Back from the Burn, en route to India!!!
Posted by Kimberly Ponniah on August 26, 2011 1 Comment
It's taken a bit to get back to the grind of things, but I think I'm finally there again. So, WOW! BURNING MAN! That was crazy!
This was my first Burn and the first sales market for Bohemian Hips! In my wildest dreams, I couldn't have imagined a better experience. I set up at the Playa Supply Store in Gerlach the Thursday before Burning Man opened and had the pleasure of working with the wonderful people from Live Wire Neon (Tonya, John and Alex), Sewell Goggles (Ned and Ayla), and Harbor Pride Outfitters (Kaylee and Ali.) By the end, I felt like I had found my family in the vending world. My first couple hours at Burning Man, I actually found myself kind of bummed out that our moments together in the store had passed. A new resident in Black Rock City and I was missing Gerlach! How funny.... but then, as I was chilling in the temple, I hear "SAMBA!" (it's my playa name :) means the curly one), so I turn around to find Ayla and Ned, who were selling their handmade goggles at the store with me. Instantly, I was happy again! and "Welcome Home" carried the intended meaning. I won't go into too much more about Burning Man itself, other than to say, I had an amazing time, met the most wonderful people that I have a feeling I will know for a long time to come, and that I'm definitely going back next year!!! Wouldn't miss it for the world!
In regards to Bohemian Hips though, once I got out of Black Rock City and back to Gerlach, it was business time again. I'm happy to report that 56 belts were sold!!! Not bad for the first run! We sold out of the Sunset (Chains) style completely, came close to selling out of some other styles, figured out how to improve others and what colors, extras and features people really like, and met tons of cool people that seemed interested in getting the belts in their stores. All in all, great first go!
I'm in London now, visiting friends and family for the next couple days, and then it's off to India to start on production of the next batch and the new styles. I'll do another one of these once I'm in India and figure out which factories I'm working with. Definitely will post some pictures of proof that no little children or slave labor is being used in production :) My dreams are coming to life! Thank you to everyone that's helped to make it happen!