J Summary

It is often said that success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan. Such is the case with how to buy boots online ugg, which have been a popular style of boots for over a decade now. Though there origins are in dispute, we do know that they were developed in either Australia or New Zealand. In fact, manufactures of UGG-style boots from both countries were embroiled in bitter disputes with an American company that owned the trademark to the name UGG. The locals claimed that “UGG” was a generic term and therefore was ineligible for trademark protection. Who was right? Let us take a moment to examine the puzzling history of UGGs.

What’s in a name?

If you want to trace the history of anything, it is often best to start with its etymology. What are the origins of the word UGG? While some surmise that it is simply a shorter, catchier way to say ugly, there is ample evidence that UGG boots were once called fug boots. Worn by aviators during the First World War, flyboys called them “flying UGG boots,” or “fugs,” for short. When the boys got their feet back on the ground and civilians started following the fashions of their heroes, the boot were known simply as UGGs.

A small company called Blue Mountains UGG Boots began manufacturing the new style in the early 1930s, and by the 1950s there were several makers of UGGs in both Australia and New Zealand. One reason local companies claim they should be able to use the word UGG to promote their brands is that the term appears to be a generic one. Closely related terms like ug, ugh, and UGG have all been used to describe sheepskin boots made in either Australia or New Zealand since the early 1970s, at the latest.

While the exact origins are in doubt, we do know the name of the man who was responsible for taking UGGs global. In 1979, Brian Smith established UGG Holdings, Inc. in the United States. The former Australian surfer had been using UGGs for years, as they were a popular form of footwear with surfers Down Under.

Soon after Smith sold his company to Deckers Outdoor Corporation in 1995, the boots became a fashion trend. They first appeared on the famous feet of fashionable-conscious celebrities like Kate Hudson and Pamela Anderson, which meant they were also appearing on the covers of countless magazines. Before long, it seemed like every teenage girl in America was wearing them. In the blink of an eye the trend spread to Europe and then around the world. Sales of UGGs went from a respectable $14.5 million in 1995 to an incredible $689 million dollars in 2008, making them more than just a fashion fad. They were a trend.

To answer our original question, Deckers Outdoor Corporation was the American manufacturer that held the trademark to the UGGs name. But in 2006, an Australian regulator agreed with the locals and removed UGG from the register of trademarks. This means that any company that wants to make UGGs-style boots can use the word in their name.

Styles

As we mentioned, the word UGG has always been used to describe boots that are made from sheepskin. Tanners turn the wool into leather and the upper part of most boots is constructed with fleece on the inside. The soles are often synthetic and the stitching is typically prominent on the outside of the boot. In fact, the conspicuous outside stitching is often the easiest way to spot a genuine pair of UGGs.

While it is true that most people purchase UGGs because they are fashionable and trendy, they quickly discover that they are also comfortable, well-made boots. Not only are they tough, but the natural animal skins and fibers help keep the feet toasty and dry.

Who Buys UGGs?

Because they are an establish fashion trend, people who care about fashion will always be their core customers, and that means girls and young women. But you don’t go from annual sales of a $14 million to $698 million in thirteen years without expanding your customer base. Most of the companies that manufacturer UGGs these days make models for girls, boys, men, and women. Some of the larger brands even offer boots or booties for infants and babies.

UGGs for Women and Girls

Since they are far more popular with the fairer sex, UGGs are available in a variety of styles and colors for female customers. In addition to the classic slip-on version, there are now lace-up boots and heights that go from above the ankles up to the knee. The two most popular styles are the Short boots and the Classic Tall. For women who refuse to wear natural animal products, most manufacturers offer a synthetic version of the boots at affordable prices. The following is an abbreviated list of popular colors for girl’s/women’s boots: chocolate, pink, sand, paisley, chestnut, terracotta, metallic gold, gray, magenta, and eggplant.

UGGs for Men and Kids

As you might expect, boots for men and kids are not available in nearly as many colors or styles as they are for the gals. Both can find UGGs in the classic style, either tall or short. Children’s sizes range from toddler to youth and are available in chestnut, black, chocolate, and sand. UGGs for men are virtually indistinguishable from women’s boots of the same style, with the obvious exception that they are not available in as many colors. Most boots for the guys only come in black or chestnut.

