So it's all coming to the point of reflection, evaluation and critical analysis relating to the assignment as a whole.

 “A business on a shoestring”.

Within this post I hope to evaluate and analyse the whole experience in stages. Starting with idea development, the assignment proposal, producing a business plan. I also want to re-look at areas already mentioned within this blog. As well as assessing the level of commercial success, and may even go as far as setting out plans for moving this venture on further afield.

As all assignments, they start with ideas, and as always that is never a problem. However, narrowing these down to find something that is realistic for a small business is not as easy as it sounds.I have discussed my initial ideas earlier. however, I feel I need to justify the reasons for going with the textile images of local areas. After some initial debate with tutors in relation to the permanent exhibition space within Jack’s Barber shop. I decided that this needed more research in relation to the competition or possible other venues. To be extremely critical there was also the risk of loss or damage from the small fingered customers as well as the heavy handedness of the more senior gentlemen visiting the shop for their regular trim.

With more time I feel that this could be a possibility however if I stay with Jack’s Barber shop as a venue, it will have to be on a smaller scale than I would be happy with.

The second proposed ideas seemed an interesting venture. To include my favourite holiday destination and a passion for painting decorative motifs. Sadly, this was proving to be an extremely difficult proposal to fulfil.

Initially I had researched Menorcan sandals and found a possible supplier. As well as my supply of source materials which would allow me to design and paint onto the sandals. I even plan to order a range of sizes off the Internet to get started. This is where the plan fell flat, as the assignment runs from late September to early January! By the time I created a range of designs, painted them on the sandals, produce enough samples to make it worthwhile to have a stall at the market, Menorca would be close for the winter. Not to mention the time I would need to take off from University to see if the venture would work.

On reflection it was a nice try, but not a proposal that, let’s face it is ever going to be a possibility as far as this assignment is concerned. However, I do feel that this is a project that can be achieved. In my initial research I found that I can source the sandals at a cost that would allow me to sell my work at a realistic price.

From my time in Menorca I did see customised sandals, however, I do feel there is a gap in the market that I would like to exploit. Also the logistics of such a venture, in relation to the cost of the product as well as the flights time and accommodation, would not meet the needs of the criteria of this module which is of course a business on a shoestring.

All assignments need a proposal, clearly stating the aims and objectives in relation to the needs of the brief. This for me initially was quite a difficult document to produce. I did not fully understand the amount of information that was required. However, I feel that the information within the business plan gives a full account of what I planned to do as well as my objectives.

“Jo Booth Design designs and creates bespoke textile art using local landmarks as its basis. Each piece of art is a unique design, placing a photograph onto fabric, stretched over a wooden frame and decorated using fabrics, threads and textiles to complement the photograph. As well as producing these pieces for three local towns, Cheadle, Buxton and Hartington, Jo Booth Design also offers a commission service, taking a personal picture and designing something for the individual.

Initially the business will start in the three areas mentioned, but will look to expand its horizons into other areas, as the business model is adaptable to take the personality of any area.

As well as selling in three shops, one for each area, the business will use social media and the internet to offer the service to anyone. Commissions will be available to individuals as well as business organisations.

Through market research, the product I'm providing is unique, affordable piece of art to grace any home. The aim is to use as broad a customer base as possible. Not only is it aimed at local home owners, it is also aimed at tourists looking for a memento of their visit to The Peak District”. 

This section has been taken from the business plan however, on reflection it states exactly what I should have put into the assignment proposal.

 Cheadle high Street

Buxton opera house

The cheese shop Hartington

Writing this proposal was one of the most helpful aspects of this assignment. By setting out a clear time plan stating what is going to be done and when. Having applied the schedule set out in the time plan I was able to question some areas of my work. Therefore, been able to re-evaluate areas such as the time frame in which the work for sale needed to be produced. Initially I thought that’s the work for sale had to be produced at such a rate that would not have time to develop the idea.

This plan also helped me to, make firm plans with the owners of the proposed businesses that were going to sell my work. Allowing me to make small samples to take to the shops for feedback which in turn allowed me to make alterations to my work as specified by the three shop owners.

On the whole the comments made did not really relate to the work, they related to the need for a point of sale. The owner of number 62 venue in Cheadle pointed out that, if I was to receive any commission work I needed something that told the customer who I was and what I did. This proved to be a very helpful piece of information, as I have received three commissions all from the point of sales.

From this experience I have now realise that you have to sell yourself, as well as your work. 

Another aspect of the business plan that I found very interesting was the financial side. My initial thoughts were quite naive, basically I thought I would have a small sum of money I’d use that to make some artwork, using materials that I had stockpiled over a number of years. The only thing I would need to buy would be the base fabric. I would create a small production line to produce as many pieces of work as I could in the time allowed. And of course they would all sell.

But in reality when you look what is required within the business plan, ranging from a cost and pricing strategy, financial forecast as well as a personal survival budget. It’s not that easy.

Having said that I do realise, the importance of having all this information. As the results of all the number crunching in the relevant places I now understand the need for this information. It clearly shows how profitable this business could be if projected correctly within the information.

I can see why this document needs to be precisely compiled with truthful information. I feel that if you were trying to sell this to a bank manager is we clearly are. You need to sell it to yourself as well it needs to be very convincing.

On a critical note I do think I need to develop a backup plan, it always a good idea to have a plan B.

Possible pig farmer

Or a steam train driver

All that is left in me to complete, I feel is to analyse the success of the business.

For me the most significant aspect of producing the artwork was the realisation that your initial idea can be so blinkered, if something does not go to plan, it can be hard to see past this and develop other avenues. This was the case when I discovered that the emulsion prints was not as colourful as my original designs.

After some discussion it was suggested that this could open up other sales opportunities. I have to say this is exactly what happens out of the 10 designs produced four sold.

Two designs of the stronger colours ways.

Two designs of the lighter colour ways.

If the colours had not washed out at the end of the emulsion print transfer process, I would only have produced work with strong colours within the Print, as well as using the strong colours voiles and threads. This would most definitely have affected the sales.

As mentioned before a significant boost to the sales of artwork has been the three commissions. Which have come directly from the point of sale placed within number 62 on Cheadle high Street.

To to move this venture forward I would like to implement aspects of the collage and emulsion print transfer to produce larger pieces of work. This could also accommodate commission work by using imagery either produced by myself to meet the brief or provided by the new customer. I have plans to complete the opera piece that is shown below. And contact Buxton Opera house to see if there is an opportunity for possible sale, or commission based on this work.