Park Story and Happy Go Bikes Show Off Their Spring & Summer Items in Timeless Photoshoot
Business-to-business collaboration is one of our favorite things to see at District Bridges. This spring, Chevy Chase Main Street provided assistance to Meghan Evans of Park Story in Chevy Chase, DC to support her vision to collaborate with Happy Go Bikes, another neighborhood gem located a few blocks away on Connecticut Ave NW. In a true Chevy Chase-style photo shoot, the collaboration highlights the unique products both businesses offer, as well as incorporating their favorite parts of the community.
The idea for this collaboration was a long time coming for Meghan, who opened her brick and mortar boutique in October 2019. In her boutique, Meghan curates timeless collections of women’s and children’s clothing as well as housewares that complement the effortless, chic vibe of her store. We chose a day in late April, and were lucky enough to have perfect weather. CCMS Volunteers and community members (and customers!) gathered to dress up in some of Megan’s favorite spring dresses and ride some beautiful Happy Go bikes along Connecticut Avenue, including Chevy Chase Circle and Fountain. Neighborhood favorite, Opal, also made an appearance; the patio of the restaurant served as the perfect backdrop for Park Story’s housewares!
Happy Go Bikes is owned by Ben and Emma Boerum. Both are passionate about bikes, community, and family, and their shop is a reflection of those values in a fun and lively space. The showroom at Happy Go features bicycles that range from everyday commuters, to rare imported bikes that are almost pieces of art, which served as the perfect accessory for Meghan’s photoshoot vision.
When the shoot was over, Meghan provided some insights and perspectives on planning and executing this project, and ways Main Streets can help facilitate this particular kind of collaboration in the future:
Q (Rachel Mowery). How did the idea for this collaboration come about?
A (Meghan Evans). When Happy Go opened, I got the idea to feature sundresses with their bikes. I just dreamed of a pretty dress, plus a bike with a basket filled with flowers. But, I didn’t reach out until recently.
Q. How do you plan to use the photos?
A. I’ve been using them on Instagram/Facebook and in our Newsletters.I also shared with the participants, which includes some brands which will use them to advertise their products.
Q. What was the hardest part of planning the photoshoot?
A. Getting a day/time that worked for all necessary folks.
Q. What was your favorite part of the process?
A. Seeing people participate and enjoy it on the day/of. I loved when folks had ideas and contributed creatively.
Q. Do you have plans for future collaborations (with each other or other businesses?).
A. Not at the moment. I think it’d be nice to do this 1-2 times a year.
Q. What advice would you give to other businesses wanting to do more B2B (business-to-business) collaboration?
A. Just send the email!
Q. How can Main Street help facilitate more of this kind of work?
A. Getting models, a photographer, and businesses together on the same day was the hardest part. If the Main Street said ‘we’re going to make a photographer and models available on this day/time/location” one to two times a year, I think it would foster collaboration among the businesses and for me take out the hardest part of the entire thing. Businesses could sign up for time slots within the day and make use of the photographer’s time as they saw fit (e.g., employee portraits/ group shots, flat lays, styled photos, etc).
If you have an idea for collaboration and aren’t sure of the next step, please reach out to Rachel at Chevy Chase Main Street!
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