Happy 1 year anniversary Mrs Able! xxxxx

Aloha! Hey, so just quickly, a few people have said they are reading this...hummm. Basically set this up for me mum, friends (hiya fisher!) and family (yo ali!), but as this is after all the www, most people have access - so maybe I need to think about getting a password, doing another online diary thingy to share my YO's with you - as some people say a) they are worried about me sharing to much info - being to honest, could be bad for business b) not sure what B is. Anyway so give me some ideas to be sneaky, or just carry on.

So last night had to stand up in class (business class, I love) and share with the class all the failings and success of launch, I went very red.

Success:

MASSIVE support from Portland, all the hair stylists, make up artists, beauty bar - all free

Press online at the Mercury

Contacts - met/in talks with owner at 220 to have a Poppe up shop in her place soon

- got a photographer who has offered to snap away for website (free!)

- make up artist Alana, is also a high school graphic design/fashion teacher for A level students so she's going to present project to class to design YO's logo

- sold some bits

- soooo satisfying when I went to the bank yesterday to put my first lot of money into my business YO VINTAGE account - woooop!

- got a mailing list so I can now annoy people

Not so successful:

- People's feedback - clothes were too cheap/too expensive - but it's all learning the market

- Not enough time to shop before the show started (true)

- confusion whether people could buy the clothes in the fashion show and how (my fault - in hindsight should have put rail out before so people could have dibs - panic buying!) could have made some more cash

- website not up and running yet - things getting a bit complicated with web man, he lives in San Fran, and I live here, I sooo should have got a web designer here (yes I have paid him a deposit, can't really move out of it)

- I NEED AN ACCOUNTANT RIGHT NOW, I have no idea about tax etc etc, need to start paying some taxes somewhere, business leader gave me a good recommendation, so on to that this week

- ummm, the last one is actually really embarrassing, ummmm the stamp that I stamped everywhere, on people's bodyparts, the shopping bags, everywhere, I only noticed this yesterday.....

ummm, my phone number is actually 503 724 3521 - not 503 724 2521...WHOOPS! So, I'm off to the stamp place now!

Hiya! Amaaaaazing! Had a great time,so tired, really fun, got next Poppe Up shop sorted for 6 weeks! More about it tomorrow...Zzzzzzz

Some quick snaps with the phone....

TEAM YO! COCO AND NIQUE

Nique is amazing. Today I popped over to her house (to help her find a dress for a wedding) and she's outside, spray painting these poles for the fashion show this Saturday - as we're about to leave the house she shows me this outfit she's made for Coco for Saturday night!!!!!! AMAZING!! Finally done expenses, got a big hat box with all my receipts in and recording everything on an excel sheet, it scares me when I'm doing my expenses, but think am ok, phew! Also got a call back from the website man, not going to be ready by Sat, as I need to sort out my merchant number - basically a number from the bank so people can pay directly into my bank account, 'it's like a credit card machine' Scott told me in the bank today - every time someone buys a dress on the website with their card, it charges me 2.5% of that transaction, but that's better than Paypal fee...anyway boring.

Been fun sorting out music for fashion show, totally obsessed with Gina X now - her song is from 1979, which is obviously a sign as it's the same age as me. Fact. Off to do merchandising now, oh and stamping all the brown paper bags and tissue paper bought for the show for Sat with YO VINTAGE! ($60 bloody dollars for packaging...grrrrrr)

JOANNE BURKE IS AMAZING/MODEL DILEMMAS

Not good, elevator speech, not good, felt a phony saying it and don't like it uh uh (I knew I should have read the first one!)

Feedback:

SHORTEN

CUT OUT WORDLY BIT (apparently I look worldly without having to say it - eh?!)

NEED FEW KEY PHRASES TO KEEP INTERESTING

PASSION WILL GET ME THROUGH (?!)

So am sacking it off (a women scorned!) just going to wing it, after all I think I know what i'm doing and you either like vintage clothing or you don't innit.

Right been having brilliant few last days learning, learning....This week all about Breaking even point - got to make profit, so not just providing a free shopping service - all about working costs out - so for each dress (UNIT this is called) sold, I have to consider:

- dress cost

- alterations if any

- petrol cost per dress

- model cost per dress

Then make enough profit, divide this by the number of days in a month, then work out how many I need to sell in a week to break even/make a profit - still getting my head round it.

