11.24.09
Posted in Crystallized, Lee Romano Sequeira, Pink Sparks, Pink Sparks Network, Swarovksi Crystal Shirts, Swarovski Crystal, best of the web, crystal tees, custom apparel, custom logo shirts, fundraising shirts, gifts for girls, gifts for moms, girly gifts, goodtobeyou, promotional apparel, rhinestone tees, salon shirts, spa tees, sparkly accessories, sparkly rhinestone shirts, staff shirts, swarovski crystal shirts at 2:28 pm by Sparkle Plenty
Spotlight On: Sparkle Plenty Designs
Name: Lee Romano Sequeira
Business name: Sparkle Plenty Designs
Company website: www.sparkle-plenty.com
Description of your business mission:
Our specialty at Sparkle Plenty Designs is creating custom logowear for promotions, special events, spas & salons, fundraisers, staff wear, retail sales, etc. We take our customer’s idea, event or logo and bring “bling” it to life in sparkling crystal or rhinestones.
I love to say we make people “sparkle” when they wear our shirts, and when you feel good on the inside, you always look good on the outside.
Sparkle Plenty’s first priority is to provide premium quality crystal and rhinestone embellished products to all our customers. Our choice of high-quality garments have a flattering fit, and a unique look that’s appealing, while standing the test of time and wear.
How long has Sparkle Plenty been in business?
10 years
How did you start/fund your company initially?
I actually was buying crystal tees and apparel from Sparkle Plenty Accents for my online gift, bath & body accessories boutique, GoodtoBeYou.com. I first saw them in 2004 at a beauty tradeshow in New York City.
When the owners mentioned they were parting ways and wanted to sell the business, my husband and I decided to take the plunge and acquire the company, which we renamed Sparkle Plenty Designs. Business loans helped us with our plan.
Do you have any employees or do you use freelance help? If so, can you tell us where you found your help?
Besides me and my husband Andrew (whom we affectionately call “Captain Crystal” who handles custom design work) we have the following on our team: Michelle handles online promotions, Jonelle assists with art and heat pressing the garments, Lorry helps us with customer contact and we have our Swarovski artists available to help us with our ideas for new products. This is a nice benefit of being a Crystallized branding partner with Swarovski crystal.
I used word of mouth and advertised on Craigslist for a couple of the positions. We also have a few independent sales reps across the U.S.
What’s the one online marketing activity you feel has worked the best for your business?
Our sites are key. People love our websites, they are beautiful to look at, and I must give credit to our web designer Liz Ross of Webweavers (Liz is so talented!) She and I worked out the initial concepts for both sites GoodtoBeYou.com & Sparkle Pleny Designs and Liz made all of my ideas come to life – and really sparkle!
As for gaining our new custom clients, we really talk to our customers and are happy to offer ideas for their design. We even like to offer promotional tips for their business.
Are you active on any social networking websites such as Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin?
Yes, very. I love staying social with Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter, and also try to stay active in a few specialty b-to-b networking sites — I just wish there were more hours in the day (like most of us women entrepreneurs do).
If so, how do you manage your activity on these sites? For instance, do you interact randomly, when you feel like it or do you have a strategic plan?
I log in almost daily and keep business and personal mixed. Since we “are” business and interact closely with our customers, I like to keep a casual, upbeat and friendly vibe…we are talking about fun sparkly apparel after all.
How do you manage to balance family life, personal time and business?
Sometimes it’s all a blur, and I slip into my “workaholic” mode, but I really like what I do, so that’s a plus.
I do get to the gym a few times a week, and I’ll take a break during the day with Andrew to take our two terriers out for a walk, and enjoy some fresh air. We also have a weekly night out with a close circle of friends — perfect to decompress, and getting out does the trick of getting me away from the laptop.
Do you have any advice for other women wanting to start their own businesses?
Do something you love, take it slowly, but act — action is key.
Always be sure to give back. Whether it’s advice, time or donations, the more you give, the more you’ll get. Keep a positive attitude and realize every day is not going to go as always planned, so you just have to roll with the ups and downs. Also, take time for yourself – do things you enjoy: read, meditate, play with the dogs/kids and be sure to take time out to exercise a few times a week.
Anything else to share?
Let’s connect!
Please add us at Sparkle Plenty to your network:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sparkleplentydesigns
Twitter: @sparkleplenty1
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08.06.09
Posted in crystal tees, custom apparel, custom logo shirts, custom salon tees, custom spa shirts, promotional apparel, rhinestone tees, salon logo wear, salon shirts, salon tees, spa logo wear, spa tees, sparkly rhinestone shirts, staff shirts at 1:41 pm by Sparkle Plenty
by Dori Soukup, Executive Director of InSPAration Management
I am frequently asked, “What type of spa discount or specials should I offer?”
Before I get into best practices, let’s talk about the goals you are trying to achieve from offering a discount. You don’t want to offer a discount to make less money, the goal is to make more sales and money, although it may be at a reduced profit margin.
But what I commonly see is a spa offering a percentage off, such as 20% off and so on. This type of discount is not going to increase your revenue, all its going to do is cause you to make less money. Here are some best practices to offer discounts:
1. Buy one spa treatment at regular price and receive ___________% off on the second: This type of discounting will guarantee an increase of revenue because it requires the consumer to buy something from you at full price to qualify for the discount . It’s still a great deal for the consumer and it’s a much better deal for you.
2. Gift with purchase: Department stores have been doing this for many years, because it works! The great thing about this promotion is to make the gift a retail product. This will introduce the consumer to your retail products, and if they like the product, they will purchase more. You can partner with your vendors for this type of promotion and negotiate a special price. This practice will not cut into your profit margin.
