By Beth Greene
The US may have had a heat wave this week but that didn't stop me from venturing to Little Rock Arkansas to take part in Tobi Fairley's Mastermind Group. I was there to present my experience working on the brand side with designers who are interested in product licensing. While this seasoned traveler had never been to Arkansas and had only read about Tobi's business development groups, I knew that this 24 hour experience was going to be exciting and rewarding. Little Rock and Tobi's team did not let me down.
L-R, Clinton's Oval Office, sax collection, and cabinet room chair (notice the chair back is slightly higher than the others)
The evening began with a private tour of the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library and the Oscar De La Renta exhibition. Can you say fabulous and educational? I stood close to a full size replica of his Oval Office, sat in his cabinet chair, learned that he was inaugurated on my birthday January 20th, 1993 and saw his collection of saxophones.
And what can you say about Oscar? Ahhhhhh the gowns, the celebrations from all the First Ladies to Taylor Swift, he has dressed them all!
A selection of Oscar de la Renta gowns worn by famous individuals, from movie stars to singers to First Ladies
On to dinner with some wonderful and entertaining Kravet, Lee Jofa and Brunschwig &Fils customers with our local representation at a fabulous wine bar called So. Not "just so" but great! That dessert was just so decadent!
Clockwise from top right, me and Denise McGaha, Lee Jofa gift bags, me and Tobi Fairley, the presentation room
Tobi's Mastermind Group was a collaborative group of designers from all over the US, all there to learn, share and grow from her years of wisdom and business successes. We chatted, laughed and shared some business ideas and opportunities. My time there was short but I, too was able to develop my own strategies.
A great big thank you to my welcoming hosts and new inspiring design friends. BG
