brainstorming donation incentives

I've been having a really fruitful time figuring out awesome ideas for what to offer people if they donate to Cabiria so I can start making some dresses! I've been looking into ideas like additions to the website thank you page and personalized notecards for small donations, copies of the movie "Nights of Cabiria" and discounts against future orders for slightly bigger donations, dress/dresses, or even the complete line for big donations, taking people out to dinner at the restaurant of their choice in their city upon delivery of the dresses, a party, a carry-all signed by me, beautiful housewares that make me think of Italian fat girls, and collaborations with other artists for tie-in objects. I'm also thinking of a couple of really, really big ticket donation items that, if they come together, could be the coolest thank you present ever. Ever, really.

So given the fact that a donation to a small business essentially makes you a non-share holding investor, and your return is a prize instead of a percentage of the business (a different structure than charitable non-profit donations), what do you expect for your money? Good will? Happy thoughts? A swag bag? Bob Barker yelling "Come on down!"? I want to know!

Plush Boutique moving in practically next door!

I'm so excited! I've just received news that Plush Boutique, a wonderful plus size shop run by the even more wonderful Wendy Brown is moving into the former Curvysta space at Kirkwood Station here in Atlanta. It's practically next door to my office! I can't wait for Wendy to open her doors there - she has done so much to elevate the expectations of plus size fashions for Atlanta. The fan girl part of me is dreaming of hanging out with her over cookies from Le Petit Marché around the corner. Welcome to the neighborhood, Plush Boutique!

percolation

As I mentioned previously, I'm new to the world of blogging, but I realized in a dream last night (also involving Galaga spacecraft, for no important reason) that it's also a great way to let you all in on what new developments are percolating.

Last night I attended a pitch practice session at 151 Locust, an entrepreneur fostering workshop space in Avondale Estates.  Now admittedly, most of the folks who seem to attend these things are in the IT/tech world. They talk about B2B and workforce management and a whole lot of other stuff that's relatively alien to me.  Maybe that's where the Galaga dream came from?  But the reason I go is to get practice telling people about Cabiria, and about how to ask for what I need to make it a beautiful reality.

I've been working hard on getting together images, materials, and information so I can go on Kickstarter or IndieGoGo and really make people sit up and notice.  I've been trying to build out the Cabiriastyle website so the site can be live at least as a potential show space before I have product.  And I've been researching the best options for integrating this blog here, an e-commerce space that looks as high quality as my clothing, and hosting support.  So much to do just to get the dress samples made in the first place!

The one thing I know is that all the years I've spent designing and making beautiful clothes, shopping for other people and trying to find perfect shapes for bodies similar to my own means Cabiria will be gorgeous.    The hurdle of financing the first samples is small, if you really look at it in perspective, and it can be done with a little help from my friends.

Looking forward to updating you all soon, hopefully with news that a crowdsource funding site is live and waiting for you!

                                        -Eden