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How Frantic Films Launched a Fan T-Shirt Store with Fractional Help

Posted on by Marcelo Vazquez
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Introduction

Frantic Films, an award-winning production company with a strong track record in lifestyle and factual programming, has built a reputation for creating exceptional Canadian television. Known for hit shows like Still Standing – With Jonny Harris—a series that explores small towns across Canada with humor and heart—Frantic’s programs are varied and include the critically acclaimed Baroness Von Sketch Show, the live-to-tape series Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and the cult favourite Todd & the Book of Pure Evil. Fans of Still Standing and Jonny Harris loved the show so much that they began asking for official merchandise, especially high-quality, Canadian-made T-shirts.

However, Frantic Films’ priority was always clear: focus on “making great TV.” They weren’t interested in managing an e-commerce operation, holding inventory, or handling order fulfillment. To address this challenge, Frantic brought me in as a Fractional E-Commerce Consultant to help find a solution that would allow fans to access the merchandise they wanted without burdening the production team with logistics. Although Frantic Films is based in Winnipeg and Toronto, like myself, the entire project was managed remotely, underscoring the flexibility of my fractional consulting model for both local and distant clients.

Objectives

Our goal was to create a streamlined solution that gave fans easy access to official Still Standing merchandise while allowing Frantic Films to stay focused on television production. Given their commitment to Canadian-made products, the solution needed to use Canadian partners and emphasize the quality associated with Frantic Films. With limited capacity for managing stock or fulfillment, Frantic Films wanted an automated, low-overhead setup that would allow them to test demand before committing to larger investments.

Challenges

Although fan demand was high, Frantic Films faced several logistical challenges. Managing inventory, warehousing products, and handling shipping and fulfillment were not feasible options for a production company. They needed an e-commerce strategy that minimized upfront investment, leveraged on-demand printing, and eliminated the need for physical stock, allowing the production team to remain focused on creating content.

Solution Setup

After discussing various options, we decided on a Shopify integration with Canadian Custom Apparel (CCA) through the Print Simple app. This setup allowed Frantic Films to offer on-demand printing and direct shipping, removing the need for inventory and order management.

Using a basic Shopify theme, I quickly set up a store that reflected the Still Standing brand. We populated it with existing content and visuals, capturing the show’s personality. The initial product lineup included a T-shirt and a hoodie, each available in two colors. Leveraging fractional e-commerce leadership, I collaborated with CCA to create product mockups from the base apparel images and configured customization options. After several rounds of testing with CCA, we ensured that the final setup met quality standards, maintaining the high expectations of both Frantic Films and their fans.

On-Demand Order Processing

The Shopify PrintSimple integration enabled each order to be processed, printed, and shipped on demand, directly to the customer. This hands-off approach meant that Frantic Films didn’t need to handle any logistics, making the process virtually hands-free. Although the per-unit costs were higher due to individual printing and shipping, this setup aligned with Frantic’s main goals by offering fans access to quality merchandise without requiring Frantic Films to manage inventory.

Results

The response from fans was immediate and enthusiastic. With the store launch coinciding with the start of Still Standing’s tenth season, sales were brisk. Fans were thrilled to have access to official merchandise, especially given the Canadian-made focus, which aligned with the spirit of the show. Early sales data provided valuable insights into product popularity and demand, giving Frantic Films a foundation of data to inform future decisions.

Reflections & Takeaways

This project underscored the importance of selecting the right partners and tools. Shopify, CCA, and Print Simple proved to be flexible, responsive, and well-integrated partners, which was essential to the project’s success. As a Fractional E-Commerce Consultant, I found that a collaborative, trusting relationship with Frantic Films, combined with reliable support from these partners, was key to achieving a quick and seamless launch.

