The Emotional Difference between B2B and B2C Selling (business2community)
Consider the offer from the buyers point of view not the sellers. B2B selling is driven by bottom line rationalization and pain points. Keep in mind, the emotional appeal doesn’t make the sale, ditch the emotional jabber and start focusing on pain points to get those business conversions.
Check out ISM Scarves, A Preview, Silver Centrre, Kiwi Avenue, One Luv, Nucleus, 5 Accessories and so much more…
We opened specialty boutique retail doors for another emerging brand in the Marketplace. It’s always fabulous to introduce new products to shop owners hoping to find something they didn’t see at the shows.
The shop owner loved the color selection and the versatility of the product. Swedish brand Lova scarves has a wide selection of on-trend color options with good price points and loads of flexibility!
Check out Ntheo Moonscapes Ring, Justine Brooks Crystal Bracelet, Frau Ana Print Dress and Jacket, Karla Wheeler Stud Earrings, Karuni Pendant and so much more…
Company/Designer Name: SPYRA JEWELERY by Namrata Jham
How did you get started?
SPYRA was founded in 2007. As a child I have always been exposed to the sound knowledge of crystals, bead and gem qualities etc all thanks to my Father’s business of import/export of Glass beads mainly from Czech Republic and France. The sheen of crystals allured me and I was always drawn towards giving these crystals some life. That’s how SPYRA was born, with a view to create something not only unique but also something that has an alluring aspect attached to it. Since I was still in college, my initial collections were all about funky design and style. But as I travelled more, I took to observing and that’s how SPYRA’s main USP lies in its intricate sense of combining design and colors. SPYRA also means ‘Aspire’ in Greek language, so it was apt for me to name my Jewelery line after it because, I aspired to make SPYRA one of the most desirable brands in Semi-precious and Costume Jewelery.
Why did you join Noblivity®?
To explore cross-border marketplaces as well as strengthen the brand image in the international market owing to its unique concept and design sensibilities.
How would you describe your design style, design signature and who is your targeted customer?
My design style is Ethnic Fusion with a contemporary twist. Each design must have an intricate amount of detailing with one main element, either western or classic. My target customer is any bold/modern woman who is carefree and doesn’t fear experimentation and who obviously loves all the glam and glitz.
What inspires you?
I have always been inspired by vintage styles and jewelery. I try to glamorize old school fashion with a modern twist. My design sensibility always has a regal touch attached to it.
What obstacles did you have to overcome to get to where you are?
The biggest obstacle I faced was to get the right set of craftsmen for our style of work. Most craftsmen do not want to take up our style of design since it has a lot of detail involved in it. I also introduced this style of design in the market way too early where the target customer was not ready to experiment. Six years from then, I see an array of costume jewelery designers , each having their niche and a relative open minded customer base. Besides that, struggle has always been an inevitable aspect of any business and if you belong to a creative field, you’ve got to be on your toes 24/7. Not to surpass the rest but oneself alone. Creativity is about re-inventing your own line of work in the most unexpected and surprising fashion.
How did you overcome the obstacles along the way?
Through patience and patience alone. I had faith in what I wanted to introduce to the market and bigger faith in my design and my team. After playing the patience game for 4 years, we slowly grew into becoming a little well renowned name in Luxurious Jewelery. And the biggest obstacle of having set the crafting team also strengthened my capacity to convince people of the quality that I can produce. I have learnt that as far as obstacles go, I do know that if you offer good quality with unmatched aesthetic design, the people in question will hunt you down no matter what. That’s what kept SPYRA going.
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far?
Ever since I began the company it was always about making the company grow as my firsthand responsibility. One of my greatest memories has been withdrawing my very first salary after working for four years for SPYRA. It was a very emotional moment as I realized I was finally independent. It was extremely empowering. On the professional front, one of my fondest memories was the little thrill I received when SPYRA got selected to showcase at the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/festive’11 . Proud enough to be associated with the best from the fashion fraternity. Apart from this whenever I spot someone flaunting SPYRA, I gleam a beam from inside. I never miss complementing in disguise just to know the response. It instantly becomes one sweet memory.
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far?
The sense of maturity that has prevailed through experience. I would like to mention that we initially designed with a very commercial sense in order to hard sell but now we create niche, one of a kind designs with a lot of attention to quality and detail. Plus, change in our design occurs periodically. Just so we stay ahead by introducing the most unique and alluring designs. I prefer to stretch to the limit when it comes to design, since it is the very soul of our business.
What’s next for your brand?
I am ambitious enough to introduce my line in the western markets with the right sources. I wish to target the markets of USA and Europe.
