430 - The Collection with Huck Gee - Part 8: Rotofugi

After sending out a heartfelt letter to their dedicated fans and collectors, Kirby Kerr of famed Chicago toy store and gallery, Rotofugi, becomes the next addition to The Collection with Huck Gee. Mark Brickey and Huck Gee start out this months installment discussing the responsibility and pride associated with being an independent business owner and if its better to keep up a appearances or be transparent with your customers about any issues happening behind the scenes. Kirby brings a unique perspective of the toy store's place in the market of the toy world and how to adapt to a changing marketplace where consumers can buy directly from artists. How important are these centers of culture in bringing in new people to the community, exposing collector's to up and coming artists, and involving the community at large to the creative world they exist in? One thing is for sure, the old model isn't working, and while Kirby has a growing sense of optimism for Rotofugi, what is in store for this cultural landmark located in the heart of America? No matter what market you appeal to, these problems of adaptation and distribution of resources is what every entrepreneur will face art some point in their career and this interview will shed light on dealing with that.

Talking Points

Asking for help or letting down your audience.
The difference between an honest life or living a lie.
The three reasons The Blank Show was the best gallery exhibit Mark has seen in a long time.
Huck's takeaway from The Blank Show and all the inspiration from his peers.
A new Vannen x Huck Gee watch is announced.
Turning a part of your process into a product.
Using social media to show as much as you feel comfortable showing.
Fire up your troops to keep a good thing going.
The slow ride in a shrinking market.
Is uncertainty tightening up America's pocketbook?
Designer toys = comfort
Finding your place in an ever changing market.
Finding the right retail space and accounting for all your bills.
Did the open letter appeal to Rotofugi's audience work?
Expanding your footprint in the community by inviting them in.
Rebuilding the community of collectors.
Should a retail space get involved with manufacturing?
Rediscovering the flow of distribution that keeps the triangle synergistic.
Is there space for a retailer on the road.
Keeping the doors you have open and finding new ones.
Passive communication with your audience as a retailer instead of an artist.
Is credit a smart play if its the only play to make?
How far is too far for your commute to be in the right place?
Finding the excitement in your industry!
Decomposing organic designer toys and creating a consumable product customers need to buy again and again.
The latest era of young designers who don't have a pre-built audience.
Involving new markets that have similar interests.
Building a strong foundation and the benefit of a strong local market.