Gifts of Gratitude #2 - Studio Oh!

About 2 months ago, I posted part one in a planned series of posts about gratitude-inspired gifts and promised to post additional ones later.  Now it's "later" and even though it's later than I planned, I'm resuming my series.  Sorry for the delay.  I've been busy.

Gratitude leatheresque gratitude journal in coral & green; also available as an internet password journal

Studio Oh has refreshed its jotter journals with chic new - and durable - Leatheresque covers featuring in-demand gold foil stamping and a ribbon page mark.

They are sized to be portable and easy to stash in your bag and offer a space to record all the things for which you are grateful, promoting a more optimistic attitude.  Consider it a gratitude-on-the-go journal that will be a useful resource on those days when you feel uninspired and struggle to find reason to be grateful.

Retailers, you need to stock these in your shop year-round for your customers looking for small gifts that have meaning.  You can retail it for $9.95 with a little extra margin but still comfortably within the price range for gift-giving.

As you can tell from the photo above, there is also a version for internet passwords.  It's available in either black or turquoise.

Preview 2017 - Redwood Soap Co

Goat's milk bar soap and liquid hand wash, aloe-based hand & body lotion in 6 fragrances

Last month I visited Staunton for some courtesy calls with existing accounts, but I also wanted to connect with a newer retailer I learned about through social media but had not yet met.  My mission was to change that since they can clearly make money from several of the product lines I represent.

November is a tricky time to connect with potential new accounts.  In retail terms, November is Christmas and new sales reps can be unwelcome even when we come in peace for a meet-and-greet.

And so I walked into Redwood & Company unannounced, uninvited and unknown braced for whatever reception greeted me.

Well, Chris and Mark could not have been more welcoming (whew!).  In the course of conversation, I learned they have developed and manufacture their own line of personal care products - and are looking to grow their list of retailers. 

Long story short - I'm your new sales guy for Redwood Soap Co!  This was not one of the reactions I braced for.  It was even better, and I couldn't be happier about it.

Territory is a new fragrance to the collection with a more masculine appeal

Our body care line, Redwood Soap Co. was created in the Spring of 2013 after a failed search to find a well-made, all natural product that was gentle yet effective on the skin. But, being as stubborn as we are, we set out to create our own. From what started as milking goats on the family farm and many, MANY bars of soap later, we arrived at what you see today - a rich, gentle bar of soap made from the finest goats milk, all-natural ingredients, and therapeutic grade essential oils. Taking all that hands on knowledge, we are now working to expand our product line to include body lotions, lip balms, scrubs, and more. 

Redwood Soap products are all made in small batches right here in Virginia! The hand wash and lotion are both sold in recycled glass containers and retail for $15.  The bar soap retails for $10.

All products are available in six everyday fragrances - Lemongrass Zen, Lavender Meadow, Orange Grove, Fresh, Bright and Territory. 

If you're intrigued but wondering if you can sell this, I can tell you that on both my initial visit as well as a follow-up visit to the store that customers were purchasing multiple items even though that was not the original reason they came in.  The appeal of carrying bath products is that they are consumable and customers return to buy more.

And yes, I do have samples you can smell and try before making the decision to stock Redwood products.    So please let's make time to meet so you can experience the product and join me in supporting local business!

Preview 2017 - Rooted Right

Do you sell tee shirts as part of your product mix?  If so, then you know what a fast-growing category this is for gift shops.  If not, what are you waiting for?

Rooted Right is a new tee shirt company that celebrates the wearer's roots whether it's pride in their home state (or adopted state) or telling their story through their enthusiasm for a particular sport, recreational activity or travel destination.

It is the brainchild and passion of Amy Fay Chandler, a friend and fellow sales rep who also owns a retail business.  She has been selling them in her own shop and through other retailers in Tennessee and Kentucky for the last 6 months or so.

Virginia Tech colors (left) and University of Virginia colors (right)

Rooted Right is also a vehicle to support a cause important to Amy Fay - the fight against hunger.  A portion of the price of each tee shirt is donated to the fight.  Donations to food banks at the local level have already provided over a thousand meals in Tennessee and Kentucky.  As the company grows and expands outside the region, donations will be made to Feeding America - an organization to which all local food banks are linked.   

