Time Management

Time management is very important in order to have an organized and productive shopping event . In the past 4 weeks  I have had to manage my travel time,  time packing and unpacking the car,  set up time for my portable display, the time to take down the displays and repack the car, etc. These all must be taken into account before a show.

For the last 4 weeks I have been working non-stop to promote my multipurpose aprons; traveling from Mississippi to Louisiana and back to Mississippi. Preparing for each show has taken a lot of time. The back of my SUV was packed to the ceiling with supplies. Each venue required a different set up.The space for me to set up shop had to be evaluated and then I determined the layout. My background in interior design helped.  I set up my portable display in homes, outside in the middle of a street, and a rented facility, just to name a few of these venues. For the most part, setting up for a show has been a breeze. However, there have been a couple of instances that have not been so easy.

When setting up outside, a bit of advice to remember, check the weather forecast. Especially, the wind conditions. Aprons, hanging on a portable display, being blown down by a gust of wind actually happened this past weekend. I always say " you grow from your experiences".

My phone has not stopped ringing with orders for my designer aprons. I have received orders from Texas, Florida, Louisiana and from here at home, just to mention a few.

It is now time to evaluate my sales for the year and to determine which fabrics are the most popular. It has been a very productive 4 weeks and I want to say THANK YOU to all of the customers that have helped me take another step toward my goal.

New Iberia, La holiday home show

Display downtown Hattiesburg art walk at the Saenger Theatre

Displays throughout the home

New Iberia, La home show shopper

My 94 yr old grandmother, sister, and me wearing 3 patterns from my collection

My family members assisting at the New Iberia, La home show

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000216068273
kacodesignsbyliz@gmail.com

CAJUN COUNTRY

Trunk show in New Iberia, Louisiana.  Cajun Country!! The weekend before Thanksgiving I traveled to my home town and had a trunk show to sell my 100% cotton multi-purpose waterproof designer aprons.

 In order to have a successful event, organization and proper preparation is required. Helen created my address database, Tasha created my invitations, filled containers with aprons, I packed mannequins and a large box with "staging" supplies. Finally, the weekend had arrived. I loaded the back of my SUV. Thank goodness for side mirrors. I felt like the "traveling apron lady".

The night before the show, I spent several hours setting up. I created apron displays in the kitchen, in the living room, and in the dining room. I also created fresh floral arrangements that were placed in selected areas. It was the perfect scene for  Christmas shopping.  On the day of the event, my guests were greeted with a holiday cocktail served by a family member wearing an apron from my collection with Christmas music playing in the background. My trunk show was a huge success.

The days following the event, I received many phone calls from people who had heard about them and from people who were unable to attend on the day of the event. I literaly sold aprons out of my tuck throughout the week.

I am extremely grateful.

kaco designs by Liz: SIMPLY INCREDIBLE!

kaco designs by Liz: SIMPLY INCREDIBLE!

SIMPLY INCREDIBLE!

My work day begins very early in the morning and it is non-stop until the evening. Throughout my adult life, I have never experienced such a feeling of passion for a job as I presently feel. Being a wife and a mom goes without saying, of course. That is my absolute ultimate passion.  But, a job? Yes, I can honestly say, it is an incredible feeling. I wake up around 4:30 a.m. , pour a cup of joe, grab my computer, and begin my day. Before I know it, several hours have passed. I have, without a doubt, love what I have accomplished so far. The incredible people that have entered my life as well as some of the faculty and students at the University of Southern Mississippi, THANK YOU!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KaCo-Designs-By-Liz/177216055643207
https://sites.google.com/site/kacodesignsbyliz/

CRAZY BUSY

The business side of my company has been quite demanding. As a creator, I have been challenged to find the resources to benefit me and make this part enjoyable. I am sure most, creative, people would agree with me. However, I have learned so much!! Starting a small manufacturing company, no matter what the size, dealing with bookkeeping, inventory, and so much more are extremely important. I call this,  the serious side of fun.

