david gaunt’s Blog

Do you know the phrase, “Keep all your plates in the air”? Remember the circus act where a person has to keep multiple plates spinning fast on top of tall poles, so that no plates fall? I remember this act from the Ed Sullivan Show! In business, we call this act “multi-tasking.” Gemma Touchstone, a talented, multi-hyphenate entrepreneurial expert in many facets of the children’s apparel and product business, is the most amazing “plate spinner” I know! She keeps lots of project plates going strong, while wearing lots of “hats” too!

I met Angela Edgeworth, president and founder of pediped Footwear, in 2005 at her first gift trade show. We hit it off quickly as Angela was very open to sharing her new venture and I was only too willing to give her my two cents worth of trade show wisdom. (I remember that she made me aware of the potential to sell children’s products and gifts to upscale car washes!) At our first meeting we began what has grown into a very nice business friendship, based on mutual respect, admiration and appreciation of our ability to help each other in our respective businesses.

I met Brooke Showell in 2003 when she took over as the “Small World” editor at Earnshaw’s. I do not like change, and I thought I would have to “take her under my wing,” show her the ropes and help her learn about the juvenile product and baby biz. I am pleased to admit that Brooke quickly proved me wrong as she flew on her own from day one.

I’m grateful for my long friendship with Erwin Pearl. No, not the jeweler, but the Vice President of Sales at Earnshaw’s. I first met Erwin 30 years ago when I was a founding partner in an advertising agency. He was a mentor for me then and still shares his wisdom, insights and encouragement with me today. Our relationship has grown from client to co-worker and trusted confidant. Erwin readily shares his knowledge about the children’s fashion business and genuninely cares about the success of both his advertisers and his many prospects.