Monday, Monday

Well, it’s Monday and my email is down.  So, I’m not really sure what the status of the bag is or if they’ve cleared customs.  Or if I got my final import tax bill.  Or much of anything really because I live my life on email.

But let’s not dwell.  The email will get fixed, the bags will come and you can bet your bottom dollar I WILL get a tax bill.  (There are some things you can count on!)

Last week I had my head shots redone by the fantastic Charlotte Elizabeth to include the bag.  It was HOT and I was wearing fall clothes.  But we made it work and I look forward to updating my photos when the site launches!

Here are a few of locations from the shoot.

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Spark! Charleston

One of my goals for the year was to get into my own office by the end of the year.  I’m thrilled to formally announce I’ve been accepted into Spark! Charleston – a collaborative work space – and I officially have a desk downtown!  The group welcomed me in a few weeks ago and it’s been wonderful to work alongside a team of fellow entrepreneurs.

The rent is $50 a month (I know!) and in exchange I have a real office.  It’s nothing fancy, but it is a great jumping off point for a start-up.  Here’s how my desk normally looks.

Sometimes I get really crazy and work from this couch.

Big thanks to Sarah Early from Dodeline Design for giving me a stellar recommendation so I could get into Spark.  I really appreciate the help and it’s fantastic to see you on a more regular basis!

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Photo Shoot – A Preview

Last Sunday was the first Alesya Bags photo shoot!  It’s for the first collection, which is technically Fall 2011.  What a complete dream it was to see the whole thing come together.  At one point I said “Wow, this all seems very real,” and my stylist shook me and said “Alesya, this is happening right now!  It IS real.”

I gathered all kinds of props to go with the bag.  Here’s a small sample of what I brought along.

The lovely and talented Leslie Moore did the make-up.

There are so many amazing backdrops in Charleston.

We even had some people watch to see what was going on…a future entrepreneur in the making perhaps?

Charlotte is working on the editing this week. Can’t wait to see how the photos look on the website! I think you’re going to like them.

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Charlie Features Alesya Bags

My first piece of press came out on Friday! Huge thanks to Kinsey Gidick of Charleston’s Charlie Magazine for reaching out to me after reading the blog.

I though Kinsey “got me” during the interview, but that suspicion was confirmed when I read the opening paragraph to the article:

Plenty of business women have experienced it. That moment of pure frustration when, clad in stilettos, a crisp suit and button down shirt, you have to heave a bulking canvas laptop messenger bag across your chest. Suddenly your suit is rumpled, your shirt is bursting its buttons and you’re slouching from the weight of the hefty bag. It hardly says “I’ve come prepared.”

Photographer Jolie Conner took some detail shots of the bag, so if you’d like a sneak peek, here’s your chance!  The magazine also kindly included my Twitter headshot taken by Charlotte Elizabeth Photographer.

Special thanks to publisher Caroline Nuttall for bringing such a beautifully designed publication to the Low Country.  I’m honored to be included.

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The Total Package

Yesterday started out on bike as I rode through the South of Broad neighborhood in Charleston with my photographer Charlotte (pictured below).  She’s a big bike rider, while I haven’t been on a bike in several years.  There were some “oh crap, I’m going to run into that car!” moments, but luckily no cars, humans or bicycles were injured.

Charlotte took me around to see the locations she’d scouted for our photo shoot on Sunday.  Now it’s my job to narrow it down to three spots.  Here are a few of the ideas:

And while this “location” won’t make the final cut, I thought this was one of the nicest signs “like this” I’d ever seen.

I made it back to my car in one piece and then it was off to Stitch to see my boxes and to chat about the website.  I got the first version this week and there were a few goofy things.  Namely, it was difficult to buy the bag.  Um…that’s not going to work!   We discussed some changes and I’m looking forward to seeing the revised site.

From there I went to my warehouse to see all the boxes and get one for the Purse Auction.  It’s kind of crazy to see five palettes of boxes with your name on them.   But there they were, just waiting for bags

Robert Davis (my shipping expert) and I also discussed FedEx rates.  I want to give my customers the best rates and as many options as possible.  We’re working to make that happen.

From there, I went back downtown to the Waterfront Gallery (pictured above via VisitSouth.com) to drop off the bag, the dust bag and the box for the Purse Auction tonight.  It really felt like a big moment to have one whole package put together.

I’ve got a lot going on the next couple of days…auction tonight, photo shoot on Sunday and video shoot on Monday.  That can only mean one thing:  This bag project of mine is really coming together.

