{"id":1031,"date":"2023-10-28T16:00:48","date_gmt":"2023-10-28T14:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/?p=1031"},"modified":"2023-10-28T21:00:02","modified_gmt":"2023-10-28T19:00:02","slug":"orlando","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/en\/orlando\/","title":{"rendered":"Orlando"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting established in the US is a serious entrepreneurial challenge with two crucial points that should not be overlooked: you need sufficient funds and a presence in the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nine months have passed since we came back from Myrtle Beach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the Las Vegas show wasn\u2019t a failure, the huge success of the Myrtle Beach show made us realize how important local shows could be.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, we decided to invest in no fewer than four shows by the end of this year, and as we still aren\u2019t in a position to hire anyone or delegate that responsibility, for the time being, we have to be there ourselves. We are still being supported in this by Business France, a key partner for anyone wanting to set up shop in the US.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On our schedule for this next trip were the board sports show and meetings that had been set up by Business France as part of a commercial push focusing on Florida.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Olivier and I therefore set out for Miami, ready to conquer Orlando\u2019s Surf Expo show.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83c\udfc4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2642\ufe0f<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_3986-scaled.jpeg&#8221; title_text=&#8221;IMG_3986&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Surf Expo is a twice-yearly show (September and January), with the September show being oriented toward the Caribbean. Attendees are mainly from the world of board sports, owners of surf stores or gift stores. Exhibitors offer targeted products, from surfboards to counter display products by way of surf and beachwear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We found our stand, after some trouble caused by a few last-minute hiccups, just to make our day a little more interesting. The layout of the stand wasn\u2019t how it was originally supposed to be as our sign hadn\u2019t arrived and we had a table that wasn\u2019t the right size. Nothing too serious, but little details that had us running from pillar to post when we hadn\u2019t a minute to spare.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the end of the afternoon, our stand was ready to welcome the board sports enthusiasts we wanted to show Callvin\u2019s products and brand off to.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our space was PERFECT!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_4097-scaled.jpeg&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;IMG_4097&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And the cherry on top, something worth knowing about American trade shows, new exhibitors get a special spot, right in the middle of the show, to exhibit their products.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_4093-scaled.jpeg&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;IMG_4093&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We had a clear goal for the show: to meet brands as fun and quirky as our own and set up some promising partnerships for the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the first evening, our plans went awry. Isabelle Tran, the President of the French American Business Council of Orlando (FABCO), brought forward the date of our dinner, which had originally been scheduled for the following day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She was accompanied by Olivier Monard, the Vice-President of FABCO, who also fits in running an aircraft sales company.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their status is primarily honorary. It\u2019s a voluntary personal commitment to facilitate business development and relationship building for French and American companies: <a href=\"https:\/\/fabco.us\/about\/\">https:\/\/fabco.us\/about\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We always enjoy the opportunity to tell our story and talk about how we got to where we are today. Isabelle is an investor who takes a keen interest in everything. Above all, she\u2019s full of good advice. We are still learning and finding out new things about this business culture that is so different from our own.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Isabelle, of course, came to see our team and discover our products.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_4100-scaled.jpeg&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;IMG_4100&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grand Opening!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thursday, September 7 was the big day when the show opened.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The show was buzzing, and we were more determined than ever to make Callvin a star on the American stage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with every show, the first day was all about getting the lay of the land, for attendees and exhibitors alike.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We made the most of it and got to know our neighbors\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before we left for this trip, among the 200 exhibitors, we\u2019d chosen around thirty brands\u2014some well known, others less so\u2014with good-looking designs. They were mainly T-shirt brands, but there was also an underwear brand. We\u2019d made up some samples with their logo on, and it turned out, by total chance, that @shinesty, the underwear brand in question, was right opposite our stand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_4112-scaled.jpeg&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;IMG_4112&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; column_structure=&#8221;1_3,1_3,1_3&#8243; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/SHINESTY-3.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;SHINESTY-3&#8243; width=&#8221;200px&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/SHINESTY-2.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;SHINESTY-2&#8243; width=&#8221;200px&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/SHINESTY-1.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;SHINESTY-1&#8243; width=&#8221;200px&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;4_4&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We had a great marketing idea to suggest to them: a customized condom in every pack of underwear with the same design.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They put up an Instagram post which gave them a good idea of the enthusiasm our product can generate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second day, things started getting more interesting!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orders started flowing in, and we sensed real excitement about our brand and products.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People stopped to talk about them and laugh about them, and nothing draws a crowd quite like a crowd\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We were also lucky enough to meet the founder of HUGE, a remarkable brand, who is going to become a customer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He loved the quality of our printing and wanted to come to us for his future orders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An unexpected connection, but one that will likely be HUGE!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; column_structure=&#8221;1_3,1_3,1_3&#8243;][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/HUGE.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;HUGE&#8221; width=&#8221;200px&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;4_4&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jackie, our US associate, was the one who sought out the 30 brands we\u2019d carefully selected. They included Billabong, O\u2019Neill, Hurley, and others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; column_structure=&#8221;1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4&#8243;][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_4&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/WTF.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;WTF&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_4&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/TWO-JOINT.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;TWO-JOINT&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_4&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/SURFING.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;SURFING&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_4&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/ROXY.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;ROXY&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; column_structure=&#8221;1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4&#8243;][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_4&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/PSYCHO-TUNA.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;PSYCHO-TUNA&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_4&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/HURLEY.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;HURLEY&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_4&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/DARK-SEAS.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;DARK-&#038;-SEAS&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_4&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/BILLABONG.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;BILLABONG&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;4_4&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When she came back, we got to hear the feedback she\u2019d received, and it was more than positive. The brands loved the quirky approach and laughed over it with their neighbors. The enthusiastic welcome our products received was simply incredible!