Fall 2024 - 12

Freshwater
Curated Goods
Zootility Co.
Freshwater
Curated Goods
CUSTOMIZED OPTIONS ABOUND AT
ATLANTA MARKET
Find unique name drop items for your store
Dani Harmadi and Brianne Martin are sisters, best friends and
co-owners of Freshwater Curated Goods in Augusta, Georgia, a
business they started together in 2016. In 2020 they launched their
wholesale program, reaching a whole new audience within the
sprawling campus of Atlanta Market.
Freshwater Curated Goods is a small-batch manufacturer of
handcrafted leather goods and acrylic accessories, specializing in
custom-branded products. Their thoughtful custom designs appeal
to locals and travelers alike in gift shops across the U.S. and provide
corporate clients and small businesses with standout branded
merchandise.
" The great benefit of customizing our goods is having a unique
product that no one else will have, " Harmadi said. " You get to take a
great handcrafted product and make it your own, fitting it into your
brand's aesthetic. Your current customers already love your brand
and what it stands for, so adding goods that keep a cohesive vibe
going is an asset. This will drive sales to your store and keep your
customers looking to you for unique gift options they won't be able to
find elsewhere. "
Harmadi and Martin attend Atlanta Market to take advantage of the
physical representation of each brand. Being able to see, feel and smell
products in person can be a game changer. Plus, meeting new people
and connecting with customers creates a strong, lasting relationship.
" We find that when meeting our customers in person, we create
stronger and longer-lasting relationships and we create some really
awesome products together because they see the scope of what they
can create with us, " Harmadi said. " We're able to talk through our process
and they have a stronger sense of who we are and what we offer. "
Their favorite part about Atlanta Market? The inspiration they feel
year after year.
" We look forward to attending Atlanta Market because it never
ceases to fuel us, propel us and challenge us to keep improving and
expanding. We always have a huge surge of creativity while at market
just by talking with other vendors and getting feedback from buyers. It's
the instant gratification of figuring out what you're doing right and how
we can improve for our customers next time, " Harmadi said.
Nate Barr, owner and designer of Zootility Co. in Portland, Maine,
also showcases his wares at Atlanta Market. Over the past 12 years,
Zootility's collections have expanded to include multi-tools, buildable
toys, wood stickers, wallets and custom merchandise - all made with
precision laser cutters in their workshop.
Zootility's top-selling products consist of TekPets - buildable
wooden models - colorable die-cut stickers and minimalist, leather
RFID-blocking wallets. With Zootility's just-in-time manufacturing
process, all products can be customized with name drops or designs
tailored to specific stores or regions.
" Custom merchandise is an excellent way to drive impulse purchases
and boost sales in retail stores, " Barr said. " Customers are drawn to
unique items that they can't find elsewhere, which not only encourages
purchases but also leads to word-of-mouth referrals when friends inquire
about where they got the item - offering a double benefit for stores. "
Barr also notes that adding customized merchandise supports
made-in-the-USA products and " enables unique customizations that
are best achieved by working directly with makers at trade shows like
Atlanta Market. "
Barr loves attending Atlanta Market because of its location, which
makes travel and convenience easy.
" My favorite aspect of Atlanta Market is the location. Whether you
prefer staying downtown and walking to the market or choosing a
cost-effective home rental east of downtown with access to the Atlanta
Beltline's vibrant restaurant scene, the convenience is unmatched, "
Barr said. " Additionally, travel to the market is easy - MARTA offers
direct access from the airport to the market building and ride-sharing
services are more affordable here than in other regions. "
As a leading event in the home and gift industry, Atlanta Market stands
out for its extensive selection and vendor variety, as highlighted by Barr.
" Atlanta Market offers the largest selection of products among
major home & gift shows. Although the space is vast, once you focus on
specific categories, the sections in the temporary exhibits become more
manageable. In particular, Building 2 can be navigated efficiently with
pre-booked appointments in key showrooms. For us, Atlanta Market is
the largest show by total order value, number of orders and buyer
diversity - its scale drives an unmatched variety of vendors, " Barr said.
Whether you're looking to discover the latest trends, build valuable
connections, or source unique products like these to set your business
apart, you simply can't afford to miss Atlanta Market.
ADVERTISEMENT | © 2024 ANDMORE
JANUARY 14 - 20, 2025
Learn more and register at AtlantaMarket.com.
http://www.AtlantaMarket.com
Fall 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Fall 2024
