/blog en pbrett@veronicabrett.com Copyright 2012 2012-04-19T16:20:54+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/tory-burch-foundation-accion-usa-gives-women-entrepreneurs-inspiration-and-/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/tory-burch-foundation-accion-usa-gives-women-entrepreneurs-inspiration-and-/#When:15:20:54Z As a solo entrepreneur, sometimes I wonder why I am in New York, among the most expensive cities in which to live.  Not exactly the ideal place to start a business.  Or is it?   NYC does present opportunities that don’t exist elsewhere.   Take this morning for instance. I got a great dose of inspiration at the Tory Burch Foundation / Accion USA event at the Tory Burch showroom. I heard Mickey Drexler, CEO of J. Crew, speak to a group of (mostly) women entrepreneurs.     To hear Mickey Drexler and Tory Burch offer their advice: priceless.    Here are a few inspirational tips from J Crew's Mickey Drexler:   Read the biography on Steve Jobs. All entrepreneurs should read this.  Make it simple, change your customers' lives.  (with your product, fashions, whatever) “If I’m thinking it, it is.” Probably the best quote of the day from Mickey.  A firm reminder that everything starts with an idea somewhere.  He seems like a guy that makes ideas happen. “Just have great goods.” (ie create great products) “Focus-focus-focus.” "Stay niche, stay true." (my personal favorite)   From Tory Burch:  Social media should be pure authenticity, not promotions. Use your blog for inspiration, even talk about other designers and their work.    Thanks to today’s event organizers, Ms. Burch, and Mr. Drexler, for today’s inspiration and wake up call. I had an idea to change women's lives. I'm making it happen, even in one of the most expensive -- and exhilarating -- cities in the world.  2012-04-19T15:20:54+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/why-made-in-the-u.s.a.-matters-or-the-story-of-michelles-rice-cooker/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/why-made-in-the-u.s.a.-matters-or-the-story-of-michelles-rice-cooker/#When:15:58:27Z I stopped into my new cutting room today to check in on the status of the work.  (Full disclosure, I'm trying a new cutter as I got tired of being bullied-about by my earlier one.) (For those of you who don't know anything about domestic apparel manufacturing, most garments made in the U.S.A. require the coordinated work of a couple of factories.  The "cutting room" cuts the fabric, and the "factory" generally "makes and trims", i.e., they sew the garment pieces together and apply any trims.) So, when I stopped into the cutting room today in the NYC garment district, Michelle, the lovely Chinese lady who runs the place, was nowhere to be seen.  When I asked where she was, I was told to wait.  After a few minutes, in walked Michelle, smiling and carrying what appeared to be a very heavy pot with a lid. It turns out it was the pot of a rice cooker, and Michelle had just filled it with rice and water.  As Michelle put the pot in place on the rice cooker and plugged in the power, I asked her if she was making rice for the whole factory (it was after all, a very large pot with a great deal of rice in it). "Yes", she replied, "I make rice everyday".  "So everyone eats together at the same time and eats like a family?" I asked.  "Yes, they bring their own vegetables and meat, I make the rice, so everyone have hot rice for lunch." I told her that I liked the idea of everyone stopping work and sitting down to eat together over a communal pot of rice (cooked by the forewoman/boss no less). "Especially important in winter to have hot rice for lunch" she went on to explain. She seemed to beam as we talked about her cooking of the rice and she proudly showed off her enormous rice cooker, which looked as though it had seen years of use. She then went on to show me the giant coffee maker (my Aunt Francie had one just like it which she used for family reunions, "open houses" as my family called them). Michelle then pointed out the small refrigerator and mircowave, "we have small kitchen here,"  she said.  She seemed surprised that I understood the value of feeding your co-workers and everyone eating together as a family.  I found myself getting a little choked up as we were speaking. I realized that this was a clean, organized, quiet cutting room, run by a woman who took care of her employees.  Not only was I not being bullied-about by the owner, but the workers were being looked after and treated like family. This seemed like such an incredible contrast to some of the stories of foreign manufacturing I have been hearing lately.  From the fire at the factory in Bangladesh that killed 29 people to the nets put up at the Apple factory to prevent suicides, factories in Asia have always scared me. I choose early on to have my swimsuits for breast cancer survivors made in the U.S.A.  I grew up in a really blue-collar household in Northeast Ohio and I remember my Dad going on, in the early 70's, about how impossible it was to find a TV that was made in the US and how, pretty soon, nothing would be made here any more. My dad was way ahead of his time.  There is very little make in the US these days, and it is very hard for those of us who want to do domestic manufacturing to actually find the people who can do it properly.  Those designers who do make domestically, closely guard the secrets of where they are manufacturing.  