Tradeshows Galore

Tradeshow success.

Pulling a tradeshow is definitely an art. I have now brought House of PlumRed to almost a dozen tradeshows this year alone, and there are a few things that I have learned.

1. Picking a tradeshow to do is very HIT OR MISS. At times a tradeshow can be extremely successful are unfortunately a waste of resources. While sometimes it make seem like the event you are going to is the right event, its best to do as much research as you can.

WAYS YOU CAN RATE A TRADESHOW:

• Ask your sales rep/Google: Find out how long and how frequently this tradeshow occurs.
• Find out who attends the exhibits. Is this the target market you are looking to reach?
• How many attendees do they forsee coming? How many have attended in the past? Finding out the attendance on past shows will give you a good grasp on the amount of attendees that should be present.
• Ask around. You may be surprised to find other vendors very aware of the exhibits or shows that you intend to do.

OTHER TIPS:

• If you can help it, always start small. It is easy for the rep/event coordinator to promise you a great event and good exposure if you get a large booth and even offer discounts, but without having been at a particular event, it is best that you start small and upgrade for future events.
• DO NOT book yourself for future events of a specific tradeshow series if you know NOTHING about its success. You may find yourself fronting money that is uneccessary.

SUCCESS AT A TRADESHOW:

• Allow yourself ample time to prepare. Coming from someone who has tried to put my designs together with only 2 days to spare, give yourself some time to organize your products and think of the layout you want to have at this show.
• Get a copy of the layout of the venue if this is possible. Find out how your booth must be faced, etc...
• It's all about design. Consumers like pretty things...to be completely simple about it. This is not to say that you should spend tons of money on useless decoration, but use what you have to do the best that you can. Experiment with different layouts and displays and see which ones invite the biggest crowds. You may be surprised.
• You are not always there to sell your product. Remember, tradeshows are about exposure and receiving contacts. If you are selling a product, remember, you are also there to gain contacts and create a customer list who may be interested in purchasing later, so don't feel discouraged if they do not buy now.
  
• Lastly, although monetary gain is a great measure of success, do not fail to see the networking opportunities you can make from these shows.

With that being said, there is much more to learn, and a list of tips that can be shared...HOPR has been blessed to have some decent exposure and I look forward to doing more! Next Stop?...

DENVER, CO

Marketing, Marketing, Marketing

In the past few months, I have done very little to market the House of PlumRed beyond Facebook...so today, I finally sat down (with a lot of help from the Amazing ADAM WONG) to finally finish the marketing plan that has been needing some major attention.

How do you successful market an online business? I am not sure...lol, I think I am still learning the ropes of the marketing.

Today, I focused on finding sales reps. I was fortunate enough to get some great contacts of some very successful and experienced RETAIL Pros...

I asked them, what was a major factor to their success. One word, "sales reps." Unfortunately, with a lack of funding or business loans, I had to do some creative thinking.

Still trying to figure out that one...;)

Sales Reps Wanted...

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Sometimes its overwhelming....

Have you every felt like sometimes your list or day is just more than you can handle? Today is one of those days. Sometimes I feel like I get more like a week of overwhelming emotion. When you're 20-something in the midst of change, excitement, and disappointment, life is never less than boring, I suppose. Chasing a dream can almost be self defeating at times, when you realize you take on more than you can handle, but at the same time know you must take on everything to truly achieve what you want.

First of all, this entry is not at all to discourage anyone from reaching to whatever it is they decide to reach for, its a simple reminder, that sometimes reaching can be followed by falling, and it's important to continue the stretch. Everyone always tells me it's better to stay positive. What does that mean exactly? They tell me, never use the word "don't", always speak as if you have already reached your goals, and forget the problems that you have now and focus on the positives you currently have. Although I agree that there is definite power in the positive force, I find this way a bit self defeating as well. How can you overcome the issues you currently have by overlooking them? How do you cherish and make it through the present if you are constantly looking towards the future? In my opinion, I believe thinking positively goes beyond using or not using certain words like "don't", "can't", or "won't". It is having a strong belief that you can positively make it through the obstacles you currently have. This, I believe, is the hardest thing to accomplish since we are all critical beings. Sometimes it's hardest finding confidence in yourself, than in anyone else.

