Mission Control
Meeting Notes
Mar 10, 03:52 PM
Back to meetingsHurley Showroom Utilization: Showroom will display product lines, emphasizing sustainability to align with client interests.
Communication Strategies: Use WhatsApp for client engagement due to limited email use; forward prior emails to maintain visibility.
Sample Production Delays: Communicate risks due to Chinese New Year and logistics issues affecting delivery timelines, like swatches stuck in Paris.
Pricing Alerts: Notify clients about potential polyester price increases within 10 days due to Middle East oil market fluctuations.
Client Meeting Opportunity: Host senior buyers to strengthen relationships and showcase offerings, emphasizing volume buy importance and sample issues.
Production Sourcing Strategy: Prioritize Bangladesh for initial runs with flexible MOQs, keeping India as an option for future expansion.
Mar 10, 03:52 PM
Tue, Mar 10, 2026, 9:52 AM18m
Participants (1)
arnavi@victorytime.onmicrosoft.com
🎯 Action Items (7)
1
Prepare the sustainable fabrics display section and Priyanka’s fabric boards for the upcoming client visit at the Hurley showroom@Arnavi
2
Download the buyer’s phone number into WhatsApp and confirm its accuracy with Laura; send follow-up email requesting Laura to check buyer’s contact details and prompt response@Arnavi
3
Draft and send a formal email regarding the polyester fabric price freeze deadline and potential price increase to Laura, Bethany, Kelly, and Cal@Arnavi
4
Coordinate lunch and dinner arrangements for visiting head office representatives on Friday at 12:30 PM@Arnavi
5
Draft a politically appropriate email to River’s contact indicating willingness to start with Bangladesh sourcing with flexibility on minimum order quantities while emphasizing pricing considerations; mention India as a future option@Arnavi
6
Prepare for and join a Teams call at 10:00 AM the next day with cost analysts (Madhukar, Ranjan, Mother Kirby) and Steph to review cross costume sample costing and strategize feedback delivery@Arnavi
7
Confirm with Gemma whether samples will be delivered directly to her or through Arnavi and follow up accordingly@Arnavi
📋 Summary
📝 Full Transcript
All of our departments. For the Hurley stuff. Yeah, sorry. For the Hurley stuff, we will take them to the Hurley showroom. Yeah. Because you get Hurley venues instead. Bakers, Scotch, all of that there. So it's better to just take them to that showroom. It's one street away. It's really not two minute walk. Okay. Up. So we're gonna take them to that showroom to show them that in this showroom we're going to show them the design. We're going to have a separate section of what they have picked up from us, what we are doing for them. And then some kids stuff and the India, some India product and our stuff. So the billabong, the wash products, the Levi's denim products, the workwear for Smith's, all of that stuff will, will have. Okay. I think it would be good as well if you can show Priyanka's board, you know, how she's done like the, all those fabric boards and the sustainable piece. Because I think sustainability, just as I know you know all this. So forgive me, I'm not gonna, I mean, I'm just saying it is the sustainability for them as a business because it is the head offs that are coming is going to be a big conversation. So if you can have all that ready as a section, I think that's going to be really good for them to see that you're already all over it. You know what they need, you've got that vision, you've got the fabrics, you know, you know what's needed. I think that will be a big selling point for them as well, for sure. So I'm just going to make a note of that because I know that you will have that within the garments and I know that you have that kind of on your swing. It's in your cards with the product. But I think having having a separate section to almost promote a conversation is really important for you to say, you know, you, you know that they have got a big focus on improving the sustainability. Obviously we know prices is kind of, you know, still a sticking point on some lines, but it's a big focus for you guys as well. You know, just do that hard sell to them, I think would be a good thing. Okay, so we have quite a bit of product on that also. So. Yeah, that's good. Yeah. It's always best that you, you, you tell them before they ask. Because then you go, oh, here, here it is. We've already prepared this. You know what I mean? Yeah, you've got a little, you've got a little Talking point then. But, yeah, I think it's a really positive thing and it's just an opportunity to share. And then what I was thinking on if he was, you know, because I had the same situation this weekend when I was trying to contact someone for. For the first time, you know, the buyer's mobile, it wouldn't go. He wasn't on WhatsApp. Yes. So if you download his phone number into your phone. Yes. Contacts