Blue Meadow #4929
Size Adult Short $35.00

http://www.facebook.com/pages/KaCo-Designs-By-Liz/177216055643207

Doors Opening

When one door opens for me, as I travel through the process of growing my manufacturing company, another door seems to open for me. It is quite amazing.  There are so many stages to conquer in order for my business to grow. I have finally entered the public relations and marketing stages. Meeting people, networking, and lots of phone calling has helped me acquire several names to assist me in this process.

 I made an appointment and met with a Professor in the Mass Communications Department at Southern Miss. After the meeting, I was asked to be a "client" for a couple of his classes in November. I am thrilled! Let me just say, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

A BIG Hug!

Photo Shoot lasted all day. As I described in my previous blog, me hugging the mannequin. Well, here it is. The photographer and friend, Carlton Mickle from New Orleans, La, captured my true feelings. Standing in his studio, white backdrop, lights shining on my "company" apron. I was soo excited. The feeling of accomplishment was overwhelming, I just had to give it a big hug. 2 1/2 years worth of hard work. Thank you to everyone that has supported me. I can't wait to see what happens in the next 2 1/2 years.

Photo Shoot

Photo shoot, today in New Orleans, was a huge success. I am exhausted but so well worth the work. I cannot wait to post my favorite from the day. I actually hugged the mannequin draped with my company apron. The photographer captured that moment and it was perfect. I actually had tears of joy in my eyes. It has taken a very long time to reach this stage of creating my line of laminated aprons.  A ton of hours, long work days, and dedication. Truly, a wonderful feeling!

Inspiration

One of the many people I have met throughout the process of creating my laminated aprons is a professor in the fashion merchandising department at the local university. She was excited to see all of the aprons I have designed. This was her first visit to my office. Her face lit up when she saw all of my aprons. Finally, I have bulk to market! She has listened to me talk about my need to mass produce, so I can have a variety of styles for the consumer to select from. Her reaction when she saw the aprons was so inspiring to me, I am truly grateful. Each time we meet, she gives me helpful advise for my free google website. It may not be very dramatic, yet, but it is work in progress. A QR code was added. Feel free to check it out.

Thursday, I received my first shipment of aprons that were mass produced in the U.S.A.  So exciting! Finally, after 2 1/2 years of setting weekly goals, hard work, commitment and dedication, and the support of special friends.

Friday, was the first day of work for an intern majoring in Fashion Merchandising from the local university, to help me with certain tasks of my business. Perfect timing! She was able to help me inventory each style. Some of the totals from the work order were not adding up to what was the delivered. This is the part of the hands on real life process of manufacturing. After making a phone call to the cut and sewing company, the fourth box was missing. After checking the tracking information, the fourth box was delivered Friday afternoon.  I was relieved and excited!!

Next step is to prepare for the home shows and Christmas shoppers.

Awaiting my first order of aprons. I am trying very hard to keep them, "Made in USA". Presently, working on brochure for my company so that I can present to others what I have been busy creating for the past 2 years.

Today, I have cooked 3 main dishes in 3 hours. Chicken Piccata, Texas Chili, Foiled Chicken. Delivering meals to special people in my life. There is nothing more gratifying than to help others.  This is just another hat that I wear, a chef hat.

I am feeling pretty good this morning. I have reached another weekly goal.

How many hats can I wear at one time?

Chef, Floral Designer, Mother, Wife, Interior Decorator, bookkeeper, housekeeper, therapist, networker, buyer & seller, manufacturer, delivery woman, yardman, school advisor, literally all at one time! And, pretty good at all of them. Or am I simply A.D.D. ?

Month of April

Thank you to everyone that is wearing my designer apron. Wear it proudly!!

Apparel Accessory

My dining room is a mess. Rolls of fabric, everywhere.!

I have created a line of designer aprons. They are functional as well as unique!