In honor of our 100th blog post, we have come up with a list of 100 things we have learned about our business venture. You wouldn't believe how tough this was! But, it was a great exercise (to our brains, if nothing else) and was so interesting to think back to the beginnings of our dream.
You may not know this, but we started a venture several years ago based on a few crazy good ideas we had for diaper bags. Heather didn't have any kiddos at the time and Jody only had one....but, we knew we had some good ideas. It was a time when Petunia Pickle Bottom and Timi and Leslie were just making their way onto the scene. And, Diapees & Wipees were only a thought somewhere. Jody actually had the very same idea as Diapees & Wipees. Unfortunately, life threw Heather a few big curve balls and we had to put that venture on the back burner. It was during that time that Diapees and Wipees burst onto the baby scene and made their (could have, should have been ours) millions. Looking back at that time, one of the things that cracks us up the most is that people laughed when we predicted that diaper bags would sell for over $100. Hey, we knew what we were talking about!
Because Heather became an instant mom to a teenager (Hi, E!) and Jody delved into a few different jobs, we eventually lost touch and each other's numbers. As much as Heather shakes her fist at Facebook, she is also so grateful for a few old friend finds. Yep, we found each other, again, on Facebook!
It was if no time had passed...the best of friendships are that way. Once we were caught up on what had happened in those couple of lost years, the "idea" conversations started again. Just like old times we hooked up over a cup of coffee, notebooks in hand and had a brainstorming session. We both agreed that we didn't want another million dollar idea to slip away again.
It has been 3 years since we started this new journey. Heather's little M was 1 year old testing out some of our prototypes. Indiana Jane has helped us to make adjustments to our sizes as she has grown. Both of us wish that we were much further along in this venture, but as our luck would have it, we have had many personal issues come up that have required our attention in the past few years: husbands laid off, a birth, preeclampsia and cancer to name just a few. As hard as it is to gain momentum after having to press pause on our plans, we refuse to give up. Of all of the lessons learned, past and present venture, the most important has to be TO KEEP GOING!
So here it goes. We have split up the list (another perk to a partnership) Heather's are in Purple and Jody's in Blue.
1) No one has a truly unique idea. When you think of something new, someone else in the world is thinking the same thing.
2) That Heather and I couldn't be more different but somehow seem to agree on most things.
3) Bias is sewn with a special machine.
4) That manufacturing is all but dead in America.
5) Almost all US textile manufacturers have succumbed to the manual labor rates over seas.
6) We were encouraged however to hear it is starting to come back.
7) We love coming up with new ideas.
8) That one idea can evolve SO much.
9) Blogging is a lot harder than it looks.
10) That things seem just a little bit harder with kids running around.
11) Investors typically think their money is worth more than your idea and hard work.
12) That our kids are the perfect prototype testers.
13) With modern technology, it is very easy to get caught up in research; often doing far too much.
14) That there is SO MUCH Fabric out there!
15) Sometimes the answer to a problem is in your own backyard.
16) That Bias is Extremely hard to sew.
17) When going to a trade show as a buyer, it’s best to take a bag on wheels. Not very attractive, but saves the back.
18) That professional seamstress will NEVER make my resume.
19) Always strike when it’s hot.
20) That one idea can truly lead to another.
21) We could have been millionaires if we would have followed through on our first venture years ago.
22) That the research is endless.
23) Confidence goes a long way.
24) That Fabric Mills are virtually non-existent in the USA. They are now better known as fabric distributors.
25) There are far fewer government regulations on children’s products than one would think.
26) That being made in the USA is nearly impossible to claim due to so little fabric actually being MADE in the US.
27) There are so many government regulations on children’s products (that are constantly changing), that it’s best to just use a private monitoring organization to ensure you are to code.
28) That it is so much easier, not to mention cheaper, to outsource than it is to source locally.
29) Large prints are always a hit.
30) Just how many children's/juvenile products there are out there.
31) Most people just get a glazed over look that pretty much says, “Hmmm, yeah right” when you tell them that you are working on developing new products.
32) There is a very small handful of manufacturers in Utah and even fewer we would remotely consider using!
33) Sewing is much harder than it looks.
34) When online, researching fabric and researching textiles is like researching Earth and Mars.
