A Northumberland entrepreneur, who found herself out of work as a result of the economic downturn, has proved there are still opportunities to set up a successful business after recognising a gap in the market to supply quality chair covers and table linen to the UK events market.
Sarah Pittendrigh launched Simply Bows & Chair Covers earlier this year with support from Business Link and the North East England Investment Centre (NEEIC), and has now launched a franchise operation to mange increasing customer demand.
Sarah, a former brand manager for Jaguar and Land Rover, who runs the business from near Hexham, said: “Prior to 2008 I was working in a national event company responsible for profile events throughout the UK. However when the recession hit and budgets were cut we lost a number of major contracts.
“Unfortunately we had to make the tough decision to cut our losses and the company went into liquidation, leaving me unemployed.
“It had been suggested, while I was in my previous company, that we bring the supply of chair covers and table linen in-house as an inconsistency in service and quality among our suppliers was apparent. At the time I thought it was something that to do well, it had to be a specialised project for which we did not have the time.
“However, after losing my job and realising I wanted to keep the autonomy associated with self-employment, I saw there was a big opportunity in the North East to deliver chair covers sand table linen aimed at the top end of the market.”
After approaching Business Link with the business idea, Sarah was provided with a range of advice and guidance to form the business. Business Link also assessed Sarah’s finance options and identified that support may be available from the North East England Investment Centre (NEEIC). Financial support from NEEIC was secured to launch Simply Bows & Chair Covers. This helped Sarah to develop a brand for the business, implement a marketing plan and create a range of samples to showcase to potential clients.
Sarah said: “The advice I received from Business Link was crucial in getting the business off the ground and seeing results as quickly as I’ve been able to. Even though I already had a number of contacts from my previous role, having samples to take to market was vital in getting the buy-in of some of the region’s leading venues so they could see the quality and creativity of the product range for themselves.
“Accessing funds through NEEIC was very straightforward and I received the go-ahead on my applications very quickly. My Business Link adviser was on-hand to make sure things went smoothly throughout the whole process.”
Simply Bows & Chair Covers has established itself as the preferred supplier for many of the region’s most prestigious venues including Close House Hotel, Doxford Hall, Seaham Hall, Wynyard Hall and Rockliffe Hall to name but a few. In less than a year the business has supplied chair covers and accessories for over 180 weddings and already has a growing order book for 2010 and 2011.
Sarah has been conscious of retaining revenue from the business within the region and after coming up with the creative concept, she sub-contracts the manufacturing and laundering side of the business to a number of local companies.
With the business growing at such a pace and Sarah keen to retain a work-life balance, she decided that franchising would be the best way to manage growing demand.
Source: The Journal
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