Sew Distinct LLC is a sole proprietorship owned by Sally Stitch. My customers are discerning and purchase original, high-quality custom made quilts. They can keep them as heirloom art or give them as gifts. I do the customer response, design, piecing, and machine quilting; hand-quilted works are quilted by two independent local hand-quilters with roughly 20 years of experience, with whom I have negotiated per-piece prices. Sew Distinct quilts can be made in the home of the owner and shipped directly to customers in northwest MyState. My experience as a quilter spans many years. My strength is transforming even the vaguest ideas and descriptions from a customer into beautiful and meaningful quilt designs which both giver and recipient appreciate.
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 at the design stage gives me the satisfaction that I have contributed to their gift or artwork. It is not a time-consuming investment of their time and labor required to create such a quilt. The result is a personalized, usable, beautiful quilt which will be appreciated for generations to come.
Three years ago, I began making quilts for commission. This has been a passion of mine and it is hard to keep up the demand from my customers. Sew Distinct is a part-time venture that will be run from my house. My goals are to be able to pay myself and my independently contracted hand-quilters a decent wage for doing the work we love, and to repay a small start-up loan within two years of opening the business.
I will ask for payment at the point of commission to reduce financial risks. 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 proven to be the best for both the customer and the customer in the past.
The most valuable part of quilts is the labor that goes into designing and creating them. This is more than the materials (fabrics, threads, etc.). These are the materials of which they are made. My start-up requirements are therefore fairly small (under $5,000):
- A basic fabric library with $1,000 worth of stock
- A second sewing machine costs $1,000
- $1,600 cash Reserve
- $350 for website development
- $600 in various supplies, legal charges, etc.
To start the business, I will spend $2,500 and require $2,050 to purchase initial equipment and fabric. Based on my current prices and the time required to complete each quilt, I anticipate sales of $45,700 for the first year. I expect to begin breaking even in the third month.
1.1 Mission
Sew Distinct recognizes that my customers are as passionate about originality and quality work as they are about 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.
Success Keys 1.2
Sew Distinct’s success is based on these key factors:
- This has helped me to establish my reputation as an exceptional company.
- To cater to my customers’ needs to feel different, I emphasize the personal nature of the customization process. This puts the customer, along with his orher personality, in the center of the product.
- Quickly (5-10 weeks) turning out these finished custom quilts, both locally and through my website, for a price premium which enhances the prestige of the customized product.
- It is important to maintain originality and skills in order to transform bulk fabrics and other materials into high-end artworks, which can bring high prices.
1.3 Objectives
- In six months, you can make and sell original, custom-made quilts at a rate that includes the labor of the owner.
- Make sure to make word-of–mouth marketing a success by contacting local artisans groups and my customers.
- You can create a website to provide information and start non-local business.
- In just two years, pay your initial investment back with 10% interest.