Friday, August 31, 2007

Pottery by Tasha McKelvey



Tasha McKelvey creates beautiful, yet functional pottery, ceramic buttons and jewelry. In a mass-produced world, her work shines and stands out, as she seeks to make handmade art to make “our surroundings a little more human.” The passion and love for clay art is evident in her products-each texture, each line, and each color combination seems to be lovingly created and chosen with intention.

Background
“I worked as a Potter’s Assistant in high school – so I learned some aspects of the business at a young age. In some ways, I modeled my business too much on my mentors’ business when I could have been marketing my work more effectively. It took me five years to figure that out.”

“I also have a degree in Studio Art – which gave me what I need to know to create my work but was vague on how to make a living from my work.”




Customer of All Ages
“My customers are aged from 5 to 85 and slightly more likely to be female then male. Until a few years ago, the vast majority of my customers were baby-boomer females because I only made functional pottery and marketed it through Fine Art & Craft Shows and Galleries. I always knew that my work would appeal to my contemporaries if only I could find venues that attracted them. Once I got involved with the Etsy community, I was able to connect with Indie Shoppers through Etsy and Indie Shows.”

Listen and Experiment
“I listen to what my customers and potential customers say when I am at retail shows. I like to experiment with new designs and am always thrilled when they are well-received.”

“With my ceramic jewelry, I try to pay attention to trends and I take them into consideration when I design new work.”

Start Up Challenges
“Just figuring out how to run a business when you’re 22, out of school and just want to make your art. There was a big learning curve. I read books on running a craft business and learned from my mistakes.”



Picking the Right Type of Show for the Product
“I steer clear of shows that have a commercial feel about them – my work is appreciated by buyers who are looking for handmade products. I once gave a ‘commercial-type’ craft show a try because it was a slow time of year and I figured ‘what the heck,’ but I ended up feeling like I wasted three days even though I still made a profit. Being at a venue where your work is under-appreciated in favor of mass-produced items being passed off as ‘handmade’ is a depressing experience.”

Craft Shows As Marketing Tools
"I find that the best way to market my work is by making it readily available for purchase in venues such as retail shows and online. In both cases, having good images of my work is an absolute must.”

“I often pick up wholesale accounts and press coverage from both retail shows and selling online.”

Business Challenge
“My biggest challenge at the moment is producing enough new work for my Fall retail shows and the Holiday Season. It is a terrible feeling to know you could have sold twice as much if only you had had been able to make more.”

Motivation
“I love creating new work and the faster it sells the sooner you get to make even more new work.”



Recommended Business Resources
“The book Crafting as a Business by Wendy Rosen, The Switchboards, Etsy, Indie Craft Shows, and my own art and craft business blog.”

Inspired by…
“The tradition of making beautiful useful objects by hand.”

Mentors
“The potters I have worked alongside since I was a teenager and all of the other helpful professional artists and crafters I have met over the past 7 years.”

Words of Advice-Learn, learn, learn
“Learn as much as you can about the business end of making and selling handmade work. Do your research before you start a business. Expect to do a lot of hard work.”

---------------------------------------------------------
Contact:

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Business Reads

Here are some good business reads for indie entrepreneurs.

Business Reads

How to Start as An Illustrator: Authored by artist Keri Smith, this is a simple, yet rich (and full of links) guide to starting an illustration career.

Fast Company: Great magazine for business leaders.

My First Book of Business Etiquette: Owning your own business means interacting with all types of people-from managers, clients, suppliers. This book details essentials such as how to schmooze, conduct meetings, etc.

Creatively Self-Employed: This book by Kristen Fischer discusses life of the creatively self-employed-from taking the initial plunge, dealing with clients, to maintaining balance. This book shows you how to build confidence in your work, cope with rejection, and maintain a strong business.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Advice for Artists, Lecture on Crafting

Practical Advice For Artists: This lecture by Ashley McLean of McLean Fine Arts provides straightforward, no-nonsense advice on the business side of art for visual artists interested in obtaining exhibitions, building their résumé, promoting their work, and finding gallery representation. Located in Los Angeles, CA. August 28,2007.

Creatively Speaking: Crafting Culture: Lecture and thoughts on the growing craft phenomenon. Located in Seattle, WA. Sept 4, 2007.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Annette Piper

Annette Piper creates beautifully classic one-of-a-kind and limited jewelry featuring gemstones and pearls. Based in Australia, Annette started selling her work locally in 2004 and eventually expanded to shows in neighboring areas in 2005. She was a gemologist for a number of years before she started designing and making jewelry from her home studio.

