Jamie's Blog

What's in a Name?

Naming a new product or a product design sounds easy enough, but it really difficult.  There is a reason why multi-gazillion dollar companies spend a fortune on research and development of new products.  Even though I jumped blindly into this whole business pretty much with both feet and just a paint brush in my right hand, I did do some research.  Not having that (or any) budget when I started, I did the best I could, I went to stores, I got catalogs and I purchased magazines.

When I started designing my original Name Tiles (now I call them Wall Letters....but that is a whole other blog post) I also spent countless hours on the Internet looking at my competition.  No, No, NO, it was not to rip them off and copy their designs (like a few wanna-be's I may or may not know) but to see what they named their designs.  The arena was getting a bit crowded when I started in 2002 and I wanted to stand out.  I also wanted to differentiate my designs from other more famous and well established artisans.  

Product Names Mean Something

This is much easier said than done, I soon found out.  There are only so many different ways to describe or name Train inspired Room Decor.  Also, I had the hair-brained idea that my product names should be cutesy, clever and different from my competition. That is the only explanation I have for my ill-named Cotton Candy Name Tiles Wall letters.  Or worse I used to put Lil' in front of all the Name Tile designs and Big in front of the Name Plaques.  There were Lil' Bugs, Lil' Sluggers and of course Lil' Fairies.  Our first web designer pointed out I was trying to sell Big Fairies did not sound so good....we dropped the Big soon after we discovered that.

Some designs could not be changed, like any of our Princess themed products.  There is no way to change out Princess for something that describes it any better way than just calling it what it is and what most girls want to be .....a Princess.  To this day Princess designs are always best selling, always pink and always the one design that will always have to be apart of my line of products.

But, other products were not so easy to name.  When I was researching what to call my Western inspired Name Tiles Wall Letters for Warm Biscuit Bedding I did the research, but I did not get it right.  I toyed with words like Western, Cowboy, Buckaroo, The Wild West, Ranchers, Silverado, Sheriff.  Again at the time I wanted to stand out from the crowd, so I went with Buckaroo....and then I had to get all creative (read baby talk) and call them Lil' Buckaroo Name Tiles Wall Letters.

What Customers Are Looking For

Fast forward to last year when I had our website re-designed and we had to look at what I was calling all of our products.  Instead of calling my products something cutesy and clever, I wanted to call them something a parent would go searching for on the internet. More importantly, I was looking to better understand the voice of the customer.   As I have stated before, my husband is in the  Web Search ( or Paid search industry) so he was able to help me with this project.  Google has some fantastic tools you can use to help you to understand what your are looking for.  

We did have to look at my competition also and make sure I did not call it the same thing - but for a different reason than before.  I already get some other company's orders from time to time, and I knew if we had the same name (Go do a search on Cupcake Plates and your head will explode) it would be an even bigger problem.  I am, uh not a big fan of copying anything - whether it is a design a name, or even a product description.....I am just sayin'.

Pay Close Attention to Your Elders

Lastly, this also explained to me why when websites that would carry my products would change my product names, like from Blossoms to Butterflies.  In the beginning it made me crazy and frustrated.  I did not realize they better understood their customer than I did - the very green, very inexperienced entrepreneur.  

Had one of them just let me in on this secret, I would have probably understood and then quickly changed my product names.  Instead it took me about eight years to know why the themed names had been changed, and changed for good reason.  I have sadly found out that not everyone views the world like I do, sharing sometimes way too  much and hopefully helping out others in the industry.

 

Original idea in Business

August 31, 2008.

Before you read this post, if you not an avid reader of this blog (I know really, isn't everyone a loyal rabid fan?) I suggest.....no I mean, really insist you go read these posts from last year:

We're Not Gonna Take it Anymore!

There's a New Sheriff in Town....

A Rally Cry....and An Interview

I will wait while you re-familiarize yourself with my uh, dilemma that I knew was coming.....a year ago.  Please, talk amongst yourselves, I will wait....Oh okay, if you do not want to waste your day away reading what I wrote?  Okay I will make this quick, just know I knew some other company was going to come out with Wall Art on ceramic tiles - just like moi'.  I wrote about it about a year ago, discussed copying vs. plagiarism, creative vs. a hack - pretty much exhausted the topic and got a bunch of people in my industry all a talkin'.  My point was basically, bring it on I can win on service just do NOT be copying my artwork or I will flash some copyrights.

