The reality of chasing your dreams... (plus a request for your opinions...)
I finally changed my tickets to leave a week later!! I don't come home till March 16th -Yahoo!!!!!
For just for everybody who thinks I can just do that , and not have repercussions ....... (the most important of which is the shock , and then the support of my business partner and husband - do you really think he thinks it's fair I get to do all the fun parts of the business?) No, we did not have the cash for me to come. Like most normal people, I have to work very hard to make a living , and juggle credit lines. I just really push the envelope, that's all.... and have a lot of experience doing it. I would never do anything in my life if I didn't take risks. I've already made a lot of mistakes, and survived well.
My reality is , that this is very much a working trip. It has to pay for itself - in contacts, productive marketing, and, well... basically I'm going to start importing things from Spain that suit the store. We were already trying to find a supplier for really high quality Cordobes hats, and for all of you who are patiently waiting for me to get a new supplier for authentic Basque Berets - I'M ON IT!! My day is spent doing many things that will also make this a very important business trip.
Richard and I e-mail constantly night and day.
As usual....I find that everything is connected. The other day Maria Jose (my teacher)and I were walking to her car to go to a private class, and in the street a shoemaker and wholesaler from Madrid stopped her because he recognized her. Actually I had noticed him following us from the other class we were just at (God I love this country!!!). He pulled some absolutely beautiful shoes from his bag (her size of course) and she bought a white pair, while they discussed (in Spanish) the rosewood heel that they were made with, and the better sound it makes. (I'm getting much better picking up what people are saying sometimes.)
Anywaaaay, they are really - beautiful, strong and gorgeous quality leather. The company name is Senovilla. It's the mother company of Guirarda (Guirarda as you might know, was bought out a few years ago, and the quality has since really declined)
Senovilla shoes are all hand crafted. He makes for the performers, teachers here in Spain... his workshop only has three people in it.
After the AMAZING Sara Baras show (story to come) last night, Miguel and I went to he local bar that he knew about, that the performers hang out at to talk business.
For those whom are interested... I have some Sara Baras as gossip ... She is known for her incredible costumes... and last night they were absolutely perfect - EXCEPT FOR HER SHOES! Hers were mostly black no matter what she was wearing - ridiculous!
(I thought Armani had designed the costumes because they looked like his work... as he designs all of Joaquin Cortes' stuff... but Kasandra looked at the program... and Sara does all her own designs - simply astounding)
Miguel was there, because he had made her shoes. He is trying to convince her to wear color on her feet.
I'm wondering if any of you Canadian Flamencos would buy these shoes from me out of convenience... if they ended up being about the same price as in Spain, depending on the exchange at any given time. The shipping would be cheaper than if you bought them on the web (because of course I would be shipping in quantity) and it would work out cheaper. I figure the other advantage is that I would be dealing directly with Miguel... and that would mean better service, and things could be returned to me, and all that jazz.
OK ... here's some market research going on through the web. So if anybody has thoughts and feedback out there, I'd really appreciate it... give me an e-mail either at the store (ediehats@telus.net) or me personally at edieamber@yahoo.ca. I'm also going to import shawls, but mostly intending them for my regular customer base as special fashion pieces as they are a historic classic. And, more than likely because I am an earring freak, I will bring in flamenco combs, jewelry and nice fans... but we'll see about that as time goes on.
Anyway, right now I am editing video clips... transferring photos... trying to fix corrupted files on my iPod... (my audio/visual/wireless-run office/studio), and practicing my choreography as I have a class at six, and three shows to make it to. Food and vitamins are being consumed unceremoniously by chunks in between typing and dancing. This means consuming water is terribly important, not only to think straight, and for energy, but to help my darn nose and face to heal. (See previous entry!)
Here are some shots of my office away from home. As you see it's more like a student hovel than a luxurious pad!
Why is my "office" set up on the bed?
Because there's no room on the desk, of course!
The view out the window: driving, Spanish style! The red car is trying to leave... but is being thwarted... (I bet he makes it out though)
Well, I better get back to work. I'm hoping to get enough done so I can go exploring before class. I saw really great shoes on sale for 7 Euro for God's sake!!!!! And I want to have a really nice performance dress (Sara Baras style of course!) made by a woman in town who is apparently very good. Monica is having a Farruca outfit made that sounds incredible. (Of course, a flour sack on that girls' body would look incredible...)
