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Ugly Christmas Sweater Company And Its Increasing Sales

SHARK TANK - "Episode 512" - A man from Lubbock, TX believes his colorful, magnetic light strands hold the solution to one of the holiday's biggest headaches; a man from San Diego, CA pitches his Christmaskah item for interfaith families that bridges the gap between "Ho, ho, ho," and "Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel;" and a business duo from San Diego presents a fashion show highlighting their fun, witty take on the traditional Christmas sweater of the past. Also, a model and hairstylist say there is nothing fake in wanting to make a real deal with their luxurious clip-in hair extensions. The holidays have already taken off for Marine Corps aviation officer Major Robert Dyer, a highly decorated combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, with RuckPack, his energy and nutritional supplement designed and tested by active duty military personnel, which Kevin O'Leary and Robert Herjavec invested in during Season 4, on "Shark Tank," FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Kelsey McNeal)EVAN MENDELSOHN, NICK MORTON (TIPSY ELVES)

Evan Mendelsohn was on his usual job doing corporate law and contracts, and he was bored when he began to check online about search engine optimization (SEO). While researching SEO, he noticed what people were searching or checking for online. He was hoping to find a business idea while on it. He noticed an increase in searches for the Ugly Christmas Sweater in 2011. It was when he realized how he can start a business venture from this market.

The search for a business partner

Mendelsohn needed a business partner, and he never really imagined doing a business alone.

He had Nick Morton, a dentist, on his mind. Morton was his roommate and great friend from college at the University of California, San Diego. Mendelsohn noted how Morton has a great attitude and intuition and one that would be a great partner for him in the business.

Nick Morton remembers getting a call from Mendelsohn about making ugly Christmas sweaters while he was pulling up into his garage.

The beginning of Tipsy Elves

Just after two weeks, the two friends started Tipsy Elves. They initially put in $40,000 each. They made sweater designs and joined a trade show. Although they felt that they had bad designs, the response was strong which gave them confidence to continue.

They then created their website and studied about shipping and fulfillment.

They focused on humorous rather than ugly sweater designs. On their first year, they sold 5,000 sweaters with sales at $400,000. It was when Mendelsohn quit his lawyer profession and went full-time.

Tipsy Elves today

For the last 5 years, the sales have gone to $20 million. Mendelsohn and Morton also joined “Shark Tank” where they got a $100,000 investment money from Robert Herjavec. After this, Morton quit from his dentistry profession.

They have already expanded the company to create year-round apparel and accessories for every holiday there is.

The latest addition are jet ski suits in red, white and blue which showed over-the-top patriotism.

Christmas is also half of the company’s sales now. They expanded to having 20 employees in San Diego with six designers. They have also learned to not be too controlling over each design detail and execution.

Interior Design Trends Revealed On Instagram

Interior Design Trends Revealed On Instagram

For anyone who types in #interiordesign into the Instagram search box, he will get millions of posts. A report from Wayfair which is an online home store revealed a series of information about who posts these and so much more. They analyzed 75,000 of these #interiordesign posts from all over the United States and Canada.

Who is posting the most in Instagram?

According to the report, it is New York. The Empire state is in the top spot, and it is among those who are posting about interior design. For every 100,000 residents, there are 288.9 pictures posted. The second place goes to Ontario, and this is followed in the third place by British Columbia. California and Nevada are in the fourth and fifth place respectively.

What are the most common design styles?

The most common design style is vintage. The reason for its popularity is its cost effectiveness and its repurposing culture.

Mid-century modern is in the second place. This post-World War II style is known for its clean lines, minimalism and functionality.

Contemporary is in the third place. This is followed by rustic in fourth. Abstract is in fifth place.

Industrial ranked sixth. Retro, natural and bohemian followed by French are in the last 4 spots.

How are likes accounted for?

Even though style prevails, the “likes” don’t follow from this.

Contemporary is the most liked style averaging in 142 likes for each post.

Bohemian style which can be distinguished through its free spirit aesthetic, multi-colored palette and mismatched patterns got an average of 117 likes for each post.

Abstract, natural and industrial styles are in third, fourth and fifth. They got 87, 84 and 81 average likes for each post respectively.

Mid-century is in the sixth spot with an average of 78 likes for each post.

Vintage only garnered an average of 71 likes for each post even though it is the most common and most posted style. Thus, placing it in seventh place.

Rustic, retro and French finish off the last 3 spots with an average of 69, 67, 66 likes for each post respectively.

Conclusion

These are just some of the statistics from Wayfair’s report. Needless to say, a lot of factors affect or influence a consumer’s preference towards design and Instyle Deco.

Ethic Labeling To Be Discussed In Sustainable Cosmetics Summit

Ethic Labeling To Be Discussed In Sustainable Cosmetics Summit

There will be various topics up for discussion for the annual Sustainable Cosmetics Summit and this year it will be held in Hong Kong. The top priority on the list is concerning ethical labeling together with other pressing issues such as packaging, green ingredients as well as pollution.

The chosen place for the event is the Excelsior Hotel located in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. The Summit will take place on November 14 and 15. This is organized to be held alongside with another major Cosmoprof Asia event. The Cosmoprof Asia is happening on the same place at the same week.

The event was organized by Organic Motor and during the first day of the event, there will be full presentation on the agenda. The second day will consists of two workshops that will be all about the issue of ethical labeling and how to make packaging sustainable.

The workshop on ethical labeling will discuss the issue of how it is needed in Asia more than ever especially in the region where there are 1 billion consumers that are Muslin. There are more and more of these consumers that are looking into cosmetics as well as personal care items and they are making sure what they get are approved to be Halal or issued with a Halal certificate.

The workshop will also tackle the latest updates regarding the ISO standard when it comes to cosmetics that are natural and organic. This will also talk about the label claims that will have an impact with consumers such as gluten-free and fair trade.

The region is now facing a pressing problem when it comes to pollution, more especially in major cities that are in the Southeast Asia as well as India. China, on the other hand, is making steps into finding remedy to the problem because of the industrialized belts. This is important considering that anti-pollution cosmetics and beauty products are on the rise.

Labeling is important in cosmetics and beauty products since more and more consumers are trying to lead a green life which means using organic skin care treatment.