At-Home Trunk Shows Are Huge Moneymakers. I Attend One To Find Out Why

On a Wednesday evening in April, I find myself in a well-appointed home in Brookline, a wealthy Boston suburb, sipping wine and eating macarons with a dozen oncologists from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Sitting around a coffee table displaying Asian art and colorful books about design, the women—colleagues from the same medical research group, aged between 40 and 60—aren’t talking about their work. “Oh, you never wear bright colors, but that red looks so good on you,” says one to the other. “I keep buying these pants every season, because they fit so well,” another says. “They are perfect for hiding problem areas on your tummy.” I’ve joined these women for a trunk show run by Cabi, a social shopping brand that operates in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada. It was founded in 2001 by Kimberly Inskeep, a finance executive looking for a flexible career after her kids were born, and Carol Anderson, a fashion designer in need of a new way to market her products. Together with ten of their friends, they launched Carol Anderson by Invitation (hence, Cabi), a line of clothing that they would sell in their homes in a party-like setting. In the brand’s parlance, they were creating “alternative stores.” Over the last 15 years, the company has steadily grown, and its team of 3,500 salespeople around the world generate more than $250 million in revenue a year. The concept of selling directly to your friends has been around since the 1950s Tupperware party. But direct selling... Continue reading at 'Fast Company'

[ Fast Company | 2017-05-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Old media find their footing

The world of traditional media suffered so many earthquakes in 2013—Time Inc. getting set to spin off from Time Warner, The Washington Post selling for a song, New York magazine announcing the end of its weekly status—that one could be forgiven for thinking the sky will fall on the industry in... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2014-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Reading Harris novel stimulates brain, finds study

Reading a novel stimulates the brain for days, US researchers have found. The study,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-12-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Good Enterprises Gets Extension, Finds Some Assets

The bankruptcy judge overseeing the Chapter 7 proceedings of Good Enterprises has granted the company an extension until January 13 to file various statements and schedules. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-12-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Digital Census shows sales still growing

The Bookseller's Digital Census, the annual tracker of how the book business is managing the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-12-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Freedom of speech doesn't entitle Duck Dynasty star to reality TV show | Jill Filipovic

Phil Robertson was suspended by A&E for bigoted comments in GQ. Conservatives cry foul, but it hardly violates his rightsThe right to free speech isn't just a fundamental American value; it's enshrined in the first amendment to our constitution. If only the most loud-mouthed among us... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2013-12-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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News UK sings its way into a new era, and a new home, at carol concert

I wrote the other week about Rupert Murdoch's newspaper outfit, News UK, being reborn by putting a digital smile on Wapping's face.Now, with the company's move to London Bridge in mind, the publisher has put a smile on the face of Southwark Cathedral by donating £1,000 to its All Hallows... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2013-12-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hearst Magazines Digital Chief Troy Young Discusses Finding Great Editors

Specs Who Troy Young Age 45 New gig President, Hearst Magazines Digital Media Old gig President, Say Media What’s it been like coming from pure-play digital companies like Say Media to Hearst, which has had a print mind-set? It was different at first, for sure. There were a lot more steps... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2013-12-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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LBF picks Olympia as its 'new home' from 2015

The London Book Fair 2015 is to take place in Olympia in West London, allaying fears of a move to... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-12-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Paywalls Boost Ad Rates for Some Magazines and Newspapers, OPA Study Finds

Online paywalls are helping some newspaper and magazine websites increase the ad rates they charge, according to a new report from the Online Publishers Association.It's a hopeful sign for publishers that have hesitated to erect paywalls, despite the potential to generate new revenue from... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2013-12-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Record Attendance at Guadalajara

Tight security did not deter over 750,000 people (50,000 more than last year) from attending FIL—a meeting point between readers and books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-12-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Buying Guide: Find the perfect ebook reader

What's the best device if you want to embrace a post-paper reading world? That all depends on whether you want a dedicated reading device or a more versatile tablet. Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2013-12-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Small Is Beautiful: Micro Bookstores Find a Place

Even before the demise of Borders, the trend of opening superstores was waning, and new bookstores were getting smaller and cozier (many were in the 3,000 to 5,000 sq. ft. range). Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-12-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Burial Rites' author Hannah Kent finds mystery in Iceland

Chronicling the Chill of 1820s Iceland in 'Burial Rites,' Australian author Hannah Kent finds deep humanity, for better and worse, in a faraway isle. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-11-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Bookstar' talent show for authors

Agents Madeleine Milburn and David Headley [pictured] will help judge an "X Factor"... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-11-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Small Demons Extends Deadline to Find Buyer

Small Demons, the L.A.-based book-focused venture that indexes the places, music, food and things mentioned in books, has extended its deadline for finding a buyer or new investor for at least another month. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-11-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Duly Noted: John Oliver to leave The Daily Show (Video)

It's common practice for musical artists to create their own labels in order to dip into that part of the industry. However, even though it's, more or less, the same thing, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is taking the uncommon step of launching his own book publishing imprint, Jeter... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal

[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2013-11-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Finding the Seeds of Inspiration in Distant Echoes of Childhood

Zimbabwean author S.N. Mahachi-Harper reflects on how her childhood in a mining village inspired her new most recent novel Footprints in the Mists of Time. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-11-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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London Book Fair Unveils New Academic Area for 2014 Show

The London Book Fair has announced it will be featruing a new section in its academic and scholarly zone in 2014 called The Faculty@LBF. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-11-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Assembly Show Relaunches After 10-year Hiatus

After a 10-year hiatus BNP Media relaunched The Assembly Show Oct. 27-29 at the Daniel E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2013-11-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Homes and House shortlisted for Green Carnation

Women's Prize for Fiction winner A M Homes and Man Booker-longlisted Richard House are among... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-11-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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