Something really bad is happening to small businesses, primarily children’s clothing brands that have gained popularity through Instagram.
As most of you know, for the last two years I have owned a small business called Root Avenue. Root Avenue’s main product is children’s graphic t-shirts. When I first opened shop I started off with 5 designs, that I created myself in photoshop. Root’s first big ‘hit’ was our Pretty Fly For A Small Fry raglan. Before I released this design I searched all over the internet to see if anyone else had an item with this phrase. I searched hashtags, Pinterest, Etsy, Google, etc, and it was nowhere to be found. Within weeks of releasing this shirt I started to see copies being made. They started to pop up in the hashtag on Instagram, and in Etsy shops. I was furious that people were ripping me off, and I eventually had to invest in trademarking this phrase so that I had legal grounds for reporting knock-offs.
As a small business every single sale is a huge deal for me and my income. Every time a copy is made, it takes away from my business. Yes, even if it’s made for personal use. Copying a small business is the exact opposite of being supportive.
Taking the time to report every single replica became part of my daily schedule. It took away from time that I could have been doing productive things for myself and my company.
Then came the knock-offs from *China. (*I do not want to write the name of the website, so I will be referencing “China” instead. I do not want to help promote this wholesale website in any way.) The first time someone notified me that my design was being sold on this popular Chinese wholesale website, my heart dropped and it felt like someone punched me in the gut.
Reporting “copy cats” was one thing. China is a whole other level. Once an item has been copied by China, you not only have to worry about the Chinese wholesaler, but you have to worry about THEIR supplier, as well as boutiques that buy in bulk from them.
There are also “Buy-In” groups on Facebook, where women go in on buying in bulk from this website. I understand that some women don’t even know that they are buying knock-offs. HOWEVER, I believe that a majority know exactly what they are buying. Some even have the nerve to go to these groups and post photos from small businesses pages and ask if it can be found on the Chinese wholesale website.
All of this is a HUGE problem. Copying is directly effecting small businesses, and it is stealing! Stealing from business owners who have worked their butt off creating, designing, promoting, and running their business. All to be ripped away from them because of GREED.
I have seen people say things such as, “Well, you should be flattered that they like your product enough to copy it!”
To me, this is the same thing as someone getting robbed, and then be told, “Well, you should be flattered that they liked your stuff enough to steal it!”
Because that is exactly what copying is. It’s STEALING.
Being copied is one of the most discouraging thing for business owners to deal with. Even with trademarks and copyrights, it is extremely difficult to track down and remove all of the replicas. Not to mention the amount of frustration it causes and time it consumes.
Wondering how to be able to tell the original from the replica?? Here are few helpful tips.
How to find out where the original came from:
HASHTAGS
If the item is something that is easily searched, such as a phrase on t-shirt, I recommend browsing Instagram hashtags. This allows you to go back and see when it was used first and which company started it. There are some generic phrases that are hard to claim, but you can at least see if a design was replicated. (Font/placement/garment/etc.)
PHOTO
The photos on the Chinese wholesale website all look very similar. Here’s some examples. Now, it can be very hard to tell sometimes. The Chinese wholesale website will often steal the small business’s photos. This screen shot is straight from the Chinese wholesale website. The three photos that have a picture of a child were all stolen from the original makers. So, just because you see a picture of a child wearing the item does not mean that is the actual item you are buying. Photos of my children are being used by the Chinese wholesale website, as well as by boutiques who have purchased from them.
PRICE
If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Many “crafters” will charge very low prices just to make the sale, and because they will purchase a very cheap blank. A “custom” t-shirt, for example, might be sold for $10 because they purchased a blank shirt from somewhere like Walmart, & used their vinyl cutter to make the design. Ripping off designs means they don’t have to work hard on being creative or promoting a business, they can just copy someone else and make a quick buck.
Boutiques selling children’s sets (example: shirt, bloomers, bow ) for $13-$20 were most likely bought from China. Many sets on the Chinese wholesale website are being sold at prices as low as $4. (If that doesn’t scream sweatshop, I don’t know what does!) Now, figuring out if the item is a knock off is another thing, but a little research can usually help you determine it’s authenticity.
The photo above is a great example of what you get when you buy a knock-off from China. Check out the spelling errors on the shirt.
The originals can be found here:
Headband | Shirt | Leg Warmers | Adorable Baby Model
END THE DEMAND
Whether it be a friend making a copy, or contributing to a bulk buy-in, THIS is the type of thing that needs to STOP NOW. If we can work together to end the DEMAND, then we can hopefully eventually end the SUPPLY.
I know this might seem like a lot of information, and I understand that this might not resinate with a lot of people that it doesn’t directly effect. I just want to get this information out there, and if this stops even one person from buying or making a knock-off, then I would be happy.
When you buy from the original maker, you are helping support a family and a dream.
SUPPORT CREATIVITY AND THE ORIGNAL!
#supportlocal #buyhandmade #shopsmall #makesmallbig
Side note, yes, I do buy things made in China. I have even purchased things (such as tape, and paper clips) from the Chinese wholesale website. I want to be clear that I am not saying that all things made in China are bad, I am simply stating that there is a huge problem with creators being ripped off by them.
