This past Monday, I traveled up to NYC and one of the events on my schedule was the
HGTV Block Party where
Emily Henderson was speaking... and I finally had the chance to meet her! She has been a game changer for my business. If you're new here then let me recap.
The very beginning of an incredible business relationship all started when Emily discovered our signature colorblock pillow on Etsy just a month after they launched in August 2012. She wrote a blog post on her site: Style by Emily Henderson -
The best striped pillows on Etsy.
Just 6 months later, we landed our very first printed press feature in HGTV Magazine!
"It's musical pillows at my house - I switch them out all the time.
- Emily Henderson Secrets From a Stylist
She wasn't joking... Our signature colorblock pillow popped up later that year in her Commonwealth Living Room which was professionally photographed by the incredibly talented Zeke Ruelas and I was elated! At this point in time, I really knew very little about marketing and I was learning the ropes as things unfolded. I also had a nonexistent budget for photography so this was HUGE. You can read more about my journey
here.
(Side note: Can we talk about how pretty that blue sofa is?!)
Fast forward to October this past year...
I had the opportunity to work with Emily and Brady for her home tour featured in Good Housekeeping Magazine. Again, HUGE!
This year, Emily's design for Nicolette Mason was published in Redbook Magazine.
While I had no experience with press in the beginning, I had proactively researched what to do if I was approached. Customer service has always been a significant focus for my brand and we provide the BEST for every client we work with. It's so much more than just handmade pillows... we build relationships.
My advice to other product designers and small business owners:
- design something unique
- don't be afraid to take risks and be different
- deliver a quality product on schedule and never miss a deadline
- provide excellent communication and customer service
Most importantly, be easy to work with and make the experience of doing business great for everyone. When you find other great people to work with, build those relationships because word of mouth is priceless.
Emily and her team are truly great to work with! Now stay tuned because we just might have future projects in the works...
