Partake Foods: A Shopify Success Story

Background

Partake Foods was founded by Denise Woodard in 2016 after her daughter was diagnosed with severe food allergies. Frustrated by the lack of healthy, allergen-free snack options, Woodard created her own line of gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO cookies free from the top allergens. Despite facing 86 investor rejections, she persisted, eventually securing funding and launching the brand online.

How Shopify Fueled Growth

-Seamless Online Store Launch: Woodard used Shopify to quickly set up a professional, easy-to-navigate online store, making her products accessible to a national audience without the need for technical expertise.

-Marketing Tools: Shopify’s built-in marketing features enabled Partake Foods to leverage Google Ads, social media campaigns, and—crucially—email marketing. Woodard emphasized the importance of building and nurturing an email list, using pop-ups and discounts (like 15% off for subscribers) to capture leads and keep customers engaged.

-Scalability: As demand grew, Shopify’s platform allowed Partake Foods to scale operations smoothly, handling increased traffic and order volumes, especially during high-visibility campaigns and product launches.

-Brand Visibility: The Shopify store served as a central hub for Partake’s story, product education, and customer engagement, helping the brand build trust and loyalty among parents and consumers seeking safe snacks.

Results

-Explosive Revenue Growth: After launching on Shopify, Partake Foods saw a tenfold increase in revenue in 2020, surpassing $4 million in annual sales.

-National Expansion: The online success paved the way for retail partnerships, landing Partake products in over 14,000 stores nationwide, including major chains like Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods.

-Investor Interest: The brand’s momentum attracted high-profile investors, including Jay-Z and Rihanna, fueling further growth and innovation.

Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs

-Identify and address a specific unmet need in the market.

-Use Shopify’s user-friendly platform to launch and scale quickly.

-Prioritize email list building and customer engagement for sustained growth.

-Leverage Shopify’s marketing tools and integrations to drive brand awareness and sales.

Quote from Denise Woodard:

“Shopify's e-commerce tools have helped me manage my web store and cater to the growing demand for our allergy-friendly treats. The platform made it easy to reach customers nationwide and scale our business.”

Partake Foods’ journey demonstrates how a mission-driven brand can leverage Shopify’s powerful e-commerce ecosystem to overcome industry barriers, reach new markets, and achieve remarkable growth.