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Historic Day

Woke up to the news.  Here’s the front page from Charleston’s Post and Courier:

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Family Circle Cup

It’s Family Circle Cup week here in Charleston.  While I love tennis (played in high school) I also enjoy the people watching.

This is Ayumi Morita from Japan.  She is currently ranked 53rd in the world.  It looks like she knows the right colors to wear in South Carolina!

This young man did an excellent job as a ball boy. Wouldn’t you want to stand under his umbrella? The kids’ uniforms are a bit drab this year.  Special Note to the Family Circle Cup Team: Call Barbara Beach!

Adored this little boy and his outfit.  Do you think his parents meant to match perfectly?

While sitting in the stadium the two women in front of us took advantage of the warm weather.  I think their pedicures were done in “French Open Clay” and “Wimbledon Green”.

My favorite volunteer shirts were sponsored by Southern Tide.  Truthfully, I liked the men’s shirt color (Augusta Green) better than the women’s (Leaf Green).

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Charlotte Elizabeth Photographer

Today is a big day for my friend and photographer, Charlotte Zacharkiw.  She has launched her website (and thus her business) Charlotte Elizabeth Photographer.  It has been a privilege to watch Charlotte on her artistic journey and see her progress to this exciting point.

Charlotte took my head shots for this site.  They are – by far – the best pictures anyone has ever taken of me.  (Yes, that includes my wedding photos.)  She captured my daughter and her particular personality.  She’s even taken family portraits for my parents.

Of course, Charlotte will be handling all the Alesya Bags photography.  Quite simply, I don’t trust anyone else with my vision like I do Charlotte.  I know she will listen to me, work terribly hard and give me beautiful images.  Beyond the immense quality of her photos, Charlotte’s infectious enthusiasm makes her the easy and best choice.

Special Note to Miss Char:  This is your calling.  Your photographs are amazing.  They have style, feeling and a je ne sais quoi that no one else can duplicate.  It is my honor to have you in my corner and I’m so proud to call you my friend. XO ~A

All photos courtesy of Charlotte Elizabeth Photographer.

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CFW: Eleanor Morgan Hoffman

Eleanor Morgan Hoffman showed on Thursday night of Charleston Fashion Week.  Her final look was a stunning navy gown.  She also picked the perfect model to accent the dress.

Here it is coming down the runway.

A few backstage shots so you can see the feather detail:

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The Marketing

My background is in marketing.  It’s not enough for this bag to launch and sell successfully.  It has to be a great marketing example too.  Or even a famous one.  I want a good story to tell.

My go to market strategy is unusual.  Four weeks out here’s the plan:

Social Media: As you’ve noticed, I’m very, VERY active on social media.  I engage Twitter followers, add different content to my Facebook page, check out LinkedIn daily and document it all on this blog.  And this is before I’ve launched a single thing!  My goals are to build anticipation, excitement and interest.  Plus it’s a fun personal diary.

Wait List: The wait list for the bag continues to grow little by little every day.  It’s not only a great way to give clients a little something extra, its a good way to gauge interest.  And interest is good.

Reviews: Once the bags are in I’ll be sending 5-10 to reviewers.  The number one person on my list is Kate Trogvac of Funky, Chic and Cool Laptop Bags.  She will get the first bag and it might even be a sample.  I’ve always trusted and valued her opinion and I know (many) others do as well.

Tastemakers:  I’ll also be sending up to five bags to women who have influence within my target market.  This is more of a “pie in the sky” play, but still worth it.  It helps me “think big” and if one person happens to like it, then it’s totally worth the investment.  Elin has been helping me with this list and we hope the first Alesya Bags tastemaker will be Arianna Huffington.

Media:  I won’t be going to any traditional media except Charleston Magazine.  (It’s a monthly, so anything they might decide to print won’t come out until after the launch anyway.)  Why not go for the BIG win?  I’m not ready.  I need to save my “shots” for when I have inventory to support a national feature.

Blogs:  My goal is to have at least a dozen blog features the day of launch.  I’ve got about 4 slated already, so I’m well on my way.  Bloggers DO have power.  Not only do they have readers, they inspire action.

Charleston Market:  I’d like to be in one store physical store in the Charleston market when the bag launches.  Once I have the final samples and packaging I’ll be making my pitch.  If I don’t have the inventory to support that … what a good problem to have!

That’s the Alesya Bags Marketing Plan today.  Suggestions?  Would love to hear them.

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