Name of your website?Newfound Icelandic Designs
Your name?
Deanna Hann
Your Location (city, etc)
191B Water Street upstairs suite across from the court house near cellar restaurant
Please give us a short summary of your website?
We sell hi-quality, hi-fashion clothing designed and field tested in Iceland since 1928. Our brand is 66 Degrees North known Worldwide. The clothing was developed for people who worked in the elements. It is worn by many Hollywood celebrities and people who want to dress practical but still look good..Our climate is similar to Iceland so it is perfect for our weather in Newfoundland.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
We now have free trade with Iceland. We are in an upstairs suite it is difficult for many people to find us. The product is amazing and we are getting great feedback from everyone. Your site is just one more way to spread the word about this beautiful product. We also sell Newfoundland artist Linda Coles work at our location. She has proudly displayed her at our location.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
I just launched it last week . It took 2 1/2 months to finally get it up and running.it is called Newfound Icelandic Designs.
How did you decide on a name for your website?
It was our ties to Iceland. it was the combination of the Newfoundland Art and the icelandic clothing line. I am a Newfoundlander who married a Icelander and I love both islands and cultures very much. i like the way the art business and the icelandic clothing merged into a business right here in newfoundland. newfoundlanders are usually the last to get a piece of the pie. We are the distributors for all of Canada. The independent did a graet article on the store (Jan 11th issue)and we will be featured in a magazine called Wish on where to shop in Canada in april. I think that is fabulous and will attract many tourist to our store. i am really proud to be doing this in our beautiful province. I love imprinting Newfoundland on the map.
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
I think it was covered in the question deciding on the name of the website.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
I am a school teacher who had the school year off to spend time with my son. This project really blossomed I super-imposed is picture in a icelandic scene on my front door 191B water street. It was suppose to be a part-time thing but I will need to hire someone to manage this. i am going back to my teaching career.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
I think it is quite successful but i am not operating at a profit in the first year but i am certainly off to a good start. We only officially opened our doors November 23, 2007 so it takes time. we will certainly be out of the red by next year this time.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I would promote it more via advertising. I would display an icelandic and newfoundland flag on water street next to my store. i would give more money to the less fortunate and cancer research. i am a cancer survivor (graduate) i believe in dreams and making things happen.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Yes, i would have to delegate and hire people to help me-which would create more jobs for newfoundlanders.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
I tried to have a business partner but she could not afford the time or money so backed out-so i am doing it on my own. it was more expensive than i anticipated for the start up cost. the winter was slow in march and part of february. Shovelling snow on water street was no picnic. Someone threw up all over my front door and all over the street i called the city and they did nothing until it was too late. I did it myself. i used javex, scrub brush and cleaned the street and my walkway after a huge rainstorm. That was more than a headache. I knew if the rain did not take it away I would have to do it myself.
What has been your biggest challenge?
I am upstairs so getting people to know where i am located was difficult-advertising is quite expensive. A sandwich board in front of my store really helps.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Newsletter to clients who shopped in my store.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
It hasn't. i really like it.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
It was launched last friday.
Replace this with a question of your own
Would youadd the brand from iceland to my categories searched? it is 66 Degrees North. I realized after answering your questions the brand name which is known in 14 countries should be in the search. please feel free to contact me at my email address bio2iceland@hotmail.com. thank you for taking the time to read this sincerely, Deanna Hann home# 709-738-1650 or work 709.237-4327 cell 709.749.0004 Again thanks Deanna
What is your website address?
Newfound Icelandic Designs
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