Annette is inspired by nature, legends, and art. Her passion and dedication to creating quality pieces has led her to source gems from all over the world, ensuring that her customers can find the right piece of jewelry for that special occasion or for every day wear.

Background in Jewelry
“After finishing high school I started work in the jewellery trade, working for a manufacturing jeweller. After a couple of years I decided to do a course in gemology and gained my Diploma of Gemology in 1986 from the Australian Gemological Association. I kept working in the trade until 1989 when I married and repeated moves with my military husband made it easier to work in other fields.”

“Having a background in the trade has been invaluable. I already knew a lot of the ‘tricks of the trade’ by being around a workshop environment. Studying gemology and having a passion for gemstones has defined the type of jewellery I create, [and] makes me more confident when purchasing stones and fosters a confidence in my clients that they are dealing with someone who knows their trade.”



Typical Customer
“My typical customer would be a women over 35 years – one who has confidence in who she is and knows what she likes. She appreciates quality and something a little different yet doesn’t like to stray too far from timeless style.”

Balancing Parenthood and Business
“I have three children. I work during school times and after the children are in bed. During holidays and weekends I can do a bit of work if I have orders or need to prepare for a show. I have been working at my bench since the children were quite small so they are quite used to me working there – they come and watch for a while, ask a few questions and then wander off again!”

Business Challenges
“Falling into a ‘no mans land’ category in the jewellery field. I am not a jeweler – as a rule (at least here in Australia) they emphasize the metal and the stones are an embellishment, whereas I have all the emphasis on the stones/pearls. But on the other hand, I am not a ‘beader’ either as I only use gemstones and pearls. However I do tend to appeal to people who can appreciate the fact that I am different whilst still retaining a stylish/elegant feel.”

“Getting my target market online – a lot of Australia is still not online! Finding suitable places to market my site are a constant frustration – they tend to be aimed at the younger, hip end of the spectrum which is probably the majority of users down here!”

“Finding suitable high-end shows are also a problem. The majority are either * big business/aimed at the wholesale/gift trade, * limited to an art gallery exhibition or * at the other end of the spectrum at a market/fair level – none of which are particularly suitable for my jewellery! Once again this is more of a result of how things work in Australia – ‘indie’ is a bit of an odd concept to most and ‘craft’ means potpourri bags and unprofessional workmanship (note, cities do have a small presence of ‘indie’ but its small and only slowly gathering momentum). There is a real need for the public here to be educated on how much better hand crafted items can be and more shows held to showcase the talent we undoubtedly have tucked away!”

“Overcoming the perception by family and friends that they could have anything they wanted for free! The more I sell, the less they ask for now!”


Selling Outlets
“At a local artisan outlet, online and in person. I also have three retailers – a bricks and mortar boutique, a gallery and an online gift store.”

Landing a Wholesale Account
“A client of mine was wearing my jewellery and was asked by a boutique owner where she had got it – so I got an email from the boutique owner, quite unexpectedly! The next boutique owener saw my jewellery at a show and thought it was perfect for her store. The gallery owner found me online and I gained the online gift boutique via a business forum.”

Show Experiences
“ I have exhibited at a local jazz festival for the last couple of years and although not run off my feet, it was certainly worthwhile attending. I have done private shows and these are always well received and great fun to do – meeting lots of new people and getting wonderful feedback on my jewellery is very satisfying!”

“My worst ‘show’ was a local market – I had a feeling it wouldn’t be suitable but apparently I had been requested. Well, whoever requested me forgot to turn up!!!! It was a disaster!”

Pricing Items
“I don’t do the standard markups – I use a formula as a guideline which takes into account the time taken and the cost of materials, but will go up or down depending on the item and what the market will bear. As I live in a rural area my clients aren’t prepared to pay as much as someone who lives in the city. Some items also take a lot of time to make – I can’t possibly charge the full amount of my labour or no one would buy it – so I take a hit on some items and make a bit more on others to even it all out.”



Ways of Marketing Products
Online – directories and press releases, having your signature in emails and business forums - these all bring prospective clients to my site. I have an irregular newsletter that I send out to subscribers and clients. Elsewhere – print media, letterbox drops, word of mouth. Letterbox drops for a specific event have worked brilliantly. Print media hasn’t proved to be cost effective at all. Word of mouth is still the best advertising.”


