I was able to get into the Dallas Market Gift Show last month because of my husband's job and it was great to be able to see how it was all run, set up, etc.

The next show I am going to is the Toy show in October (my brother-in-law is taking me). Again, to check it all out, see how it works, etc.

THE show for me to go to is next February in Orlando--the Global Pet Expo. Unfortunately, I will not have product ready to show myself, but thought I would see if I could go to check out competition, meet reps, etc.

Has anyone else taken this route--gone to trade shows to see what else is out there? Or presented product?

If so...do you have any advice?

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Sheila Stoelting
Owner/Designer - Muttogs, LLC.
Dog products for the on-the-go dog!
Coming soon!

I have only gone to look.
How was Dallas? Full?

Good luck with your new business.

Dallas was overwhelming. It has been years since I had been at a trade show and those were all fitness equipment. I just wanted to see the layout, how people were doing their booths, and what products were out there. I didn't find much in pet apparel..but then, this was a gift show. Frankly, much of what I saw reminded me of a giant craft show. I had not expected that.

_________________
Sheila Stoelting
Owner/Designer - Muttogs, LLC.
Dog products for the on-the-go dog!
Coming soon!

Hi Sheila,

I don't think all trade shows are open to the general public, are they? I know I used to cover Toy Fair, and I don't think you could get in unless you were a manufacturer, buyer or press. But I'm sure you know the rules of the pet show you want to attend.

Speaking of pets....I am the proud mom of Harley, my black lab. If you ever need feedback from doggie owners, be sure to call upon me. And I'm sure Harley would be happy to test market any of your stuff, too, though at 85 lbs, he might not be a good fit! LOL
But I'd like to put in a request for cool and macho styled attire for bigger dogs...Almost all of the dog attire I see out there is for pocket book dogs! Butchy black labs need cool clothes too (though my husband will probably kill me if I dress up his "man's man" dog.
LOL

Ellen

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Ellen Parlapiano and Pat Cobe are authors of Mompreneurs(R): A Mother's Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Work-at-Home Success (Perigee; 2002) and Mompreneurs(R) Online (Perigee; 2001)

Haha...funny you should say that. It is exactly what my bigger dog friends tell me all the time.

I have 3 dogs, 2 are 50 pounds, one is 35 pounds. There is nothing out there for them. I guess bigger dogs don't wear coats/jackets/tees.

I will keep you in mind for test marketing!

_________________
Sheila Stoelting
Owner/Designer - Muttogs, LLC.
Dog products for the on-the-go dog!
Coming soon!

Yes...you are probably right about the bigger dogs probably not even wearing clothing... I do think if I put a sweater on my dog my husband would flip out! LOL I tried to put boots on him one year--simply to keep his poor paws from sticking to the freezing concrete on walks (and these were black manly boots, mind you--and my husband was not a happy camper! LOL (DH really is a nice guy...just anti-dog clothing!

I am thinking of dressing Harley for Halloween however...this will be my first empty-nest halloween! I saw a cool skeleton costume where the bones glow in the dark! Harley probably wouldn't keep it on though!

ellen

_________________
Ellen Parlapiano and Pat Cobe are authors of Mompreneurs(R): A Mother's Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Work-at-Home Success (Perigee; 2002) and Mompreneurs(R) Online (Perigee; 2001)

When I said, "I guess bigger dogs don't ears clothes", I was being fecicious. I'm not sure why there isn't a bigger market out there for larger dogs but I am constantly told "make sure you make stuff for my big boy Max". I plan on making items that fit from xxs to xxl.

About the boots, my dogs all wear them. Well...not often now that we are in TX but before when we lived in Chicago and then Toronto, they wore them all the time in the winter and especially spring with all the mud. They got use to them and though they marched around like a German soldier at first, they got use to them.

My fur babies all have Halloween costumes. One is a devil, one a clown, and the other a dragon. I'll post pics if I can find some.

