Thursday, August 26, 2010

Personal post from Bev (TrendyKidz™)

This is not an easy thing to write...what you are about to read is in fact, very personal... but I feel it is something that needs to be done, hopefully it will be a little cathartic and also you may gain an understanding of where things are at.....
On Wed night, I felt an overwhelming degree of anxiety initially; I tried to quell it and went to bed. I did not sleep at all, then approximately 2am, I believe I had a complete breakdown, mental, physical and emotional.
There are many things that have lead to this and I guess it was the culmination point that had been building for a long time (approx 3.5 years). Some of these things are very personal and do not need to be discussed here (Like divorce, family/teenage issues etc), some are financial mistakes, which I take full responsibility for and some are me simply taking on too much and looking after everybody else first and neglecting my own health and wellbeing.
Whilst contemplating ending it all, I prayed A LOT and was answered with the forethought to ring a very close friend; she was sleeping of course, but answered the call and came over immediately. She has been fantastic in guiding me and taking some control of the situation. I know I am grateful to be here and extremely lucky to have her.
We have methodically looked at each issue, 1 by 1 and prioritised all of the things I CAN proactively work on. Also I will need to seek other help (professional) to deal with the things that are not in my control, yet still affect me greatly. I will take steps in the right direction now, to rebuild.
Those who know me, continually say how strong I am and that I need to keep reminding myself of that, though right now I don’t feel strong at all and find it hard to see any light past tomorrow.
Whilst I was in Bali, I handed over ownership of my factory to the existing manager (Balinese), I have known him for 23 years and he could see that we were struggling with bureaucracy in the government, like import duty, taxation and also the day to day transactions and purchases we made for general business use being overpriced at every turn, due to the factory having western ownership. Fortunately, with the manager accepting ownership, things have already started to change. He also agreed to maintain the existing staff and all of their working conditions.
Yesterday, I could not see clearly at all and could not make any decision on the future for TrendyKidz™, but overnight I have had a bit of clarity.
As a result of the change in ownership, the manager was fortunately in a position to buy his own sewing machines, allowing me to import mine into Australia to sell.
The decision I have made for TrendyKidz™, at this point in time is to sell off all the stock on hand, there is lots! I’ll do this with a BIG sale on my website. I will not be producing any new stock, for now and will possibly rebrand in the future using some of the ideas I have.....
At this stage, I have decided in order to look after my wellbeing, not to take on the production of any other labels, those I am currently producing for have been advised and negotiated individually, but there are people who have sent me samples to quote on and I am not in a position to take this on, at the moment, hopefully they will understand?

If you would like to, and are in a position to be able to, help here are some things you could do....
1) SHOP online at www.trendykidz.com.au and grab some fantastic bargains for your kids, friends’ kids, birthdays, Christmas etc.....
2) Spread the word about the sale, put it on your fan page, your blog or just send a link to your friends...... LOTS of traffic to the site would be AWESOME right now!
3) I have Industrial sewing machines for sale, 13 in total, from straight stitchers(6) to overlockers, rolled hem, large electric cutting machine etc.... if you or someone you know sews, and wants an industrial machine, at a very good price, please supply them the info and ask them to email me beverley@trendykidz.com.au.
4) I am happy to look at wholesale, very cheap, to any online boutiques that are happy to carry some cute stock at cost... This is a fantastic opportunity to resell with HUGE margins! If you are interested or know someone who may be, please pass the info along.
5) Lastly, If you are a person who prays, please keep me in your prayers, I am asking for Strength, Light, Purpose and Clarity in order to achieve suitable outcomes and to get through this!
Thank you so much for reading, I appreciate your time and also all of the support and well wishes I know I’ll receive...... With Love Bev xx

Friday, June 11, 2010

Growings on at TrendyKidz

Well!! there certainly is a lot going on around here!

Firstly, you may have seen the new catalogue that was released today? Our styles are upbeat, cute and durable. Each designed to fit and cover a child appropriately, after all thats what TrendyKidz is about. Letting kids be kids!

If you have viewed the catalogue, you'll notice that most of out items are still under $30! AWESOME value! We achieve this because we manufacture ourselves.

In 2 days I'll be WARM! I can't wait!

I am heading over to Bali to set up production for several Australian Designer Labels and also one from Hong Kong. We profit from these contracts and it enables me to pay my staff very well, also to help out with various Indonesian charities and projects.

The biggest one on my mind at the moment is Cate Bolt's project18. We have managed to raise a significant amount to set up a small orphanage and we'll be doing this over the next few weeks in Bali together.
In the shop you can purchase a raffle ticket for only $2.55 or many different sponsorship packs from food/clean drinking water, clothing, essentials, etc. All of the money donated goes directly to the children, none has ben or will be utilised for costs, airfare's etc. So if you haven't already donated, NOW is a great time!

If you are reading this and you are not a follower, please join and you'll be updated on events as they occur. Also Cate's Blog link is on the side, so if you follow her too, you'll be totally in the loop.

Hope you are all well and try to stay warm!
Bev xx

Thursday, April 22, 2010

This blog is about me and why I would LOVE to attend the connect2mums
2010 Mumpreneurs Conference.

