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Shirt Studio Turns 5
Thu, 27 Aug 09The Shirt Studio Story
Shirt Studio opened its first store in Tattersall's Arcade in 2004 and since then has grown to three stores in Brisbane with Paddington opening in 2005 and Indooroopilly in 2006. Following Indooroopilly opening was the launch the online store in 2007.
This month Shirt Studio launched nationally and opened its first store in Melbourne.
To compliment Shirt Studio's retail division, the corporate division was launched in 2006, offering Australian companies an opportunity to custom design a shirting uniform to compliment their existing corporate identity.
Interview with Business Chick's Emma Isaacs
Thu, 27 Aug 09At just 29, Emma Isaacs has achieved more than most three times her age - she has bought four businesses and sold one, all of them successful and profitable. Superwoman? Maybe. A serial entrepreneur? Absolutely. She bravely bought into her first business, recruitment company Staff it, at the age of 18. Under her leadership, Staff it was named Australia's Favourite Recruiter for three consecutive years and also won the Westpac 2005 Small Business of the Year award. She is currently Chief Chick at Business Chicks, the largest national membership network for women in business; Managing Director of Last Thursday Club, Director of Studio Bodyfit; and President of the Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO) Sydney.
- You've been in business most of your adult life and manage a number of companies. What drives you and what do you attribute your success to?
I've never actually been an employee so I don't know any other way! I love business and love the challenges and spontaneity it brings. Business is a way to find out what you're really made of and it's an opportunity to impact others and move beyond your comfort zone. I'm just driven by learning, being a better person and trying to enrich the lives of others - whether that be my team members, family or customers. Besides, it's all I know now - between my husband and I we have eight companies, so it's just what we do!
- Business Chicks is a fabulous membership network for all women in business. What's been your biggest challenge in growing Business Chicks to become a national organisation and recognisable brand in Australia?
We stepped in to help Kids Helpline with Business Chicks over three years ago and are still very much involved with the charity, working to fundraise and lift their profile. Being so committed to a charity and working to raise as much funds as possible means that our budgets to market the brand are limited and we rely on word of mouth, which surprisingly has been incredibly effective. People love to talk about brands and causes they believe in, and this has been the reason why we've grown on average of 65% year on year and now have strong communities in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.
- What advice do you have for people with an ambition to start their own business?
Surround yourself with positive people and strong mentors; never be afraid to ask tough questions and have straight conversations; do something that scares you every day; invest in a viable product or service and if it's not viable, walk away and look for another; build your networks and be nice to everyone; continuously do favours for people no matter how inconvenient they are (the universe loves reciprocity); work hard and believe in yourself and go for it!!!
- In 2009, what do you see the biggest challenge businesses face?
Managing the changing economic conditions and being quick to make hard decisions in relation to doing business differently. People and companies who do what they've always done just won't remain sustainable in this market. Keep marketing, keep networking, keep innovating, watch your cash flow and get creative with cost-cutting and revenue raising.
- With three companies, the Business Chicks magazine Latte; your role as President of EO and your first child on the way in a few months how life must be very hectic. How do you go about achieving balance in your life?
I've given up trying to be Superwoman and am a lot kinder to myself these days. I'm very fortunate to be supported by incredibly talented people in my businesses and make a point of setting an example in relation to work life balance. My team are encouraged to exercise in their lunch breaks (it helps that one of our businesses is a fitness studio!) and to leave early to nourish their friendships/ relationships. I've just moved to working four days per week so I can prepare for our first child and while it was challenging not to reach for my laptop at the start I'm loving being able to rest and be good to myself. Other quick tips? I regularly leave my laptop at the office and turn off my phone at nights; have a personal trainer that keeps me accountable for my health and fitness; I measure my success as a well-rounded person on how much I'm relaxing (instead of just working) and I engage others in my efforts to be balanced - in fact I get kicked out of the office by my team members if I'm overdoing it these days!
Giving this Christmas
Thu, 27 Aug 09We are bombarded with so much commercialism it's easy to forget what all the fuss is about.
Gift giving originally took place in early Rome as a part of the New Year celebrations exchanging various luxuries as gifts as tokens of their good wishes for a happy year.
