As seen in... Châtelaine magazine

Hi again,
Long time no talk... but all is well with me.
This month, I was again very happy to see a Jupiter Freedom armbag in this month's Châtelaine (french) and Quebec Scope magazines! It really makes me proud to see this exposure. I feel like a singer that hears her song on the radio for the first time.

On another note (!!), after searching like a mad women for an additional production facility in Quebec to make more Jupiter Freedom armbags, I'm finally on the right path... I have found about 10 places interested in doing my product. I'm expecting my business to really bloom in the next few months and I need to be able to produce in a higher capacity.



Great news! Jupiter Freedom will soon sell "PiNKiTUDE" armbags. "Inspired by MGM's iconic Pink Panther, PiNKiTUDE brand initiative is targeting teen and young adult women and is devised to raise awareness as to the importance of breast self-examination, early detection and treatment of breast cancer while also stressing the importance of a healthy lifestyle." I'm very happy to support this initiative linked to the Susan G Komen foundation. I'll keep you posted ;-)

I can't believe its been a year that I left my job to start this business... already... I'm still learning alot and loving it!

Talk to you soon
genevieve

www.jupiterfreedom.com

Be patient and good things will come...

I just had to write about my outstanding week. It is funny sometimes when good news come in bundles! Since Monday it is non stop good news and I'm just overwhelmed by it!

Day 1: I launch my armbags at a new Toronto Gallery Boutique called ShopGirls. It is a nice creative retail and studio space in ParkdaleVillage featuring amazing up-and-coming Canadian artists & designers. See www.shopgirls.ca

I also schedule a meeting in a few weeks with another major retailer in Quebec.

Plus, I'm launching the Jupiter Freedom armbags on Aeroplan.com. Soon you will now be able to purchase an armbag with your Aeroplan Miles. How great is that!

Day 2: I had the privilege to meet this women with a great energy that is the owner of LilyEcolo (www.lilyecolo.com). She makes quality and trendy eco bags to replace any plastic bags when shopping, pic-nic, travelling, etc. We love our respective products and there are many ways we could work together. I'm really looking forward to it.

What do you think of the idea of designing a matching kit where:
- a Jupiter Freedom armbag would be sold with a matching folded re-usable grocery bag inside for the Shopper in you
- a Jupiter Freedom armbag would be sold inside a matching big trendy beach bag for the Vacation girl in you
- a Jupiter Freedom armbag would be sold inside a matching light-weight backpack for the Sport girl in you

Let me know your comments and ideas please...

Day 3: I'm finalizing a deal with a major player in the US (California) to sell my armbags while benefiting a great cause. I'm very excited about this opportunity and I'll tell you more about it shortly...

Day 4: Got a call from the One of a Kind Show. I'm in for the x-mas Show! I got so many positive feddback from customers this Spring, I'm very happy to participate again.

Plus, I'll also be selling my Jupiter Freedom bags at the Traversée du Lac Memphrémagog this summer.

Day 5: I got a call from a stylist to be featured in a well known fashion magazine this summer.

I think I'm good for a drink after a week like this ;-)
I'll keep you posted
gen
www.jupiterfreedom.com

Back from Montreal's Women Show

Another great time at another Exhibit...
Two weekends ago was the Montreal Women's Show where I sold my armbags again. Setting-up the booth, I had to re-organize by kiosk display and be creative since it was larger than expected (pics to come). It worked out fine and women liked having the full collection in front of them.

Again, this was a great experience as I had a chance to get customers feedback which was very positive (I'm sure having a sex toys display and girls dressed with funky wigs next to my booth probably helped!!). It is funny to notice that women in Montreal and Toronto like different armbags styles. Most women in Mtl liked the Midnight Garden one when TO was going for the Midnight Shadow one. Interesting to see the trends...

As for my day-to-day activities, I'm mostly focused on sales and am trying to lower my production costs which has always been the challenge. The fashion industry (on the production side) is very slow and difficult now and alot of suppliers closed their doors a few years ago because of a lack of work and you have to really dig to find someone that can help you. It's like a treasure hunt!

I'm currently looking for other Shows and Exhibit to attend so if you know any in your area, please let me know.

Cheers for now
gen
www.jupiterfreedom.com

Feedback

Just came back from the outstanding One of a Kind Show in Toronto where I spent 5 days talking to people about my armbags and hearing their feedback. WOW, what I response I got! Friday was totally insane. I was litterally selling an armbag every 7 minutes! I knew I had a great product because I think it is so practical, fashionable and versatile but when you hear other people talk about it and loving it so much, it pumps up my motivation.

Here are the true comments people would make:

- This is soooo smart and handy

- Where were you when I lost my wallet?

- Where were you when I went on vacation?

- This bag is so versatile

- Love the idea that you can also wear it on the leg

- What a GREAT idea

- I need this when I go to the gym

- This is perfect to go out dancing

- Great for dogwalkers like my friend

- This is sooo clever!

- I've been looking for something like this for years.

People were so enthousiatic about the armbags. They liked the different styles and the fact that you can wear it on your upper arm, lower arm or the thigh. I sold most of my armbags to women 25 to 45 years old but I was pleasantly surprise by the interest of young kids (6-14) and more mature women (60 and up). I will always remember this 12 years old girl that was totally in love with my armbags. She had the greatest smile when her mom bought her the Midnight City armbag. She passed by my booth the next day just to show me how good she looked wearing it. I wish I had takent a picture of her...

