The Nightmare is over . . . I'm BACK!

I have had the longest logon struggles (I have multiple blogs) and I have worked through these issues before, but this was a beast with which I do not have to tangle again any time soon or ever.

Pants startup in Austin

Introducing Will Marvin. This is his call for your talent. Give him a call. gt

_______________________________________________________

Your "Working Mannequin" blogspot just caught my interest and I am wondering if you might be able to help me with something I'm working on.

I have this particular style of pants that I'm trying to recreate and start a small business out of it. I am looking to work with some local Austin seamstresses to do the cut and sewing. I have the pattern and original pair of pants that I got the style from and am going to grade/mark them for sizes extra-small through extra-large.

I'm currently looking for somewhere to source the right types of fabric and, as soon as I have these things in line, I will be looking to have a couple samples made and eventually move forward with an order of around 60 items, to start out.

I'm very interested in the business model you put forward on your blog that uses readily available independent contractors.
Please let me know if you are still in this line of work and can help me in any way.

Thanks very much, and hope I to hear back from you soon.

Will Marvin

720-454-8778
williamwmarvin@gmail.com

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=36253014#editor/target=post;postID=3303598653032239744

http://workingmannequin.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-to-turn-6-into-100.html

http://www.youtube.com/user/WorkingMannequin

Nikki searching for pattern maker

Introducing Nikki,


nikki.d.hill@gmail.com

Nikki lives in Houston. She is searching for a pattern maker and a manufacturer for her startup women's head apparel business. She has sketches and not a lot of startup capital.

Next, she is looking for a sewing contractor to make a small order (100) for testing with family and friends.

I could be mistaken, but I do not think a manufacturer would have much interest in a small order. In any case if you are a manufacturer call Nikki. If you a consultant who has the talent and are eager to take up an opportunity go for it.
Nikki is willing to drive to Austin, but I know some of you on my Distribution List (DL) live in or near Houston.

Help each other. Work with each other.

If anyone has knowledge of these pattern makers please share that with Nikki.

Superior Pattern Works Inc
1524 Mesquite Street, Houston, TX 77093-1041
(281) 442-1422

Fagan Pattern CO
6929 Romona Boulevard
Houston, TX 77086-3220

Orsak Pattern & Machine (see Facebook)
501 N Lavaca, Moulton, TX 77975-4518

Visit me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1632262201

I really encourage and invite you all to send me a friend request and you so you can write on my wall, share and discuss ideas and events in apparel related to your personal or business interests.

https://www.facebook.com/WorkingMannequin

Selected blog articles:

http://workingmannequin.blogspot.com/2011/06/prom-2012.html
http://workingmannequin.blogspot.com/2010/08/claire-james-message-on-state-of.html
http://workingmannequin.blogspot.com/2010/06/boutique-manufacturer-moving-to-austin.html
http://workingmannequin.blogspot.com/2009/07/made-in-texas.html

Best regards,

Gil
512.218.4627

School district Board of Trustees presentation on middle school students and computer ownership . . . beginning in Round Rock

How do you increase computer ownership among middle school students in our current economy? How important is it given the state of our education system in America? How can we profess to encourage, involve and increase our children's commitment to their own education if many of them continue to disconnect with the cyber world of knowledge and information as soon as they leave the school classroom? How do you create an income generating opportunity for computer hobbyists, computer technicians, electrical engineers and others?

This is my two-prong proposal to school district Board of Trustees and Superintendents. It is a local, regional, state and nationwide proposal. The proposal involves no cost to these school districts. Rather it is a grassroots partnership between community citizens and local vendors and resellers. Along with community and local vendors and resellers are nonprofit agencies. It is the role of these nonprofits whose mission is the improvement of the well-being and education of our children who compensate those who build or setup these computer systems. This partnership makes laptop/desktop computer ownership among middle school students a real possibility for children who have little hope of owning a computer.

The city of Round Rock Texas estimates 95% of its homes have internet access. The school district estimates 80% of homes have a computer. However, the district acknowledges this figure drops dramatically when applied to middle school students, specifically. Some school district issue laptops year round for their high school students. This is commendable.

Whether computer hobbyists, computer technicians and others who build or setup (at the child's home or local churches) are motivated by economic or altruistic reasons this two-prong proposal is an effective and efficient response to four realities affecting middle school children.

1. The gaps in these numbers reveal an unacceptable reality for our middle school children.

2. At-home computer & online technologies do not translate to access for children necessarily.

3. Ownership of school-issue laptops does not bridge the gap of a three month summer break.

4. This technology gap leaves children behind at the top of the poverty list in America.

Thus far I have presented my proposal to the Round Rock ISD, Georgetown ISD with Austin ISD upcoming in January 2012 and Pflugerville ISD in February 2012. I am calling on these Boards or their Superintends to write a letter of support on my behalf to their nonprofit partners. All nonprofit funds are for to compensate those citizens of the community who build and/or setup laptop/desktop computer systems for the middle school students.

