Section three

Products and services

3.1 What are you going to sell?

3.2 Describe the basic product/service you are going to sell:

Initially, I will set up the Etsy shop to sell pre-made rice bags, and a small range of decorative goods, these will include other bags, bunting, coasters, and place mats. These will be produced using a limited number of colours to keep costs down and avoid wastage.

3.3 Describe the different types of product/service you are going to be selling:

Textile bags – as part of my course I made quilted bags, and one would work particularly well commercially. The rice bag is a four-sided boxy shaped drawstring bag, quilted, lined, and fastened with a drawstring. The design is easy to construct and can be made up and embellished in any number of ways, depending on the fabrics used and desired result. I chose plain fabric for my version, but decorated each side with a unique pattern, tied together with a theme of circles, using a variety of techniques I have learned over the last couple of years. The idea would be to produce three or four examples, which although constructed in the same way would demonstrate the different finishes that could be achieved showing how they can be customised.

Bunting – the market for bunting is saturated, so I will start with two different styles, one in pastels and one in brights. These will be available in two lengths.

As with the bag, I will be able to offer a personalised service where bunting can be customised with letters or numbers. I have already made a string of bunting which I personalised for my great nephew, my niece chose the colours for the flags and letters. This could be offered to mark birthdays, weddings, or other celebrations.

Quilted coasters and place mats – these will again be offered in colour ways in sets of 4. Although the fabric colour choices will be the same for sets, each mat would vary in design. Again, these goods can be adapted so that customers will have the option to choose their own colour. Both these and the bunting are a good way to make use of left over fabric from the textile bags.

Once established, I intend to introduce, Wall art – small abstract art quilts. These will be finished so they are ready to hang. This is one area that I would hope to develop over time, as my skills and confidence in this area grow.

3.4 If you are not going to sell all your products/services at the start of your business, explain why not and when you will start selling them:

As mentioned above, I will produce a small range before launching my shop, so that I am able to cost accurately based on time spent. I would anticipate 8 – 12 weeks to get stock prepared and the shop and social media up and ready. I want to have a few items ready to dispatch at any one time. Central to my idea of customer service, is not to keep the customer waiting, though with personalised items a lead time is inevitable, and this needs to be clearly outlined in the information on the shop and any social media. Accurate time frames will be calculated as I prepare the initial stock for the shop

3.5 Additional information:

Ideas and options to consider once the shop is open and trading is established.

Some items may sell better than others, so lead the business in a particular direction. Possible alternative places of sale, further research would be required to find out what this entails and suitability of places of sale.

4.1 Are your customers: x individuals businesses both

4.2 Describe your typical customer: o Advertising o Social media presence with regular updates o Word of mouth o Good customer ratings o Uniqueness of product and/or ability to personalise. o Personal touches, how the products are presented and little extras such as a thank you note.

Most likely female, someone who is looking for a thoughtful gift which will appeal to the recipient. Someone who appreciates the work that goes into a handmade item and has the disposable income to pay for it.

4.3 Where are your customers based?

Initially I would like to limit to sales within the UK. Online shoppers.

4.4 What prompts your customers to buy your product/service?

Presents to self and others for Christmas and/or birthdays. My bags are multipurpose so can be used anytime, but can be customised for occasions e.g., Halloween. Other goods are for the home and garden, so would work as a housewarming present or adding finishing touches to interior décor, in which case they could also be purchased year-round.

As products can also be themed, they would work for summer festivities, held outside, garden parties, weddings. They could also be themed for other celebrations and festivals, such as Christmas, Easter, and Halloween.

4.5 What factors help your customers choose which business to buy from?

4.6 Have you sold products/services to customers already? x yes no

If you answered “yes”, give details:

I regularly sell a wide variety of second-hand goods, ranging from clothing to vintage textiles and books, what seems to work well are good photographs of products, regular listing of new products and favourable ratings from satisfied customers. I notice more activity around pay day.

I have also made bespoke bunting for my niece, for which my sister-in-law paid me. This was made to order, and we communicated frequently to ensure the end product met with and hopefully exceeded expectations.

4.7 Have you got customers waiting to buy your product/service? yes

If you answered “yes”, give details: