Free Education for Retailers & Sew Much More

We at the Jaftex Companies have a private retailer Facebook group with over 2200 members. Last year, I asked retailers what value they put on advertisements that we create for trade magazines. Shockingly, retailers overwhelmingly said that they put little to no value on the trade magazine ads. Rather, what they said was that they put a huge value on their sales reps. Let me just say, “I wasn’t expecting that!” I did realize the reps were a huge help, but I had no idea that the value of ads would be de minimus.

With that, we at the Jaftex Companies decided to re-evaluate our advertising budget to determine whether we are deploying our ad dollars in the most effective ways. After much review, we reached out to the American Quilt Retailer team to discuss how we could use our advertising budget more effectively.

After some back and forth with the American Quilt Retailer team, On The GO Education Express was born. The idea was to offer 3 different locations for retailers to meet Team Jaftex, Team American Quilt Retailer, Jaftex licensed designers and guest speakers for a full day of education, networking and sew much more. Oh yeah, and it will be FREE to all retailers. Yes, FREEEEEEEEEE! Let me provide retailers with the key details so they can see that it’s a no-brainer that they should attend.

Dates/Locations:

• June 10 in Austin, MN.
• June 12 in Independence, MO.
• June 14 in Paducah, KY.

Jaftex Licensed Designers:

• Leanne Anderson of the Whole Country Caboodle (and maybe her daughter Kaytlyn Kuebler) will be at all three locations.

• Stacy West of Buttermilk Basin and daughter, Hannah West of Lucky Day Designs will be at the Austin, MN location only.

• Jenny Pedigo & Helen Robinson of Sew Kind of Wonderful will be at the Paducah, KY location only.

Educators: In addition to the licensed designers who will have lots of great ideas to share with retailers, we will have several expert educators too.

• Heidi Kaisand, owner of Hen & Chicks Studio and Publisher of Creative Retailer will provide lessons from a shop owner.
• Tracy Walker, social media expert at TW Creative Design will discuss how to be seen, be heard & be valued.
• Karman Hotchkiss, business coach at Level Up with Karman will talk about being you and how your brand and your business culture will attract your most passionate supporters.
• Jacob Kurtis, CPA and Financial Expert at Curtis Accounting Solutions will talk about maximizing profits.

That sums up the low down of all you can expect from this event. In addition, I will be in the house with several members of my team. Local sales reps will be in attendance too. There is still space available so please make sure to sign up soon as this event is about a month away. Breakfast and lunch will be served at all events.

Oh yeah, how could I forget that we will have prizes and giveaways too for all in attendance? Retailers will leave with a bag full of goodies for sure! One winner, from each location, will walk away with 10 bolts of 44″ cotton prints from one of the Jaftex Brands. Lastly, retailers will also leave with a brain filled with loads of amazing and actionable ideas and concepts to keep their fabric business rocking!