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 handle the customer response, design and piecing. The hand-quilted pieces are hand-quilted by two local hand-quilters, each with approximately 20 years of experience. I have also negotiated per-piece pricing. Sew Distinct Quilts are made in the owner’s home and sold directly to my customers, in northwest MyState. I have several years experience as a professional quilter. My strength lies in my ability to convert even the most basic ideas and descriptions of customers into beautiful and meaningful designs that both givers and recipients will appreciate.
Sew Distinct provides custom-designed, individualized, cozy, and warm quilt art for customers who value originality, but don’t have the skills or time to make them. By working with my customers in the design phase, I give them the satisfaction of having input into their gift or artwork, without the intense investment of their own time and labor that would be necessary to produce such a quilt themselves. The end result is a unique, useful, and beautiful quilt that will be enjoyed for generations.
I have been making quilts on commission as a hobby for three years now, and cannot keep up with the demand from new customers when doing this part-time. Sew Distinct will operate out of my home as a full time business. 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.
By requiring payment at the time I commission, I minimize financial risk. The customer has the option to work with me for as long or as they wish, but they must pay me full price before I can start creating the quilt. 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. Of which they are constructed. Therefore, my start-up needs are very small (under $5,000).
- Inventory of $1,000 (a basic fabric library).
- 1,000 for a second machine
- $1,600 cash Reserve
- $350 for website development
- $600 worth of supplies, legal costs, etc.
I will invest $2,500 to launch the business. Additional $2,050 is needed for initial inventory of fabrics and equipment. Based on current prices for my quilts, and the time needed to complete each one, I am forecasting sales of $45,700 in the first year. I expect to begin breaking even in the third month.
1.1 Mission
Sew Distinct understands that my customers value originality as well as high-quality work. I will only take a few minutes to get the details they need in order to commission a quilt. Once that information is complete, I will create high-quality custom-designed quilt art that can be proudly displayed in an office or home as artwork.
1.2 Keys for Success
Sew Distinct has the following keys to its success:
- Effectively establishing my reputation as an exceptional business: nationally I am unique in creating truly custom-designed quilts which do not rely on standard geometric quilt designs.
- 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.
- These custom quilts are made quickly (5-10 weeks) and sold through my website. The premium price increases the product’s prestige.
- To transform bulk, cheap materials into high-end art pieces that can fetch high prices, we must maintain our originality of design.
1.3 Objectives
- Six original, custom-made quilts can be created and sold each month for a price that covers the cost of labor.
- For word-of-mouth advertising success, make contact with local artisan groups and my customer base.
- 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.