Interview with Ellina, Founder of PromiseShop: How AI Transforms Online Shopping and People’s lives

Interviewer: Ellina, thank you for joining us today. Let’s start with the basics. How do you see the difference between online and offline shopping?

Ellina: Thanks for having me! The biggest difference is accessibility. With online shopping, I can reach customers anywhere, whether they’re in Madeira, where I live, or across the globe. Offline shopping is limited to your physical location, but online allows for incredible scale and distribution. When I moved to Madeira, I realized I couldn’t rely solely on local foot traffic. That’s when I decided to take PromiseShop online to boost sales and expand my reach.

Interviewer: What challenges did you face when transitioning to an online platform?

Ellina: Sustaining digital channels like Instagram was incredibly time-consuming. I was manually answering every customer question—things like sizing, shipping details, and product recommendations. It became overwhelming. That’s when I discovered tools like Qlode, which use AI to automate a lot of these processes. With an AI agent, my customers get accurate advice on sizing and can measure themselves online by answering a few simple questions. It was a game-changer for me.

Interviewer: How does Qlode help you address the saying, "The customer is always right"?

Ellina: It’s so true—ignoring customers leads to returns and unhappy shoppers. With Qlode, I can focus on growth instead of being stuck in day-to-day routines. AI tools like size recommendations help reduce errors and improve customer satisfaction. But another big issue is impulse buying. Customers often purchase items they don’t know how to style, like a rose-colored jacket. Qlode’s AI solves this by offering mix-and-match suggestions. It integrates with customers’ existing wardrobes digitally and ensures the new items suit their needs. This reduces returns and boosts profitability.

Interviewer: That’s incredible! How do you balance running a business with your family life?

Ellina: It’s not easy. I’m a mom and a wife, and family time is so important to me. Tools like Qlode allow me to focus on what matters most. By automating repetitive tasks, I save hours every day. I don’t have to sacrifice personal moments just to keep the business running smoothly.

Interviewer: AI clearly plays a big role in modern retail. How do you view AI in transforming the shopping experience?

Ellina: I see AI as a helper, not an enemy. It optimizes my business, letting me focus on growth and strategic decisions. For example, when thinking about expansion, I don’t have to worry about the nitty-gritty of customer support. AI handles that seamlessly. Beyond size recommendations, AI agents can also help with predictive stock management, personalized promotions, and even styling tips for customers.

Interviewer: What role do you think AI plays in today’s online economy?

Ellina: AI is essential for scaling. It enhances the customer experience, reduces operational costs, and allows businesses like mine to compete with bigger players like Zara for instance make it more personal and authentic. 

It’s not just about efficiency—it’s about creating a more personalized and enjoyable shopping experience. For modern eCommerce, AI is becoming the backbone of success.

At first, I didn’t rely on technology much, I thought that I just needed to be in place for one and every customer, answering every single question.
But after working with Eleanora and the Qlode team, I realized how much easier AI can make things. Today, AI tools can do so much for eCommerce:

• Order Management: For example, Qlode is helping us integrate a chatbot that allows customers to place orders directly through Telegram. Imagine someone Cyprus placing an order to be shipped to Riga, and I don't have access to gmail? Frankly, I used to communicate on telegram and instagram in general. And today I just got in 2 clicks!
  —that information goes straight to our website and my sales team can chat in a message.

• Customer Support: AI-powered chatbots handle sizing questions, product recommendations, and order tracking, making communication faster and more efficient.In case someone has a specific question. They are allowed to ask in the chat in a simple manner, without thinking what kind of filters they need to choose to find that tiny black dress!

• Personalization: AI suggests items based on a customer’s preferences, like helping them mix and match new purchases with their existing wardrobe. And yes though every one is tired of that artificial personalisation, but actually when it works -why not to use it?
  
  

Qlode doesn’t just stop at AI tools. 

Eleanora’s team also advises on growth strategies, ad campaigns, and how to connect these efforts with their tool for maximum impact so basically i should say that they act as an agent support, while first you try to understand where is the space to improve, whether you really need to improve and where Qlode comes into. 

Interviewer: Thank you, Ellina. It’s inspiring to see how PromiseShop and Qlode are shaping the future of online retail.

Ellina: Thank you! I’m excited about what the future holds, and I truly believe AI is a powerful tool for small businesses to thrive.Interviewer: It sounds like your collaboration with Qlode has been quite impactful!

Ellina: Absolutely. It’s not just about using a tool—it’s about having a partner. Eleanora has been incredible at suggesting ways to enhance my website and improve customer experiences. She’s genuinely invested in helping my business grow, not just selling me a solution.

Interviewer: Can you tell us more about the pilot you’re working on with Qlode?

Ellina: Yes, we’re in the middle of a pilot with Qlode. It’s still a work in progress, but that’s the beauty of it—we’re constantly refining things together. You know I have been working with different partners, and you always wait for that again… another person who makes you stupid  for huge money leaving alone with your problems.

They’ve been a true “shoulder to lean on,” offering guidance and support while tailoring the tool to fit my business needs. I’m confident this partnership will help us not only streamline operations but also create a better shopping experience for our customers though it is just the beginning

Interviewer: That’s inspiring! Any advice for other entrepreneursc onsidering AI for their eCommerce business?

Ellina: Don’t hesitate to explore it. AI might seem intimidating at first, but with the right partner, it can transform your business. Focus on building a relationship with someone who genuinely cares about your growth, like Qlode. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Published in cooperation with Eleanora, Qlode and Ellina, Promiseshop.eu