Scars For Strength LLC | Application Preview
-
General Information
Business Registration Number: 856290
Location: Dover, NH, United States
Length of Operation: 1
Number of Employees:
Annual Gross Income:
Annual Gross Expense:
Open to Loans: NO
-
Funding Usage
Funding will be used to pay off debt from startup costs. I will use it to further grow the company. My aim is operate this business debt free and have a little boost to help me succeed.
-
Business Plan
As of now, my Etsy platform is already beginning to bloom and my sales this year already outpaced last year's total income. Etsy has helped me market to people country-wide which has greatly boosted my sales. I started a store directly on my website to reduce Etsy fees going forward, however I still maintain the Etsy shop for obvious reasons. https://www.etsy.com/shop/scarsforstrength/ I have been collaborating with popular YouTube creators to do unboxing videos of my products, which has really spread the word of my business and abilities! I plan to continue this, and develop commission based incentives for those creators to promote my business. https://youtu.be/vDzKedmUMeg (second half of video is unboxing) I am getting more and more private orders for both personal gifts and professional promotional items. I currently collaborate with multiple local businesses and artisans to provide customized signs & promotional materials to help them grow their businesses. I also develop industry specific goodies. For instance I collaborate with a local veterinarian. I engrave paw prints of the beloved animals they have to put down. Which the vet buys from me and gifts to their grieving clients. I really enjoy working with like minded other small businesses and artists. I look forward to developing more industry specific services to market to any businesses, with the goal of monthly recurring business or bulk orders to ensure financial security. For instance I contacted a high end dog daycare to market customized pet products to their clients. I presented to them a 12 month plan of industry specific items their clients may want. I sent them a sample pack of things I dreamed up for them and blew them away! I feel like my services are something that a lot of local small businesses can benefit from, which sounds to me like it would be great for the economy! I feel like renting space in my local mall is the next logical step. It will require a larger investment of money, time and materials up front, but will save on shipping expenses and speed up my local visibility. Initially I will be renting space in someone else’s store, so I do not have to worry about staffing and being there to sell to the public. I don't aim to be the next huge box store. After some growth and financial security is obtained I envision having my own shop space or kiosk in the mall, staffed by one or two employees to handle sales. I have a strong management history and know this is something I am ready to take on. I have been a very dedicated worker all my life, but always for other people! I am now combining my passion for pulling heartstrings with my creative skills, to make useful and thoughtful items. I am currently unable to work my previous career due to disability. I am in remission, recovering from cancer treatments. While I do not feel that is relevant to this application, I do feel it shows the great amount of fighting spirit I exude. As my health returns, I will only be getting stronger, and more motivated. I am hoping to build this business in a way that will allow my family to live comfortably and contribute to the local community. I've held off requesting grants: waiting until I had some good reviews to back my cause. You'll notice nothing by 5 stars if you look at my Etsy reviews. Business references available upon request. I’ve been waiting to be sure this is a dream I want to pursue. Waiting to be sure this will be welcomed and appreciated by those around me. I’m sure. I’m ready. My community wants my services!
-
Self Identified Competition
1: "Things Remembered" a customization and engraving store 2: Local Crafters and Artisans (Even some featured in the mall) 3: Designs By Lauren https://bespoke-designsbylauren.company.site/ 1: “Things Remembered” is a large corporate box store. Truly they're first to mind when I think of a competitor. Their store isn't even around anymore though due to all the pandemic shut downs. This has left a huge empty local hole for personalized and engraved treasures. 2: Local Crafters and Artisans. There are PLENTY of these folks in the area. The difference is they usually have traditional workshop, or maybe even modern small crafting tools. However, I have an industrial grade laser! I have outpaced their capabilities and then some. 3: Bespoke Designs By Lauren. Lauren is the only person I have found who lives locally and has the same type of laser I do. Her style and tastes are similar to mine, making me view her as my largest actual competition. She has tons of products, talent and happy customers. I don’t know her but have seen her admirable work online. Our products are of equal skill and quality, but different. We have different directions of business. She is marketing to the general public with amazing assorted personal gifts. I do the same... I appreciate and love sales to public. However, I do not find them to be consistent, and would prefer to establish more secure revenue by catering to local small businesses. The grant money I believe would truly excel my business in a way that could grow alongside hers, WITHOUT infiltrating her market, or using her ideas.
-
Contact Applicant
Subscribe to our Administrator Dashboard to gain full access to this application. Learn More
