Home: Message List - Event: From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table

Event: From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table

CommunityTeam — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:45:03 GMT

From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table - How to turn a good idea into a fast growing business

Have you ever wanted to take your home based business and turn it into a profitable and growing business?Please join us on May 28, from 1-2PM ET and learn how! Bonnie Marcus will be sharing her story and
lessons learned of how she took her great idea from the kitchen table to the selling table.

Bonnie Marcus is the creator and owner of her own stylish stationery company, Bonnie Marcus Collection. Before launching her business, Marcus worked as a wedding planner in New York City and as the Special Event Coordinator at the prestigious 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. Having also worked for a number of years in the fashion industry for top designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Bonnie was able to team up with a number of fashion illustrators who helped make her dream of chic, stylish stationery a reality. Bonnie started by launching a wedding invitation line, Down the Aisle in Style, and a holiday card line, Holiday Style. In addition to the wedding and holiday designs, the line has expanded to 10 collections including a line of invitations and note cards for moms-to-be, Expecting in Style, and a collection of fashionable flip flops launched earlier this year. Bonnie has been recognized as a pioneer for women in business. The Bonnie Marcus Collection can be found in over 1,000 retailers around the world, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Barneys New York and Kate's Paperie. Company website: http://www.bonniemarcus.com/

The SBOC Team will take advance questions from users who want to pose a question to Bonnie. If you have a question, post it here and then check back with the site on May 28 1-2 PM ET or anytime after that for Bonnie's response. You can also pose a question in real time to Bonnie anytime during the event hours. Remember you need to be registered to post a question. So, if you haven't signed up yet, do so now, it's free.

Re: Event: May 28 -From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table

ddsteve — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:08:59 GMT

Bonnie,

I was browsing your website and noticed that you are now offering flip flops. What motivated you to move away from your core stationary business and branch out into Flip Flops? Do you find that your current stationary resellers are experimenting with the new item because its your brand or has the new item opened up new retail outlets for you?

Re: Event: May 28 -From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table

SBOCTeam — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:04:46 GMT

Bonnie,

On behalf of the SBOC Team and the members of the Small Business Online Community, we wanted to say we truly appreciated your time today and your professional responses to user questions.

Community members, while our session with Bonnie has now concluded, please feel free to discuss today's session and the questions answered. Again, if you'd like more information about Bonnie and the Bonnie Marcus Collection, visit:

http://www.bonniemarcus.com

Thanks again,
The SBOC Team

Re: Event: May 28 -From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table

PaperPrincess — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:02:11 GMT

Surprisingly, most of our customers actually purchase our products online.

Once a company has an established customer base with a known quality in the market, customers are usually comfortable with purchasing products online. In fact, our top 10 retailers are actually our online retailers. For a list of our retailers, please visit http://www.bonniemarcus.com

Re: Event: May 28 -From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table

CommunityTeam — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:58:50 GMT

Bonnie, We know your products are sold at major retailers and you have a fabulous website, how do most of your customers find your products? Online or in the store?

Re: Event: May 28 -From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table

PaperPrincess — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:56:42 GMT

Thanks for your wonderful feedback Karen!

We are in the process of adding a number of fabulous tote bags to our collection - look out for them in the stores in the fall!

Also, we have been working on a few licensing agreements and our popular designs should be available on paper plates and other party related products in the near future.

Of course, mittens are a wonderful idea as well!
I will definitely take it into consideration in the future.

Thanks again for your feedback!

Re: Event: May 28 -From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table

PaperPrincess — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:48:40 GMT

Thank you for your feedback. I'm so glad you like our products!

Trade shows have actually helped our growth tremendously. The first year we were in business, we had a booth at the National Stationery Show in New York City, and we picked up over 200 new customers, including many national chains!

Trade shows are a fabulous way to meet and network with people in your industry.

I would highly recommend walking a trade show, before actually investing in having a booth, to make sure it is an appropriate venue for your company.

Re: Event: May 28 -From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table

PaperPrincess — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:41:47 GMT

Bank of America has a wonderful selection of tools to help small businesses. I would suggest researching the options that they offer, or visiting your local bank to discuss your business arrangements with them. My account executive at my local Bank of America actually helped me to set up my business and my first bank account six years ago, and she is still the person I turn to if I have any questions!

It is amazing the support and guidance that I personally have gotten from them. Try to find someone locally who is willing to learn about your business and help you grow.

Best of luck.

Re: Event: May 28 -From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table

PaperPrincess — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:35:54 GMT

Again, it's wonderful to hear from another supportive husband. Congratulations on your wife's success!

It sounds like your wife has a unique product, which will help her to stand out from competitors and help her to take the business to the next level.

I think she should use that as the key ingredient when pitching to retail stores. Perhaps she could try to get some local press about being a working mother and her unique product line. Once she has the press in hand, it will help her when approaching retailers to buy her product - local retailers may even find out about her and contact her directly!

I would also suggest going to a national trade show to check out the competition in the market. It is always helpful to do your homework!

I have two young boys as well (and #3 on the way) so I know what a challenge, and how fun, balancing work and family can be!

Best of luck!

Re: Event: May 28 -From the Kitchen Table to the Selling Table

karenk — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:26:30 GMT

Hi Bonnie...

I think your invitations are extremely stylish and hip. The designs are fun and are a great way of announcing or inviting family and friends to a happy occassion. After reviewing all your various collections, I can't wait to have my next party. Your invitations have a vibe and energy to them. Can't wait for the next collection to come out! Do you have any plans to expand into other forms of merchandise with your designs besides the flip flops which are great fun on your feet! Maybe gloves or mittens for winter! Best of continued success. KarenK