As a wholesaler of funny t-shirts, Crooked Monkey has always found creative ways to get our t-shirts into the hands of the end consumer (that's you!).

In the beginning we used to drive around in our Honda Civic--making appointments and delivering shirts on site. Then we started attending tradeshows--really launching our brand further. We started to get recognized at these tradeshows and attending more and more of them. At the height of our love of tradeshows, we probably attended 20 shows/year. Buyers from retail stores all over the country, and the world, came to check out our newest lines and see what new wholesale opportunities were available for them.

Then came the recession. Buyers realized that a trip to Las Vegas, with all the associated costs, was just not in the cards, baby. They decided, and rightfully so, that they'd rather use their money on clothing, and not on frivolous trips. By August of 2008, we decided that Crooked Monkey would significantly reduce its presence at tradeshows and increase its direct contact with stores--either thru road trips (returning to the glory days), phone calls, emails, and other methods.

It is with a bitter sweet feeling that I report that we made the right decision. The Tradeshow is dead. They have become a waste of time. Crooked Monkey has managed to reduce its presence at shows, while still growing during this great recession--proof that quality and awesomeness at the right price is priceless.

Here's one other issue that really irks me about tradeshows. The slowing economy causes less retailers to attend tradeshows. Meaning that wholesalers, like Crooked Monkey, sell less clothes at these shows. The logical progression would be that Tradeshows should drop the price of their shows and offer incentives--yet they continue to charge astronomical prices. How does that make any sense? Not a sermon, just a thought.

Oh and the picture below is from our first ever tradeshow 3 years ago! That's Jon, Della and Me.

Labels: About us, Boutiques, not a sermon just a thought, Office Stories, recession, reflections, retail, ruminations, Tradeshows, wholesale

I'm at a tradeshow in South Beach called Trafik. It's been pretty good--traffic has been alright but business has been good. Our funny t-shirts are a big hit here--we just came out with some destination shirts that are doing pretty well.

Anyways, I turned on the TV today and started watching some good old local news. Local news never fails to amuse me. But this time it hit a little closer to home than usual. The lead in to the story was "High end boutique sells more than just clothes." What a cliffhanger. And me being in the clothing business, I decided to stick around and listen to this tantalizing story. The camera pans to a boutique owner--a very familiar looking boutique owner--being whisked away in hand cuffs. After a few more seconds I realize she owns To di For in Miami and that shes bought Crooked Monkey in the past. The reporter explains that she was charged with distributing marijuana from her retail store in Florida. Sounds like the economy has gotten pretty bad.

She stopped buying Crooked Monkey about a year ago--I guess she thought our Best buds and chai times designs were a dead giveaway to her back room dealings.

Labels: best buds, Boutiques

Tradeshows are awesome for a lot of reasons. One of them, is that we get to hang out with our friends we've met at all the shows. It's like a little community.

The girls from Mermaids are a fun pair--we love seeing them at market. They're a constant in our booth and it's always a riot when they sit down to hang out. Check em out in Miramar, FL

Labels: Boutiques, New Stores

We had a great time with Amanda and Kevin at the tradeshow. Looks like Kevin got lucky--his wife, Amanda, took a liking to the mannequin.

Next time you're in Louisville, stop by Belief Clothing to pick up your favorite Crooked Monkey t-shirts and Keep on 'Livin the Dream.

Labels: Boutiques, New Stores

That's Michelle, owner of JoJo's in South Carolina, and her mom. We met them at a tradeshow and are excited to ship them their t-shirts.

If you're in Charleston, you've got to stop by JoJo's to check out the hippest, most fun t-shirts in South Carolina.

Labels: Boutiques, New Stores

Labels: Boutiques, New Stores

John Thomas, our friend over at Bella Vita in Tupelo, MS just took out an ad promoting the Crooked Monkey tees he carries!

Look out for some more screens at Bella Vita, because John just picked up some awesome ones for Spring.

Labels: Boutiques, New Stores