Sew Curvy is For Sale!

In 2009, frustrated at the lack of information on corset making, and even more frustrated with the available supplies, I decided that I could provide a better service than what was available, sourced my first products and started selling corset making kits under the imaginative name of "Corset Kits".   I wanted to be a full time corsetiere but I also wanted to help others find their passion.  My biggest goal back then was that maybe I would earn enough to make corsets and pay for a holiday.  Inspired by a popular bag making shop, I created a website with detailed product descriptions, informative blog posts, photo tutorials and a wider ‘directory’ of online sources from all over the web. 

I started from my spare room with a small tax rebate.  By 2011 I had left my job and gone full time, and by 2012 the business had moved into a premises which saw the beginning of a period of massive inventry expansion.  The business enjoyed year on year growth until this last year when other business interests have taken me away from the shop more and more.

As it stands now, the business is a viable and popular brand with a loyal customer base, is well known among professional and hobby makers, and is also on the secret in house ‘list’ of prefered suppliers in the production departments of film, tv, and theatre costume. 

First of all, i'm not leaving the corsetry biz.  After running Sew Curvy for 13 years, I want to focus on other areas of the craft. 

I started off wanting to be a full time corsetiere but I never have been!  I want to teach fashion and costume students and I want to help professionals improve their skills.  Most of all, I want to write a legacy collection of print books.  My husband retires in 3 years time, and at that point, I want to be geographically free, and perhaps even in a position to leave corsetry behind and start a fourth career!  I have dreams of running a vegan cafe!

Sew Curvy is a great brand, there is only one UK competitor, and with the right energy behind this business, it will provide someone with a lovely income and bags of fulfillment.  I currently employ one person part time, but that is because of all the other things I do (At it’s height, Sew Curvy was employing 2 part time people).  The right person with the right energy could easily run the shop solo and take all of the money!  Or  you could partner with another creative and literally take over the corsetry world!! I have all the resources you need included in the sale.

I never set out to be a shop keeper and that has held the business back in many ways - not for me, but as a shop in its own right.  

Sew Curvy has massive potential for someone who's primary driving force must be to run a shop.  There is plenty of scope for creativity - your success will depend on being able to come up with new ideas, work out tutorials, be creative with social media, introduce new products - the possiblities are literally endless.  

What Sew Curvy needs is someone who is passionate about corsetry/costume/sewing and can dedicate the time to build the business to greater heights!  That person will need energy, drive and bags of creativity.  There are so many places the business can go - i've listed just some of my ideas below, but you will have many many more.  

And you'll have me to help you along.  I'll be doing my own thing but i'll be driving customers to Sew Curvy when I'm recommending my students and audience the best place to shop for their supplies.

Well I've done all the hard work for you and i've come out the other end.  

In reality, imports are very easy - deliveries are arranged by the vendors in Europe, and there's an import fee for heavy goods (steel) - currently £55 to pay along with the VAT which you would have to pay anyway.  Couriers affiliated with Parcel Force do not charge the import fee.  The more you buy in, the more cost effective your imports are.  So far there have been no delays because the goods come under no more than 3 codes which means there isn't all the processing time and delays that you hear about in the news.

Exports are also easy because the Royal Mail and all courier companies have now got all the systems up and running.  It's a bit more work sending goods outside the UK, but nothing too onerous, just a simple customs form to complete, the information for which is all just a keystroke away.  I will ofcourse include all the customs codes and brexit related info you need with the sale package.