seone.ca

Dear diary...

2008-01-10T16:33:00.001-08:00

I found a piano in the garbage today. It's nice.

The end.

Dec 9

2008-01-09T13:27:00.001-08:00

Dec 19 loft version

2007-12-22T22:13:00.000-08:00

Dec 18

2007-12-22T22:12:00.001-08:00

Talking to distributors

2007-12-10T15:55:00.000-08:00

December 7, 2007 early start

2007-12-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

Got into the office early today. Picked up the phone, made a sale. Fabric is on its way. I spoke to the cutter today so the fabric will be cut to the right sizes. I also have fabric coming to the office to make a sample for a client.

Ciao.

I am going to make $1MM in the next 6 months.

2007-12-06T12:03:00.001-08:00

I am Jonathan Jean-Pierre and I own a clothing company called seone here in Montreal, Canada.

I am going to earn $1 Million in the next 6 months. It is December 5, 2007 and by June 13, 2008 I will have sold one million dollars worth of clothing.

I am going to tell you the position I'm in right now, what I am going to do to earn the sales I need and how I will do that...all in this video. Check it out.

seone - better for the environment

2006-11-20T19:37:00.001-08:00

seone looking for help with online marketing

2006-11-20T16:26:00.000-08:00

What are some great books about online marketing?

Any online resources you recommend?

Let men know: jonathan@seone.ca

seone hemp garments - Deighen Greene

2006-08-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

seone canadian-made garments were a part of this year's Field 06 Festival through Deighen Greene.

Field 06 is a music festival held in a Canadian hemp field in Craik, SK each summer.

seone's first ad

2006-07-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

Counting

2006-07-21T13:25:00.000-07:00

We have two desks!!

2006-07-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

seone Interview with Justin Jean-Pierre

2006-07-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

Intro to the Pants

2006-07-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

Intro to the Outro

2006-07-01T19:56:00.000-07:00

Edited Video

2006-07-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

Compression Test 2

2006-07-01T16:15:00.000-07:00

Video Compression Test

2006-07-01T16:11:00.000-07:00

Boring Video

2006-07-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Continuous Production?

2006-06-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

Getting things done.

2006-06-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

I've figured out something pretty key about time management, and getting things done.
Out of the tasks that you could do in a day, there are those that are important (and usually unpleasant) and those that are things you feel you have to do (usually fun).
If you do the important things, you don't really have to do the things you may feel you have to do and you will still get to where you want to be.
You can also do everything, however I find it is best to do the important things first. You will feel better.
Doing both the important things and those you feel you have to do will get you to where you want to be in tip top shape.

So a practical way to do this is to choose where you are headed. Then write down all the things that are on your mind to be accomplished. Pick the one thing that is the most critical to getting you where you want to be and do this first. Then do the other things with the time you have left.
You will feel good (after accomplishing the most important task) and will easily be on your way to getting your things done.

Cheers.

This week's plan

2006-06-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

2006-06-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

seone hemp pants

Take a look at our comfortable, eco-friendly hemp pants

2006-06-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

Pant Problem / Opportunity

2006-06-22T21:15:00.000-07:00

Inventory

2006-06-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

Pant Improvements

2006-06-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

We're making the pants better.

Instead of adding a waistband to the pant, we are making it a part of the pant fabric itself.

We may add more room in the seat of the pants

We will widen the hem of the pants.

We may make take out the curve of the pocket opening and raise it up so money doesn't fall out when you sit down.

Cheers.

Do the most important first.

2006-06-15T19:11:00.000-07:00

Maybe I'll begin negotiating...

2006-06-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

Top Ten Business Classics # 10: The Richest Man in Babylon: by George S. Classon

2006-06-10T17:41:00.000-07:00

The Richest Man in Babylon

George S. Classon

Work ethic

Gaining wealth

Top Ten Business Classics # 9: The Discipline of Market Leaders: by Michael Treacy

2006-06-10T17:36:00.000-07:00

The Discipline of Market Leaders

by Michael Treacy

The three types of leading companies according to Michael Treacy:

1. Strict procedures - eg. WalMart

2. Innovators - eg. Intel

3. Customer Intimacy - eg. Cott

Top Ten Business Classics # 8: Guerilla Marketing: by G. Conrad Levinson

2006-06-10T17:34:00.000-07:00

Guerilla Marketing

G. Conrad Levinson

For excellent, inexpensive marketing tools, visit www.gmarketing.com.