_________________
Sheila Stoelting
Owner/Designer - Muttogs, LLC.
Dog products for the on-the-go dog!
Coming soon!

Oh, I cannot wait to see those pics, Sheila! I am definitely going to dress him up this year...!

Ellen

_________________
Ellen Parlapiano and Pat Cobe are authors of Mompreneurs(R): A Mother's Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Work-at-Home Success (Perigee; 2002) and Mompreneurs(R) Online (Perigee; 2001)

P.S.... It would be fun to have dog clothes in college logos...though I imagine there are licensing issues there. We put a U Mich bandana on Harley for Amy's HS graduation party and it got a lot of attention! Boy, this dog doesn't know what he's in for with this empty-nest mama!

Ellen

_________________
Ellen Parlapiano and Pat Cobe are authors of Mompreneurs(R): A Mother's Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Work-at-Home Success (Perigee; 2002) and Mompreneurs(R) Online (Perigee; 2001)

Hello -- I definitely recommend attending shows as a manufacturer if you have your retail business license that should be sufficient as your business credentials along with business cards.

Goal of going to shows is really to see how the competition or complementary firms market and position their brands and help you get a sense of where your business or product needs to be to "compete" effectively and stand out among the current choices available to retailers and consumers.

But, while you are learning -- you can also be building great unexpected contacts and leads for your business. Always carry samples or promo materials about your brand/prodcut where-ever you go -- and while you cannot "solicit" and should not do so, you can in conversation let someone who asks -- "so what do you do" etc. "see" your prototypes or concepts or products and get their feedback on suggestions or ideas for you. Complementary exhibitors are great and first time exhibitors are also a good source of helpful suggestions just in terms of sharing how they are doing, what they would do differently -- as long as you do it in the spirit of sharing and offering help in whatever you can as well -- such as "hey do you know so and so -- they may want to work with your brand -- let me send you a followup or here's how to contact them etc)" -- you have much to offer even before your own business is ready for the big time and other entrepreneurs I've found at shows are always willing to be honest and share tips when I've asked them and surprisingly some have become future prospects as they've expressed proactive interest in the product even though I wasn't there to sell them on it during our conversation -- I just keep their cards in a file so I can regroup with them once I am ready to roll.

You can also leverage getting to know suppliers that are at the show and getting feedback from them on packaging and costing, labeling, requirements for your industry, minimums and creative solutions for start-ups -- most of the suppliers also shared tips based on companies that started small and grew and they are willing to work with newbies like us because they know we will eventually grow -- so even someone who does packaging for big guys will talk to you because they know every idea started with 1 sale and then grew to millions -- as you grow, they grow as your vendor -- view everyone as a partner (where you look for a win/win) and the conversations will lead to terrific insights.

Also attend breakout sessions where speakers are your target audience or someone you want to have notice your brand -- stay after and introduce yourself and again ask them if they would be willing to share feedback on your idea to gauge future potential and network with other attendees before and after the session -- again you may be sitting next to that retailer or partner you want to reach someday or someone who sells to them currently that can become an industry friend who will offer free advice on how they got in and how you can too.

Anyway -- keep going to as many shows that fit your strategic segments and network, share with and learn from everyone you meet -- even in line for lunch you can make a good connection just by being the first to say hello. It's always worked for me.

Best of luck,

Kaushika
kaushika@catalysttea.com

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Catalyst Gourmet - Transform Ordinary. Enjoy our Catalyst Tea Enhancers, Gourmet Finishing Sugars, Creative Curries, Baked Bites of Bliss & gifts. All natural healng, beneficial spices make our gourmet good for you! www.catalystgourmet.com

Kaushika, you have great info!

Ellen, we looked at the licensing for both college and pro teams and no, our budget can not afford it-- yet. Though, from what I saw at the gift show, I know for a fact people are selling unlicensed items left and right. Not saying that is what we will be doing...but it is definitely out there.

Kaushika, thank you for the great information!

_________________
Sheila Stoelting
Owner/Designer - Muttogs, LLC.
Dog products for the on-the-go dog!
Coming soon!