I Knew this Day Would Come

So practically a year later, some birth tiles, name plaques and name tiles have hit the market.  They  have hit my industry, and any day now I expect to see them go head to head with my products on most if not all of my sales channels.  Apples to apples....er wait not exactly - that is not what I would call these, more um oranges to cantelopes.  I saw them this morning - Name Tiles, Name Plaques and Birth Certificates on white 6 x 8 tiles.  Let me demonstrate a little analysis of the competing products and Jamie's Painting & Designs products:

JPD Products

• Ribbons hangs tile with a bow or a knot
• Art is hand painted looking, my style is very distinct and detailed
• Personalization is done with my own fonts I created, my hand writing & mine alone
• Name Tiles are 4 x 4 tiles
• Price is $35.00
• Turn around times 1-2 weeks
• We have over 300 original themes to compliment a child's room

  Competition's Ceramic Products

• Ribbon's hang tiles with two knots
• The personalization is done with True Type fonts
• Name Tiles are a 6x8 tile
• Price is $36.00
• Turn around time 3-4 weeks (ouch!)
• Artwork is very modern looking, stylized, not hand painted at all............wait stop - right - there.

I am going to say that again, only this time slowly (let it soak in) - The - artwork - is - very - modern looking - stylized, NOT hand painted.  The artwork on the tiles is nothing like my artwork, in fact it could not be more different.  The look is very modern (oops said that already), slick and graphic, almost stylized if you will.  It looks like collage art, manufactured NOT hand painted. 

Even if you are not an Art Professor, A painter or an art student, you would never say that about my art.  My art is cute, whimsical, detailed, cartooney (no not a real word but I like it to describe my art).  My color choices range from bright to pastels to classic color combinations.  Love my work or hate my work - it is still my work.  No attorneys called, no tantrums, no boycotting, not necessary.  Uh, not to self, cancel the pitty party.

Copying a Concept is NOT Copying my Art

I know I have said it before, but I feel the need to re-state this little factoid, I am not the first person  to put artwork on tile. I had a monopoly on the market for a long time - not on personalized wall art but on ceramic wall art.  That is no longer true.  I did come up with the concept for my line, so yeah for me - what did I expect a medal?  A statue erected at the ABC Kids Show?  Nope - I did not.

And while we are on the subject of me NOT inventing art on tile, I happen to know at least one other woman had birth tiles on the market years before I came along.  I may have just been lucky enough, or smart enough to just get them to the market and all over the place.  I did not copy her art, I did not copy her tile size - my look could not have been different. 

On the other hand I had no idea this woman existed till I had already released my birth tiles - I found her a year later.  So, the thought that no idea is original I would have to agree with.  I just happen to enjoy working with ceramic tiles, others choose wood or canvas - some few even put their art on everything possible.  This other company knows I existed, knows I have succeed and has chosen to jump in and open up more channels - well okay then.  Again, I will not be sending the troops in for a mass invasion - nope not me. 

Moving Forward

So, I am going to forge ahead, release our Christmas products Tuesday (you can view a few here peppered throughout this post) - just as I had planned.  Get ready for our holiday season and keep my eyes open and customer service great.  I do not know if these products will affect my sales, and like I stated earlier it is just competition.

So, I would love to hear what others think, what others did or would do.  Have you experience this on a broad scale or a small scale?  A national competitor coming up with something or packaging it as their own?  It is nice to be a pioneer in an industry, to be the first one to get mass-appeal, but that is not everything.  Someone, somewhere will figure out what you did, or see how your sales are going and realize they can do that too.  To quote one of my first employees from way back in the day, "It is what it is"   

My Personal Worst

                                                                    April 10,2008.

Oh ouch.....I am so ashamed that I did not get a post up on Monday, I remember back in the day when I posted two or three times a week.  Those were the days.  Now, I am just too dang busy, over-worked, under-staffed, uh spent a few days gardening.....oh heck I have no idea why I can not find the time.  I may have (said it once before) bitten off more than I can chew.....but that would be defeat and I can not admit THAT!

I am thinking I need some divine intervention thing, or some you know light shinning down on me with angels singing and telling me the answer.  I just do not know what to do, and part of me wants to just say um a bad word and let it be....

