The Substack mention that exploded business growth
The Substack mention that exploded business growth
When designer Jamie Haller couldn’t find shoes she truly loved, she created her own from scratch in her garage during the pandemic. The first product: a jutti-style slipper inspired by a pair she’d cherished for years. She created brand images on her bed with an iPhone, cold-called stores, and built the brand herself from the ground up.
That solitary shoe turned into something bigger. It tapped right into the beginning of the loafer revival, and with zero pretense or investors, it began selling fast.
The Road to Success
Authentic Design First
Jamie’s creative compass has always pointed inward. She builds things she'd wear herself, if she isn’t obsessed with it, she doesn’t launch it. That conviction radiates through the brand and earns customer trust.
Bootstrapped Starts
The journey began with a pair of jutti slippers, a camera phone, and a garage office. No runway shows, no big budgets, just making stuff because she wanted to.
Smart, Organic Marketing
A Substack mention by a fashion writer shifted everything: Jamie sold 200 pairs of loafers in a day. That moment became a core part of their marketing strategy, authentic, earned visibility, not paid influencers.
Slow-Made, Fast-Growing
By keeping control of production, 80% in LA, leather goods in Italy, she can pivot quickly while maintaining quality. This nimbleness allows her to experiment (like upcoming wedges and sneakers) without compromising standards.
Scaling on Her Terms
She intentionally says no to opportunities that don’t align with her brand. Growth isn’t frenetic, it’s selective, purposeful, and aligned with her vision
Numbers That Make You Blink
Lessons from Jamie Haller
DIY authenticity beats canned campaigns: people feel a genuine connection.
Slow made but scalable operations offer both flexibility and quality.
Data-driven growth (450% → 100%) shows that restrained, intentional scaling can still explode.
Expanding thoughtfully: from DTC to wholesale to a cozy Montecito boutique, it’s all deliberate.
Want a brand with soul that grows like wildfire? Be authentic, start small, invest in quality systems, and let real connection do the heavy lifting.
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