Low-Cost Advertising
“[I participate] in business forums that allow your website to be listed in your signature. I also have a cross promotion arrangement with a gift store – I provide some small items of jewellery and discount coupons for the store to give to their clients (that meet my target market) as a ‘bonus’. In return they provide me with some samples and some discount vouchers. I include their sample and voucher with my online sales and a voucher in my carry bag for all in-person sales. This has yet to generate sales that can be identified as coming from this method, but it all has to help!”

Recommended Business Resources
Bruce Baker’s CD’s are invaluable for selling at shows!
Yahoo group – Marketing Artisan Jewellery
Yahoo group – Joolcrafting
Australian business forum – http://www.themessydesk.com.au/
US creative business forum – http://www.theswitchboards.com/
Australian jewellery forum – http://www.beadingforum.com.au/
Marketing websites - http://www.publicityhound.com/, http://www.artbizcoach.com/


Inspired by…
”Looking into gemstones – each stone can be its own little world with its patterns, inclusions, colour(s), lustre, and so on. Art and mythology also have an effect on my designs and combinations. I also love old movies and movie stars of the 40 and 50s – when women were typically portrayed as stylish and elegant.”

Words of Advice-Know, Research, and Present your Product Well
“Research your market – if what you are making doesn’t appeal, then you have to seek out your target market, or you have to change what you are making to fit the market you CAN sell to.”

“Pay attention to the details. If you notice, chances are someone else will as well.”

“Know your product and be able to answer any questions about what has gone into the finished product.”

“Presentation is paramount to enhancing your image. Dress and present your goods according to your target market.”

-------------------------------------------------------
Contact:

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Sticky Notes

Ship packages? Check. Blog product? Check. With these cute post-its, you can remind yourself in style.

Sticky Notes

See more of my Sticky Notes list at ThisNext.

Shine On

Just thought I share an excerpt from an inspirational quote that I found yesterday. Meeting, knowing, and interviewing talented and creative entrepreneurs have been an enlightening experience, and it seems that fear (whether it be of success, failure, etc...) remains a common theme that binds their experiences.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?..."

"Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do."

- Marianne Williamson

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

IE Tip 44: Blinksale.com: Send invoices online

Invoicing clients is not a glamorous part of an entrepreneur's life, but it's a necessary evil. Through Blinksale, you can do it as painlessly and easily as possible. Blinksale is a free web application that allows you to send invoices online via email or through snail. You can customize your invoices to blend in with your business identity, or you can pick from their pre-made designs.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

IE Tip 43: Cool Hunting.com: The Next Cool

Looking for inspiration for your next product? Log on to Cool Hunting, a website which features daily updates on ideas and products in the intersection of art, design, culture and technology. It also features weekly videos that get an inside look at the people who create the trends.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Seminars and Crafts

Prime Time Legal Series: Employment Issues: For entrepreneurs who are planning on hiring employees or independent contractors, this free seminar will cover hiring and terminating employees, discrimination, harassment, and other related topics. Located in Mountain View, CA. August 23, 2007.

Get Started on Your Free Podcast or Live Show: Seminar that will cover podcasting basics such as how to structure a podcast, record your show, edit/produce content, and promote and build an audience. Located in Seattle, WA. August 23, 2007.

Craft Saturday: local indie craft fair featuring handmade goodies. Located in Des Moines, IO. August 25, 2007.

Friday, August 17, 2007

CHia Handbags & Accessories



For June Cheng, fashion is in her blood. June, the owner and designer behind CHia, was born in Taiwan to a family of jewelers. Her grandmother was not only a jewelry designer, but an avid collector of vintage handbags. From early on, June had learned to appreciate designing details through sketching handbags.

She was always amazed at watching her grandmother execute her sketches into individual pieces of art. As her grandmother taught June, “Do not be afraid of playing with colors and materials.” She keeps this philosophy in designing for CHia, her line of sophisticated and modern handbags.

Background
“After getting my MBA in Marketing, I’d started working as a business analyst for several years. My business background has always empowered me in many ways. I never feel I’d abandoned my business profession.”

“After working several years as a business analyst, I’d started asking myself if that was the life I desired for the next ten years. At that very moment, I’d picked up my pencils and started sketching again just like my grand mom did. In order to make my dreams into reality; I had spent three years in traveling and searching for unique materials to enrich my designs.”


CHia’s Typical Customer
“I always have a perfect vision in my mind for CHia, “chic and superb”.”

