"Are you brave enough to be brave?"

Week 2: "&company" + "top3 by design" workshop

PITCHING, MARGINS, PROTOTYPES, WEBSITE, PRICE LISTS, PUBLICITY, LEAD TIME, APPROACHING RETAILERS, SUPPLY AND RESUPPLYING, PACKAGING WORKING RELATIONSHIPS, RETAILERS, WHOLESALE PRICES, & A LOT MORE!

These were some of the topics discussed last night with the lovely Terri Winter from top3 by design.

A little bit of background; a few months ago I was the lucky winner of the door prize at a design event held at the Moore Park Super Center. The prize was a voucher to spend at top3 by design, my lucky day! I was also lucky enough to meet Terri the same day and in person,  was able to thank her for the prize. When I knew Terri was one of four speakers during the workshop I was over the moon. Terri is a wealth of information and has such a 'buzz' about her. You might think someone who runs such a successful company and is so hands on, and has a family of her own would need to conserve energy- but not Terri!

Terri Winter is the co-founder and managing director of top3 by design and is the principal buyer. (So we all best be nice!)

"Terri's mission is to unearth the best designs on the planet and to help share with everyone the thrill of owning design originals ... and her dedication to this mission is contagious! Her excitement at the arrival of new samples makes every day in the office like Christmas, and she is always on the hunt for the next amazing thing to add to the top3 collection. Terri's passion for design, and her desire to make world class design accessible to all is at the heart of top3."

                     

                                    

You can see all the products from top3 by design here.

The big reminders from last night;

1. "Are you brave enough to be brave?" - This was said as a passing comical comment by Terri but I believe it had more meaning that most were aware of. Sharing your creations with the retail world is a daunting process. Designers need to be brave to pitch their product, you need to be brave to continue creating, and to pick yourself up when something doesn't go to plan.

2. Ensure you can resupply your product - Having your product manufactured the first time is so exciting, and even more exciting when it is picked up by the retailer/s of your choice. Just ensure you plan ahead and have enough funds to resupply the product. This process should grow organically from here.

3. Be passionate about your product - If you turn up presenting one thing one day and a different product the next time you are not showing much commitment to your product or to your brand. Believe in your work and your skills, so other people can too.

4. Ensure you chose the right retailer for you and your product - if they are not willing to negotiate then stop and consider whether they are right for you.

5. Communication - Communication is the most important part of the relationship you hold with your retailer/s. Every product will encounter their issues along the way. If you are honest with your retailer about them the entire process becomes a lot easier and a lot more enjoyable. Most customers do not mind waiting for a great product - but they do not enjoy being given a deadline and then another and another.

I'd love to share all the useful information Terri shared with us last night but it is difficult to pick a starting point. If you have any questions regarding the above topics or anything else please don't hesitate to contact me. The best way to do so is through the Facebook page, which you can find my clicking here.

You can read an interview with Terri + Design Hunter here. 

Here are images from last night, taken by the lovely Susan from Susan Wang Photography. You can find her on Facebook here.

You can see all the products from top3 by design here.