TAYLOR SELL

CONSULTING

Brand Advisor

Services

I help brands turn ideas into recognizable, cohesive identities through focused product development, storytelling, and consistent strategy. From refining your IP and digital presence, to planning on trend product launches, I work to build clarity, consistency, and growth that lasts. Whether you need direction, a co-collaborator to run decisions by, someone to speak on behalf of you or your brand to create licensing opportunities and collaborative launches, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

  • Defining how your brand looks, feels, and speaks — from positioning and tone to visual direction and narrative consistency. Together, we clarify your positioning and create a strategy that keeps your brand consistent and recognizable. The result is a reputation that earns loyalty and consistent growth over time.

  • Historical data and consumer insights can only predict so much of what the future holds. With a unique blend of past sales data, current trend analysis, market research, travel, and trade show attendance I can help identify emerging trends, consumer demands, and market white space for your target demographics.

  • Branded collaborations are an incredible way to leverage your intellectual property and build a stronger connotation with your target demographic. With the help of my extensive network and industry knowledge, I can guide strategy and provide seamless introductions with pre-vetted brands that align with your ultimate vision. This includes licensing collaborations with manufacturers, designers, like minded brands, and DTR’s with aligned retailers to create innovative and high-quality products.

  • Aligning with retailers that share your vision and consumer strategy is a key component for building longevity. Together we can craft a market landscape strategy specific to your brand and vision so you have clear actionable steps to build your IP and brand awareness.

  • A strong & cohesive product strategy is the foundation for any lasting collectible brand. I offer strategic solutions that will elevate and expand your product offering to create collectibility and demand in your target market. WIth over a decade of experience in product development I offer historical references, process implementation, and guidance in navigating a collectible toy space while maintaining a unique point of view.

All Services are customizable, pricing plans and structure vary by project and client

I offer monthly retainers, % of sales, Sub agent fees, Project based fees, Hourly rates, & ownership options

Experience

    • Developed a freelance model to allow for transparency across the toy and gift industry and help find mutually beneficial solutions for brands, licensees, licensors, & their wholesale & retail counterparts

    • References & client stories available upon request - typically work with small artist driven brands with strong IP

    • Managed the decision process of all products coming into the store from selection to display to marketing

    • Co-created and managed a paid marketing program with key brands generating an additional 2% in top line revenue for the company per month.

    • implemented an open to buy strategy and standard operating procedures to manage inventory and give transparency to where the funds were being allocated to upper management.

    • Managed up to $100mil of open to buy and drove 4 years of consecutive growth

    • After 4 years of experience moved back to LA and worked as a remote merchant running the toy and gift division on the west coast offering a bi-coastal perspective on the industry

    • Turned the gift divisions around driving 40% comps in one year and brought several new product categories to market including plush, faux vines, squishies, blind boxes, licensed collections all kicking off larger industry wide trends

    • Managed vendor relationships for over 250 global partners, oversaw key releases ensuring first to market, with competitive pricing, and accurate trend forecasting

    • Project managed several custom UO exclusive product launches from the concept to launch across a variety of categories 

    • Ideated, branded, opened, and managed a small retail shop of curated gifts ranging in categories from vintage + handmade, to new housewares + gifts

    • collaborated with other small shops to host + run events including craft nights, salons, extended shopping hours, movie features, etc

    • worked with local artists and created products myself to sell unique one of a kind items to my local community

    • Closed the shop in 2014 to move to Philadelphia and continue my retail education and experience with Urban Outfitter’s gift division

    • Worked on a small team of retail buyers to create and curate products to revive the Roxy Brand and build up its popularity after a large surf industry crash in 2008

    • Bought for the retail stores and managed inventory as we grew from 20 stores to 80 stores nationwide

    • Project managed a white label program where own brand retail stores received a distinct product line that was not carried at the wholesale retail surf shops to maximize profits and minimize internal sales competition

Current Clients

Current projects include brand advising for Smoko and faciliating licensed collaborations in the US for Moomin. For collaboration or licensing inquiries, feel free to connect!
Work with Moomin
Work with Smoko

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