jillmarlenewiggins

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Week 14 (the last one for College)

Technically this week's blog is not required but I wanted to do it as a bonus for anyone following me.

I will be quick, just want to say I have registered my name now as a business and set up a business account.

J.M.W. Custom Designs!

I have been busy setting up a commercial rental space and creating additional products too. I have also been fortunate to have another outlet agreeing to sell some of my wares too.

Thanks to any and all supporters out there, past, present and future!

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Week 13!

What is working? My packaging is coming together...I was given a gift of 50 clear gift bags! I bought a big pack of tissue paper for wrapping the articles in. I made stickers and business cards using my logo.

What is not working? My business cards that I designed myself were cut out the wrong size! I can still use them though by stapling them to the bag, as an alternative to my sticker.

How do I feel the project is coming? Really well! The project has grown with additional items, still based on the original theme. From t-shirts to glasses to coasters, the latest incarnation!

What am I learning about myself? That my ideas, talents and ambitions are limitless!

What am I learning about my business? How important marketing and advertising are! I will utilize Facebook Marketplace instead of Kijiji as I have heard it is more popular.

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Week 12

What is working? Creating multiple items, based on the same theme. Wine-themed T-shirts/wine glasses/coasters

What isn't working? That I think I can do everything on my own, help for the small business person is there, I just need to ask for it.

How do I feel the project is coming? I have had some moderate success that has encouraged me to further invest in myself and business by creating more/similar products based on my theme.

What have I learnt about myself? That I have many (too many?) ideas, goals, plans...etc. I have enough "sisu" though to bring most of them to fruition.

What have I learnt about my business? That the importance of social media will benefit my business.

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Week no. 11

What is working? I have begun to set up in my new commercial space and had a Business meeting in Madoc, at a wine store. They have shown great interest and took all my merchandise to sell in their shop. (money pending)

What is not working? not enough time currently to produce more merchandise, set up shop and continue my studies.

How do you feel the project is coming? Very well, not only was my meeting/transferring my merchandise sucessful but they are interested in more too.

What are you learning about running a business? To not only diversify, multiply but also spread out my merchandise in different outlets too.

What are you learning about yourself? That I have talent and perseverance. boundless energy and ideas!

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Week #10 Update

what is working? Me, harder than anything! I am packing stuff up and preparing to move my office/craft room to a commercial space

what is not working? Finding affordable movers!

how do you feel the project is coming? I am encouraged with a new outlet to create, advertise and sell in.

what are you learning about running a business? To reach out for my help, I cannot do everything on my own, no matter what I think!

what are you learning about yourself? That I can do more than I thought but not as much as I think! (Figure that one out!)

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Progress Report (Week 9)

what is working? I am working very hard, creating more projects, in an effort for multiple sales. (wine glasses in same theme to match the wine-themed t-shirts)

what is not working? Aside from one t-shirt sold, my sales have been slow due to my lack of efficient advertising.

how do you feel the project is coming? I feel it is continuing to work, I have great products made and I have two future outlets to sell them.

what are you learning about running a business? Research, study as much as possible and to keep the faith!

what are you learning about yourself? I am strong, resilient and very ambitious!

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Progress report on my "Start-up Venture" (week 8)

what is working? I got some good news yesterday! I found an affordable commercial place to create and sell my wares. I will have more of a chance to showcase my stuff now.

what is not working? My advertising isn't sufficient. I am just using Kijiji and I still haven't sold anything yet!

how do you feel the project is coming? I feel my projects are going well, I have produced a nice variety.

what are you learning about running a business? That it takes a great deal of time, money, effort and patience.

what are you learning about yourself? To downsize and simplify my many projects and ideas. I don't have to do everything at once.

Blaze

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Progress report on my "Start-up Venture" (week 7)

what is working? Me, all the time!

what is not working? I haven't sold anything yet!

how do you feel the project is coming? I think all my efforts are producing many projects.

what are you learning about running a business? A lot! In addition to the course lessons, I research a lot on the web and read "Business books for Dummies"

what are you learning about yourself? That I can't do everything! That I only have 2 hands! That there are only 24 hours in a day!

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Send me an angel...please!

For my "entrepreneurship course" at Loyalist College, I need to look for financial resources, beyond my own initial investment. I am choosing "Angels." These are generally wealthy, retired individuals looking to invest in "start-ups" in their beginning stages. I hope to find one that is willing to invest in my business by contributing a free years rent in a small and private commercial space. Although they usually demand some degree of input and control over what you are doing, perhaps someone exists that is more "hands-off" and tends to be more of "Secret and Silent Angel."

[jillmarlenewiggins]

A Simple (Business Operations) Plan

Despite my many ideas and projects for future business ideas...I must narrow it down to $50 for my College assignment.

So, t-shirts it is!

SUPPLIES 1. I will purchase 7 long-sleeved t-shirts from Amazon and 1 short-sleeve t-shirt from the Dollar store, using approx. $43.50 of my budget. 2. I will buy iron-on vinyl from Amazon, costing $6.50 approx. (5 ft) (but will only use 2.5 ft)

(That will use all my budget but I still will have 3 feet of iron-on vinyl left-over)

EQUIPMENT

I will use my previously purchased heat press equipment.

2. I will use my previously purchased Cricut machine.

3. I will use "Cricut Design Space", a previously subscribed designing app.

MARKETING/LOCATION

I will advertise and sell on Kijiji for free. Hopefully secure a one-time room at the college for free too. I will design and create my projects at home, in my flat, until I can afford a small commercial space.

Cost $6 + 40¢ (vinyl) = $6.40 (each long-sleeved shirt) $1.50 + 40¢ (short-sleeve) = $1.90 Time (estimate per shirt, approx. 15 mins.) (designing, cutting and pressing) $3.75 (based on min. wage of $15 per hour) Profit (estimate) $9.85 per long-sleeved shirt and $9.35 (short-sleeve)

Long-sleeved Selling for $20

Short-sleeve selling for $15

(no permits or permission needed for such a small temporary home business)

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Creative Advertising Exercise

[jillmarlenewiggins]

My ideal customer persona

Someone who doesn't mind spending a few dollars more on my products instead of the mass-produced chain store items because they appreciate the quality and attention that goes into hand-made items.

Someone who wants to support a small Canadian business with sole proprietorship.

Someone that encourages that sole owner on permanent ODSP to supplement their basic income and concentrate on what they can do and offer by using their time, talents and skills.

[jillmarlenewiggins]

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Message Map

[jillmarlenewiggins]

Strengths and Weaknesses

I believe I have many strengths that have aided me as an "Entrepreneur." I have great "people skills" including communication, empathy and relatability. I am very accommodating and a great negotiator too. I have proven my abilities, talents and skills in many areas when teaching art, music, English, cooking, sewing and Pre-school. As an ambitious entrepreneur I set up my own free-lance company "Jill of all trades" whilst living in Europe for 2 decades. I was the sole proprietor of this business and was responsible for all aspects, financial, planning, preparing and teaching. One example of my "entrepreneurial skills" would be when I set up an after-school program in Sweden, teaching piano lessons. I negotiated with the school to rent a room, getting permission to use their students that were already staying after school, buying the piano and the books to teach with. I took this one step further and sold books and keyboard pianos and stools to the students. I even designed t-shirts and book bags with my logo. I organized twice yearly recitals too. In the first year I had just 7 students but averaged 25 in the 4 years that followed.

My weakness would be (possibly) taking on too much! I have so many ideas and interests and I quite literally want to do it all! That is costly both financially and to my health. I have some permanent disabilities that prevent me from doing many things but I work hard to not let that stop me from doing the many things that are possible!