If you’re a fan of personalised gifts or vegan leather bags, chances are you’ve come across Matchy & Co.
This Malaysian brand is known for its stylish, functional bags that perfectly blend quality with personal touch. But there’s more to Matchy & Co than just bags – it’s a story of passion, adaptability, and the relentless drive to create the perfect gift.
From humble beginnings at local flea markets to multiple outlet locations, Matchy & Co’s journey is one of resilience and growth.
The Heartfelt Beginnings: A Passion for Personalised Gifts
Matchy & Co began with a simple but profound question from Casey, the co-founder and director:
“What makes the perfect gift?”
This question sparked the journey of crafting small leather goods that were as unique as they were meaningful.
Originally selling at local bazaars and flea markets, Casey and her team focused on creating high-quality, personalised items that spoke to each customer’s personal style. This dedication laid the foundation for what Matchy & Co would become—a brand focused on delivering not just products, but meaningful memories.
Taking the Leap: From Corporate to Crafting
Leaving behind a stable corporate career wasn’t easy, but Casey took that leap to turn her side hustle into a full-time endeavor. With experience in corporate sales, she brought a unique perspective to Matchy & Co, especially in customer engagement.
Feedback from her early customers gave her the push she needed. “We had a customer database that told us people wanted functional and versatile bags with a personal touch,” she reflects.
This data-backed decision to pursue Matchy & Co full-time enabled the brand to go from passion project to purpose-driven business.
The Lessons of Growth
Casey faced tough lessons along the way, particularly in finding the right location for Matchy & Co’s physical stores.
“We made mistakes, opening in locations that weren’t quite right, which led to setbacks,” she recalls.
Despite the challenges, she learned the importance of research and staying adaptable. “Becoming too comfortable can be the beginning of a decline. It’s crucial to stay engaged in every part of the business,” Casey shares.
This resilience and commitment to improvement have kept Matchy & Co moving forward, even when the path was rocky. A shining example of their adaptability is how Casey and her team maximise every inch of their current store in One Utama Mall – a cosy 188 sq ft space (smaller than two standard parking spots in Malaysia).
Here are some clever hacks they’ve implemented to make it work:
- Maximising wall space They’ve installed display racks that reach up to the ceiling, using vertical space to showcase more products without cluttering the floor area.
- Rotating product displays With limited space, they rotate their bag displays regularly, ensuring each product gets its moment to stand out and catch customers’ attention.
- Ditching the bulky register Matchy & Co replaced the traditional cashier counter with a sleek tablet powered by StoreHub’s point-of-sale (POS) system. This compact setup frees up valuable counter space for better customer interaction and displays, all while ensuring smooth, efficient transactions.
These smart solutions not only optimise the store layout but also reflect the innovative spirit that drives Matchy & Co’s success.
Building for the Future
Today, Casey’s vision for Matchy & Co continues to grow. With a foundation built on passion, adaptability, and relentless hard work, she is focused on scaling the brand even further.
“We’ve been through so much, but we’re excited to see where we can go from here,” she says.
Watch as Casey shares more exclusive stories and details about her journey in this video:
Scaling Growth with The Right Tools
As Matchy & Co continues to grow, the team must grow alongside it. For Casey, sales data from her POS system has become invaluable for planning. By reviewing peak hours, she can quickly forecast the busiest times and schedule more staff to ensure exceptional customer service without overburdening her team.
This attention to detail and balance helps Matchy & Co maintain the attentive service that customers love.
Additionally, the biometric attendance feature from her POS adds another layer to her employee management, allowing Casey to keep track of staff attendance effortlessly – all part of building a growing business with a healthy, happy team.
If you’re running a retail store with a growing team and want to learn more about the POS system that helps Matchy & Co thrive, watch the video below:
