Shelfie Shoppe | Application Preview
Shelfie Shoppe is seeking government grant funding to expand its product line and ensure long-term viability. The funds will be allocated to develop new styles, including plus-sized options, nursing garments, and medical scrub tops. This development entails hiring a pattern maker and a sample sewist, as well as a manufacturing consultant to oversee quality control, in addition to purchasing necessary materials.
The business aims to broaden its offerings from eight styles to forty. This will include a variety of new styles targeted at different needs, such as customizable options for breast cancer surgery patients, plus sizes, and coordinating children's apparel. Additionally, Shelfie Shoppe plans to enter the wholesale market by partnering with boutiques and online retailers, while also hiring local employees to assist with inventory and order fulfillment.
Shelfie Shoppe's unique selling proposition lies in its superior product design, particularly the shelf bra, which offers better support and comfort. The business competes with established brands like JJWinks, Soma, and SheBird, but asserts that its products, made in the U.S. and designed with more inclusive sizing, provide a competitive edge.
In summary, the funding will not only facilitate product development but also support local employment and enhance brand visibility, positioning Shelfie Shoppe for sustainable growth in the market.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: Shelfie Shoppe
Location: Frenchtown, MT, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: NO
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Funding Usage
This money would be used to develop new products such as plus sized versions of all of our styles, nursing garments, and expansion into medical scrub tops. This would help Shelfie Shoppe to expand its offerings which is crucial for longterm survival. Specific product developement expenditures are paying our pattern maker for new patterns (which on average require 3 rounds of revisions for each new style), paying our sample sewist for creating garments from the new patterns (which also on average require 3 rounds of revisions for each new style), paying out manufacturing consultant who oversees quality control and coordinates manufacturing, and purchasing the raw materials needed for the above. We are also interested in offering our styles to breast cancer surgery patients, as we have been told that our garments are uniquely wearable and comfortable for post surgical women. These funds would also support development of styles which would further serve and support post surgical women. The funding would then allow for an initial manufacturing run of new styles including purchase of raw materials, payment to contractors for marker and tech pack production, and payment to the garment manufacturer, all of whom are in the United States.
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Business Plan
My growth plans are threefold: 1. I plan to expand the products offered by ShelfieShoppe from our current offering of 8 styles to an offering of 40 styles. The new styles will include plus sized versions of all of our current and future styles (which are in themselves separate styles due to the differing proportions), nursing versions of 4 of our styles, two scrub top styles, 2 coordinating children's styles (for mommy and me), and 4 additional cold weather styles. We will also offer customization for postsurgical needs in all styles. 2. I plan to expand into the wholesale market, making Shelfies available for purchase in brick and mortar boutiques and other online stores expanding the brand's reach. 3. I plan to hire 1 to 3 local employees to help with inventory management and order fulfillment. I currently work alone a majority of the time and my mother generously helps me free of charge. Investors should invest in ShelfieShoppe because the concept is proven. The products are loved and well received and provide a wardrobe solution to the many women who are looking for alternatives to the traditional bra or are looking for flattering, modest, appealing loungewear that makes them comfortable and confident while at home. I feel that with a little financial help to expand our offerings, ShelfieShoppe will become a self-sufficient business offering wonderful, unique products to women and employment for some local folks.
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Self Identified Competition
JJWinks, Soma, and SheBird Our biggest competitor is JJWinks. This company seems to have begun about the time I was in the initial stages product development. They seem to be popular, and I think there is room in the market for all of us. ShelfieShoppe products are superior in 3 major ways. Our shelf bra is more structured lending more support, coverage, and separation without adding bulk or discomfort. Our garments and fabric are made in the United States. We offer plus sizes. Our planned product line expansion will most likely also eclipse JJWinks offerings, but I can't know what their future plans include. Another competitor is Soma. Soma makes high quality sleepwear for women. Their price point and quality are similar, but they lack our signature shelf bra. A third competitor is SheBird. SheBird focuses more on streetwear than loungewear and pajamas. Thier built-in shelf bra has removable pads which drive women crazy and have several other features that as a shelf-bra connoisseur I deem inferior.
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Contact Applicant
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