Our cities, small and large, will soon see increasing numbers of returning military men and women. The opportunity for them to connect and contribute while earnings some income may go a long way towards their transition back into the community, their families and their own school children.
 
If you are a computer hobbyist, computer technician, electrical engineer or other or know someone who would like to make a difference among middle school children; I want to hear from you.
 
Reply to this article with your questions or comments.

Computer ownership among Round Rock middle school children

Those of you who have browsed my blog or read my blog header know I have a dual track: One track is apparel independent consultants, the other is technical independent consultants.

I received this information from a knowledgeable school employee today concerning my project to create computer ownership among middle school children and a source of revencue for technical independent consultants. My question: What number/percentage of Round Rock middle school children do not own a home desktop/laptop computer? Here's his reply. Read my comments following his reply. gt

Unfortunately, I don't have access to that information.  However, we have

discussed a "Bring Your Own Device" project in the school district and have

estimated that 25-30% of the students may have access to personal

technology devices (i.e. notebook computers, netbooks, tablets,

smartphones, etc.) that could be used at school.  That number may vary by

geographical location within the district.  For example, I would expect the

percentage to be higher for Walsh MS than for Chisholm Train MS or C.D.

Fulkes MS.  I would also expect the percentage to be higher at high school

than at middle school and for middle school to be higher than for

elementary schools.

Given the high tech community that is represented by Round Rock ISD, I

would make at educated guess that approximately 80% of the students in

RRISD have access to technology in their homes.  In your question below,

however, you asked how many middle school students own a desktop/laptop

computer.  This implies that even if there is a computer in the house that

a student could use, do they have their own computer.  If this is truly

your question, then I think my estimate of 80% would drop considerably. 

I have shared this bit of information with two computer/parts vendors whom I keep in my information loop. The fact is children are at the top of the poverty list in America. Lets not mistake computer ownership or web access by the parents for a full, meaningful access by the child for his/her school work. Even a conservative figure of 20% computer ownership among children is non-acceptable in a high tech community like Round Rock. One can only imagine how much greater this number might be in other communities.

It is not likely that children in the 20% bracket would own a smartphone, notebook or other similar devices. Furthermore, these devices precisely because of their high mobility and their social and entertainment use are not likely to be used by children for school work at home.

As I have described to the two vendors my business model involving independent consultants can efficiently, effectively and profitably create computer ownership among children as well as generate revenues among independent consultants who build these systems.

Yes, we know a new complete computer system can be purchased for under $300. Really. The reality is that amount of disposable cash is not what in the pocketbooks of the 20%. However, a creative model which allows for these children to obtain a computer whether a desktop or laptop can make the difference.

Your comments are welcome.

How to turn $6 into $100

Do you see opportunity in our current economy? I do. Furthermore, I want to show you specifically how you, an Apparel Consultant, can rise up in this economy.

The numbers in the Introduction to the article Behind the label: inequality in the Los Angeles apparel industry by Edna Bonacich, Richard P. Applebaum (2000) are a bit old. The principles and application are quite real and relevant. These numbers represent what I have maintained for the past ten years as not just a sob story of bitterness and unemployment, but of hope and opportunity for Apparel Consultants. I use the terms Apparel Consultant, Independent Consultant and Consultant to refer to the individual women and men who have the Knowledge, Skills and Experience (KSE) to generate at-home revenue for themselves in apparel.

The article uses a simple breakdown involving the production and sale of a single dress for $100. You can read just the Introduction (The Return of the Sweatshop) for yourself. The short of the story is about the $100 revenue generated by a dress and the $6 which goes to the worker who made the dress.

How do you, an Apparel Consultant in the Round Rock/Austin central Texas area turn $6 into $100 in the Prom 2012 market?

First, I EMPHASIZE my use of the dollar figures from the article is strictly for the purpose of making an illustration. Second, the dollar figures from the article are for an apparel worker, an employee of a manufacturer. Nobody has any business dictating to an Independent Consultant his or her fee. Independent Consultants are not employees.

During 2011 I have been in contact with PTA and other Round Rock ISD school officials on behalf of Independent Consultants. What I have been proposing to these parties is a Prom Dress 2012 raffle. All, 100% of the proceeds of the raffle to would go to whoever conducts the raffle, either PTA or the school district. All interested students would have the chance to win a professional dress pattern purchased by the Independent Consultant. The Consultant's fee (which is set by the Consultant) would be posted publicly at the school campus for all students to know the cost before the drawing. The winner will purchase the fabric in the color of their choice, meet with the Consultant, agree on method of payment and delivery date of the dress.

It is this way that a person who would have earned $6 as a worker can turn those earnings into $100 ($150?, $200? $300?) or whatever he/she sets as their Consultant's fee.

If you live in the the Round Rock/Austin central Texas area and are interested you can call or email me. If you have a small group of interested individuals I can meet with you. There is no cost of any kind to you. Since I cover my expenses I must limit my travel close to home.
 