The tradition we are familiar with today is owed to Victorian England. They introduced the idea of family as part of the celebrations at Christmas time, bringing a new meaning and warmth to the day after a long time of experiencing a decline. The concept of kindness and being charitable became the norm, so giving gifts was a natural expression of this generosity.
Today, there is nothing like the warm and fuzzy feeling of the Christmas spirit. We tend to all act like a big kid at Christmas and embrace the silly season! The build up to the big day can be so exciting, especially when you get a big pressie under the tree. Christmas time can just make you feel over the moon!
At the other end of the spectrum, this kind of Christmas can only be dreamed about. Imagine if everything you had was taken away from you, only to find yourself without a real home, little food, let alone having a gift for your children.
So when you're out doing your Christmas shopping this year, why not include someone else in your plans, someone fortunate than others and help to make them also feel over the moon! Make a difference this Christmas.
There are many charities out there set up to especially to make someone's world a better place this Christmas. Shirt Studio is a strong supporter of several charities and one in particular this Christmas is Over the Moon.
The intention is to give a family or individual in need a small gift that will have an enormous impact on their life - one that will leave them with an experience of feeling "Over the Moon". Over the Moon wants to give a gift of hope to the families at the Parmanie, a local women's domestic violence refuge.
They are collecting food and gifts for women and particularly the 49 children living there aged 10 months to 16. They have already reached the goal of providing the mothers with gifts, but there are still many of the kids without.
So how can you help?
All you need to do is donate a small gift for a child - value to be no more than $25. The gift can be brand new or you can donate items of food such as biscuits, canned food, crackers, etc. Whatever you choose to donate is perfect.
How to donate?
Shirt Studio will facilitate the charity donations, so you can contact us by emailing fiona@shirtstudio.com.au to find out what gifts are still required.
You can send the gift or food to the Shirt Studio office at 92 Juliette Street, Greenslopes. Alternatively we will be doing two pick ups closer to Christmas. All gifts need to be received by Friday 13 December.
I want to thank you all for taking the time to read this article. It's so easy to make a difference in someone's life. It takes one small step from each person to make someone else feel over the moon this Christmas.
Christmas in Italy...What will you be doing this Christmas?
Thu, 27 Aug 09In Italy Christmas is known as "Natale," literally meaning "birthday" celebrating of the birth of Christ and "Unconquered Sun".
Italians really know how to celebrate Christmas. Like everything, they are especially passionate about their festivities. So passionate in fact, they begin religious celebrations in early December when their holiday season starts and right up until early January. Italy's holiday period represents eight special holidays to be celebrated.
The main celebration takes place on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas day and in contrast to western society there is far less commercialisation of Christmas. For example, children do not write lists to Santa Clause. Instead, children write letters of love to parents, placing them under their father's dinner plate to be opened after the large Christmas Eve feast.
Similar to our tradition of Santa Clause the Italians celebrate one of the best known old legends of Italy, a mystical figure called La Befana a kindly old witch who brings children toys on the last day of their celebrations in January on the feast of the Epiphany.
Christmas in Italy is celebrated by singing carols and traditional Italian Christmas foods plays an integral part of Christmas celebrations in Italy, dishes such as tortellini, vermicelli, panforte, and pandolce. Christmas tapers are lighted in every household and special prayers are offered. The Italian Christmas tradition represents the true meaning of the rich Italian culture.
What will you be doing this Christmas?
It seems the Italians have full Calender of events to follow each year for their holiday season. The widespread celebrations over the two months shows their passion and dedication to their beliefs.
Australian's also have simple traditions that are carried out each year. Normally this would be Christmas parties and plenty of food with the family! Some of us choose to use our Christmas spirit a little more than others and get creative with our time. Read on for some ideas that might encourage you to get more productive this year.
- Make your Christmas Cards - Why not make your own. This is like a gift in itself and is so much more special when it's made with love. Buy some nice coloured cardboard and stick small decorative pieces on it. Even something as simple, a small part of a pine tree leaf (Christmas tree) would work nicely.
- Enter a light display competition - Go all out and make your home a light fantastic display for others to admire. It is becoming more common nowadays in Australia and you can even win a competition.
- Donate to charity - Make a difference this Christmas and help contribute to a good cause. These charities would like a gift this Christmas just as much as we do.