What Would You Do?                                                                                                                                                          
So, I mentioned before about copying and competition snaking into my territory and I got everybody all fired up about it way back in 2007.  Remember those days?  The good ol' days for sure!  I am sort of watching something unfold and I am humming and hahhhing as to what to do.  I am curious if I could get some feedback if you have had this happen or what you would do in case it happened?  I mean hypothetically speaking of course, and no for the record it has not happened yet.  Just a few scenarios that have run through my head:

The Tammy Fae Baker Way

Hide my head under the covers and cry and cry and cry - that ugly face make-up all over your cheeks cry.  Ya, this is not really my style, however it does sound like fun - I mean just once I could go to bed, eat ice cream, chocolate and watch soap opera's all the live long day.  This may not be how I would handle a "art attack", but some might find it helpful.  Maybe I would figure out things, solve all the worlds problems?  Maybe it would give me some insight as to what I could do....after the crying and eating thing.  I don't think this is an honest option.....but maybe it has worked for someone?

Here Comes Rocky

Cue the music please, I am running up the court steps....I could fight back and be really mean.  I could go and call all my channels and demand they do not carry the perp with the copy-cat products.  I could insist it is me or her....oh PLEASE I can't even joke about this one (and I AM joking)!  This would never fly, nor would I have the guts to do this.  Not the guts really, just the gall to do this to another person.  I think I have made it clear where I stand on the whole thing - but I would not sabotage another business, ever.

If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them

I could just turn around and start copying their work, ya, ya and then the lines would be all blurry and no one would know who did what.  Okay, I can not even take this one seriously, though it has been suggested to me.  I can't, I really can not do it.  I want to be seen as a brand, as a product that people know and trust.  I want people to know what to expect when they get  my product, not wonder who the heck made this piece of crap.....um tile, sorry.

Do Nothing - Deny, Deny, Deny

Do Nothing.  Hmmmm, this one would be tough for me, but I said "Do Nothing" not "Don't discuss", that I  could still do.  Right?  Isn't that what this blog is for?  I mean I would have to dish, complain, cry - really I know I would.  And do nothing, I mean what could I do if a product comes onto the market that looks really similar to mine?  I am not sure I could do a damn thing.

So there ya have it - my conundrum of the week.  I am seriously stumped and not sure what to do.  I would really love some suggestions?  Some answers?  Comments? Email? Call me? whateva!  Just HELP please.... before I hurt somebody!!!

Competition is Good for Business

January 16, 2008.

"What kills a company is not competition, but arrogance.  We control our fate." 

                                                       ~ Eric Schmidt, founder and CEO of Google

My husband read this article the other day, it is originally from a New Yorker article  about Google.  I think this is the bestest (to quote my 5 year old) quote of all times!  It says it all, and I wish I had it to use in many a debate I had with a certain woman entrepreneur.  I have said it before, I will say it again, "Bring it On!".  Competitive products are good for the consumer, and they keep your business on it's toes.   

All this recent talk about; copyrights, talent, clip-art, owned designs, The Etsy Store, Ebay and attorneys has made me start to think about what can ruin your company.  I originally thought I was going to rant about how bad Etsy was for our industry and how we aren't gonna take it anymore...blah blah blah.  But I changed my mind (I can do that you know) and honestly I have NO idea if Etsy is good or bad - so how can I blog about it?

Competition is NOT Copying

What is the difference between copying and competition you ask?   Well if someone were to say  come out with a birth tile - a birth certificate if you will.  Imagine the ceramic tile was hung from a ribbon, with all of the child's birth information on it, and with some art work dabbled around the edges - even the 3 specific places I put art on my tiles.  Let's say they used even used a theme I used, but a different "style" and colored letters.  Would I have a case to get all mad, uppity and summon the attorney god's on this company?  Would I make her stop making birth tiles because I made them first?*  Could I send her a nasty letter saying this?

The answer is I could not do a damn thing about it. 

Again, competition just brings out the best in a company and makes you stay on your toes.  Complacency is a small business owners worst nightmare - oh and that arrogance thing too.  Now, I might be a tad bit bummed about these new "birth tiles" and if the price point was close to mine, well I might not be thrilled, and if the art was really good...ya, I might cry and whine.  But as I mentioned earlier - this just makes me take a good hard look at my product, my product line, my prices, my turn around times -what can I do to make my product stand out?  How can I make my product look better?

And um really if this product was JUST copying the exact same themes as mine - this would sort of suck, I would think of the Cheeze It line, "Get your own box!"  Get your own themes......but still, such is life.  I would just think that in my head.  There are only so many themes in the children's industry, and there are only so many ideas out there.

Arrogance

I have seen this happen in many an industry, and I have seen it happen in ours.  I have known a designer and she thought, even bragged she knew "it all".  She did not watch the competition, she did not have to, she need not stay on top of trends - she  just kept working merrily away.  Well, along came one competitor, than two and before you knew it her space was crowded.  Still, she kept her nose down and worked - no need to worry.  Then one day, this person looked up and started to wonder where the party went?  Where did all the customers go?  Year after year, show after show I have had to hear how bad things are and she does not know why.  I know they are bad - and this designer LET them get bad.  Don't pull the covers over your head - no really, it IS tempting.  Maybe you can sulk for a day or two, but do NOT roll over and play possum, do not play dead and do not do nothin'.

Kill the Competition with Kindness**

If that little scenario happened to me, I could add new themes, I could have ALL themes on the market that the consumer wanted.  I could shorten my turn around times, I could improve on my existing product - give more to the customer.  I could make everything about the purchase more attractive.  I could start bragging and put a tag line on everything, "Jamie's Painting & Design, making personal keepsakes for five years!"

I would let my experience and history with the customers speak for me.  I would keep a close eye on the competition, but not obsess on it.  The truth is that you can not be everything to everybody, and I am sure there are some consumers out there that liked my birth tiles - but did not love them.  These were not my best customers,they were not loyal and they bought out of convenience, or lack of choice, but not out of passion for the product.  Or some that never bought it because it was not there style, so they never were my customer base. 

Would there be a blip in my birth certificate sales?  Would  my sales decline across the board, through all channels?  Maybe a glitch, maybe a small decline, maybe not - I would have to wait and see and not stay complacent, not get comfortable and NOT, I say I would not sit back and do nothing.  Only time would tell, I would have to win on service, and I would make sure I won.

I Dare You, I Double Dare You

Now I give you another scenario where the competition has made the EXACT birth tile, with the  exact looking art, with a stylized hand writing, my colors - my color ribbons are hanging the tiles, they are the same size and the same price (it really is not so much the price thing or size).  Let's assume the is the art is the problem - let's say the art is really, really close to mine - an almost exact duplication (by the way major kudos if someone can do that....no I digress, and no, no, NO KUDOS!  BAD, bad artist person!).  This my friends, would piss me off.  This would make me mad. This would not be cool - this would be um, pulling out the old copyrights and sending a letter to a company, AND contacting attorneys.  And, uh well you know me and I tend to be a bit chatty - you KNOW I would talk about it.  You know I could not keep my poor little mouth shut.

React and React Quick

Once upon a time and a long, long time ago (I think the early 80's) there was an artist who made jewelry.  He had a distinct style and it was very popular.  Another jewelry maker came out with a similar design, a very similar design.  He jumped on them, and I mean jumped.  He got his attorneys involved and he stopped the other person right away.  The next one that showed up - same thing.  He reacted, he got the company's to stop, he did it right away.  He did not take it lying down - and artisans know not to "you know what" with this man.

The moral of this tale - do something right away. Do not let copy-cat's take your thunder and do not let your competition win.  You need to do something to keep your customers.  As a small business owner I have learned this.  I know what is going on, I know who is doing what, and I know what my competition is doing.  I am not being arrogant, I am not bragging - I am just honest, and I have always said, "Information is good, even if it bad"

*I am not the first artist to make ceramic birth tiles, when I first started I was one of only a handful, but not the first.  And for the record, my products looked  (or look) NOTHING like the other products that were (or are) on the market.

**These are a few of my favorite things....no, I mean my NEW designs for 2008.  Thought you could get a sneak peak at what I have been working on this past week.  And note to self I must get the Christmas Carols off my i-pod.

The Competition is Wilde

January 6, 2007.

