Coffee & Concept: A Conversation with Laura Dotolo & Sarah Shaw

In the constantly changing realm of fashion accessories, two women are forging connections between creativity and realization.

On one side, there is Sarah Shaw. She is a veteran entrepreneur with extensive knowledge of what it takes to launch products, particularly accessories, into the market. Through her company, Sarah Shaw Consulting, she has collaborated with hundreds of brands to get them into stores, media, and into the hands of celebrities.

On the other end is Laura Dotolo, a stylist and designer who became an accessory product development expert and founded The Clutch Made Factory - a design house in NYC with an integrated factory that collaborates with entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized brands. Laura and her team turn ideas into reality through consulting, sourcing, and manufacturing, focusing on ethical and local production, from concept to final product. A complete solution for all your brand's accessory development needs.

Recently, two influential figures had a candid and straightforward conversation filled with industry insights, practical advice, and motivation for anyone looking to bring their accessory concept to life.

Consider it your front-row ticket to the fashion industry table!

“We all start somewhere,” Sarah says warmly. She recalls how a dinner with a costume designer led her to discover a little pink felt bag that would unknowingly launch her into entrepreneurship!

It wasn’t strategy. It wasn’t a formal plan. It was curiosity and eventually, demand!

What started as an idea and then a consultancy dedicated to helping others navigate the journey she once had to figure out on her own.

For Laura, the process is as emotional as it is practical. “At Clutch Made, we become part of your team,” she explains. “We sit with your idea. We refine it. And we build it with you!”

Their conversation blooms with a shared philosophy: creativity needs structure

Why This Matters

Whether you're a newcomer to creation or an experienced designer eager to launch your next major project, Sarah Shaw Consulting and The Clutch Made Factory offer more than just services! They comprehend the extensive journey from an initial sketch to a marketable product, having traveled that path numerous times.

Sarah teaches you how to build visibility and sales. Laura teaches you how to build the actual product. They create a full-circle ecosystem: from concept and creation to market and momentum.

As Laura beautifully puts it, “We're not just making a bag. We're building something real with you.”

And as Sarah reminds us, “Your product won’t succeed unless you treat it like a business. We’re here to work with you, to do that - with clarity, strategy, and a plan.”

Thinking of Starting a Brand?

Ask yourself:

• Do you know how to communicate your idea to a manufacturer?

• Do you have a plan to get your product into the market?

• Are you surrounding yourself with experts who can support... not overwhelm - you?

  
  

Bring the idea, and let them show you how far it can really go!

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