Top Ten Business Classics # 7: Rich Dad Poor Dad: by Robert Kiyosaki

2006-06-10T17:32:00.000-07:00

Rich Dad Poor Dad

Robert Kiyosaki

Spend your time buying assets.

Top Ten Business Classics # 6: The Science of Getting Rich by Dr. Wattles

2006-06-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

The Science of Getting Rich
by Dr. Wattles

Put every ounce of your energy into what you are doing at this moment. Always. And you will be successful.

Top Ten Business Classics # 5: Think & Grow Rich: by Napoleon Hill

2006-06-10T17:27:00.000-07:00

Think and Grow Rich

by Napoleon Hill

Thoughts are things...

Top Ten Business Classics # 4: The Power of Focus, by Les Hewitt

2006-06-09T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Power of Focus

...do the most important thing first, and the rest will follow...

Top Ten Business Classics # 3: 48 Laws of Power, by Robert Greene

2006-06-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

48 Laws of Power

Tactics that work!

In the short run.

Top Ten Business Classics #2: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey

2006-06-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win/Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

Buy this book!

Top Ten Business Classics #1: The Art of War by Sun Tzu

2006-06-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

The Art of War

'To win without fighting is best,' Sun Tzu
This classic text covers everything from strategy to terrain and the use of spies.
Available at your local bookstore.

The plan

2006-06-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Put first things first

2006-06-07T07:15:00.000-07:00

Friday morning, what to do

2006-06-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

A great day!

2006-06-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

Marketing basics.

2006-06-01T17:49:00.000-07:00

The demand for hemp pants

2006-06-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

Shipping problem solved

2006-05-31T11:35:00.000-07:00

Shipping resolution

2006-05-31T10:32:00.000-07:00

Shipping problems

2006-05-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

Things are moving quickly

2006-05-29T15:19:00.000-07:00

Watch The Apprentice.

2006-05-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

Sales results

2006-05-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

Our garments are selling, we've almost sold out of our best-selling colours and sizes within a week. So, we're going to make more very soon.

Sell pants

2006-05-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

Now I've got pants to sell, so, I'm going to sell 'em.

How the website is coming together

2006-05-20T16:14:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm creating the storyboard, imagery, and html coding for the seone.ca

Upgrades at seone

2006-05-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

Test of new camera

2006-05-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

seone.ca is going to be great

2006-05-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

seone.ca update

2006-05-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

I figured out the answer to my computer problem

2006-05-11T08:13:00.000-07:00

I can either:

Know each question to ask in order to complete an order, and note the answers down.
Have the required customs forms printed out in advance, and then complete by hand.
Process the shipping information at Purolator or Canada Post.
This way, I won't need to change my computer right now.

Or, I can buy an inexpensive computer and a printer. Perhaps a used laptop, and a entry-level laser printer (they are on sale now).

My old computer

2006-05-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

I've either got to find a way to process Paypal purchases and print shipping labels on an old Pentium II without a printer or get a computer and printer that can get the job done.

I mean I could take notes of order details and then go to an internet cafe to process the orders. That would take at least an hour.

Or I could get an inexpensive computer that quickly does the job, and be done with each order in minutes.

www.GuerillaMarketing.com

2006-05-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

Video Test

2006-05-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

Beginning marketing at Tams

2006-05-04T19:39:00.000-07:00

I want to see if some simple marketing will affect sales at Tam Tams this Sunday.

Got in at Tams

2006-05-04T18:28:00.000-07:00

Tams

2006-05-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

So each week here on Sundays in Montreal we have, like in many cities a park where people gather, play drums. A lot of cultural items are sold there as well. It takes a bit of calling on a Thursday evening in order to get in. The phone line to get a booth is usually busy. Here I am calling...and eventually -- about 45 minutes later, I get in.

Production is on.

2006-05-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

Garments are being sewn, it shouldn't be too much longer before I can send them to be dyed, then labelled, then sell 'em.

Kind of a long clip...but it's worth it.

Telemarketer

2006-05-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

Sample being made

2006-05-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

Production has started. I am waiting to see a production sample to approve before we do the entire run.

seone Video clip #1

2006-05-02T20:27:00.000-07:00

Marketing

2006-04-28T18:35:00.000-07:00

Some companies put a lot of effort into selling, and others are busy serving customers without trying to sell anything. I've wanted to find out what the single difference is between these two types of companies.

At our small business networking event this afternoon, one of the new teachers gave a killer marketing presentation.

I asked him what the one difference between companies that sell and those that do not is. He said that if you do your marketing well (4p's), you won't need a salesperson.

