Blogs from the floor
An addendum to our thank-you note from last night: Apparently, we were too popular. Sometime before we got in today, someone came into our booth and ransacked the little joint, taking about a quarter of our samples right off our wall and helping themselves to a variety of our other property.
Along with the emotions of being violated, we feel another loss – we hadn’t even had the minute it would have taken to take a picture of our booth. I know a number of our visitors took pictures and even video. If you could share with me (rick@thegreengarmento.com), I’d be very grateful.
My best, Rick
Rick Siegel and his wife, Jennie Nigrosh, are the creators and marketers of The Green Garmento reusable drycleaning bag. Before that, Siegel was one of Hollywood’s most influential personal managers, guiding the careers of Craig Ferguson, Ellen Degeneres, Seth Rogen and others.
Thank you to the more than 700 drycleaners and distributors who have visited our cramped 10-by-10-foot booth.
Thank you all for validating our decision to create a pouch for hangers. Your enthusiastic response has been thrilling to us.
Thank you to everyone who not only wanted a sample of our new shirt box bag, but proudly displayed it as you continued to walk the convention floor.
A special thank you to the dozens of drycleaners who already carry The Green Garmento for not only stopping in to say hello, but graciously and intelligently tell others who are considering our product how you’ve benefited from it.
Less than three years ago, my wife Jennie and I began an ambitious journey to try to change the way drycleaning is delivered, from single-use to reusable bags, comparing it to how we went from vinyl to CD or from VHS to DVD.
Yes, it was daunting, but we were armed with the confidence that the reusable bag not only was better for the environment, but it also protected clothes better and, most important, could save drycleaners thousands of dollars — even changing the packaging of clothes from a major cost to a profit center if they wanted to take a deposit or sell the bags.
It has not been easy by any means, but we have and will continue to persevere, and with the warmth, support and energy you all have provided us this week, we are more sure than ever that we will succeed in making this better way the standard.
With great appreciation, I look forward to the last day of Clean 2011, meeting more of you, then going home and getting back to work.
Oh, as a nice piece of icing on the cake, we were featured on ABC’s 20/20. How cool is that!
Rick Siegel and his wife, Jennie Nigrosh, are the creators and marketers of The Green Garmento reusable drycleaning bag. Before that, Siegel was one of Hollywood’s most influential personal managers, guiding the careers of Craig Ferguson, Ellen Degeneres, Seth Rogen and others.
Wednesday morning, bright and early, we enjoyed SRO participation at the MfM Clean Show Highlights Breakfast to hear Carol Memberg give an update on the industry and her insight into the consolidation trends.
Peter Wennekes, secretary general of CINET, reported on the very positive response to the consumer research – consumers are clear that they want the professionals to continue to provide quality care and service for their wardrobes. He also gave details about the growth of the FashionCare© global certification partnership with the retail and manufacturing industries.
Preparing the highlights presentation reminded us how much there is of importance at the show, especially in the areas of alternative solvents, labor-managing improvements and green initiatives including energy efficiency.
Exhibitors are reporting real buyers, not just lookers. Good show!
Diana Vollmer is managing director of Methods for Management (MFM) Inc., a consultancy specializing in drycleaning businesses.
Boy, is it busy. From 8:05 this morning to now, not a second without a line of people waiting to talk about The Green Garmento. So happy about the level of interest—we went through four days of samples in one. Just going back to the booth after asking our warehouse to send us more.
Drycleaners are loving our new innovations. I’d love to tell you more but I can see the booth from here and I’m needed. I’ll fill you in more later.
Rick Siegel and his wife, Jennie Nigrosh, are the creators and marketers of The Green Garmento reusable drycleaning bag. Before that, Siegel was one of Hollywood’s most influential personal managers, guiding the careers of Craig Ferguson, Ellen Degeneres, Seth Rogen and others.
The Clean Show traffic was strong with drycleaners, both domestic and international, traveling to Las Vegas to stay on top of industry developments.
Everybody is playing the eco angle in all types of products. Green sells!
Labor reduction and management continues to be the goal of equipment refinement. This is especially true in tensioning form finishers for garments of all types.
Alternative solvents, chemicals to support them and machines to run them are a major theme.
The education sessions are covering sustainability, consumer preference, customer relations management, marketing and regulatory issues.
It is a very exciting time to be in the business.
Diana Vollmer is managing director of Methods for Management (MFM) Inc., a consultancy specializing in drycleaning businesses.
