Member Article

Manchester entrepreneur has new business all sewn up

A businesswoman from Sale has stitched together a perfect plan for launching her own company.

Sewconvenient is the brainchild of Natalie Fletcher and provides a number of services including bespoke clothing alterations and repairs.

Natalie has been sewing for 28 years and Sewconvenient is the product of a long-standing wish to set up on her own. The company was launched earlier this year after she sought the assistance of leading start-up support specialists Blue Orchid.

Natalie was introduced to Manchester-based Blue Orchid at a business seminar event and went on to receive one-to-one support to get her business plan in shape. She also took part in networking sessions and workshops which covered topics such as marketing and using social media to promote her company.

Sewconvenient is currently based in rented premises at Sale Rugby Club, however a key selling point of the business is the fact that clothing or soft furnishings requiring repair can be picked up from customers and dropped off when convenient, seven days a week.

The business also offers a T Shirt printing and embroidery service, as well as bespoke dressmaking and wedding dress consultations, with trading also taking place at Altrincham Market twice a week.

It was in the 1990s that Natalie first thought about using her sewing skills to set-up a business, as she was often asked to help with repairs and alterations. The birth of her daughter and employment as a machinist for a soft furnishings company meant her plans were delayed but a two year foundation degree in fashion and clothing technology led to her progressing her ideas.

Now - following the support from Blue Orchid and with Sewconvenient up and running - business is taking off and there are plans to recruit additional employees early in 2014 to assist with the work that is coming in from various channels.

Natalie said: “I had always intended to become a self-employed seamstress, going out to customers and picking up and dropping off their repaired garments. We provide a seven day service, which is a unique concept within the industry, and cater for local businesses as well as individuals. In terms of printing and embroidery, we cover work wear, corporate wear, clothing for stag and hen parties and much more.

“Blue Orchid really helped me get my business plan into shape and encouraged me to be in the right frame of mind to go forward. I feel I’ve benefitted considerably from their advice and guidance and continue to do so.”

Ann Monaghan, a business advisor at Blue Orchid, has worked closely with Natalie. She said: “It’s great to see Sewconvenient doing so well and its success is very much down to the hard work that Natalie has put in. She clearly had the experience to bring her ideas to life but she has also been a great learner when it’s come to the skills and knowledge necessary to start out on her own. It’s been a pleasure to work with Natalie and I’ve no doubt that her business will continue to go from strength to strength.”

For more information about the services provided by Blue Orchid, please visit http://www.blueorchid.co.uk/

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