3. Guest check-out and future spa reservation: Many spas hand out a coupon for next visit. That’s a good effort, but who knows when the next visit is going to be? When offering next visit discount, make sure you place a date on it. The practice should be to reserve your next treatment now and receive ____%. You must create urgency and not leave the window of opportunity wide open.
By implementing these types of discount strategies, you will be able to offer spa specials that will increase your revenue without shrinking your bottom line. Try them and give us your feedback, we are always interested in your results! Marketing is the key to your success make sure you include all your specials in your monthly the consumer e-newlsetter. if you dont have one call us we have a great solution for you.
Also, for an add-on revenue stream please visit Sparkle Plenty Designs. Sparkle Plenty can recreate your Spa logo in beautiful Swarovski crystal or sparkling high quality rhinestones. They also have a full collection of crystal apparel made especially for the spa and beauty market – and if they don’t have it, they can create it!
If you own or manage a Spa, or wish to find out more information about coaching services to ignite your operation for dynamic spa performance please visit InSPAration Management. InSPAration management specializes in delivering a full spectrum of proven-effective spa consulting solutions to ensure your spa’s success. Whether you have an existing spa or are opening a new spa, InSPAration offers professional spa consluting from pre-opening to grand opening…and beyond.
“Change is inevitable, growth is optional,
choose your passage to excellence.”
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08.03.09
Posted in Swarovksi Crystal Shirts, crystal tees, custom apparel, custom logo shirts, custom salon tees, custom spa shirts, fundraiser apparel, fundraising shirts, hotfix transfers, promotional apparel, rhinestone tees, salon logo wear, salon shirts, salon tees, spa logo wear, spa tees, sparkle plenty, sparkly rhinestone shirts, swarovski crystal shirts at 10:39 pm by Sparkle Plenty
Wearables Magazine’s featured article for August ‘09 focuses on the increasingly popular use of crystal and rhinestone embellishments for the promotional apparel industry, and came to none other than Sparkle Plenty Designs (the “bling” experts) to ask a few questions about these hot trends in rhinestone and crystal.
Whether you’re in promotions, fundraising, corporate branding, have an upcoming event/tradeshow – or – you run a business whose audience is primarily female (beauty, spa, salon, etc.), Sparkle Plenty Designs can create the customized crystal or rhinestone apparel of your dreams.
You can see samples of some of the Swarovski crystal and rhinestone logo designs here: Custom Logowear.
Below please enjoy the full Wearables/Sparkle Plenty article:
Shimmering like the summer sun, metallics and shiny apparel remain “in” no matter what the season. Sequins in particular have been huge last autumn and will carry into the holiday season.
But what do to without a wealth of shimmering options? How could you please your sparkle-inspired customers? Think decoration, and look no further than apparel with rhinestones. “Rhinestones are something that have been around for awhile and people have certainly taken a liking toward them,” says Lee Sequeira, owner of Sparkle Plenty Designs (asi/88444). “And it doesn’t have to be only apparel. I get clients who’d like their cell phone, belts and even water bottles complimented with rhinestones.”This summer, workout clothes have received the most attention to add logos or lettering in rhinestones. But the attraction toward particular garments changes with the seasons. “I wouldn’t say one item is more popular than others,” Sequeira says. “During the winter months, end-users are attracted to hoodies and jackets and during the warmer days they like yoga pants and tank tops.”
However, if you’d like to bring out the bling in your inventory, make sure to carry a heavy inventory with rhinestones represented in multiple places. Sequeira says customers may be attracted to the location more than the shirt itself. For example, if you’re carrying yoga pants, offer a pair with rhinestones on the back, on the sides and a pair on the lower left pant leg. Such a variety will attract the interest of more potential clients.
Call Sparkle Plenty Designs at 1.800.952.0446 and let them bling your message to life.
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12.06.08
Posted in crystal tees, custom apparel, custom logo shirts, custom salon tees, custom spa shirts, promotional apparel, rhinestone tees, salon logo wear, salon shirts, salon tees, spa logo wear, spa tees, staff shirts at 3:08 pm by Sparkle Plenty
Sparkle Plenty Designs specializes in spa and salon logowear and accessories embellished with diamond-like SWAROVSKI™ crystals or shining rhinestones (so very pretty in person)! These styles perfect for Day Spas, Salons, Nail Techs, Stylists and more!
Sparkle Plenty Designs carries a gorgeous line of Spa & Salon stock designs to outfit your entire staff – from your Esthetician to your Massage Therapist.
Let Sparkle Plenty Designs bring your logo, spa or salon name to life with creating apparel with sparkling Swarovski crystals, which are permanently applied to our fitted shirts, tank tops, or garments of your choice. This can include ball caps, hoodies, totes, etc. We also work with rhinestone, rhinestud and nailhead, or a combination of elements, depending on your budget and needs. (We can even supply transfers only if you have your own heat press.)
The sparkly, stunning look of crystal captures every woman’s attention. It not only enhances your spa or salon’s image, so that your staff looks their best, but our stunning apparel can also generate revenue for yout with “boutique” sales. Plus, your customers become a sparkly “living” billboard for your salon or spa.
Want to make sure that your clients know you appreciate their business?
Your gift of a sparkly, attractive crystal shirt is a unique way to show that appreciation, while providing you free advertising!! They’ll look good and so will you!
Lastly, our Sparkle Plenty Designs custom crystal apparel is a great way to promote team building with your staff.
Think about it…would you feel better wearing a screen-printed tee, or a beautiful crystal shirt that others will surely notice – and compliment you and your customers on.
We will also give you tips and ideas for promoting your salon or spa with your new bling!
We at Sparkle Plenty Designs look forward to hearing from you!
~ Call us today 800-952-0446 and let us crystallize you and your brand ~
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