Lately, a number of our fans and entrepreneurial peers of Beau Satchelle have asked us about lessons learned during our first year of launching our small business. Introducing a new brand and creating that initial momentum to attract attention and buyers takes laser focus and hard work to stay the course. The number of years and amount of grinding it requires to become an overnight sensation in the world of business can be daunting for a start-up. Breaking into the life of niche, affluent buyers demands, different thinking and actions require stepping up your game. Our 2016 journey has become fascinating. The many personal and business lessons gained are invaluable. Sharing with our readers through this blog, our continuous journey of building a brand, we hope, gives insight and confidence to peers who have or are considering taking the leap into creating their own start-up. Believe me, there is a wealth of teaching moments that will take more than one blog post, so let’s cover three in this one: 1. CREATING A VISION – Starts with knowing yourself. While making the moves to market your product, this is the time to dig deep and be introspective. This may mean determining what self-beliefs may hold you back as an entrepreneur, from selling to approaching a potential high end client. Your limiting mindset can totally derail your confidence in pricing and selling your premium products to a buyer with high expectations and discriminating tastes. Even if your luxury product is extraordinary, do the inner work on yourself to build confidence in attracting and working with high end clients. Our vision which we speak about in detail in our March 16th Blog post, titled “Vision Board of our Future” and is our North Star. In conjunction to creating the big picture, producing a […]
September 2016 we salute you! Your predictability over seasonal changes with your cohort, the Artist, aka Mother Nature spreading her love of color particularly in the Midwest. The days grow shorter while the temperature begins to cool as Mother Earth prepares for its winter hibernation. Charities are gearing up for their fall and winter fundraisers. And those of us in the retail industry, preparations are intensifying for the upcoming holiday season. September also ushers in a month of pure delight as Fashion Weeks gets underway, first in New York then London, Milan and Paris. While following the unveiling of designers’ collections, Beau Satchelle keeps a close eye on designer’s choices for handbags collaborations. Needless to say, because of our bespoke background, many styles are too trendy and will not be embraced for our design consideration. However, we understand that attentiveness to certain trends can be incorporated into classic leather styles without compromising our design integrity. So these are the 7 Fall Trends that Beau Satchelle is keeping an eye on: ‘Hair on’ Skin or Genuine Exotic Handbags – No question that we embrace the sexiness and luxuriousness of what this style does for a handbag. Such as the above accompanying picture (red python) we selected for this blog, the more premium and exotic the skin, the better. The trends we noted integrate deep, rich dyed colors that make a handbag pop! We have seen cow leathers incorporated with alligator, python and ostrich for the side gussets or handles as contrasts to have just a touch of exotic. Beau Satchelle is currently in the design stage of an alligator leather satchel handbag that is so versatile that it can be worn both day and night. We will be introducing more modern colors but the cut, design and production will stay true […]
If you consider yourself to be a student of the fashion industry, then giants such as Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren or Tori Burch would be recognizable names as being game changers in the world of retail. As a start-up luxury business, we have to stay on top of our game by gaining knowledge from individuals such as those mentioned who have successfully forge their own paths. Auto Biographies are an important teaching tool for visualizing someones success and wanting the same for yourself. One of those giants that we recognize as a game changer in the world of fashion is Daymond John, the founder and CEO of FUBU, a television personality and investor on the hugely popular realty television series Shark Tank. He has written a book named “The Power of Broke” and it resonates well with any entrepreneur who is beginning their own journey of a thousand steps to building a business brand. In the book, he takes 15 entrepreneurs from different backgrounds who offer insight on what it took to build their successful careers and brands from nothing. In a nutshell, Daymond John bootstrapped his way to success and he feels in many ways that “the struggle”….not having money forced him to be creative which kept him focused on his goals. So in the course of reading his book, he shared in his first chapter 3 philosophical takeaways that resonated with Beau Satchelle’s growth which inspired this blog. Be Innovative – Daymond John refers to the power of broke as a mindset of providing substance over flash. It takes inspiration to stand out when you are a minnow in a sea of whales in the luxury industry. Our story is a good old fashion tale of basically learning an “old school” sewing art form from YouTube. Hand sewn, […]
