The hunt begins

This week has been very exciting. We are in talks with our first possible studio tenant who may also be taking care of the coffee shop side of things. We have had more expressions of interest from on consignment designers and could be looking to expand the number of designers to 100, space permitting. A reminder that you do not have to be a children's "product" designer as such, you may provide a service such as photography, art, interior design, education, etc, to be involved in this venture. Pass it along to anyone you feel might be interested. 

I have just set up a facebook fanpage for people interested in shopping with us once we open. Like our page and send the link to anyone within your network that might be interested. Let's try and get as many likers as possible before we open. Fanpage

We have also started sending out press releases to generate some exposure prior to opening.

The next exciting news is that we have started to scope out some properties to gauge exactly how much space we will need. Our key search criteria include parking space for tenants and customers, bathroom facilities and loads of open space. Take a look at some of these images and let your imagination run free! 

Network, Grow, Survive

This week we have been busy thinking of more ways to help all of you designers out there and here are a few ideas to add to the mix:

1. Free talks will be given by successful childrens product businesses on how they got started and how they grew.
2. Free sessions on how to set up websites, webstores, facebook pages, blogs etc.  
3. The learning area of KSH could be available for all members to teach classes for kids or adults.
4. A special hot desk zone could be set up for on consigment designers if they need to get out of the house for the day, get some work done and be in a creative environment. The meeting rooms could also be booked if you have clients you need to see but don't want to see them in your home.
5. Health sessions or groups could be established  to assist with issues such as post natal depression and childrens behavioral problems.

Tell us what you think of these ideas and suggest more by posting a comment.


In other news:

Today i met with an inspirational lady. Linda from Nifty Mums Network moved to Melbourne last year with her husband and one child with another on the way, when her second child came early, she realised she didn't have anyone she could call to come and take care of her first born so she set about to create a network of mums that were in a similar situation. She had also been suffering from post natal depression and wanted to help other women speak up and get some help. Less than a year later, she has over 4500 followers on her facebook page, gives talks a major events, is working with Beyond Blue and PANDA and could possibly be the single biggest influence on changing the stigma attached with PND and getting women the help they need. Her Nifty Mums Network facebook page and blog are a place to help mothers connect with each other, be it for business or just general advice on parenting. She also runs a private facebook page specifically for suffers of post natal depression which people can ask to join, remain confidential and read about other mums experiences without feeling any pressure, and if they like, talk about their own situation.

She really is an amazing woman, i am in awe of her and what she is achieving. She's even not for profit so all of this time and energy she spends helping other people, currently doesn't earn her any money. 

Check out her Nifty Mums Network facebook page here 

Happy designing

Nicole Herrick
KIDS STYLE HUB

The ball is rolling...

Well it's been two weeks since our first post and we have had a HUGE response from the first round of designers that we have contacted. I've been so amazed at the level of sophistication from the designers responding so far, we really do have some very talented people here and a showcase of these products is just what we need to help lift the stature of Australian designers around the world (and in Oz).

I have also had quite a few responses from New Zealand designers so I have opened up the concept to include their fantastic products.  

Over the next few weeks I will be contacting more designers to make sure we have a great range of products for a wide variety of customers. Don't worry, this does not mean competition against you, think about this retail store as a destination. Cast your mind to the St Kilda cake stores, the Richmond factory outlets, the restaurants of Lygon st. The more products we have available, the more customers will flock to find gorgeous, creative, Australasian designed products.

Help us spread the word by inviting other designers you know to sign up to the blog.

Soon we will be adding more information on studio rental prices and on consignment percentages, in the mean time, if you would like a rough explanation of studio rental prices, just email us. kidsstylehub@nicoleherrick.com.au 


Happy Designing

Nicole Herrick
KIDS STYLE HUB