceived value. You are not selling a simple object, but an answer to a shared frustration. This also makes communication easier: you can tell your story, explain why you created this product, and create a strong emotional connection with your audience.
This authenticity is a powerful loyalty driver. Customers recognize themselves in your journey and become more likely to return, recommend, and engage. This is the foundation of a sustainable brand, as shown by Curie's evolution into a full range of body care and home fragrances.
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How to launch a product with a small budget?
Sarah Moret launched Curie with $12,000 in savings and zero marketing budget. She started with a single product, her stick deodorant, and relied on organic acquisition: word-of-mouth, influencers, and press. This strategy generated 1,000 passionate customers, who became the foundation of her growth.
For small brands, this model is accessible. First, you must validate the product with a small group, then encourage shares and reviews. Social media, especially Instagram, was a key channel for Sarah: she would show real demonstrations, like sniffing her armpit after a 15-mile run to prove the effectiveness of her deodorant.
This low-cost approach takes time and consistency, but it builds a solid community. It also avoids relying on paid advertising, which is often too expensive at the beginning. The important thing is to create moments of truth that convince and build loyalty, rather than seeking volume at all costs.
What strategies can be used to build loyalty among the first customers?
Curie focused on loyalty from the very beginning. The repurchase rate was high, and customers loved the signature scents. Sarah listened to their feedback: they wanted to find these scents all over their bodies, not just under their armpits. This listening guided the development of new products, such as body spray or shower gel.
To build loyalty, you must offer a consistent and personalized experience. Customers need to feel understood and valued. This involves personalized emails, loyalty programs, or offers tailored to their preferences. The goal is to create a bond that goes beyond a simple transaction.
Community is also a pillar. By engaging customers on social media, answering their questions, and sharing authentic content, you reinforce their attachment. Curie built a lifestyle brand around its scents, transforming one-time buyers into loyal brand ambassadors.
How to use customer feedback to expand the product range?
Sarah Moret surveyed her customers to understand their desires. The result: they wanted the same scents for the entire body. Curie therefore expanded its range with body sprays, shower gels, oils, and even candles. This strategy transformed the brand into the "next-generation Bath & Body Works".
Customer feedback is a goldmine for innovation. It reveals unmet needs, unexpected uses, and desires for expansion. By listening to them, you develop products for which there is already demand, reducing the risk of failure.
To gather this feedback, use surveys, polls on social media, or analyze conversations from your customer service. An AI chatbot can also help collect valuable insights, as Qstomy demonstrates, by asking targeted questions during interactions.
What is the role of technology in this adventure?
Before her television appearance, Curie was using a basic Shopify theme with no upsell capabilities, a non-shoppable homepage, and a checkout funnel that was too long. Sarah had to redesign everything to optimize conversions just before the traffic spike. This experience demonstrates the importance of a high-performing store.
Technology should not be an end in itself, but a means to improve the customer experience. A fast site, a seamless purchasing funnel, and relevant recommendations: all of these contribute to converting and retaining customers. Tools like Qstomy, a Shopify AI agent, can automate these optimizations.
For small brands, it is tempting to neglect the technical side, but this can be costly. Investing in a solid foundation, even a simple one, allows you to seize opportunities when they arise, such as a traffic spike or a viral campaign.
How to handle a spike in demand without losing customers?
After her appearance on the show, Curie doubled her sales in six hours but quickly ran out of stock. Customers were on waiting lists, and retailers were too. Sarah had to manage frustration while capitalising on the excitement. This is a classic challenge for growing brands.
To avoid disappointing people, you have to anticipate. Sarah had bought extra stock, but it was not enough. One solution is to set up restocking alerts, pre-orders, or loyalty programs to prioritize existing customers.
Communication is crucial: informing customers of lead times, thanking them for their patience, and offering compensation (discount, gift) can turn disappointment into a loyalty opportunity. An AI chatbot can handle these messages automatically, as Qstomy offers.
What role does branding play in customer loyalty?
Curie chose a typeface, Kaftan, that reflects movement and energy. Despite doubts about it being "girly," the team embraced this choice, convinced that male customers would not be put off. This decision illustrates the importance of a strong and assertive identity.