Spanish Craigslist ad: http://austin.craigslist.org/crs/2617093372.html
 
English Craigslist ad:  http://austin.craigslist.org/crs/2612654988.html

Dress pattern maker wanted

I just received this call for help from Cecilia. We had a great visit. You can give her a call too. If you have the skills and talent for creating dress patterns call Cecilia. Cecilia has buyers in Mexico.


Cecilia habla espanol.

Hi, my name is Cecilia. I need your help to create the patterns for girls dresses, please call me at 512-633-7172, or email me: esthertutus@hotmail.com

Thank you

Gil Torres

Prom 2012

Every year I get an earlier start. This time I am getting a whole 1 year head start on Prom 2012.

I am looking for a core group of 10 talented, client-oriented women and/or men in Round Rock. If you possess the apparel skills of working from a prom dress pattern I would like to meet with you. I will present the custom Prom dress service to all five Round Rock high schools in early January immediately after the Christmas holiday break. If the number of interested responses, for example, in Austin, Georgetown and other towns is good the same can be done in those towns and school districts separately.

The plan is to raffle free dress patterns with the consultant contact information. The dress patterns are for $100, $150 dress, for example. These dress prices represent the consultant's fee. The consultants set their own fee. The schools will administer the raffle and keep all raffle funds. The students will purchase the fabric of their choice. (I want to approach JoAnn's in Round Rock to bring them on-board.) The winner of the dress pattern will meet the dressmaker with pattern and fabric. The consultant takes measurements and creates the dress. The girl picks up her dress. The consultant collects his/her fee. The entire fee belongs to the consultant.

Purchase of dress patterns (such as Simplicity, McCall's) is the responsibility of the consultants. I will deliver the patterns to the schools in January.

This is what is most important for me: 1) Bring together the core of 10 apparel consultants, 2) The consultants see the effectiveness and profitability of a local apparel network for themselves, and 3) The core group decides to move ahead with other apparel opportunities.

A place of meeting will be determined as the group forms. It may be in the FREE open air setting of a park. It may be a classroom in your church if you can arrange it.

Yo hablo espanol. http://austin.craigslist.org/crs/2475800502.html

The YouTube link is the video I uploaded for Prom 2011. It does not cover a raffle, but the business model is the same.


http://www.youtube.com/user/WorkingMannequin

I'll be expecting your call. (512) 218-4627
Send your email message with the following subject: Prom 2012

Apparel News Blog

This Week on the Apparel News Blog!

I like the reality of this independent dream.

Round Rock prom draws closer. Got your game plan ready?

http://workingmannequin.blogspot.com/2010/12/round-rock-prom-dress.html



Round Rock Prom Dress

Note: Are you an independent apparel consultant? Are you a local independent apparel retailer? Then it is time you inform yourself (or allow me to inform you) on what the Independent Enterprise Network can do for you after you view the video. The bold blue highlights are my additions. This article by Kelly Evans appeared in the Wall Street Journal. gt

* * * * *

AHEAD OF THE TAPE by Kelly Evans

For Apparel Makers, ‘Challenge’ Is in Style



Apparel makers and some retailers could face a less-than-happy 2011.

That may seem at odds with the strength of this year's holiday sales season. But supply constraints, rising production costs and choppy consumer demand suggest it will be trickier than Wall Street currently expects for many companies to increase profit margins in 2011.

Consider sportswear giant Nike Inc. whose third-quarter results last week beat profit and revenue estimates. Despite this, its shares fell after the company warned of "strong gross-margin head winds for the next few quarters." Nike put the pressure down to higher labor, cotton and transportation costs, plus the recent strengthening of the U.S. dollar. Those aren't concerns unique to the sportswear giant; they are shared across the apparel industry. Rapid development in China, the "workshop of the world," is now pushing up global production costs, reversing a decadeslong trend.

To make matters worse, companies' typical response—raising prices—is proving rather difficult at the moment. The average selling price of apparel in the U.S. has actually fallen for 10 of the last 11 months, according to Piper Jaffray, even though the cost of imported apparel per unit is up about 1.5% year-on-year.

The profit squeeze will likely worsen as the year progresses due to the long lag between merchandise orders and their arrival in stores. The run-up in cotton prices is a particular nuisance and is just starting to feed through the supply chain. Short supply plus strong Asian demand has more than doubled prices from the mid-70 cents per pound range seen this past summer to nearly $1.60 now for March delivery.

As a result, 2011 estimates for many apparel makers "to me are too aggressive from a margins and earnings perspective," says FBR Capital Markets analyst Eric Tracy. Nike at least can use its strong brand and global heft as a bargaining chip with suppliers. This may also make it better able to raise prices for customers. Smaller companies like Gildan Activewear Inc., Quiksilver Inc. and Volcom Inc. probably won't be as fortunate.

Apparel executives were hoping these cost pressures would prove fleeting. Now, following in Nike's footsteps, more will probably have to let investors know they are in for a tough slog.