CHia handbag was created to be modern, sophisticated and yet playful with a twist of European flair. Most of all, CHia reflects my life passion. It is the handbag line designed for today’s professional woman who knows how to make a fashion statement and appreciates superior quality.”

Being the Boss
“I have a couple of employees working for me right now. It was not easy to find the first employee. I’d contacted F.I.T. [Fashion Institute of Technology] career office for candidates. I also asked my friends for referrals. I guess it was difficult for me to set the boundaries between being a boss to my dear friend's older sister. Unfortunately fashion industry is all about the deadlines. Yes, we all look sophisticated to our customers. But, working in fashion is just not as glamorous as people think. There are no easy jobs on this planet. We all have to work hard to earn people’s trust and respect.”

Outsourcing
“I do have contractors who make our handbags for us. Our office is just a design house. I’d visited many tradeshows and asked for referrals. It’s all about meeting new people and getting connected.”

Low-Cost Advertising
“I try to update information about CHia through Facebook.”

Encountering Business Challenges
“There were many suppliers who didn’t want to deal with start up designers. I never gave up on finding my sources. I’d traveled to different countries to find unique materials for my designs. There were many contactors who just wanted to take advantages of new designers. It was difficult to negotiate. You have to shop around. I’d done so much research before I jumped into any decisions.”

“[It is also a challenge] getting people to know about me and CHia. In order for them to purchase my merchandise,I had to keep showing them my different collections. And keep my words on the delivery dates.”

Motivations
“Self fulfillment is the reason that motivates me, even though there are many challenges and difficulties I have to face everyday. I love what I’m doing.”

Recommended Business Resources
http://www.fashion.net/ http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/

Customers as Mentors
“Many of my customers are my mentors. I always cherish every single comment from my customers. That is just the way how we improve ourselves in this industry.”

Words of Advice-Never Give Up
“Never give up and do not be afraid of making mistakes. There is always something we could learn from making a mistake. That is the way we can improve ourselves and make a better decision next time. Try to talk to as many people as you can. I think being humble and open minded will be the key to future success.”

------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:

June Cheng
CHia Handbags
info@chiainc.net



Thursday, August 16, 2007

IE Tip 42: KIVA: Loans That Change Lives

Entrepreneurs know how hard it is to start, much less sustain a business. Help a fellow entrepreneur through KIVA, which directly connects you to an entrepreneur in a developing country. First, a lender picks a business and makes a loan using their credit card. KIVA transfers the funds to local partners, which distributes the loans to each business. Over time, the partner collects repayments and updates KIVA on the status of the business. Funds are then returned to the lender, who can withdraw the money or relend to another business.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

IE Tip 41: Trunkt: Designer Collective

Trunkt is an art and design collective of painters, illustrators, designers, and other creative entrepreneurs. It offers a virtual look book that its members can create and where readers and potential buyers can learn more about designer works and find direct links to their information. It offers two levels of membership: a free membership where members can show up to nine products, and a $99 annual membership where members can show an unlimited number of products. This is a great low-cost marketing tools for entrepreneurs who want to reach a broader market of potential buyers nationwide.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

IE Tip 40: NOLO.com : Free Legal Resource

Whether you're just starting out or have been in business for a while, you'll encounter legalities that are enough to make your head spin. What type of business structure should I have? How do I file for a trademark? Before forking your hard-earned profit to an attorney, head over to NOLO, a legal website filled with helpful free legal advice, as well as "plain English" legal documents for a small fee. And if you do need a lawyer, NOLO has a lawyer directory which you can narrow down by location and legal issue.

Monday, August 13, 2007

From Blogging to Marketing

Speaking Engagement by Guy Kawasaki: Guy Kawasaki is the ultimate entrepreneur. He co-founded Truemors and is a managing director of Garage Technology Ventures. He is also a columnist for Entrepreneur Magazine, as well as the author of eight books including The Art of the Start, Rules for Revolutionaries, How to Drive Your Competition Crazy, Selling the Dream, and The Macintosh Way. Located in Palo Alto, CA. August 14, 2007.

Blogging for Beginners: from zero to Technorati in six hours: A personalized, hands-on workshop on how to create your blog, tweak the design, publish your post, and lots more. Then you’ll learn how to let Google and Technorati and other search engines know you exist, and begin to take part in the blogging community as a whole, including where to turn when you need help. Vancouver, BC. August 18 and August 25, 2007.

