RETAILER REVIEW: Collection of Cool

We talk to Anthea and Cass, the sisters behind super fab Australian online retail site, Collection of Cool.

Describe your business, Collection of Cool.

We strive to provide a retail experience not found elsewhere. It is an online store selling products with a design edge, that are unique, interesting and not readily available in mainstream stores. We like to think of our store as 'High Street' shopping, online. Anthea brings ideas, writing and editing while Cass markets the business in creative ways, and of course spreads the news through positive word of mouth.

What inspired you to establish Collection of Cool?

The general need for better choice when it comes to shopping and a love of beautifully designed things.

What is the greatest professional challenge you have faced since starting your business?

Shipping! Not only is it totally dull, it is really hard to figure out the easiest and most cost effective way for our customers - plus then implementing the system into the website.

What do you believe is essential for a successful online retail store?

Be creative, do things differently and try to inspire.

What inspires you when selecting products?

Australian designed and ethically made is one inspiration, along with an impressive aesthetic, quality and hipness.

What are your favourite products and why?

Anthea is a huge fan of eclectic stationery and loves the retro vintage gift tags by Percival Road and the Cavallini & Co range. I love photography too so I need to get a Polariod Po Go. Cass is in love with all the Thomas Paul and Danica Studio melamine dining ware. She thinks the truth.be.told notelet and writing sets are some of the cutest things she's seen. We both love OTTO Espresso - who wouldn't?

Where do you see your business in 5 years time?

Many more new and exciting products, plus we hope to include a vintage category. Many visitors every day, shopping, providing feedback which we may post live and/or a blog, as well as a really comprehensive "Other stuff we like" section to bring people back again and again.

Click here to visit Collection of Cool website

Outsource Marketing at Life in Style Trade Fair in 2010!

Our latest exciting news is that we have been accepted into the First in Style section at the Life in Style trade fair in Sydney, Feb 2010. We will be representing our Perth designer, Ali J.

The trade fair will run over 4 days from the 25-28th Feb 2010 in the Royal Hall of Industries & Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park, Sydney.

Please come and say hello to us and check out our beautiful wholesale range.

Check out the Life in Style website here www.lifeinstyle.com.au

Outsource Marketing in The Australian Giftguide Magazine Oct/Nov/Dec 2009 Issue

We are as proud as punch to have a delightful two page interview about us, appear in The Australian Giftguide magazine. 

The interview gives a great run down of who I am and what I do at Outsource Marketing. It is also great to be able to gain some exposure for my business in the eastern states as that is where I want the products to be seen next.

The article includes some images from the current wholesale range-they look beautiful.

Thanks again to Marian, the magazine editor for the opportunity to showcase my business.

The Australian Giftguide is an award-winning quarterly publication that is regarded by retailers as ‘the Bible’ of the gift and homewares industry for over 35 years.

To read the full article click here and it will take you to the press page on the website.

Once Upon Exhibition

Once Upon A Time….

 Angela D’Alton, director and founder of Leeloo.com.au, along with creative fine artist and community enthusiast Renee Baker of Sydney’s Art4Friends have put together the "Once Upon" exhibition.

After ploughing through 100 submissions from artists around Australia, 38 of the finest Australian artists were selected to participate in the Once Upon exhibition.

We are proud to announce that both our Outsource Marketing artists, Jess Hyde from truth.be.told and Ali J have both been selected to participate! 

Each artist has been allocated their own fairy tale to interpret, and 30 of the artists will create four original and new artworks to exhibit.  Also due to the volume of submissions, On The Wall, has been created, where a further 8 artists involved will submit one piece to be included.

Opening night will be Thursday November 19^th 2009 at aMBUSH gallery from 6pm to 9pm, with the exhibition open daily from 10am to 5pm through to Sunday 22^nd November.  Artworks will be available for sale, and from Friday to Sunday there will be a Leeloo “pop-up store” for the public to have a hands-on look at the gorgeous online goodies.  

Outsource Marketing in Giftrap Magazine!

We were very excited to have a half page feature about us appear in the Spotlight pages in the latest Sept/Oct 2009 national magazine issue of Giftrap. The article looked brilliant with vibrant Ali J images filling the page!

Giftrap is the bimonthly magazine released by Gift & Homewares Australia (GHA). GHA is the association, which represents the gift & homewares industry in Australia. 

A big thank you to their delightful editor, Katherine Beard for the fantastic write up!

Please click here to visit our Press page to read the feature http://www.outsourcemarketing.com.au/Contact-Us/Press

Letterbox Love

Jess from truth.be.told delights in people receiving her handmade cards as she likes "to bring a touch of whimsy to peoples mailboxes." Magic also enters our letterboxes through other ways that are unseen.

I was out the front of my house a couple of days ago, checking my mailbox. At the same time a young man in his early twenties was delivering the local newspaper. We started talking. He told me how much he enjoyed delivering the papers. He then said, "With every newspaper I put in, I add a blessing for the house".

It is nice to know magic is at work.

Bowerbird Bazaar in Adelaide 9-11th October!

Style savvy shoppers with a keen eye for beautiful objects to feather their nests will take delight in this exciting event.

Bowerbird bazaar will provide the public with an opportunity to seek out unique art & handmade wares created by Australian designers and makers.

Along with two days open to the public, Bowerbird Bazaar will feature a daylong mini trade fair where retailers and special guests can meet and chat with sellers.

With over 55 local and interstate designers taking part- it will be a fantastic weekend and a great chance to get in early with your Christmas shopping! 

For more info- please visit www.bowerbirdbazaar.com.au