A Year After "The Profit"
On December 11, 2018, our "queorky" little company was featured on CNBC's "The Profit" and up until that moment we did not know what to expect as a result. It was also our first time to see how they captured several months of filming and turned it into a 45 minute reality show packed with the essentials:
- Characters - All of the team at QUEORK
- Setting - The Great City of New Orleans, LA
- Plot - How to grow our company without going bankrupt
- Conflict - Brick and mortar stores are expensive and hard to manage. We needed to put money into manufacturing so we could bring our costs down enough to open a new channel and sell our products to other retailers for resale in their stores. This would also increase the amount of potential manufacturing in New Orleans and thus, allow us to offer more opportunity to underserved youth in New Orleans looking for skilled trade training and long term employment.
- Resolution - A $120,000 investment in a new facility, new equipment, and better technology that would ultimately allow us to become efficient enough in our manufacturing to offer our products to retail partners for resale in stores across the country and beyond.
From the show we gained a ton of awareness, 2 tons of new customers, and 3 tons of humility! In the last year we have tightened our efficiency to an art form and even dabbled in strategy and planning! And now, we are so proud to announce our debut at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market on January 14th, 2020 where we will be represented by Fieldstone Marketing and offering our products for the first time on a mass scale to retailers across the country.
Sometimes I wonder where the popularity of reality tv comes from, after all, I was a huge fan of The Profit even before the thought of being on the show was a reality and I felt a bond every time I watched an episode. But as I type this, literally 4 minutes away from the time the show aired last year, I think of what makes us different now than we were that night a year ago...
And it's this:
Now we are not alone, we have you on this journey with us. We shared our story and you became a part of it, and for that, we are forever grateful!
Happy anniversary friends, and here's to a wonderful 2020! Thank you Marcus!
20 Responses
Luis Manuel Cárdenas Martínez
Congratulations…and it was an excelent show…yes, thank you Marcus but…tank you too
…hope see you soon at the store
Michele Ayala
Loved you before the show, and still do!
Joel Watson
I stumbled onto your store while visiting the Quarter in November. I had to walk around and consider did I need a pair of $200 shoes. When I considered that they were so different than anything else I own and very stylish I was sold. Great product,biz vibe,and eco friendly. Help support Portuguese And American independent business growth.
Heather Steiger
I love your products! I first learned about them while watching The Profit (a binge worthy obsession I have as a fellow business owner/entrepreneur). Since then I’ve been rooting for you and shopping with you. I’m coming to New Orleans for the first in February and hope to stop in your shop. I’ve had a number of friends ask me where I got my jewelry…it makes me happy to share about your sustainable, on trend products knowing I’m also supporting small business growth in America!!
Heather Steiger
I love your products! I first learned about them while watching The Profit (a binge worthy obsession I have as a fellow business owner/entrepreneur). Since then I’ve been rooting for you and shopping with you. I’m coming to New Orleans for the first in February and hope to stop in your shop. I’ve had a number of friends ask me where I got my jewelry…it makes me happy to share about your sustainable, on trend products knowing I’m also supporting small business growth in America!!
Linda
I love your products. I bought mine at the Grayton Beach store. I have the umbrella, large purse, hat, accessory items and my favorite… the four zipper wallet!
Blake Buxton
Me and my girlfriend love your products. We encountered your store several years ago in Grayton Beach, Florida off highway 30A. Last time we visited 30A we we’re sad to see that your store was no longer there. We are happy to hear that your company is still in business and still creating great products.
Patricia Brophy
When I went to Jazzfest in 2019, I was staying in the French Quarter & walking around. Had never heard of Queork, never seen your products, but had been looking for cork sandals for AGES and you just cant’ find them. WAS I IN LOVE!!!! I bought the natural short booties that I wear all the time in NYC. Compliments every time I wear them and I tell everyone where to buy them. Also the cork/palm tree print sneakers which rock. I still haven’t found the perfect sandals but I know where to keep looking.
Congratulations – it’s such a wonderful story and all because you were obsessed with the perfect dog collar. My type of ladies!
Carole Kelly-Higgins
Congratulations on your success! I found you when visiting NOLA and fell in love with your products so was very excited to see you on The Profit – one of my favorite shows. I"m so happy it’s worked out so well for you and I hope your success continues and you continue to offer cool products! I love my handbags that I’vee bought and my husband loves his billfolds and belt that I have bought him. I will continue to be a client – online and in your store when in NOLA.
Cindy
Absolutely the best DOG Color ever
Living by the water, Our dog is always getting wet – having a dog all my life this is the best material ever
Thanks
Cyndi Standefer
I saw a little ad/magazine story about your product before visiting NOLA several years ago and sought out your little store in the quarter. It was delightful and I brought my girlfriends the next day and we bought our first purses. Then we visited your store in Santa Fe and decided to carry your products in our pharmacy near Fort Worth, Texas. Congratulations to you girls, and Marcus. Well done and good luck in the future
Mary Mc
I watched the Profit this summer while on vacation and saw your products! It was a great story! They are unique and beautifully made and I am now a customer! Thank you!
Cindy
We went to Jazzfest this spring for the first time ever, and because of The Profit, I pulled my husband into your store where I bought a handbag (that I get many many compliments on). My husband then spotted you in the crowd at Jazzfest 2019, and I was too nervous/star-struck to walk up to you to introduce myself. So glad that we were exposed to you, your products, and your story because of the show. We are fans of Queork!!
Stasha Eichner
Congrats! I bought my purse the night of the profit and have carried it each day since. I LOVE IT! Had a small issue with it and the customer service was perfection, thank you! Keep up the good work.
J Howell
First encountered your store in Grayson Beach, FL. Loved the boat with the display of products! It was always my go-to-place when we visited Florida. Bought many gifts there and miss the visits to the local store. Happy to be able to find them in many other places however. Best of luck in the new endeavor. Your products are well made and last forever!
(Kenya
Love the story! I was following you before the show and i love your products. I’m in Atlanta so ill stop by please don’t lose the small biz feel when you blow up! 😍
John Alder
Love your products, first exposure to them was in your French Quarter store in New Orleans @5 years ago. Every email I get takes us back to that happy place, loved “The Profit” episode! Glad the business is now going strong! GEAUX TIGERS!!
Richard Burton
Great to hear the experience and results have been positive. Have always loved the creativity, style & quality of your products. Better capability to meet demand will certainly help with more purchases by me.
Jill Brady
Great read friend! Best of luck in 2020! I know I’ll keep buying!
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Tessa M.
December 29, 2019
Visited your store in NOLA June 2018. I already had a cork wallet and cork tote bag from another company and the woman working at the store was kind enough to clean the products I had. I bought a keychain that I use everyday and now the the zipper on my other wallet has completely given out, I am happy to purchase a new one from Queork today!