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- Finally met Martha (pictured) and Vicky…our account specialists we talk to on the phone!
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- I was one of 34 retailers and each of us were asked to write a biography that was included in our welcome book. It was fascinating to meet such a diverse group of store owners!
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- Laura Young, President of Sales & Marketing! What a remarkable woman! She was in charge of our trip and was with us all along the way. The first day consisted of retailer presentations (I did one about our First Friday Fashion Shows!) and retail techniques.
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- That evening, we were invited to dine with Jerry & Terri Kohl, the owners of Brighton Collectibles! We enjoyed a live music presentation during cocktail hour!
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- Then, we were seated for a beautiful meal. Sorry, I didn’t take more pictures here…I was too caught up in the moment!
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- Caprese Salad for 45, coming up!
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- The entire next day, we were at the Brighton Corporate Headquarters & Factory!
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- It’s big…
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- Really big!
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- We had to wear headphones during the tour to hear our guides…lots of machinery running!
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- This enormous printer creates canvas bags and printed small leather goods!
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- This is what it becomes!
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- Some leather is treated with lasers and pigment…
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- To look like this!
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- President, Craig DeMerit, talks all about numbers and dollars!
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- …so many, many numbers!
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- More workshops! Our groups were escorted to a different workshop/seminar/demonstration EVERY 30 minutes…seriously!
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- Meet designer, Anna! One day, owner Jerry asked her and another designer if they wanted to fly to Morocco tomorrow…
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- They convinced him to give them 48 hours, but they sure did have an amazing experience and were inspired by so many things!
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- One of the jewelry collections inspired by that trip…it can be yours!
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- Meet, designer, Carmen. Her designs are classic with a European flair. Most of her inspiration comes from Italian architecture.
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- Her famous Ferrara collection is one of the top sellers.
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- Meet designer, Tom! He is a skilled artist and many of his drawings are featured throughout the collection. His designs are the only signed pieces throughout the entire collection.
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- He did a demonstration about how he free-hands drawings for accessories.
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- Possibly a new necklace!
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- The trip continued with more workshops until it was time to go!
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- I learned so much about merchandising their beautiful products!
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- And even went to “Handbag School,” which helped me decide to carry their bags again!
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- I DID manage to get a cocktail…lol!
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- Good-bye beautiful Langham Hotel!
