Stickers, Struggles & Smart Moves
Therese Waechter didn’t plan to be a business owner. She just wanted to make art and pay her bills. But when the pandemic hit and her full-time job disappeared, she was forced to rethink everything. What came next? A laptop, a handful of doodles, and a leap of faith that changed her life forever.
Therese turned her design hobby into Otto’s Grotto, an online sticker shop powered by her imagination and smart AI tools. In just a few years, she more than doubled her revenue, built a loyal customer base, and found joy in the work she loves. This isn’t just a story about Therese. It’s about what’s possible when you trust your gut, lean into tech, and get a little creative with the tools right at your fingertips.
A Doodle a Day Keeps Doubt Away
Before she was a business owner, Therese was just someone who liked to draw. Her cat Otto was always around while she sketched, bopping pens off the desk, curling up on her notes, being her tiny muse.
After losing her job, she uploaded a few of her drawings to a print-on-demand site. No big business plan. Just curiosity. She named her shop after Otto, hit publish, and waited. And guess what? People started buying.
The Hustle Helper
Running a store solo is tough. There’s so much to juggle, products, descriptions, marketing, emails, social media. It’s easy to burn out. That’s when Therese discovered AI tools like Jasper and ChatGPT. They became her secret weapon.
She coined the term “vibe coding” to describe how she used AI to reflect her aesthetic while handling the boring or overwhelming stuff. AI helped her:
- Write charming product descriptions
- Create Instagram captions fast
- Respond to customer messages kindly
- Design her Shopify storefront like a pro
It didn’t take over her creativity. It gave her space to breathe and build.
No Developer? No Problem.
Therese didn’t have a coding background. But she wanted her store to feel magical. She used ChatGPT to help her tweak Shopify code. With a few prompts and some guidance, she customized Otto’s Grotto into a dreamy little corner of the internet.
She added:
- Scroll-triggered animations
- Interactive sticker previews
- Shifting backgrounds that spark joy
No expensive developers. No tech headaches. Just AI-powered tweaks and a creative eye.
Building More Than a Business
Money’s great, but freedom? Even better. Therese started making enough to support herself. More importantly, she felt alive doing work she loved.
People messaged her saying, “Your stickers cheer me up,” or “I gave your art to my best friend who was having a rough week.”
Otto’s Grotto wasn’t just about stickers. It was about feeling seen, about sharing small moments of joy.
Think You Can’t? Think Again.
Let’s be real, starting a business sounds scary. But it’s less about knowing everything, and more about being willing to learn. Therese didn’t have a business degree. She figured it out as she went.
You don’t need to know all the answers. You just need a good idea and the courage to take that first step. The internet is full of tools that make it easier than ever to launch something small and watch it grow.
Want to Sell Smarter? Try Salesloop
Therese didn’t use Salesloop, but if you’re starting your own Shopify store, you should know about it.
Salesloophelps you:
- Offer discounts before checkout (hello, upsells!)
- Suggest matching products in the cart
- Add a thank-you page that actually converts
- Send personalized follow-ups that bring buyers back
It’s like having a smart sales assistant working behind the scenes. Easy to install. Simple to use. Game-changing for growth.
You Don’t Have to Be Perfect to Begin
Therese started Otto’s Grotto with just a handful of designs and a curious heart. No fancy funding. No team. Just creativity, consistency, and a bit of tech magic.
You don’t need the stars to align. You don’t need all the answers. all you need is to start.
Dreaming of a candle shop? Launch it. Got a recipe book full of sauces? Package it. Want to turn your old paintings into prints? Upload them.
The world is ready. The tools are here. Your story is waiting to be written.
It’s Your Turn Now
Therese didn’t set out to build a brand. She just followed her curiosity. Otto’s Grotto was born from a layoff, a cat, and a love for art.
She made mistakes. Then she learned. Over time, she grew. And you can, too.
Use AI to lighten the load. Use Salesloop to boost your sales. Most importantly, use your voice, your ideas, and your belief that you can do this.
Because you can.
And one day, someone might read your story and say, “If they did it, maybe I can too.”
FAQs
1. What is Otto’s Grotto?
Otto’s Grotto is an online sticker shop founded by Therese Waechter after she was laid off during the pandemic.
2. How did Therese start Otto’s Grotto?
She turned her doodles into sticker designs, uploaded them to a print-on-demand site, and slowly built a Shopify store around them.
3. What tools did she use to grow the business?
Therese used AI tools like Jasper and ChatGPT to write product descriptions, generate content, and customize her Shopify site.
4. What does “vibe coding” mean?
It’s a term Therese coined to describe using AI to tweak her website and content to match her brand’s look and feel.
5. Did she hire a developer to build her Shopify store?
No, she used AI to help her with code tweaks and visual customizations without needing to hire a developer.
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