First trade fair

Last Thursday, we participated with CUFF’D on our first trade fair. It was set at Kingston University, Penhryn Road. We hadn’t had much time to meet and plan the fair, but with the brilliant creative minds of my team-mates we decided what to bring and the theme of our stand. We set it up, under the supervision of Hanna, and got a really good result!

It was an exciting evening. It was really fun seeing other groups business ideas and products, and how they made their stands. There are so many good ideas around!
But the point of the evening was of course to promote our product: CUFF’D. It was so much fun when people stopped by, asking what it was, and seeing their expressions when we showed them that it’s not just a regular cuff, but also has the pockets for cards and coins. And so many really liked the idea and our products. There was also surprisingly many boys stopping by, showing interest for it, and asking if we had the cuff for guys as well! We have been thinking about it before, that we want to make one for men as well, and this really encouraged us even more. We got some tips about the design by talking to the guys, so making a male-version could be the next step for us!

All in all, the fair was very good, and we got to add a good number of people on our ordering-list. And to make the fair even better, we won a (cash) prize, and overall performance award, for our stand 😀 Congratulations to the other teams who also won nice prices, for best stand, best product and best sales people! The judges were from young enterprises, so this ment a lot to us, and ensured us that we are doing something right 🙂 They also gave us some great advice about the next fair, which will be in Kingston town centre in a couple of weeks!

We got to experience that a fair is really a good way to show of a product. This fair was not particularly big, and I think most of the people there were from the other teams, but we still got to get in contact with a lot of people, show of our product, show them how it works and let potential customers try it on. And I believe it is easier for someone to buy something they have tried, and to buy from people you met and who (hopefully) gave you a good impression 🙂
There are a great number of fairs and markets in London; Camden market, Portobello market and Brick Lane Market to mention a few. Our plan is to go to at least one of these and test out the CUFF’D there as well, and hopefully sell some. Fairs and markets are such a good opportunity for a new, small enterprise to get out in the market and find customers, something every team should really consider. Check out the links for more information about markets, and get your product out to the public: http://londonmarkets.co.uk/ http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/markets.htm http://gotcraft.com/london/aroundtown

GOOD LUCK 😀

 

Dragon’s Den

Last Friday was THE Friday, where all the groups were going to meet the dragons in the dragon’s den.
I had never heard of it before we were told about it in the beginning of the semester, but I soon found out that it is originally a TV show where people can present their business ideas for a panel of investors (dragons) who are willing to invest in good ideas.

So, well, Friday 10 December, was our turn to pitch our business ideas to a panel of 5 judges. Luckily it was not on the actual TV show, but in a class room. But there was a camera! Our teacher Corrine had collected 5 interesting persons who all had experience starting up their own businesses, who were there to judge our ideas.

It was interesting looking at the other groups presenting their ideas and products. There are so many good ideas and well made products in our class!! (check them out on Etsy!)  It was also interesting and helpful to listen to the feedback they got from the judges.
I have to admit, I was a bit nervous before it was our turn. But I feel it went very well. We realised that it is not that bad, cause we really know what we are talking about, we know our product and the market we want to reach, and it is not difficult to talk about it!
We got some good feedbacks as well. I realise that when we have been working so intensely at times on this product, seeing something develop from an idea to something nice and something you can use, we develop this special connection with it. It becomes our baby!

I am not a parent, and I’m sure this can not be compared to that, but it is a scary feeling to let your baby out in the big, scary world. It is brand new, and vulnerable, and it is both scary and exciting to see what reactions we get, what people think about it! So far, we have gotten mostely good feedbacks, but also comment about things we had not thought about. These comments can help us improve our “baby”, but we have to be careful to not get stuck, continuing to improve and improve and improve. We have to present it to the world, and especially to our target audience! For all we know, and what we hope of course, they will love it the way it is! 😀

Well, I’m realising that I haven’t really presented our baby here yet. It is already out on facebook and etsy, so I might as wel show it off here as well 😀 Presenting it with some amazing picture that my team mate has taken and edited, and a so called “elevator pitch”. Please leave a comment about what you think 🙂 Enjoy, and get ready to get CUFF’D!

One of the most complicated love-hate relationships in a young woman’s life is her relationship with her purse. In the middle of all the fun she ends up worrying about where to put it and what to do with it. It starts to feel more like a lead weight that is just holding her back from being a part of the action.
Our solution is to get CUFF’D. We have developed a stylish yet practical leather cuff that provides safe storage for the essentials, easy access, and a care-free night out.

Visit and like our facebookpage: CUFF’D