first. And then go on to WhatsApp, he should appear. Okay. That is what I did. So I think it was just like a wrong number miscommunication. But I'm going to send him another email. I had sent him that original email, which he didn't reply to. Yeah. Like, hi. Yeah, I think also maybe if you forward that email to Laura. Yeah. The one that you sent a couple of weeks ago and just say, hey, Laura, I've been struggling to get through to him. I don't know whether. I know he doesn't use email. He told us that on his. He told us that when he came in to see us, didn't he? That's a good idea. Yeah. Again, and just say, I've, I've sent an email. I know he doesn't use email, but can you just get confirmation on his mobile number for me? These are the digits he's giving me. It's not going through. And get her to, to give him a nudge because obviously they'll sit really close to each other and that might be the easiest thing. At least he knows then that you're keen to contact him. Sure, I'll do that. Yeah. Because we want to keep that momentum going before he forgets who we are. Yeah. I mean, I don't think that at this point we will be able to do anything for them this season because I don't know if you've been seeing Bethany's emails, but even the sample dates that she's giving me are kind of crazy. Like we'll be able to. I'm going to reply to her email today and basically say that anything that comes after this week is not going to be possible to get her. Get to her by April 20, especially not in her colors, you know, Again, that's a good. Can you write these down as points to speak with the head offs? Because that is an important discussion point. Yeah, I think that's a really important thing that we need to discuss with them, with, with the senior management and just say, you know, we've got great product that, you know, the buying teams are loving what we're showing them. You know, we're getting there on price. We seem to have a great relationship, but in terms of samples, what. You know, we need you to support us because we don't want to miss the opportunity. Yeah, that's the thing. And even with the costs, I mean, you had the notes for the targets, right? So all of the costs that we're giving them, we're meeting all of their targets. No, exactly. Exactly, exactly. And I think that's the point. It's kind of saying, you know, you love our product, you love our fabrics. We seem to be building a great relationship here. We're on the same page. We're being given big volumes to cross costs, and we're managing to get there in terms of cost, but in terms of samples, because of X, Y, and Z timing, with Chinese New Year, with the factory closing for Eat, you know, all these different points. Yeah. That we're not able to get some of these samples. We don't want that to hamper us getting the. The orders. Is there something we can do? Yeah. I mean, also, so you know how Bethany has replied, being like, oh, can you tell me your sampling timeline or whatever? I was thinking of replying to her and giving her our actual sampling timeline again. But, yeah, listen, because we've already put these into work. Into work, because. Yeah. You know, we got them in. In February. Right. Yeah. We'll be able to meet her date this time. And mind you, I'm gonna have the samples made in China. Like, that's how I'm gonna make it work. I'm not gonna have them made here. And the local fabric ones, we're lucky because we put them into work as soon as we came back. So in that sense, like, the gray. There's some of those samples are getting ready this week. Yeah. So that's. We are very uniquely placed there. But for example, for Sam, she sent us two swatches after we left. Yeah, right. Those swatches haven't arrived yet. They've been stuck in Paris for, like, four days, one week because of the war. Like, couriers are coming. Of course. But I think we just have to explain all of that constantly. Even if you feel like you've said it to them before. I think we just have to reiterate all of the information. Okay. And. And just. And just say it exactly how it is. Okay. You know, we're wanting to do it for you. We're wanting to turn this around. This is what's happening. We've got samples stuck. We've got, you know, swatches Turning up late. We're doing our best. We do not want to miss out on this opportunity. Yeah. Our hands are tied until we get, you know, until we get the samples in our hand. I think we just have to reiterate it. She seemed pretty like, she seemed pretty understanding. She was like, yeah, all of our. Yeah, the same issue. And I mean, of course not a uniquely boundless issue. Currently it is a global. No, exactly 100. It's going to be the same everywhere, isn't it? I mean, I imagine all the supplies in Turkey are going to be having a nightmare as well at the moment and further afield. So it's, you know, it's the same worldwide, isn't it? But I think we just keep