Monday, August 23, 2010

Haute Potato Purses and more!


One potato, two potato, three potato four! Who remembers that game from your childhood? Maybe it was just us Idaho girls that played it? I don't even really remember what the game consisted of, but the phrase stuck with me!

Yesterday I added a "Haute Potato" bag to my inventory. I got a wild idea and followed through on it to add piping along the fabric accent on the bottom. I really am pleased with the finished look!

My Kona Mountain Coffee stores in Waikiki are living up to my expectations. I have already shipped out 140 bags to them this month and they have 140 more on order. It is funny to me how those numbers have come to sound so run of the mill to me! I remember the first wholesale order that I ever got for 100 bags and I just couldn't even imagine how long that may take me to complete. I do things assembly line now and buy in bulk. Last week I purchased over 300 yards of lining fabric!
Business is looking good for next year. I am working with some incentive groups for possible orders in 2011. It looks like January, February and March may be very busy! I don't see any time to rest up after the holidays!
Over all, life is good. I am meeting new people, experiencing new things and staying very busy. Whatever happened to those days I used to just lay on the beach??? They are but a vague and distant memory.
My boss (that would be ME!) just cracked the whip and insisted that I start my day, so I better sign off!
a hui hou


Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Catching up


Well, another day is coming to a close. I've turned the sewing machine off and unplugged the iron. (double checking....yep! its unplugged!) Sitting back and feeling pretty good about all that I accomplished today. *sigh*...Excuse me while I pat myself on the back!

Business has just been incredible! I was chatting with my fabric rep over on Oahu this week and she was lamenting how so many of her customers are still really feeling the crunch of the economy. I feel blessed because here at Sasaki Bags, things are exploding. I get on the average, 2-3 inquiries a week from stores that want to carry my bags. I have had to create a file with contact information so that in the event any of my current accounts fold, I have backups. But that file is getting pretty thick!

Recently, I have been enjoying having my customers find me via facebook. A few of the gals have even given me a call and chatted at length. I love it when they realize that there is a REAL person behind the name! I love connecting with people. Just this week, women from Idaho, Georgia and California have picked up the phone and called me! Thank you!

The new Kona Mountain Coffee store opened in Waikiki yesterday. It is a large store about the size of my house! Not huge...but large enough! I am truly appreciative that I am included as part of their ohana (family). I have been providing bags to their store for 3 years now (almost) and have been enjoying the fruits of their expansion to the outer islands. They have also been so supportive of me during this time that I need to be with my family more. It just doesn't get better than that!

So that is the news from "the rock". Just working hard to make my dreams come true and enjoying the journey!

a hui hou







Saturday, August 7, 2010

2010 Goals


As my loyal readers may remember, I have a goal set before me by the ever competitive MOI! Yes, I do compete with myself! I chose "2010 bags sold in 2010" for this year's goal. I just finished crunching my numbers for the first 7 months and I am still on track to reach this aggressive goal! So far I have sold 1062 bags this year. That is just 300 short of what I sold last year! With my new store opening in Waikiki next week, and the holidays ahead of me, I am feeling cautitiously optimistic that I will be doing a happy dance before the year is out! Care to join me?


a hui hou

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Idaho Potato Commission







It is that time of year once more to renew my licensing with the State of Idaho. It seems that many people arent aware that in order to use an Idaho Potato sack, you actually have to be licensed through the Idaho Potato Commissioner. Thankfully, they are a joy to deal with. Kathy Ware has been most helpful in assisting me. At this time, I am the only person licensed to use the bags in the production of purses. So some of the wording of the contracts had to be customized to fit the purpose that I use the bags for.

I know, some of you think that I only use coffee bags but I also get a kick out of making my "Haute Potato" bags. This year I added two new designs that were approved by the commissioners office and remain on file. They include my Holualoa design with the bamboo handles and the Kaloko design with the zip top and adjustable shoulder strap.
Just a few more things to keep me busy!
And speaking of busy...
The newest Kona Mountain Coffee store opens in Waikiki in 13 days! So I am sewing feverishly to build up the stock to open the new store with. Oh My but the holidays are going to be amusing this year!
a hui hou