Community Spotlight
Sheila, who’s an outdoors fanatic – just like me –, told me she was working on a custom paddleboard project for one of her clients and she remembered that my birthday was coming up (back in June). So, she decided to add one more to the production line…a special one just for me!Sheila hounded my team for logos, art work, and had this 10’6”, 25-pound beauty created!
Sheila attended my Big Table program in Tahoe, Nevada back in October 2014, which is when she gave me this amazing present.
And actually, there was a really funny/frustrating story when Sheila tried to ship this board to the United States from China (where the board manufacturing site was located).
“Globally moving 40′ shipping containers is something I can do with my eyes closed…shipping a single stand-up paddleboard was a nightmare!” Sheila said. “That SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard) traveled to Shanghai by truck, after being accepted by DHL. But it was promptly rejected by DHL due to its length. It went back to the central part of China, then back again to Shanghai, this time to the shipping port, traveling to New York via ocean freight. It went on a truck to Connecticut, and I drove about 200 miles to pick it up, including 6 legs on car ferries. It came back to Montauk, New York, so I could check it, then I drove to a domestic freight carrier by JFK airport to have it trucked to Loral at Live Out Loud Headquarters in Nevada. Needless to say it missed Loral’s birthday party in Tahoe – But it was there in time for Big Table Session 2.”
Crazy, right?! Sheila’s so awesome for seeing this paddleboard all the way through…I can’t wait until the summer here in Tahoe so I can take it out for a spin!
My team conducted a quick interview with Sheila to get to know more about her and her business, Shemaro Ltd. Check out highlights of our chat with her below!
Live Out Loud team: Tell us about your business…
Sheila: Shemaro Ltd. is a Hong Kong-based company, who makes a thought or an idea into reality. Have you ever thought to yourself, or heard someone say “someone should make a ____ that does____…” Personally, I am that kind of person who gets frustrated when a good idea stays in my head. I can make something tangible from a thought.
Shemaro takes the client’s concept, or creates one for the client based on their request and needs, sources the raw materials, prototypes, creates sales samples, contracts with a multitude of manufacturers, arranges for and provides the client’s industry-specific safety, regulatory and toxicology testing, oversees production and procurement and arranges local port pick up or global delivery through our logistics team partners.
Shemaro works in textile sourcing (including certified organic), cut & sew, metals, plastics (with an emphasis on recyclable and alternative bio-plastics), including injection molded plastics, wood, woven natural materials, etc. to name a few mediums in which we procure and manufacture final goods for consumers. We can create not only a custom product, but an added value (“end use”) packaging (a bag, box, container), to encourage a larger sale of a client’s product (see those Lancôme Gift-With-Purchase bags? That’s a good example, as is a Johnson & Johnson gift set propelling a sale of 5 items in a reusable bag or container, in lieu of purchasing only one SKU from the store shelf), as well as create visual displays for branding (in-store/trade show, etc.).
Our client roster includes: Bath & Body Works, Johnson & Johnson brands (baby, adult, wound care, oral care, KY), Marc Jacobs, Avon, Benetton, Barbie (Mattel Europe), Gerber/Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Swarovski, Aveeno brands (baby & adult), L’Oreal, Redken, Matrix, Sear, African Rainforest Conservancy
At one point while I was at Dior there was a need for an art director, I was able to pick up some of the tasks until this position was filled. That showed me a side of design I’d yet to discover. I knew early on that I wouldn’t be working for others for much longer, as I wanted to do my own thing. Naïveté was bliss and I launched one year sooner than anticipated. Lots of surprises were in store for me, including many hardships (i.e., lessons) at the onset. I learned as I went along (still do). LOTS OF LEARNING – haha!
Live Out Loud team: When did you finally launch Shemaro Ltd.?
Sheila: My U.S. company, Shemaro, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and that company acts solely as the licensed importer for my goods to come to the US. Shemaro Limited was incorporated in Hong Kong shortly thereafter. My very supportive Dad called me from the Delaware incorporation office and said, “I’m in line to incorporate you. You need to protect yourself. You also have 5 minutes to come up with a company name.”
The projects were small in the beginning, but I wanted to have the massive business I had created for my last job post (with a supplier company). It took a few months of hustling, and a lot of travel to Asia to start manufacturing relationships, but the clients eventually followed me, saying when I left the last company, so did the creativity.
You know how you frame your first earned dollar? I framed a copy of my first check. $150,000. It was for a deposit, but what a boost of confidence. I had no idea how I would finance the rest of the purchase order, but that didn’t faze me. I knew I’d figure it out.
Live Out Loud team: What aspirations & goals do you have for Shemaro Ltd.?
Sheila: Getting back to basics, simplifying, and doing what I do best – making stuff. When I am in creative mode, it’s fun – the money flows.
I want to work with clients who have a give back–factor in their own business practice. I am a very hands-on volunteer and board member with various groups and organizations. Putting others first comes naturally to me.
Live Out Loud team: How has Loral and the Live Out Loud community impacted your work?
Sheila: I have established relationships with some terrific individuals. They are not business relationships, but there might be room for that down the road. I am very much a people person, and a connector.
I usually do not do “group”-type conferences, so it was rare for me to sign on to Big Table. I’m a problem solver by nature, and know I have the tools to make things happen. Sometimes tools need to be recalibrated, which lead me to Big Table.
Obviously I got involved so I can fill in the gaps with my business, and learn more about how my gifts and capabilities can benefit others, as well further build my business.
I’m a creative type person, and an entrepreneur. I’m not a fan of the day-to-day running of a business, but it has to be done. LOL sessions have offered me some insight to practices I’ve had in place for many years.
There you go…isn’t Sheila awesome? Her business is booming & she’s got a ton of cajones for working in the international market – she spent more time in Asia than in the United States during a recent 10-year period – which is something more of you should be doing!
On the paddle board Sheila wrote me a personal note. “Drive it like you stole it, Loral!” …trust me, I will!”
Cheers & here’s to Sheila’s continued success!