Farmhouse Hobbies uses Encore Fulfillment as their primary third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment partner.
Introduction to Farmhouse Hobbies
Farmhouse Hobbies is a small-town, farmhouse-based e-commerce retailer specializing in customized home decor and personalized products. Their extensive product catalog includes custom-made stainless steel and acrylic tumblers, glass and ceramic drinkware, memorial items, home decor, signs, apparel, caps, vinyl decals, and wedding decor. What sets Farmhouse Hobbies apart is their commitment to bringing handcrafted, personalized items from their home to yours, with a focus on unique, customizable products that reflect individual personality and style.
The brand has experienced significant growth since its inception, transitioning from a small hobbyist operation to a thriving e-commerce business that now fulfills orders for major retailers while maintaining its direct-to-consumer presence. This growth trajectory has positioned Farmhouse Hobbies as a noteworthy player in the home goods and personalized products market.
Why They Needed to Optimize Fulfillment
As Farmhouse Hobbies expanded its product range and customer base, the company faced several fulfillment challenges typical of growing e-commerce businesses:
- Scaling concerns - With increasing order volumes, the manual fulfillment process was becoming unsustainable
- Inventory management complexity - Managing diverse SKUs across numerous product categories presented organizational challenges
- Retail partnership requirements - Fulfilling orders to major retailers required meeting strict shipping standards and timelines
- Dropshipping demands - Adding dropshipping capabilities required sophisticated integration and fulfillment protocols
- Maintaining quality - Ensuring the careful handling of handcrafted, personalized items throughout the fulfillment process
These challenges necessitated a partnership with a 3PL provider that could not only handle their current volume but also scale with their business as it continued to grow.
Partnership Details and Results
Farmhouse Hobbies selected Encore Fulfillment as their 3PL partner from day one of their scaling journey. According to Farmhouse Hobbies, this partnership has yielded impressive results:
- Seamless scaling - Encore has successfully scaled their operations in tandem with Farmhouse Hobbies' growth, demonstrating remarkable flexibility
- Retail-ready distribution - The partnership has enabled Farmhouse Hobbies to fulfill orders to major retailers, opening new revenue channels
- Dropshipping capabilities - Implementation of effective dropshipping systems has expanded the brand's market reach
- High-volume management - Encore now handles significant order volumes for Farmhouse Hobbies while maintaining quality and accuracy
The relationship between Farmhouse Hobbies and Encore Fulfillment demonstrates how the right 3PL partnership can become a cornerstone of an e-commerce brand's growth strategy. By entrusting their order fulfillment to Encore from early in their journey, Farmhouse Hobbies was able to focus on product development and business growth while their fulfillment infrastructure evolved alongside them.
The 3PL Solution
Encore Fulfillment implemented several key solutions to address Farmhouse Hobbies' specific fulfillment needs:
- E-commerce shipping solutions - Leveraging their expertise in direct-to-consumer fulfillment, Encore established efficient processes for Farmhouse Hobbies' online orders
- Wholesale fulfillment capabilities - Setting up systems to meet the rigorous requirements of major retailers and ensure compliance with their shipping standards
- Pick and pack excellence - Implementing careful handling procedures for delicate, handcrafted items to maintain product quality throughout the fulfillment process
- Inventory management - Providing real-time visibility into stock levels across Farmhouse Hobbies' diverse product catalog
- Customized packaging - Preserving Farmhouse Hobbies' brand identity through appropriate packaging solutions that protect their unique products
- Platform integration - Seamlessly connecting with Farmhouse Hobbies' e-commerce platform to ensure order information flows accurately and efficiently
Encore Fulfillment's service philosophy, which emphasizes "serving in the success of others," has proven to be well-aligned with Farmhouse Hobbies' needs. Led by founding partner Kyle Thompson, Encore approaches each client as "a name and a story, not just a number," which has fostered a strong working relationship between the two companies.
Lessons for Other eCommerce Brands
The Farmhouse Hobbies and Encore Fulfillment partnership offers valuable insights for other e-commerce brands considering 3PL partnerships:
- Start early with the right partner - Farmhouse Hobbies' decision to partner with Encore from day one of their scaling journey allowed both businesses to grow together, with fulfillment systems evolving alongside business needs rather than requiring disruptive transitions later
- Choose a scalable solution - Selecting a 3PL that can handle both current volume and future growth is critical; Encore's ability to scale with Farmhouse Hobbies prevented the need for multiple 3PL transitions
- Look beyond basic shipping - A comprehensive 3PL partnership should offer more than just shipping; Encore's ability to help Farmhouse Hobbies expand into retail partnerships and dropshipping created new business opportunities
- Prioritize relationships - The strong relationship between Farmhouse Hobbies and Encore's team, particularly founder Kyle Thompson, suggests that personal connections and communication are vital to successful fulfillment partnerships
These lessons highlight that effective fulfillment strategy is not just about moving products but about creating infrastructure that enables business growth and market expansion.
Is This 3PL Right for Your Business?
When considering whether Encore Fulfillment might be the right partner for your e-commerce business, several factors should be evaluated:
- Business size and growth trajectory - Encore has demonstrated the ability to scale with growing businesses like Farmhouse Hobbies, making them potentially suitable for small to medium-sized companies with ambitions for expansion
- Product types - If your business deals with customized products, handcrafted items, or home goods similar to Farmhouse Hobbies, Encore's experience in these areas could be valuable
- Distribution channels - Companies looking to expand into retail partnerships or dropshipping may benefit from Encore's capabilities in these areas
- Location needs - Consider whether Encore's facilities in California or other locations align with your customer base and shipping requirements
- Service philosophy - If you value a personal approach and a 3PL that views itself as a partner in your success rather than just a service provider, Encore's philosophy may resonate with your business values
To determine if Encore is the right fit, businesses should consider using a 3PL matchmaking service to compare multiple providers based on specific requirements and business goals.
Final Thoughts
The partnership between Farmhouse Hobbies and Encore Fulfillment illustrates how the right 3PL relationship can become a cornerstone of an e-commerce brand's growth strategy. From day one, Encore has provided Farmhouse Hobbies with the fulfillment infrastructure needed to scale operations, expand into new markets, and maintain product quality throughout the growth process.
What stands out in this case study is not just the operational success but the relationship built between the two companies. Farmhouse Hobbies' expression of "immense gratitude" for Kyle Thompson and his team suggests that the human element of 3PL partnerships can be just as important as the technical capabilities.
For e-commerce brands facing similar fulfillment challenges, the lesson is clear: finding a 3PL partner who can grow with your business, understand your unique needs, and contribute to your success strategy can be transformative. Whether you're selling handcrafted home goods like Farmhouse Hobbies or other specialized products, investing in the right fulfillment partnership early can create a foundation for sustainable growth and market expansion.
To explore whether Encore Fulfillment or another 3PL provider might be the right fit for your business, consider using Fulfill.com's matchmaking service to find providers tailored to your specific industry, location, and operational requirements.