Hey there,
Wanted to share with you some photos of the November Label Tulip kit.
I did a more detailed post over at the blog, if you'd like to check it out there.I'm really looking forward to having my kit arrive.
I already have two really cool projects planned. :)
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And now I am gong to say a few words about the current situation at Label Tulip.
I've been pretty quiet about it here up till now, but all of the other DT girls have shared things on their blogs or the boards, so I think it's my turn to share my thoughts on the matter.
In case you didn't know, I am a designer for a monthly kit club called Label Tulip. And despite the challenges and issues that have happened recently, I am still a Tulip Girl.
If you have visited the LT boards or blog in the last few weeks you may have read about some of the changes with the design team, and some of the recent customer service issues that have happened.
Honestly, it has been a really stressful, sad and difficult situation for me (and I'm sure, for everyone else involved).
Essentially due to illness, inexperience, and other issues, the new owner Jennifer got into a really bad situation with the kit shipping/billing process. It is a hard thing to start out as a new business owner, and in this case there was kind of a perfect storm of problems, which resulted in a whole lot of unhappy customers and design team members.
At this point, all of the design team, except for Amy and I, have resigned. Some for personal or timing reasons, and others because they believed that Label Tulip had become a place that they no longer wished to be associated with.
Having worked with these ladies for many months, I can say that I respect their decisions and wish them all the best with their future design opportunities. I am continually inspired by their work and admire their talent. I do absolutely understand why they decided to leave the team.
But it was not the right choice for me, at this time.
It was a very hard decision to make, but ultimately, I could not reason out how my leaving the team would at all contribute positively to the situation. I have decided to stay on so that I can try to do what I can, when I can, to help keep the lights on and help Jennifer and Amy and the rest of our wonderful customers get through this rocky patch.
For me, Label Tulip is not just about the kits, or getting something for free every month. It is about inspiring others... about being part of a community of people who enjoy the same things I do, who like to share ideas and make pretty things using cool products. And in the end, it is also about a woman trying to run a small business for the first time, to realize a dream by doing something she loves.
As a new small business owner myself, I can certainly sympathize with the problems that happen when you get into something that you weren't quite prepared to deal with.
And as a customer and someone who likes to buy scrappy items frequently, I understand that some people are very upset, and of course they have every right to feel the way that they do. I even understand if they feel that their trust has been violated and they are angry and no longer willing to spend their time or their money at Label Tulip.
However, I still believe in the business that Jennifer is building, and I have hope that she will be able to pull everything back together again and not only resolve the current problems, but move past them, and build LT back into a successful community and brand.
I'm proud to be a Tulip Girl, to have been a part of a business with a great history and a tradition of talented designers. I'm proud to be part of the community that has been built there, and I'm excited for the ideas and improvements that are being planned for the future.
And that's all I have to say about that, for now.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
And now I am gong to say a few words about the current situation at Label Tulip.
I've been pretty quiet about it here up till now, but all of the other DT girls have shared things on their blogs or the boards, so I think it's my turn to share my thoughts on the matter.
In case you didn't know, I am a designer for a monthly kit club called Label Tulip. And despite the challenges and issues that have happened recently, I am still a Tulip Girl.
If you have visited the LT boards or blog in the last few weeks you may have read about some of the changes with the design team, and some of the recent customer service issues that have happened.
Honestly, it has been a really stressful, sad and difficult situation for me (and I'm sure, for everyone else involved).
Essentially due to illness, inexperience, and other issues, the new owner Jennifer got into a really bad situation with the kit shipping/billing process. It is a hard thing to start out as a new business owner, and in this case there was kind of a perfect storm of problems, which resulted in a whole lot of unhappy customers and design team members.
At this point, all of the design team, except for Amy and I, have resigned. Some for personal or timing reasons, and others because they believed that Label Tulip had become a place that they no longer wished to be associated with.
