Power vs Talent

Chappell Ent.

I didn't really want to analyze how me and agent came to agreement on my terms with working with him, for I didn't want to how bad I got screwed knowing my status as a newcomer. Status came up, which played a big role in negotiation in signing with my agent. For my agent's status as being one of the biggest names in rock and roll history, created power and a reputation that put me below him. Negotiating basically turned into a joke as I would bring up turns and they weren't taken seriously, as I tried again to bring the same topics turning the joke into a serious negotiation. Not having any other offers for representation, but him not knowing that as I clam I had another offer from another agent.  He just called my bluff by saying, "Well go ahead and go with that other offer". So, that backfired and made me look even weaker during the negotiation. How can this relate to my blog? Well say your a smaller clothing company and dealing with a big distribution company. You know what you have is hot and will be in demand, but the distribution company just sees a starting out clothing company. So, maybe the only deal is the best deal at the time just make sure you have the option to renegotiate, so your not stuck when you start making money.
Mutual benefit was there though, for both my agent and me wanted my film to be a success for I get a reputation and he gets his money.
Roles of my agent are exactly that to be my agent and use his connects to get my film out there and find investors to put money up and distribute the film. For me my role was being the creative mind and the person I am for it's what got me here with my agent, so I should keep that rolling for its worked so far.

Brick n Mortar vs Viral

A big concern in starting my clothing line has been if I should start and actual store, an online presence, or even both? Well being a broke college student that only has enough money for rent and food, both is kind of out of the picture. Taking a small business loan for 10 grand to start a brick and mortar business in some shopping mall next to Kim's nails just doesn't suit what I'm trying to get at really. So, I have the traditional way of starting a clothing line online, by doing everything myself from print and press to advertising and marketing. Honestly that's to much for me to handle, until I was introduced to a company called Cafe Press, which is a company built just for guys like me. They do everything from manufacturing to shipping even processing the orders as they arrive. I had some concerns, so I emailed them and they got back to me.
Some concerns with starting my company:

1. start up cost?
We do offer three different shops to choose from which two of these are free (Beta, Basic). However, we do offer another shop which has a few more features that has a cost of $6.95/month (Premium). I have provided a link for more information regarding the shops.
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/sell/index.aspx?area=learn&page=learn

2. do you manufacture when there is an order?
When an order is placed we then start printing the image on the item and ship it out to the customer.

3. can you do the same logo, but with custom colors to the customers preference?
We are only able to print the logo as it is uploaded to the website. If custom colors are desired, the customer would need to contact you directly and you create the item for the customer prior to an order being placed.

4. what's the split, meaning what do i get and what do you get for your services?
The price of the items sold within our Marketplace is set by CafePress and you would earn 10% of the retail price. However, all items in your shop have a base price which is what CafePress would earn from the sale. For you to earn a commission you will need to apply a markup above the base.

5. I was hoping to manufacture local or American, do you do that?
The production facility where the items are printed and shipped from is Louisville, KY.

6. I wanted to connect the customer to the manufacture via video thanking the customer for helping them with this service can you do that?
At this time we do not offer a service for the customers to be connected to the manufacture via video.

Even if some of these concepts aren't going to work like number 6 and number 3, it's still the best scenario for me. Then the rest of the 10 grand from my small business loan can go towards marketing and getting my clothing line out there, that's the real struggle. Only 10 percent! Yeah, but the hard part is done and the only thing I have to do is collect a check.

Ecko Clothing aka Marc Ecko

Ecko Unlimited has become one of the biggest names in clothing, but where and how did he start. People are intrigued with how people become what they have become and to survive in this day of the internet your website or blog or both need to show a story to create a sense of fulfillment for customers to become more than just a customer, but a person among this social network we now call the internet. Marc Ecko's website has it all from the backstory of his life to the art he drew as a kid. Plus when you have a lot of money you can get an interactive website such as his thats also a plus. http://www.marcecko.com/#/ People more than anytime want to feel a connection with something wether it be the clothes they but to the music they listen to. If they can relate then they wont feel guilty about spending their money on a 40 dollar tee shirt. If you take anything out of this just remember to create a universe within the internet where people well enjoy visiting and that has a purpose about you!

American Apparel and Footwear Association

American Apparel and Footwear Association
http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/

For apparel companies it's important to find out what's happing on the legislation front especially if your starting your company in America and using American labor. As soon as you open the link above the you see legislation documents on how the fashion industry is fighting the outsourcing battle.

• This article is about the child labor laws and what america is doing about it

http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/UserFiles/File/PressReleases/2010/121510AAFAWelcomesReleaseofDOLChildandForcedLaborReports.pdf

• This article is about the legislation trying to pass another bill to ensure american labor 

http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/UserFiles/File/PressReleases/2010/121510AAFAHailsHousePassageofTradeBill.pdf

• This article is about the free trade act with korea

http://www.apparelandfootwear.org/userfiles/file/pressreleases/2010/120310AAFAWelcomesFinalAgreementonUSKoreaTradePact.pdf

the American Apparel and Footwear Association is fighting and helping people be informed on whats going on in the fashion industry on the legislation front and the event side as well.

