Launching a Brand & Product from Concept to Market

I led the full brand development, product launch, and go-to-market strategy for Smiles & Friends, a premium stuffed animal brand created in collaboration with a fine artist. This project involved everything from manufacturing to luxury retail placement, culminating in securing representation with a leading licensing agency. Key Highlights: ✅ Product Development & Manufacturing: Coordinated with global manufacturers to bring the stuffed animal from concept to high-quality production. ✅ Brand & Marketing Strategy: Developed the visual identity, positioning, and marketing strategy to resonate with both art collectors and mainstream audiences. ✅ Retail & Event Planning: Launched with a luxury pop-up at Westfield Century City Mall, creating a high-touch brand experience for customers. ✅ Operations & Growth Management: Ran the day-to-day business operations of Smiles & Friends—including sales, fulfillment, marketing, and team coordination—until it was handed off to the licensing agency in preparation for the Licensing Expo. ✅ Sales & Licensing Strategy: Built out a scalable sales model, leading to representation with a top licensing agency for future multi-million dollar brand expansion. This project combined product development, operations, high-end retail strategy, and business scaling, showcasing how I help creatives and entrepreneurs turn big ideas into sustainable, profitable businesses.