"Take each day at a time, and just push through it" with Kaylin Marcotte

Kaylin Marcotte is the founder & CEO of JIGGY, a direct-to-consumer jigsaw puzzle brand on a mission to modernize and elevate the humble jigsaw. Prior to launching JIGGY, Kaylin founded Village Strategies, a marketing consultancy, and was the first employee at theSkimm, running its community marketing, social media, and Skimm’bassadors. Kaylin holds a BA in political science and economics from Barnard College. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, and spends her free time doing jigsaw puzzles of course, and running Project Plastick with her sister, Mackenzie.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I’m originally from California and moved to NYC to go to Barnard College, where I studied political science. I started my career in management consulting, traveling around the country, and working with clients on different change management projects. Then I met the co-founders of theSkimm and joined them as their first employee in 2013. I was there for 4 years and ran our audience development, Skimm'bassador program, and social media. The idea for JIGGY started in my time at theSkimm and I launched it in 2019.

What inspired you to start your business?

Five years ago in those early Skimm days, I was working around the clock and was looking for a way to unwind and get off my phone and computer. I started doing jigsaw puzzles and fell in love with them as my form of meditation. I was doing one every week and the stress relief was great, but the designs to choose from were so outdated and cheesy. I started dreaming up a puzzle that would be beautiful for both the doing and the decorating, that would look good before, during, and after completion. I knew I wanted to highlight the work of amazing female artists and after a year of curating the art and reimagining and designing the packaging, JIGGY was born.

Where is your business based?

Brooklyn NY.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

After deciding to really dive in, I took care of the legal basics and incorporated, brainstormed, and decided on a name, got the domains and handles, and trademarked it. I also started sharing my idea with people and using my network to get introductions in the manufacturing world, which I didn’t have a background in.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Our growth has been very organic thus far. We launched before the holidays so saw a lot of gifting, which means for everyone purchase you’re basically getting two customers. We started early with sharing our products and mission of supporting artists on social media so have seen a lot of engagement on Instagram. Certainly, since quarantine has happened, the demand for puzzles has shot up and people are sharing more and more what they’re doing to stay busy and sane so we’re seeing a lot of awareness for our brand but also puzzles generally through that! 

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

Definitely the whole world of manufacturing; supply-chain, fulfillment, inventory management, etc. This is my first physical product company so I’m learning on the fly and just asking a ton of questions, reaching out to my network for help - and googling! Each challenge I just take piece by piece ;) 

How do you stay focused?

Especially now, the impact we’re having with supporting artists keeps me so motivated and focused. Beyond that, exercise and cooking are my sanity-savers!

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

We are doing a handful of things differently. First, our core mission of supporting emerging artists is different. We give their art a new platform and they get a percentage of each sale. Our packaging is completely different than any puzzle you’ve seen before. With the reusable glass jar, chic box, and puzzle glue, we provide more of an experience than that old cardboard box and plastic bag. And finally, our tagline of puzzles worth framing comes to life with the puzzle glue we include in each order to keep and transform the puzzle into wall-worthy art.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

Asking and encouraging word of mouth and organic sharing through user-generated content and Instagram campaigns. I’ve also spent a lot of time on PR and trying to get in product roundups and features that allow us to tell our story and mission. 

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Take each day at a time, and just push through it! Also, there’s probably never a good time and there’s no one skill you need or more experience to get first - if you can set yourself up for success with building your network, setting expectations with yourself that it will be hard, then you’re ready now! 

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app lately has been Petfinder because I’m dying to adopt a dog! Also, Tik Tok may sound trivial but I’m actually so inspired by the level of creativity happening there! 

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

I thank the stars for Shopify every day, as a one-woman show it made juggling a million things so much easier and their support team has been top-notch. 

Who is your business role model? Why?

Sara Blakely. I love not only her product and hustle to make Spanx what it is, but her transparency and leadership for female founders are inspiring. 

How do you balance work and life?

The balance comes and goes. The last few weeks, for example, getting JIGGY Originals live, there was no balance and I know that and embraced it. But to make it sustainable, I try to be rigid with my calendar and have sacred time (for me it’s Saturdays) where there is zero work.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Puzzling of course :) it’s a little different now that it’s my job, but I still make a cup of tea, light a candle or put on an audiobook and puzzle to unwind.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

We have a lot in the works! JIGGY Originals is our new campaign of handmade puzzles, raising money for artists struggling due to Covid-19. We are also releasing two new collections this year and some fun collaborations!

How can our readers connect with you?

Find us @jiggypuzzles and at jiggypuzzles.com