Baronfig, a brand synonymous with elegant notebooks, was born out of a simple observation by founder Joey Cofone in 2012. Designers, armed with identical MacBooks, sported a variety of notebooks—different brands, sizes, and paper types. This sparked Joey's curiosity, leading to the inception of Baronfig. Through interviews with hundreds of thinkers, he identified the key elements for the perfect notebook and designed it, laying the foundation for a brand that would redefine the stationery landscape.
Kickstarting Success
In 2013, Joey and co-founder Adam Kornfield launched Baronfig on Kickstarter with a campaign centered around their vision of the perfect notebook. What started as a goal of $15,000 for 30 days turned into a crowdfunding phenomenon. By the end of the campaign, they had exceeded their goal elevenfold, revealing a resounding demand for their product. The success propelled Baronfig into a full-fledged company in 2014, beginning with the iconic Confidant Hardcover Notebook.
E-Commerce Evolution: The Shopify Shift
Baronfig entered the e-commerce scene in 2014, initially hosted on Squarespace. “We were previously on Squarespace, but at the time they didn’t have many commerce capabilities (we actually crashed their entire commerce platform when we launched in 2014), and so we migrated. We’ve been using Shopify ever since” says Baronfig. The switch to Shopify facilitated a smoother online shopping experience for Baronfig enthusiasts and set the stage for further growth.
Choosing the Right Theme: The Baronfig and Paper Connection
When Baronfig sought a Shopify theme, they prioritized two crucial elements: ease of use and a visually appealing, simple aesthetic. Enter "Paper," a Shopify theme that not only met but exceeded these requirements. “Paper nailed both ease-of-use and aesthetic. The various available page elements are very easy to use and customize, and they’re designed quite well for an overall pleasing and straightforward user experience.”
Developed by Brickspace Lab, Paper provided Baronfig with a customizable design that aligned seamlessly with the brand's ethos. “Knowing that Brickspace Lab continues to upgrade the theme is a huge weight off our shoulders. They’re doing the hard work so we can do what we do best.”
Joey Cofone, impressed by Paper's capabilities, customized the entire theme within a week. The swift and straightforward process allowed Baronfig to go live with the new theme faster than any previous website upgrade. The theme's versatility, with numerous variations for each element, offered Baronfig a unique and customizable online presence, setting them apart in a crowded market.
Looking Ahead: A Paper-Themed Future
As we peek into Baronfig's future, details about their 2024 plans remain shrouded in mystery. However, one constant is certain—Baronfig is committed to the Paper theme: “You’ll have to stay tuned to see! But we’ll be sticking with the Paper theme, that’s for sure.” The ongoing updates provided by Brickspace Lab are a testament to the theme's reliability, allowing Baronfig to focus on what they do best while their website remains cutting-edge.
Even with their success, Baronfig is not resting on its laurels. Looking ahead, the brand aims to enhance the customer experience on their website. Plans include introducing more "experiences" that guide customers through the purchasing journey—think customizable bundles and Starter Kits.
Baronfig's journey from a Kickstarter sensation to a Shopify success story with the Paper theme exemplifies the importance of adapting to meet customer needs and continuously refining the online shopping experience. As Baronfig continues to shape the future of stationery, the Paper theme will undoubtedly be an integral part of their ongoing success story.
