Michelle Taylor

Name:

Michelle Taylor

Business:

Michelle Taylor Design

Web site:

Years in business:

Number of businesses:

1

I’ve just left a very successful position at Playboy Intimates in order to pursue my dream of running my own business.

It was an exciting, high profile and demanding role working as the Head of Design, one in which I had a great deal of responsibility managing a team and working closely with directors, liasing with Play Boy America, constant Far East factory communication and most of all I had to make sure me and my team came up with new and exciting designs each season.

Owning my own business is something that I’ve been thinking passionately about for at least three years. Now, after the experience I’ve gained in the lingerie design industry, I am ready for the challenge of going out on my own.

I’ve worked with some great companies around the U.K and so learnt a lot about how a garment goes from an idea in someone’s creative mind to a tangible product in store. In the past I have had restrictions by organizations and brands on the kind of product I design.

I was also advised by a major U.K buyer that my lingerie, if promoted correctly would do very well in the U.K market. It was this belief from someone so well respected in the industry that gave me that first glimmer of belief that I could make this dream happen.

I believe that everyone has choices that they can make in their lives. Up until now I have had to sacrifice being near my family and close friends in the North East in order to chase my dream of being a designer.

I moved back home to the region six months ago. I believe strongly in the North East as an area of up and coming creative talent and want to be part of this exciting time we are entering.

I confided in my parents about my dream of setting up on my own and it was them who gave me the website address of the “if we can you can campaign”. I read stories of other people just like me and realised that maybe I could do it. Maybe I did have what it takes to be successful? Maybe I could take this idea and make it real?

I found the site so inspirational and the if we can, you can challenge was honestly the catalyst that I needed to make a start. I know it sounds mad but I thought if I tell someone else on the outside world about my idea I will have to do it! And so now I have taken the first step!

I received my final pay cheque last week and thought to myself… “Its all down to you Michelle!”…But over the last six weeks I’ve been working nights and weekends on design work in order to build a small cushion of stability for when that end of month pay cheque doesn’t come!!

A scary thought…but at least now I can live in the North East where I love the charisma of the people and I am in charge of my own destiny and my own success. I can already see that the hours of work and dedication I am putting in are making a difference to how much business comes my way.

I feel that there is a gap in the market for my product: a 50’s inspired, beautiful range of +DD lingerie for the younger market that fits well and is a decent price. It has been an idea that has gradually crept up on me from various avenues.

The buyer I mentioned earlier gave me some advice and said that she believes that there is a serious gap in the market for this kind range. I also know from personal experience that it is difficult to find young/pretty styling for larger bust sizes.

My 18-year-old sister has returned home so many times so frustrated because she hasn’t been able to find a bra that fits well that she feels comfortable in. I’ve also lost count of the number of times I’ve met big busted ladies and when I say what I do for a living they say “ooooh…design something nice that I can wear will you please?, I can never find anything pretty and sexy!!”…. It is a real problem.

I am in the very early stages of my business and have been working as a freelance designer for the last few weeks and will continue to do so while I set up this concept.

However I have attended a business start up event in Chester-le-street that I found very useful and have also had initial talks with Business Link and the BIC both of which have been very enthusiastic and supportive. I have also attended numerous free seminars on Marketing and writing business plans which have been very thought provoking and inspirational.

My family and friends have been really supportive too which has given me a great boost.

At the moment I’m working with companies in the U.K/U.S.A and China. I wish to build collateral and plan very carefully. I plan to build on the contacts I have in the industry and gain knowledge on business from support agencies in the area.

I also aim to work with my contacts from China and Hong Kong to produce my range. I plan to sell initially into the U.K, targeting major internet lingerie site Figleaves but also plan to target key accounts across the U.K such as Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, House of Fraser and possibly Debenhams.

Once firmly established here I will then liaise with contacts I have in the States and Hong Kong to take my range to an international level. I will also exhibit at international lingerie trade fairs in Paris and Lyon targeting the huge European market.

Success for me will be when I know that I am supplying a product that women love and that makes them feel great about their bodies and who they are. When I hear people enthusing that they feel good in my lingerie and it makes them feel more confident….that will be my success!

I’m thriving on this opportunity and am so eager to drink up all advice, help and support available. I find all of these stories so inspiring and hope that eventually I can help others too! I know I have the drive and dedication to make it happen.

I know I’ll face challenges along the way; I think with starting to work towards my actual long term goal of my own lingerie range, the initial funding for it will be the biggest hurdle.

There are grants available though so I’m sure I’ll get some form of help along the way. Also learning to manage my books and tax etc, there’ll definitely be challenges when it comes to that.

This for me is something so new and alien as I’ve always had a wage since I worked in a butchers when I was 16 to fund my college years. But again Business Link are going to help with this side of things too.

The best piece of advice I’ve received so far has been to research your market well before you start. This sounds obvious but you do need to make sure that it’s there and people are willing to pay the price you’re asking for.

I plan to conduct focus groups and quiz my friends in the industry even further before I finally take the plunge from freelancer to business owner.

I think to be a successful entrepreneur requires vision, integrity, great communication and listening skills and most importantly a LOT of hard work! I also believe that you need to have an abundance of grit and determination to push through the boundaries even when you feel like you are the only one that believes in what you are doing!

Eventually, once established myself I would like to be able to offer advice and support to youngsters in the area who have a passion for creativity. I would like to encourage them to pursue their vision and to help them to see that you can achieve big things if you work hard, treat people well along the way and have self- belief!!

I haven’t a rich monetary background but I have been given rich life values by my parents and would love to inspire others with my story and help them attain their true potential.

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