Lisa Adkinson, center with Future of Design judges from left; Ann Arnold, Andrea Hill, Cindy Edelstein, Hedda Schupak.
Lisa Robin Jewelry was named one of three finalists in the 2013 Future of Design Business Incubator Contest. The national contest is an initiative that promotes and nurtures emerging design talent in the fine jewelry industry.
The judging panel of fine jewelry industry experts and leaders included contest organizers Andrea Hill and Cincy Edelstein and this year’s guest judges Hedda Schupak, Editor of the Centurion Newsletter, Ann Arnold of Lieberfarb and Bruce Pucciarello of Novell Studio.
Unlike most competitions for designers, this one puts the business acumen of the designers on an equal footing with design talent. Applicants have to supply information about their business plans as well as submit examples of their design work. “The contest has the competitive entrepreneurial feel of TV’s “Shark Tank” coupled with the industry- nurturing of the fashion world’s CFDA/Vogue ,” says Edelstein. “We’ve mixed together our own recipe by bringing together colleagues from every facet of our business. Our judges bring expertise in entrepreneurship, manufacturing, marketing, salesmanship and technology. Our Dream Team offers hard- earned wisdom learned on the road to success. And our sponsors provide critically-important industry exposure and credibility. Altogether, this puts the equivalent of a lifetime of knowledge into the hands of a relative newcomer.”
Lisa Robin Jewelry was selected as a finalist after a rigorous entry and judging process. Entrants were required to complete a 70-question entry form that examines every aspect of their business. Six semi-finalists then were required to do a 30-minute Skype interview with the four judges in late February. From there, three finalists came to New York for a live “Shark Tank” -like presentation before the panel of judges and an audience of industry VIPs, press, and fellow designers. The event was held Tuesday during the MJSA Expo show at the Hilton New York.
Each designer was tasked with making a 10-minute final pitch to the judging panel that explained their work, inspiration, and plans for the future. Panelists and audience members, including competition “dream team” members Robert Lee Morris, Penny Preville and Lisa Jenks probed further into each designer’s vision with tough questions about manufacturing, retailers, marketing, and price points.
Co-creator Andrea Hill noted that all three finalists will receive business help in the coming months. “We have a deep commitment to the three finalists. We feel strongly that everyone who entered this contest should benefit somehow,” Hill said. “All designers receive a 5-7 page analysis and recommendations report regarding their application. We are trying to help a wide swatch of designers grow stronger businesses. ”
In addition to other prizes, the six semi-finalists win a mentoring meeting with one of the Future of Design’s Dream Team, six designers with a high profile in the industry. They are Gurhan, Erica Courtney, Todd Reed, Penny Preville, Lisa Jenks and Robert Lee Morris. The panel of judges has also offered mentoring to all three finanlists.
The Future of Design contest has, in its 2012 inaugural year boosted the careers of six American designers including the 2012 winner, Bree Richey.
ABOUT JEWELERS RESOURCE BUREAU
JRB is a niche marketing firm specializing in the designer sector of the jewelry industry. JRB produces globalDESIGN: showcase of exceptional jewelers; JewelryDesignerFinder.com, an online marketing intelligence resource; and various seminars, trade show pavilions and special events. The company’s mission is to “help designers grow and prosper” using whatever means possible in its arsenal of communication tools.
ABOUT STRATEGYWERX
Led by respected business leader and strategist Andrea Hill, StrategyWerx (a member of Hill Management Group, LLC) helps small business owners gain competitiveness. No business can afford to waste resources, but insufficient staff, lack of cash and poorly organized projects take a toll every day. StrategyWerx can analyze your business, uncover root problems and develop practical solutions, and then either implement them or transfer the knowledge so the company can do it on its own.