Let Me Tell You About Modern Scout
I am about to launch my new company called Modern Scout, and I thought that it would be a good idea to write a little blog post about my new adventure.
To make a short story long…
I currently own a clothing brand called Root Avenue. Root Avenue was started in October of 2014 in my parents kitchen. My family & I were living with my parents while we saved up money to buy a home. I wanted to help bring in extra income, and starting a clothing brand was always something I was interested in. My parents helped fund the start up costs, and within just a few months I was able to pay them back and start contributing to saving for a new home.
By June of 2015 we had found a house and were ready to move out. I remember that right before moving out I told my parents that my next project would be writing a children’s book.
Fast forward to Spring 2016, I had been brainstorming children’s book ideas, which led me to thinking about starting a whole new company. I absolute love interactive books and journals, and an interactive adventure journal sounded like something a lot of people would enjoy. I began creating my journal, which I titled “Adventure Collector”. This journal is the first edition, of hopefully many, which I have labeled Troop Edition. The Troop Edition was created for families, and each page has a new adventure idea, along with blanks to be filled out along the way. It is perfect for families with children ages 3 and up. I think that children between the ages of 7-12 will especially enjoy it if they are able to fill in the blanks themselves. I already have my second edition in the works, which will be for couples.
While creating the journal I started to have a clear vision of what my new brand would be. Modern Scout will be about all things ADVENTURE! We will carry patches/pins/stickers/journals/etc. Unfortunately, I will not be able to carry all the items that I would like to at it’s launch. But my goal is to be able to add new items frequently and hopefully very soon!
A little about Modern Scout’s main product, the Adventure Collector Kit:
The Adventure Collector kit includes the Adventure Collector: Troop Edition journal, adventure pouch, Modern Scout pencil, tape, page clip.
Part of my mission with Modern Scout is to bring adventurers together. Our Adventure Club keychains each have a different number, to make each ‘membership’ truly one of a kind.
*My favorite part about the keychains:*
We (my husband and I) really wanted to be able to give back, and keep it consistent and local. We decided that we would give $1 from every Adventure Club keychain sale back to the community. So, once a month we will go out and give back. Whether it be paying for people’s groceries, paying for someone’s gas tank to be filled, or providing kids with school supplies.
This is all just a little “sneak peek” into what Modern Scout is all about. I have so many ideas and plans for this little brand. I hope & pray that people love it as much as I do!!
Exact launch date will be announced soon. It will be towards the end of January 2017.
To be notified of our grand opening please be sure to join the mailing list!
shopmodernscout.com
Excited to explore with you all!!
-Brittany
P.S.
I still plan on writing children’s books one day. So stay tuned for that. Ha! 😉
Staying Stylish & Comfortable
Okay, so I am all about comfort when it comes to fashion. I also don’t spend a lot on myself. I usually shop at Forever 21 & Target…I am also a drug store make-up buyer. (*gasp!*)
I’ll spend $50 on a pair of kid’s shoes that they’ll wear for a month, yet I cringe at a $30 price tag on a women’s tank top.
So I would say that my style is best described as: cheap chic. Omg…I think I just made that up. Going to trademark that.
Anyways, here are a few of my favorite pieces/tips for staying comfortable, while looking [somewhat] put together.
BLACK PANTS!
I almost always wear black pants. They can be dressed up, they can be dressed down, and they don’t show stains very easily. (Bonus points for moms!) The ones I am wearing in the photo above are actually jeggings, AKA leggings with pockets and stitching…so basically the best things ever invented.
HATS!
Despite the fact that my husband always makes fun of me when I wear hats like the one in the picture, they are one of my favorite things to finish off an outfit. Sometimes I will seriously be so unhappy with an outfit I have on, then I’ll put a hat on and *poof* just like that, I look trendy, as if I am some sort of fashionista or something. And the best part is, you’ll be able to get away with going on day 3 of no shampoo. (Ew, what, who even does that………) *guilty*
RIPPED JEANS!
Okay, I know what you’re thinking, “jeans are NOT comfortable!” and I totally agree. I hate wearing jeans. I have to mentally prepare myself before putting them on for the day. BUT ripped jeans are just too cute to pass up, and if you get those knee holes big enough your legs can actually breath a little, and bending is super easy. (Can you tell that I’m really trying argue that ripped jeans can be comfortable?)
COZY DRESSES
I rarely wear dresses. This photo was taken on Thanksgiving. I will avoid dresses at all costs, mostly because I am nursing Sawyer still…and there’s really no way to publicly nurse in a dress unless it’s low cut. Another reason I will avoid them is because my legs are super pale. However, for fall/winter I can get away with wearing leggings with the dress, which allows me to nurse still…AND they’re super comfortable, opposed to tights. So, if you want to wear a dress but don’t feel totally comfortable bearing those legs, just wear some leggings and boots and you’re set!
There you have it! My simple, not-so-helpful, (but maybe a little helpful?) tips for staying stylish and comfortable!
xx
Britt