eCommerce Business Sets Up Shop in Heart of Vista By Anne McDonnell
Many of the businesses you know and love in Vista offer something tangible, like food or a product for sale, or a service that’s been around for a long time and is familiar to you, like plumbing or car repair. But over the last 25 years or so, most of those businesses have also had to offer and maintain something that isn’t their area of expertise: a web presence and, often, an ecommerce site (that is, online shopping). Enter Artisan Venture Lab (AVL), which helps business-to-consumer and business-tobusiness companies looking to create or enhance their online presence. Says Chief Strategy Officer John Standish, “A large majority of our clients leverage some type of ecommerce offering and are looking to monetize their brand.”
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AVL, which is relatively new to the area and is looking to grow its west coast presence, “offers services and funding to build, revitalize, and monetize brands online through eCommerce, software design and development, and cross-platform marketing,” according to Standish. Clients have included non-profit organizations, Native American tribes and groups, and companies that sell products, such as solar panels and fireplaces. Website design and “backend” technology take into consideration both the client and the intended audience. What makes AVL different than simply a web-design company is that it offers much more, including funding and support with product manufacturing and shipment. “We specialize in full-cycle ecommerce, and can provide resources and/or funding in exchange for equity when suitable. We [also] have extensive experience navigating obstacles surrounding manufacturing, inventory, fulfillment, and shipping,” says Standish. A team of experts in these areas “invests time, resources, and capital into business ideas and brands to realize their maximum revenue potential,” Standish continues. All clients are involved in a collaborative process that includes “working sessions” where the team collectively reviews things like growth plans, market penetration and expansion, product/service development, and diversification. When supporting companies with funding, AVL looks “to partner with like-minded individuals who are passionate about their craft and with those who are looking to disrupt their industry’s status-quo.” Decisions are made after the executive team takes the time to research and review requests. This collaborative approach is what motivates the team at AVL. “I love helping people build their
