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Clarity

Joanna Kinsman

La Jolla, CA

Founder of Kini Bands, an accessories brand sold in over 2000 retail locations around the world. Passionate about helping branding launch & sell their product to retailers including salons, spas, resorts, grocery stores & fitness studios. Let's get your product retail ready & establish a system to reach leads & generate recurring wholesale sales.

Secondary, Kini Supply Co. apparel & accessories customization through embroidery, screenprint, engraving, etc.

$2.50/min

18 Calls

11 Reviews

about 1 hour
Avg. call

Entrepreneurship Strategy Product Development Fashion Design Fashion Retail Sales Process Fashion Marketing Merchandising

Call me to talk about

Custom Apparel & Accessories

I've leveraged the email list I've built to further offer custom apparel & accessories. I invested in a couple small embroidery machines which I've already coutgrown, and we broker other services like screenprinting & embroidery. We source a ton of products from t-shits hats and sweatshirts to unique fashion-forward items in limited editions.

Starting a Fashion Line

I began KNSMN in 2012 without any formal training in fashion design. I love working with emerging designers to help them fasttrack, save time and resources, and accomplish their fashion goals. Kini Bands was founded in 2014, and I began selling immediately into retail locations.

Wholesale List Building, Outreach & Sales

My specialty is finding where to sell your product and growing lead lists in your industry. I can teach this to you or your team to get you expoential results. My 5-week course includes 1 call per week to turn your leads into buyers through a proven email outreach system designed to sell your product.

Answers 13
Reviews 11

Answers

Joanna Kinsman answered

Is anyone familiar with consignment deals with retailers?

I have a consignment deal with Fred Segal, as well as a few local shops, and many online stores. Each one works a bit differently, so I start with my own contract, and make changes accordingly to the way they operate. Consignment can be tricky, as you don't want to be responsible for lost or damaged goods, and you want to be paid on time - either per sale or per month, depending on your price point. You might also look into dropshipping, which frees up your inventory but allows online retailers to sell in a consignment style manner. Lastly, we had a unique model, where we would allow consignors to order wholesale from our site if they didn't have the right size, color, or style in stock. Would love to talk to you more about this!

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Retail

Joanna Kinsman answered

What is the best way to distribute a new cosmetic product to distributors and hair salons?

Let's talk! I'm in the process of vetting out sales reps and a lot of them seem to have many connections with salons. You might consider going this route or attending a trade show. Lots of tips to get representation at a show which will save funds and give you a better chance of getting sales.

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Manufacturing

Distribution Strategies

Beauty

Joanna Kinsman answered

How do I monetize my photography project and develop a sustainable revenue/business model from it?

Coming from the fashion industry and being connected with so many photographers I know that can be tough! There's no reason you can't make this work. I'd love to hear more about your market and would refer you to Lauren Devon (photography consultant) on monetizing your photography niche. One of my favorite sayings: "niche until it hurts"

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Social Entrepreneurship

Photography

Visual Storytelling

Joanna Kinsman answered

What is the best way to prepare my pitch and/or approach a potential co-founder, increasing the chances that they'll say "YES"?

There are Pitch Fests that allow you to do just that. Also join local MeetUp groups and ask the smartest and most business savvy people in your network if you can practice on them and get their feedback. Also record your pitch so you can see/hear yourself. Good luck!

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Team Building

Pitching Ideas

Joanna Kinsman answered

Any tips on how to structure a first-time wholesale deal?

Why don't you buy direct from overseas? I'd love to hear more about the product to give you some ideas here. Let me know how I can help!

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Wholesale

Retail

Joanna Kinsman answered

Our term sheet was pulled because one of our backing partners was "going through structural changes". What should I tell my follow-on investors?

Just be transparent and if you can, get a formal letter from that former partner about the situation. Things like that happen!

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Fundraising

Term Sheets

Joanna Kinsman answered

How can I avoid intellectual theft when discussing the product that I want manufactured with potential designers and fabricators?

That's a common fear, but you are better off putting that aside and just going for it. Instead of worrying about someone taking your idea, have any manufacturer, pattern maker, etc sign an NDA, and move forward with your idea. And most importantly, work with people you can trust. Even if your idea is revolutionary (and I'm sure it's excellent), the people you talk to are most likely busy enough with their own endeavors to copy someone else's project. Not to mention they aren't going to be as passionate about it as you are. I'm happy to help if you need advice or a contract. Good luck and take action!

