Episode 26 - Starting small and testing the market with Jane Aspel founder of jewellery brand emma by jane

From Dragon’s Den to her own start up. Jewellery designer Jane Aspel from ‘Emma By Jane’ joins Nicole on Start Scale Succeed to talk about sourcing and funding, and starting a business. Some of the topics covered are investment, exporting, the creative process, and so much more. Find out about small testing the market and then going for it.
 
KEY TAKEAWAYS
 
Jane forgot about accounting for customs fees when she made her first jewellery order so was left having to change her pricing plans. 
Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from people who have been there and done it. Jane’s Grandad had experience in business and was able to lend his ear and help out for free when Jane was just starting out.
Because it’s just Jane involved in the approval process, she can adapt to trends and get products developed quickly. 
The factory Jane uses closed for three months last year, but luckily they had just received a large order to tide them over until it was back up and running. Make sure you don’t put all your eggs in one basket supplier wise. 
Awards can do great things but if you don’t have people voting with their wallet then it doesn't mean much. Getting the recognition and the word of mouth from winning awards will help sales. 
You don’t get anywhere without messing up a few times, in business and in life. The trick is to see it as a lesson rather than a mistake. 
 
BEST MOMENTS
 
‘It’s so important that you trust your gut from the beginning’ 
‘When you own your own business all these problems become your own’
‘Customs are a massive hit and nobody wants to pay that’
 
VALUABLE RESOURCES 
 
www.thebuyerandretailcoach.comwww.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoachwww.emmabyjane.com
 
ABOUT THE HOST
 
Buying & retail expert Nicole Higgins spent the last 18 years working for companies such as Primark, M&S, Debenhams and Asda, sourcing & developing products from all over the world, building strategies for blue chip businesses, and increasing bottom line sales and profit, adding over £40 million in incremental business to the bottom line. 
Nicole now uses that experience and works as a consultant and coach for entrepreneurs and small to medium sized business owners, helping them start and scale their product businesses as The Buyer And Retail Coach (TM) 
Join the Start Scale Succeed waitlist. How to start & scale a product business. A 12 Week programme:  thebuyerandretailcoach.com/startscalesucceedwaitlist
 
CONTACT METHOD 
 
Website http://www.thebuyerandretailcoach.comIG https://www.instagram.com/thebuyerandretailcoach/LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/nicolehigginsukEmail [email protected] Newsletter https://thebuyerandretailcoach.com/newsletter-sign-up/Book a call with me https://thebuyerandretailcoachltd.as.me/discoverycall