The Avant Garde team recently got a chance to interview Peter Coultas [Owner of The Goodie Bag]. Let me preface this interview by stating that “Pete is a all around guru of Sales Distribution, Consulting, Merchandising, Brand Management, Senior Buying and Client Styling.” Dude is a Actual “Purveyor of Streewear Culture” in a time where everyone seems to laying claim to the title…
We met Peter in 09 when we first started up and have been impressed with his work ethic and hustle ever since. Our camps have always talked about working together on a project and now we have what will surely be the first of many collaborative efforts between our companies. If your in the Streetwear/Music/Media field it would behoove you to take heed and pick up the gems that Peter drops while chatting it up with the team. Special Thanks to Peter for taking time out of his ever growing schedule to sit down with the Avant Garde crew.
Bio:
Name: Peter Coultas
Field: Sales Marketing
Company: The Goodie Ba
follow Peter on twitter @TheGoodieBa
TheGoodieBagBlog.ca
[Images by By Matthew Furman]
[ AG]: We go back a year or so, and I’m pretty familiar with your company and what The Goodie Bag represents but can you explain for the readers what The Goodie Bag is all about and what you are bringing to the game?
[Peter]: The Goodie Bag is a sales, marketing, and distribution agency. Presently we are working with Acropolis, Bloodbath, Nous Sommes, PRPLMNT, and Sedgwick & Cedar on marketing and distribution. We also are presenting handling marketing, PR, and consulting with a few other brands and musicians. We also run a lifestyle fashion, music, art, and event blog under the same name. I like to think we do things differently than most agencies by the way we’ve marketed ourselves through getting involved in events, mixtapes, and sponsorship (Usually it’s the brands directly who sponsor an artist, celeb, etc.). In regards to the blog, we like to bring our readers tons of original and exclusive content from interviews with designers and artists, to features, and giveaways.
[ AG]: Being from Canada and working with a lot of US based artists and brands, what advantages and or disadvantages have you encountered?
[Peter]: A big advantage that I have is knowing the areas and shops up here and being able to visit and service them regularly. I also am able to bring in new brands that aren’t currently available or known to different areas of the country. Unfortunately, I don’t get to work with everyone on a daily basis or see them all of the time, but with technology these days’ things are improving. Conference calls, texts, e-mails, Skype, etc. are all a daily routine. Another disadvantage is I don’t know the reaction to a new collection, product, song, mixtape, etc. as I am not able to hear what the word is directly from the consumers and the streets.
[ AG]: What’s your educational or trade background and how do you think your skill set helps you excel in your business dealings and work flow?
[Peter]: I’m a self-trained marketer. My Granddad owned a marketing agency so he taught me quite a bit while I was growing up. I also took a few courses in high school but no post-secondary training as of yet. I was accepted into F.I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology) in New York City 2 years ago but some personal things came up and with the business growing as it is, I haven’t had the time to commit to school at the moment. I do plan on going within the new few years though. I’m sure I’ll find a way to balance the two.
[ AG]: What are your favorite brands and or movements going on right now?
[Peter]: I’m really supporting Tyler The Creator and the OFWGKTA movement they have going on. I also really like what Casey Veggies and Anwar Washington are doing over at Arrogant Veggies. Honestly, those are two of the most accomplished individuals I know under 21. Some of my favourite brands presently are Ambush, Bloodbath, Society Original Products, Nous Sommes, Rag & Bone, 10.DEEP, New Era, Nooka, Dee & Ricky, MCM, Ti$A, Stampd’ LA, Gourmet, Osloh, and Johnny Cupcakes. The staples like Nike, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Gucci, Louis Vuitton will always be favourites as well.
[ AG]: Can you explain your best and worst moment or experiences that you’ve had since you started your business?
[Peter]: By far the best moment was first meeting Taz Arnold at a Big Sean show in LA and him already knowing who I was when I introduced myself. The worst was probably dealing with a non-paying client based in Europe.
[ AG]: I’ve been watching your progress since we both had WordPress blogs, the new updated site looks really good. What kind of response have you been getting since you activated the fully updated TheGoodieBagBlog.ca?
[Peter]: The response has been phenomenal. Friends and family we’re really proud of the new updated look. A lot of our readers also commented and found it much better, as do I.
[ AG]: What kind of updates, collabs and new projects can we expect from The Goodie Bag in the near future?
[Peter]: We recently released our first t-shirt and crewneck collaboration with Monkey Buziness Décor and YP to coincide with his “No Sleep” mixtape release. We’ve got a few other collabs on the go right now, but at this point in time they aren’t something I can speak on unfortunately. We’re working on updated the site lay-out early in the New Year as well as launching Guest Columns and adding to our Services and Press sections. Also we are working with our friends over at SmashMouth Ent. as a sponsor for their event with Juelz Santana on January 30th in London, ON. Tons of other stuff is planned for 2011 so stay tuned!
[ AG]: Do you have any advice or warnings that you wish someone would have told you before starting your agency or blog?
[Peter]: The only warning I have is don’t count your chickens before they hatch. What I mean by that is if you get a large order from a retailer don’t go thinking you can spend all of that money on other things. So many problems can arise with a single order that you don’t anticipate which can cost you money and if you spend all that you got, you’ll be paying out of your own pocket. Also, put in as much research into the people you work with as possible and always make yourself available to your clients. People hate it when they can’t reach you. It’s not being elusive, its just being unprofessional and hurts you in the end. Also, never make promises you can’t deliver. In fashion and music industries these days everyone seems to know everyone and one mistake can cost your whole reputation. Once, that’s ruined its nearly impossible to get back.
TheGoodieBagBlog.ca