Last night I went to a good friend's 40th Birthday party, and I danced and partied like it was 1989 - because there was some wicked 80's music for us to rock out to.  Let's face it, I danced like an idiot, I am just glad there was no one video taping the event and yes I was sleepy, groggy and had soar feet this morning.  Anyhoo, after checking email I was wide awake and without even my first cup of coffee.  I woke up to not one but all kinds of interesting emails:

A Georgia Peach Can Make it All

It seems a very 'crafty' woman, based in Georgia had created a website and had tons of different products on her site.   This woman had not only the gall to list wooden door hangers, ceramic plates,  tiles, plaques, canvas reproductions, wooden waste baskets - she had it all.  She claimed she could paint everything on the site - I mean wow what a "Jack...er, uh Jill of All Trades" she claimed to be.  She claimed to make all of these designs on the site. 

Under closer inspection you see she had pulled images from a large number of artisans and designers from the children's industry.  She used our "images" our copyrighted images as um, samples, saying "Wilde Designs can Create or Design any designz you wish".  She claimed they were all her designs.  At a quick glance she had about ten or twelve other artists products that she could create for the customer....I think her exact wording was "we can copy any wall paper design", oh goody I will contact those wall paper companies, as I am sure they will be thrilled at that!

This would not be as big a deal had she just been trying to re-sell our designs.  I have had channels take orders without our consent, or without us approving them to re-sell our products.    Nice try, no really - maybe become a vendor of ours FIRST!

Rally The Troops

I sometimes claim that this industry I work in is interesting, I have met some real characters.  I hope I do not offend anyone, but there is not a lot of testosterone around these parts.....catchin' my drift?  Women makin', women sellin' and women buyin' - it is what it is! 

I have had the good fortune of meeting some wonderful women, and made some fabulous friends.  However, up until last November I only spoke with my re-sellers, never had I known other designers.  This past year with the blog, with a certain email, and me sending out a few emails I am happy to say I know many, many "of my peeps" out there.  It's nice, it's comforting, it's also a tad odd sometimes - I mean yes we are all competitors,  but, 99% of the time I commend it, I seek it out, and I am so happy for it - having worked in the corporate world, I do miss my officemates from time to time.  I mean, I love my employees, but I would love to dish with other business owners, it just helps out when times are tough.

Friends with Your Competition

As I stated earlier, I had many emails in my in box, other designers that wanted me to know about  this situation.  They took the time to let me know that my images were on the site - which I totally appreciate. 

I sat back and watched as the emails starting flying, from one website owner to another, to a ceramic artists, to a canvas artist, back to this woman.  Attorneys were contacted, emails were sent, threats were made....um our copyrights were shown to this little poor naive Southern Belle.  At the end I really did sort of feel sorry for her - she had no idea all these women would rally together and spread the word....oh and it spread fast.

I sometimes forget what a small world it is, and what a small industry I work in.  I really do forget that I am out there, on the web, for good or for bad I am also an open book.  I would like to pretend I am a big deal (ya, a legend in my own mind right?), but I usually just sit back nose to grind stone and forget everyone else.  This camaraderie, and looking out for others - is just awesome.  I don't think that Larry Ellison would call Bill Gates with a similar situation.  I am glad I work in an industry that I can get an email from another ceramic artist, letting me know that someone is claiming she can paint my designs, I am still sometimes shocked that anyone knows who I am.

The Wilde Wilde West

As I stated earlier, I feel sort of sorry for this girl, at first she played the ignorance card, then the I took the site down card, finally I am sorry what can I do?  People need to understand copyright infringement, stealing photographs, and um, well the power of our industry.  I heard of this happening to others, in the ceramic industry it is quite common (I have been lucky so far) but I don't think anyone ever had the gall, or um shall I say "balls" to claim to paint wood, canvas, and ceramics all at once - copying work, but using our images - not a tiny change?  This poor thing did not see us coming.  I really do not see her as a threat - but we can not let our guard down.

"Hell hath no furry like a woman scorned"

The Epilogue

Apparently, last check the site was down, but you can still find it when you do a search.  Some pages are still able to be seen.  She has a myspace page, and it claims she sold some platters, and had a physical store, a boutique if you will, even.  Hopefully she learned a valuable lesson - and hopefully the next Nimrod...oh sorry, person that tries to screw with us artisans in the children's industry will think twice about it. 