Chasing my dream has become more than just a career goal, it's become a ridiculous part of my life. Looking back at the past few months since I've began creating the House of PlumRed, I see a parallel change in my personal life. It's as if a switch turn on in my head when I decided to chase a dream. It was more than chasing a dream, it was an actual change of perspective. It was a decision that life is short and the belief that I wasn't meant to live a life based on pleasing other people, but finding a purpose that created a balance of self fulfillment and fulfilling relationships. It gave me a chance to do what I wanted to do; go back to school and receive my Masters in Business Admin, or dual J.D. I feel like it put my relationships into perspective and made my life rich of love and care as it weeded out the people who cared less. Life is more about quality than quantity, and that is something that has taken me over 20 years to understand. It gave me an understanding of what I was willing to fight for in life. :) Self-fulfillment.

In the story of House of PlumRed within these few months, we've had success in spreading the word to the Local socal community. I got my first 500 fans on Facebook today, got lucky with a PR company who was only so willing to help us, getting us attention into the most popular fashion magazines, I've been invited to be a part of the National Association of Professional Women, and was introduced to the wonderful world of tradeshows. In the same amount of time, I received my first (but only) customer criticism, sadly found my pieces on TV with no credit, experienced a ridiculous fluctuation in orders, and sadly lost the opportunity to open up an actual store. The silver lining? There is a reason for everything. Every day I learn a little more about what that reason is. Till then, I guess in any pursuit of happiness, your are going to see the ups and downs of the path. No journey is predictable.

I guess the thought of the day is to stay positive, keep going, and remember the good and the bad....understanding both is the only way to make it.

Time Goes On...

Wow...I think I need to learn how to keep up with this blogging thing more often. Its been about a month since I wrote last. To be honest, it's been so hectic! The last three weeks has been a haze since it was my birthday and Adam's birthday as well :). In that short amount of time, I did yet another Tradeshow in PB, San Diego. (I will have to post up pics later!)

Tradeshows seem to be a pretty good fit for us. Not a whole lot of profit, but in the beginning, when you can get a hundred or so possible returning customers, the small investment and time are worth it :).

I am still waiting for the return at this point. It's all a struggle... The secret life that most people don't see.

It has been almost 6 months since the launch of House of PlumRed, and I can tell I have a long way to go. Every day is a waiting game...

Will I get orders today? Will our clothing get pulled for the next major shoot? Like every business, every day is a gamble.

There's always something to do, always something to improve. I've found myself learning more things than I ever thought, and struggling more than I ever thought. Not that I know a lot about business at this point in my young life, but maybe this is what tests peoples' true passions. When times get tough and it becomes a 24-hour grind, what happens? I guess some people realize their passions were nothing more than a day dream that seemed way too much work for their tastes, while others continue to grow that passion and chase that dream like a lunatic. haha. I am crazy as well.

I don't know if maybe my eye is now trained for opportunity and seeing other entrepreneurs, but I slowly see one by one, so many people in my life doing the same thing. It is totally an inspiration, so thank you all peer entrepreneurs :) You all make me feel Not so Crazy ;).

I guess I will just keep on trucking...and keep my eyes open for hope.

*SIGH* although I know I'm still going through a fight, I know that what I am fighting for, and I'm so far sticking to it :).

The business world of fashion is definitely full of excitement, struggle, success, and disappointment. My passion has full taken over my life, but I think unless you really love something, its almost impossible to separate the two.

Since March, we have had more pieces pulled by SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE, BETTER TV, and E! NEWS.

More exciting PR, that will hopefully show its fruits pretty soon :-x!

Again, its all just one day at a time when it comes to chasing a dream. Time to wait for responses from Graduate Schools (after deciding to get my MBA), and possible business opportunities!