I guess since becoming a mum 17 years ago, holding a baby for the very 1st time and realising just how helpless and reliant they are. I have naturally just put others before myself. My children have always come first and my husband ran a very close second. I think this is probably natural for most women?

Being selfless is wonderful in many ways and also very fulfilling, however, there is a moment when to me, it just seemed to be too much! I was in intensive care, with little hope of living through the night as all the potassium had drained from my body. I then realised that IF I was lucky enough to pull through this, that I needed to make some fairly drastic life changes....

That is when I became a single mum (leaving my husband of 16 years) and a mumpreneur (leaving my career path of 21 years).

I started my own business and have had many pitfalls and many more mountains to climb along the way, the path is bumpy, but with one foot in front of the other it is definitely possible and very rewarding.

Becoming a single mum and leaving a fantastic executive management role has definitely been a HUGE change for me and my children. But we have all managed to survive fairly well and have learnt a lot along the way.

Both my girls are teenagers now and so that means they have part time jobs, enabling them to buy things they want and also a more mature understanding of the fact that sometimes you have to wait and to save for what you need, let alone want... They also have an awesome appreciation for all the things that they have. They know that they sacrifice many things for the balinese children and have visited the orphanages with huge smiles, lots of cuddles and suitcases full of toys (and neccessities like bedding, hygiene products etc too)

Becoming a factory owner in a developing country was a MASSIVE eye-opener for me. Once again I saw helpless people who needed someone to do something and yet there didn't seem to be anyone close enough to them with the capacity to help(I mean REALLY Help!).

As a one-man-band I have provided mobile phones for safety of teenagers and communication with their parents, provided many meal replacement/ supplement drinks to school age children, who don't receive adequate nutrition at home and many other things.

I have also combined my efforts with Catherine Bolt to directly assist abandoned children in Indonesia.

Whilst I would LOVE to attend the connect2mums 2010 Mumpreneurs Conference as I know I would learn a lot, have incredible personal growth and also that it would help me grow my business, which in turn would enable me to assist many more people. I find it a little self indulgent as I know I would have a fantastic time. Overriding all of these mixed emotions is, once again, the need to put everyone else first and I couldn't imagine anything worse than potentially having to say, sorry I don't have the funds for your drinks today to a malnourished child. So consequently, I find it very hard to justify spending the money on myself, knowing the incredible pleasure I would receive from attending. I truly hope that makes sense to someone??

This blog is part of a competition to win a ticket to the 2010 Mumpreneurs Conference. The judging is based on the content of the blog, the originality and also the number of comments it receives. If you would like to help me and feel that you have a comment you'd like to make, please do! I may just HAVE to find a way to get on the plane to Brisbane yet!

Thank you for reading!
Bev xx

Owner of TrendyKidz

Friday, December 4, 2009

Hello,

This gorgeous write up was done by Despina at BackPacks4AussieKids


Facebook Fan page http://www.facebook.com/pages/TrendyKidzTM/141076697570?ref=nf#/pages/TrendyKidzTM/141076697570?ref=mf

TrendyKidz Website http://www.trendykidz.com.au/

I've just been looking over the TrendyKidz website and realised that online shopping is really big business!

I met Bev on Facebook through our individual fan pages and she has sent an enormous bag of donations from herself for the B4AK project.

When I mention that I was in need of clothing for older kids, TrendyKidz then sent in two 5 kg bags filled to bursting with long sleeved t-shirts for kids in middle, upper primary and high school!

I was having morning tea with a couple of good friends (and B4AK supporters!) when the lovely postie arrived with the packages. My friends just couldn't believe it when I opened the parcels to reveal all the shirts inside! Both of them were really amazed at the generosity of the sender, so I explained that people like Bev really make the project work. It was her generous spirit that decided to send the shirts.

Needless to say, we spent ages looking at the sizes and colours of shirts and talking about how best to use them on our next packing day.

The TrendyKidz website is full of quality clothing for children, babies and teens. You can shop online or host a part in your house, (with some excellent hostess gifts of course), or you can also become a TrendyKidz consultant and work for yourself, you can even take your kids to work with you as the models!


Click on the links to visit the site and support another Aussie WAHM.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Putting the 'Call out' for USED Mobile Phones.

