So, this is really happening!!

Ok...this is starting to seem real now!
Last week, I had my first meeting with E Factor. It was great to have E Factor back me on my dream. Friends and family will always support me, but to get the support of a business advisor is a massive boost. I spent an hour with her, telling her my ideas, discussing how feasible it would be to set up, and how the business could progress. She was very impressed with how much research I had done already, although I didnt feel as though I had done enough! I have been sent home with a business plan to complete before my next E Factor meeting.
This is the point where I realised that there is a massive difference between having an idea in my head, and actually attempting to make it happen! Although with help from my sister, who has been through it before, it does seem a little less daunting!

I have had a bit of a break from this, due to family visiting from abroad. I also took a trip down south with family. It got me thinking, and made me realise that I have a few reasons for wanting this to work -

• I want my independence back. I love the idea of being a stay at home mum (finances allowing) but I also want to prove to myself and others than I can be more than just a mum.
• I want my daughter and step children to see that even if you havent been to uni, or found a career choice straight after school, that its ok, and you can still make your own opportunities in life.
• With one wage in the household, we get by, but I want to able to afford the little luxuries in life for our family, without spoiling them of course!

Anyway, whilst away, there was still research I could carry out. Some of the stores with sell maternity/nursing online only in Grimsby, have bigger stores where I was staying. I decided to have a look at the stock, styles, prices etc. As I walked into one store, with the pram of course, I had to ask where the maternity section was. The advisor told me it was upstairs on the first floor. Ok, thats fine, I'll take the lift.....where was the lift? Well, I basically had to leave the store, walk around to the shopping centre entrance and use the shopping centre lift. Not very practical. I opted to leave baby with my Mum, whilst I took the stairs. As I reached the top, I was surprised that the Maternity section was on the other side of the store. If I wanted to try it on, I would have to walk back across to side of the store where the stairs were, go downstairs, and head to the changing rooms on the other side of the store. Now I'm not sure about anyone else, but when I was heavily pregnant, I certainly did not want to do that!!!
On a brighter note, I did find a national store (incidentally not one we have here) that sold a nice range of mursing wear at very reasonable prices. I bought two lovely tops for just £20. Brilliant. Just a shame I had to travel 4 and half hours to find it! It did however remind me how much easier it is to feed my daughter discreetly with a top designed for that reason. Lets face it, we dont like showing off our tummys by pulling up our tshirts, do we?

So I now have ten days to complete my business plan, and get this idea off the ground. I still have tonnes of research to do, so I'd best prepare myself for a busy few days!

Meeting the Market Officer...

Today was the today I could actually get some figures to put on paper to help with my E factor meeting next week. I met up with Linda, the market officer, who I knew from organising last years street party. I told her I had been given 3 different rent rates, and she very quickly put my mind at rest! She gave me a map which showed which plots are currently available and how much they each cost. Matt and I took a wander around and found a good plot for £102pw. She explained that the first 4 weeks rent would be discounted, to give me chance to get word out. As well as this, I dont start paying rent until I actually start trading. In other words, I can sign the contract, and spend a couple of weeks getting it ready, getting stock in, getting a sign done..all the little things.
Todays talk has made me really excited about the project, and it certainly seems achievable! It would be part time, I have confirmed I can take Evie with me to work, and I have been told that I can advertise other businesses so long as they arent the same business line as other market stall holders.
Im going to take another look at the price of stock, (any feedback on what kind of clothing you would like would be great!) keep thinking of a name, and keep all my fingers and toes crossed!

Oh, and the department store that stocked the nursing bras down a narrow rail....still there of course! I was miffed and ready to put in another comment, but hey, if they cant be bothered, why should I? If nothing else, I hope to bring a bit of common sense into the placement of my stock!

Thanks for reading....I'm getting closer to the finish line!

Researching the big guys!

Today was the day I really started checking out the competition. It took longer than I thought, because it occurred to me that I dont just need the information of those who are selling similar products, I also need to find out which other places arent.
Unbelievably, I had 19 stores that had the potential to offer maternity and nursing wear, 3 of which offered some sort of service for pregnant or breastfeeding mums. 1 major store, is actually getting rid of all left over maternity wear and will no longer sell them. I was slightly concerned at this, but after a little chat with the manager, she explained it wasnt a localised decision, but a national one, and now only larger stores will sell maternity stock. Another national store sells maternity wear, but not one single item of nursing wear. The 3rd national store sells no maternity wear, but has increased its nursing wear in the past year.....from one bra set, to two. Spoilt for choice arent we?!?! Also , these are logically hidden, sorry I mean stocked down a narrow rail, which doesnt fit a pushchair, and myself and another woman basically had to take turns to have a look! Common sense has not prevailed here! I have made a suggestion for them to turn the rail around so there is plenty of room, which I will check in a couple of weeks to see if it fell on deaf ears.
I did find two stores that dont sell maternity wear in the shop but can order it in. Perfect.....so long as dont want to try before you buy to make sure it fits you or suits you. One store, specialising in serving plus sized women told me how they dont sell maternity wear but do sell a lot to pregnant women who cannot find any suitable alternatives in this town. Two of the assistants here told me that I could make an absolute killing selling maternity and nursing wear around here.

So, the research seems to support my idea.

• This town currently has 2 stores supplying maternity wear, but that will soon become one.
• Nowhere sells nursing/breastfeeding outfits.
• We have 2 stores that sell nursing bras. The cheapest of which is around £16 for one.
• Nowhere is selling swimwear or coats.

So, now I'm looking forward to meeting the market officer on Thursday, and getting some prices together.

Feeling very hopeful!