Thanks to everyone for keeping it real....I am proud to part of an honest industry!

Letter to Editor of Kids Today

November 14, 2007.

So almost two months after I had my battle-cry-tantrum-calling-out-copy-cats, a portion of an article I wrote has been published.  I say "portion" because the article is published under the "Letters to the Editor" section in the trade magazine Kids Today.

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth I am greatful for the press.....however the published article is only a skeleton, or a weak version of my original article.  Feel free to read the published article here, or you can read what I submitted here:

Buyers Beware!  Is your Monet real or a fake?

By Jamie Risdon Lentzner

Founder & Artist, Jamie's Painting & Design

"Imitation is the highest form of flattery"….We tend to disagree!  Please stay original!  Copying is not polite.  We are thrilled that you appreciate our work….and we would be very happy if you respect our copyrights!"

                                                            Disclaimer Shelly Kennedy, Drooz Studios ™

Who am I?

As a veteran of the children's manufacturing industry, with almost five years under my belt, I have seen the industry change. When I started Jamie's Painting & Design there were no theme based letters on the market.  After painting ceramics tiles myself, I then had all of my friends request them and realized I was on to something.   I have weathered many different styles, influences, sales channels, and I have seen the Internet mature as a resource for the consumer.

In 2002 I started Jamie's Painting & Design in a so-called vacuum.  Having been in the Children's Educational software industry for several years prior, and having a background in cartooning, my professional experience was developing characters, and designing games.  At the time of my departure from animation, it did not even occur to me at the time to research ideas, or styles - I used my two very young children, friend's nurseries and my own ideas as inspiration for my first products.  Fast-forward to 2005, I came to realize that people can find out quite a bit about an artist, a designer or a product on line.  I have had my share of dealing with plagiarism, and the stealing of my ideas.  Plagiarism is a “dirty little secret” in our industry, it exists, it’s not going away, and it is not a topic of discussion in an open forum.

Bittersweet Success

Being an innovator is not always a rewarding pedestal to sit on top of.  Shelly Kennedy, of Drooz Studio™ is very familiar with our industry’s “dirty little secret”.  Having been in business for over ten years, she created the first original wall hanging. When she started Drooz she was one of the only artists out there.  Shelly's designs are some of the most coveted products for celebrities and stores in the industry,

"We have had a number of customers and designers call to inquire about our products….they tell us how much they love our products, how talented we are and they can't wait to purchase their first piece!  They ask to be put on our mailing list…and then miraculously a new company pops up and it is that very "customer" making products that look just like ours.  This hurts.  I pride myself on honestly - I just can't understand how people could be so blatantly manipulative”, says Shelly

Competition is a good thing; in fact, it is the whole basis for keeping you on your toes as an innovator.  However, dealing with copycats is a whole different can of worms - it derails your creativity, it hijacks your energy, causing you to lose focus on your business, and spend more time wondering why someone could sleep at night thinking that they have done something good.

"What is the worst is when a so-called 'Mompreneur' takes your idea and tries to copy it as their own.  It really knocks the wind out of you" says, Leslie Head, co-founder of TeePee for Me ™. 

London Edwards, owner of My Little Dish is very familiar with this situation,

"A particular artist did not hesitate to paint the exact same themes, even my original trademarked Prayer Plate™ found it's way into her line and she ambushed every account I had with a cheaper priced plate."

Every artist I have spoken with has had the exact same response - a knock-off artist is always a day late and a dollar short.  And more importantly, even if it took a while for an artisan to get back on track, they ALWAYS got back on track - they had to.  Katy Mimari, founder of

Caden Lane

and a trail blazer in the modern bedding industry says;

"When we introduced Caden Lane Bedding to the market three years ago there was a lack of modern baby accessories available to the young, hip mothers…..we were the first to introduce the "pink & brown" color combination that is now found in almost EVERY designer’s collection today."

Joannie Perales, a jewelry designer and founder of Fairy Tale Jewels© claims that,

"Independent ‘artists’ reworking my designs, it's an ongoing issue that I have had to deal with since I first began beading…some call this "inspiration", I call it being a knock off." 

With so many companies in the industry fighting for a sale, it easy to see how buyers and store owners can be overwhelmed and confused, but buying quality art and products is what sets you apart from the big box stores and the lower end retailers.

