Spring Palette

Special Promotion Weekend

~As a special promotion for the store customers will be able to draw for a percentage off their purchase on Saturday May 1st and Sunday May 2nd. They will have a chance to draw for 10%, 20%, or 30% off of the total purchase! During this promotional weekend, I will also provide champagne (for those of age of course!!!) and refreshments for customers to enjoy will perusing the merchandise!
~This promotion is intended to get customers in the store and interested in the brand as well as encourage loyal customers to purchase more. Having the promotion the weekend before Mother's Day will also encourage and remind customers to buy gifts for the special woman in his or her life!

Equipment

Clothing Racks: $109 (6)

2 Arm Rack: $82 (4)

Hangers: $689 (Includes 300 top and 200 pant)

Steamer: $38

Sewing Machine: $500

Professional Form: $299

Display Form: $178 (8)

Dressing Room Mirror: $299 (3)

Chairs for Dressing Room: $629 (3)

Tall Display Table: $1399

Short Display Table: $599 (3)

Area Rug: $699

Equipment

Business Cards: $27.95 (for 100)

Desk: $599

Office Chair: $399

File Cabinets: $499

Computer for office: $1499

Fax & Printer Combo: $299

POS System: $1349

Cash Drawer: $145

Card Reader: $71.50

PIN Pad: $125

Receipt Printer: $264

Price Gun: $96.17

Open/Closed Sign: $49.95

Storefront Sign: $74.95

Bags: $213 (for 100)

Tissue Paper: $13.87 (2 reams)

Licenses~Structure~Insurance

Cost of business licenses: City- $42 County- $22

The business will operate as a limited liability corporation (LLC).

~A Limited Liability Company (LLC) combines the tax flexibility of a partnership with the personal liability protection of a corporation. LLC owners report their share of business profit and loss on their personal tax returns, similar to tax reporting for a general partnership. Forming an LLC can help separate yourself from your business, protecting your personal assets in the event of a judgment against the company.Owners of a LLC have the liability protection of a corporation. A LLC exists as a separate entity much like a corporation. Members cannot be held personally liable for debts unless they have signed a personal guarantee.

The retail store will be located in Nashville, TN and I will maintain a website to keep customers informed but will not sell merchandise from the site.
~The store will be located in the Music Row area of Nashville. The rent will be $3066 per month

Insurance: The annual premium rate for general liability and fire and extended coverage for a business with a value of $250,000 would be $977. 

http://www.cityfeet.com/Commercial/ForLease/greenhillscommercialrealestatelocal/2222-12th-Avenue-S-Nashville-TN-37204-15708510L1751888L0.aspx

Domains~Patents~Trademarks....Oh My!

When searching www.godaddy.com I found that oiablue.com is available for purchase and it would only cost me $10.69 per year! oiablue.net and oiablue.org are also available for purchase. I think it would be wise to purchase all three domain names. The total cost for all three domains would be $38.67 per year! That's a pretty good deal!

A quick search of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website produced great news! The name oia blue is not a registered trademark or patent! The downside is the outrageous fees! Online trademark registration costs between $275 and $325. The cost of a basic filing fee for a patent is $220 plus an additional small entity fee of $110 if applicable. I never realized opening a small business could cost so much!

Getting The Word Out!

Nashville is becoming quite the budding fashion center! With this emerging interest in fashion, it is only fitting to showcase the amazing talent that is present right in our own backyard! In September 2010, Couture Fashion Magazine will present Nashville's first ever Fashion Week! Fashion Week Nashville will host 30 shows featuring amazing designers and boutiques in the heart of Music City.

As a new brand I need to take every advantage to get my name out there. Participating in Fashion Week Nashville will hopefully create interest in my brand and excite potential customers. The entry fee for Fashion Week Nashville is $2000. There is a $1000 deposit fee that secures the show time and show date. Designers and boutiques are responsible for providing the models, apparel, accessories, playlist or band, hair and makeup, dressing crew, check in crew, and sending out invitations to their show. Couture Fashion Magazine will provide the venue, seating, lighting, and sound, but it is up to each designer/boutique to be in charge of his/her guest list and checking guests in, adding to the runway, and providing VIP bags, if they wish.

I will also utilize social networking sites such as twitter and facebook to create fan pages and keep customers up-to-date and interested in the brand. Trunk shows will also play a vital role in attracting customers. Local fashion forward boutiques such as E. Allen Boutique, Emmaline, Haven, Posh, and Hemline would be optimal to showcase new designs. Also, online magazines such as nashvillelifestyles.com, nashvillescene.com, and nashvillefashion.com will be utilized by purchasing ads and possibly a having an article written about the brand. Placing an ad in the Nashville Scene would cost $235 per column inch.