John Hardy on The Green School

John Hardy was a very real and inspirational speaker because his concern was mainly focused on the future for his children. In the beginning the Al Gore movie was kind of funny, how the movie ruined his life, but it's only funny cause it's true. From there on out the whole speech was very serious, as it should be. Living in the pacific northwest, it is very common to find the majority of people that feel the same way on currant environment issues as this. In fact this society I was raised that had these beliefs is going to impact my future clothing line, like, who, what,  when, where, and why of my clothes are the safest and most enviro friendly products possible. Oh, and the fact that they look fucking baller son! Can't forget that little part.

What aspects of the video help me look at my company differently?

1) Stay local - for he started the school and now people are finding his story and school threw the internet and local surrounding communities via word of mouth. In perspective to the clothing line I'm starting, this is also true for creating a sense of community is a big part of business today.
2) The Children - His passion for the children really help me decide about giving back to the community that I live in and that will not only give me happiness, but advertising in the best way.   

John Hardy's passion really came from him care for the future of his children. I wasn't big into books, but music always paved the way for my knowledge on some subjects. This track is off Dr. Dre's album "the chronic" and the song is called "lil ghetto boy" the intro is the part that inspired me to speak up for the future just like John Hardy is doing, for if I don't do anything, who will?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVXsP52XajE

Magic Trade Show. VEGAS BABY!

The Magic Fashion Trade Show aka Magic, is the largest and most popular trade shows for apparel in the United States. So, it's no wonder that I turn my attention towards this festival of fashion icons, plus it's in Vegas woo! Of course there are going to be fashion manufactures from all over the globe with clothes for babies to senior citizens, which ironically some both wear diapers. But, that's off the point of the subject for this trade show taught me a lot about customer satisfaction and the planning of these big events for a company stand point.

First would be the emphasize on customer satisfaction. These trades shows are always focused towards customer satisfaction and how they can further influence your buying habits. Some ways to get people to do your surveys where of course free swag (give aways). I found that people really like the free give aways if the idea behind the free give away is interesting. Stress balls shaped like rocks for Rocawear or something like that, whatever the creation is it's as long as it creative and draws interest that is what draws attention to bring people to your booth to figure out customer satisfaction issues.

Second thing is planning. Planning these trade show are very important for contacts or even publicity. Standing out in a fashion trade show can be hard for clothing lines that are just starting out in the industry. The things that catch my eye are creative booths, for the traditional style booth is very unappealing. For some try to spice it up by putting hot chicks and mascots, which are cool, but the exhibits that enhance the customer experience through different atmosphere well help your booth stand out. Planning plays a big role in the success of a trade show especially at Magic, for if you don't plan accordingly then your going to be playing a game of catch up. Diddy is on top of his, you better be on top of yours. 

Magic Fashion Trade Show Link:
http://www.magiconline.com/

How to Team Build within outsourcing

Team building is a strong point in building a successful company, but if your company is in a competitive market then outsourcing can be the competitive edge your company needs to succeed. The first question is how do I know which company is the best fit to outsource from?

• "The right supplier will have extensive manufacturing experience."
• "Aging equipment can cause future problems. After further discussion, however, it became clear the supplier had a robust preventive- maintenance program in place."

"In sum, not all outsourcing suppliers are equally capable. The more urgent your need for support, particularly with highly engineered, complex components, the more you need a supplier with breadth, depth, and innovative manufacturing-based capabilities."

Now, when you pick your outsourcing partner, now how can you build a team when you can't even see who your working with?

• Videoconferences
• Frequent Visits

"leaders had flown over to participate in the program, one of whom was a team leader for the engineers. She brought gifts for her Indian teammates and spent hours getting to know them. She had an open question-and-answer session during which anyone could ask her any question about herself or the technical procedures. The Indian team leader did the same, asking team members for their opinions on all matters and defining clear roles and responsibilities for each of them."

"The person heading the project for which the team was responsible dialed in by videoconference when I delivered the team-building program and as a result was able to share primary business drivers and the purpose of collaboration."

Alliance Building

When you do build your team how do you make sure everyone is on the same page?

• Clearly understand all stakeholders' needs--not only the needs of the alliance partners, but those of interfacing departments and functions that will be impacted by the alliance activities.
• Create a vision for the alliance that identifies the future direction.
• Create a mission for the alliance that tells why it exists and how it will accomplish its activities.
• Establish the critical key result areas or broad objectives. Satisfying the key result areas will make the vision a reality.
• Formulate strategies that define what the alliance will do to meet the objectives. These should be practical to implement.
• Identify the project improvement opportunities that will satisfy the strategies. These need clear definition, commitment of resources, and established goals.
• Establish a verification process that includes measures and process owners for each project improvement opportunity. Process owners are critical for assigning responsibility and accountability for accomplishing the job.

"In the best cases, the company worked in a divided way, often feeling disconnected from and frustrated with their contractors on the other side of the world, but at least meeting revenue goals."

References/Links: 

Hudson V. From divided to ignited to united. Industrial Management [serial online]. May 2010;52(3):17-20. Available from: Business Source Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 1, 2010.

Building alliances with outsourcing partners. Facilities Design & Management [serial online]. June 1998;17(6):62. Available from: Business Source Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 1, 2010.

Jenkins J. How to pick an outsourcing supplier. Machine Design [serial online]. July 27, 2006;78(14):54. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed November 1, 2010.