Went to see Jo at Xtabay yesterday and she gave me a bag of clothes for the launch - turns out she's super amazingly talented and does all this amazing stuff - check out her blog. (http://chromiumdumbbelle.com/blog/tag/joanne-burke/) ..amazin, totally nuts (in a good way).

Had 2 models over to try on their clothes for Sat - one girl - Cheryle is amazing - she's got a completely different figure to the rest of the girls, the most beautiful face, but am struggling what dress she should showcase - help!

2am Saturday morning

New speech to be spoken in Elevators only and tonight at my business course.

The first attempt was at 2am on Sat morning (quite tipsy obviously) and this guy from Nike who I collared to help me (turns out he is the global creative director and really senior, good find on my part) We came up with this: (this is the original one, took us about 2 hours)

Welcome to yo v.

I lo ve beautiful clothes and I know how great it feels to buy something unique

Tv a greater way of getting that speciual killer piece to suit your
style right now
I set y v up because I believe ...
I've always loved shopping for clothes and grew up on London one of
the most fagionabkr cities inthe world my work has taken t
me to Paris ny venez tonighta a really spec might for me it's the
first uv preview.
Tonigt I'm going to show you 10! Looks that represent the tv brand
Collections

Then I decided to come up with this refined one, once the headache had gone (but in hindsight I should have read the first one):

I’m a buyer and seller of vintage clothing through my online website SHOPYOVINTAGE.COM. I grew up in London one of the most fashionable cities in the world and my work has taken me to Paris, New York, Venezuela and now I’m really excited to be living here.

The unique pieces that I’ve collected from my travels are available to buy from my online store that delivers worldwide and also here at new monthly Poppe Up Shops in Portland, this summer.

I love vintage shopping and I know how great it feels to buy something special and unique. Yo Vintage is that greater way of getting that beautiful piece of clothing straight to your doorstep – that has been pre altered, presorted, pre cleaned and preserved especially to suit your style.

p.s. PRE is my new favourite word, clearly.

MOOD BOARDS and THE ME GENERATION

So, tonight we have the whole of the YO team meeting in Beauty Bar... exciting!!!

YO team and what we is doing:

Dominique - in charge of fashion show - she will tell models where to go/what to do/be main point of contact for models/make sure things are hung up/steamed/decorate venue before etc - back stage

Niki - general marketing, meet and greet, making sure all going to plan, help steaming before, decorate venue before, hang up, point people in right direction (sales), front of house

Me - Mc-er, meet and greet and pimp out brand, tidy up, steam, style, decorate venue before- front of house

Alana - top make up stylist, stylist - back stage

Andi - deputy make up-er, stylist, back up MC - back stage

Lauren - director of sales - selling all the items/handing cash - front of house

Laura (TBC)- photograher - front and back

Liberty - Salon 220 girls - hair stylists

Yesterday Andi came over - amazing style, girl of lotsandlots of advice, gorgeous and super helpful (check out her blog for top tippers UK-ers) we collated lots of outfits, Crystal came over to style out some looks and we merchandised, learning all the time! We also tried to refine my elevator speech (my fav!) and I was like, ermm, really don't want to do the whole self promo thing and we talked about how americans are so good at this and the me generation...slowly getting used to it...yikes

Off now to go and pick up some lovely wedding hair piece from Austie who is lending us these for the show...

Garance and Shopping

If it's is good enough for Garance, then it's good enough for yoooou (and this place in St Tropez sounds just like my new to be online site and Pop up shops extravaganza)

I usually hate vintage stuff in general but it’s like they opened up a treasure chest just for me :

- The clothes smelled good. (NB you won't be able to smell my stuff via net, yet)
- The selection was incredible. Nothing overly stupid or too-much, a big section just for vintage marine wear, but done tastefully. There were also a few lacy things and college sweat-shirts, leather bags, but all was already sifted through. You didn’t have to spend three days to find something which is exactly what drives me nuts in most vintage laces. (Narrowed down cause it's on the web and yes, I do have an incredible selection)
- Reasonable prices (Claro!)
- And then on top of all that, the shop was super cute. (You wait to see what Helene is designing me!)

