While I am still searching for funding I am working on some other very important steps....claiming what is "mine".
About a year ago I set up an S-Corp, with the help of my super savvy brother-in-law who just happens to be an attorney. It has been the easiest step so far. I just gave him the info and signed the papers! As quickly as I could thank him, 36 Charlemagne, Inc. was born! The name came from the address where I grew up on in Huntington Bay, NY. Well, actually, we used a different street name, but that is a long story. I think it is the perfect name for my company, simply because it was my home for so long, as this S-Corp will be for my other projects in the future. You see, I have a plethora of ideas that I want to do, and they will each have their own names, but will all be housed under 36 Charlemagne, Inc. The panty line is what I am most excited about, and what I know the most about, so that is what is happening first.
Just the other night I bought the domain name...36Charlemagne.com. If you go to the site at this very moment you will only see the GoDaddy add page. I haven't set anything up yet, but am working on that. Any web designers out there who want to add to their portfolio?
I am also working on trademarking the name I want to use for the panty line. I'd love to disclose the name I am thinking of now, but it will have to wait until it is legally mine. I think it is a fun, catchy name! Well, trademarking can be a bit tricky. First you have to do an initial search online at the USPTO site. I have done every search from basic to advanced, and have not seen my name to be taken. This is great, right?! Well, the fine print states that just because the site says it is available does not mean that it actually is. What?! You have to go to an actual library to do a more thorough search. Luckily there is one in every state. So what is the point of having an online database if you have to go to an office anyway? In my opinion, the government is looking for a reason to deny your application and keep the non-refundable $250+ fee. They know that lots of people will skip over the fine print, get excited that they do not see that their idea is taken, and send in their hard earned money, only to be denied. Sneaky sneaky.
So I will hopefully make it to this trademark office this week. Hopefully. Jack is being Christened this weekend, finally. I have a ton to do for it. I have yet to get an outfit for afterwards, so that is priority. Luckily we have a Christening gown, thanks to my sister Britt...it was hers, and perfect because she is the godmother. Sorry Jack, but you will be wearing a girl's gown...they all look the same anyway. Let's just hope it fits him. Good thing I can do alterations!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Well here it is...my very first blog! I've never been the "blogging" type, simply because my everyday life is pretty normal, and to be honest, I like my internet privacy. I barely even update my status on facebook.
I am going to treat this blog as my very own accountablility meeting...with myself. I am starting a new venture, and I have decided to document it step by step. When I finish this new project I want to be able to look back and see exactly how it came to life. Plus, who knows...perhaps my experiences will help others, or perhaps someone will read this and will give me some advice.
What is this new venture? Well, I cannot give all of the details, but I am finally starting my own intimate apparel line. I came up with a concept almost a year ago, and I have finally gotten my act together. I have started to roll the ball! So, I will be documenting everything from designing to selling - if all goes well that is.
A brief history of me, if anyone who does not know me is reading...
I am a thirtysomething girl from New York who now lives in North Carolina. After I graduated college I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, and got a degree in intimate apparel design. I graduated months before 9/11, so finding a job as a designer was near impossible. Luckily I fell into freelancing, and continued to do that for years. I designed for small companies, large companies, and for private clients. It was my passion, and I cannot describe the feeling that I would get when I saw one of my designs in a store. Sadly, my name was never on these designs, and I vowed to myself that one day they would be...soon. Well, "soon" got interrupted by life, and here I am about ten years later finally starting it!
I left NYC to be with a boy...my now husband, David. It was the best move I ever made, but made it difficult to pursue my designing passion. We recently had our first child, Jack, which is indescribable! Life has become more...everything! He has inspired me in ways I cannot put into words. I want to be able to give him an amazing life, and want to be there every step, so I knew I had to think of a way to make that happen. So here it is...
Since I am here in NC, it is very hard for me to do much of this on my own. I no longer have easy access to my favorite fabric and trim stores in the city, and it is hard for me to meet with possible manufacturers. So, I spent a very long time searching for someone who could help me with all of this. Boy was that frustrating, but I found the perfect fit for me!
This company is based in LA, and the woman who started it used to design for Cosabella, one of my most favorite lingerie companies. This company does everything from working out the initial designs to helping me create a brand. They will do the design work, fittings, packaging..everything! And to make it even better, manufacturing will be done right here in the US!
Now this perfect company has a pretty price tag, which in my opinion is well worth it if all goes well. So...more money is needed, and the search for grants and loans is on. Now this has been frustrating. Where is all of this money that is supposidly out there for women who own small businesses? Sure, it is out there if you are doing something for the environment, or some research study, but I have not been able to find anything for just a regular business. I know what I am doing is not going to benefit mankind, but it will make people feel good!
So where is the money?!
I am going to treat this blog as my very own accountablility meeting...with myself. I am starting a new venture, and I have decided to document it step by step. When I finish this new project I want to be able to look back and see exactly how it came to life. Plus, who knows...perhaps my experiences will help others, or perhaps someone will read this and will give me some advice.
What is this new venture? Well, I cannot give all of the details, but I am finally starting my own intimate apparel line. I came up with a concept almost a year ago, and I have finally gotten my act together. I have started to roll the ball! So, I will be documenting everything from designing to selling - if all goes well that is.
A brief history of me, if anyone who does not know me is reading...
I am a thirtysomething girl from New York who now lives in North Carolina. After I graduated college I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, and got a degree in intimate apparel design. I graduated months before 9/11, so finding a job as a designer was near impossible. Luckily I fell into freelancing, and continued to do that for years. I designed for small companies, large companies, and for private clients. It was my passion, and I cannot describe the feeling that I would get when I saw one of my designs in a store. Sadly, my name was never on these designs, and I vowed to myself that one day they would be...soon. Well, "soon" got interrupted by life, and here I am about ten years later finally starting it!
I left NYC to be with a boy...my now husband, David. It was the best move I ever made, but made it difficult to pursue my designing passion. We recently had our first child, Jack, which is indescribable! Life has become more...everything! He has inspired me in ways I cannot put into words. I want to be able to give him an amazing life, and want to be there every step, so I knew I had to think of a way to make that happen. So here it is...
Since I am here in NC, it is very hard for me to do much of this on my own. I no longer have easy access to my favorite fabric and trim stores in the city, and it is hard for me to meet with possible manufacturers. So, I spent a very long time searching for someone who could help me with all of this. Boy was that frustrating, but I found the perfect fit for me!
This company is based in LA, and the woman who started it used to design for Cosabella, one of my most favorite lingerie companies. This company does everything from working out the initial designs to helping me create a brand. They will do the design work, fittings, packaging..everything! And to make it even better, manufacturing will be done right here in the US!
Now this perfect company has a pretty price tag, which in my opinion is well worth it if all goes well. So...more money is needed, and the search for grants and loans is on. Now this has been frustrating. Where is all of this money that is supposidly out there for women who own small businesses? Sure, it is out there if you are doing something for the environment, or some research study, but I have not been able to find anything for just a regular business. I know what I am doing is not going to benefit mankind, but it will make people feel good!
So where is the money?!
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