Turning PPD Into A Real Life Shop

Hi I’m Kayleigh. I run Pocket Perfect Designs, my speciality is creating fun stationery and quirky gifts with a few swear words thrown in for good measure. I do create cute things too, like this Chronic Pain Tracker. I have a chronic illness and created this after an operation in January as I wanted something I could use to track the pain and show my Consultant post op

The more time goes on without the money to fit out the shop the more I realise that one day I’m going to have to walk past it and try not to cry because it went to someone else. You’ll all be pleased to know I’ve finally given in to your peer pressure and I’m going to give crowd funding a go.

I’ve been really struggling to write this for the last few days because it’s admitting defeat I guess. I pride myself on my honesty and showing you the reality of running a business and not just the filtered insta worthy side so I feel like it’s important to share this whole shop journey with you. 

In September I realised there was a shop round the corner from my house for rent. I went to look at it and it’s a complete shell so going to be expensive to fit out. Everyone I spoke to told me not to do it for obvious reasons but I love a challenge and a little pandemic won't stop me. In fact I even have a pen for that! 

What I want to bring to my local community is something that we don’t currently have and I think now is the perfect time for that. My idea for this shop is to have a little mezzanine where all the PPD products will be. I’m not at all ashamed of my style and I’m proud of how much I’ve built it up however I appreciate not everyone wants the C word in your face everywhere you look. This way it’s optional for you to go up the stairs and see it. 

Downstairs will have all of Lazy Llama stock, this is my other business if you’re not aware. It’s a child friendly PPD basically. It’s full of quirky stationery like mermaid pens and flamingo planners. I want to support my local community in a few different ways and help to build up the economy post Covid. 

I would absolutely love to source locally produced stock from small businesses in the Milton Keynes area and purchase directly from them and sell in my shop which will support loads of local small businesses. 

As well as this, I want the PPD shop to have a large crafting table on the right hand side of the shop where people can go to the coffee shop round the corner and then pop in and take a seat and work on whatever they’re currently crafting. Whether they’re finishing a knitting project or they want to bring their child in to do some painting, if there’s a space at the table then they’re welcome. The craft table will also host various craft sessions in the evenings where I would like to hire someone to come in and teach an hours session. This will not only support a local crafter, it will teach others in our local community new skills. I’d love to offer kids craft parties too. I would also love to have a chronic illness meet up, I have severe endometriosis and haven’t been able to find anything local to Milton Keynes that offers support. I would love to host things like coffee mornings at the shop where people with endometriosis can meet up and get support whilst having fun and crafting. I would welcome other people that have chronic illnesses to get in touch if they wanted to host their own one at my craft table. There’s little support out there for people with chronic illness and I would love to play a part in that changing.   

So why do I need funding? I’ve mentioned it before that the cost of the shop rent isn’t an issue. I can understand that people might think if you’re asking for money before you’ve even got it then how will you afford the rent. The unit comes as a complete shell there’s no plaster on the walls or a proper ceiling. The money I am looking to raise is to pay for the fit out of the shop with the basics such as a kitchen, back office etc. I have had confirmation that a toilet should be being built in before moving in at the landlords cost so that is one less worry!

With all high street banks only providing Covid related lending I applied for a business loan with a not for profit organisation in my local area. After passing initial checks they decided that I would be a “reputational risk” as they felt the sweary nature of my business would cause huge complaints. 

I have the most amazing customers that have been behind me 100% and have been trying to persuade me to do crowdfunding. I was really against it because I felt like people would think it’s really beggy but it’s got to the point now where my pride needs to be put aside as I can’t bear someone else to take my dream shop! I’d love to send you a reward in return for your money though as a thank you. At the moment the rewards include UK postage only. Unfortunately due to Brexit it’s caused huge international shipping issues. I would absolutely love you to donate but please contact me first if you’re not in the UK so I can let you know how much shipping will be.