Nestled in the heart of Switzerland, HerzArt is a charming handicraft shop that brings the warmth of handmade pottery and wooden creations to life. What began as a simple hobby for two passionate artisans has grown into a thriving business known for its unique products and personalized designs. In this interview, the founders share their journey from local markets to opening a store in a bustling car-free zone, the challenges they faced along the way, and how Loyverse POS has become an essential tool in managing their operations and enhancing customer experience.

What type of business do you have, and how did you start?
We run a handicraft business in Switzerland called HerzArt. We specialize in pottery items and wooden cutting boards. The business started quite a while ago as a hobby. I’ve been working with wood for almost 15 years, creating small pieces in my garage or basement, while my partner focused on pottery, starting with small objects as well. Over time, people began asking for custom orders, which encouraged us to take the next step—selling at local markets like Christmas fairs.

About a year ago, my partner suggested, “Hey, I found a store in a downtown area where no cars are allowed, surrounded by many little shops. We should rent it.” It sounded like a great idea because we had always dreamed of having our own shop. So, we opened our store in August last year.

What were some unique challenges you faced when opening your store?
There were quite a few. First, we needed to understand what products customers wanted. More mugs? If so, what type, size, and color? More plates? Decorative items? Tea light holders? My partner also creates clay animals—birds, chickens, goats, elephants, and more. So, deciding what items to stock was our first challenge.

The second challenge was organizing our open workshop concept, where customers can come in and create pottery. How would that work?

The third was figuring out what additional activities or services we could offer to increase revenue.

On top of that, there were smaller but important details: how to display items, set opening hours, choose payment methods, and select a POS system that was affordable, user-friendly, and packed with the right features. These decisions required a lot of research.

How did you decide which products to offer? Do you create custom products by request?
Yes, we make custom products on request, which is one of our strengths. Since we create everything ourselves, customers can personalize items - like asking for a mug in a different color or with a unique pattern.

Our past experience selling at markets also helped us understand what customers want. We often experiment with new products by displaying them in-store and observing the response.

What type of marketing do you do for your business?
Marketing was another major challenge because the options are endless and often expensive. Since we’re a startup with a limited budget, we had to be strategic.

We use social media, starting from scratch, and share updates via WhatsApp statuses. I also post product photos on LinkedIn stories. We attend local exhibitions, built a website (a must-have today), and even feature on an alternative map showcasing small local shops in the old town.

How do you stand out from the competition in your area?
We introduced ceramic painting - a ready-made product that customers can paint themselves. This activity is very popular in Switzerland and, in our city, we’re the only business offering it.

While mugs and plates are available everywhere—from Ikea to home stores—our products are unique. Do you want a plain white mug or something special with a unique shape, pattern, and color that you can’t find anywhere else? That’s what makes us different.

How did you first hear about Loyverse, and why did you choose it?
I first saw Loyverse at a local market about two years ago. Many food vendors were using it, so I asked about it and later checked the website. I came across it again when my gymnastics club was looking for a POS for a local festival.

When we decided to open the store, I searched online and even asked ChatGPT for recommendations. I needed a system with a cash register, support for card, cash, and QR payments, product photos for easy identification, affordability, and detailed statistics. ChatGPT suggested Loyverse and another system, but Loyverse stood out because of its flexibility, seamless integration with SumUp, and competitive pricing.

Starting cost was zero, which mattered since every Swiss franc counts for startups. Now we’ve upgraded to Unlimited Sales History, but the free start was great. Another key factor was the fast and helpful support team. These reasons made Loyverse the perfect choice.

Have you connected a printer to Loyverse POS, and is it working well?
Yes, we have, and it works perfectly. I turn the printer off at the end of the day to save power, and when I turn it on the next day, it reconnects automatically—no extra setup needed. We’ve had zero issues in the year we’ve used it.

What Loyverse features do you rely on daily?
The reporting tools, especially Sales Summary and Sales by Item, are essential. Another great feature is the ability to add another POS device quickly. We use this because we have two locations - the store and the workshop. Setup is super easy: install the app, log in, and you’re ready to go.

Also, I love that I can log in from a browser anytime and check every sale and receipt in real time. These features keep our operations smooth.

What features would you like to see in the future?
I’d like the “Sales by Item” graph to show the top 10 items instead of just five. Also, incorporating AI for predictive analytics and trend identification would be a fantastic addition.

What advice would you give to someone starting a similar business?
First, use local materials whenever possible. It’s better for sustainability and your brand story.

Second, prioritize customer satisfaction by offering customization options.

Lastly, choose the right systems to manage your business efficiently—they make all the difference.