If money were no object what would you do right now to promote your brand?
I would focus on trade shows abroad to build my customer base. I do not believe in fake aggressive PR marketing. Everything that I do must have a clean higher motive. Not a make believe eye wash. I’d invest in people who’ll want have the same faith as me in my brand and help me to grow it further. I would also offer exclusive collection rights to such channels.
What are the best and worst things about bringing a product to market?
The best thing about bring a product to the market would be the appreciation and acknowledgement received by the audience. Genuine expressions of our quality and feedback are always appreciated. The worst things include being copied by price competitive markets and cutting customer base. Sometimes the lack of knowledge regarding a certain component (in our case, materials of stones et al) make it difficult for us to convince the client of its quality.
Describe your typical day?
My typical day has always been on the go. Since I single-handedly manage a lot of things in question I must have the ability to reach out everywhere. I begin my day by arriving at my workshop at 10.30 am. I supervise the design and production and finish up emails. Most times, I have to be on the run visiting clients or meeting prospects for business. My office is energies in motion buzzing since we are on our feet constantly. Juggling between craftsmen, inquiries, meetings and perfect sanity in design is real hard work. I usually wrap up work by 7 only to look forward to my time out alone in the evenings. I prefer going for runs as it releases my stress. When we have exhibitions, time is no bar. The longest I have stayed at work has been 12.00 am. Though very tiring, manufacturing and creation has its own charm. I love sleeping tired to death and having those bones ache. Gives me a real high.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Well I would certainly delete my trial and error patterns. I would have also liked to take up formal training which would have helped me to minimize these. My design sense is very pulse driven. I learnt the techniques only through experience. A little formal training in design and creation would have helped me to achieve my goals faster. Though I hold no regrets, as my understanding through practical approach has been also rewarding in its own way.
When will you know you have made it?
I will know I have made it when every fashion story is inspired by SPYRA’s success story. That there is an aspiration taking form in each one, whenever they think about SPYRA or even while modeling/sporting it.
Company/Designer: Camoa Brasil by Juliana Ferline
Designer Background Summary:
How did you get started? All process of getting started had its origin on my passion for beach, art, culture and fashion. With that, Camoa Brasil has started almost 6 years ago on the international market exclusively and only after 3 years the company opened for Brazil’s market.
Why did you join Noblivity®? It‘s a great tool to approach our company to independent retailers in the marketplace increasing sales and promoting the brand.
How would you describe your design style, design signature and who is your targeted customer?
My design style is very sophisticated and with a touch of glamour. My signature for Camoa are pieces “ To do everything or nothing” contrasting the rusticity with sophistication which enables women to feel pretty and confident but also gives the freedom to go anywhere with the same look just changing accessories which the brand considers very important for the modern women.
What inspires you? My inspiration comes from looking to the world, seeing different cultures and languages, observing art, music, design, architecture, gastronomy and also from watching human behavior face to the globalization and all the changing process we go through every day. ll this at the end of the day gives me not only inspiration for my creation process but to life.
What obstacles did you have to overcome to get to where you are?
In business we face many obstacles frequently but I see that the biggest obstacle is our mind and our energy when we face a challenge and even on a daily basis. Being conscious of that was very important for me and it gave me the opportunity to work on aspects that we don’t exactly learn at school but can make a big difference in our life.
How did you overcome the obstacles along the way? Working and believing in my potential
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far? I’m very intense and really try to make the most of my everyday experience of design and business a great moment.
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far? My designs have changed along the brand evolution and I see its more precise in terms of what the brand wants to deliver as a concept.
What’s next for your brand? Growing the number of concept stores in Brasil approaching the brand lifestyle to the final consumer and finding partners internationally to do not only increase sales but promote the brand.
If money were no object what would you do right now to promote your brand? Implement all my ideas towards brand promoting trying to be very innovative and interacting with consumers.
What are the best and worst things about bringing a product to market? The best thing is being able to express my style and my view of the world in a product that provides not only business but that contributes to women feeling better. The worst thing as a designer is the pressure to make it commercial and saleable.
Describe your typical day? What I most love about my days and life is that I don’t have a real routine, my day is very dynamic, I interact a lot with all departments and search on a daily basis new tools to implement in the company;
What is your philosophy of life? Happiness is the path not the end, so I always try to live where I am happy during the “journey”.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? I wouldn’t do anything differently because I really appreciate all the experience I gained with all missteps that happened along this period.
When will you know you have made it? I’m not sure if I will ever feel like “I made it “ because I always have a new plan, a new idea but I think that if I feel happy during all that, that’s what matters.