Hello,
As most of you know, I own a clothing company (TrendyKidz) and a factory in Bali. I already support the local village, local school children and local orphanage. I enjoy making an incredible difference to the lifestyles of my staff and their families (58 people) too!
One thing I have noticed is that when you go to the outskirts of Bali and onto other islands there is extreme poverty.
In order to get money, many families have to send their teenagers into the tourist areas to work.
Sometimes it is 6 months before they get to return home for a visit.
When the children leave, they never even know if they got there safely, let alone when they are coming back.
As a mother of 2 teenage girls this scares me!!
HOW CAN YOU HELP??
Your old mobile phone (unlocked to any network and with a charger) will benefit them greatly, it allows contact between the teen, who is often alone, unsure and scared and their families in the villages.
They are truly happy with an old large square nokia, seriously!! Our kids wouldnt be seen with one!
SIM cards and phone plans are very cheap over there and they can get them with little inconvenience, but to buy a mobile phone is another matter. Most villagers do not even have a home phone!!! (Could you imagine??)
I would really appreciate if you could hunt around for old phones and put them in the mail or deliver to me (if NOR in Perth?). I go to Bali regularly and am happy to take them. The airlines know me now and seem to let me off with excess luggage as it is always toys for the orphanages etc or old phones.
My next trip is in December, so I really need them NOW, Please?
PLEASE post to my postal address. 29 Renner circle WANNEROO, WA, 6065.
I would also appreciate if you could circulate this to ALL of your friends and family and ask them to do the same.
Also, if you have an old phone and it is locked to a network, please take it to your nearest network provider shop, explain what it is for and they will unlock for free.
As INDIVIDUALS we are incredible, TOGETHER we are UNSTOPPABLE!
Let’s make a HUGE difference to the safety of Teens in Indonesia - 1 phone at a time!!!
Thank you!
Have a good day!
Bev
Mobile: 0427 401 529 Fax: 08 9306 3448
Email: beverley@trendykidz.com.au
www.trendykidz.com.au
Also mentioned at http://catherinebolt.com/?p=124

Monday, October 12, 2009

WHY buy TrendyKidz??

TrendyKidz™ is all about ‘age appropriate’ children’s clothing at very low prices. Our quality and fabrics are exceptional and we wholesale to many shops Australia wide.

TrendyKidz™ is unique because, whilst the clothing is durable and high quality with adjustable waists and necklines where appropriate, all of the ‘standard’ size boundaries have dissolved (e.g. if a child was 6 but needed a size 8 in clothing, they would usually have to go into the 8-14yr range)
TrendyKidz™ stops a 6yr old from potentially having to dress inappropriately as a teen, by ensuring that we supply larger sizes in the correct style for each age group.

I was finding it very difficult to find clothing to fit my girls. There seemed to be very little out there for non-standard sized kids at an affordable price. So I decided to start my own clothing company and bought my own factory in Bali. (My factory is renowned as the cleanest factory in Bali and my staff are paid exceptionally well! They enjoy hospital cover for themselves and all of their extended family and a chef to cook their lunch each day, as well as many other benefits) TrendyKidz™ also supports the local orphanage and school in our village. We currently manufacture for other Australian and U.S. designers too.

We are featured in the current issue of the Flourish Magazine and listed on www.familyconnect.com.au as a ‘Best value’ business.

I would love for you to check out my range at www.trendykidz.com.au and perhaps we can then get together for a coffee and I can show you some samples of our excellent quality garments.

We stock summer and winter all year round to cater for travellers and our range is from newborn to size 16.

Monday, August 10, 2009

My top consultant is currently earning $130 / hr and works 4 – 5 hours (1 day) / week.

Many things have changed at Trendykidz and some changes are still taking place, but one thing is undeniable, we are growing at a great rate and desperately need more consultants all over Australia........

I have attached some info for you to browse at your leisure, also please check out our website now for all the new items www.trendykidz.com.au. You may already know that our range is priced between $14 and $55, so provides excellent value to customers, especially in these tough economic times.

OFFER: Sign up to become a consultant and purchase your kit by the 31st August and I will give you 40% off the kit purchases. Therefore you can save on set up costs, or spend the same and have a larger demonstration kit......... the choice is yours!

What’s happening at TrendyKidz™

At the end of February I met with a consultant, she called me and I went to her home for coffee, she was very disheartened and felt that she had tried everything to make this work, but that somehow it was just not happening for her. She showed me all of the ideas she had implemented and asked if I had any suggestions.

Marketing is my thing! I used to be a business development manager, I have sold Tupperware, Avon and the like so know how to increase contact with customers and if the product is good, it usually will sell itself from there.....

I gave her a few suggestions and lots of encouragement and support. She called me later to say it was just what she needed and that she felt motivated now and ready to get out there with renewed enthusiasm and to try again.

Well, the results from this consultant have been fantastic to say the least, she has sold $990 worth of clothes in March, $1500 in April and she hasn’t actually had a party, therefore has not had to supply any hostess gifts, so received the full 30% commission. This has been 3 hours of ‘work’ (Coffee with friends really....... just inviting friends/parents from school over 1 at a time or in a small group for a cuppa)

She has a $356 order pending, 2 people who have promised to have parties and is having a gathering at her home tomorrow so some more sales will come from there...

I have worked with her, loaned her new stock, supported her and been available when needed.......... I am happy to do this for any of you!

Karen has earned $330 in March & $500 in April just for talking about TrendyKidz™ and inviting people to her home to view the range, she has twin 4yr old boys and a 3yr old girl, so she is BUSY!!

Still............. earning $110+ / hr just for having coffee and a chat is great money............

If you are not earning $110 / hr elsewhere, then I challenge you to give TrendyKidz a go!

Of course, if you are unsure or would like some extra help to get started please just let me know.

Become a fan on Facebook and get all the latest news as it happens!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/TrendyKidz/141076697570

Have a great day!
Bev

Email: beverley@trendykidz.com.au
www.trendykidz.com.au
Proudly WA owned and operated