building a brand -- las vegas market august 1 2012 kiersten hathcock
DESCRIPTION
* Keynote at Las Vegas World Market - Aug 2012. Kiersten Hathcock, CEO of ModMom Furniture, will share tips on what worked and what didn\'t work while building a brand with $0 and running a company despite roadblock after roadblock. She\'ll also share how she learned to trust her intuition even when the world was saying she was nuts to try to build and design furniture without design or carpentry experience.TRANSCRIPT
Building a Brand From the Beginning
Kiersten HathcockFounder/Designer
“We must be willing to get rid of the life we plannedso as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
Joseph Campbell
“You wanna do WHAT?”
corporate job
nanny/kids mod toy box idea
Complicated Mathematical Equation That Launched Mod Mom Furniture
=
2 Days Of Nanny Work Profit from One Toy Box
Fast Forward to Today…..
• Sold throughout the US, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong.
• Featured in press in over 17 countries.
• Sought after by families, celebrities, interior designers from around the globe.
• Creating line extensions and co-branded opportunities with companies like Crate and Barrel.
• Made in the USA by Amish manufacturer.
100%of magazine, design books,
newspaper and TV press came from
exposure through
social media
Trust your intuition.
What I’ve learned along the way….
Know your brand before reaching outto public, media, retailers.
What I’ve learned along the way….
barter & tradehelp each other
brand how do I build my
without money?web design
professional photosmarketing collateral
Be yourself. Be open. Share.
be open• Figure out your writing tone• Share good and bad• Create a dialogue not a sales pitch• If criticized, don’t let someone else craft a response.
That’s my Dad!
Make your brand stand out. Keep it simple.
In the advertising world, Liz Gumbinner is a creative director behind campaigns for brands like Mitsubishi, Old Navy, and Universal Studios. She is also co-founder and editor of COOLMOMPICKS and has her own award–winning blog, MOM101 and lives in NYC. www.coolmompicks.com
How to Make Your Brand Stand Out tips from the experts
Liz Gumbinner
Carrie is the managing editor for the www.Ohdeedoh.com – part of the massively popular, award winning design site, ApartmentTherapy.com. Carrie lives in also lives NYC.
Carrie McBride
How to Make Your Brand Stand Out tips from the experts
Carrie is the managing editor for the www.Ohdeedoh.com – part of the massively popular, award winning design site, ApartmentTherapy.com. Carrie lives in NYC.
Carrie McBride
Quick personal pitch to gauge interest is better than a It must be – don’t just buy a list!
Consider your pitch list .
Don’t follow-up too many times…and use email (not phone) when you do.
Get involved with through social media. Be part of the conversation.
Liz Gumbinner
press release.
relevant
“tiering”
editors and publishers
How to Make Your Brand Stand Out tips from the experts
Carrie is the managing editor for the www.Ohdeedoh.com – part of the massively popular, award winning design site, ApartmentTherapy.com. Carrie lives in NYC.
Carrie McBride
Are you a good fit?
Keep it short. Include to your product/design.
Be about your story.
Don’t attach to your email pitch.
Have good size-appropriate images on your website. On Apartment Therapy, we run 540px wide. is a safe bet for most blogs.
Carrie McBride
a link
honest
a million photos
600-800 pixels
Develop relationships withlike-minded companies/designers
gift bag
Darryl Masterson
Pre-Oscar Gifting Suite in
Beverly Hills – February 2011
Don’t be afraid to reach out for help
L&J Woodworking, Dundee Ohio
The Power of
What I’ve Learned About Building a Brand
1. Trust Your Intuition2. Know Your Brand.3. Be Yourself. Be Open. Share.4. Keep it simple and relevant when contacting media.5. Develop relationships with like-minded companies/designers.6. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.”
Joseph Campbell