Sew Distinct, a sole proprietorship, is owned by Sally Stitch. Customers who are looking for original, high quality custom quilts can purchase them from me. I am responsible for customer response, designing, piecing and machine quilting. Hand-quilted work is quilted locally by two experienced hand-quilters who have approximately 20 years experience. We have worked out per-piece prices. Sew Distinct quilts can be made in the home of the owner and shipped directly to customers in northwest MyState. I have many years of experience as an expert quilter. My strength is my ability to translate even the most obscure ideas and descriptions from customers into beautiful and meaningful quilt designs that both the recipient and I will love.
Sew Distinct works to provide custom, individually designed, warm and snuggly quilt art to customers who value originality but don’t have the time or skills to create such pieces on their own. Working with my customers during the design phase gives them the satisfaction of being involved in their gift or artwork without having to make a huge investment of time and labor. The end result is a unique, useful, and beautiful quilt that will be enjoyed for generations.
For three years, I have been making commission quilts as a hobby and can’t keep up to the demand from customers while working part-time. Sew Distinct, which I will start as a fulltime venture from my home, will be my first venture. My goals are twofold: to be able pay my self and my hand-quilters, who are independent contractors, a decent wage for doing the work I love; and to repay a small startup loan within two year of the opening of the business.
By requiring payment at the time I commission, I minimize financial risk. For the customer, this means that they can take as long as they want to work with me on a design, but once we have agreed on the design, they must pay me in full for the quilt before I will begin creating it. This arrangement has been the one which works best for both sides in the past.
Most quilts’ value comes from their creation and labor, not from the fabrics, thread, and so on. They are made up of the following materials: My startup requirements are therefore very low (under $5,000).
- $1,000 of inventory (a basic fabric library)
- $1000 for a second sewing machine
- $1,600 cash reserve
- $350 for website development
- $600 worth of supplies, legal costs, etc.
To start the business, I will spend $2,500 and require $2,050 to purchase initial equipment and fabric. Based on the current price of my quilts and the amount of time it takes to make each one, I expect sales of $45,700 within the first year. In the third month, I expect to be breaking even.
1.1 Mission
At Sew Distinct, I know that my customers value originality and high-quality work as much as they value their time. I ask for only a portion of my customers’ time to give me the information necessary to create a custom-designed quilt that can be proudly given as a gift or kept as an heirloom.
1.2 Keys To Success
Sew Distinct has the following keys to its success:
- My reputation has been established as an exceptional business. I’m the only one in the country that creates truly custom-designed quilts.
- My customers need to feel individual. I focus on the personal nature and uniqueness of customization, which places the customer, as well as his or her personality, at the centre of the product.
- These quilts are produced quickly, in between 5-10 weeks, through my website. I charge a premium for the custom product, which increases its prestige.
- Maintaining originality of design and quality of skills to turn bulk, inexpensive fabrics and materials into high-end artworks which can bring high prices.
1.3 Objectives
- You can create and sell six original, custom quilts each month at prices that include the owner’s labor.
- You can leverage your contacts within local artisan groups or my customer base to generate word-ofÂmouth advertising.
- Set up a website that provides more information and facilitates non-local sales.
- Two years to pay off your initial investment and earn 10% interest.
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