The Flossy Finch LLC | Application Preview
The Flossy Finch LLC is applying for a $25,000 Oklahoma Grant to enhance its online business driven by community and sustainability. The proposed use of funds includes subscriptions for essential software and services over three years, such as Adobe Lightroom and Canva for product photography and marketing, Squarespace for website maintenance, and Moz for SEO support. Additionally, they plan to purchase an iPhone 14 Pro Max for efficient product photography, replenish inventory through local sourcing, and invest in professional development courses.
The funding will also establish a financial cushion for unexpected business expenses and support local design workshops, helping to build community connections. The business has a five-phase plan starting with selling on Etsy and evolving to international sales, design workshops, and eventually establishing a physical studio space.
Their competitive edge lies in formal design training that empowers them to create unique, upcycled products with a focus on accessibility. The Flossy Finch aims not only for economic gain but to inspire and give back to the community, positioning itself distinctly in the market.
-
General Information
Business Registration Number: 58087690002
Location: Broken Arrow, OK, 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
-
Funding Usage
If The Flossy Finch LLC were awarded Oklahoma Grant Funding in the amount of $25,000, the monetary investment would go towards the following items: Adobe Lightroom Subscription $359.64/3 Years This would give me access to photo editing software for my product photography. When selling items online, the product image is everything! Adobe Lightroom features presets that would help me keep my online product images clean and uniform. I would allot funding for this subscription for 3 years. Canva Subscription $359.97/3 Years Canva is a budget-friendly alternative to Adobe Creative Suite where I could create all the digital assets associated with my online shop (product images, store banners, email marketing, social media marketing, etc.) I would allot funding for this subscription for 3 years. Squarespace Website + Blog $504.00/3 Years A portion of grant funding would go towards maintaining my Square Space website and domain. I intend to run a blog in conjunction with my Etsy shop so that customers can follow DIY projects, transformations, or read about what it’s like being a designer running a small studio practice in Oklahoma (especially since I have a kitten who works with me in the studio too). This will be an important tool for growing my audience and establishing a community. I would allot funding for this subscription for 3 years. MOZ $5,157/3 Years Moz is a great tool for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) which is vital for running an online business. With this software, I am able to track my search visibility online and conduct keyword research on all my products. It also keeps track of Google algorithm updates which have a tremendous impact on small businesses. This is a tool I cannot afford on my own just yet, but grant funding would allow me to have access to this important tool right away. I would allot funding for this subscription for 3 years. iPhone 14 Pro Max $1,099.00 After doing tons of research on the best product photography equipment to use for ecommerce sites, I’ve decided that going with a smartphone as opposed to a DSLR camera is the best option for my business. This would keep my equipment expenses minimal by eliminating the need for fancy lens and accessories. According to my research, the iPhone 14 Pro Max has all the capabilities of a professional-grade camera at a fraction of the cost. Purchasing Inventory $3,500.00 I would set aside 14% of grant funding for replenishing inventory. This money would be used to purchase items from antique malls, thrift shops, and art supply stores in my local community. I would love to be able to go in a “buying trip” where you travel around state or out-of-state in search of inventory. Kansas City, MO and Lawrence, KS would be my first choices for a buying trip. Professional Development $2,000.00 I would set aside 16% of grand funding to pursue an online or local course on business management or managing a small business. This would be a tremendous opportunity to grow my network. I also want to sink my teeth into business finance. Design Workshops $2,020.39 There is a crafting retreat in Chelsea, OK where people can spend the weekend creating crafts from the comforts of a renovated barn. I would offer workshops to anyone interested in learning about upcycling or cut paper collaging. The funds would go towards classroom supplies, such as equipment or accommodations. This would enable me to network with my local community. Bank of Oklahoma Checking and Savings Account $10,000.00 I would like to dedicate 40% of grant funding to my business checking and savings account. This will provide me a solid nest egg to help cover unexpected fees, costs, and expenses associated with running a small business. Not to mention, I would be able to work with a designated financial planner associated with the business bank account. (I believe with Bank of Oklahoma; you have to have a balance of $5,000 to be able to work with a financial adviser. But I am still in the process of researching this!) This is a rough estimate of how I would utilize $25,000 of Oklahoma Grant Funding should it be awarded to the Flossy Finch LLC. The technology of running an online business will be the biggest expense for the first 3-5 years. I intend to operate The Flossy Finch while working full-time as a marketing coordinator for a manufacturing company. This affords me the financial stability to foster and grow my studio, but grant funding would help tremendously by securing up my 5-year timeline. Again, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to submit my small business for consideration. This was a very helpful experience and I hope to network with the Oklahoma Small Business Grants community more in the future! Warmest regards, Jordan Wong The Flossy Finch 14129 E 425 Rd. Claremore, OK 74017 E: [email protected] P: 918-549-1495
-
Business Plan
The Flossy Finch LLC has a 5 Phase Business Plan to guide it through the next 5 Years. Phase 1: Sell on Etsy The Flossy Finch LLC will join the Etsy community as an atelier and paperie that sells paper goods, jewelry, and bespoke pieces. After conducting market research, Jordan has determined that this is a great way to test her business model. Jordan can develop her clientele on the platform while learning the ins and outs of an ecommerce business. The reason Jordan has decided to go online as opposed to a brick and mortar option (such as renting a booth space at a local antique mall) is because of her experience as a digital marketing coordinator. Jordan can utilize her experience in Search Engine Optimization, Product Photography, and Social Media Content Management to grow her studio's brand awareness and following. Jordan intends to publish a blog highlighting her process, upcycling transformations, and what it's like to be a designer running a small business in Oklahoma. Phase 2: Sell Internationally and Expand Platform Activity Once Jordan has established consistent monthly earnings on Etsy (which could take anywhere from 1-3 years), she would like to branch into the international market. This would increase her exposure online by offering her work to a global audience. In addition to shipping worldwide, Jordan would like to develop a YouTube channel that highlights her studio practice, showing others how to collage or upcycle found items from thrift stores. This will continue to increase her online audience, enabling her to set up alternative sources of income such as Patreon, YouTube monetization, Influencer Advertising, and The Flossy Finch Course Offerings. Phase 3: Offer Design Workshops and Rent Booth Space at Local Antique Mall By year 4, Jordan will have ironed out all the bumps and kinks of her studio practice which means she's ready to start getting involved in her community. With an MFA in Communication Arts and a BFA in Studio Art, Jordan would like to attend events or offer design workshops where she can show others how to cut paper collage or upcycle found treasures. She would also like to establish a physical booth rental space at one of her favorite local antique malls so that she can establish a presence in her community. Phase 5: The Flossy Finch Gets Headquartered By year 5 or 7, Jordan hopes that The Floss Finch has grown enough to sustain a brick-and-mortar studio space where she can offer classes, take on employees and interns, and offer styling services to clients. One of the most difficult challenges Jordan faced after graduating from SCAD was the lack of opportunities for young, burgeoning designers. Most internships are non-paid, and those who don't have a strong network in the industry have the hardest time getting their foot in the door. Jordan envisions creating a collaborative hub of like-minded creatives who want to practice sustainable design that is community-driven. The final evolution of The Flossy Finch is that it has the resources and opportunities to help others get their start in design as well. Grants have gotten me where I am today. Without the tremendous support I received from my local state university, I would not have been able to fund this incredible journey I've been on. Through grant funding, I have been able to pursue a career in design that has prepared me to launch a full-fledged business. But this business is not driven by capital gain. The Flossy Finch LLC is driven by Community, Sustainability, and Joy. My hope is that in the future, I will also be able to financially give back to its local community.
-
Self Identified Competition
My top 3 competitors would have to be Laura Caldwell (Left Coast Revivals), Rust and Roses (Jade on Main Antique Mall), and Bonnie (IngleNookMarket) who have all inspired me in some way. Laura Caldwell is a YouTube sensation, producing content centered around her thrift store shopping and interior design. As a professional, I admire her approach to managing her website and social media channels. I would implement some of her marketing strategies to carve out a niche audience for myself. She is top tier. Rust and Roses is a vendor at the Jade in Main Antique Mall who has an entire corner dedicated to her inventory. What i like about her approach is that she has a noticeable aesthetic: Farmhouse Rustic. Her entire store display is cohesive, clean, and filled with diverse inventory. Everything from her merchandising tags to decorative displays to range in products is inspiring! My hope is to achieve her level of mastery when I'm ready to move The Flossy Finch into a booth rental space. She is also able to price her items slightly higher than the average vendor which is proof that she has a dedicated following of customers. My third competitor is Bonnie (IngleNookMarket) which is a similar shop to mine on Etsy. She too offers upcycled items and boasts a total sale average of 4,000+. What I love about her execution is the styling of each item, her product descriptions, her price point, and her approach to selling secondhand items. She has been a wonderful resource as I set up my own Etsy shop. The major thing that sets me apart from my 3 competitors is that I have formal training as a designer. I am able to create unique collections, utilizing my artistic eye to collect and curate inventory that elevates upcycling into a whole new subgenre of fashion and interior design. I have a strong background in color theory, composition, market trend research, and textiles that enables me to offer authentically original, one of a kind items in my shop. By limiting myself to using upcycled or found materials, I can transform the things in my local community and reimagine them in fun and interesting ways. I can also make these items accessible to those who cannot afford luxury design brands. The Flossy Finch LLC is a fun and playful studio practice. Through the lens of design, I can take the ordinary and make them extraordinary. Sparking inspiration in others is the primary drive behind my work. I think I can leverage this to not necessarily overcome my competition, but have something unique to add. If you have time, I highly recommend checking out Laura Caldwell's YouTube channel.
-
Contact Applicant
Subscribe to our Administrator Dashboard to gain full access to this application. Learn More
