Summer Excitement

September 21, 2020 /

It’s mid-September and I wanted to tell you about two exciting things that happened to me and my businesses this summer. With Covid in play, opportunities presented themselves and we were fortunate to have been able to capitalize on one of them…..for now.

The Great Big Opportunity Right Now!

When Covid first hit, we thought it was going to be the end of the world so to speak. We thought we would feel a lot of stress on our business in a negative way with cancellations, store closings and lack of demand. It turns out that there was a lot of stress created, but due to mask making and a lot of free time for sewing, the stress was good stress as a result of huge demand. Nonetheless, it was still stress, but the better kind.

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A few companies in our industry didn’t take the stress as well as others or this was just the impetus for them to close down their businesses. As such, we were presented with a handful of opportunities to do what we do….deals. (Recall that all the companies under Jaftex have been purchased, nearly 20 over the 90 years in business).

If you haven’t heard already, one of those opportunities came to fruition and became a consummated deal. My family ala Jaftex, purchased the ASSETS of Blend LLC from Anna Griffin & Joe Spielberg. Please note that it wasn’t an outright takeover of the entire company and also note that the deal was a win/win for everyone involved. In the deal, we got fabric and, most importantly, we have the opportunity to retain up to 15 of their licensed designers and several completely designed fabric collections. Getting all the designers on board is a work in progress.

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On the outset, this may not seem like a big deal to you, but let me tell you why it is a big deal to me and why it matters. Aside from Blend LLC having a lot of very talented designers, the ability to be able to acquire that many designers in one swoop is a huge bonus. It takes a lot of work to find and sign on new designers. It is very tedious and time consuming. My team spends countless hours seeking out new talent and the next big star. Not only that, but there are lot of contract negotiations and much more that eats up a lot of time and takes away from doing what we do best….designing fabric.

After much back and forth with my brother, dad and team, we deemed the best place to put these designers would be in FreeSpirit Fabrics. The thought was that the “Blend” designers would add some new diversity to the current stable of talented designers. Moreover, out of all of our companies, FreeSpirit produced the fewest number of lines a year. We wanted to scale their business up now that we have re-established the brand’s position following the transition from the 2018 acquisition.

FreeSpirit Fabrics is proud to be able to offer our valued customers 5 brand new lines (3 Halloween & 2 Xmas) from former Blend designers right out of the gate. Those lines will go out for sale with our newest October 1, 2020 collections and they will ship in May and June of next year. The 5 lines are all from either Maude Asbury or Cori Dantini.

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The Blend deal is really the most exciting news. The other news is that I declared myself the President of all the Jaftex Companies. Yes, every single one! The idea was that I am the one in the public eye, I am most active on social media and I get most of the emails anyway. In addition, it just helps to simplify our slightly complicated structure. We really aren’t much about titles anyway so no one really cared. As I like to say, “I could have no title, as long as I get a pay check, nothing else really matters.”

Signed,

El Presidente Scott

31 Comments

  • Jo Avery

    October 8, 2020 at 7:48 am

    I’m so happy to hear this has all worked out for all concerned! Blend Fabrics have been a great supporter of me and my ventures over the years, being incredibly generous with sponsorship. I finally got to meet Joe for the first time IRL at QM last fall, what a lovely guy. So happy you are continuing with Cori Dantini, she is a wonderful designer. I hope you will do more with Mia Charro too in the near future. Good luck with it all!

  • Kathleen

    September 24, 2020 at 3:35 am

    El Presidente Scott

    Thanks to your whole family for always moving forward! Congrats on your title even though you gave it to yourself! I didn’t know that was an option.

    Queen Kathleen

  • Joseph F. Dolloff

    September 23, 2020 at 7:32 pm

    Congrats, my friend, on the acquisition of Blend, and the full Presidency! We’ll see you soon, and you’ll be amazed at the shop, and the changes!

  • Linda

    September 23, 2020 at 2:51 pm

    Was fun to watch your site on your sons birthday! Didn’t know about you but I’m from Canada ?? so our news is slow!! Congrats on your expanding business

    • Scott Fortunoff

      September 23, 2020 at 10:32 pm

      Hi Linda,
      Welcome! Glad you could make it and see my son. I am hoping that he is going to be doing the video again this weekend…maybe by himself.
      Take care.
      Scott

  • Scott Fortunoff

    September 23, 2020 at 12:17 pm

    Hi Barb,
    You are too sweet. We should meet for lunch one of these days now that I live closer to you. Thanks for your kind note. Be well.
    xoxo
    Scott

  • Catherine Russell

    September 23, 2020 at 11:56 am

    Congratulations, Mr. President. I’m so glad your boss recognized your talents and promoted you to your rightful place.

    May your new position afford you opportunities to teach, mentor and share your sorely needed management style.

    Signed,

    A thankfully retired peon still in recovery from bad management styles

    • Scott Fortunoff

      September 23, 2020 at 11:56 am

      Hi Mary,
      We are super excited too to add on the new Blend designers. I am sure there is going to be tons more beautiful fabric to come. Thanks for your support.
      Regards,
      Scott

  • Katie Wyatt

    September 22, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    Well, congratulations are in order all around! I’m so excited for you [as well as Team Jaftex] for acquiring a new line and completing all the work that goes along with that process.

    Scott Fortunoff, El Presidente has a nice ring to it … I see new business cards in your future. All the best for much continued success, Katie

    • Scott Fortunoff

      September 23, 2020 at 11:59 am

      Hi Katie,
      Always great to hear from you. Thanks for your kind words and support as always.
      Be safe and well.
      xoxo
      scott

  • Marjorie Carroll

    September 22, 2020 at 12:21 pm

    Let the games begin….. Person with the most fabric WINS…. The fabric Industry is FORTUNOFF to have you Scott… Thank you for all you do..

    • Scott Fortunoff

      September 23, 2020 at 12:00 pm

      Hi Marjorie,
      You are too funny. You made me smile and lol. This game is far from over. Thanks for your support as always.
      Be well.
      Scott

  • Katina

    September 22, 2020 at 11:58 am

    I like the el presidente title. You have done wonders for fabric collectors during the pandemic and I suspect, given shops ideas for using technology to engage their customers. So happy for your family’s continued success. Hope to be able to tune in again to trivia night. Maybe when the fall time change happens.

    • Scott Fortunoff

      September 23, 2020 at 12:01 pm

      Hi Katina,
      Aww! What a nice message! Thanks for noticing. We are working hard and trying to stand out in the crowd. Hope you are well. Have a great day.
      Scott

  • Rachael Woodard

    September 22, 2020 at 11:43 am

    Congratulations on ALL of the above! So happy to know that you are El Presidente. I know of no other fabric company president that even interacts with “the common folk” (a.k.a., the shop owners). So, thanks so much for doing that.

    • Scott Fortunoff

      September 23, 2020 at 12:16 pm

      Hey Rachael,
      Thanks for the comments. You are not common folk, you are my present and my future. Just trying to do what I need to do stand out.
      Have a great week.
      Scott

    • Scott Fortunoff

      September 23, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      Hi Becky,
      Thanks for the note. I am president of all the companies now including FreeSpirit too. Have a great day.
      Scott

    • Scott Fortunoff

      October 3, 2020 at 5:21 pm

      Hi Annie,
      Thanks so much! I hope you saw the new lines.
      Appreciation your kind words.
      Regards,
      Scott

  • Nancy Sadewater

    September 21, 2020 at 9:59 pm

    Congratulations for finding a win in the covid world we have been living in. Congratulations El Presidente Scott!