Wish me luck! Till next time...

Another Day Passed, Another Lesson Learned

For a starting business, House of PlumRed has Taken over my life this past week. Actually, since last week, I had been studying for the GMATs to see if Grad School was for me... I think I might have over studied, because until now, my brains has been mush. My boyfriend, the most supportive man alive, had taken the day to drive me to my test and even pack me lunch. Cute right? Anyways, the test could have been better, but I am really trying to figure out whether I need to take them over again or not. I am not too sure that I can take another crazy week of work and a test.

Of course, I did not fail to spread my self thin..AHH, because 5 days after the GMATs, HOUSE OF PLUMRED was to be at its FIRST expo: OC Boutiquing expo, and by friday, samples to Lucky Magazine had to be overnighted. Honestly, I thought, it couldn't be too bad to sew on 200 clothing labels, drive to Los Angeles Fashion District to pick up retail supplies, buy my first mannequin, Price tag hundreds of dresses, pack up the car, and set up an absolutely beautiful booth in Costa Mesa.
Did I mention I don't know how to sew? yes...I must have been delusional, but I am proud to say I overcame another week as the "CEO" of the House of PlumRed.

1. I learned how to buy a sewing machine. There are a myriad of different spools of thread...and yes, I had to pick among $15, $25, and a $500 sewing machine. I bought the QuickSew ($15)...and it never turned on...I upgraded to the $25 machine, and after 100 labels, the needle disappeared...and I don't think I'm pro enough to go with the $500 machine.
2. Learned how to sew...it only took 2 spools of thread haha.
3. Bought my first mannequin. Plastic, Dress Forms, Headless! Ahhhh the variety can make your head spin.
4. Set up my expo. An expo takes more than 2 days to set up. That is what i have learned after staying up till 3 am the morning before and arriving at the site at 7 am.
5. Also...sleep is good.
6. I learned what a "Bobbin" and "Seam Ripper" was all by myself :).

I think those were the biggest lessons. The expo was a SUCCESS. We just added another 60 people to our customer base and made what we usually do in 2 weeks, in 8 hours.

Result? Time to Plan the next EXPO and do it all over again! Yeeee!

The Like Us, They Really Like Us :)

Since the NEW PR company has taken over, check out what you might see in SEVENTEEN MAG, INSTYLE, US WEEKLY, or BETTER TV!

I think the pieces will be coming out in their Summer Issues, but I cannot wait to see what happens!

HOPR has also been mentioned in some other great online blogs...I hope the love keeps on spreading!



OC REGISTER: New Online Boutique Owner is Chasing a Dream

HOUSE OF PLUMRED: Steal Jennifer Anniston's Style

I LIKE MY OUTFIT: HOUSE OF PLURMED

3 Months and Running!

Wow...is all I can say for the past 3 months. I cannot believe it has been three months!

So many things have happened since then. At the end of December, I officially took on House of PlumRed as my full time gig. The day HOPR officially became my dream was the last day of December.

Since that day, I have been trying to figure out the best strategies for me to really get this business going!

January: Planning and Prepping.
February: A Marketing Super Charge
March: Our first EXPO!

In January, I decided to give the marketing to the experts and after many weeks of being a part of the FASHION NETWORK ONLINE. I posted a couple random blogs asking my fellow fashion peers what marketing strategies they used, and I found ALINE MEDIA. (I guess they found me).

So far, Jennifer, our PR Rep has working hard to get us the best exposure my little online boutique could get :).

I felt like such an amateur, though, after getting a little more (or maybe, too much) insight into the wonderful world of fashion and PR. I thought I had it down pretty well with my business plan, financial excels, and marketing strategies using facebook...lol there's a big bad world out there full of Lookbooks, Presskits, and Samples, OH MY!

After two fashion shoots...














To see more photos of our behind the scenes...
BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS


We have successfully filled our SUMMER SPRING COLLECTION!

Next step? Our first EXPO!