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According to a vehicle signage Sydney company your company vehicles are one of the most cost effective forms of advertising available. According to International Spa Association President Lynne McNees, “Since the economic downturn, the consumer is more educated than ever before when it comes to value and investing in themselves. They expect a return on their investment, and they aren’t falling for any tricks or gimmicks. They want tangible results and information that will improve their quality of life.” So what can you do to market effectively to the educated consumer? How can you set yourself apart from a sea of competitors? Below are 4 cost-effective and time-tested holistic business marketing techniques to help you break through to the customers you want!

Customer Service

Clients are pinching every penny these days. When they pay for pampering, their expectations regarding the level of service they receive has increased exponentially! Holistic Practitioners can respond, retain, and increase their client base by customizing each guest’s experience. For instance, 87% of polled spas are utilizing customer feedback mechanisms, but what else can you do? For one, start by creating a customer loyalty program. Get creative: incentivize regular customers by offering discounts on a sliding scale based on their number of visits. Referral programs are another great way to incentivize your current fans to increase your client base. Keep a log of customer birthdays and anniversaries, and offer a complimentary 30-minute session for them or their spouse.

Moreover, providing gifts with purchase (GWP) is cheaper than you think. Enquire with your current product vendors-often if you display signage in-house or a logo on your website for a specific company’s product (such as a massage oil or moisturizer for instance), the vendor will provide you with free samples in exchange that can be used as GWPs for clients. Save these product samples and use them just for those who purchase service packages in order to boost revenue!

Don’t forget to personalize! It’s human nature to love to see our name on things-whether you send each client home with an individualized printout of future treatment recommendations, or invest $20 in a label maker or printer template to monogram their product order, or create a welcome card upon arrival, personalizing is a great way to make guests feel special and cared for.

Giving Back

Consider offering promotional pricing or complimentary mini-pampering services to community leaders such as teachers or military personnel. Plan a monthly event when business is typically slow to accomplish these sessions such as the “First Monday of the Month”. Not only are you providing a great service to those deserving or possibly in need, but it’s also a great opportunity to advertise yourself as a business that cares! Your regular customers will love that, and feel all the more validated that they made the right choice of practitioners!

Giving back can also accomplish your holistic business marketing goals. Partner with a charity with a popular agenda. Give them your commitment to offer a complimentary mini session to individuals who can demonstrate a donation receipt of a certain denomination in exchange for your company information being represented on their website or direct mail campaigns. Even better, every complimentary session you perform, you convert into a potential customer by offering a future discount and securing an email for your list.

Another option is giving on a larger scale by sponsoring local events and teaming up with hospitals, schools or other related established institutions to help educate consumers about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. You will be shocked at the free exposure you receive as well as the future referrals!

Sampling Menu

Restaurants that serve small tasting plates are hot right now, so why shouldn’t the wellness industry take advantage of a sampling menu-especially for new customers in a tough economy who might be weary of a commitment. Offering mini services for busy professionals at lunchtime or a personalized grouping of sample services for the eclectic customer who wants to try everything is becoming a popular way to get a taste of treatments. With 86% of polled spas offering shorter treatments and 46% of owners experiencing an increase in 30 minute or less treatment bookings, a sampling menu seems to be the perfect small treat that will surely hook new customers for good!

Beauty Rest

If you polled all busy professionals about what they wished they could change about their busy lives, we bet you would find “getting more sleep” in the top 5 of responses! We live in a sleep-deprived society, and although pampering treatments like massages, facials, body wraps, and yoga instruction offer a respite from the craziness of modern life, it often ends so abruptly. What if you turned your slow days into profit by crafting treatments targeted at total relaxation, and then, after the 45-minute session, allowed your client to relish in the music and lie on the table for a blissful additional 45 minutes (for a total of 90), only to be softly awakened by a pre-set alarm? You not only get to book clients on previously difficult days, but it also forces you to take the extra 45 minutes to perform non-client related business tasks such as Facebook updates, email blasts, and blog entries.

Through her education and coaching company, BeWell360°, Corporate CEO Carrie Reinagel provides entrepreneurs with a complete line of auxiliary tools such as eBooks, courses, and systems to help practitioners obtain total fulfillment: owning a sustainable business in ANY economy that creates jobs for others, provides an abundance of spiritual fulfillment and financial reward!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7036281