Jupiter Freedom at Artscape in Baltimore

Bonjour, What an awsome weekend at Baltimore's Artscape. It was my first Show in the US. Since this Show was in the same city as just moved in, it made sense for me to do it. I met lots of interesting people and sold lots of armbags ;-)

Again, I received many positive comments:
"This is the updated version of the fanny pack"
"What a clever idea!"
"I just lost my iPhone. I could have used this."
"I'm tired of bulky iPod armbands. Like this stylish Jupiter Freedom armband."

We sold many bags to men so I NEED to come up with a masculine line. Men just love the idea of carrying their Blackberry around their arm when doing sports instead of their pockets or on a clip belt. I will make one for my November Shows...

Here are some pictures of the event ;-)

BTW - My website is up and running again ;-)
Be hands-free
genevieve

Website - temporarily down

Hi,
Just wanted to let you know that my website is temporarily down for technical reasons.
Please visit jupiterfreedom.com again tomorrow to our fabulous collection of hands-free bags.
To order bags, please contact me by phone at 410 598.9661. Sorry for the inconvenience.

I'm also at Baltimore's Artscape until today (sunday) 8pm at booth F13;-)

gen
www.jupiterfreedom.com

On the Road

Hi,
As some of you heard, I moved to Baltimore a few months ago but still produce my hands-free bags in Quebec. It requires more effort on the logistic side (especially customs...) but it helps in developping the US market. I'm will be doing a few Craft Shows in Baltimore, Chicago and New York and have a few stores holding my bags. I have to visit Montreal every three months to go get more supplies for the next production but it a trip where I can mix work and pleasure by seeing friends.

Today for instance, I'm going to see a new production facility next to Victoriaville to see if they can make my bags. I need to have higher volume as I will sell more and more bags in stores as of 2010. I would also want to sell my hands-free bags in Las Vegas' hotels. I think they would be great for visitors as they could safely wear the armbag to shows, when walking the Strip, shopping and keeping their chips handy, etc. The World is big and lots of opportunities. So I want to make sure I can deliver ;-)

Oh, before I forget, please join our Facebook group and Twitter page for special promos and up-to-date info ;-)

Talk to you soon,
genevieve
www.jupiterfreedom.com

Spring is here

Bonjour,
I can definitely tell Spring is here! Customers always get excited about wearing their Jupiter Freedom hands-free bags when doing spring and summer activities. I always have an increase in orders in May up until August and it gets me very excited and motivated... Then we switch gears and we put ourselves in x-mas mode.

Here are some comments from customers:

"I found the Arm to be the best place (to wear it)!
Love my hand free bag!" Sarah B.

"I’ve been reading your blog and sending your website URL to all my friends! you so rock!! "dennie t.

"I just love your enthusiasm. I can feel it even online. I gave your armbag as a gift at Christmas and now I want to get one for myself." Ruth M.

"Hello, They are all wonderful... great idea!!! I never carry a purse... "Toni

"... Your hands-free arm purses were awaiting! They called out to me.. I am like WOW.. too much! I just became a mother of a baby pug dog who is nine months old.. Anyway, I was sporting an ugly funny pack (not exactly the sexiest thing on the block!) during our walks together. My husband wouldn't even be honest how goofy I looked when I took my dog for a walk.. Hahaha! Thanks for making these bags !!! I love supporting quebec artists, talents, and industry as well!! I am hip now and cool... We took our first walk hands free and it's PERFECT! Thanks again! MERCI MERCI!" Tracy K-S.

Have something to say or want to comment on our products? Send us an email at comment@jupiterfreedom.com

Be hands-free
genevieve

Toronto One a a Kind Show

Hi, I just finished a great Show in Toronto. Lots of people passed by and that was one of my best Show. I was very lucky to have a well positionned corner booth. I did long hours (11 to 12 hour-day) but it is always a pleasure to meet my customers and talk about my Jupiter Freedom armbags. Most people are very curious about how I came up with the idea, how I design them, etc. I also always get great suggestions...

This year I had a few requests for blue and green designs (most of my styles right now are red, pink, yellow) and for small size armbags. One thing that amazed me is the amount of teenagers (12-17 years old) interested in my bags. Although, I didn't design the bags with this clientele in mind, it makes perfect sense! They're too young to want to carry a purse but independent enough to have to carry a cell phone, id, money and keys. My other strong clientele is the 30-55 active women (runners, travellers, moms, with dogs, etc). They just love the convenience of my armbags + they are fashonable. What more can you ask?