P.S How cute is the denim shirt and vintage adidas shorts - Ali - Festival look!

joanne's jumpsuit

So, meet Joanne. She works at Xtabay, an amazing vintage shop down the road from me. As i've been shopping in there a few times, we have little chats. I gave her the link to my blog and invited her to the launch...the next day, I popped back in to pick up a dress (but it had sold, grrr) and she told me that this American jumpsuit, originally belonged to her and how she sold it on, and then I bought it! She has amazing taste and style and is an avid rummager, so hopefully i'll get first dibs next time!

i heart portland

...can't believe got first bit of press, I love this lady Marjorie, never met her, but she actually wrote about the launch, LOVE portand!

SHOP / EVENTYo Vintage!

POSTED BY MARJORIE SKINNER ON THU, MAY 13, 2010 AT 9:00 AM

Sarah Radcliffe is kicking off her brand new online vintage business, Yo Vintage!, with a bang. Next Saturday (May 22), there will be a launch party at Beauty Bar where you can snatch up vintage summer wear as well as bridal pieces, with a runway show scheduled for 7 pm (the entire event runs 6-9 pm. Worth a drop in if the selections on her blog are any indication:

MMM* and N1S* and BEAUTY BAR MEETING FOR LAUNCH

*MMM - Marketing Manager Mate

* N1S - No 1 supporter and bestest man

So Niki, Charlie and I scoped out the Beauty Bar last night where we are having the launch in 2 weeks, YIKES! AM OVERWHELMED!

Here is what MMM had written down to ask (and we did whilst Charlie went back to the pub):

Capacity

Drinks prices

Any drinks promotions

Kids allowed

Changing room space

Security

Snacks - bring our own?

Decorations

Time in for setup

Time out

Changing room space

Then we scoped out what we need

Mirrors

Rails

Heels

Mannequins

Bags

Tissue paper

Business cards

Bunting?/Decorations?

Info on alterations - price list incl some profit for you

Sheet for people to leave contact info

Comments book/sheets

And who we help us to do this:

Welcome/ Meet & greet

Changing room duty/clear-up

Rearranging/tidying rails

Dress/styling suggestions

Payment/packing

Photographer

Collect contact info for database

YIIIIIIIIKEEESSS!

So we also decided we need photos of model Marlene framed, rails to buy and take back after from Target, PA system sorted, someone to mc (!), additional lights, 6 models, 3 dresses to help them change and a signature drink for the night champagne cocktail. So set up 5pm, Hair and make up 6pm, show 7pm, breath/drink at 8.

GOTSOMUCHTODO!

RAMONA WEST - VINTAGE ONLINE (JUST LIKE ME..SOON!)

So, was looking into who/why/how vintage clothing online works, how it happens and was searching for websites out there that I am hoping Yo Vintage will be like, e.g. successful! So on a whim, I emailed this girl - Ramona West, a few quick questions:

Did you have to pay a lot for your web page? (ok, in hindsight, I prob shouldn't have asked this as no one talks money right?!)

How long have you been in business?

In a week - how much do you sell?

Are you making a good enough profit to make a living?

Any tips that you have learnt along the way?

She got back to me, she replied!!!! J'adore!

hi sarah

thanks for checking out my blog!

to answer some of your questions:

1. i have been in business for about 2 1/2 years

2. weekly sales vary!

3. i do make a living - this is my full time gig

4. advise: be prepared for lots of work! you have to be willing to make this thing your life.

good luck!

xoxo (which we all know xoxo means hug, kiss, hug, kiss, aka gossip girl - YESSS!)

How NICE! So have a look at her website she has some lovely pieces (one good turn deserves another - learnt that one in Brownies). Felt totally inspired again (I CAN DO THIS!) She was definitely right about No 4. I seem to be working a lot (or maybe shopping and blogging alot). All the time, my mind is CONSUMED with business, dreaming, thinking, eating YO at the mo.

VINTAGE ROCKS

Was looking at the Guardian online and I came across this article about Vintage clothing but love the way Hadley Freeman has defined vintage, as I'm trying to come up with all my blurb for the website now.

The reason some people like vintage, if I might be so bold, is because it looks different. Wear a vintage dress and it is unlikely anyone will come up to you and say: "Ooh, I tried that on and it totally didn't suit me. French Connection, right?" Now, some of us don't mind when this happens – it makes us feel part of a club, almost, and it's quite nice talking to strangers in restricted doses. But some people mind it dreadfully and, thus, they go vintage.