Company/Designer Name: Intoxica / Kentroy Yearwood
How did you get started? Intoxica was founded in 2005, with the idea to create a high end denim line, which would work ethically sound and in a non polluting way, since the textile industry is a very polluting one, we would like to show that even a high end denim brand can work this way.
Why did you join Noblivity®?
We think Noblivity is a good platform to reach the independent retailer, who is not travelling far to see new collections and designers, but still would like to see and buy these new designers. For the labels it is an ideal opportunity to get in touch with especially the smaller US retailers/boutiques.
How would you describe your design style, design signature and who is your targeted customer?
Our ideal customer is a free thinking man, who likes to stand out and wants to wear cutting edge design, which is on top of the high quality and design, also made fair trade and with organic materials.
What inspires you?
The small things in life
What obstacles did you have to overcome to get to where you are?
For a starting designer label it is very tough to get noticed and to gain some recognition from the market. It takes a while before buyers understand the brand and place an order, especially when the PR budget is not existing. Also producing the complicated designs in small runs is a real challenge each season, as many designers will recognize.
How did you overcome the obstacles along the way?
We keep going, and most importantly, we keep learning. Times have changed a lot since we started in 2005.
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far?
To have shown the collections during Paris Fashion Week, and got noticed by some important magazines, like WWD, Sportswear International, WAD Magazine.
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far?
The direction of the designs do not change that drastically, at first sight you might not see the complexity of the garment, but when you wear it and take a closer look (or even turn it inside out) you will see why Intoxica jeans are one of a kind.
What’s next for your brand?
We slowly would like to build the brand to a world known and sold brand.
If money were no object what would you do right now to promote your brand?
We would establish our own organic cottons fields, and support the people who work there, and along the process, establish spinning and weaving facilities, finishing and dyeing, and until the ready garments factory, all in a fair trade way, which we can monitor 100% and see to it is done the correct way.
What are the best and worst things about bringing a product to market?
The best thing is that its like bringing a baby and show it to the outside world. The worst thing is that business is business and its not always going the way it should go.
What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
I would set up the vertical production facility which could produce the quantities and quality the way we would like them made, in a fair trade way, and non polluting, as much as possible.
What is your philosophy of life?
Carpe Diem
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Keep the collection smaller for a longer period, and postpone the womens line.
When will you know you have made it?
If the term Fair trade has become a pleonasm.
Company/Designer Name: Mamie Ruth/ Emily Bargeron
Designer Background Summary:
How did you get started?
I was introduced to fashion as a little girl by my grandmother, the original Mamie Ruth. She would allow me to scour her jewelry box for vintage treasures and decorate myself with her jewelry. At 13, I began making jewelry and selling my wares at local craft shows and festivals. I continued making jewelry throughout high school and college and my hobby evolved into a career path. I attained a degree in Fashion Design and added clothing design to my repertoire. I debuted my first collection at Charleston Fashion Week in 2009 and I have been designing and selling clothes ever since.
Why did you join Noblivity® ?
It is such an innovative way for emerging designers to connect with the buyers. It is founded by successful entrepreneurs to help other entrepreneurs succeed. It is such a wonderful website and I am honored to be a part of it. 
How would you describe your design style, design signature and who is your targeted customer?
My design style is bohemian chic mixed with Southern charm and tribal flare. My designs are inspired by pieces from the 60′s and 70′s. I love high waisted pants, bell-bottoms, crop tops, and fringe. I design clothes that make you want to dance. My target customer is outgoing, enjoys life, loves music, loves to travel, appreciates art, style, and fashion.
What inspires you?
Mamie Ruth designs are inspired by the sixties and seventies music scene, hippie era, world travel, Native American culture, African tribal traditions, imagination and nature. . Each collection showcases bright colors and bold prints that are reminiscent of the hippie era. Mamie Ruth embodies the free spirit and kind heart of a world traveler and the imagination and creativity of an artist.
What obstacles did you have to overcome to get to where you are?
People often think that being a fashion designer isn’t a “real” job. I am asked often If “this is ALL I do?” or “If I actually make money?” People are not accepting of fashion designers in the South because it’s not the normal career path. I am always asked why I’m not in NY or LA. It’s also hard to make connections in the fashion industry when I’m not in a large fashion dominated city. But I think it’s beneficial starting out to be a big fish in a small pond than vice versa.
How did you overcome the obstacles along the way?
Even though I am not in the fashion capitals I don’t disconnect myself from them. I research people in the industry, I follow fashion blogs and stay connected to the latest news and trends. I maintain connections with local fashion icons and media outlets. I am continuously promoting my brand. I know if I fall seven times, I’ll stand up eight.
