Get with the Brand(es)

I realize, given her kick ass marketing strategy, y'all are probably living under a rock if you haven't heard about Wendy Brandes' latest project. Like our fave blogger / fashion designer, Stacy Lomman, Wendy is using KickStarter to crowdfund the project, which will enable her to manufacture a bulk quantity of fun jewels overseas, thereby diminishing the cost to her buyers i.e. you and me.

I should tell you that Wendy loves supporting local manufacturing but, in this case, the cost to end-user, of producing the product, is simply too high...

The gist is:

• You go to Wendy's page on KickStarter, sponsor a certain amount of money - from 5 bucks to a zillion - and you get something in return - from sincere thanks to lots of jewels.
• Once she funds the overseas minimum order manufacturing requirement i.e. $7000.00, then the KickStarter bid is deemed to have been successful.
• Money you've pledged will be released to her, she'll place an order with the factory overseas, and the new jewels will be produced.
• When they're ready, you'll be able to buy them too - at an affordable price, because she will have been able to recognize economies of scale in an overseas market.

(Lord, I really hope that's the gist or I'm going to look like an idiot!)

I've done this. It's really very easy and very rewarding - especially if you sponsor at a level that gets you a jewel. The most challenging part, if you want to call it that, is signing up with Amazon Payments, if you're not already a member. It takes 5 minutes.

Now, if I'd got on the marketing-for-Wendy bandwagon a little sooner, I'd be urging you to sponsor her to ensure the viability of the project. Alas, she's so effective - and so lucky to have clients like you - that she's actually achieved the $7000.00 target. But don't let that stop you! The more rings she puts on fingers, the happier those rings are gonna be. And You, for that matter. And Wendy likes happy people wearing happy jewels.

So do a ring a favour, and donate!