Tales Of A Fourth Generation Textile Executive: Challenge, Challenge, Challenge
For the month of August, for me and this blog spot, it is all about the August 2018 Jaftex Facebook Live Shop Tour Challenge that I am hosting on the @jaftexpresident Facebook page. The challenge is a global one. No fabric shop owner in the world is left out from submitting a video for what should be a fun and slightly challenging challenge. The only difference is the prize as I am limited in the distance I can travel to deliver the prize. Oh trust me, I would love to go to Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, what have you…it’s just not practical now to be away for an extended period. Lastly, shops where I already have taped videos are also free to join in on the fun and it’s a great opportunity for you to show things that we might have missed or new things that have arrived since I visited. Long story short, pretty much anyone selling fabric can submit a video if they have something meaningful to show and share. I will not reject anyone that steps up to the challenge. Let’s see what you got!
We are just about 2 weeks into the contest and I must say that I am thankful to all those that have submitted videos. I absolutely love what I have seen so far. I sure hope that those who have posted videos are reaping rewards from the video and all that surrounds it. If you have suggestions or comments to share about the contest and your video experience, please comment on this post. This would be a great way to encourage others to get involved and learn from your experience.
Some of the videos are from video newbies. Other participants have some serious tech skills and I am definitely learning some new tricks. With that being said, any way you slice it, it isn’t really about how well the video was done or performed. It’s more about the content of your video and all that you have to show and share with our fabric community. No one cares if you stammer or forget the name of something or say the wrong thing by accident….I do that all the time. It is about the content, content and content. It’s also about showing off your shop which is something you should be very proud about and very good at.
Up to this point, I have received about 10-15 video submissions and to be honest, I don’t care about the numbers. I will be happy with whatever I get even if I don’t get another submission. I will also happily deliver the prize to my winner with a big smile and tons of enthusiasm and appreciation. I hate to be cliche, but everyone is a winner with this contest and I urge you all to take the plunge and just tape the video already. The longer you wait, the further behind you will be on the likes and less likely to win since the winner is the one with the most likes on my @jaftexpresident Facebook page.
As I have mentioned before, one of the things about this challenge that makes me most proud is the charitable aspect of it. Recall that my request of the winner is to have a charitable component to my visit when I deliver the winning prize. But it isn’t about that charitable aspect. What it is about is that several of the videos have charitable components to them. I love that because as you know, I am all about giving back and charity. I don’t think it is fair for me to mention specific shops in my blog as I want to avoid any appearance of favoritism. But, I am very happy to point out that several shop owners are offering up sewing machines and other things for charity based on attaining a certain number of likes. Watch the videos and you can learn for yourselves. I love this idea! Nice job and creativity!
Again, I consider this contest a win, win, win for everyone in my fabric community. The consumers get to see so many great shops that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to see. The shop owners get to show the world their great shops and all they have to offer. These videos are helping to stimulate discussions, interactions, engagement and in lots of cases actual transactions. Those are huge positives for me and also the fact that most of the shops are focusing a good portion of the attention on the Jaftex fabric in their shops.
In closing, I wanted to thank everyone who has gotten involved in this contest in any way shape or form. I would also just request again that you help me to spread the word as I don’t want anyone to say that they never heard about the contest. Thank you all! Have a great week!
10 Comments
Carole Kurth
Hey Scott- Great Post!
I’m now have a Scott Fortunoff Subscription on YouTube so I don’t miss a moment! Following the FB videos, too.
While you’re encouraging us to tune in, would you please remind people to shop at their local quilt shops?
In the last 2 days, I saw FB posts on one Portland store people ‘thought was closing,’ due to a reorganization. Commenters say, “Well! They don’t have as much now— so I won’t go AT ALL!”
At a small business today, an owner was in tears, as business is down- has been for 6 months…”Whenever there’s a shooting- people stay home.”
Quilters need to get off our behinds and get to our LQS!! If you don’t see fabric you want-/ buy thread! Buy a pattern! Buy a couple fat quarters for a quilting friend or grandchild! If each of us spent $30 a month in our local shops- we’d completely turn this industry around!
And – like Ann Landers (and many others!) always said: “If You Don’t Use It— You’ll Lose It!!”
❤️
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Carole,
Glad someone is taking advantage of the youtube posts b/c I know my sister and Vanessa are working hard to maintain that. I try to always remind people to buy local as much as possible and I will be sure to continue.
I don’t like to hear stories like you are mentioning. The world is a tough place and this is why I am encouraging people to get out of their comfort zones and do things differently than before b/c we live in a new world. Everyone must keep reinventing themselves and thinking outside the box.
All good points Carole. Thanks for being you. Have a great week.
xxoo
Beth Dessem
I love that you are sharing your journey with us and I am enjoying learning more about the business of quilting. As a retired non-profit director, I am so happy that you are thinking charitable!
We travel a lot, and I have already visited a quilt shop (Gotham Quilts) because I saw your video visit. Quilt shop owners might find that I am not alone in learning from your blog about their shops and noting it on my travel calendar. It is much more fun to see the actual shop online! My nephew’s new baby will receive a quilt with fabric I bought at Gotham Quilts.
Thanks!
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Beth,
Yes, charity and helping others is very important to me and it always has been. Glad you are following along on the fabric journey with me.
I love that you visited my local quilt shop. Wish I was around as I would have come down to say hi. Thanks for the nice note.
Have a great week.
Scott
Judy Edwards
We’re plucking up to do the challenge . Did our first Facebook video with Kaffe Fassett at the Festival of Quilts in the uk this week . Talk about jumping in at the deep end . Check out our Lady Sew and Sew Facebook page to see facebook video with Kaffe and Judy
Scott Fortunoff
Hi Judy,
Yes, please pluck up to do the challenge. I will be sure to check out your fb live with Kaffe. Lucky you! Looking forward to see your video now that you are a pro. Don’t pluck up too much longer as time is running out. Have a great week and stay cool.
Regards,
Scott
Joanne Hubbard
It has been fun to watch the videos and I look forward to more. From a marketing standpoint for the shops, this is a wonderful tool. It may be that I’m just easily swayed, but I have gone to the shop website of every video I’ve watched; and yes, I’ve even placed an order two. Keep the videos coming folks! I can see some additional purchases in my near future. 🙂
Have a great week Scott!
Scott Fortunoff
Joanne,
In there lies the purpose of the videos. WOW! That’s great to know. I hope more people are doing what you are doing. Thanks for letting me know.
Have a great day.
Scott
Kara
What you said! I have watched every video and then gone to their web sites, when available. I have only made 1 purchase. But I am working on the funds for two others from two shops that I would never have known about, or shopped from.
Scott Fortunoff
Awesome Kara. Thanks for sharing that.