DDR will be in the same room as last year, opposite side. This should be a good location. I expect the fair weather vendors that skipped last year to be back. The market appears to be back to capacity so we feel fortunate to make the cut.
As I've said, we feel good about going back to MAL. It's a great weekend. We have way more inventory this year. Orders are steady and the pace is doubling every six months. While that isn't so odd for a new venture, it does confirm we're on the right path.
As usual, we'll have some new pieces for customers to check out. I hope to see you there.
The first poll has closed and the enclosure suit is the clear winner. See how easy that was...now I know exactly what to work on next.
I think some feedback on our '10 travel plans might be useful. Right now we are set for MAL in January. Our room is booked for MIR next November and we are NOT taking the biz to the Chicago Hyatt in May. All along the plan has been to do more travel in 2010. So here's the poll. Where do you think we should be? Just a few big national events? Stay home and work from the web? or Do 10-20 small regional events through out the country?
It would be great to do it all but resources are limited. Skipping IML will free up resources that can be used more effectively. Time and money regulate the world, only the foolish and government subsidized corporate freeloaders can escape that reality.
By every account I’ve heard, MIR was the smash hit everyone wanted it to be.I know the pressure these guys were under….the whole world expecting the best and ready to pounce on anything less.It lived up!!More importantly, the message is clear……if you didn’t go, you missed something special.You’ll be there next year to make it even bigger…I have no doubt.Rubbermen from all over the US owe the organizers a debt.Without all the hard work they put in we’d still be lagging behind the world as rubbermen.I don’t see how anyone can complain about the price of a package either.This money is nothing compared to the opportunity you have to participate with the best rubber guys in the US and beyond.
From the biz perspective, DDR had another good outing.I confess it wasn’t our best effort.It was the best it could be given the obstacles that came up and that’s good enough.Each event and each passing month brings us another step forward toward our goals.This is the first event we got to showcase our custom work.Nick you made that baseball suit look sooooo good.It looked that good in my dreams, so it’s no wonder I couldn’t take my eyes off you ;-)Two of the Bio-hazard suits, the Carrara Designs suit, and the two sailor suits came out of our shop also.
We did have one nagging failure.Mule was so kind to us and provided the monogram M&Ms for the event.How many times over the preceding three weeks I opened the fridge to see them, taunting me.I resisted, “These are for our customers and friends, I mustn’t eat them.”Alas, with an inventory of 5lbs you only ate half.Forced, we brought the leftovers home with us to NC.So it’s with great sorrow I must inform you, they won’t make it to MAL in January.With such limited demand for a freebie, we must now devour them so as not to incur any inventory taxes.Perhaps our whole marketing plan is in jeopardy now…..I thought the chocolate high was why you bought our gear?
Live and learn?The week before and thru the weekend we managed to learn some valuable lessons.From a spectator view they may seem trivial, but we live this everyday so it’s a big deal.By MAL the behind the scenes stuff will be completely overhauled to put what we now know to use.It was a stressful weekend for me, personally and professionally.There’s no road map for a venture like this, maybe a few iconic role models but nothing at Barnes&Noble in the “How to” department.We certainly make mistakes from time to time, but the thing I’m most proud of is the way we can work thru conflict.
It is important to me to say “Thank You.”To the organizers, friends, customers, and all the special people that allow us to continue on this path.Community is important.Rubberworld is one I love living in.
Bodisama
J
Friday, October 9, 2009
I haven't put up much new stuff lately so here's a tease. It is my effort to create a hood in full latex that looks futuristic. For now, we are calling it the Cyborg hood. The teaser pic shows some of the intricate circuitry pattern. I'm really having fun with this one because it gives me a chance to create a look that I personally like and chart new territory for the rubber world. I'd show you more but in truth I'm still working out additional options. This hood will be available in a number of configurations and on sale at MIR, Nov 6-8. Just a little proof to back up one of my claims......
"If you come to MIR this year, you are gonna see things in rubber you've never seen before."
Time to turn our attention to MIR2010, Nov. 6-8, in Chicago. I can't wait and yet I know we'll be out of time to prepare long before we get everything ready. The complexities of prepping for the biggest show yet, doing R&D on new projects, and filling orders is more than enough to fill our days....and nights. All worth it however. So many things are coming together with the product line combined with progress behind the scenes.
We will soon have a production area that can accommodate several projects simultaneously. This will be in addition to a separate R&D project space. As with everything before this is done with an eye way into the future. When it comes to creativity and advancing this art we are starting to lead. How many rubber makers have a UV filtered workspace? How many know they need one? Feel free to ask us...
I have to thank all the people who have come to us with questions that start with "Can you..." No doubt you are driving the biz where you want it to go. And why not? Too many places are good at teaching you to accept what's between the lines. We have products like no one else because of you. Someday the pack will be following the new leader and eating a smaller piece of the pie :D
Make your plans for MIR, you don't want to miss this year!
MSER is behind us now. Who would have thought the turn out would be so good. The guys put on a great event. Beginning to end it came off without a hitch. Def one of the friendliest groups I've ever seen. The Atlanta Eagle was a great venue. Perfect atmo. For all the people who came out to see us....THANK YOU.
From here to November, we will be concentrating on orders and building up inventory. MIR 2010 will be Nov. 6-8 in Chicago, IL and we will be there in the vendor mart. It's gonna be serious work getting ready for this. It will be the biggest showing we've ever done. New products and lots of custom stuff. We already have several custom suits lined up to be done for this event. Got a couple new designs to debut there too.
More of our work will be on display and on bodies than ever before. If you already have our gear, stay tuned....I have a surprise for you ;-)
This is the most excited I've seen people in a long time. I'm right there with you.
It's already here. Rubber guys from several states are gathering this weekend at the Atlanta Eagle. Finally, a rubber event in the south. We will be there with our gear, including a few new items. We will also be taking measurements for custom orders.
Credit goes to Nitro for putting all this together. He's put a lot of work into this and it's gonna show. The prize package and raffle items are remarkable. This is headed towards being one of the best regional events in the nation. If you don't go, you're gonna regret it ;-) Just wait till you see the pics!!
