#News&Insights

From the world of e-commerce: Malaville Toys

July 31, 2023

What makes a successful online business? Model and doll collector-turned-entrepreneur Mala Bryan says it starts with passion.

Mala Bryan went from avid collector to inspired creator when she saw an important gap in a global market: dolls that represented people of color.

From flaunting natural hair textures to accentuating all skin tones — even designing the world's first doll with albinism — the South African founder of Malaville Toys started her business in 2015. Her products soon went viral.

Bryan credits finding a manufacturer in China that understood what she was asking for, as well as the power of social media and resonating with her audience. Thanks to her attention to detail and commitment to her vision, her business quickly gained popularity, especially online. Around that time, the Black Lives Matter movement was also taking off, drawing more attention and support to the need for representation and small, black-owned businesses.

Watch more e-commerce videos on DHL Express Japan's YouTube channel

A successful online business begins with passion

The model and entrepreneur's advice to others looking to start their own e-commerce business is simple: "Find something that's needed in the world. Find something that makes people feel good, but make sure it's something that you’re passionate about, because people buy more into passion than anything else. Find something that’s missing, and provide a solution."

Read the full article on Discover DHL here: https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-global/about-dhl/success-stories/malaville-toys

ペン先の卸売りを生業にした祖父から続く、文具商の三代目。筆記具にこだわる下町の店。そう聞けば、誰もが気難しい店主を想像するかもしれない。しかし、職人気質の頑固さや、デジタルの波に抗うような焦燥感は、広瀬氏からは一切感じられない。むしろ真逆の印象だ。柔和な表情と、穏やかな語り口は、「カキモリ」の世界観そのものだ。

「『カキモリ』の店名の由来は、たのしく書く人、「書き人」という意味から来ています。ですから筆記具でも、すごくラグジュアリーなものや、マニアックな品揃えではなく、興味のない人でも気軽に来店して、『久しぶりに、ちょっと書いてみたいな』という気持ちになってもらえるような品揃えを目指しています」。

まるでカフェかブティックを思わせる外観に、天井の高い開放的な店内。商品は、独特な丸みを帯びたインクボトルや、素材にこだわった紙やペン。それぞれが、思わず触れたくなる魅力を持っている。そして、不思議と何か書いてみたくなる衝動に利き手をくすぐられる。