Be Inthavong and his business partner Steve Dumain were selling women's bags out of a loft without an elevator in Brooklyn. Be cold called Bergdorf and set up an appointment to show them his bags. Bergdorfs is the pinnacle for desginers - the whos who of fashion and fashion consumerism come to Bergdorfs to figure out what's hot. Bergdorf agreed to try some.

Actress Mena Suvari bought the first one. Bergdorf ordered 10 more. Then Beyonce Knowles, Penelope Cruz and several of the actresses from Desperate Housewives bought them. Less than a month later, Bergdorf ordered 200 more. Now Be & D bags are sold in luxury stores worldwide and featured in the leading fashion magazines.

Lessons learned:

Cold calling works
Having a great product works
If you believe, sometimes the pinnacle gives you a chance to prove yourself.

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive