content and not too often, and I love seeing the response of the fans. I think it’s important to listen to your fans and so I sometimes post a picture of a prototype just to check what the reaction will be. It’s a valuable business tool. If you don’t have a website for your business, you should at least have a Facebook page and a Finda or Localist listing that can direct potential customers to your page. I’m also on Twitter, write a blog from time to time and I’m increasingly using Pinterest.
How do you find your stockists?
When I’m looking for stockists I use Google search. Often I search: ‘NZ made design stores’. I also keep an eye out for other labels and items that would sit well next to mine, and then I look up what stockists they have. There have also been a couple of stores who have contacted me through my website seeking new labels to stock, and I am guessing they also found me in a Google search.
Do you look for stockists that have similar business ideals?
The stockists for my bags are design stores, mostly stocking NZ made product. I think it fits well with my brand as I decided from the beginning I would remain NZ made. The Vault in Wellington has a nice policy that packaging used for their orders is recyclable.