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far?
I was extremely proud when Mad Men stylist Janie Bryant wore a Mamie Ruth design to Charleston Fashion Week and then tweeted that I was one of her favorite upcoming designers. I was also equally proud when I watched my very first collection strut the runway at Charleston Fashion Week. I immediately knew that fashion was my destiny.
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far?
My style is constantly evolving and maturing. Everyday I learn something new and beneficial that I can apply to my brand. My designs have evolved from simple shifts to more elaborate designs and they will continue to evolve.
What’s next for your brand?
Children’s wear, menswear, handbags, belts… the sky is the limit.
If money were no object what would you do right now to promote your brand?
I would mail free product to every celebrity, fashion magazine, stylist, blogger, etc. I could get an address for. I would launch a kids line, menswear line, swimwear line… I would host a HUGE fashion show and party to promote my brand. I would fly from artisans market to artisans market buying their handmade fabrics and goods and include them in my collections…. I could go on and on….
What are the best and worst things about bringing a product to market?
It is thrilling to bring a new product to market. It’s symbolizes the completion of an idea that you were able to execute into a reality. It’s also terrifying to know the amount of work that was put into the product and the possibility that it will not be accepted by the masses.
Describe your typical day?
There is no typical day. Emails, press, pr, post office, packaging, photo shoots, seamstress, samples, sketch, sales, design, network, marketing, and repeat.
What is your philosophy of life?
Que Sera Sera – Whatever will be, will be. I know that everything in life happens for a reason and in it’s own time. I live in the moment and appreciate what I have. I am thankful for each day I am given and I try not to worry too much about the future. I know that God has a plan for this crazy life of mine.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Absolutely Nothing. Each mistake or hardship has been a speed bump in the road to maturity.
When will you know you have made it?
Everyday I wake up and I feel like I have “made it” I am pursuing a career that I am passionate about and enjoy my work. I am appreciative for every sale, every boutique, every customer, and every fan. I think that as long as I am moving forward with my business I will consider myself a lucky girl.
Company/Designer: Sangeeta Boochra/Silver Centre
Designer Background Summary:
How did you get started?
Because of my love towards jewellery and being married to a jeweller, where making jewellery was tradition .
How would you describe your design style, design signature and who is your targeted customer?
Traditional , Contemporary and Luxury Jewellery with its very own chic language of design , trying to give a new face to Indian Jewellery.
Why did you join Noblivity®?
So as to increase our exposure in United States.
What inspires you ?
Nature and History and of course people who love and appreciate style with uncompromising quality.
What obstacles did you have to overcome to get to where you are?
To educate the craftsman to work with uncompromising quality.
How did you overcome the obstacles along the way ?
Family support and Strong Determination.
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far ?
When my designed pieces were selected to be displayed for sale at National Museum , India.
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far?
Fusion of Traditional jewellery with Western.
What’s next for your brand?
Launching stores and promoting jewellery with gold plating and diamonds.
Describe your typical day?
Get up early , have breakfast with family , visit temple , then go to my design studio where I create new designs meet craftsman, check the quality of my designed pieces .
What is your philosophy of life?
Live peacefully and never try to change anyone.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I have no regrets
When will you know you have made it?
The day you realize you have made it your downfall starts , so till the time I am designing I would never reach that satisfaction level.
Check out Preview Bracelets, Paolita Swimwear, FitLips, VOS Flipflops, Now Voyager, Camoa Brasil, AnthroSpa and much more…
We landed another successful match. We opened specialty boutique retail doors for another emerging brand in the Marketplace. It’s always fabulous to introduce new products to shop owners hoping to find something they didn’t see at the shows.
We successfully opened a new specialty retail account in the USA for a Barcelonian Jewelry Brand. Franchisees often contact us with the hopes of shelving their stores with unique products that help differentiate their store. Inatanka has a wide selection of designs with good price points and loads of flexibility!
Company/Designer Name: Company: Bella Argentina/Courtney Williams
How did you get started?
I have always been interested in design. I started by working for a premium purse and accessories company one summer in Argentina. I could barely speak Spanish but I was so enchanted by the people, culture, and the rich natural beauty that I was motivated to learn more. Working for a fashion company, I realized that Buenos Aires really is the Paris of South America, and I saw an opportunity to create my own design company.
Why did you join Noblivity®?
Noblivity is the best thing to happen to independent designers. They have resources, patience, and belief in the value that small scale designers add to the fashion world.
How would you describe your design style, design signature and who is your targeted customer?
