By on in Apparel, Creating Your Organization, Design/Inspiration, Produced In America, Manufacturing
As a self-proclaimed “foodie, ” Katharine Owens credits Julia Child for inspiring her become a strong woman both in any office as well as in your kitchen. She is most motivated by Julia’s smart words: “Find some thing you are enthusiastic about and hold tremendously contemplating it.” Katharine Owens, may be the creator of Bon Vivant Baby, a deliciously enjoyable, food-inspired child fashions range that give moms and dads everywhere the meal for laughter and pleasure! Katharine didn't start her profession thinking that she would be in the infant business.
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Unique Powers: I am able to cluck like a chicken in a super practical method.
Fun Facts: I became within the wine industry in most of my job before bon-vivant
Baby and was able to travel and taste wines from all over society. I also made personal wine!
Favorite Brand: Without a concern, Le Creuset.
A Manufactured In The United States Brand
Maker’s Row: Why did you choose to create when you look at the U.S.?
Bon-vivant: Initially, I was thinking I would produce in Asia (Shanghai), when we made the samples domestically. We began manufacturing in LA with a sample manufacturer and reached out to a real estate agent in Asia who We knew through an industry contact—once the examples had been done. I had a dreadful knowledge about this agent and throughout 4 months, I was in identical destination utilizing the representative as as soon as we began. I happened to be extremely unsatisfied using professionalism with this representative and also the quality of the goods he was sending me personally from factory in Shanghai. But do you know what? The prices had been extremely reduced.
However, we quickly noticed that to make a quality item and have my practical manufacturing adequate to guarantee a consciously made item—we necessary to take action in the usa and cost my item consequently. I knew i'd perhaps not make something that will sell for $19.99, but We thought that Mom’s, Dad’s, and gift-givers would pay a bit more for an item that has been crafted properly and focus on detail. I desired to stick to California for manufacturing, as that is my house condition and I love it here. So, I invested even more time looking just the right US-based manufacturing and in the morning 100percent am very happy with my option become a Made in america brand.
Designer Finds Factory
MR: exactly how do you find and meet your maker?
Bon-vivant: we used Maker’s line to start out my search in la just. We moved online and looked-for producers which had experience in baby items, or women’s/men’s fashion. I was able to email many manufacturers straight and speak to all of them, to chat plans, prices, and working collectively. It had been simple. Maker’s Row made the direct contact possible and I also had group meetings create within weeks of inquiry.
MR: Did your communication with this manufacturer accomplish that which you needed? Had been it suitable factory obtainable?
Bon-vivant: My first maker is not the producer i will be with now. Whenever I began using them, after finding all of them on Maker’s Row, these people were awesome. Not just performed they help me putting together my full packed product, nonetheless they contributed to my link with the printing company too. I thought like these were an amazing resource for me personally in a business that was mostly foreign and complicated to break into.
Today, i'm with a new production staff (whom In addition found through Maker’s Row), and I also am very happy with just how things are moving along.
The Production Process
MR: What materials do you realy use?
Bon-vivant: i take advantage of just poly/cotton combined textiles because these are perfect for the print sublimation. I chose the fabric meticulously because it is soft and has a really mild hand-feel, which all moms and dads desire! I found it thanks to the assistance of my amazing textile home. The patented Dri-Release stretchy cotton-polyester textile is both GREEN and ECOFRIENDLY with no utilization of harsh chemical substances.
MR: how will you get a hold of your products?
Bon-vivant: I happened to be described my material household through a connection I made on Maker’s Row!
MR: exactly what tools, machinery, and operations do you utilize?
Bon Vivant: The most involved procedure may be the dye-sublimation to get the photographic image of design associated with the design onto the fabric. I've a good company in l . a . that not only assists me prepare the artwork for printing, but they additionally complete the printing procedure for me personally.
The Solution
MR: the reason why do you go for Maker’s Row?
Bon-vivant: Maker’s Row has countless things to love! The site connects individuals in a business this is certainly VERY hard to split into without educational experience or strong industry connections. Manufacturing is ROUGH, and you have to completely trust and rely on your manufacturing group to fulfill your vision and dream. We felt enjoy it was best solitary resource for me personally on the way to building my business—without a question. I'm completely confident in saying that without Maker’s Row, i might never be where Im today.
MR: What are you taking care of next?
Bon-vivant: i simply launched 2 brand new swaddle blanket & hat sets this month—Lil’Sushi and Lil’Eggroll. That's keeping me personally very busy, and I also am establishing some awesome “food-inspired” baby burp cloth & bib sets that will introduce in 2015!
Mandeepinsa