On Memorial Day Weekend, my best friend and I had an adventure on Martha's Vineyard! We went for the day, took the early morning ferry, rented a car, stocked with a variety of my headpieces in a small suitcase, and with boutique listings in hand, we hit the pavement!!
My best friend and I have known each other since we were 3 years old... We have a special bond that makes us an amazing team. We have different personalities, which compliments our inexperienced selling tactics! We didn't really go into the boutiques and try to sell with any plan in mind, but somehow we both knew just what to say! Our energy and enthusiasm was something most, not all, but most boutique owners and sales associates couldn't resist!
The day started with giggles and going to the wrong ferry-line in Hyannis, while a road race was going on and streets were closed! Of course this all happened, this is so typical of what she and I go through.... It's like being Bridget Jones, something always goes wrong! But we just laughed and called it a "Bridget Jones moment!" We made it to the ferry, sat in the least windy seats on the outside deck and listened to some happy travelling 20-something tourists sing songs as we flew across the ocean. We got off the boat to make our way to get our rental car.
And then it happened........... The amazing energy of the day continued and only got better!
Within 5 minutes of getting off the ferry we stop in a hat store (just because Keri loves hats, not because we were trying to sell) and within 10 minutes, Keri is showing the owner my pieces and he is telling us to go a few doors over to a store, Vineyard Jewelry, they might be interested! (They wouldn't have fit in in his store with straw hats and visors.)
So off we go to Vineyard Jewelry and I speak with the owner who wasn't all that interested. She couldn't see her clientele wearing feathers... (That's fine, you have to fit in the appropriate feel and style of the store and the store owner knows best.) But then her assistant walks in (a pretty girl, maybe 24) and she gasps when she sees my mini-suitcase filled with feathers and flowers! YES! Thank God for this girl! She immediately asks to try on a red flowered headband and NOW the owner is taking notice!
So long story short, within 20 minutes of stepping off the ferry, I had my first consignment offer!!! They wanted the flowers not the feathers ... No problem! Just goes to show - it was a good job I brought a variety! Different audiences, different styles!
Although consignment isn't the ideal, as you aren't getting paid until they sell, it is still exposure! And especially with this economy you have to be willing to do that. I am!!! They aren't going to get noticed or sell sitting in bins in my spare room/"studio"!
We walked out of there to get the rental care and were so pumped about how the day began! We drove along the ocean, took in the beautiful scenery. We just kept laughing and saying to each other, "within 20 minutes we had a hit!" It was a pure adrenaline high! The feeling was awesome!
We hit about 12 boutiques, focusing mostly in Edgartown (seemed to be the best target audience). And then we went to a boutique, 21 Main. (21 Main Street, Edgartown) And a lovely sales associate Filomena LOVED my feathered headpieces! The owner was away but she thought she'd be interested... Of course I gave her my card and postcards showing a variety of pieces but then... Filomena asked if she could buy one! This way she'd have one for herself but also to show the store owner in person! YES!! Score!
We also had several people that turned their noses up at them... But that's ok, we were ecstatic for the positive feedback and kept focusing on that!
The best story and what ended our day on a high was at a store in Vineyard Haven, which was NOT the appropriate place for Ducci Designs at all - yet somehow Keri and I end up showing a very uninterested store owner the suitcase...(Every eye that sees them is good, so why not whip them out!!) She say she has no time to see them, so as I am shutting the case she says "but I love your belt, do you make those?" I respond, "Why yes I do!" (a fabric belt in vibrant colors and the only one I made!) She asks if I have more, I say "at home but I have this one"... She asks what I charge and then asks if she can write me a check! No kidding!!
Keri and I walked out of there and laughed and laughed in disbelief and shock at what just happened! We decided our work was done for the day and what a successful, fun day it was!
We dropped the rental off, walked to an outdoor bar near the ferry and got ourselves a cocktail! There were several cheers to be had for the dynamic duo of Ducci Designs that day!
So if you're ever on the Vineyard, pop into Vintage Jewelry in Oak Bluffs and see one of the many styles of hair accessories I'm creating these days!!
