Sheena said the pic of Al Pacino in Scarface represents “motivation and perseverance” . Go on with your bad self!

I cannot believe it has already been 4 months since I launched Shoebizness and Sheena was our very first weekly contributor. I gave her this topic because the Ffany tradeshow is right around the corner and I am so excited to catch up with her again since meeting her in the cafe line at WSA. Ffany is one of my favorite shows! I have a lot of friends in NYC…a lot of people here spend  time in the city so when I get there for the show, I find myself in a whirlwind of fun, friends and shoes! I usually sleep for two days when I get back, but it’s totally worth it!  This trip  will also be the first show I am attending since WSA, so I am also really looking forward to seeing how many people actually know about the site. So on with Sheena’s rant, oh and I should also quickly mention that Sheena is the #1 keyword search on Shoebizness!…..the disclaimer reads: “Sheena’s Weekly Rant is meant for entertainment purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of all Shoebizness contributors. Here on Shoebizness we like to highlight all different perspectives.” 

SHOES, JUNE AND NEW YORK                   

As trade show season readily approaches, I wonder what the upcoming FFaNY show will hold for Spring 2010. With the economic crisis temporarily subsided with Pig Flu, we can all let out a little sigh of relief and go back to selling some shoes. Wait, I mean if we don’t get the actual pig flu and puke our freaking guts out. So, if we bypass both the economy and pig flu, we can definitely start selling some shoes.

FFaNY is on deck and, to be honest, I have a s#*@ load of appointments. There still are plenty of retailers fairing well through the storm. Again, I will state the obvious, call, annoy and get those dollars out of your buyers! Which brings me to shoes, Spring 2010, very scary and uncharted territory. I know we are all praying that the Fall season performs so we can continue on with our lives and regain much need clout and/or confidence. With buyers being scared shitless, your product could be gold plated and retail for 49.99 and they still wouldn’t commit. 

With all that in mind, the rest of my rant will be easy peasy. FFaNY really is just a glorified sales meeting (as the Captain of Matisse likes to say). Use it as such! Pump up your sale team, kiss your buyers ass and drink plenty of red wine and/or vodka. I am trying to start the pro-attitude at a trade show movement. And what better place to start than the smaller semi-regional show! Start your show season off right and inject some positivity into your professional bubble. It could be completely infectious and amazing! Being the realist that I am I know many will not take my suggestions and make them their own. Some people are burned out old dogs that happen to hate everything. To those individuals bringing the rest of the shoe industry down, I warn you … If you see me in the halls, hotels or otherwise, be prepared for a butt slap and a high five. As that is the only true motivational tool I posses. Hand to ass contact.

My trainer gave me some parting words today after my workout that I will share. “97% of the population does not achieve their goals and live a weak and complacent life. 3% of the population lists and achieves their goals and will admit to no regrets.” Now which one do you want to be, the majority or the minority? Simple yet complex question. I have a feeling no one will admit to being in the 97 percentile. But if you do not do your absolute best and you are not achieving your personal and professional goals, then what the Hell are you living for?

If you see me at FFaNY, be sure to give me a high five. In case you don’t know, I’m the annoying chick in the Matisse booth.

-Sheena

www.matissefootwear.com