reiterating that. But I do think it's, I think in terms of the meeting, you know, we want with the head office that are coming, you want to make sure you've got some of these key points to speak to them about. Other thing, the other thing I just wanted to run by you is because of the oil situation in the Middle east, the price of petroleum is obviously going up. So the prices that we are quoting today is based off of the polyester fabric prices of. Yeah, but those like if they don't freeze on the price, let's say in the next 10 days. Yeah, those prices are going to go up. Yeah, no, totally great. I think you should send a separate email on that today or someone send it today. I think that's really, really, really important. A separate email. Send it to Laura. Send it to Laura. Obviously add Bethany on. I would add the head dog on as well. What's her name? Kelly. Yes, I would add Kelly and maybe even. What's his name? I'm having a, a brain blank. Cal. Okay, add him on because I think it is a top level email in terms of what's happening and just say, you know, obviously in terms of what's happening worldwide at the moment. This is a situation. We can hold the prices that we've given you until this time, but prices are obviously moving rapidly and I will, I think that's a big message to the head office and kind of the senior, the senior team, not, not the little team, not the baas and the abs. But you know. Okay, yeah, yeah, of course, Yeah, I think that's a good one. And again, obviously you can talk to them when you, when you see them and they're gonna, they're going to want to talk about that as well. Anyway, you know, you're not going to be the only person Talking about it, but I think. Exactly, exactly. But I think it's. I think it's better if we lead the conversation rather than expect them to come to us, you know, and also it might hurry them up to make some decisions as well. You know, it's. Hopefully it's got. It's got two opportunities with it, you know, telling them that prices will get. Go up, even China. All their other vendors will be telling them the same thing because China. And if there's like 40, 50% of the sourcing is out of China, I'm sure they're getting it every day. Exactly, exactly. It's not going to be a surprise, but I think it's good just to have it writing and say prices will. Prices will be held until this date and then after that that, you know. You know, you're gonna have to review them. I think it's fair enough. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So they're coming over at around 12:30 on Friday. We will feed them lunch. Amazing. Amazing. Yeah, I know. We'll feed them lunch and then I was going to offer to take them to dinner as well. Lovely. Yeah, perfect. And then it's up to them whether they wish to come or we can take them to the club. I'm sure they will. I'm sure they will. Yeah, I'm sure they will. I'm sure they will. Like, not a super fancy place, but like somewhere they. They can have a beer, they can have a wine. Nice music. Yeah, lovely. Lovely, lovely, lovely. I'll be. So who's. Who's. Is it two of them coming? We don't know. We don't know because you remember the conversation we had that when Kelly popped in that. Yeah, we're going to decide some of us are splitting to China, some of us will split to Bangladesh and stuff like that. So. So let's see who ends up coming finally. Who turns on. Yeah, no, it's really good. It's really. It's really good. I think it's a great opportunity and then just get everything out on the table and, and anything else that's kind of. We're feeling concerned about. I think most of the things we discussed in the meeting, didn't we. And I feel like we kind of came away kind of a little bit happier that they were understanding where we were at, but good just to speak to the head off as well. Just like, you know, talk to them about the volume side of things and that we need the volume buys to help us to secure and support them on the smaller buys. I think that's you know, probably one of the biggest conversations isn't is Millie Ryan, who's the buying manager for TEC Woven and fss. I don't know what that means. Okay. Avril are their buying director. Right. Amazing. Wow, that's big. That's big. That's big. Perfect. So Kelly is not going to be coming. The. Kelly's not coming. But. But it doesn't. It doesn't. But. But. But to be. To be fair, if Kelly doesn't come, it doesn't matter because we're already secure with jersey. Yeah. So she. Kelly's buying manager for knitted hard goods and accessories. So the buying manager and wovens, did you say? Yeah, no, knitted hardwoods and accessories is Kelly. And the lady who is coming with Avril, her name is Millie. She's buying manager for tec, which is what? Technical. Technical. And then the dual of tech product. Yeah. Wovens and. What is fss? What is fss? I don't know, actually. I don't know, actually. Yeah, no, but