Risks and challenges

As a backer, you have invested in my dream - and fulfilling your pledge is therefore my first and utmost priority.

While this is my very first crowdfunding experience, I arrive at this project in my second year of running my stationery and lifestyle brand. In the past year, I have attracted and maintained wonderful relationships with over 140 retail partners, stocking my wares around Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Europe. Before launching this brand, I worked as a graphic designer in publishing, and before that, I spent four years as a freelance designer. I’ve lived and breathed the business of design and publishing for many years, and I arrive at this campaign with all of this experience to utilise.



Should unforeseen problems arise, you have my word that I will be entirely transparent and completely honest at every moment. I will work tirelessly to deliver what I have promised.



The potential risks and challenges, as I currently see them, are as follows:

1. The MANUFACTURING TIMELINE

The planner is a physical product and by its very nature, it is designed to be used from 1 January 2017. I will do everything I possibly can to have your planners arrive as soon as they can, even if that means packing and mailing every single planner, personally! I have met with different suppliers and manufacturers before deciding on the one that I trust and feels intuitively ‘right’ to work with. I do believe that this manufacturer will deliver on the date they have promised, but of course, unforeseen delays and setbacks are always a risk.

2. FEATURE ADJUSTMENTS

This is my first experience in designing my own printed planner, and in offshore manufacturing. In going against the grain from many conventional planners, I have

designed certain features that I haven’t seen in production before, so there is a chance that some features will require adjustments, from what is pictured and featured in the video (first handmade prototype). I will take advice from my manufacturing partner, who is very experienced in publishing, at every stage of production, to achieve the best possible outcome.

3. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING DELAYS

December is a peak time for post around the world, and it is impossible to guarantee delivery timelines. I would request that my international customers accept the risk that shipping times may be slower than anticipated. My international customers also need to assume the liability for any customs and import charges due upon delivery.

In any case, I plan to send the PDF digital download to ALL backers at the end of the campaign, so if delays on the tangible, complete planner do come about, the first weeks of the digital planner pages can be accessed, printed and used as a stop-gap measure (but I will do my utmost to avoid the need for this!)