April 28th, 2010
We have been working on a few photo shoots for the fall 2010 line. They turned out pretty good.
Both photographers have really different Styles.
The first shoot is Ronnie Abelada’s work. He is a new fashion photographer in Winnipeg.
The second shoot is Mike Latschislaw’s work. He is photographer in Winnipeg and he does all types of photography.
Both photographers have really different styles.
This is a link to another great article and photo shoot. The article will appear in the May issue of Weddings in Winnipeg.
May issue of Weddings in Winnipeg
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April 15th, 2010
I attended Manitoba Venture Challenge. It really wasn’t like the Dragon’s den, which was good.
I got a good opportunity to talk about where togo with my business, with some pretty experienced business people.
I did get some great input.
My business is not investor ready. I learnt that today.
But today I met other really good resources. People who see potential in my business and have the resources to help me reach those goals.
So I am pretty happy right now.
I will know over the next few weeks if I make it to Stream 3. Even if I don’t, I met some really great people today that want to see my business grow.
Posted in Producing and marketing a clothing line | 2 Comments »
April 8th, 2010
I received a call the other day from a coordinator from Manitoba Venture Challenge. I had applied in January. I never heard back so I had kind of given up on the idea.
MVC is Manitoba’s equivalency of the Dragon’s Den. Entrepreneurs are chosen and given the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of Angel investors.
I was accepted and accelerated to Stream 2. In Steam 1 there are 200 participants and then it is scaled down to 15 in Stream 2.
So it’s pretty encouraging that I have been placed in Stream 2.
I am looking for investors to open two new stores. It is really hard to find investors and the right one for your business. I have never been given this opportunity.
The seminars begin on April 14. It is two full days.
Manitoba Venture Challenge
Bob Proctor is a man with great insight. I have been listening to him alot these day.
Here is the third video of a series he recently produced :
Video three
Tags: Angel investors, asper school of business, Bob proctor, Manitoba veture challenge
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April 3rd, 2010
Things have been really busy over the last little while for me. We have been working on several photo-shoots for the fall line. It is looking good.
I will post the pictures as soon as I get them. There is alot of talented photographers and models in this city. So the images are pretty impressive.
I got a job designing for another clothing company. I am designing a line for them and working as a liaison between the Canadian company and Hong Kong. I have sourced a suitable factory through my Hong Kong contacts.
I will travel to the factory and represent their company in China.
I am really grateful for this opportunity. This is a service I have been wanting to provide clothing companies for sometime.
My skills and connections can really help clothing businesses expand. I have connections to all types of garment factories. I can help companies produce sweaters, baby clothing, blouses and coats. Really any type of clothing.
These opportunities don’t come along that often and this is a very difficult service to market.
I guess my blog is the best way for me to advertise this service right now.
Tags: clothing designer, liaison between the Canadian company and Hong Kong, producing baby clothing, producing blouses, producing coats, producing garments in Hong kong, producing sweaters
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January 24th, 2010
I have been thinking alot about the up coming year. I don’t know about anyone else, but I was really happy to see 2009 come and go. I think that was the hardest year of my life. So I want to look forward to some change in my life. The last few years I have worked on a vision board to map out my life.
Some people don’t believe in the power of visualization, but I do. I thought alot about posting my 2010 mind movie on my blog. Its pretty personal. This leaves me open for unwanted ridicule.
Don’t be shocked if I remove it in a week.
Mind Movie
But I would like to encourage other people who are feeling unsure about their futures to spend sometime on a mind movie or a vision board. They are alot of fun todo and this is a sure fire way to transform your life into something you will love.
If you want a better description of what Mind movies are and how to make one for yourself, here’s the link
http://www.mindmovies.com/creationkit10/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B52h6cmTPWg&NR=1
http://mindmovies.com/vid1blairnat/
I just watched the video. I did not order anything from the site. I own the secret and I try to watch it once a month. So I understand the concept. If you have never seen the secret, go out and rent it today. It will be the best thing you have ever done for yourself.
“You can be do and have whatever it is you want” The Secret
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January 5th, 2010
Cake had its first glimpse at Mall life. It is over now. The spot we were in was temporary and a permanent tenant signed on for 5 years. The spot was not for me anyway. It was too big. There is something coming up in March 1/3rd the size. So we will have to see if we can get into it. I don’t think I would do anything temporary again. The space did not fit the product and this was an issue for me and my customers.
Overall it was good though and I wanted to stay, but I did not get the option. Having two stores is a lot of work for me. But I would definitely like to get a permanent location there in the future.
So after Jan 9th Cake will only be at the downtown location.
We have been doing some fun marketing stuff. A new media company has taken over my marketing and they are doing a great job. They are producing a show called Caketv. So far its been pretty fun for me. I also got a call from MTS TV and they are doing a documentary on designers in Winnipeg. They are filming in the store tomorrow morning. They liked the media site and want todo something similar. We will also post it on caketv.
This kind of marketing is really fun and I hope this is just the beginning.
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November 17th, 2009
We were at the Grand Wedding Show this weekend. It went well. It was the first one put on by this group. The turn out was ok and the collection was received well. I usually do the Wonderful Wedding show at the convention centre. Its alot bigger. That show has been going on for years. It is probably four times the size. These shows are alot of work, but it is good exposer. There was a fashion show too. That went pretty well.
Cake Holiday Collection Fashion Show Video
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November 8th, 2009
I arrived back in Hong Kong today. The drive back was more tollerable. The country side here is really beautiful. Such lush trees and mountains. I do wish the drive was one hour and not four though.
I really like this part of the world. One day I would like to own a home in Asia. I want my family tobe introduced to this culture as I was.
I have always been influenced by Chinese culture. When my great grand parents emigrated to Winnipeg from Ireland they lived in downtown Winnipeg, China Town. At this time, both Chinese and Irish emigrants were poor. I had five great aunts. Only my grandmother married, the others war brides.
All five sisters were heavily involved in the Chinese church. They helped many Chinese emigrants when they first arrived to Winnipeg.
When I was young, my Grandma’s Chinese friends were invited to every Christmas dinner. My dads friends growing up were Chinese as well.
Its not surprising that my career lead me here or that I live in downtown Winnipeg.
I am leaving for Canada tomorrow morning. I’m ready to come home. I will be bringing the holiday collection back with me.
You can view some of the styles on my facebook page
I really have not updated the site recently, too busy. I have a photoshoot scheduled for when I return. The site will be updated soon after.
The next few weeks are going tobe really busy for me. I have a trade show this weekend and after that I have to start working on opening the new store at St Vital Centre.
Posted in Hong Kong Travel Log Nov 2009 | No Comments »
November 7th, 2009
I guess I woke up kind of pissed off today. I was a little irritated from the trip. Today turned out to be a pretty great day. Things went really well at the factory. The collection looks good and we are just working well together. The kind of day where it all seems worth it.
Raymond and I went out for a great dinner and after we went for message.
Not too sure where my life took the turn that it was common practice for me to go to massage parlors with Asian business men. But I like it!
We are going back to Hong Kong in the morning. The next day I travel back home.
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November 6th, 2009
We arrived in China last night at 11:30. It felt like we were traveling forever. There was alot of construction on the highway. So we had to drive through small villages. It took longer to get the Shantou, but it was a little more interesting drive.
We had sea food when we arrived and a masseuse came to the room at the end of the night. She was a little weird. She texted her friends while she massaged me.
Last time I was here we went to a massage parlor and I got some angry Chinese girl who had it in for me. She was so aggressive. It was totally weird. At one point there was two people working on me and there were five people in the room.
I had to take her hands off me and tell her to stop. She wouldn’t. No one spoke English, but it was pretty obvious I did not want her touching me.
They just continued to speak Chinese and paid no attention to me. I was pretty mad. The next day I was in so much pain. She put my back out. It even hurt to breath. I had to get on a plain that day. That really sucked.
I got up early this morning and went for breakfast. I really can’t be alone here. No one speaks English and I don’t have any money. The currency is different and only have Hong Kong dollars.
Betty, the design technician, is picking us up at 9:30 and will spend the day at the factory. I’m looking forward to that.
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