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A Waterloo entrepreneur has launched her own fashion and soft furnishing business after three years of unemployment.
Joanne Kerr, 40, has launched her own fashion and soft furnishing service called ‘Bouvardia Designs’ using her own unique designs and style.
Joanne was previously out of work for three years after being made redundant by Norwich Union, before getting help from business start up specialist Blue Orchid to set up her dress making and design company.
Joanne was referred to Blue Orchid through the Government’s NEA (New Enterprise Allowance) programme. Joanne is due to receive an NEA loan which will enable her to purchase more fabric and to put her marketing ideas into motion.
Joanne said: “When the funding is in place I plan to locally source all my materials, as I feel it is vital to support other local businesses and support the Merseyside economy. However, I do plan to visit Manchester, they have a wide variety of fabric shops, which will increase my diversity and open up my target market.”
Previously, Joanne worked part-time at Norwich Union in the motoring insurance department in Liverpool. She held the same position for nine years but was made redundant in 2009 and since then she has been unemployed.
While Joanne has been unemployed she has used her spare time to work on her own designs, specialising in dressmaking and soft furnishings such as roman blinds, pelmets, and curtains.
What started as a hobby for Joanne, creating designs for family and friends, soon developed into an opportunity to use her love of design and fashion to build a business.
She said: “I have set up a Bouvardia Designs Facebook site and I hope to use social media marketing to attract clients from all around the UK. I have been making clothes and soft furnishing now for over 20 years. I began to recycle old clothes and over the years I gained the skills and confidence to make the move to start my own business.
“I have an interest in fabric and concept and I have attended courses in loom weaving, dress design and a short interior furnishing course.”
Joanne is currently in talks with well-known fashion website ASOS.com. She has sent a variety of samples to gather feedback and hopefully secure an order to have her unique designs on sale on such a popular site.
Joanne said: “My mentor at Blue Orchid, Rachel McGuinness, has been fantastic throughout the whole process. She opened my eyes to many elements I had overlooked. I received valuable insight into the fashion industry and Rachel filled me with the confidence I needed to make me realise that the dream I had can become a reality if the hard work and effort is applied.
“Rachel educated me in business planning, yearly projections, loans and grants and to build a robust business plan. Making the first step to launch your own business is a daunting experience. I have been encouraged and given sound professional advice throughout process. I could not recommend Blue Orchid more to people who are in the position I was in.”
For more information visit Blue Orchid: www.theblueorchid.co.uk
