How Lola + The Boys Grew Intl Sales 66% with Shopify

The Challenge

When Irina Ovrutsky founded Lola + The Boys in 2016, she set out to blend her modeling experience and design passion into a children’s line that pops with color and quality. Working with Chicago’s Freedom Media Group, US sales exploded from $20K to $2M per month. Suddenly, messages poured in from Europe, Asia, and elsewhere—but shipments got tied up.

International customers hit unexpected fees at checkout: duties, taxes, and shipping that showed up only at the final step. Conversion rates abroad stalled, and the customer service team spent about 16 extra hours each month chasing down customs questions and refunds. Global orders were a tiny slice of total revenue, yet they ate up a big chunk of the team’s time.

The Solution

At Freedom Media’s recommendation, Irina switched on Shopify Managed Markets. In days, the storefront displayed local prices, shipping and duties up front, and compliance tasks moved into a single dashboard. No more manual quotes or surprise charges—buyers saw final costs in their own currency before they clicked buy.

Automated rules handled taxes and duties collection so customers steamed ahead at checkout. Support tickets tied to international logistics dropped almost instantly, letting staff refocus on brand-building and US growth plans.

Results

Nine months after launch, international sales climbed 66%, and the conversion rate rose by 18%. Customer service regained 16 hours per month previously lost to manual cross-border challenges. What was once a small, costly endeavor flipped into a reliable revenue stream that continues to expand.

Now, Lola + The Boys welcomes orders from dozens of countries without adding headcount or juggling spreadsheets. The brand can focus on design, marketing, and strategic promotions instead of customs delays.

Looking Ahead

While strong US performance remains a priority, Irina and her team won’t ignore burgeoning international markets. Next steps include testing localized ad campaigns, region-specific promotions, and social content that speaks directly to new audiences.