The cell phone. Can’t live without it! Since our lives depend more and more on phones, tablets, and laptops, it becomes imperative that luxury leather designers stay ahead and create accessories that can accommodate these devices. Leather accessories have multiple functions that include protecting and holding the device while showing off your individual style. Although the range of textiles that can be converted into a holder for a cell phone are numerous, leather ups the game in conveying an indulgence that can’t be equaled. Offerings with leather products include: Handbags and Wallets – whether a tote, crossbody, clutch or wristlet, a woman will require a pocket that can handle her phone with easy access. From Beau Satchelle’s experience, more female consumers are requesting at least one pocket outside of the handbag or an interior pocket that is extremely handy if she hears one of her notification sounds. Even an unassuming leather wallet needs to have the ability to not only house the essentials (credit cards, money, and identification), but must offer a cell phone pocket to show a women’s style and simplicity when she runs her errands. Duffle Bags and Backpacks – these particular bags are designed and built for multiple uses whether the gym, the classroom, the office, hiking or a weekend outing, multiple pockets and specific locations for tech products are essential. It is imperative that not only books, or a weekend outfit have a perfect home, but sufficient room is set aside to secure a tablet or laptop. Of course, once again an accessible cell phone pocket is necessary for easy access. With the advent of mobile chargers stations that allow phone and tablet users to become independent of “searching for a wall plug”, these technological have raised the bar to insure that a carrier can support […]
In Michigan, the signs of the summer season coming to an end is the sudden cooler temperatures, the leaves are starting to turn, back to school ads run non-stop and Labor Day weekend has arrived. In the United States, Labor Day is observed every first Monday in September to recognize the contributions of American workers. When it comes to celebrating the worker in Detroit, our city’s landscape is rich in manufacturing history that dates back to the auto lines created by Henry Ford’s factories in the early 1900s during the industrial age. The auto companies (Ford, GM and Chrysler) created many ancillary businesses who became suppliers to what we, back in the day, affectionately called the Big Three. What outsiders not familiar with Southeastern Michigan may not realize is that other industries have grown significantly in this region out of the auto industry including design and engineering. The last several years we have witnessed tech companies large and small make Detroit their new home. With Detroit’s growth, we have seen other industries steadily showing interest in being a part of Detroit’s revitalization. What is exciting for Beau Satchelle is the emerging garment industry that is receiving major buzz in the last couple of years. Fashion is finding a home in Detroit! The East and West Coast have been the dominant force in the cut and sew garment industry for many decades in the U.S. and unfortunately once manufacturers took those jobs overseas for cheap labor, materials and other financial reasons, this country lost valuable skill tradespeople. So in the last few years, the industry is observing a pivot with designers who are purposely deciding to manufacture in the USA or are returning to the states and looking for manufacturers who can handle smaller orders. This is where Detroit can make […]
Last week, we had the privilege of participating in a swell event that featured a number of the newest and hottest retail spots and restaurants in Downtown Detroit. We were honored to represent our display of leather wine carriers and wine journals that were created exclusively for the House of Pure VIN, Detroit’s signature wine retailer. For Beau Satchelle, attending these events gives us the opportunity to gather feedback on the luxury products that T. Michael has created. Most reactions are that of astonishment at the craftsmanship of the products. “No way is this handsewn” is what I consistently hear from those who view our products. It is both humbling and confirming to T. Michael’s creative abilities. So, at this event, one admirer asked about the artist’s learning curve to producing such works of art. As a witness to his growth, I can assure you it began with one stitch, followed by the repetition of a million of stitches. The concentration that an apprentice must possess to perfect a saddle stitch, which is one of the main techniques used to sew leather, is utterly remarkable. If you are ever privileged to watch a Master leather craftsman stitch leather, it looks quite effortless. Almost to the point that it looks easy. But because I seem to get the same question about his personal journey of learning his craft, I wanted to give some insight into the growth of a self-taught leather artisan. T. Michael’s actually started his leather journey in college when he was unable to find quality belts that could fit within his budget. So, his next move was to visit the local leather store, pick up the necessary supplies and design belts, that to this day he still possesses. Fast forward to 2012, when the attraction of leather once […]
After last week’s blog regarding the Olympics and what lessons we derive from the experiences of the absolute top athletes in their respective fields, a curious reader inquired as to our specific habits that keep us focused on “the main things” in building a luxury leather business. As with any creative business, Beau Satchelle has for the most part, two main areas: the creative side (the design and production of our leather goods) and the sales/marketing end (getting our products seen and sold). Our success in these two areas are determined by building consistent, small steps every day that stimulates momentum and progress over time. For Beau Satchelle, keeping our eye on the prize, a successful luxury leather company, requires us to practice the following ten habits: 1. Maintaining a Healthy Body – not suggesting to necessarily be in shape to perform a marathon (unless that is the goal), but at least creating the physical routines for endurance on those long days that support good energy and fitness in the area of exercise and healthy eating. 2. Maintaining Healthy Mind Set – Reading positive and intelligent materials and books, listening to educational podcasts, watching You Tube channels of other entrepreneurs, networking with other business owners keeps us sharp and encouraged. More importantly, having a great sense of humor will keep you sane! 3. Gratitude – the daily grind of a business can be draining and challenging. To keep a perspective on what’s truly important, acknowledging what we are grateful for comes in different forms whether that be through prayer, writing in a journal, using this blog to publicly acknowledge who and what we are thankful for or just recognizing our teammates value to this business is worth its’ weight in gold. Showing gratitude to others is limitless and appreciated. 4. […]