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AutoCAD

3D Printing

Metal Fabrication

Joanna Kinsman answered

What are some effective, modern ways of getting traction from prospective clients?

I'd love to show you a system to ensure you don't leave money on the table. Of course the success of your sales is completely dependent on the quality of your offer, the list, etc. let's talk more!

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Lead Generation

Sales Prospecting

Marketing

Joanna Kinsman answered

There is this billionaire that I know. I need a job but I am too afraid to ask him for one, plus he is located on a different continent.

What kind of job are you looking for? Show him you are a forward thinker and are capable, and surprise him by taking action. Maybe you see something that needs a fresh eye or input ie copywriting, design, or a system restructure. Impress him.

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Job Search Strategies

Leadership

Career Counseling

Joanna Kinsman answered

How do I sell my product directly to department stores? Can you offer advice on the best way to contact them?

Get into a showroom that has these connections. I'm with one in Los Angeles so I don't have to worry about sales. I have connections with a few that work with the majors. It will cost a min of 500 a month but that's the way to do it right. Just be aware of
Be cautious, as there are showrooms that don't produce results, and simply collect on monthly fees. I'd love to hear more about your product!

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Sales Process

Sales

Fashion

Joanna Kinsman answered

How can I become a digital influencer to serve my new startup?

You need to get out to meet your target market in person. Start a meetup group, attend networking events, and be a thought leader locally AND online. I'd love to hear more as I'd be happy to give you more tips on this.

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Online Branding

Personal Branding

Startups

Reviews

Great call with Joanna. She had valuable feedback for my marketing software features and price positioning.

X Wang Source: Clarity

I'm new to fashion entrepreneurship (though I'm a serial entrepreneur) and Joanna gave me very good guidance on how to take our product to market, the steps to it, and her recommended channels. She even offered to connect us to some people she knows. Great call, will probably need to follow up with her after our Kickstarter! :)

James Rector Source: Clarity

Subject was a little out of Joanna's scope of knowledge but she is excellent at what she does.

Yaron Levite Source: Clarity

Joanna is amazing! She is incredibly knowledgable and helpful.

Zachary Gleicher Source: Clarity

Joanna gave us actionable tips in order to contact retailers. We will talk again when we have the adjustments ready for review and feedback. She really knows the retail business and was very encouraging. Thanks a lot!!!

Sergio Calderon Rossi Source: Clarity

SHE. IS. AMAZING. So incredibly helpful. Very caring and genuinely wants you to succeed. Everything she said was so useful, and will really help us be successful in our future endeavors.

Very pleased with the call. Thanks Joanna!

Angel Eleyae Source: Clarity

Joanna was fantastic.

Very to the point, precise, thorough, energetic and kind. A true entrepreneur and a real problem solver. She was generous with her time as well as her insights. No fluff or BS - lots of very actionable information and advice.
Joanna has built a beautiful company which she managed to keep beautifully lean.

Can't recommend hopping on a call with Joanna enough - time and money well spent

Olivier Magny Source: Clarity

My call with Joanna was incredibly helpful. In addition to answering my questions, she had great ideas to keep costs down in the start-up phase. She brings a lot of experience to the conversation. I felt relieved after talking to her! She is also great about follow up, and even sent me some follow up information. Recommend for sure!

Katie McClure Source: Clarity

Joanna, I am so excited about the launching of a job well done...She is a pathfinder who know what she wants and never takes NO for answer. I admire her courage and demeanor to explore different avenues to become successful.. I wish YOU good luck and will always be your #1 supporter.

Ola Akin, MCM Source: LinkedIn

As the program coordinator of the Entrepreneurship Option that Joanna was enrolled in at UNH, I worked closely with the company she interned with for the program and they were impressed with her strong work ethics, attention to detail, and great personality. She excelled in the classroom as well, both individually and as a team member on all assignments.

Laura Hill Source: LinkedIn

Joanna has done a fantastic job managing ALL of my social media accounts including: twitter, facebook, linkedin, etc.

She's highly motivated and her quality of work is very high. She goes the extra mile to get things done.

I highly recommend her services.

Amit Mehta Source: LinkedIn

Member since October 2014