Production

2006-04-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

I ordered fabric from Toronto yesterday to make drawstrings for our next run of pants. It arrived this morning and I am shrinking the fabric. I will bring it to the ribbing company tomorrow morning to make the drawstrings we will use for our pants. They should be done within the week.

I have the internet!

2006-04-19T11:41:00.000-07:00

Now I can get online from my desk. I don't have to bug my bro to use his mac to get online now. I picked up a wireless router.

What kind of a company doesn't have the internet? I mean a profitable company here. Oh well, I guess not every company needs the internet. I didn't need it alot then, but now it's kind of good to have.

I have an office!

2006-04-18T16:14:00.000-07:00

I set up an area in our loft that is for seone. It feels official now, I can have people over and it doesn't feel like an area I cleaned out of my appartment. Professional!

Later, J.

Now we make pants.

2006-04-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought things would be smooth sailing, my new contractor had a personal issue and took some time off. Again, I have pants to make, and nobody to make 'em.

I logged onto the Canadian Apparel Federation website and got a list of contractors here in Montreal (a few hundred) and just started down the list. It wasn't very fruitful, most companies were manufacturers or other small companies looking for contractors just like myself.

So I did what worked in the past. I pulled out the Yellow Pages and started calling entrepreneurs in the french section. (Entrepreneur, as I found is french for contractor). There were about 60 or 70 listings and I set appointments with about a dozen contractors. Now I have one primary contractor at the price I want, and he is proactive and has 31 years experience in the schmata (sic) business. I also now have four alternate contractors that can produce at slightly higher costs if the first contractor is busy.

Today - Monday, I planned out and started production.

This afternoon I also did some research to decide on what type of marketing and selling I will do once the pants are made. I remember Dexter saying that "it's easy to get people into your store" once I started getting far more orders than I could handle in the beginning. In light of this I am not going to spend too much time on marketing and promoting my garments, I am just going to open up a dialogue with my clients (potential). That may be through print materials, phone calls, seone.ca. Probably a combination of all three.

seone hemp pants in a wedding in Mexico.

2006-02-20T21:13:00.000-08:00

It's a Beautiful Day ordered some pants for their store and a part of their order was for a wedding in Mexico. Eric Ford and his fiance had decided to use seone pants to outfit the groom's party.

Check it out.

Bottlenecks

2006-02-20T14:24:00.000-08:00

I have run into three bottlenecks recently in production. First my supplier was sold out when I called to make a purchase. Then my patternmaker took some extra time to complete the improvements to the pants. Then my contractor was busy and told me there would be a 2 month delay.

So, I have gone out to find alternates. I have found two alternate cutters and an alternate contractor. The pricing is the same, which is great, and the turnover is just as quick -- if not quicker.

Next I have to find an alternate supplier -- maybe an alternate patternmaker as well, and I will be fine.

With these alternates, credit card payments, and demand larger than supply, I should be able to produce garments continuously. As I see it, the main goal of any society or individual (from an economic point of view) is to be productive. There shouldn't be anything that will stop seone from producing garments for people each day.

Working away at the office.

2006-02-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

My production recently ground back to a halt as my contractor is flooded with work. This morning I met with a new contractor I hope to use as a backup whenever my primary contractor is busy. I have heard that the internet keeps on trucking thanks to a lot of redundancy. I am going to set up some backups to eliminate any bottlenecks my production chain may experience in the future.

I am getting really confused while putting together the market research section of my business plan. Mainly because there is so much information out there. I think a more productive way of completing this section would be to clearly understand and visualize what I am expected to provide and present this in as concise a manner as possible, and simply cite sources for the facts I include.

It is only supposed to be four pages long. Two pages describing the hemp industry, one describing the segment I am addressing, and one positioning seone amongst its competition.

Hey, I'm excited.

2006-02-13T19:28:00.000-08:00

I think I will be putting up some large canvas art in my and my brother's office tonight. It is 10:30 and I want to be in bed not too late.

We are doing some light renovations to the loft and it is feeling like there is a lot of life in here.

The reason I want to go to bed pretty early is so that I have a lot of energy to work on the market research section of my business plan. It is due at anytime this week.

Ciao for now.

Test Entry

2006-02-13T17:48:00.000-08:00

I want to document what I am doing right now. I have been growing a small company called seone and want to watch it as it grows. This blog will allow me to look at what I am up to on a daily or weekly basis. I find that working on my own it is hard to tell whether I am really doing what makes sense or not.

Later, Jonathan.