Help me open a retail store in Worthing!

Hi! I'm Holly and ever since I was a little girl I always wanted my own business and specifically my own real life shop! I always wanted to be a fashion designer and own my own clothing shop. In the midst of my 2nd year at uni when studying my fashion design degree, I started making jewellery for friends and family! This quickly snowballed and I soon opened an Etsy shop to sell my wares.

Fast forward 8 years later and I still sell on Etsy and at as many craft fairs and markets as I can get into *jewellery is a very saturated market!*. After experiencing how popular my jewellery is at markets compared to other stalls around me, I would love the opportunity to expand this further and reach a wider audience by having my own physical shop on a high street or shopping arcade/ centre. I am based in Brighton but am in the process of obtaining a lease for a shop in Worthing! The only thing I'm struggling with is gathering the funds for the rent deposit and everything else that comes with opening a shop!

All of my jewellery and accessories are quirky and affordable. I make something for everyone no matter the style or budget. There's literally everything! All of my pieces are made in small quantities as I believe jewellery should be as unique as you are. Don't you just hate it when you see clones!

I also create homewares, like embellished embroidery hoops and hanging felt decorations. I also love to draw and have a lot of art prints too!

The shop would be full of all of these things and more! It would feature other makers from around the UK and allow them to have a platform to share their work and make sales! This would be on a rent-a-shelf basis and would be competitively priced. The shop would be a great place to get gifts for loved ones or treats for yourself. The shop would have a minimal aesthetic and easy to navigate. The shop would match my brand colours of beige and teal. 

Once the legal stuff has been completed and the keys have been handed to me then the real work starts of kitting out the shop. Once this has been done there will be a grand opening party! There will be free food and drink supplied from local businesses along with goody bags for the first 20 customers and then 10% discount across the whole store for the next 10 customers for that day.

If you want more information then here is a little bit more about my business idea from my business plan:

Handmadebyhollyuk & Friends is a handmade jewellery business based in the UK, offering quirky, affordable accessories and art pieces. My brand has built a loyal customer base over several years through craft markets and an Etsy shop. Now, I am seeking to secure a retail space in Worthing to expand into a physical store, generating revenue through direct sales, hosting workshops, and renting shelf space to other small makers.

I have participated in over 15 craft fairs already this year, generating 227.2% revenue on the cost of stalls, resulting in a 132.4% profit. In addition to my own handmade jewellery, the shop will feature rentable shelving space for other independent makers, which will bring in additional income and increase foot traffic. The shop will be a hub for creative individuals, providing workshops to engage the community and further boost sales.

Handmadebyhollyuk & Friends will predominantly be a jewellery store, specialising in quirky and affordable handmade jewellery and accessories, including unique earrings, charm necklaces, beaded bracelets, and keyrings. My products range in price from £4 to £30, ensuring there is something for everyone, no matter their budget or style. Most of the jewellery I sell is plated, but I do offer a range of stainless steel jewellery, which is hypoallergenic, water-resistant, and non-tarnishing. Alongside this I also sell a sterling silver range featuring daintier and simpler pieces for customers seeking more minimal designs. I’ve established a strong brand with an Instagram following (@handmadebyhollyuketsy) and a proven track record of sales.

The retail space I am seeking in Worthing will also provide a platform for other artists and makers from across the UK to display and stock their work on a monthly rent-a-shelf basis. I aim to secure a range of price-pointed products from these makers to further ensure that my store offers something for everyone. This shelf rental model will be competitively priced in line with other similar local businesses. This model aligns with current retail trends supporting small businesses and artisans, making the shop a destination for unique, locally-sourced products.

I have built a community of over 21,000 makers on Instagram through my platform Shophandmadeuk, many of whom could be potential shelf renters. A recent online poll I conducted showed that out of 600 viewers, 10% expressed interest in having their work stocked in a shop, further supporting the viability of the rent-a-shelf model. Additionally, as a Brighton Etsy Team Leader, I am part of a community of Etsy sellers in the Brighton area, which not only makes me a recognisable face in the small business world but also provides another avenue for finding potential shelf renters.

In addition to selling my products, I plan to host workshops and other in-store events to increase revenue. These events may be hosted by myself or other creatives who will be able to rent the space for an hourly fee.

Please help the childhood version of me be able to reach her goals🙏 She deserves it🙏💖

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

- Holly