Marketing 101 for Small Businesses: Workshop will introduce you to the essentials of Marketing 101, such as refining your product, defining your target customer, and promoting. Located in Seattle, WA. August 15, 2007.

Entrepreneurs Go Online: Learn how to use new media to develop and market your products. Topics include podcasting, internet tv, publishing your own magazine, and self-distribution. Located in Austin, TX. August 17, 2007.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Truche/Trudesign





Stephanie Koerner is the designer and owner of Truche, a line of colorful jewelry known for its modern designs with a vintage twist. Stephanie has been making jewelry and art for as long as she can remember, but started Truche a little over a year ago. When not dabbling in beads and jewelry, Stephanie doubles as a graphic and website designer under TruDesign.

Typical Customer
“My customers are normally women – all ages and sometimes men buying for their wife, girlfriend or family member.”

Juggling Work
“I work on Truche part time. I recently quit my full time job as a marketing director to go full time with my other business Trudesign – graphic & web design. I love both of my jobs, they are both my passion.”




Encountering Challenges
“It was hard for me to figure out what I wanted to sell. I spent a lot of time researching other people’s websites and blog and it was extremely motivating for me to get a jump start on creating jewelry and art. There are so many other indie artists that are willing to give you information and advice. It helped immensely.”

Selling Products
“I sell most of my products on my website . I also do consignment online and in stores in Michigan and Illinois. In the summer and fall I participate in local craft fairs such as The Renegade in Chicago.”

“I also consign through online stores like Modishoppe and Shop Calico,. So far I haven’t had any challenges, the transactions have been great. I have to keep up with what inventory I have where, but overall it’s been a great experience. There are some amazing store owners out there.”





Doing Craft Fairs
“I have done The Renegade craft fair in September and in December in Chicago. I loved this experience, I look forward to it all year and hope to do more craft shows this coming year. I also have a friend who owns a gallery space. I have had a few events at the space – it was a great experience. Both the fairs and the gallery events help me get my name out there. People are always more likely to buy when they can see my jewelry & art in person.”

Pricing Items
“I look at how much my supplies cost, how much time was spent on the item and try and price my jewelry competitively in the market. It’s hard at times because there are so many jewelry designers out there that price there pieces so low. I try and create one of a kind pieces that are unique so that I can price my items higher.”




Motivated by…
“So many things: nature, rain, other artists, my mother, Etsy, colors”

Recommended Business Resources
“I use The Switchboards and Get Crafty a lot. I get a lot of information from fellow bloggers as well.”



Inspired by…
Nature, old buildings and architecture, blogs, art, thunderstorms. I could go on and on…

Words of Advice- Motivation, Inspiration, and Fun Comes Together
“Try and stay motivated and inspired. Spend some time reading other people’s blogs that have their own businesses. Check out The Switchboards. Have others critique your website before it goes live. Get a good web and graphic designer, this is the 1st thing people see and it should represent you and your brand. And have fun!”


---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:

Stephanie Koerner
Chicago, IL

Thursday, August 9, 2007

IE Tip 39: OpenCourse Ware : College Education for Free

Getting educated shouldn't have to cost you $40,000 a year. OpenCourse Ware allows access to free, education resources to anyone with access to the internet. These programs provide readings, lecture notes, projects, and other materials to many different courses, all for free. I went to MIT's OpenCourse Ware and found a myriad of different courses of interest to indie entrepreneurs: Law for the Entrepreneur and Manager,
Negotiation and Conflict Management, Introduction to Marketing, and Entrepreneurial Marketing. OpenCourse Ware is also available through the University of California at Irvine, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Notre Dame.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

IE Tip 38: AnnualCreditReport.com

As entrepreneurs, you may need to someday get a loan or a line of credit from a bank. Keep your finances in perfect health by keeping close watch on your credit history and catching minor problems before they turn into financial disasters. With AnnualCreditReport.com, you can request a free credit report, once every 12 months, from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

IE Tip 37: Art Business Institute: Get Educated

The Art Business Institute is an educational organization the provides artists with real-world knowledge of business. It offers workshops on product development, pricings, public relations, accounting, and more. The organization partners with regional arts and economic development organizations in the U.S. and Canada.

Friday, August 3, 2007

Mignonette

Mignonette, which is French for “cute girl,” is a fitting name for a company dedicated to making clothing designed to make women feel girly, cute, and modern. Kpoene Kofi-Bruce, the owner and designer behind Mignonette, unites patterns and fabrics in unique combinations, or reclaims a piece of fabric in unexpected ways. She strives to use reclaimed or recycled fabric and trims in her pieces in order to maximize the feel-good factor of wearing her clothes.

