I didn’t blog about this before because I was still in the audition stages, but I am now able to talk about it.
I went for an audition for a new BBC1 show called “New Brands” after my application form was accepted. It’s sort of an after-Dragons-Den style programme where you get to pitch to a high street store and make your business big and successful. I felt I was in quite an exclusive club at this point and excited because I thought it was quite an exclusive thing to get through to the interview stage. Apparently not. After a long and expensive trip to Manchester and booking a day off work, it turns out there would have been 50 people auditioning on the same day, plus other auditions going on before and after mine on other days. Suddenly it felt less exclusive.
I was cheered up though that I thought I gave some great answers to the questions, and I had a better product than the examples I had sent over, the process lends itself to batch manufacturer and the programme was to be hosted by Jo Malone, who started off in the handmade market herself, so would be sympathetic to my craft. Today I got an e-mail that had clearly been torn apart by my spam filter as it had 10,000 garbled characters before the line, “You have been unsuccessful”.
At this point you’d think I would be overwhelmingly disappointed, but I think I had believed I would fail all along. The odds were stacked against me and I realised this before I did my piece to camera. Most other people were demonstrating a food product, or were design students and I somehow didn’t fit in with my lack of formal training and general household items. And getting a mass e-mail that was a second away from falling into my spam abyss and being missed made me realise that they don’t really care about the applicants at all, which made me glad not to be working with them. I was expecting a courtesy phone call, but it appears we are not even worthy of that!
Oh well, I got four orders overnight and they’re flowing in this season at a ridiculous rate that I wouldn’t have had time for TV anyway whilst I am building my empire! Thanks to everyone who has supported me this year in purchases, advice and everything else. I promise that next year PennyDog will be going off with a bang- it’s only 54 weeks to my 25th birthday and I plan to be completely self-employed by then, without any TV shortcuts- it will be all my own work and only then I will feel truly proud of what I have achieved! And yes, I do have a plan in place!
Oh and since I haven’t done a Make for a while, here’s week 47 (yes, with the Christmas rush I am falling behind a little!), my ode to Mighty Boosh- the Future Sailor necklace. OH says I should send one to Noel Fielding… If you want one there’s the 20% discount code on the previous post!
PennyDog Patchwork (and illustration, recipes, other crafts...) 
17 Comments
Ah, these reality shows rarely make stars out of people anyway. You have integrity, which shines through in your work. You will be very famous one day – please remember me in your little empire (grin).
I agree – these shows only ever rip business owners apart for the sake of entertainment – you’ll *definitely* make it without them!
You don’t need them! Congrats on all your success this year & here’s to your plan to be completely self-employed. 🙂 🙂
Well, at least it was an experience, and as the others have said, you will make it on your own.
I agree with your OH about Noel Fielding – someone I know sent a photo of herself to him (nekkid – she was in the Lush calendar) and when he was asked in an TV interview about gifts from fans, he went straight to the picture.
Good luck for 2010 – you work so hard, you deserve your success.
I really beleive that there is a plus side to everything, you just have to look for it! I love your attitude and think your right, if you’d have got through who knows, they may have made you compromise on so many levels, or change your product – you really don’t need them, look how far you’ve got already and your only 24!
you don’t need them!
you are a great business woman anyway and i’m sure once you have more time you’ll be a huge sucess :0)
You’re far too good for Tv dahling! *mwah*
I think you should send Noel Fielding one. I DOUBLE DARE YOU! 😉
They obviously don’t want people who are going to succeed anyway just people they can crush and you are to good for that!!
I wish you all the best next year and hope you make your goal (as I know you will) 🙂
You are too good for a reality TV show like that and it is true they would have tried to make you compromise on things and take the essence out of your work.
You will make it all on your own 🙂
Yep stuff em !!
You will do just great by yourself and good on you for taking it in the positive light!!
They don’t know what they missed. I think your designs are great. And I’m so excited because I know my order is on the way.
I’ll be back for more.
I went as well up to Manchester with my recycled denim stuff & got the same e mail! It was fun tho, I felt just a little bit important & special just for the day! I never thought I would get that far but dreaming I could get through did fill my mind for a few days.I dont regret going. Keep on going & plugging your fab products, we’ll get there one day!x
oh Kerry you are big and you be bigger and bigger – and you are working hard and your designs are fresh and smart and I am sure next year you get wherever you want!
Well done on even giving it a go though! I would be far too scared!
Stuff em!
Go it on your own and prosper 🙂
Clearly their loss not yours. I love the fact that pennydog is just YOU.
I agree with everyone else – you’re far better off without them. And if the other reality tv is anything to go by, you’re probably not missing much. Anyway, doing it on your own is going to be much more satisfying!