Bringing a Children’s Book Universe to Life Online

We helped author Ekaterina Otiko transform Sophie & Stephie into an immersive, story-like eCommerce experience that feels like her books and sells like a dream.

Boosted online sales and built a thriving digital brand powered by storytelling and conversion.

Overview

Sophie & Stephie is a solo author-operated brand founded by Ekaterina Otiko, a globe-trotting writer and mother of two. Her mission is to inspire curiosity and cultural awareness through travel-themed children’s picture books. When she came to us, she needed more than just a website redesign. She needed a true digital extension of her brand. One that reflected the visual magic of her books, simplified ecommerce, and gave her ongoing strategic guidance. We delivered a conversion-first Shopify site infused with her world and built a long-term partnership to support her evolving goals.

Services
Strategy, UI/UX Design, Web Development, Branding, SEO, Ecommerce, Email Automation, Integrations, Ongoing Support

Industry
Solo Author, Children’s Publishing, eCommerce

Project Duration
3+ Years Ongoing

Helping an Author’s Brand Grow Beyond the Bookshelf

175%

Online sales increase after relaunch

#1

Amazon international bestseller in multiple book categories

38%

Decrease in bounce rate thanks to design and UX improvements

The Challenge

Book-Inspired Design

The site needed to reflect the unique, storybook feel of Sophie & Stephie while encouraging product exploration

eCommerce Complexity

As a solo founder, Ekaterina needed support navigating Shopify, fulfillment tools, and digital marketing

Inventory & Fulfillment Integration

Books had to flow smoothly between Shopify, Amazon, and ShipStation with minimal effort

Growing Digital Brand

The platform needed to grow alongside her expanding book catalog and audience engagement

Ekaterina came to us with a strong creative vision and a growing series of internationally bestselling children’s books. She needed a partner who could bring that vision to life online and help manage the complex backend of an eCommerce operation. Her Shopify store had to feel playful, mobile-friendly, and built for discovery. It also had to support warehouse syncing, subscription growth, and future product rollouts. Our challenge was to create an experience that felt effortless for users while giving Ekaterina full control of her growing brand.

The Challenge

Our Process

Discovery

Moodboards inspired by book illustrations
Competitive research in children’s ecommerce
Deep dive into Shopify, Klaviyo, and fulfillment stack

Design

Custom UI with a playful, storybook style
Wireframes optimized for busy parent users
Mobile-first layouts with engaging visuals

Development

Shopify store with advanced customization
Amazon product imports and warehouse syncing
ShipStation integration for seamless fulfillment

Launch & Support

QA and performance optimization
Klaviyo email flows and automations
Ongoing CRO, UX tweaks, and product updates

Solutions

We built more than just a Shopify store. We created a digital home for Ekaterina’s brand that feels like a continuation of the stories themselves. From playful design to smart integrations, the platform is crafted to support her goals and grow with her.

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“We’re endlessly grateful. Our site feels like an extension of the stories and it sells beautifully. The team’s ideas and support make everything easier.”

— Ekaterina Otiko | Author & Founder

Brand Translation & Strategy

We started by immersing ourselves in the Sophie & Stephie world. The books are colorful, curious, and emotionally engaging, so the site needed to reflect those same qualities. We mapped out a digital storytelling strategy that honored Ekaterina’s voice while guiding shoppers toward purchase. Visual elements were drawn directly from the illustrations and tone of the books, with page layouts designed to feel warm, inviting, and storybook-like.

Conversion Design & Mobile UX

With over two-thirds of her traffic coming from mobile, we designed the entire shopping experience to perform seamlessly on phones and tablets. The layout uses large, tappable elements, clear product imagery, and direct CTAs that make it easy for busy parents to browse and buy. We kept visual continuity from the books by using playful design details like rounded shapes, bright colors, and story-themed icons.

Email Automation & Engagement

To support ongoing growth, we introduced email automation through Klaviyo. We wrote and designed full email journeys tailored to the tone of Sophie & Stephie, focusing on warmth, curiosity, and connection. From welcome series to abandoned cart emails, each message feels personal and aligned with the world of the books. These campaigns support new launches, promotions, and deeper fan connection.

Results

With our support, Sophie & Stephie evolved into a well-performing eCommerce brand that brings the magic of storytelling into the digital world. The site now serves global customers, supports fulfillment across platforms, and drives continuous growth for Ekaterina’s brand.

This success came from the right blend of strategy, design, and support. We turned a beautiful vision into a digital experience that performs. Visitors engage longer, purchase more often, and return for new stories. Parents feel confident buying from a platform that feels warm and trustworthy. Ekaterina now has a digital storefront that scales with her publishing journey and inspires readers around the world. Her story continues, and we’re proud to support every chapter.