The picture book is called "Arizona Paris and the big move." It will be available as an ebook in June. I along with my husband will provide the illustrations. It's about a little 5 year old city-princess (Leo) who has to move to a ranch in rural Arizona (much like me). In fact, the story is inspired by my daughter Leotie. You know the one who cried her eyes out for a Prada bag? Anywho, the plan is to infuse the artwork and Leo's clothing and shoes in line with the fashions I would create for the kids line. Sooooooo in the future when this goes bananas as a hardcover, little girls that read the stories will be able to buy the shoes and outfits that they see in the book - BRILLIANT!
This is a marketing plan to fuse the brand with product possibilities - and get the name out there even before the line is available. I do not mention the brand in the story at all - but I hope to get some press here and there. I will promote the ebook on my viral communities: momcafe, parentsconnect, kidsfashion and I just made friends with a great gal that has a kids fashion mag. I am also a member of the children's book group on linkedin.com.
It's going to be a ride!
Now back to business. I spoke with an industry insider friend of mine who says the economy has not yet picked up on his end of shoes sales. He spoke to me via cell phone at a shoe show in Chi-town. He had made no sales since he had been there. HOWEVER - while on the phone with me I heard a would-be-prospect ask "Do you sell kids?" - hmmmmmm. He took their card for me. Trust that he should be very interested in working with me when this hits the ground! Kids is an industry that just does not fail. So I know I am in the right position.
Plus not to rush things is the best right now. I've been reading about the increase in tariffs and duties from imported shoes. So get ready folks - Payless and Target and Walmart and the rest of the shoes from China will go up in price later this year and next!!! So I don't know where the heck I am going to get these shoes made now. I am still pushing for the US, but if push comes to shove - I will be back in 'Nam where I have the hook up. Or in Brazil and charging folks a bunch of reals...
If you are trying to start a business in fashion right now it is CRAZY! There is money out there but you have to be in the right place. My industry insider also told me that his internet sales went up. Well no duh! Folks are cutting back and the first thing people try to keep low is money spent on gas, so you know going to the mall is out. We save on gas, we save on eating out while we are out and we save on impulse purchases - so the internet is the safest way to keep your budget in check.
With Littles, Leo, Tech & Bird - there will be a shopping cart on the site so people can shop the online boutique. I think that is the best way because if you are out there selling at the shows, the reality scenario is thus:
You rack up on writtien orders/invoices (Woo-hoo! People actually want to buy your stuff).
You get back to the office and start entering the credit lines.
You or your accountant find that more than 69% of your orders are DECLINED due to insufficeint funds!
Yes - buyers max out their cards too.
The reality is that there may not be any money left in the bank to cover your order.
So you thought you were rich? Now you have to send DECLINED stamped notices and try to recover in some magical way - the money you thought you would have in 90 days.
Say so long to that executive desk you wanted to buy.
That is the sad truth of the business and economy today for vendors and suppliers. We entrepreneurs have to be smart with our nose to the ground and sniff out the best option to succeed without giving up the dream.
I hope that the push to drive the economy in a stronger direction continues. I feel the internet and direct-to-customer sales will save us for now. Especially those who are unemployed and looking for work - saving gas and transportation fare buy looking for work online. This is not an unrealistic idea. Things will turn around.
OR - I become a farmer and grow vegetarian delight and throw a carriage buggy on my horses!
Hmmmmm, not a bad idea...
tg
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