Timing

The #1 question I’m getting these days is:

So WHEN is the bag going to launch?!

You know it’s reached a feverish pitch when even your husband calls from work and says “I just saw your Facebook update about the leather…what does that mean for the timing of the launch?”

Here’s the deal:

I heard from China yesterday.  Two of the colors of leather have been tested.  They need to be made a bit softer.  Once this is approved, all three colors will be finished.  My hardware has also gone to production.

Meanwhile, back in the States, the website is in full swing.  The copy is finished and 85% of the design is done.  We are scheduled to launch the site the last week in April.

Now, if the bags aren’t here the last week in April – which is a distinct possibility – I will still launch the site and take pre-orders.  Meaning – you can order the bag, reserve the color you want and then I will ship it the moment it arrives.

Please don’t forget, if you want to be the first one to see the bag sign up for the wait list.  There’s zero obligation to buy.  You’ll just be the first to see the website, the art and of course…the bag!

That’s the scoop – straight from the horse’s mouth.  As soon as I know more, so will you.

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1st Website Mock-Up

Yesterday afternoon Stitch presented the first mock-up of the website.  I was thrilled.  It is beautiful.  And I’m not even ashamed to tell you I got teary-eyed.

This has been a long time coming.  In my previous life, the website was the end product, so that background made this a BFD.  (Big Freakin’ Deal)  Plus, Stitch since knows the brand so well – they created it – the website had all the elements I wanted.

As soon as I got home I emailed the site out to my Dream Team, my Mom, the illustrator and my copywriter.  They were all equally excited and their responses were almost immediate.

The one “issue” I have is the bag isn’t on the home page.  I can’t decided if this is cool or confusing.  If you came to a website for a product and it wasn’t there, would you be confused?

I’m going to sit with the design over the weekend before I make any changes.  Often my best work comes to me in sleep.

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Website Underway

After much planning and preparation the website development is underway!   Here’s where I stand:

1.  I’ve written all the web copy and its in the hands of the copy writer.  The one section that I believe will be a work in process is the FAQ section.  Once the site is live, I’ll have a much better understanding of questions people frequently have.

2.  The large fashion illustration is done!  It’s pretty much exactly what I envisioned.  Love when that happens.

3.  Right now, I have place holder image of the bag that my friends in China have taken.  Real images will be taken in the coming weeks, but in the meantime the place holders will help me move forward.

4. Stitch has already finished my logo, packaging and several other design elements.  They know my brand intimately.  Now they’re working on the last piece – the website.  To say I’m excited is the understatement of the month.

5. Once the design is done we’ll add the functionality.

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If Its Friday, It Must Be Good News

Holy smokes!  Another Friday already!  Well, by now you know what that means.  A round-up of this week’s good news:

1. Yesterday I met with a great fulfillment partner.  His family has been in the mailing and printing business for several generations in other parts of South Carolina.  Now he’s bringing the business to Charleston.  He was very willing to work with me, had lots of good ideas and I was happy to hear the company could handle most print jobs.  I’m still waiting for some info, but it seems very promising.

2.  My logo isn’t done.  At first glance, this might sound like bad news.  But wait!  Its actually good news because Stitch is fixing something I wasn’t comfortable with and happy to do so.  Now that’s a great partner.

3.  Speaking of Stitch….you guessed it, I picked them to be my design partner for AlesyaBags.com.  I was so happy with the logo work it was the natural choice.  They recommended Mathew Smith to do the background programming and after already answers 341 questions for me I know he’s a great choice too.  I’m excited to start site development at the end of this year!

4.  I’m considering using a PR firm.  My background is in marketing and public relations, so its tempting to do it myself.  Or at least wait until I’m more established.  But I’ve been convinced I need to at least investigate the possibilities – and so I am.

5.  Late last week Kate Trogvac from the #1 lens on Squidoo (my dream PR win, in case you forgot)  tweeted me the following: @Alesya Flattery will get you everywhere 😉 I will be delighted to review your bag!! And, yes, a happy dance took place after I read it.

Since we’re dancing, let’s jump right into the weekend.  Last week, I started a new feature where I write about something other than the business.  (All work is pretty boring, right?)  Thanks to Real Simple on Twitter it was very popular.  This weekend I’ll be talking about Halloween decor.  I’m sure many of you will be spending your weekend carving pumpkins so please join me, I’d love to see what’s on your door step.

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Friday, Friday, Friday!

 

It's good news day at Alesya Bags, but it was a bad news week for the Gap.

 

It’s Friday (whooo hooooo!) and with that comes our weekly round-up:

1. I’ve picked a logo and am working with Stitch to tweak it and pick out colors.  After all the Gap hoopla over their new logo this week, it reinforces how important your logo is to the customer.  To my friends at the Gap – we loved you just the way you were.

2. As of yesterday, I’m in search of a Fulfilment Center.  Luckily, Charleston is a port city so we have a lot of these facilities.  Emails have gone out to half a dozen companies and I hope to hear from at least a few of them by the end of today.

3. The search for a website partner is clipping right along.  I’m expecting a quote to come in today and I have a phone call with another company this afternoon.  With each person I speak with I’m learning what I want, what I don’t want and what this line item in the budget will look like.

4. Now that I have a launch date (yea!) everything is working back from that day. I’m feeling the pressure, but more importantly feeling the excitement start to build.  Perhaps even a little  buzz?  A marketing maven can hope.

5. As I mentioned last week, I applied to be part of Seth Godin’s 3-day FREE seminar.  Have you?  The last day you can do it is Noon EST on Sunday.  DO IT.

6.  Need a feel good song to kick off your weekend?  Play Like a G6 by the Far East Movement, get yourself a wind fan and make a nice slow entrance.  Or just dance around with your Diet Coke like someone I know.

That’s all the news from here.  Enjoy your weekend!  (And don’t be acting like you’re drunk when you’re sober.  Seriously.)

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Wanted: Website

How do you feel when THAT number comes up on caller ID?

I’m in search of the perfect website team.  A team that understands my laptop bag goals, designs simply yet beautifully and programs flawlessly.  But what I’m really, really looking for is a partner who passes the Caller ID Test.

What’s the Caller ID Test?  Quite simply, when I see their number pop up on my phone, how do I feel?  Am I filled with dread and apprehension?  Do I think about letting the call go to voicemail?  Do I get a knot in my stomach?

If a partner passes the Caller ID Test I see their number and can’t answer the phone fast enough.  I’m anxious to hear about their new idea, a solution to a nagging problem or what they did over the weekend.  I’m quick to recommend them to anyone and proud of the work we do together.

That’s the all important Caller ID Test.  Try it on your partners/team members/potential life partner.

So far, I’ve contacted six different groups. Three here in Charleston, one in Austin, one in Philadelphia and one in Brooklyn.  Some have asked me questions, some have given me quotes, one already told me they don’t to e-commerce and one hasn’t called me back.  (It doesn’t look good for that one!)

It’s an extremely important choice.  I look forward to sharing my choice with you…and seeing their number come up on my caller ID.

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