Having worked with these ladies for many months, I can say that I respect their decisions and wish them all the best with their future design opportunities. I am continually inspired by their work and admire their talent. I do absolutely understand why they decided to leave the team.
But it was not the right choice for me, at this time.
It was a very hard decision to make, but ultimately, I could not reason out how my leaving the team would at all contribute positively to the situation. I have decided to stay on so that I can try to do what I can, when I can, to help keep the lights on and help Jennifer and Amy and the rest of our wonderful customers get through this rocky patch.
For me, Label Tulip is not just about the kits, or getting something for free every month. It is about inspiring others... about being part of a community of people who enjoy the same things I do, who like to share ideas and make pretty things using cool products. And in the end, it is also about a woman trying to run a small business for the first time, to realize a dream by doing something she loves.
As a new small business owner myself, I can certainly sympathize with the problems that happen when you get into something that you weren't quite prepared to deal with.
And as a customer and someone who likes to buy scrappy items frequently, I understand that some people are very upset, and of course they have every right to feel the way that they do. I even understand if they feel that their trust has been violated and they are angry and no longer willing to spend their time or their money at Label Tulip.
However, I still believe in the business that Jennifer is building, and I have hope that she will be able to pull everything back together again and not only resolve the current problems, but move past them, and build LT back into a successful community and brand.
I'm proud to be a Tulip Girl, to have been a part of a business with a great history and a tradition of talented designers. I'm proud to be part of the community that has been built there, and I'm excited for the ideas and improvements that are being planned for the future.
And that's all I have to say about that, for now.
Posts
11 comments:
Glad to see you stayed Christina
keep dishing out fabulous inspiration girl.. you have plenty to offer ..
I've actually never purchased from LP before, but I have been a huge fan of the kits and the design team's work since the very beginning. I was so disappointed when I saw what was going on, but I can definately see both sides.
I hope that everything can get worked out soon. I've been in a similar situation in the past and know how stressful it can be to be the one trying to keep everyone's spirits up.
Looking forward to seeing your work with November's kit!
(sorry for the deleted post just now...realized I misspelled something and I hate just leaving something I know is wrong...hehehe)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the situation. I know it must be very difficult for you. I'm a new customer there so I've been caught up in all of it. I desperately wanted the company to do well...loved the kits (or rather, the one I actually received)...but decided to cancel since I just can't take chances like that with my money. It's just too tight right now to stick with it...and I'm sure a lot of other girls feel the same way.
I do wish you and Jennifer and Amy and all of LT well...I do very much hope the company survives and thrives. {{hugs}}
Perfectly said.
well said.
I admire your integrity and reason to stay: "to contribute positively to the situation." Thank you.
Hi Christina,
You're very kind to stay on with Label Tulip and try to make a very messy situation better. Jen should thank her lucky stars you're still around :)
I hope things clear up and Jen can turn Label Tulip back around. I finally got my October kit (after many, many emails), but it's disturbing to see how many people still haven't received what they paid for, and it seems like there are at least a few people out there who are still not being told the truth about their orders.
You're very talented (seriously love your style) and I'm glad I found your blog! I'll keep following you regardless of what happens with LT.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Meg
I would so love to support someone taking a risk into a risky business. It is obviously a steep learning curve. It is unfortunate the previous owner was unable to orientate (that doesn't look right) Jen to the running of the business. While I am upset with the situation, I do wish her well and do applaud your decision. Women entrepeneurs need to stick together.
Christina I really respect your decision to stay and thought your post was very eloquent. I'm a fan and will continue to read your lovely blog!
Christina,
I'm sorry you're stuck in the middle of a bad situation. I'm sorry Jen has put you and Amy in this position.
At this point, there seem to be more than a few people who haven't received kits from September, October or both (and November should have shipped last week)...I'm just so frustrated and know you must be, too.
Anyway, I will continue to follow you, but I am done with Label Tulip. I hope you will do what is right for yourself and know that a true friend would never put you in the position of defending their inability (unwillingness?) to do their job.
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