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New York, NY: (Executive Summary) In this
episode of Small Business School we go to the heart of the fashion industry and
behind the scenes of Nicole Miller, a fashion house on Seventh Avenue to meet
the founders, Nicole Miller and Bud Konheim.
OVERVIEW: In an industry where even top
designers have taken production overseas, Nicole Miller pieces all proudly wear
the label, "Made in New York."
It's a stroke of genius for these times, but the
reasons go far beyond patriotism. For Nicole Miller, it's all rooted in the
fabric of the American entrepreneurial dream: pride of idea, of process, and of
execution.
We Americans are driven by the pursuit of
happiness, and Nicole Miller makes sure the chase is fun. From her selection of
inspired seasonal colors to "ageless" designs, her creations epitomize our need
for personal expression and individuality. The Konheim/Miller creed is that her
clothing is designed to 'make somebody happy,' and her innovative creations
move us beyond wearing mere clothing to wearing fashion.
 Aesthetics matter, and what the wearer beholds as beauty, translates
into a feeling of happiness and a sense of real value for the price.
And as Nicole Miller's success attests, woven into
those feelings are the threads of satisfied customers and repeat
business.
Founded in 1982, Nicole Miller today is a thriving concern with 165 employees
working either at headquarters in New York City on 7th Avenue, in the warehouse
or in the retail stores. There are 30 Nicole Miller Boutiques around the
country, and the line is sold in exclusive retailers like Nieman Marcus, Saks
Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.
This is the heart of New York City and American
capitalism. Amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown Manhattan, creativity and
community are thriving in the offices of Nicole Miller. Around the design
table, ideas are exchanged and debated, fabrics selected, patterns modified,
and the season's lines born as part of a collaborative process.
It's the very fabric of global commerce being
created seamlessly from the designer, to the pattern maker, to the draper and
on to the seamstress who turns the fabric into much sought-after Nicole Miller
designs. And at the very core, the common thread throughout, is an unfailing
commitment to the partnership and relationships-with employees, suppliers,
resellers and, of course, customers.
Nicole Miller is a firm producing happiness where
people want to work creating beautiful fashion that people want to buy. Though
they have celebrity customers like Jennifer Aniston, Kim Cattrall, Hillary Duff
and Mena Suvari, they also have people like Hattie and women of every size and
personality.
Nicole, Bud, and their spirited team have their
hand on the pulse of women. While they earn a living helping women feel happy,
they work for no money on causes important to women.
Their work with the NFL and Betty Crocker (General Mills) is a rare challenge
for all of business to realize the power of social
capital. |
