Nicola Broom's Time to Shine!

Your Time to Shine!
Club Member Case Study

Name: Nicola Broom                             
Location: Essex
Children: Emma-Lily, aged 4.           
Business Name: Mini Treasures
Website: http://www.minitreasures.co.uk

What was the inspiration that led you to starting your own Keepsake Business? 
I was spurred on by the fact that my daughter, Emma—Lily was due to start School.  I wanted to be there for her at the start and end of each day, as my Mum had been for me.  I started Investigating several Franchise opportunities but was discouraged by the high start-up fees.

When I discovered The Keepsake Consultancy, I was so inspired by their product range, I had to find out more.  I had been considering competitive Franchises which were far more expensive and only offered one product, whereas The Keepsake Consultancy offered a full collection.

What did you do before starting your Keepsake Business? 

I was (and still am) employed full time, therefore I’m fitting in my Keepsake Business around the evenings and weekends.

When did you start your Business?

I attended the Fingerprint & Artwork Jewellery Courses in March 2009 & went live with my website during May

Which of our Training Courses have you attended and when? 

I have attended the Fingerprint & Artwork Jewellery Courses & hope to attend the Stone Outprints course in September, followed by the 3D Casting Course.

So which Keepsake Products are you now offering?

Just Fingerprint and Artwork Jewellery at the moment - but I will extend my range further once I have completed the additional courses later on this year.

Do you provide any complimentary products, along side these?

Yes.  I have now added some really complimentary items to my Keepsake range; Children’s Sterling Silver Beaded Bracelets with Swarovski Pearls & Crystals. Theses can also be personalized with Sterling Silver Alphabet Beads. I also make matching ones for Mums, Nans, Aunts etc.
In addition I have started making Wedding Jewellery & Tiaras, using Swarovski Pearls & Crystals.

How did you find our Training Courses? Was everything covered that you needed to know? 

The training courses were fun & friendly. I would have liked to have been more involved in the full range of production on the Artwork Course, including the manipulation of the images on the computer & then creating the stamp. This is the bit that I was most unsure of.  However once I got home & followed the instructions in the Training Manual, everything came back to me.  The instructions were very clear and step-by-step.  Consequently, I was really pleased with my first piece of finished Artwork Jewellery.

How did you find things back at home trying to master the techniques that you learned during your Training?

There is always so much to take in on any new course, so it is only natural that you forget some things. However, once I got home & my starter kit arrived, I followed the instructions in the Manual & it all come back to me.

Did our Training Manuals help to refresh everything that you had learned? 

The training manuals were really good to have, they helped to refresh any bits I may have forgotten.  They were very easy to follow and step-by-step.

Did you have a need to use our online support?  If so, did you find this useful?

The quality of Training and the Manuals were so good, that honestly I have not had to use the Support Desk very much at all.  However, when I have, I received a very quick and efficient response from Victoria.

Did you find our Business-Start-up Guide and Marketing Guide useful in preparing to set up your business?  What elements of these proved most useful?

I found the Business-Start-up Guide & Marketing Guide extremely helpful.  It was full of useful information on setting up a business from scratch.

How are you finding fitting in your Keepsake Business in between your other family or work commitments.

I don’t really get a lot of spare time with working full-time and being a mum, but I really enjoy making the Jewellery - so I always find time to fit it in.  It’s my time to myself, to do something I enjoy and earn some extra money in the process.

Have your friends and family been supportive of your new venture? 

I think my friends & family were a little skeptical at first - but now they see how well I am doing and how much I enjoy it and they are very supportive. (They listen to me talking about my Business constantly!)

What was the most difficult thing about starting your business?  Have you had any low-points, if so what were they?

I think due to the quality of the initial Training and the additional information contained within the various Start-up and Training Manuals, there has not really been any one thing that has been difficult about starting my business. Definitely I think that the extra support services, such as the royalty free Images, marketing templates and website creation services, have helped to speed up the whole process of starting my Business.  It definitely would have taken me far longer without these services.

Are there any things that you have discovered since starting your Business, which you wish you had known beforehand?

No.

What type of Marketing Activities have you implemented?

I started off by placing a message on a local Mother & Baby Website. I received a big response from this. I have since paid to advertise on this website.

I am currently advertising in a few children’s Play-Centres and am in the process of placing an advert in a local quarterly magazine that is distributed through children’s School book bags and Libraries.  

 

Have you attended any Party’s, Events or Group Bookings?  What have been your experiences of these todate?

I have attended a pamper evening, although I knew no children would be there, I just thought it would be a good opportunity to get some advertising in different areas.

I also have a Nursery Fete to do in early August and a couple of baby shows in September & October. 
I have never been a confident person but since setting up my Keepsake Business I am much more confident.  I have done a few parties and never feel I am there to sell my product, it just sells itself. I arrange my display & take the prints, no selling skills required!

What has been your best sales period so far ?
The run up to Fathers Day was extremely busy.  I am now looking forward to the Christmas period.  However, I have been advised by Michelle and Victoria to start marketing for this in September, as many people start their Christmas shopping as soon as the kids are back to School!

What level of competition have you faced?  Who is the competition in your area?
I have a Smallprints franchisee in my area but I have been traveling around to promote my Jewellery, so there is space for us both.  We both provide the Fingerprint & Artwork Jewellery but I also have other Keepsakes that I offer.

What have been your high points or best moments?
My favourite moments are when I deliver the Jewellery back after a party - and then I receive emails or recommendations on the local mums website, where I advertise, to say how pleased they are with their finished items.  That’s real job satisfaction!

Now that you have had some experience of running your own Business what would you say are the top 5 qualities that are required to run a successful business?
I find that if you do your research into the demand for your product and you take pride & enjoy what you are doing, that is all you need

What words of wisdom would you pass onto other people starting their own Keepsake Business?
As above!  Take Pride and enjoy what you are doing!

What are you hopes and plans for the future?
I hope to add other Keepsakes to my range and continuing growing a successful business.

Do you have any regrets?
None.

Would you recommend This Business Opportunity to Others?
Definitely! The Keepsake Consultancy offers a complete Business Start-up Package with everything you need to get started!
 

Visit Nicola's website here...