Starting Mignonette
“I started Mignonette in 2003 after a bad experience freelancing for a major company. I decided that I wanted to challenge big business by creating a high-quality, viable product line that would appeal to hip young women. I drew on my background as a costume designer and obsessive fashion-mag reader and started creating designs that I wanted to wear and hoped others would like as well. Since then I’ve been featured in magazines, done tons of indie fashion shows and craft fairs, and tried to build community with other business owners through the collective I started, the Ladies Independent Design League.”

Catering to the Artistic Fashionista
“My typical customer is between 22-35, with an artistic bent. She loves fashion and knows what looks good on her but doesn’t want to always get her clothing at the same places that everyone else shops. She puts herself together with funky one-off pieces or vintage accessories to make a design her own. She loves a bargain and shops constantly because she never knows when she might find an amazing deal, too – hmm…my typical customer sounds just like me!”



Background for Mignonette
“I have worked Fashion Week, designed for the largest purveyor of hip urban apparel in the nation, and made costumes for companies of dancers. I think that my experience as a woman who needed cute, appropriate clothes for daily life made me a good judge of what women, especially those of us who aren’t built like dressmakers forms, require. My pieces have room for busts, hips, booties, and arms.”

“I like to think that my years as an administrator gave me good insight into how to research the industry and keep track of my competition.”

On Outsourcing
“I only recently began outsourcing my pieces to an offsite assistant because I’ve been getting store orders and wedding dress orders and can’t sew everything myself. I would like to figure out a way to get more help and pay them fairly – maybe develop a Project Alabama-style sewing coop to work on my items. It’s a tough decision because I really want to maintain the handmade touches on the clothing while getting greater exposure.”

Business Challenges
“When I first started out, it was really lonely and confusing trying to figure out what I needed to know to make the business work. Living in New York means constantly having to prove yourself against thousands of more established companies and designers all fighting over the same resources. In a way, being in the fashion capital of the world has been the most challenging part of all – its always discouraging opening a magazine and seeing that your competition beat you to the punch with press or even just good design ideas.”

“I haven’t entirely gotten over these challenges but I try to keep ahead of my competition – I read the Wall Street Journal every day and subscribe to about 9 magazines. I also read tons of blogs and am a member of sites like the Switchboards. Honestly, the best advice I can give is to find a support network. I couldn’t find one so I created one with the Ladies Independent Design League.



The Power of Research
“I ask other indie designers about their experiences with stores and do research online. If I am visiting a city I try to setup visits with store buyers and also check out shopping guides like Lucky and local chambers of commerce or blogs.”

Marketing Products
“Right now I am developing a plan to aggressively pursue blogs and websites aimed at the plus-size market because there are so few outlets for women over size 10 to find great clothes. It has only been about a month so I don’t know if this approach will work yet. I am also doing lots of craft fairs and markets to get the word out. It has actually been a great way to streamline the designs because people can try items on and give me feedback.”

Low-Cost Advertising
“My websites are in my email signature, and I also keep a mailing list. I always have cards with me and if I can’t hand them to people I leave them in coffee shops and clubs so people will pick them up. The Switchboards and Glitter are great ways to get people to look at your site too.”



Recommended Business Resources
“The Switchboards, Ladies Independent Design League, Get Crafty, the Crafty Bastards Blog, the Sampler, Design Sponge – these are all great resources.”

Inspired By…
“Women on the street – I know that’s a cliché answer, but I live in New York so I really see a huge variety of individual styles every day.”

Mentors
Grace Bonney from Design Sponge, Grace Wang from Unsung Designers.

Words of Advice-No Fear
“Don’t give up! Find other women in your area who are doing what you want to do and ask them questions. Don’t be afraid – they’ll be happy to help you out.”

--------------------------------------------------------
Contact:

Kpoene Kofi-Bruce

Mignonette

Thursday, August 2, 2007

IE Tip 36: The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Get Out of the Cube

Itching to get out of your cramped cubicle and into the freedom of entrepreneurship? Tune in to Michelle Goodman's Anti 9-to-5 Guide, which contains tips on taking the plunge into self-employment, entrepreneurship, or freelancing. Michelle herself took the plunge in 1992 and is now a freelance writer for publications such as Salon, Bitch, and Bust.