For just for everybody who thinks I can just do that , and not have repercussions ....... (the most important of which is the shock , and then the support of my business partner and husband - do you really think he thinks it's fair I get to do all the fun parts of the business?) No, we did not have the cash for me to come. Like most normal people, I have to work very hard to make a living , and juggle credit lines. I just really push the envelope, that's all.... and have a lot of experience doing it. I would never do anything in my life if I didn't take risks. I've already made a lot of mistakes, and survived well.
My reality is , that this is very much a working trip. It has to pay for itself - in contacts, productive marketing, and, well... basically I'm going to start importing things from Spain that suit the store. We were already trying to find a supplier for really high quality Cordobes hats, and for all of you who are patiently waiting for me to get a new supplier for authentic Basque Berets - I'M ON IT!! My day is spent doing many things that will also make this a very important business trip.
Richard and I e-mail constantly night and day.
As usual....I find that everything is connected. The other day Maria Jose (my teacher)and I were walking to her car to go to a private class, and in the street a shoemaker and wholesaler from Madrid stopped her because he recognized her. Actually I had noticed him following us from the other class we were just at (God I love this country!!!). He pulled some absolutely beautiful shoes from his bag (her size of course) and she bought a white pair, while they discussed (in Spanish) the rosewood heel that they were made with, and the better sound it makes. (I'm getting much better picking up what people are saying sometimes.)
Anywaaaay, they are really - beautiful, strong and gorgeous quality leather. The company name is Senovilla. It's the mother company of Guirarda (Guirarda as you might know, was bought out a few years ago, and the quality has since really declined)
Senovilla shoes are all hand crafted. He makes for the performers, teachers here in Spain... his workshop only has three people in it.
After the AMAZING Sara Baras show (story to come) last night, Miguel and I went to he local bar that he knew about, that the performers hang out at to talk business.
For those whom are interested... I have some Sara Baras as gossip ... She is known for her incredible costumes... and last night they were absolutely perfect - EXCEPT FOR HER SHOES! Hers were mostly black no matter what she was wearing - ridiculous!
(I thought Armani had designed the costumes because they looked like his work... as he designs all of Joaquin Cortes' stuff... but Kasandra looked at the program... and Sara does all her own designs - simply astounding)
Miguel was there, because he had made her shoes. He is trying to convince her to wear color on her feet.
I'm wondering if any of you Canadian Flamencos would buy these shoes from me out of convenience... if they ended up being about the same price as in Spain, depending on the exchange at any given time. The shipping would be cheaper than if you bought them on the web (because of course I would be shipping in quantity) and it would work out cheaper. I figure the other advantage is that I would be dealing directly with Miguel... and that would mean better service, and things could be returned to me, and all that jazz.
OK ... here's some market research going on through the web. So if anybody has thoughts and feedback out there, I'd really appreciate it... give me an e-mail either at the store (ediehats@telus.net) or me personally at edieamber@yahoo.ca. I'm also going to import shawls, but mostly intending them for my regular customer base as special fashion pieces as they are a historic classic. And, more than likely because I am an earring freak, I will bring in flamenco combs, jewelry and nice fans... but we'll see about that as time goes on.
Anyway, right now I am editing video clips... transferring photos... trying to fix corrupted files on my iPod... (my audio/visual/wireless-run office/studio), and practicing my choreography as I have a class at six, and three shows to make it to. Food and vitamins are being consumed unceremoniously by chunks in between typing and dancing. This means consuming water is terribly important, not only to think straight, and for energy, but to help my darn nose and face to heal. (See previous entry!)
Here are some shots of my office away from home. As you see it's more like a student hovel than a luxurious pad!
Why is my "office" set up on the bed?
Because there's no room on the desk, of course!
The view out the window: driving, Spanish style! The red car is trying to leave... but is being thwarted... (I bet he makes it out though)
Well, I better get back to work. I'm hoping to get enough done so I can go exploring before class. I saw really great shoes on sale for 7 Euro for God's sake!!!!! And I want to have a really nice performance dress (Sara Baras style of course!) made by a woman in town who is apparently very good. Monica is having a Farruca outfit made that sounds incredible. (Of course, a flour sack on that girls' body would look incredible...)
posted by Edie at 11:48 PM
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