I’m going to write my very basic business plan here so that I will hopefully look at it more often.
This isn’t a yellow pages thick document that I will never read again, just a simple plan to refer back to and update as and when things develop. The journal will be the plan.
What’s your business?
Vintage inspired dresses that turn you into a star. Cocktail dresses, red carpet gowns and sparkling accessories straight from old Hollywood.
Who designs them?
me
Who makes them?
me and some part-time help in the form of freelancers, interns and my mum.
Where are they made?
a studio in Somerset, UK.
Where will you sell them?
online via an e-commerce website and direct from the studio via appointments.
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Products
One of a Kind cocktail dresses
Red carpet full length gowns
Tea dresses
Bridal gowns
Bridal accents and accessories
Lingerie
Evening bags
Jewellery
Shoes
Design: research and development with pattern cutting in-house.
Fabrics: The fabrics are sourced from UK suppliers and from vintage stock.
Production: all produced in-house using machines and hand work.
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Production Targets : per week – 5 dresses, 4 separates, 2 accessories.
or 11 pieces a week
Sales Targets in year 1 (these are plucked from the hopeful imagination)
Per week: 5 dresses or separates and 5 accessories
Turn Over: £2000 approx
Profit: £1000 approx before running costs
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How do you plan to achieve these targets?
Online
– An excellent, perfectly targeted to my customer beautifully designed website.
Who’s going to do this? Me and husband graphic designer.
– An online journal running alongside to attract new customers to our world building the brand identity.
– social media – Facebook, twitter, instagram, YouTube to connect with customers directly and engage them with the brand
– seo – make sure this is optimised organically with high quality genuine links and original content.
In person
– hold open days and events to invite local businesses and customers.
– make it a special occasion when customers visit. Make them feel wonderful and be honest.
– be available for interns and work experience from local colleges. Contact tutors to see if they would like to come for visit or workshop.
– write articles for local newspapers and media and invite them to visit.
– enter business awards
– have a stall at vintage fairs and attend vintage events.
– offer sale or return to selected boutiques locally
– attend networking events
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What happens if you don’t meet your targets?
Part time work cleaning
Sewing piece work
Amount I need to survive on and pay back debt per month: £962.03
indiedesignersurvival 