‘The Secrets to Design Success’: Report on June Network Event
To mark Designer Dublin, the June event of the Dublin City Enterprise Network for Women featured talks by two entrepreneurs in the design area with very inspirational stories to tell.
The event took place in the Mansion House on Monday 13th June and featured talks by Liz Quin of Quin & Donnelly and Agata Stoinska of D-Light Studios and Blow Magazine, with a record attendance of around 80 members and their guests.
(See the network's Facebook page for photos from the event: http://www.facebook.com/#!/DublinCityEnterpriseNetworkforWomen).
Our photograph here shows (from left to right): Agata Stoinska, Pauline Logan from the Dublin City Network for Women, Liz Quin and Eibhlin Curley from the Dublin City Enterprise Board.
Both Liz and Agata’s stories highlighted the importance of being determined to succeed whatever the obstacles and setbacks. The most common comment from attendees was how inspiring both women's resilience was. Both also showed great ability to spot opportunities and to provide products/services that meet customer needs. Both entrepreneurs also placed a strong emphasis on working hard and learning by doing.
The next event of the Dublin City Enterprise Network for Women will take place on Monday 11th July and it will feature a talk by Carol Anne Lowe, Blue Moon Communications on the topic of 'Get your Net Working'.
The Secrets to Design Success
Summary of Liz Quin's talk
Liz spoke about their roots in a small boutique which lead to them setting up the label. They have completely changed their business over the years (from exclusively selling through A-Wear in Ireland to now selling through Brown Thomas stores, The Kilkenny Shop and some individual boutiques. They produce two seasonal and two mid-season collections per year and have a very effective system in place now for meeting these challenges. They look to maintain their creativity by remaining culturally aware and understanding why people buy what they do. Some of Liz’s key tips for entrepreneurs were:
- Be determined to succeed! She was very motivated from the beginning (she studied fashion against the wishes of her parents) and this determination to succeed helped her to survive the harder times.
- Be prepared to learn on the job – this is essential if you want to learn the business.
- It’s OK to start small - it’s all about doing things well and getting noticed.
- There is no shame in admitting that the current way isn’t working and in changing the way you do things.
- Repeat business is key to building a sustainable business so be tuned into what your customers expect in terms of price, size and quality.
- Recession can be a good time to start a business, there is scope for creativity in the midst of all the High Street uniformity.
- Stay open to new directions and change – this is the key to survival.
Summary of Agata Stoinska's talk
Agata described how she moved from being an architect to a fashion photographer and how she built up a strong reputation by getting to know the people she needed to work with.
She gradually built up strong network and a professional portfolio and it grew from there. She needed a studio and when her first one became too small, she found the space for D-Light Studios and drew up a plan for converting it into an artistic space, for photoshoots, exhibitions and other creative events.
Her business partner pulled out at the last minute so she had to have a complete change of plan in terms of getting finance and renovating the space with a very short timeline. While this was very stressful and an enormous challenge, she thinks it actually turned out for the best. She accessed finance from Dublin City Enterprise Board and the Bank and drew on a wide circle of friends and strangers to get it ready in time. There was a successful launch and they have a network of people with a great interest in it’s success.
Since then, Agata has launched a photographic magazine - BLOW MAGAZINE http://www.blowphotomagazine.com - in response to a gap that she spotted.
They wanted to publish photos and there was nothing specialized in Ireland. They are just about to launch the third edition. It is now attracting high profile international photographers.
Agata’s key tips for entrepreneurs were:
- Find what you’re good at, what you enjoy doing and throw yourself into it
- Make your own chances
- Recognise opportunities that exist.
- You don’t need to be the cheapest but you need to be the best at what you do
- Don’t give up! When something bad happens, the next day you should dust yourself down and start again. Get to know lots of people and you will get help. Help others yourself.
Three of our members took resource tables to display their products/services on the night:
- AnneMarie Proudfoot of Proudfoot Style (http://proudfoot.ie/proudfoot-style/)
- Eva Byrne of Houseology (www.houseology.ie)
- Mary Varilly of True Colours (www.truecolours.ie) at their resource tables.
Please contact Pauline Logan at network@dceb.ie for further details around the July 11th event.
http://www.dceb.ie/networking/enterprise-network-for-women/network-events