- Do some volunteer work - If you really want to put a smile on someone's face, why not put a few hours aside around Christmas and do some volunteer work. You can help spread the Christmas spirit to those less fortunate.
- Go outdoors - Venture outside rather than staying indoors. Get your family together and head to the beach, go fishing, have a picnic or even go camping this Christmas. Make the most our summertime Christmas!
- Don't forget about others in your life - For some of us Christmas can be a sad and lonely time. Some don't really have family around to spend their Christmas with. If you know someone like this why not invite them to your family gathering on Christmas day.
It's nice to sometimes do something a little different at Christmas, or to even just do more than you normally would. What will you be doing this Christmas?
Massive Christmas Competition
Thu, 27 Aug 09Win a massive Christmas hamper filled with lots of the yummiest foods and nice Italian Christmas treats! Some of the goodies include some traditional Italian foods, chocolates, a panettone Italian dessert, Shirt Studio products plus so much more! It's perfect for the silly season!
Purchase a shirt or tie at Shirt Studio before Christmas and go in the draw to win one of THREE cool Italian Christmas hampers!Get into Shirt Studio to do your Christmas shopping and take home a little extra this Christmas to surprise your loved ones.
You've got to be in it to win it!
Traditional Panettone Recipe
Thu, 27 Aug 09While there are variations of panettone found all over Italy, the classic version is from Milan. The Milanese take panettone seriously. This version is created for bread machines. Be careful not to add the candied fruit with the other ingredients. Most machines have a timer for adding fruit to bread. I prefer to wait until the dough is mixed and add the candied mixed fruit. It needs more chopping than the raisin or citron.
Bread Machine Panettone
Ingredients
- 1 Tbs sugar
- 2/3 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups bread flour
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp bread machine yeast
- 1/4 cup candied mixed fruit
- 1/8 cup raisins
- 1/8 cup citron
- 1 tsp anise or fennel seed
- 1 Tbs lemon zest, grated
Directions
- Place the first 8 ingredients into the pan of your bread machine in order listed.
- Select the dough cycle.
- Add the chopped fruit 15-20 minutes before the last kneading cycle ends.
- When the nut or fruit signal sounds add the remaining fruit, lemon zest, and anise seed.
- If you need to allow the dough to rise, place in a warm spot, covered with a cloth. Let rise for 1 - 1 1/2 hours, until double in size.
- When the dough is done place the pan in a preheated oven and bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes. A skewer should come out clean when done.
Tailoring - A Trend Setting History
Thu, 27 Aug 09
The history of tailoring goes back to 1900 - tailor made suits were firmly established by then. The tailor made was called a costume or a suit and made of wool or serge. But the tailored suit as we know it was first introduced in the early 1880s.
The suit as a form of business clothing evolved in Europe, reaching its pinnacle at the famous Savile Row - a shopping street in Mayfair, London, famous for its traditional men's bespoke tailoring. The term "bespoke" is believed to have originated in Savile Row when cloth for a suit was said to be spoken for by individual customers.
By the late 1800's the suit making trade began to spread to other parts of the Europe, particularly Italy. Some of the best suits in the world fashion were produced in this country. Italian suits have today come to represent some of the best quality work in men's tailoring, and bring prestige to the wearer.
Tailors used to search across the world to find the threads and fabrics they use to interpret the trade. This still holds true today as fabric choice separates a superior tailor from a standard one. When we think of tailoring we usually imagine suits, and a market dominated by men, but it actually extends to a wide range of fashionable clothing for both genders.
As people increasingly go after outfits that can best express their taste and individuality, mass-produced ready-to-wear garments can no longer satisfy their needs. This has influenced the tailor-made clothing market and you will begin to see more upmarket boutiques and specialty stores offering custom-made clothing.
While an increasing number of well-known Australian brands are introducing made to measure services, many people are not even aware the service is available. Although the concept is inviting, people are afraid to try something new - but once they try it, they may never want to buy off the rack again!
There is a misconception that tailoring is only for people who have trouble find good fitting clothes, when in fact is also really about the experience. The experience of being your own designer and having a unique garment made to your measurements that's exclusive to you.
Traditionally, clothing is the most common product tailoring is applied to, but these days it can be experienced in wide scope of products, including made to order shoes, hand bags, jewellery, hats, furniture, personalised gifts, and even musical instruments and cars.
