Digital Cohort
About the Company
Digital Cohort, founded by Sepideh Maleki, offers product photography services primarily to Amazon sellers and online store owners. Sepideh's brother, Alex, later joined the business, helping to expand its services to include website development. The company has established itself in the Seattle metro area, where it primarily serves local customers. Their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has helped them retain a significant portion of their clients.
Idea Behind Company
The idea for Digital Cohort was born from Sepideh’s experience with product photography while running her Shopify store, where she sold wicker baskets. She realized the importance of high-quality product images for online sales and saw a business opportunity in providing these services to others. Having already owned the necessary equipment, Sepideh found the barrier to entry low and decided to pursue product photography as a full-time business.
Creating the Company
Sepideh started by photographing her own products but quickly realized that product photography required specialized skills. She invested in lighting equipment and honed her craft over several years. The initial costs, including equipment depreciation, were significant, but Sepideh managed these challenges by focusing on retaining customers. This approach involved not just excellent photography but also maintaining strong client relationships through personalized gestures like thank you letters and discounts.
Launching the Business
The business began under the name “Coconut Studio WA” and later rebranded to “Coconut Product Photography.” Sepideh built her first website using GoDaddy WordPress, later switching to SiteGround for better speed. She initially struggled to attract customers but found success through Craigslist ads and local SEO efforts. Her strategy included offering a money-back guarantee, which helped build trust with potential clients. Over time, organic traffic from Google became the primary source of new business.
Earnings
Digital Cohort now generates around $10K per month, with over 80% of orders coming from returning customers. The pandemic initially boosted demand for online product photography, though business has since stabilized. Sepideh has diversified her offerings to mitigate risks associated with technological advancements like AI, which could impact the photography industry. Major expenses include advertising, equipment depreciation, and employee costs, but the business remains profitable, with a focus on sustaining and growing its customer base.
