Leap of Faith…

After nearly 2 years of writing, marketing and promoting a children’s book, I’ve started a new chapter in my business plan….reaching out to the retail world. Instead of relying on just my national distributor, who primarily sells my book the book trade. It has become clear that I need to do more to get Katie and my brand out there. The Katie and the Magic Umbrella brand is not just books anymore!

My passion for kids and educating them about weather continues with a growing line of toys, educational products and apparel I’ve created around the theme of my books.  There’s a new magic umbrella, a coloring and activity book, an educational DVD, and even cool new weather-themed graphic t-shirts for girls and boys all coming very soon.

Book #2 in the Katie series “Katie and the Magic Umbrella: On Snowflake Trail will be out  (Late Nov) with at least 2 more weather adventure books in the works. Snowflake Trail is being illustrated right now..it’s all about winter storms!

With a tough economy. bookstores aren’t stocking as many books, let alone toys and merchandise related to children’s books, unless you are Eric Carle or Disney. So it’s become clear that I need to find a way to reach kids outside the bookstore, so I’m reaching out to specialty stores as well as educational and gift retailers.

I just opened a small space in the Kids World Studio on the 8th floor of the World Trade Center-Dallas. This where buyers can come and see my wares! Here are a few the latest photos of my “little” showroom. Just did some painting last week and once all of my new products come in, I’ll be adding samples to the showroom for display.

In fact, I just filled my first order last week placed by a woman who owns a boutique children’s store in Prairieville, LA. Very exciting!

This is a huge step for me and yet another “Leap of Faith as I jump feet first into the world of merchandising!

So if you or someone you know is interested in retailing my products in their store, please have them contact me directly kristine@kcokids.com for more information, or they can simply stop by my showroom on the 8th floor in the Kids World Studio.