Internet shopping has long been a convenient way to update your wardrobe or give a gift without ever leaving the comfort of your desk or sofa, but there’s a new company giving internet shoppers a unique twist on the experience and The New York Times recently sat down with founder Shauna Mei to talk about her brainchild.

Mei’s company AHAlife is a web-commerce site that offers niche products, but not just any products…these are items specifically selected by trendsetters and tastemakers. Some of the stylish individuals Ms. Mei considers as such are Diane von Furstenberg, Tim Gunn and Lauren Bush-Lauren. AHAlife, currently with 10 employees and projecting annual revenues of over $4 million, grew out of Mei’s desire to target women as the ones making most purchasing decisions.

When asked about how companies market to women, Mei mentioned the fashion industry and the success it has “making women believe they’ll feel fantastic if they buy a $3,000 handbag.” She says she wanted to feature all sorts of products, using that same model. Some might think this is similar to what’s being done in popular women’s magazines, but Mei says what sets her apart is the way her online content is curated. In other words, the good is separated from the bad. She feels most internet shopping is designed by men and reflects the way men like to shop.

She says “girls go shopping as a pastime, not because we’re looking for anything in particular. We buy things because our stylish friend recommends them. [There are certain things] you don’t search for on the Internet, but when you find them, you’re inspired by the beauty or craftsmanship.” Mei’s company is trying to recreate that aha! moment, as if you’d stumbled upon something in “a street fair or out-of-the-way place.”

AHAlife’s mission is to give people something new to talk about and to provide them with products that are new and different from others on the market. Mei sees AHAlife is more than just an e-commerce, but also a media company and when thinking about which products to feature, she says she tries to think of the conversations it will inspire.

We're always glad to see a company reaching out to women in new ways. AHAlife is doing it right and with Mei at the helm, we're looking forward to the future of online tastemaking!

FletcherPR is a national communications firm that specializes in reaching women through the power of media. Headquartered in Knoxville, TN with staff in Nashville & Los Angeles, we are a full-service agency providing strategic public relations, social media and marketing communications services to our clients throughout the U.S.