As you may have noticed, the blog has gotten a face lift, and a new URL! I am pleased to announce you can now visit me at www.ohhhlulu.com! How exciting! Getting my own domain and a more professional looking website has been on my to-do list for some time now. Another thing to check off the list!
I like this layout. Things are easier to find. Simpler. Lets the posts stand out more.
My business is growing really fast. It’s incredibly exciting. I’m at the point now where I am considering one of two things.
Thing #1: Carrying on as I have been, but hiring someone to come in a day or two a week to help me sew. Right now my turn around is not what I want it to be and it causes me major stress. I have actually put a call out on my facebook page for seamstresses in the Orillia, Ontario area who may be willing to come in for a day a week on an occasional basis to help me get caught up.
Thing #2: Maintaining my made to order line, but also including a Ready Made line that can be purchased in stores and through my own website (not Etsy).
I am leaning towards Thing #2 but would love to hear your thoughts.
19 Comments
Suna
March 5, 2013 at 1:09 pmIt seems to me that you'll probably need help with both options. And I think a ready made line would sell like hot cup cakes 🙂
therapeuticthoughts
March 5, 2013 at 1:17 pmBoth Things seem great! I agree with the previous post- it seems more practical to start with Thing #1 because if you need help now, you will definitely need MORE help when you expand your line. Your business is growing and WILL grow even more… don't rush it and take your time 🙂 Good luck!
Norma
March 5, 2013 at 1:24 pmTwo very exciting things!
Pursue Thing #1 while exploring and planning for Thing #2. I think a ready to wear line by you would do very well. You have a well defined design style and it is unique in the market place.
sarah.e.norwood@gmail.com
March 5, 2013 at 3:37 pmI think this is great advice. I don't know why but the thought of having someone sew for me really scares me! 🙂
Tilly
March 5, 2013 at 1:32 pmSarah, this is so exciting! I think Norma's advice is spot on. Looking forward to watching Ohhh Lulu grow! xx
ladykatza
March 5, 2013 at 1:57 pmI third Norma's advise and I think a RTW panty line for the um.. more robust ladies would be extremely popular as well. Personal preference, and all that. 🙂
Marie
March 5, 2013 at 2:53 pmWow, love the new look Sarah! Very clean and modern looking! I'm guessing you'll need help with either option, so I think you've got to pursue what you'd be most happy with first ;o)
Craft Sanctuary
March 5, 2013 at 3:45 pmI wish I was closer–I would come help just for the fun of it! Good for you, though. I'm excited about it all because that means ohhh lulu will continue to grow! Yay!
Evie
March 5, 2013 at 4:22 pmSite looks great! Having done some sewing work in the past (and run into much the same time/stress issues that I'm sure you're dealing with) my vote would be for Thing #2 (while taking into account the advice of Norma and Suna. You could easily create a successful RTW line since you do have a very well established style/aesthetic, and I'm sure that many of your customers who've been ordering custom pieces in the past would be more than happy with RTW pieces as well (particularly those who fit more closely to standard sizing and measurements. That said, a RTW line would require a decent amount of stock, which you will need help with keeping up, perhaps having an employee to make the RTW pieces while you focus your energies on the custom orders. No matter what you decide to do, I wish you luck! You do beautiful work and deserve to be able to build your business further.
Rachel Proffitt
March 5, 2013 at 4:51 pmI'm with Norma, pursue Thing #1 with the goal of Thing #2. A RTW option would definitely be popular 🙂
Madalynne
March 5, 2013 at 5:35 pmI love the facelift. Very professional. It's a good thing that you're growing but be you have to be careful not to overwork yourself. At some point, you have to give up the control of having your hands on everything.
amynxdx
March 5, 2013 at 7:16 pmI think the new layout is looking really good!
-Amy (www.thatssewamy.com)
anto
March 5, 2013 at 7:24 pmI think that a combination of both would be ideal. A ready made Ohhh Lulu line would do really well in stores! There aren't many girly, classic looking pieces of lingerie these days out there and I think there truly is demand for your style and designs. The made to order line would still keep its personalized, exclusive and "made just for me" feeling that we all love. Pursuing these options would undoubtedly mean an increased workload and that's where you could bring in someone to help you with sewing the ready made line while you focus more on the made to order line. I think that you have created a fantastic foundation for expansion and I wish you the best of luck!
Iliska Dreams
March 5, 2013 at 11:42 pmNew layout looks really good. I would do both thing 1 and thing 2!
http://iliska-dreams.blogspot.com.au/
Jill Wasiewicz
March 6, 2013 at 12:11 pmGreat that things are going so well! I would do thing #1, which should take the pressure off, allowing you to then move on to thing #2 with a clear head 🙂 Best of luck!
Alaskapsych
March 6, 2013 at 2:57 pmI love reading your blog, but the light grey print is a little challenging for me. 🙁
Anonymous
March 7, 2013 at 7:18 amLove your designs. Really hard to read. Please darken the print!
sarah.e.norwood@gmail.com
March 7, 2013 at 11:30 amoh yeah? I've looked at it on several computers (laptops, desktops, even our TV) and find the contrast is easy to read. Any darker and the print will be black.
gingermakes
March 10, 2013 at 1:16 amI love your site design! It looks beautiful! Good luck to you as you decide how (and if) to change and grow Ohhh Lulu!