My designs reflect my multicultural, multinational perspective, my quest for balance, and my passion for dance -you can feel movement in every piece. My jewelry is about physically and symbolically uniting the natural with the handmade: the earth’s stones with polished sterling silver. Each of my pieces has a natural gemstone, a play on balance, and handmade touches such as hand wire-wrapped elements that unite the design. My customers are curious, worldly, interested in cultures other than their own, and feel good about supporting international artisans.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired and fascinated by Argentina’s curious intersection of modern life, mother nature, and urban decay. I’m inspired by the drama of dance, particularly Tango, and the optimistic energy of Salsa.
What obstacles did you have to overcome to get to where you are?
Managing fluctuating markets and exchange rates during a time of global upheaval has taught me that working internationally is both challenging and rewarding.
How did you overcome the obstacles along the way?
Through immersion in both the US and Argentina, I have learned about gemstones and precious metals in order to further my designs.
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far?
I’ve gotten to travel to beautiful places and work with highly talented designers, which propels me to dream big.
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far?
The biggest change thus far was my transition from base metal to utilizing sterling silver. The difference in quality and beauty is stunning.
What’s next for your brand?
I am excited about incorporating more and more unique gemstones that are fresh and underutilized in the US market. In addition, I have an exciting designer collaboration pending for the upcoming collection.
If money were no object what would you do right now to promote your brand?
Every UN ambassador to South America would be wearing my pieces to promote Bella Argentina.
What are the best and worst things about bringing a product to market?
The best thing is seeing something that you’ve imagined materialize from a thought to a drawing and finally into a functional piece of art. The only bother is waiting for it all to happen.
What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
I’d enter a salsa dancing competition in Cuba.
What is your philosophy of life?
Life is short, so surround yourself with beauty and seek out adventure.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
I would have refined my method of identifying qualified artisans earlier in the company formation process.
When will you know you have made it?
When word of mouth is my most effective marketing tool, I’ll know I’ve made it.
Formula for Success; Ready, Fire, Aim …. Repeat (forbes)
The clichéd image of entrepreneurs coming up with an idea, laboring feverishly to perfect it, and delivering their creation to the market full-born is not what usually happens. The much more typical path is that they come up with an idea. They take a small step toward implementation to see if anyone is interested, and if it looks like there is potential market acceptance, they take another step forward. If they don’t get the reaction they want, they regroup and then take another step in a different direction.
In other words, they
Act.
Learn (from that action) and
Build (off that learning) and Act again.
Company/Designer Name: BOSCO/Nicolò Bologna & Marco Giugliano
Designer Background Summary:
How did you get started? Everything started in January 2011. We were working in different style offices in Milan, but we wanted to give to fashion a personal point of view. So piece by piece, we started developing our first collection.
Why did you join Noblivity®? Noblivity is a good opportunity for the development of our brand. It brings us the possibility to be visible to a huge number of customers.
How would you describe your design style, design signature and who is your targeted customer? BOSCO is a very strong kind of jewel. It reflects the background and personality of both of us. That puts BOSCO at the heart of fashion and jewelry. We like to use bold materials and even the closures come from the leather industry. The chain is something that represent us, and we use it almost in every piece: as base or as ornament. Our customer is a women who know that a dress can be changed with accessories and is not afraid by limits.
What inspires you? Inspiration is something we have inside. If you are sensible you can catch inspiration from everything.
What obstacles did you have to overcome to get to where you are? The main obstacle we found at the beginning was the ability to reach buyers and shops. At the beginning we weren’t in a showroom, so it was very hard for us to show our collection to customers.
How did you overcome the obstacles along the way? We support ourselves and each other and we never stop working. When we can we try to transform every obstacle into a possibility or a challenge.
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far? Maybe when we saw a BOSCO necklace published on Italian Vogue…it was a great emotion!
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far? No changes for now. We have opposite point of view! So we continue changing things anytime! So far, everything has gone in the right direction and we’re not supposed to change anything about our collections.
What’s next for your brand? We’re going to introduce a capsule collection of clothes in our Spring Summer 2012.
If money were no object what would you do right now to promote your brand? We’d like to send some kind of gift to our buyer, and maybe we’d love to have an advertisement in fashion magazines.
What are the best and worst things about bringing a product to market? Just best things, we would say! We’ve received a lot of positive feedback and appreciation, especially in regards to quality compared to price.
Describe your typical day? There is not a typical day. every day is different and we travel a lot.
What is your philosophy of life? You get what you give.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? It’s important to learn as much as you can from experience and we actually would not do anything different from what we’ve done.
When will you know you have made it? When we will be able to help the people we love with our support.