I'm leaving next week for the Ottawa Spring Craft Sale from April 16-19. This is always a fun show! I'll keep you posted on how it went.

Below are some pictures of me getting ready for the OOAK Show and of my booth

See you,

genevieve

http://www.jupiterfreedom.com/

Amazing but true...

I am so happy right now... My friend sent me a text message yesterday telling me he just saw a lady walking by wearing a Jupiter Freedom armbag. The amazing part is that he is down in Florida!!! He is selling jewelry at a fair and saw this women passing by his booth so he asked her if it was a Jupiter Freedom armbag. Apparently she was as surprised as he was. She bought the bag in Toronto last year... MY armbag in Florida!! Wow I'm just stunned... It's a nice feeling...
gen

Going to One of a Kind Show

Bonjour,

I'm getting ready for the Toronto One of a Kind Show... To me, this is one of the most exciting time of the year. That means:

- Re-doing my booth design

- Making new Spring collection

- Coordinate bookings for car, hotel, electricity, passes, etc

- Promoting my presence to the Show to journalists and customers

- Prep work for product packaging (receipt, stickers, product cards, business cards, etc)

- Hoping for the best ;-)

For my booth design, I wanted to create a very strealime look and feel. To make my product stand out, the booth will all be white with some green here and there. To convey the "freedom" attribute of the product, I will suspend everything from the ceiling. Here is a sketch of what it will look like.

For my new Spring collection, I will have the cutest armbag! Here is a sneak peak at what I will have at the Spring One of a Kind Show.

Photo shoot

Bonjour,

This week I've been working like crazy on updating my website with new Jupiter Freedom armbags styles for Spring. Before I can do that, I needed to take pictures of all my products. I used to have a Montreal professional photographer do the photo shoot, but since I've moved, I need to do it myself for now. I think my pictures turned out good after all ;-) Her is a glimpse at the session... (see pictures below)

Since I'm a few seasons ahead, I shopped for great summer fabric in New York a few weeks ago. I'm so excited about their texture, pattern and vibrant colors. We are currently in production so they will be ready for the Toronto One of a Kind Show and for the Ottawa Originals Craft Sale in April.

Talk to you soon

genevieve

http://www.jupiterfreedom.com/

What do you think?

Let me know what you think...

January is the time to close the books, count inventory and plan the new year (which should actually be done the previous year but anyway...).

I thought alot about my sales strategy for 2009 and I've decided to focus my energy on Consumer Shows in Canada and US instead of selling through stores. Don't get me wrong... if a store is interested by my armbags I will be glad to sell my products to them. The issue right now is that by doing my product locally, production costs are high and because stores often request a 50-60% margin, it would be hard to survive - even with an increase in volume. By doing Shows, not only I keep the margin, but I develop a relationship with the end customers (who come back to the same Shows), I hear their needs and comments, I can tests products, etc. The costs associated with these Shows could be high but the revenues usually come accordingly.

I feel I could focus on a few markets (Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Chicago, NY, Baltimore) in 2009 and then sell in stores in 2010 when my volume is high enough that I can get better production costs.

Any other ideas or suggestions?
Please let me know

genevieve
www.jupiterfreedom.com

It's a wrap!

Curtains are closed on the Toronto One of a Kind Show.

What an adventure! It was the second time for Jupiter Freedom to attend this event and I am so touched by the feedback I got.

First of all, I had many returning customers from last March passing by my booth, buying more armbags for gifts or telling me how convenient it is and how they use it all the time when travelling, walking the dog, taking walks and more. Seeing them again and hearing their comments gave me a sense of accomplishment. I know I have a great product but when you hear it from your customers, it is very special. I even had three customers, who specifically came at the Show just to get my armbags!

Again, I was very touched by the reaction of people towards the idea of wearing a bag on your arm or leg to carry accessories. People say the same thing over and over again: clever!

It is very motivating to hear such comment and it encourages me to do more.

I'm now moving along to Ottawa for another Show at Landsdown Park from Dec 16-21. It is my first time in Ottawa so I can't wait to see the reaction.

Here are some pictures from the One of a Kind Show!

Take care

genevieve

http://www.jupiterfreedom.com/