How Deerforest achieved 223% festive season growth with flexible ecommerce financing

Deerforest was born from a simple desire: to live slowly, naturally, and aesthetically. Based in Lithuania, founder Gitana built her ecommerce brand around the magical properties of 100% natural, OEKO-TEX certified silk. From pillowcases and sleep caps to eucalyptus bedding, the product line is designed to be refreshing, breathe like a second skin, and bring a sense of "calm luxury" to everyday life.

From the very beginning, Gitana’s approach to product development has been highly personal and uncompromising. She doesn't chase short-term fashion trends or mass production. Instead, she focuses on timeless colours and durable materials that allow her customers to own less, but better.

Every new Deerforest product begins as a prototype at home.

I don't strive to create a lot. I strive to create well, I sleep in it, wash it, and observe how the fabric behaves over a week, a month, a season. If something bothers me – the seam, the tension of the elastic band, or even the packaging details – I change it.

– Gitana, Founder, Deerforest

This deep sense of responsibility ensures that Gitana only sells items she truly believes in. But as the brand’s reputation for quality grew, so did the operational challenge of keeping these premium materials in stock during the busiest times of the year.

The financial friction of seasonal gifting

Silk and eucalyptus goods are thoughtful, premium gifts, which means Deerforest experiences massive spikes in demand around major holidays like Christmas, New Year's, and Mother’s Day.

This distinct seasonality created a classic cash flow dilemma. To ensure she had enough stock to meet the December holiday rush without compromising her high production standards, Gitana needed to secure and pay for large volumes of inventory in October – months before the actual sales revenue would materialise.

When looking for capital to bridge this gap, traditional bank loans fell short. Banks typically require lengthy application processes, extensive historical paperwork, and rigid, fixed monthly repayments that simply don't match the natural peaks and valleys of seasonal ecommerce.

Gitana needed financing that actually understood online retail – a solution that looked at how the store performs day-to-day, rather than relying on a static balance sheet. Furthermore, as a solo founder deeply protective of her brand's ethos, pledging personal assets or giving up equity was completely off the table.

Capital that flows with online sales

The turning point came when Deerforest discovered Montonio’s Merchant Growth Financing. Designed specifically for the fast pace of digital retail, this revenue-based financing model offered exactly the flexibility the business required.

Because this financing assesses risk based on actual store performance and real-time sales data, the application process was surprisingly straightforward.

Deerforest was approved quickly, and the funds were deposited within 48 hours. This immediate access to capital allowed Gitana to place her critical holiday inventory orders right on time. More importantly, the repayment structure respected the natural rhythm of her business: tied directly to a percentage of daily sales, the financing was paid down faster during the busy holiday peak, and automatically scaled back during quieter periods.

A record-breaking season and long-term stability

With the right funding in place, Deerforest entered its most demanding season fully prepared. From November through February, the brand had the inventory on hand to fulfil every single order. There were no stockouts, no delayed shipments, and no turning away eager holiday shoppers.

The business impact was immediate and substantial. Sales during this three-month festive window grew by 223% compared to the same period the previous year.

Because the financial logistics were handled, Gitana could focus on what truly mattered: delivering a reliable, beautiful product to her customers.

For the first time in years, I approached Christmas without anxiety. I knew I had enough, and I could focus on making sure every product reached the right person, on time.

– Gitana

Crucially, this wasn't just a temporary holiday bump. By having the inventory to capture new customers during the holidays, Deerforest established a stronger baseline for the entire year. Over the six-month period from November through April, the brand sustained a 110% year-over-year growth rate.

By finding a financial partner that adapted to the natural rhythm of her business rather than fighting it, Gitana was able to scale Deerforest on her own terms – bringing a piece of calm, everyday luxury to more homes than ever before.