As one old-timer in the business told me when I was starting out, "I'd sooner give you my husband's cell number than the name of my factory!" I'm really happy to have met Michelle.  I still don't know if her shop is the best cutter to use for my swimsuits, but I'm happy to take a chance on them for a while, as long as she continues to treat me well, and cook for her family. 2012-03-05T15:58:27+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/me-on-tv-abcs-sonoran-living/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/me-on-tv-abcs-sonoran-living/#When:14:56:33Z I recently had the opportunity to present my 2012 Veronica Brett swimwear collection at Phoenix Fashion Week. I also had the fantastic experience of representing Phoenix Fashion Week on ABC's Sonoran Living where I was interviewed by Andi Barness. What did this mean in reality?  Getting up at 4am for a 5am model fitting in order to arrive on set for a 9:15 live segment.  It doesn't sound too bad, except for the fact that I got to bed at 1:30 am Phoenix time (that's 4:30am NY time!).  So essentially, I went to bed after I woke up.  Was it worth it, absolutely.  I had the chance to tell the story behind the Veronica Brett swimwear collection, the models looked amazing and Andi Barness couldn't have been a better hostess. (Oh, and I got to plug both Phoenix Fashion Week and Fashionably Pink, the runway benefit for Susan G. Komen for the Cure!)  So how did I do, you watch and decide. 2011-11-15T14:56:33+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/how-do-you-succeed-as-an-entrepreneur/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/how-do-you-succeed-as-an-entrepreneur/#When:14:53:53Z Lot's of people have asked for advice since I launched Veronica Brett swimwear just over a year ago. I usually give advice on their specific questions:  how to find funding, how to get to launch, etc. But this past weekend, I got some fresh insight that surprised even me. I took my son out for a walk on Sunday, post Hurricane Irene, both to get some fresh air after being stuck indoors and to survey the damage to our local UES park, Carl Schurz Park. My son wanted to bring his Swiss Army knife along, why not I thought.  The afternoon progressed with me giving Harry lessons on how to use the pocket knife.  He was stabbing at the wood and digging into the sticks he had scavenged without much effect.  The blade kept getting stuck and he wasn't making any progress in either sawing the sticks in half or in carving out a notch. I demonstrated for him, that in order to saw the stick in half, you had to just barely graze the wood, stroking the knife back and forth very lightly, rather than pushing it.  The stick cut in two easily and cleanly. The same went for the carving, it was much more effective to shave very small amounts of wood with the knife rather than trying to take out big chunks of wood.  We made a beautiful, deep notch in the wood. I hadn't used a pocket knife in years (although I do own one) but the results surprised even me.  The lighter the touch and the slower the movement - the greater the result (and with considerably less effort!). I suddently found myself with another "aha moment" for my business.  It's not about carving out big chunks or trying to slice a problem in two in one go, it's about small, steady, methodical progress. Not only are the small whittling motions easier on the hand, they also make for a more enjoyable experience in the process. So the next time you are tring to accomplish an enormous task at work or achieve the next big hurdle in your start-up, think like a wood carver and take small, steady, relaxed steps.  You might just find you get to your goal a whole lot faster. Happy carving, Patricia 2011-08-31T14:53:53+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/cy-twombly-dies-at-83/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/cy-twombly-dies-at-83/#When:11:24:24Z   I learned three things today: Cy Twombly died. He had cancer. He lived in Rome. Why these three and why do they matter to me? First, I think Cy Twombly is one of the most amazing painters of our time.  There was something about his ability to elicit emotions with his work that was pretty incredible given the level of abstraction. I remember the last room of his work at the MOMA retrospective back in 1994.  There were four “chalkboard” type paintings, each titled with one of the four seasons.  They brought tears to my eyes.  How he was able to capture each of the seasons (and he truly did) in his abstract work was amazing.  I get the chills just remembering those four paintings in that room. And the scale of his pieces were pretty bold.  There was a child-like enthusiasm in the mark-making, yet an academic’s approach and eye. Second, cancer.  Why does it seem that we are loosing so many great minds to this disease?  What is going on in the world that cancer continues to dominate and take so many?  Is it the environment; is it something in our food supply?  The number of cancer deaths continues to astound me.  (More on my own family story of cancer here.) Three, Rome. I had no idea that Cy Twombly lived in Rome.  It really pleased me to learn this.   Rome is a magical place for me.  The first city in Europe I ever visited, the first city (make that the only) in which I continuously studied the art and architecture for over 4 weeks without having to worry about attending classes or going to work.  