How It Impacts the Retailer?

A small boutique or even a large chain of children's stores looks to make an investment in their inventory, or for personalized samples.  The minimums can range anywhere from $200 to upwards of thousands of dollars to open an account (for the small boutique just starting out, this can equate to a significant amount of money).  If that initial purchase is based on emotion - “I just love your stuff”, or based on a PR ballooned up product – “my products are in magazines, so you should not waste any time buying from me”, you are more than likely not getting what you think you are getting.

Buyers should interview the artist who's work they are considering for their merchandising space.  Remember, we work for you; we make products for you to sell to your customer base.  Asking questions of the artisan as to why they are in the industry…

·         How often do you release new themes or designs?

·         How long have you been in business for?

·         What are your turnaround times?  (This one is very important, as this helps you set expectations with your customer)

·         Do you have a background, professional and/or educational, as it relates to art? 

More importantly is how a new company or new artist deals with customer service.  An established company with 500 accounts and a strong track record of meeting their delivery dates will be worth the research you did.  Keep in mind, your customer does not know who is making the product, they do remember the store they had the experience at.  Don’t be afraid to ask for references, personally, I encourage it.

Lauren Headstrom, owner of Personalized Gift Stop in

Los Altos

California

has had her share of problems with new artisans,

"It's hard when you are a buyer, and you want to find the next best thing, you are always looking for something unique for your store.  For a lot of us independently owned stores we pride ourselves on being different…..I always want to help someone out that is brand new, but I am wary of new companies, I have had some go away after I purchased samples, or not return my calls when I re-ordered."

Last, and most importantly is making sure the company you ‘partner’ with has Liability Insurance.  There is a remote chance that something could go sideways, although, in my 5 years in the business, I have not heard of it happening.  This is one place where someone who is in our industry for a quick dollar gives no consideration to something like insurance, and that is extremely important. 

At the End of the Day

Consumers and especially new moms have become savvy shoppers, very educated on the latest styles, trends, and especially the designers, and the artists.  With the Internet, consumers can easily research products on line in the leisure of their own home. 

When someone knocks-off our designs it forces us to look long and hard at our own business, designs, practices and it makes us work that much harder.  It forces us to not be good, but be the best we can. 

"A true creative person has so many endless ideas stored in their head and sketch books, there is never a need to copy ideas from others…" says, Shelly Kennedy. 

At one low point in recent times I confided in Vicki Bodwell, owner and founder of Warm Biscuit Bedding© about my frustration on this subject, she said,

"Don't focus on it, you can't be everything to everybody, just do what you do best."

So, there it is, the published article and the one I wrote.  I would like to personally thank everyone who agreed to be apart of the "article" that was uh, not really an article.  I am sorry you had to take time out of your busy lives to answer my questions - I wish the article had all the Industry Leaders (you know who you are) refferenced in the article.  The saying no press is bad press....we will see, we will see.

Competition...we've covered this

April 25, 2006.

To pay attention to your competition or not, this is the question.  There are definitely two schools of thoughts on this subject.  Either you pay attention, or you don't.  There are pro's and con's to both also.

So, let's say you don't pay attention.....you work merrily away, you pick up sales channels, you develop new products when you feel the need.  You may go to trade shows, but only to get new sales.  You may make calls, but you work in a vacuum.  You decide that YOU know the trends best.  You decide what to do, and who to do...um, do it to, or with.  You are totally in control and you don't give a 'you know what' about anyone else.

What is wrong with this picture?

Well.....first of all it is very vain and ignorant to not pay attention to what your competition is doing.  For example, I found out a competitor was cutting their prices, slashing them to be exact.  I took this as a good sign.  Reason: they are trying to grab sales, they are scrambling to get sales.  I see this as a weakness, and I found it out by trolling different websites and realizing they had free shipping and even discounts on their products.

Secondly, they may be crawling up your backside, trying to under cut your partnerships.  Checking out their websites, talking to other people in the industry will keep you up to date on their plans, their products.  Now, don't get me wrong, it may be speculation but I have always gone with the thought, "Information is good, even if it is bad- knowing is ALWAYS better than not knowing".

You have to have your eyes and ears open at all times - do not obsess over it, but by all means be aware of it.  This will keep you one step ahead of your competition.....and your sanity.