Why, I just read in a magazine the other day that this is the one and only area in which the French are superior to us: they have a few classics (a YSL blouse here, a Lanvin peasant skirt there) and, bof, that is all. The British, on the other hand, have drawers overflowing with baggy vest tops from Primark and dresses from New Look which they buy every other day in their lunch hour and thus probably end up spending the same as their French counterparts. C'est incroyable! C'est fou!

So, no more spending your money at French Connection when I have nice party dresses for you at YO VINTAGE!

OHHHH YEAHHHH!!!!! LAUNCH PARTY!

behind the scenes at YO VINTAGE HQ, aka my porch

soooo, here's what really goes on behind those blog pictures...had a little team today, was amazing. Had 2 girls pop over to see if they could be potential models for the site/fashion show coming up, a hair and make up artist - Alana, who has been helping me out a lot lately (THANK YOU!), her friend Christine who is a stylist and the one and only resident model Marlene!

New model - Crystal...(and you can see our lovely next door neighbour Danielle mowing the lawn!)

The lovely Marlene and Alana
Christine and Alana..
Inside my little studio/workspace

OMG! CLOTHHHEZZZZZ! (Don't worry no YO VINTAGE stuff sourced here!)

weekend website/competition

This weekend we're going to plan out the website, by 'we' I'm hoping to force Niki to help me, by plying her with wine and nice food. I've got a good website man already who's on the case, and also 2 local web designers who are interested...so lets see. Main thing is try to get website up and running by the time we have our LAUNCH party (yes! a launch party, i'm overwhelmed too! more about that one later)

So websites I love and want to be like (aka THE competition) and going to stalk this weekend for ideas:

NASTY GAL

CLAIRE INCORRUPTIBLE

Once again, I'm not doing any proper business stuff yet, apart from shoving receipts in a separate purse to my normal one (it's called a business purse, and it's a start). I need a book keeper - Brenda!!!!!!!

registering YO VINTAGE! it's going to be a proper business! woopppp!

eFiling Registration Payment Confirmation
Thank you for submitting your registration and processing fee online on May 07, 2010 . Your registration has been submitted for processing. Your statement will read "OR Business Registry" Registry Number: 686007-91 Business Name: YO VINTAGE! Filing Type: ABN When your entity is finished with the filing process, you will receive an acknowledgement email.

sad and 'appy, au revior!

So, I feel a little sad and happy, as I've sold my wedding dress as I really needed funds for my new website and charlie wouldn't let me sell the mustang (ha). But the money went into my bank account this morning, so am off to the post office to post it off to New Jersey...

It makes me more determined to make my business work, cause if it doesn't then that dress should have stayed here...(in a box, in a cupboard)...

business ideas from the lovely Miss Porter

when i've got my online business up and running, things to consider (thanks Miss Porter, soon to be Mrs Anley):

- price higher than lower if you're not sure

- option to refund/return: give customers the option to return to a UK address, e.g. get Mum involved. That way easier to send out if resell.

- have a feedback section on website

Free postage over 100 pounds/include postage in price?

actually no refunds - credit note

tips from designspongeonline.com read the article, tick.

a picture is worth a thousand words, but pictures can also be worth a thousand dollars if done right....blah blah blah..Photos stand out from the rest...

...and I read the rest. Got it. Lighting. Cropping. Know your camera.

need a logo, and a business card, a website and want to be Rob Ryan today

...so elevator talk was fine, got a clap and everything. Last nights business meeting was a little like a therapy session (the subject was about credit/debt/staying out of debt) went way over my head as it seems that you have to get into debt to get credit here, a vicious circle. Anyway this man announced that he was 100thousanddollarsindebt WHHHATTTTTTTTT?! Eh? BLIMEY. YIKES!

Anyway moving on and forgetting about the main things to run a business (like finance) i've skipped over that bit and moved onto getting a logo and some inspiration.

Main thought are a speech bubble, all black with white font saying YO VINTAGE! A business card - cinema ticket or maybe I could use this drive in thing below - have some flashing lights on the webpage and 'vintage clothing this way' on the blue bit, then below it on the white - YO VINTAGE! or something like that...

Also love the font that this Portland restaurant use, maybe similar font but in a speech bubble and in CAPS.

Inspired by Rob Ryan's work (such a lovely website)-love the pictures, writing..