Visit the site: Still Standing Store

How Fractional E-Commerce Leadership Transformed In-Person Sales Online

Posted on by Marcelo Vazquez

Introduction

When COVID-19 disrupted in-person events, a local Winnipeg wholesaler faced a major challenge. Their business relied on a unique sales model, hosting makeup sale events across Canada in rented community and convention spaces, where customers could shop discounted makeup products in person. However, with pandemic restrictions limiting public gatherings, they suddenly lost their primary sales channel and were left with a substantial amount of unsold inventory. To navigate this challenge, the wholesaler brought me in as a Fractional E-Commerce Leadership Consultant to help them transition their makeup sales online and reach their customers through a digital platform.

Objectives

The primary goal was to develop an e-commerce solution that allowed the business to continue selling their inventory without relying on physical events. We aimed to create an engaging online brand that resonated with their customer base, manage the extensive inventory efficiently, and establish a reliable system for fulfilling orders with accuracy. With these goals in mind, we focused on building a branded digital storefront and implementing an inventory management system that would bring the wholesaler’s operation into the e-commerce space.

Challenges

With physical events halted, the business faced two main challenges. First, they needed to transition an in-person shopping experience to an online one, with a brand that appealed to their customer base and maintained the excitement of event pricing. Second, the inventory itself was disorganized, stored in a way that made it unmanageable for efficient order fulfillment. Given the variety of products—often different shades of the same color—it was crucial to develop a system that would ensure accurate picking and packing.

Solution Setup

After assessing the business’s needs, I developed a comprehensive solution that included creating a new brand, setting up an e-commerce platform, and streamlining inventory management.

Brand Development and E-Commerce Platform
To resonate with the makeup-savvy, discount-focused customer base, I developed a feminine, discount-oriented brand identity with a touch of elegance—more pink than anticipated, but perfectly suited to the target audience. I then set up a Shopify store as the platform, customizing it to reflect the new brand’s look and feel, and designed a smooth, user-friendly shopping experience that mirrored the excitement of in-person sales events.

Inventory Organization and Barcode-Enabled Management

Recognizing the need for organization and accuracy, I set up a “dark store” model within the warehouse, installing racks and sorting products into labeled bins. Each bin was organized by SKU, with similar items stored in separate, clearly marked locations to minimize picking errors. Given that many makeup items were nearly identical—like different shades of the same color—barcode scanners were essential to tie each order to its corresponding physical product.

To achieve this, I implemented SkuVault, a cloud-based warehouse management system that enables barcode scanning to track inventory and orders throughout the fulfillment process. Integrated seamlessly with Shopify, SkuVault provided real-time inventory visibility and helped ensure that each product could be accurately tracked from order to delivery.

Streamlined Shipping with ShipStation Integration

For order fulfillment and shipping, we integrated ShipStation with both Shopify and SkuVault, allowing the entire shipping and label-creation process to fit smoothly into the warehouse workflow. ShipStation’s integration with SkuVault ensured that each order was processed with accurate shipping details, labels were generated automatically, and packages could be shipped efficiently, maintaining a high level of accuracy and customer satisfaction.

Results

The new e-commerce system delivered a smooth, positive experience for customers, with the combined Shopify, SkuVault, and ShipStation setup ensuring that orders were picked, packed, and shipped with precision. Customer satisfaction was high, with positive feedback on both the online shopping experience and product quality. The transition from in-person sales events to a digital storefront allowed the business to reach their goals, maintaining sales momentum despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Reflections & Takeaways

This project highlighted the power of fractional consulting in rapidly transforming business operations and creating a resilient, adaptable model. As a Fractional E-Commerce Consultant, I was able to guide the wholesaler through each stage of the digital transition—from brand development to e-commerce setup and barcode-enabled inventory management. The combination of Shopify, SkuVault, and ShipStation proved to be a reliable, scalable solution, demonstrating that even a traditionally in-person sales model can successfully pivot to online with the right tools and strategy.

Final Thoughts

This case study showcases how a well-executed digital transition can help businesses adapt to changing circumstances while staying true to their core customer base. By leveraging fractional e-commerce expertise and establishing a data-driven e-commerce strategy, the wholesaler was able to overcome significant challenges, turning an in-person sales model into an efficient online store. This project illustrates the potential for other businesses facing similar disruptions to evolve and thrive in a digital marketplace with the right approach.

 

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