How does Heidi do it, week after week on Project Runway? “You’re out.” This week I Heart Art: Portland met to cull through the 85 plus applicants for our upcoming speed-networking event, the Mixer Match. Our goal, to trim the group down to 60 participants. Let’s just say, it wasn’t easy, even with a lottery system.
We gathered in the evening at The Press Club (go, and have the James Baldwin, a crepe confection of cinnamon, sugar and cream, mmmmmm.)
The goal of the Mixer Match is to expose Portland makers ready to take their product to the next level to a group of area retailers interested in supporting the local handmade marketplace. Through two-minute pitches to 20 retailers, we hope that makers get a solid experience in selling their wares, and retailers have an opportunity to give valuable feedback to them, helping them hone their skills. And hey, if a match is made, all the better!
So, how did the lottery work? Through a thoughtfully constructed and thoroughly debated three-step process.
First, we evaluated all entries based on completeness. For example, if there was no product description, the application was eliminated (how could we know what the product was without a product description, right?)
Second, because this event has the potential of generating wholesale orders from some of our finest local retailers, we wanted to make sure we delivered makers ready to take that step. If an application indicated that wholesale prices hadn’t been established and multiple orders couldn’t be taken, those applications were eliminated. This was a really tough decision, but we felt it critical to the success of the event.
And third, left with our pool of viable applicants, we grabbed an empty beer pitcher, our spreadsheet-assigned numbers, each written on a small sheet of paper and folded in half, and drew our applicants.
The hardest part? Some super-talented makers didn’t make it through the lottery. But we were resolute in staying true to our lottery system. We were all glad that it wasn’t juried, or you might still find us debating it out at The Press Club.
In the end, we are excited to say that the Mixer Match is shaping up to be a high-octane event that is sure to be full of laughs, mingling and matches! More details on the event, confirmed retailers and how you might still participate to follow.
If you applied to the Mixer Match and have not yet received email notification of your status, please contact us.
