Crazy Comforts

I have good news! My beloved first sample is complete! Mano, my sample maker in New Jersey, sent me pictures last night and I couldn't stop staring at them. I'm not going to include photos just yet, since I haven't seen the bag in person. I need it to feel real and I need to actually feel the bag; meaning I need to physically hold it! Until then, the anticipation will have to build up.

I know I have soooo much more to do, business wise. There's the marketing plan, figuring out my budget, what sample to do next, and the list goes on. But, honestly, I just need to sit back and pat myself on the back. I took an idea and made it real and I cannot be more proud of myself for it. Even if this one sample is as far as it goes, I can say I did this. (Takes a minute to pat back)

Now its time to step it up. I met with a SCORE consultant today. SCORE is a community of consultants geared to offering free counseling sessions for small businesses. I cannot stress the word FREE enough. There are so many programs and sessions for small and start up businesses that go overlooked and SCORE is one of those resources. Anyways, my counselor and I got down to the nitty gritty about planning out my next steps. Of course my two favorite things came up; social media and my business plan. Sigh. I really hate thinking about both those things. He advised that I start really drilling down on my plan, more specifically the marketing portion and creating buzz about my product. I started getting dizzy. Which brings me to the purpose of this post.

GETTING OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE. If I ever really want this to work, I can't be afraid anymore. I know this is going to sound like the craziest thing ever, but I am afraid of social media! I'm afraid of putting myself out there and being vulnerable. To let everyone know what I'm working on is truly scary. Yes, it sounds crazy. Not to mention, I have no clue how to get followers or how to even "tweet" (don't laugh). But, in order for me to succeed, I have break out of this and start thinking like a business owner and true hustlers.

It's time for me to find my seat on top of the world.


Long Live Parkr!

A

SNEAK PEAK:

Ok I had to give you guys a little taste.

Back view of my first clutch!!! :) 

No More Long Breaks!! And HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I promise, this is THE last time I will take such a long hiatus from updating this blog. Honestly I am not a social media fanatic. I attended a free consulting session at the University of Arts and was basically told, social media or DIE. Well that's not what he said per say, but the consultant told me that I need to dive deep into social media if I ever want to gain a presence in anything. I must admit, he's right.

So in an attempt to not overload this post, I'll speed things right along and let you know what's been going on with me and the status of the bags.

1. My pattern is complete!!! Mano also did a prototype for the bag, which was soooo exciting. The prototype gave me a basic idea of what the bag would look like without the actual fabric. This was extremely helpful for construction and size and working out any kinks before we moved on to the final stage.

Mano cutting my pattern and lining 

2. The lining of my bag is really special and what really sets my bags apart. And of course there was tones of drama that went along with that. Who would have known figuring out screen printing was so intense, or that if you want to use a font that doesn't belong to you, you have to buy the commercial license for it. Nonetheless, as always, I figured it out and I got my lining made.

3. I went to New York to gather all the materials for my first bag. I knoooo, I didn't take any pictures. Next time, I promise.

4. After collecting alllll my materials I finally sent off EVERYTHING to Mano today!! Just as a reminder Mano is the gentleman I hired to create my samples.

So that is the quick and dirty version, just to get you up to speed. As things progress it is my News Years resolution to keep this updated.

Until then...

Long Live Parkr!