Designer Style

Due affliliate disclosure

Catherine was an independent fashion designer with a strong entrepreneurial mindset.  She was best known - by her family and friends - for her handbags of all types, especially tote bags.

Catherine was always in design mode, sketching and hand crafting.  She never gave herself a break to find a way to actually sell her work.  Until one gorgeous, sunny, crisp Saturday...

She claimed a booth at a local arts and crafts fair.  The table was filled with her personally favorite creations.  The tent covering the booth was filled with other styles and excess inventory in the event a particular style sells out.

Comment after comment.  Interest after interest.  But nothing...yet.

"These handbags are amazing!  I'm guessing you designed them yourself?"

"Yep!  From sketch to handmade...all me," Catherine said with a beaming smile.

"Hmm."

Catherine hesitated for a moment.  Was this person going to pass as well?

"You know, a good friend of mine is a buyer at OFF - a retail boutique exclusive to New York.  We are in Evanston, though.  Anyway, she is always interested in considering new designers.  She would love your work.  Do you have a business card?"

"Um...Oh yes!  Here you go," Catherine was briefly embarrassed to know that her business cards were tucked away from visual sight.

"I see your name is Catherine.  Hello to you, then.  My name is Elle.  Do you mind if I make a purchase?  I would love to show my friend one of your designs."

"Absolutely!"

Elle bought a tote bag, tucked Catherine's business card in her wallet, thanked her, and left.

Catherine screamed with joy in her head.  OFF was a huge retail boutique exclusive to New York.  Designers around the country were eager to be a coveted feature.

One month later, Catherine felt blue.  Why was she not receiving a response?  And then...

Ring.  Ring.  Ring.  Her cell phone!

"Hello?"

"Hi Catherine.  This is Elle.  I am so sorry to keep you waiting this past month.  Fashion is always busy.  Listen, I spoke to the buying department at OFF and they love your designs.  They want to sell your handbags at a generous retail cost.  What are your thoughts?"

Catherine raised her jaw from the metaphorical floor and nervously said,

"Absolutely."

"Great!  I will arrange shipping to get the handbags to our warehouse.  From there, marketing will take over to get presentation in the Winter line.

"Congratulations, Catherine.  You are now a professional designer.  Welcome to OFF."