wovens is great because obviously we want to. We want to get in with them. Yeah. So that's really good. So basically we're getting eyes on some other people that haven't already seen us. So for me, that's a huge advantage because Kelly already knows what we're about. Yeah. So I think that's really good. Okay. Yeah. And the fact the director's going as well. Really. So in terms of. So that's great. In terms of Mountain Warehouse, and then in terms of river and Gemma, obviously. River. I want to go back to them. Are we just sticking with Bangladesh? With River? We. We say we have India, but I think initially we should start with Bangladesh. That's what I feel. Yeah. Because. So my only thing is if we start with Bangladesh. Ye. I. I think it's the right thing to start Bangladesh, but I just want to go back and I don't want to lose her because of minimums of what we're going to say. So the minimums is, you know what, as long you have to word it politically correct in those terms. Yeah. Because you don't measure off that. We can't. I know. That's why I thought I'd speak. That's why I thought I'd speak to you first rather than. So basically you can. You can write to her. We can. Normally the minimums are 3,000 yards to a color. To a fabric quality, not color. Sorry, let me correct myself. And it's about. It's about 1500 yards to a color. Right. So that makes about, so 3,000 yards per fabric. Between 3 to 5,000 yards is normally the moqs for any fabric mill to give you a decent price. Right. More than a decent price. A price where you're. You're competitive with the rest of the, you know, guys. Okay. So that comes out to around 1500 garments per. But I don't think we should quantify that right now. I think, like I said, so I think we should say that, you know, we normally, we. You know, we are willing to start small. And, yes, we can accommodate smaller units. Yeah. Having said that, price would play key driver. Price would be key driver of the kind of product that we would want to. That you would want to look to source from us at. Yeah. And yeah, if you worded something like that without being, you know, without being held to, your not being too specific. Yeah, no, no, exactly. That's why I thought. Speak to you because you're wise. I'm old. Oh, no, you're not. I thought. Yeah. That's why I just wanted to check in before I replied to her, just to make sure I got the kind of neoprene fabrics. If she. If you can ask her for, like, a weight range. Right, right. Yeah. Because these are all scubas. Yeah. And then tell her we can send her a fabric collection. Yeah, yeah. Cool. But don't push India. But I think you should. You should mention India, Steph, so that you have a chance to go back in the future again. Otherwise you'll have to research it all over again. No, no, no, no. Sure, sure, sure. But we. We'll focus and do first rounds or conversions or costings first out of Bangladesh and then move to India. Never. First India and then Bangladesh. We don't do that. Yeah, yeah, no, I think that's the smart idea for sure. Okay. And then in terms of Gemma's cross costumes, how have we got on with those? Or how are we getting samples are getting ready this week. Yeah, 15 this weekend. Everything we have copied everything she gave us. Casting is also relatively like we've done the first round of costing. If you want, we can set up. Actually, I think it would be best. Let's set up a teams call tomorrow morning. Yeah, sure. Yeah. We can have Mother Kirby on the call as well. Yeah. He's traveling tonight. Really free tomorrow in the day. Oh, yeah. He's got that in the evening. Huh. So better do that with him because he's done the costings. Yeah. You can just go through the cost with Babu, Madhukar, Ranjan and Steph. And Steph. Can tell us, like, whether she thinks it's high or not. Yeah, you can do that? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Better. Yeah. Sure, sure, sure. And. And then obviously, she said she was. She said send them and she'll come back and tell us honestly what she thinks. She's not, you know, what she's like. She's not going to mince her words, is she? You know, send the samples to you and you meet her or send them to her directly. Let me double check. Yeah. Cuz personally, let me double check an in person. Yeah, You. You with her. Give it to her would be easy, and she likes you, so, you know, Cool, cool, cool. Yeah. Ni did say kind of work direct like that. Okay, cool. All right, well, let's. Let's chat tomorrow, then. What time do you want to do that? What time works for you? 9, 30? 10? Yeah, let's do 10 o'. Clock. 10 o'. Clock. Yeah. This time. This time. Yeah. I'm gonna check with mother. Yeah, double check for sure. Yeah. Okay. All right, perfect. Sounds like a plan. All right. Okay. All right, Lovelace, thank you so much. All right, thanks. You take care. All right, chat tomorrow. Thank you. Bye. Bye. Bye, bye. It.