"Hope" tee shirt on the left, "Music" tee shirt on the right - both in regular fit

Amy Fay searched for the softest t-shirt she could find that is USA-made, and you will love the touch of the 100% cotton fabric.  Expect the shirts to shrink a tiny bit when washed and expect them to get even softer with repeated washings.   

The basic cut tees are short-sleeved and available in sizes from small to 4x.  Feminine fit tees are available in small to extra large and are a great alternative for younger girls or women who like a more fitted shirt.  

You can retail the shirts for $34 (except for 2x-4x which are slightly more).

If you're a retailer in central and southern Virginia, you can expect me to bring my sample with me when we meet this season.  If you want more information or need to see me urgently, please alert me so we can make plans right away!

Preview 2017 - Seashell candle collection from Vance Kitira

New seashell candles are available in 5 sizes

Vance Kitira heard your request for more coastal merchandise and responded with this new collection of seashell candles that will make their market debut in January.

The candles are expected to start shipping in March - but don't wait to get your order in.  No doubt they will be hot sellers, so make sure your order is at the front of the queue!

Each candle is unscented white wax in a clay vessel in one of five shapes with a matte finish.  The wax is the same premium wax as Vance's other candles so you can expect the same quality burn.

More good news is that you can order them by size instead of as a prepack that may include sizes that don't retail well for you.  Your retail on these will range from $5 for the smallest size (in the front of the photo above) to $32 for the largest size (middle back in the photo).

If you're going to market this winter, make sure to include Vance Kitira on your itinerary.  You can find him in Atlanta at Americasmart building 2, showroom #1328.  At NY NOW, you can find him on the upper level of the Javits Center in booth #1002.

Happy Holidays 2016

Before you read further, you should agree that Karen Carpenter has the most perfect voice for singing Christmas songs.  Ever.  It's not open for debate.  The science is settled.

I have always loved the buildup to Christmas and have never been one to frown upon businesses decorating prior to Thanksgiving.  In fact, I've been known to pull out a Christmas CD or two during the summer for a little bit of cheer.  In May 1998, I remember listening to an Anne Murray one when I started feeling the effects of what was diagnosed later that evening as strep throat.  I don't hold Anne responsible, though, and I still listen to her each Christmas.  Just not in the summer.

I even enjoyed working retail at Christmas because I'm weird like that.

As much as I love the anticipation of Christmas - the lights, the food, the colors, the good cheer, the parades, the parties, wrapping gifts - I have to confess that Christmas Day itself can be a letdown.  By 2:00pm, I'm ready to get back to normal life.  Enough of the radio with Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson butchering my favorite songs along with songs that need to be butchered like "Little Drummer Boy" and "Christmas Shoes."

Yep, before the sun goes down I'm ready for the new season of "How to Get Away with Murder" and anxiously await the Christmas episode of  "EastEnders" to see what Christmas tragedy plays out this year.

No matter what holiday you celebrate (if any) around the winter solstice, I think we can all agree that once we're past New Year's that we're ready for summer.  It doesn't work that way in Virginia, however, so we have to wait.  That wasn't the case when I lived in California because even the coldest day there was akin to a chilly spring day here.  You could still wear shorts to run errands, but you'd probably want to throw on a sweatshirt.

I hope you each enjoy whatever holiday you observe, create some fond memories, get to relax and reflect and gear up to make 2017 an extraordinary year!

Preview 2017 - In Other Words... from Compendium

New for 2017 - Compendium is introducing a new card line to their award-winning assortment!

In Other Words... provides your customers another option to say more with their greetings.  It is a card series that is big-hearted and witty, combining genuine sentiments and playful storytelling to mark life's important occasions.
 
You may already stock one or both of Compendium's other successful card lines - Positively Green or Frank & Funny.  So why should you consider another one?

• Generation X and Millennial consumers are purchasing more greeting cards, averaging 18 cards per year
• Greeting cards satisfy a craving for deeper, meaningful offline connections
• The growing demand for greetings that offer something original or distinctive
• In Other Words... incorporates bright colors with a simple design and smart, witty content with a small press aesthetic

Because In Other Words... celebrates the art of the written word, a percentage of each card's purchase is donated to organizations that promote literacy and support the readers of the future.  And like all Compendium cards, they are printed in the USA on FSC-certified recycled paper.

In Other Words... is available with the same spinner options as the existing collections - and with the same guaranteed sale as those collections, as well.