Branding is not limited to the logo or colors. It encompasses the tone, values, and story. A consistent brand creates a sense of belonging, which encourages repeat purchases. Customers recognize themselves in the brand and want to be part of it.
To build loyalty, every touchpoint must be carefully designed: website, emails, social networks, and customer service. An AI chatbot can help maintain this consistency, as Qstomy explains in its guide on brand tone.
How to turn customers into ambassadors?
Curie built its growth on 1,000 passionate customers who served as launchers. These ambassadors shared their experience, attracted new customers, and strengthened the brand's credibility. To transform them into ambassadors, they need to be engaged and rewarded.
Referral programs, exclusive benefits, and user-generated content are effective levers. Sarah used influencers and the press, but also her own networks, by sharing authentic demonstrations.
An AI chatbot can identify the most engaged customers and offer them special deals, as Qstomy does. By valuing them, you encourage them to remain loyal and to recommend your brand to those around them.
What are the pitfalls to avoid when creating a product?
Sarah Moret learned on the job, making mistakes like an unoptimized website or insufficient stock. These pitfalls are common: neglecting the technical side, underestimating demand, or not listening to customers. Each mistake was a lesson, but they could have been avoided.
To avoid these pitfalls, you must validate your product, test your market, and prepare your store. A high-performing site, with a seamless purchase funnel and upsell options, is essential for converting and retaining customers. Tools like Qstomy can help automate these aspects.
You also need to be ready to pivot. Curie started with a deodorant, then expanded its range based on feedback. This flexibility is key to adapting to market needs and keeping customers interested.
How to measure the success of a loyalty product?
The repurchase rate is a key indicator for Curie. Sarah noticed that her customers were coming back, proof that the product and the brand met their expectations. This rate, combined with customer lifetime value, measures the effectiveness of the loyalty strategy.
Other metrics are useful: the recommendation rate, the number of brand ambassadors, or even the average cart value. By tracking them, you can adjust your actions and identify what works best.
For merchants, it is important to set up tracking tools, such as dashboards or cohort analyses. An AI chatbot can also collect data on preferences and behaviors, as shown by Qstomy.
How does Qstomy help with customer retention and repeat purchases?
Qstomy, a Shopify AI agent, assists merchants in customer loyalty and repeat purchases. It guides customers toward purchasing by recommending complementary products, offering upsells and cross-sells, and optimizing the shopping cart. It also handles parcel tracking and customer service, thereby reducing friction.
Concretely, Qstomy can help manage restocking requests, like those Curie experienced after its sales peak. It can inform customers of delivery times, suggest alternatives, or sign them up on a waiting list. This prevents losing sales and frustrating customers.
By analyzing conversations, Qstomy provides insights into customer preferences, allowing for merchandising adjustments and the development of products that meet expectations. It is a valuable ally for brands wanting to grow sustainably, as explained in this article on using conversations to improve merchandising.
What is the checklist before launching a loyalty product?
Before launching a product, verify that your site is optimized for conversion: clear product pages, fast checkout process, upsell options. Test your product with a small group and gather feedback. Prepare a communication plan to handle demand spikes.
In brief
Creating a product to solve a personal problem is an excellent starting point, but it must be combined with a solid retention strategy. Listen to your customers, adapt your offer, and use technology to automate and personalize the experience.
FAQ
How to find a product that solves a problem? Identify your own frustrations or those of the people around you, then validate the idea with a target audience.
What budget is needed to launch a product? Curie started with $12,000, but it is possible to start with less by focusing on organic acquisition.
How to retain first-time customers? Offer an authentic experience, listen to their feedback, and build an engaged community.
To go further: AI Chatbot for product variants: helping to choose color, size, format, and compatibility - Qstomy, Which e-commerce platform to choose for a small business? - Qstomy, How to use an AI chatbot for product recalls: informing customers without panicking? - Qstomy, AI Chatbot vs live chat: which one to choose for an e-commerce store? - Qstomy, Brand voice and AI chatbot: keeping a consistent voice in customer responses - Qstomy, Using conversations to improve merchandising without betraying the customer - Qstomy, E-commerce product assistant: helping undecided customers choose without pressure - Qstomy.
Enzo
October 1, 2026