I also had a few good suggestions. Here are the most popular ones

- Have a bag big enough for the passport

- Insert a folded re-usable shopping bag inside the armbag

- Make an armbag for medication

Do you have any other suggestions?

This was such a great experience. Being face to face with your customers is the best! I'm always looking for new ideas and feedback. If you have any, please send me an email at gliboiron@jupiterfreedom.com.

Below you find some photos of the kiosk and the fashion show featuring Jupiter Freedom armbags.

Thanks for everything. On April 4-6, I'll be at the Women's Show in Montreal. Pass by!

Cheers

gen

One of a Kind Show Coupon

Friends,

Print and present this flyer and receive two dollars off the price of one regular adult admission for the One of a Kind Spring Show and Sale in Toronto, March 20-24, 2008.

Please see the flyer for terms and conditions.

Hope to see you there! Bring your girl friends ;-)

gen
http://www.jupiterfreedom.com/

Want to see my armbags in person?

Visit me at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto from March 20-24.
I will have 8 different armbag models on display including three new spring styles.
This is a great opportunity to try them on and see them in person.

The Jupiter Freedom armbags allow you to carry your cell, cards, money, keys and lipstick with freedom of movement. Functional and fashionable, they are great for travelling, working out, walking at the park with kids and going out with girl friends ;-)

See you there!
genevieve
http://www.jupiterfreedom.com/

The best saleswomen

Hi,
I've been wanted to write for a long time but just didn't find the time...
Right now I'm focusing on three things:

1- Sales, sales, sales
After many months of developing a great product, it is time to really put it out there. With the coverage in Clin d'Oeil magazine, I got alot of product awareness and sales. I'm also looking forward to close a deal with a major player in the USA raising funds for Breast Cancer by selling my armbags in different stores. I'm always looking for partnership opportunities to distribute my products. And with the 15-week-class I'm taking on "Sales Technique" (which I really need), I'll become the best saleswomen on the planet. Watch out Tupperware!!!

2- PR
I believe I have a very innovating product that is both practical and fashionable. I hope journalists will appreciate that and will talk about it. It is hot, hot, hot! I'm looking into fashion, sports and travel magazine. Any other ideas?

3- One of a Kind Show
This is THE fun show to be in Toronto in March. There are thousands of people visiting this 5-day event. Right now, I'm trying to put together a little stylish booth design. I have a few ideas which I'll share with you in a few days. All my armbags will be on sale there + I'll bring 3 new spring styles. If you are in the Toronto area, pass by ;-)


Oh yes, I also go a $3,000 grant from a Quebec programm called "Jeunes Promoteurs" which helps out entrepreneurs. I am very happy about this!


Have to go, I'll be back in a few days
gen
http://www.jupiterfreedom.com/

As seen in...

Wow! I'm super happy and proud to see my first product coverage in a magazine. You can find a picture of the Midnight Garden (very popular) and Midnight Stars in the February issue of Clin d'Oeil which is a very popular french canadian magazine. I knew it was coming but when you actually see it, it is a great feeling! When my mom saw it at the grocery store, she almost screamed to everybody that it was her daughter's armbags.... Good thing I wasn't with her...

Happy New Year to all
gen

"Made in China" What do yout think?

Hello,
Sorry I didn't write earlier... I've been wrapping my head around a few things lately...

Last week I went to the One of a Kind show in Toronto because next March, I've been accepted to sell my armbags and wanted to see the set up and have a feel for the event. It's an exhibit that features original and fun gifts from artists and artisans. There are so many people visiting this exhibit it is insane.... Right now, I definitely have to build up my inventory for the show.

On another note, I was contacted by two big fashion magazines in Canada to promote my armbags in a few months. I'm very happy about that since it will help me alot to get the word out there. In a few days, I will also be selling my products on a US site called www.shoporangebutton.com.

On the production side, the bags are of great quality and I am very please and proud to produce them locally. In addition to provide work to people from my country, it gives me much more flexibility and control to make sure the products are made up to my standards. Right now, these two key points are very important.

Like I mention on my website (and my friends can confirm), I aboslutely love Asia but do not want to produce my bags over there at this time. First, I don't have the volume and second, I cannot see in which conditions the workers are doing their job. Exploitation happens everywhere but the high demand in these asian countries increases the pressure to deliver quickly and at the cheapest price and therefore has a negative impact on workers. I think it is inevitable at one point to make a product like mine in China or India due to volume (look at Matt&Nat bags), but when the day comes, I will make sure to do business with manufacturers that have a good reputation and offer good working conditions.

Of courses, making my products locally increases the costs and therefore price but it is everybody's reponsibility to educate consumers about the impact of always looking for the cheapest price. I think more people are sensitive about this issue and are willing to pay a little more to support responsible products.

What do you think about products "made in China"?

cheers
gen

New model for x-mas gift

Hi, Take a look at my latest model... I personally love it! What do you think?

It will be available for sale in a few weeks on my website http://www.jupiterfreedom.com/

For the past week, I've been focusing my work on marketing and distribution. I'm spreading the word out there about my armbags ;-)

If you know any good website presenting gift ideas, fashion, handbags, etc please let me know. You can now see my product on Etsy.com (which is a really great site to find little treasures) and Oursthreads.com. I'm also running some ads on Facebook.

I'm selling alot of bags and the Midnight Garden seems to be the most popular. I think people like the little silver flowers which makes it really feminine.

Honestly, my armbag makes the perfect Holiday gifts for urban, active and social 20-35 years old women. Think about your sister, cousin, best friend, collegue ;-)

Got to go back to work!
cheers
gen