One of my intentions when I started this blog was to share “where it all began”. I could never find stories of how people had made the leap from idea to real products on the shelves. Everywhere I would read “she started in her garage and then blew up into a mega —”, you get the idea, I’m sure you’ve read the stories too. I’ve received a few emails lately of people asking not so much why, but so much HOW, it all began for me.
It began for me with headbands on ebay. From my dining room table. I’d have my newborn daughter sleeping safely next to me while I sewed and starting researching business basics like mad. I quickly moved on to selling outfits on ebay and quickly learned that I couldn’t sustain anything if the production was up to me. So I quit ebay and sales and went seriously into product development and learning about manufacturing.
Once I had a good product, I started to hit up the industry trade shows and local boutiques. It’s been a building process from there. A slow one for me. We receive a lot of press and once our products are in boutiques, they can’t get enough. But I honestly started this business because my kids were my priority and so, especially during the development phase, there were times that I put things on hold for long periods of time. Such as when I was pregnant with my second.
If there is anything I’ve learned since launching, it is that growing a business is exactly that – a growth process. We are picking up momentum on a daily basis, and the reality that we ARE making it is starting to sink it. Every day I learn something new, everyday our processes get more efficient, every day we improve on our customer service.
This year, I’m looking to branching into a separate work space. Right now, the business occupies two full rooms of our house. Both of our kids will be school age next year, so it won’t be necessary for us to operate out of the home. Yesterday I discovered a retail space for lease in the heart of one of the cutest shopping districts in town. I can’t stop SEEING our stuff in that window. Maybe our first retail store is in the cards, it just seems so perfect.
April 25th, 2009
I really thought that I would be up at the LA Textile Show today. However, my daughter’s playdate fell through yesterday and today was the only day to re-schedule. This is something the kids have been looking forward to all week, and the kids are absolutely my priority. And today was the only day I could have made it up to LA for the show. Ah well. When it all fell apart yesterday, I did what all good little entrepreneurs do, started thinking of plan B, what would be crucial to me about missing the show, and what I would do about it.
I wanted to go there to identify some new organic textile suppliers. I have lists of companies from shows past, so sourcing this time will involve a lot of phone calls and header /swatch / referral requests. But it can be done.
Really, the more I thought about missing the show, the more I realized how much I wanted to go for the fun of it. I love visiting the trending section and saying hello to existing suppliers. I love visiting new booths because nothing compares to having the entire collection in front of you to see / touch / ask questions about. It’s a fun part of the job.
But I also realized that I probably would have done what I always do and get running on different tangents and design ideas that aren’t realistic to implement this year anyways. We have taken great care over the last year to hone our product lines down to the best-sellers. The next design that I will put out is already sourced. We’ll keep adding new blanket prints and new designs for our organic collection, but the supplies and vendors for both of those are already sourced. Even the tools and equipment we’ll need to take us to the next level have been identified.
So, it’s not world-ending that I didn’t make it up to the textile show this week. I’ll definitely be itching to make it to the October show and at that time, I’ll really need some new woven organics (I want prints!!). I’ve finally learned the true calming beauty to taking everything one day at a time. It’s the only way to operate with any sanity as a mom, wife, and business owner.
Anybody out there make it to the Textile Show? Did you find some good new vendors? Anything to share about trends?
I was also wondering about the new show at the convention center – is anyone attending that one? I think it’s later this month.
April 16th, 2009