35) The set up fee for an original button made in the USA is $20,000!
36) That a competitor just sold their company to the tune of 10 million dollars.
37) Packaging firms are really easy to find.
38) That just because a manufacturer has a reputable children's product on the market does NOT mean that they are a reputable manufacturer.
39) We haven’t been able to find good seamstresses on KSL.
40) That IM has been a pivotal business tool.
41) A dedicated studio or craft room is not only a luxury, but a necessity.
42) That Beans' N Brews is the perfect place for a business meeting. Even if it is decaf for Heather right now ;).
43) As much as we love unions, their fees sure bite for trade show set-ups.
44) That Jody SO needs to move to Salt Lake!
45) Dedication is a four letter word.
46) That mothers are probably the most innovative people on the planet.
47) You can learn a lot from The Pioneer Woman. I spent an entire night waiting in line to ask one question. Worth it? Yep!
48) That you can NEVER, EVER, EVER give up.
49) Working from home is so very difficult.
50) That the ABC Show is like Fort Knox for private buyers. They have that place locked down!
51) Moms are so helpful with business start-ups.
52) That as time goes by it is so easy to duplicate research.
53) The crazy world of scrapbooking has launched many ideas found in children’s products.
54) That other business owners that started from the ground up are extremely helpful and open about their journey and what worked for them.
55) If you look hard enough, cute boys’ fabrics are out there.
56) That people blog for money. I had NO idea before starting this venture.
57) You can have your very own fabric designed for a very reasonable price.
58) That Pioneer Woman existed...once again I had NO idea. Her story is pretty amazing!
59) Designing is much more fun than production.
60) That Heather is much more blog literate than me.
61) The combination of mine and Jody’s tastes has been perfect.
62) That Etsy is a great place for unique, affordable and innovative graphic design work.
63) We are far more critical of our designs than we should be.
64) That the Thelma and Louise theme does not go over well for blog graphics (we tried ;).
65) You would be surprised at some of the home-made products that actually sell.
66) That no matter what it is, it will ALWAYS take longer than you think it will.
67) Flexibility and an open mind are critical to success.
68) That we should have been at the ABC show two years ago....when it was still in Vegas!
69) There is only one big children and juvenile products show in the United States per year.
70) That some things work and some just don't.
71) It’s best to hire a Sales Rep. Trying to sell your own product at show does not look very good and brings an emotional element that is very uncomfortable.
72) That the best mistakes to learn from are other businesses mistakes (less painful and costly that way)
73) Innovate, innovate, innovate.
74) That we have rocking awesome husbands that support us all they way!
75) We have been pleasantly surprised that the materials we are using are recyclable.
76) That there are a lot of great services available to women and small business owners through the state and local chamber of commerce.
77) Nylon thread is the shiz.
78) Business grants are virtually non-existent.
79) Most of our friends and family don’t read our blog. Thanks to those that do stop by!
80) That small businesses get a TON of junk mail.
81) Pony up and hire a professional. We’ve only been burned by smaller local companies.
82) That there are companies that will take your idea from concept to completion. For the right price :).
83) Just because a company is smaller does not mean they are cheaper.
84) That everything (good) has or will have a knock-off so it is best to keep introducing fresh new products instead of one hit wonders.
85) When the process is no longer fun, it’s time to regroup.
86) That it is easy to be a critic, especially of yourself.
87) You often forget that you may already know the answer.
88) That children's fabric has come a LONG way.
89) A die cut can be made for only $75.00. Worth every dime!
90) That distractions and events seem to be our norm. We just have to roll with the punches.
91) Adjustable is a must.
92) That blogging could be a full-time gig. Surely will never be mine :)
93) When an idea comes from your own personal desire for something more practical, it’s usually spot on.
94) An idea can always be improved upon.
95) Business plans need to be flexible – allow for life’s curve balls.
96) Great minds think alike ;)
97) Velcro and food = nasty.
98) That a partnership works best when you can bring different skill sets/ideas to the table.
99) It hasn’t been easy to hang onto the dream when we have endured so many personal setbacks. But, it will be worth it!
100) That there are so many methods of advertising, best to utilize every outlet possible.
Thank you for stopping by and for getting through the entire 100!
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