I'm getting excited!

Don't you just love it when things start falling into place? Yesterday we officially welcomed on board our first design hub tenant! 

Rubble Art specialises in turning reclaimed materials from factories, that would otherwise have gone to landfill, into creative learning activities for kids. They will be running after school classes for kids of all ages, drop in classes for parents who want to shop in peace or do some work in the cafe (free wifi) whilst their kids go off and have some fun for an hour or 2. They are just fixing they're website today so i'll send that through to you all next week.

The running of the cafe has also been sorted as has the party room planners. I don't know whether to laugh or cry, it's all so exciting.  

I sat down for a chat with Alli Price from Motivating Mum on Tuesday which many of you may already know. If you don't, you should. Her forte is providing support and motivation to mumpreneurs with a range of networking events, forums, brainstorming session, club events, discussion boards and loads of other advice. She will also hopefully be running some events from Kids Style Hub which all of you will be very interested in.

The hunt continues for the perfect space for Kids Style Hub. We are looking at places around 800 sq m in size. Ahhh space! We've also been researching flexible wall systems including Styrofoam interlocking blocks which can be clad. That way, if we need to adjust spaces from time to time, we can.

Happy Designing and woo hoo it's Friday!

Nicole Herrick
Kids Style Hub

Time... to do the things you really enjoy.

Good morning everyone

I hope all of you that were lucky enough to have a long weekend last week enjoyed it as much as I did. I spent my time in a lovely house down on Phillip Island with beautiful sunny days and a cosy fire place at night.

Speaking of getting away for the weekend, this is a little boost for all of you who have ever done weekend markets to try and sell your products.

What do you usually think about whilst you’re sitting there...

“Will I sell anything today? What if someone has negative feedback about my products? Is the fixed fee that I paid going to leave me with any profit? Are people going to be put off by my prices because they expect a bargain?”

It can be a stressful morning I know. Now I want you to think about what you could be doing instead of sitting in a hall somewhere.

“Spending quality time with the partner and kids... Relaxing and watching an old favourite movie... Taking a walk in the sunshine... Having lunch at a fabulous cafe... Catching up with friends... Teaching the kids how to ride a bike...”

Don’t get me wrong, markets are a GREAT way to start off your business, but who of you are ready to get your goods into stores and have them do the selling whilst you concentrate on your products AND on realising that dream of working for yourself to have enough time to do the things in life that you really enjoy.

Now I want you to think about a few months time when you can walk into Kids Style Hub and say to yourself “THIS IS MY STORE!”. We want everyone to feel that way. Whether you create tiny little accessories and sell on consignment, or you rent a studio and run your business from our design hub, you should all feel proud of what we will have achieved in creating an amazing selection of designer products.  

Dream big, because you really are amazing.

Happy Designing

Nicole Herrick
KIDS STYLE HUB

Thank gaawwd it's Friday... party time?

This week we have been thinking about what else the KIDS STYLE HUB space can do to help other designers and services. We could also include a "PARTY ROOM" which could be booked by customers. We could have a portfolio of entertainers such as; face painters, balloon artists, clowns, magicians, karaoke services etc to choose from and book.  As well as catering options including specialist cake makers. The parents can relax in the cafe or (more importantly) shop whilst their kids are having fun at the party. A no mess, no fuss kind of approach for parents. This could also be an opportunity for a party planner to take on and house their business with us. What do you think? Suggestions of entertainers would be great.

We've also been looking at the numbers more to try and pin point an on consignment percentage for you. I've heard of other on consignment places charging 50% commission which i think is far too high. Our concept is designed to help emerging designers, not exploit them, after all, i'm a designer too. Tell us how much you've been charged in the past and what you think is reasonable.

Lastly don't forget to send this on to friends. The more people we have on board the more customers we will attract.

Happy Designing

Nicole Herrick
KIDS STYLE HUB