Laserific!!

Morning beauts,

Blogging on the go from my mobile!! I'm so in with the times! :)

I didn't want to leave Miss Simone on a sour note with 'bad business' so I thought I'd talk about another small business that rocks!!

My jeans have a leather patch on the back which I wanted personalised with the Miss Simone logo. I searched high and low online to find a company with good rates and quick lead times. I got faced with endless online forms and sites with not much information. When I finally did get through to someone the prices were ridiculous and the leads times were way to long for my needs. Also people were quite unhelpful and always seemed to be in a rush to get off the phone!

As I almost reached panic mode I came across Laser Bean based in Peckham. I gave the number a call and was greeted by a friendly warming voice. I explained my situation and highlighted the fact I needed this service done asap!! "Of course! Come in next week with your leather and I can do it on the day" music to my ears!!

I arrived at Queens Road (I think) to a row of warehouses. I was greeted by a young Chinese girl who has started her own business in the laser world. She showed me other bits of work she had done, which was amazing.

I got my leather out and watched her get to work. It was quite late as I had come straight from work but she was more than happy to be flexible. Within an hour I had my leather laser branded and I was more than pleased with the results.

For laser cutting and engraving services please visit www.laserbean.com

Until next time,

xoxo

Bad Business

Hello Beauts!

It's been a while! I've been so busy with the jeans line and getting my website sorted, but it's all exciting as things are rolling and Miss Simone will be launching soon ready to sell!! Yipeee!!

I just wanted to talk about one issue I had to deal with in the making of my jeans.

Back in late January/early February I met a pair of lovely pattern cutters. One stouty full blooded Irish lady (let's call her Helga) and the other a delicate English girl (let's call her Diana). After meeting a few other pattern cutters I decided to work with them because they appeared to have so much passion for their craft and Helga had actually made a pair of her own jeans, encouraging me think that she would know exactly what she's doing.

We talked about my line and designs and I clearly explained that I had a tight deadline due to the photo-shoot. Although they expressed they we're concerned that the deadline was tight they said it could be done.

Fast forward.....

I found that they we're working very slowly and the pattern didn't seem to be developing much. I didn't say anything because I had trust that they knew what they were doing and I didn't want to step on any toes. Eventually I showed my consultant how far they had gotten with only two weeks till the shoot. A lot of alterations got revealed and I informed the girl's that changes had to be made. They panicked and Helga spoke extremely rudely to my consultant. Mistake number 1. I wasn't impressed with how rude Helga was, we're in the business where changes happens all the time, this would have been their chance to shine and reveal themselves as the best in their field. Instead they panicked and came up with all the excuses under the sun.

This resulted in them out-sourcing the grading process (which they went ahead and done without checking with me first) and they had to out source the production (which I'm quite please with as I believe they wouldn't have been able to deliver the quality needed).

Attitude problem...

My next issue came with Helga (again). So I was at the bank about to make a payment and the pattern cutters sent me an invoice. Everything was fine except for a £15 payment that said travel and negotiation. I called Helga to ask what this travel cost is, she said it's for the trips to and from the factory. I said this is fine but for future reference I need to know of all costs and what I'm being charged and to confirm them. Helga didn't seem to understand my point to which she responded "so I'm supposed to tell you every little charge?" I said "yes!! It's my money and whether it's £10 or 10p I need to know exactly what I'm being billed for!" Helga went into a rant about how hard she's work and blah blah blah, continuing to not get the point that she's being paid for a service so she's doing me no favors.

The last straw...

On day of the pick-up Helga became very difficult to communicate with and I ended up having to wait over an hour than scheduled to pick up my jeans.

A result of all this is I don't want any association with them and I definitely wouldn't recommend them to any one else, they didn't take this too well but....oh well!!

My advice, if you own a business don't take on more work than you can handle. Work to your deadline and organise your time so your prepared for any unexpected changes and be nice to your PAYING customers!! Be fair and if needs be stern but you can still be nice, there's no need for bad customer services.

It's taught me that these people are not my friends no matter how nice they are. At the end of the day they are being paid for a service, so I have to be clear and concrete in my dealings with them. Fair but NOT rude.

I hope my little experience can help you too!

Onwards and upwards!

xoxo

Small Businesses Rock!!

Hi Beauts,

As a small business in progress I understand the HARD work and time it takes. I'm learning how difficult it is to to have people working for you and making sure everyone is staying in their lane and doing what needs to be done. I've experience some frustration with my "hired help" as I believe if I'm paying you to do something then it needs to be done.

Fortunately the people I'm working with are extremely nice and handle pressure very well. So far they've produced what they need to one way or another and the ball is still rolling.

I wanted to share my experience with a fellow small independent business called Uniformes. It's a guy in Beckenham who works from a room in his house and offers a embroidery service.

After days of calling different companies I was face with long waiting times for sampling and expensive set-up fees. No-one could offer a quick service at a low cost...until I met Ali.

I called Ali on the Saturday morning and he told me I could come down later and see a sample...great I thought!! I went down there and low and behold there was my sample which I was very pleased with. I then asked how soon can he create the rest he said in 3 days and I can go there after work and pick them up....quick and flexible!!

Ali was very sweet and very helpful and as my jeans lines expands I would definitely use him again!!

Please see a sneak exclusive preview of what my embroidered jeans pocket will look like!! :)

If you need embroidery services visit Ali's website and give him a call:

http://www.uniformes.co.uk/

Have a happy Easter xoxo

What's in a name??

As a a tall girl, I have been called many things...

Bean-pole, bean-stalk, giant etc..

The one thing that drives me mad the most is when people say things like "Are you still growing?" "I'm sure your taller than the last time I saw you!"

Is it such a huge deal that I am above average height??

In my school years I did suffer a lot of insecurities being the tallest of the bunch. I remember one event clearly when I was 13 years old. I had got on the bus to go to my cousins house, I didn't have any money but   at the time school kids could ride for free. I tried to tell the driver I was in school and his response was "don't be silly look at the size of you!" I was so hurt and embarrassed I got off the bus and yes I cried....

Today however I embrace my height and even exaggerate it in high heels on a night out and I couldn't give a monkeys arse what anyone calls me!! I've had guys in clubs tell me I'm too tall and my response is "no darling your too short!!"

My message to you is whatever height you are, it's perfect and beautiful and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I'm going to use my height and long legs as an advantage and new business venture. What can you do with your unique qualities?

Until next time,

xoxo