If you’re shopping for locally-made goods in Nashville, Batch is your one-stop shop! What originally started as a subscription box service has grown into a retail location in Nashville with hopes to expand all across the South.
Batch began in 2013 when friends Sam Davidson, Stephen Moseley and Rob Williams had a passion for all things local and artisan. Their high-quality, handcrafted items are perfectly curated and made into gorgeous gift baskets and available in their Nashville retail store and online. So no matter where you live, you can ship their delightful Southern products and gifts anywhere in the US. In 2015, their store was named “Best New Retail Store” by the readers of the Nashville Scene.
Batch’s Chief Brand Officer (CBO) Rob Williams explains, “In the same way that we weren’t looking to sell custom boxes to corporate customers, we weren’t looking for retail space when we heard about an opening at the Nashville Farmers’ Market. The market was a great fit for our products and brand so we jumped at the chance and opened in November of 2014. Having a brick-and-mortar store has increased brand awareness and attracted new makers who come by to pitch their products.”
Curated Subscription Boxes Featuring the Best of the South
In addition, Batch still offers their quarterly Discovery Subscription Box for Nashville and Austin, Texas. Every three months, they carefully curate their favorite products from around the South so subscribers get the very best in “eats, sweets, home and more!”
Stacy, Batch’s retail director, seeks out new, high-quality Southern goods. Customers are sending the Discovery Boxes to friends so they can enjoy some of the many local favorites we love here in Nashville. The same is true with their Austin box service. It’s the perfect gift to give yourself or someone else who appreciates the finer things in the South, combined with the gleeful thrill of not knowing what you might receive! You can choose from their Men’s, Women’s or Family box.
“We are as surprised as anyone – what started out as a side project, with hopes of getting 200 friends and family to sign up for a subscription, is now a multi-channel, multi-city business. As Batch turns 4 this week, we are thankful for the maker community around Nashville and Austin for their hustle, determination, and friendship. Without them, we would have empty boxes and an empty store. Being featured in Southern Living helped, too!
“Our growth was a result of saying ‘yes’ to opportunities – like shortly after we sent our second subscription box, a group from Vanderbilt asked if we could create a custom box for 30 visitors. We moved fast and finished the boxes in the parking lot outside their office. Our bumpy first couple of years were full of trials and a few errors.”
Batch works with many local purveyors of fine products, several of whom are Nashville Wraps customers like Walker Creek Confections, Olive & Sinclair and TruBee Honey, who have all been featured on our blog.
The 3 Keys to Batch’s Success
Batch’s typical gift box customer is a professional person who wants to give a meaningful gift. They might be shopping for a client or they might be shopping for a personal gift. Whether it’s a gift for 1 or 1,000, they curate custom gifts that will stand out. For corporate clients, their VP of Business Development Nancy, takes the time to listen to the customer and works with store staff to find items that will represent the customer’s brand as well as Nashville. Batch’s main focus is simple:
- Highlight locally-made goods that define a sense of place
- Tell the story of the maker and build a community of purveyors
- Discover the products that make a city unique and spread its culture
Every gift box has exquisite packaging and a handwritten message. You can select from one of Batch’s Hand-Picked Collections or you can Build Your Own Batch. Also, their free Concierge Service helps you find that special gift for anyone on your list along with Corporate Gifts.
And Then There’s Branding – Batch Knocks it Out of the Park!
Rob Williams who works as the chief designer, branding consultant and art director for Batch says, “Before we had a name or logo for the company, we spent two months strategizing our brand. We asked questions like what does the brand promise, how does it act, why someone would choose it. Because brand is perception, we knew it was important to be able to talk about what we envisioned until others could experience it. Only after fleshing out the brand did we come up with a name, a logo, and a website.
“Now that we have been around for four years, our customer service, products, and people are our brand. We revisit our brand map every six months to ensure it reflects our company and we share it with all new employees so they can understand who Batch is.”
Their next step was directed toward custom packaging. Rob says, “We found Nashville Wraps through their Custom Packaging Specialist Sherri Culp who shops in our retail store. She’s a big fan of Batch and knew that we would benefit from custom packaging.
“Our custom printed bags mean that all of our customers are spreading the word about Batch just by walking around the market and beyond (and we don’t have to hand stamp them anymore!). We also use printed tissue paper in our bags and boxes with our logo and tagline (Handcrafted – Handpicked – Happiness). Finally, each and every box is filled with crinkle shred that makes the products pop and ensures their safe shipping.” In addition, Batch uses tons of kraft gift boxes and raffia ribbon to complete their branding.
Batch’s long-term goal is to be the premier locally-sourced gift company in the USA! We believe they are well on their way, and we are proud to call them local. Learn more about Batch here.
