There is something strange going on in my brain, rendering me odder and more eccentric than ever. I think that part of it is that I am theoretically a dying woman and as such feel unencumbered by many of the neuroses that I spent this life thinking were concrete reasons why I couldn't be happy or just be content or at peace. But there's much more to it.
I would not dream of pretending that I know. I am reminded my mentor and her "Auntie Lalitha Rule #1" which is "Things are Not as they Appear." So it appears like boo-hoo so sad single-mom Zoë, recurrent cancer, going through chemo...But except for the rough bits--that thankfully have a beginning, a middle, and a end--life is awesome. I really feel engaged in life. I am in love with life. I do not feel sorry for myself in any way...though I will admit to sometimes wishing for a bit of a breather when the Universe sends me torrents of new opportunities with such force and speed that I don't even have a chance to complete and in and out breath prior to the next onslaught.
So one of the amusing-to-me things that I have noticed is that my marketing brain is locked into "on" mode 24/7. Literally, every day, for weeks now, I hear myself making a marketing suggestion to someone in business. I generally say that it's a "freebie" and "on the house" though sometimes I say it would be nice to get credit and Michael needs to keep picking up lunch tabs if I give him a really good idea that he hasn't already thought of.
Here are some recent examples:
Plant Nursery
I was trying to track down a certain plant--Sarcaccoca--and was phoning around. The fellow at nursery told me that he had had some but that he had had to throw themall away as they had sustained so much damage because of our brutal winter. We got to talking about business and how tough retail is in general and then to add a tough winter and a brutal economy. I said that I was glad that I made "non-perishable" goods.
Then I had a mini brainwave. I told him that I thought that people would still spend money on their gardens especially as they would likely be spending more time at home as people curtail some of their extraneous spending, that there was even signs of a trend for people to have "staycations" where they stay at home and holiday in their own cities, and that I thought that one change is that people would be doing more of the gardening work themselves--to save money, because they have more time, and because putting one's hand in soil and nurturing plants and watching them thrive is a powerful antidote to the crazies that seemingly have struck most of our planet. I suggested to him that they hold themed workshops for people who want to learn how to pick out plants, create moods in their gardens, etc. etc. and that they could offer a 10% off for class participants on the day of the workshop. He was all ears and said that he would raise the idea. "If you end up using my idea perhaps I could have a one-time 10% off my purchases?" I asked him his name and told him mine but he didn't ask for a phone number so I'm not holding my breath. But if you notice that Southlands is putting on new workshops this spring or summer, think of me.
American Apparel
I can't remember now if I already wrote about my idea for American Apparel...in their store they carry great-quality, well-priced cotton basics that are made in the US, they also have some very well-designed, though more expensive women's cotton basics and between Zack, Charlotte and me and its location in Kits I am in the store about once every couple months or so. Kelly--generous and most perfect BBF that she is--to paint me a top or dress for me that has a... ahem...communication on it. I went online to look at American Apparel's tops as I am more horizontal than vertical these days (though not in the fun way) and I was taken aback my how skanky their website is. Go see what I mean: Go to http://store.americanapparel.ca/women.html and check out the Nylon Spandex Micro-Mesh Long Sleeve Mini Dress. I think that I'll get one in every colour. So I was really struck by that skanky aspect of their product line...something that you don't really notice in their stores...and what a poor fit their "Nouveau Classique" tagline was for their brand. So, I wrote to them and even gave them my email address as they promised emphatically that they responded to each and every email that they receive from customers and suggested that they go with what they do best, that makes them unique in the market place, that their positioning statement be "Retro Skank." I think that is is incredibly apropos but it's been a couple of weeks now and I haven't even received the most perfunctory response.
Sock Dreams
I am an odd combination of being extremely frugal about some things and have an absolute love of deals, bargains, second-hand clothes, unloved and unappreciated treasures etc. and then can be an absolute spendthrift under different circumstances, especially for local art as well as some rather eccentric things such as socks. Well to keep this post short-ish and to get it done before I have to begin my Mama-make-breakfast-and-shepherd-kids-out-the-door routine, I will summarize my interactions with this online store who I have bought hundreds of dollars of socks from over the years and though until yesterday had never, at least knowingly spoken to the owner, have been blown away by their product and their customer-service orientation. I was in contact with Sock Dreams as I wanted a custom-designed pair of tie-dyed fingerless gloves that incorporated "Quash Pink" so that I could wear them with my "Kick Cancer's Butt" hot pink patent Docs.
To make a long story short I ended up in direct contact with the tie-dye guy and he made me a custom pair to my specs...actually about 5 or 6 to choose from and then I received an email from the owner yesterday linking me to their website...and look what I saw... http://www.sockdreams.com/_shop/pages/socks_detail_ProductID_1487.php.
If you scroll down to the "Screaming Peacocks" you will see the designs that I inspired and the best of the best--which are like design the "Spiral Purple Green & Blue" that are shown on someone's arms--are being sent to me gratis and they are going to be reordering more for their online store. And how sweet is that, that they called them "Screaming Peacocks" as a way to acknowledge my input and also so that if people would google that name they would find me and my business. I believe that I have e-met an kindred marketing spirit.
More tomorrow...hot air you can count on!
*Image posted without permission from: http://scienceguy288.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/cow.gif
No comments:
Post a Comment