State of Zozo address.............

Hi friends!
It's that time again. Around Thanksgiving I always do a "State of Zozo" address, so here we go. :)

First....I remember being in this EXACT same place last year. Stressed out and overworked and very little help. THIS YEAR? I"m also stressed out, overworked and have 4 assistants!!!! WOW! That just means I have GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY this year. Every year I try and compensate for growth, but the growth always seems to beat me.

This year, again...growth has overtaken me. I have disappointed many a customer. I have taken on WAY more than I can handle. It's a problem I have. Sometimes I Just want to make everyone happy....to the detriment of my own family. This can no longer happen.

I didn't launch Zozo to become a bad Mom, but that's the direction I am headed. Zozo has CONSUMED me over the last year. I am SO BLESSED that the demand for my clothing line far exceeds the supply, but that is a double edged sword. My girls are my life and I cannot keep putting business before the well-being of my gorgeous babies. This is a lesson I have learned the HARD WAY.

I love to make people happy, but don't confuse that with being a "people pleaser". I KNOW how amazing it is when your children LOVE what they wear. I have VERY picky girls and when they LOVE what they wear....they SHINE. :) I want to bring that to the world. Unfortunately, in the process, I have neglected my Mom duties in favor of my designer obligations. That is no longer acceptable to me or my family.

In order to balance my life a bit more, I am making MUCH needed changes. I was recently VERY inspired by a Kelsey Anderson blog post. She came totally clean about her passions and newintentions for 2011. She stayed true to her passion and that really resonated with me. I will only do what I am passionate about.

1. I am very passionate about BOY CLOTHING. I want so much to develop my boy line to the level of my girl line.

2. I am also very passionate about BEDDING. I LOVE interior design and decorating and the requests for my bedding have been overwhelming. I LOVE THIS!!!!

3. While Zozo doll clothing is ADORABLE, it is just not feasible anymore. It takes WAY too much time and the profit margin is almost NIL.

So..I have thought long and hard about this. I am discontinuing all doll clothing in favor of my BOY LINE and BEDDING. Christina of BAMBOLETTA DOLLS does have exclusive use of several of my doll patterns, so doll clothing will still be available (just not through me).

Also..I have some AMAZING projects coming up with fellow designers, as well as photographers. I want to focus on those in 2011. You will see some INCREDIBLE collaborations with GRACYLU ORIGINALS, THE MEASURE, THE TRENDY TOT, and LILLIPOPS DESIGNS, as well as breathtaking photographer collaborations.
THIS is what I want to focus on. While many of you have experienced frustration with me.....others have shown grace and understanding.

I am in an AMAZING place as a designer. The demand FAR FAR exceeds the supply for my product. Those of you that are diehard Zozo fans know that I am an original. I don't copy. I am TRUE and you value that. I appreciate you beyond measure.

I am moving to ONLY READY MADE in my Big Cartel shop in 2011 and will ONLY take orders for the TRUNK SHOWS. I apologize to those of you I have disappointed with my turnaround times. I am SO sorry. I appreciate those of you that have been so sweet to me..beyond measure. :) 2011 will see changes for Zozo, but I think you all will be SO much more pleased. My designs will be TRUE and HONEST. They will be RARE. They will be UNIQUE.

I love you all and I have made SUCH amazing friends through Zozo. :) A separate blog post is in the works for you. :) Don't worry. :) I never thought my vision would grow to what it has. It's AMAzING to me that you all love what I do. I love you. I really do. Stay tuned for more fun stuff and thank you for an amazing 2010.

Julie