Looking back, it is probably the one place that I truly got to explore in detail: the food, the architecture, the art, the churches, the culture, the gelato (a category of it’s own- don’t even try to put it in the food group!). So, to all those touched by Cy Twombly, by cancer, or by Rome-  my take away: Cy Twombly:  Just enjoy.  Don’t over analyze, don’t try to figure out what it means.  Just stand before the works and see the beauty, let them touch you deeply. Cancer:  Live life fully in some way each day.  Have compassion for those battling any illness or disease.  Show some act of kindness today to someone currently living with cancer. Rome:  Find a place that inspires you.  Visit it and try to take part of it with you.  As with Cy Twombly's work, don’t try to figure it out too much, just live it, and enjoy it.  And by all means, go back again to explore it with fresh perspective 23 years later.  Like I did. A votre sante. Patricia   follow @VeronicaBrett on Twitter:   http://twitter.com/#!/veronicabrett like Veronica Brett on Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/VeronicaBrettFans 2011-07-06T11:24:24+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/the-blog-is-back/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/the-blog-is-back/#When:20:03:50Z   The Blog is Back! The difficulty in being a mom, an entrepreneur and running a successful business is trying to do everything.  But what woman doesn't know that? Back when I launched Veronica Brett just over one year ago (has it really only been a year?) I started a blog.  Then it became an occasional blog.  Then it... Well, let's just say this is my first blog post since last October.  So, that makes me a former blogger once returned? Beginning now I'll attempt to find my writing voice and keep this blog thing going on a weekly, er, make that regular basis. I hope to write on the things that made me tick: -Breast Cancer:  Latest research, treatment updates, upcoming events -Fashion:  Spotting the trends, what's new on the streets in New York, what's new with Veronica Brett -Being a Mom:  Finding and sharing enjoyment in my most important role -Entrepreneurial Stuff:  That's right, "stuff".  Technical term for various information and lessons I learned along the way that might be useful for other new businesses and last but not least... -Baseball:  Because if you don't have something that returns you to the joy of your  youth, you really should.  So, be prepared to hear a lot about the Indians, occasionally about the Yankees, and (probably) never about the Mets. After all, how did that Manhattan Mini Storage ad on the NYC subway go?  "Why leave a city that has six professional sports teams, and the Mets?" Happy reading, Patricia 2011-06-20T20:03:50+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/mothers-day-contest/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/mothers-day-contest/#When:00:02:43Z It's hard enough being a mom (this is one subject I know a bit about!) but being a mom battling breast cancer must be even harder. Do you have a mom who is a breast cancer survivor or do you have a friend who is both a survivor and a mom?  Enter her in our Mother's Day Contest! Just send an e-mail to info@veronicabrett.com and tell us why your mom (or friend, sister, or even you!) should win a Veronica Brett swimsuit this Mother's Day.  Include your e-mail address, day-time phone number and 250 words or less as to why your mom should get the chance to look amazing again in a Veronica Brett swimsuit.  Please include:  "Mother's Day Contest" in the subject line of your e-mail. All e-mails must be received by end of day, Sunday, May 1st.  Swimsuit of your choice and style will be mailed to your mom in time for Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8th. How will I pick the winner?  I'm not sure but just try convincing me why the mom/survivor in your life should be the winner! Happy Mother's Day in advance to all you amazing ladies! 2011-04-26T00:02:43+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/good-enough-mother/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/good-enough-mother/#When:01:05:36Z I had the great opportunity to be interviewed for Rene Syler's Good Enough Mother and got the chance to tell a little of my story on this amazing site. Read about the family story behind the Veronica Brett swimwear collection and see the gorgeous photo of my incredible sister, Regina, who inspired me to create this collection of swimwear for women who have undergone mastectomies. Cheers, Patricia 2010-10-08T01:05:36+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/did-you-brush-your-teeth-yet/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/did-you-brush-your-teeth-yet/#When:00:59:30Z Read my guest blog on the Maurer Foundation website, it's all about the need for early detection, from a Mom's perspective! Take care of your teeth, take care of your breasts, take care of you. It's really that simple. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to start if you haven't already. To your health, Patricia 2010-10-08T00:59:30+00:00 http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/cbs-new-york-best-of-ny/ http://www.veronicabrett.com/site/cbs-new-york-best-of-ny/#When:08:18:05Z Just wanted to share the latest Veronica Brett press, please take a look at the recent interview on CBS New York. NYC Style: Patricia Brett's Swimwear for Survivors gave me the chance to tell a bit of my story and the inspiration behind the Veronica Brett collection. Thrilled to be part of the local news (but is there any such thing as "local news" now with the internet"?)! All the best, Patricia 2010-10-04T08:18:05+00:00