Business expansion trip- France
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Denise, and many of you know me through my vintage home decor business and website, Pink Postcard.
I started this business in 2011. I began by making a few handmade items and selling vintage home decor at vintage markets in the Pacific NW. I gradually expanded to shop space at Aunt Bee's House, and then expanded again to online sales through Etsy. I really love what I do. It fuels a creative outlet, and gives me a chance to rescue and repurpose items that people love to use in their homes. I've found that I have a good eye for quality pieces, and I love researching the history on many of the items I find.
When I was little, I was always too scared to ask for what I wanted. I would frequently ask my little brother to ask *for* me when we were at restaurants or outings. Now that I'm in my 40's, I've gotten better at speaking up, but it's still hard!
I'm pretty independent and determined, and I really want to learn and do things for myself.
It's been my dream since I started my business, to one day expand to overseas travel and bring home European treasures to sell here in the U.S.
I've built my business on hard work, creativity, and by organically growing and slowly building my brand. I've never gone into debt to build my business, and I don't want to start now! My family has been a huge support in what I do, but we are not in a place financially for me to go on this kind of trip through our own personal funds.
I have the opportunity to go to France, take some classes on photography, learn product styling, and do some buying there. This would get my foot in the door with trying out lots of areas that I've been wanting to have a better grasp on for my future. The class is being offered from a well known editorial stylist. It would be a dream for me to meet her and learn new skills to improve what I do.
One of my goals has been to have a more sophisticated look to my brand and how I sell it. One of the biggest frustrations for me has been mastering my camera- so to learn from one of the best is very exciting for me.
I've never traveled overseas. I've lived in and traveled only on the West Coast. To have this opportunity would be beyond a dream come true.
The class is filling up very fast, and I don't have a lot of time to raise money for the first down payment. I'm asking for help (very hard for me!) to raise money for part of my trip, and the other money will come through extra work on product, and extra vintage market sales at the beginning of 2016. The trip is this coming May. I really believe in trying to work hard to make this a reality- but I'm relying on the generosity of supporters who believe in big dreams to make this happen.
I can't even give a deadline when I need the money raised, because of the first come basis on signing up for the trip. So my urgency in asking is that I need the money soon! :)
As anyone knows who has started a business or worked in a creative industry, my work is very personal, and tied very much into who I am. It would be emotionally overwhelming for me to take this next step in achieving my dream job.
Thanks so much for reading a little bit about me and what I do, and for helping big dreams become a reality!
www.pink-postcard.com
xo
Denise
I started this business in 2011. I began by making a few handmade items and selling vintage home decor at vintage markets in the Pacific NW. I gradually expanded to shop space at Aunt Bee's House, and then expanded again to online sales through Etsy. I really love what I do. It fuels a creative outlet, and gives me a chance to rescue and repurpose items that people love to use in their homes. I've found that I have a good eye for quality pieces, and I love researching the history on many of the items I find.
When I was little, I was always too scared to ask for what I wanted. I would frequently ask my little brother to ask *for* me when we were at restaurants or outings. Now that I'm in my 40's, I've gotten better at speaking up, but it's still hard!
I'm pretty independent and determined, and I really want to learn and do things for myself.
It's been my dream since I started my business, to one day expand to overseas travel and bring home European treasures to sell here in the U.S.
I've built my business on hard work, creativity, and by organically growing and slowly building my brand. I've never gone into debt to build my business, and I don't want to start now! My family has been a huge support in what I do, but we are not in a place financially for me to go on this kind of trip through our own personal funds.
I have the opportunity to go to France, take some classes on photography, learn product styling, and do some buying there. This would get my foot in the door with trying out lots of areas that I've been wanting to have a better grasp on for my future. The class is being offered from a well known editorial stylist. It would be a dream for me to meet her and learn new skills to improve what I do.
One of my goals has been to have a more sophisticated look to my brand and how I sell it. One of the biggest frustrations for me has been mastering my camera- so to learn from one of the best is very exciting for me.
I've never traveled overseas. I've lived in and traveled only on the West Coast. To have this opportunity would be beyond a dream come true.
The class is filling up very fast, and I don't have a lot of time to raise money for the first down payment. I'm asking for help (very hard for me!) to raise money for part of my trip, and the other money will come through extra work on product, and extra vintage market sales at the beginning of 2016. The trip is this coming May. I really believe in trying to work hard to make this a reality- but I'm relying on the generosity of supporters who believe in big dreams to make this happen.
I can't even give a deadline when I need the money raised, because of the first come basis on signing up for the trip. So my urgency in asking is that I need the money soon! :)
As anyone knows who has started a business or worked in a creative industry, my work is very personal, and tied very much into who I am. It would be emotionally overwhelming for me to take this next step in achieving my dream job.
Thanks so much for reading a little bit about me and what I do, and for helping big dreams become a reality!
www.pink-postcard.com
xo
Denise
Organizer
Denise Biggins
Organizer
Salem, OR
