Urban Threads1 Week 4: External Analysis

[Katya Schimmels]

Please send us a photo (or more) of the refashioned clothing items you have already created. We need a more focused idea of your vision.

 

Describe your customer: what does she do? what does she like? what is her personality? what is important to her? We can help with this, but first we need some of your ideas to go on. Your business needs a precise target in order to communicate clearly with customers and not overwhelm them. This is an important first step in developing your brand. 

 

We agree it is a good idea to begin by refashioning men's shirts. We agree that each product will be unique. Please bring us some examples of products you are envisioning, a Pinterest board search for "refashioned mens shirts" was a great place for us to start getting ideas. 

 

We do not agree that refashioning non-clothing items (i.e. coffee table) is the best way to start your business. We believe you need a very focused communication to your customer, and steps to diversify your brand will come later, organically, as your business grows and you learn more about what brings value to your customer. It's not feasible at this point for urban threads to have a lot of strong competing product ideas.

 

 

Good afternoon Ladies,

We (Urban Threads 1 team), had a chance to meet today and we were able to determine a good scope to begin this project with. This week we are working on your external analysis – which we will be presenting next Monday.

I know we mentioned meeting next Thursday with you, but after talking in class we determined that may not be feasible. We promise to keep you updated in regards to whether we can meet you in person. That being said; I would love to have a quick 5 minute conversation with you over the phone sometime this week. If it is ok with you, I will plan on calling you around 7:00pm on Thursday?

YES/NO?

In addition to speaking with you on Thursday, we were hoping to get some additional information to help us form your external analysis. If you could please reply to the below questions as soon as possible we would be extremely grateful:

 

1.       Describe your customer: what does she do? what does she like? what is her personality? what is important to her? We can help with this, but first we need some of your ideas to go on

2.       We agree it is a good idea to begin by refashioning men's shirts. We agree that each product will be unique. We would be very grateful if you could provide us with at least one example. We feel like this will help us to get a tangible and cultural feel for your business. Even if you could just invite us to a pinterest board, and you could post some ideas of what you would like to make – it would help

3.       Part of this week requires us to develop the face of your business. Please provide the information below. It can be very simple answers, and we will craft them into something more substantial.

a.       A short biography for both of you. Where did you grow up? Go to school? What inspires you? Leadership style/etc.

b.      What do you see the mission, vision, and values of the firm being? (this can be short and brief – just a direction would be great)

Finally, based on some preliminary research –I would like to let you know that we may recommend changing your name. You indicated that you may be open to this, and again based off the research it may be necessary.  We wanted to let you know ahead of time before we present.

 

Please let me know if the phone interview will work for you,  and feel free to shot any questions you may have back to us.

 

Thank you for your cooperation!

[Nicole Hess]

Hello,

 

Ru and I have not forgotten about this. We are working on it. We should have this to you by tomorrow night. And you can call us tomorrow night at about 7pm. We plan on being together to work on a few things, so you can just talk to us together.  You are welcome to call my number. Also, we should have a picture of a refashion tomorrow also, I have a couple I am working on, and should be able to finish it up tomorrow night with Ru's help.

 

Thanks everyone!

[Nicole Hess]

1. Describe your customer: what does she do? what does she like? what is her personality? what is important to her?

Our customer is female who may usually shop at vintage, thrift, and online stores such as Etsy. She loves fashion and likes to try new trends and styles. She is fun, outgoing, and likes to express her personality through what she wears. Our customer likes to have one-of-a-kind clothing but does not have the ability to make clothes herself. Environmental issues and sustainability play a large role in her purchasing choices. She supports all local businesses which follow environmentally and socially ethical business models

Biography:

Rusne:grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, and moved to Portland in 2008. She danced ballet since she was three- traveling across the United States to train with numerous ballet companies. Currently I'm a biology student at PSU with many outside hobbies such as film-making, photography, backpacking, engaging in the local music scene. Rusne is inspired by Japanese art- music, dance, and poetry.

Nicole: Nicole grew up in Indonesia and was introduced to fashion at an early age, as her mother owned a jean line and had Nicole model. Nicole moved to Stayton, Oregon when she was 8 and later graduated high school in 2008 after being voted as best dressed. Nicole attended PSU, graduating with an Accounting major in 2012, and is currently working at a law firm while preparing to obtain her CPA. She hopes to go to law school in the near future but fashion always had and will play a large role in her life. Her hobbies are drinking wine, trying new foods, and cycling in the summertime.

This is what we came up with for now, so let us know if you have any questions!

On Monday, April 22, 2013 3:51:16 PM UTC-7, Katya Schimmels wrote: