My challenge as late is how do I make the most out of my time? Not an easy question to answer. To help me find an answer I took a look back to analyze when the company was at its most productive. I found that when we were working towards a goal ( like Omaha Fashion Week) we were the most productive and generating a buzz.  It wasn’t so much that we had a goal but, the steps we were taking to reach that goal.

     The major thing that helped our productivity is that we had to figure out what was a priority and what was something was just a ” wouldn’t this be cool!” idea. Not the easiest thing to do when you have two very ambitious and very creative designers who feel strongly about the items they create. Let me tell you it’s not easy telling someone who feels passionate about a possible skirt or accessory that it’s not plausible due to costs. Or telling them that “yes that’s cool but, who are we going to sell that too?’ and still have them keep their enthusiasm for designing.

   As much as it may be unpleasant to have things as low production cost priority it is also a blessing. Making deadlines  a priority helps us to be accountable to each other and to our customers. Making quality a priority ensures that we would never produce cheap items that will not last. Making our customers a priority ensures us that we will have repeat business and a great reputation.

    With all the priorities in place progress seems certainly to  follow. Only through progress will you have growth and then success. Until next time!

Drive safe,

Barry

P.S.

          I am experiencing some tech difficulties on getting the pictures from Omaha Fashion Week. I should have them this week. Looks like I need to make that a priority!

              We were forunate enough to be selected for Omaha Fashion Week this year and I will have the pics up soon! 

Until then drive safe,

Barry

      Instead of giving up we decided to change some things  and that, unfortunately, led to a restructure to which some parties are no longer with us. The decision was very difficult although very necessary. It is wasn’t a judgement or an attack of one’s character but a shift in getting the right people dynamic in order for our company to work.

     When making a decision like this you always have a lingering doubt that if the bold action you have made was the correct one. It is answered only in time and results and so far it appears the right decision has been made.

     Since our long absence we had now added a Jr. designer, Jessica Wilderotter, set in motion a revamp of our website that will be able to take payments,  and have made investments in industrial equipment to produce items locally. We have also upped our visibility profile by sponsoring groups like Nerdtron Nebraska and bands like Strap on Halo. We have also been selected for Omaha Fashion Week 2011!

      We have faced many trials and tribulations the past year but, it has forced us to grow as people and as a company. Like they say : ” A diamond is forged through pressure and heat to become one of the most valuable and enduring substances in the world.”

Drive safe,

Barry

         As we sat down at one of our favorite coffee-house/ think tanks we filed through all of Lee’s various sketch pads and design books it came very clear how two different minds tackle which design would actually make it to the production floor.

            A sketch book to any artist is pretty much regarded as hallow ground. It is usually kept within close proximity and could even at times be viewed as something that should never be tampered with. So, when you put one of these items into the hands of a very left brained thinker trying to organize a possible clothing line you may want to warn said right brain thinker of that fact first. That way you could properly prepare them for the sacrilege that I performed on Lee’s sketchbooks when I ripped out the drawings of a potential  production candidates and sorted them into different piles.

          When I ripped the first page out the expression on Lee’s face was that of shock and utter disbelief. When inquired if everything was alright he just responded ” Well, it’s just that was one of the first designs I ever came up with.” to which I replied ” Cool, now it’s going to be a made into a reality.” After saying that Lee’s demeanor took on a different air as he went through his designs looking for sketches that could be made tangible.

         As the process went on I gained an appreciation of how an artistic mind works as Lee would show a sketch and tell me what influenced him to create it. I could see that some of the choices were hard for him to let go when it came down to whether or not they were cost effective for production.

        In a weird way it’s an art and science. You have to mix different parts of arts, profit margins, design, production cost, and then hope it comes out into something that encompasses the designer’s vision and business manager’s bottom line.

Drive safe,

Barry

        Looking back on this experience I took a lesson when I realized that this is something I should be doing on a regular basis. Meeting with other young business savvy, focused, creative, and determined individuals. The sharing of experiences and the free flow of ideas helped “floss” my mind of the needless junk cluttering up.

        Since then I have been sure to keep this smart and savvy ( did I mention she’s beautiful as well?) individual on my calendar. I also joined a few discussion groups for young entrepreneurs to gain other perspectives and have found that to be helpful as well.

        On a side note it looks like we will have a product line ready for Fall ’10 fashion season!

Drive safe,

Barry

       Needless to say we didn’t quite hit the goals we set for ourselves for the end of 2009. Tragic right? Not necessarily. Sometimes when you hit a rough patch you truly find what you are made of. When you are cutting through the thicket and, it gets to be a little to rough, it forces you to step back and see if there is another approach. Thats what we had to do as a company.

        When we entered this new year we learned how to deal with the problems life gives you as well as dealing with the problems you face trying to start a company. We learned how to prioritize what problems needed to be addressed immediately and what problems we could put on the back burner for now.

      We also revamped our strategy for the 2010 year and will have some exciting news to post very soon. All in all sometimes the major growth of a person and a company is in the time you can’t see the fruit on the trees but, when they are securing their roots in the ground.

Drive safe,

Barry

     Along with the first run of our logo T-shirts we will now be carrying Dominikat hooded sweatshirts, skull caps, and another run of graphic T-shirts.  With the new merchandise Dominikat.com should have a new store page soon so you would be able to purchase the new gear online!

     We are also looking to hold another Dominikat event sometime around April so keep your ears open! That’s all for now!

Drive safe,

Barry

       We coordinated our Facebook page launch as the same week as OFW ( or at least we tried we were a couple days late) and since then have seen a steadily growing number of fans being added everyday. That along with receiving our first shipments of our company logo t-shirts has generated excitement for our brand. I’ve even have received a few requests for Lee to do custom pieces after people were referred to Dominikat.com and viewed the gallery.

     All in all exciting things are happening all over the board. I know for myself I like the enthusiasm of everyone involved and can tell everyone is pleased with the direction things are going. Just the beginning of more good things to come!

Drive safe,

Barry

The Dominikat Crew

  Though the weather outside may have been a bit drizzly and chilly the mood on the 3rd floor of Blue Sushi was warm and festive. A group of colorful  individuals came together costumed in Alice in Wonderland theme on Oct 2nd to celebrate the 21st birthday, pardon me, 21st un-birthday of Jillian Wray.

    For those of you that dont know Jillian ( Alice) she is the Marketing and Communications director of Dominikat Clothing and Design. At a young age Jillian has worn many different hats of sorts ( I had to slip a Mad Hatter reference in here somewhere!) having degrees in global communication and film studies from the American University of Paris,  being part of the SCOLA marketing team, and an accomplished make-up artist to name a few.

      I know Dominikat Clothing and Design was proud to sponsor Jillian’s 21st un-birthay and feels fortunate to have this bright young individual at the helm of one our most important positions in the company. As you can tell from the photos everyone in attendance had a good time and left grinning like a Cheshire Cat!

Drive safe!

Barry

       Most of the postings will be about the day-to-day running of Dominikat Clothing and Design. I will give updates on how the company is progressing, what event we are involved in, and what other shenanigans Lee and Scott get me into!

        Most importantly this blog will also serve as a sounding board for all of you Dominikat Clothing and Design fans out there. As my business partners will tell you I like to keep a finger on the pulse of the sub-culture community so I can better serve Dominikat  and, most importantly, you.

Until next time, drive safe!

Barry