Whether you are sports fanatic or have been roped into watching the occasional Superbowl or playoff game, you must agree, the 2016 Olympics is two weeks of pure enjoyment, even for just the competitors’ personal backstories. With only a few days of competition in beautiful Rio, Brazil, it has been an unbelievable thrill to watch and live vicariously through athletes who are considered the best of the best in the world. Fortune smiled on the team of Beau Satchelle, in that we have a history of competitive sports backgrounds from playing sports in high school and college. That background and training have a profound influence on the creation and direction of our business. In competitive sports, you have to possess the values of solid work ethic, quality character, focus and consistency, and remarkable goal setting. These same values are uncompromising for Beau Satchelle. So in the spirit of celebrating the 2016 Olympics, as we prepare for our fall product reveal, we wanted to share with our readers, 3 winning traits that Olympic Athletes possess that we continuously work to build with Beau Satchelle: 1. Passion – The personal stories that are told in regards to Olympian Athletes is that most, if not all, dream of being the best at a young age and setting goals to compete at the highest level. Their love of the game is simply awe-inspiring! Passion is what drives a person to be exceptional whether it is on the field, the pool, or the gym. That perfectionist is found within our Master Leather Artisan in creating a bespoke item. His passion to produce a work of leather art that is incomparable with any of Beau Satchelle’s competitors and his commitment to being the best ambassador in the space of handcrafted luxury leather is unparallel. Our team’s […]
So on a personal note, as a child, one of my many answers to “what do I want to be when I grow up” asked by grownups that influenced my life as a child (besides a veterinarian, a circus ringmaster and the manager of the next Jackson Five singing group), I was going to be the next Gloria Vanderbilt. I grew up when paper dolls were in vogue and I absolutely loved drawing clothes and was taught to sew by my Mom. As a teenager, I collected every magazine (way before the internet) that featured the latest and greatest in fashion for young women. However, my career as a fashion designer didn’t pan out, but my love for beautiful things has grown immensely. Since the pre-launch of Beau Satchelle to the world and thanks to my world traveled partner and artist extraordinaire T. Michael who has broadened my experiences to another level in the world of luxury. Subsequently, my tastes have grown more sophisticated, I genuinely appreciate quality and excellence whether it be a wearing a handcrafted leather handbag, dining in a Michelin Star restaurant, or displaying treasured heirloom jewelry. The artist, chef or craftsman has put love and perfection into his or her work, which is what affluent customers deem priceless. As we build our business, we keep an eye on our luxury leather competitors, but it’s just as important to understanding our market’s buying habits in other industries and how they engage in their chosen lifestyles. Our true love is leather, but we embrace the high standard of living our clients seek when it comes to discernment, uniqueness and beauty. The growth of our business has a lot to do with our connections to our local, national and international network of business associates, however, we also have a […]
Last week, we were extremely honored to be invited to participate in an exclusive affair, The Wine and Accessories Social Tasting Open House with one of the hottest up and coming businesses in Detroit. House of Pure Vin, the signature wine retailer located in the heart of downtown Detroit, opened its doors last year and is the talk of the town! Curating their extensive wine and champagne selection is Master Sommelier, Claudia Tyagi, only 1 of 3 in the State of Michigan and 1 of 147 in North America. House of Pure Vin offers the most amazing wine tastings events which take place weekly offering bottles from vineyards throughout Michigan, across the United States and internationally. As we mentioned in a previous blog, we partnered with House of Pure Vin to create bespoke wine leather accessories that included wine journals for wine connoisseurs, hobbyist and wine lovers who desire to document their tastings and wine carriers of varying sizes and preferences. This was our first advertised public showing of our products and we were anxious to collect feedback from wine lovers on their interest in adding to their wine accessories. We were fortunate in that House of Vin not only allowed us to showcase our wine accessories, but we also displayed our collection of luxury goods ranging from some early vintage Bedrock Beauty pieces to the latest Beau Satchelle creation “the Michelle Bag” inspired by the First Lady, Michelle Obama. So our takeaways from our first formal showing. A lot of hard work to make sure everything was perfect. The final touches on completing the accessories to be shown, creating the signage, being prepared for onsite sales, creating line sheets, and even creating the exterior packaging for each product. Believe the hype….Metro Detroiters turn out to support Detroit local businesses. […]