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the Americans put it <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s soooo Amaaaazing!\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2026 But would they be open to our main goal, turning the condom into an actual piece of merch?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over that second day, we were pleased to bump into some of our customers, including one of our very first customers in the US. Now we\u2019re working with around twenty stores in Florida alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We also caught up with Daniel, our famous Myrtle Beach customer! He was delighted with our products and wanted to put our display stands in his other stores too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To end the day, we had the pleasure of a dinner with Gabriel and Claudia, future partners we\u2019d met in Las Vegas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019d come to see us when they were visiting France, and since then, they\u2019d opened their home and their hearts to us. Proof, if ever it were needed, that you can mix business and friendship.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the third and final day of the show, we decided to get there well before opening time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s a quieter time, ideal for taking another look around the show and dropping in on our prospects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We could see that they really liked our approach. Nevertheless, they were there to sell and not to buy. That kind of deal could be struck after the show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That last day was the best in terms of turnover. Customers took the time to come see us, and some of them had been to see us every day of the show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lot of firm orders were placed on the last day, which meant we ended on a real high.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That September show was oriented toward the Caribbean Islands, and we were pleased to get a foothold in that new part of the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The show came to an end, and we left feeling satisfied but still skeptical.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our presence at these shows is now a must every time they are put on. But even if they remain financially viable, with twenty or so new outlets every time, how long will it take us to get our products in with the big groups? How long to get into the country\u2019s tens of thousands of sales outlets without a dedicated sales force?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We know, in that country, one encounter can change everything, and that stroke of luck will come along one of these days. However, it\u2019s a stroke of luck that needs a little push to help it on its way\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We got back on the road, headed for Miami, with a very full schedule, thanks to @businessfrance in particular, among others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our first meeting was with @C\u00e9dricMontagnana, Principal CEO USA of Panier des Sens, a French cosmetics brand. We were welcomed with open arms. He really liked our project, and he knew what it was like trying to get yourself established in the US. He did it himself around fifteen years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; column_structure=&#8221;1_3,1_3,1_3&#8243;][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Capture-decran-2023-10-12-a-13.05.16.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Capture d\u2019\u00e9cran 2023-10-12 \u00e0 13.05.16&#8243; width=&#8221;200px&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;4_4&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He gave us four hours of his precious time, and he listened to our story and told us his.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His advice was worth its weight in gold! Amazon, websites, transportation, we talked about everything\u2026 And he was quite categorical about what he saw, which tallied with our own feeling. With a concept like ours, we were sitting on a gold mine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it could be years before we really hit a rich seam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He told us about a concept that we don\u2019t have in France: permanent showrooms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Imagine <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maison &amp; Objet<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> all year long and in several regions of the US.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have a stand set up for a year, and when the shows take place, twice a year, you come to show your products.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rest of the time, salespeople, who are exclusive and paid by the showroom, represent your brand and set up meetings. It\u2019s an excellent way to reach the big players.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here was our chance\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(At the time of writing these lines, our collaboration with C\u00e9dric M. is taking a new turn)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After that, we met the Director of Miami International University of Art &amp; Design.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adnan Razack is a colorful character; a former associate of Yves Saint-Laurent, he has worked in fashion in Paris, London, and NYC.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He was so enchanted with our project that he needed no persuasion. His university worked on the basis of four-month terms, and the next was due to start in October. He suggested putting a whole class on our project, getting them to work on designs and run our US social media.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Awesome!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We worked on the idea and suggested creating a dedicated space on our site to showcase his students\u2019 work. We were, of course, delighted and curious to see this collection that would be entirely designed by American students\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(At the time of writing, the donors of this private university have shut off its funding, as happens all too often in the US, and the university is having to close down. It\u2019s a shame for staff and students alike).<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our final meeting was with Annabelle Pottier, Executive Director of the French\u2013American Chamber of Commerce in Miami.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She only had ten minutes to spare for us, but in the end, she was drawn in; she asked questions, made comments, and ended up taking an interest in our off-the-wall small business for almost an hour.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She suggested we join the Chamber of Commerce.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We were invited to present our products at French Weeks at the end of October. We couldn\u2019t be there in person, but our products will be represented at several events, including the grand opening evening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.faccmiami.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.faccmiami.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was a great end to the first of our many visits to come\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We made a brief stop while we were in Miami to visit Surf Style, one of our customers there, to make sure everything was going well!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_4150-scaled.jpeg&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;IMG_4150&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And we even found time for a well-deserved quick break for two days in the Keys!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/IMG_4233-scaled.jpeg&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;IMG_4233&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.1&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And C\u00e9dric Montagnana?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We needed to identify the showrooms where we wanted to be represented, and C\u00e9dric offered to put us in touch with them. In the end, having been really taken by our product, he offered to represent us in a project aimed at collaboration with the showrooms. The offer was a godsend for us, and, of course, we accepted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This collaboration might really speed things up\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And to think that all this started in my kitchen\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.4.1&#8243; global_module=&#8221;415&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_post_nav in_same_term=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_post_nav][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Getting established in the US is a serious entrepreneurial challenge with two crucial points that should not be overlooked: you need sufficient funds and a presence in the country. Nine months have passed since we came back from Myrtle Beach.\u00a0 Although the Las Vegas show wasn\u2019t a failure, the huge success of the Myrtle Beach [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[109],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-saison-5"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1031"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1031\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1092,"href":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1031\/revisions\/1092"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1031"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.callvin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}