One Foot in Front of the Other

It can get pretty discouraging when results don't come in the time and in the way you want. You work so hard and so long on a project that takes your whole heart and soul and it produces little to no results.

This is only the beginning.

Starting a business is hard! It takes up all your time and energy. All of your creativity goes to a single project. You have such an incredible vision for how you want it to end up, but getting there can be a long process. In this moment it is easy to forget to push forward and remind yourself "Don't give up!" "You keep going!" I love this quote:

This is something we all need to remind ourselves. It might even be a good idea to post this quote or another motivating one like it some where you will see everyday. It is also important to build a creative space in your home or go somewhere that enables creativity. That may be at the park, in a secluded area, or in a busy mall. Wherever get your creative juices flowing, GO THERE. Make sure it is away from your daily routine or you will get distracted.

This week we created our elevator pitch for our $100 Challenge. At first I was pretty intimidated by the task but once I go started it all just started coming to me. The passion I have for sewing enabled me to create an elevator pitch that expresses that passion and invites others to participate in it!

Progress

This week we were asked to read a talk by James E. Faust. There were so many things that stood out to me that I wanted to put here so I could reflect back on them:

 “Will a man rob God? … But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” Malachi 3:8
Tithing is not a sacrifice, it is a privilege.

 “Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17). When we do this we become poor temporally and spiritually.
 I have learned that the three most loving words are “I love you,” and the four most caring words for those we love are “We can’t afford it.”

When faced with the choice to buy, consume, or engage in worldly things and activities, we all need to learn to say to one another, “We can’t afford it, even though we want it!” or “We can afford it, but we don’t need it—and we really don’t even want it!”

“Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted” (2 Nephi 9:51).

I know that there have been, are and will be many things that I want but do not need. Being able to make a decision based on wants and needs is far greater than only making a decision based on if you can afford it or not.

We also watched a video of Guy Kawasaki who spoke words of advice. His comment, "Too much money is worse than too little," really hit home. Sometimes as poor college students we worry so much about the money we don't have and feel like our whole world revolves around our little bank account. But I have seen and continue to hear that having too much money can be even more detrimental to a relationship and value of life.

Peter Diamndis said that "Fundraising is just a transfer of energy." If we have the right motivation, we have ample energy to use and that energy can be harnessed in the way we fundraise. But you'll never know if anyone was willing to donate if you don't ask!

I am really excited about where this $100 challenge is going and where it could take me. There are a lot of people who teach piano lessons out of their home, but I have decided to teach sewing lessons out of my home. I have the plan and I have the budget, now I just need to advertise and get some students!

Business Plan

This week was awesome! We had the opportunity to create a business plan for our BIG IDEA and our $100 challenge. My Big Idea is my Alterations and Boutique business and my $100 challenge is to teach sewing classes.

Here are the Business Plans:

Big Idea Business Plan

Vision: Within the next 5 years grow Patches Co. into a successful brick-and-mortar Alterations and Boutique providing women and children’s clothing and accessories and alteration services to Girls and Women ages 15-45.

Mission: Patches provides alterations and clothing that leaves customers feeling comfortable and confident through the way they dress.

Objectives: Within 5 years Patches will be bringing in sales of $50,000 a year with a 80% gross profit percentage after cost of goods of $40,000 a year. Annually we will see 5,000+ customers come through our store with an average of $10 per sale. As time goes on and sales go up we will hire between 5-10 employees. Within 3 years we will hire a manufacturer to make the clothing we design.

Strategies: Revenues will be generated via the website and social media. Our target markets will be based in the mid-west and in the coastal regions of the United States. Growth will happen overtime but at an accelerated rate as we utilize the social media sites and algorithms to our benefit. Customers will be retained through incentives and the quality of products and services we provide.

My personal role in the company will be to first create and provide all the products and services, then train employees and manufacturers to create and provide the products and services so I can better manage and oversee the overall welfare and growth of the company.

Our starting budget is $5,000 which has been personally saved.

Plans and Projects:

Project 1: To create a cohesive and trendy website.

Project 2: Design a maternity/nursing clothing line and hire a manufacturer to create it.

Project 3: Donate products and services to a well known non-profit organization.

 

$100 Challenge Business Plan

Vision: Within the next year grow Patches Sewing School into a successful home-based business providing beginning and intermediate sewing classes to both children and adults in my community of Rexburg, Idaho.

Mission: Our mission is to provide a creative space where customers can learn to be more self reliant by learning how to sew.

Objectives: Within the first 10 weeks we will earn $250 by gaining 5 students. Within the first year we will earn $1500. After the first year, as we gain more experience, we will raise the price of the beginner classes from $50 for a 4 week class to $75. The Intermediate class will be $100 for a 4 week class. This is meant to be a small operation so students will be capped at a certain amount but if demand becomes greater we will expand to a separate location and hire employees to teach the lessons as well.

Strategies: Revenue and client base will be generated through referrals, word of mouth, social media, and local ads. Our target markets include any and all who want to learn how to sew, but we will collaborate with local businesses and craft stores.

Our starting budget is $20 generated by donation.

Plans and Projects:

Project 1: Create a 4 week curriculum for beginner and intermediate students.

Project 2: Design, Print and handout fliers advertising sewing classes.

Project 3: Donate revenue from the first 10 weeks to a charity.

I am really excited to move forward with our business plans and see where it all takes us!

Hard Work

This week was a really fun brainstorming which $100 Challenge I wanted to pursue.

I really tossed around the idea of starting a Mommy and Me DIY Craft class. I really feel like that would thrive here in Rexburg, Idaho because there are so many mothers at home with their kids all week everyday and are looking for a reason to get out of the house. These mothers want a place away from electronics. A place where their child(ren) can interact with other children. A place where they can also get adult interaction. 

But in the end I decided I was going to start teaching sewing lessons!

I decided to teach sewing classes because the startup costs would be a lot less and it is something I feel very proficient in. Sewing is my strong suit and something I can be confident in teaching others how to do. When I tell people I sew or do alterations, the replies I get are those like "My grandma sews!" or "My mom used to sew my clothes when I was a kid!" But I never get people my age, in their 20s-30s, who know how to sew. It truly is a lost art that I feel people are wanting to learn how to do. 

In my personal business, Patches, I have gotten a lot of success in alterations! I have loved all the projects that have been coming in and I never want to stop, but I am realizing that I would like to be doing more of the designing and selling my own handmade clothes. A dream I have is to design and sell my own maternity/nursing line. When I'm not in school I will have SO much more time to devote to my business and growing it.

Photo Credit: http://ohyoucraftygal.blogspot.com/2012/01/sewing-school-lesson-1-welcome-and.html