Girls Doing it for Themselves.
Anyone can live in Paradise, but you still have to eat. Coffs Harbour is a renowned holiday destination but for those that live there, finding employment is always an issue. Seasonal work is allied to holidays, there are no big employers and the population whilst satisfyingly compact generates only a modest service industry. They say in Coffs, “If you want a job you have to create it yourself.”
Take a pinch of genuine appreciation and interest, throw in a good tablespoon of initiative, slowly combine with some understanding and a little bit of opportunity and girls are doing it for themselves. In this case, Maria Hobson has a business, Pretty Little Things Lingerie. The question is how can a business be generated from nothing?
“I have always had a love of sexy lingerie and underwear. I was looking for something special for our first anniversary and could not find much in the local shops so I began looking online. There was a lot more variety online; however most of the lingerie I came across was very expensive. I decided to have a look on eBay and purchased some items.”
Initial interest and appreciation does not make a business on its own.
Maria continues; “I received these items but discovered the quality of the lingerie was very ordinary. I decided that if I could find a reputable manufacturer with good quality lingerie I would look into buying some lingerie and selling it on eBay as I was sure there were other women out there looking for good quality lingerie at an affordable price.”
Along came opportunity and serendipity, things that turn out for the best without really trying.
“The next time I was on eBay I discovered a lingerie website for sale. The seller was a wholesaler. The lingerie was very presentable and looked to be good quality. I decided to purchase the website.”
If this story was a movie, you would now be expecting the credits to roll with the back drop of a lovely Coffs Harbour sunset with one hundred dollar notes falling like rain. Oh if it were only that easy.
Maria did as every business owner must do. She needed to increase her profitability, ensure reliability of quality and supply, and to listen to what her customers wanted. She contacted overseas manufacturers directly, sampled their products and ability to supply and began trading with them; high quality bras and panties from Italy and lingerie from the USA with pricing direct to her that meant she could turn a profit yet still remain affordable to her customers. By ticking the boxes, quality, affordability and supply, things were looking a good.
What had her customers to say? One of the concerns was with comfort. It might be okay to look elegant and pretty but if the comfort is not there the experience can be less than pleasant. Maria ensured her products would meet this demand in all sizes. When someone asked if she could do a presentation and sell to a group at a home, Maria’s party plan was launched. When someone asked if she could add a range of other adult items to the presentation, the business could now offer not only great products but a huge source of entertainment. The last option has been popular for Hen’s nights, particularly when you throw in a male stripper or two. Not just for the fun, but the bridal wear and lingerie. A great time at home at a reasonable price. The programme is tailored to what the customer wants.
Maria on display at a Wedding Expo
The credits are still not rolling and as every business owner knows, probably never will, there is always more to be done and dramas to be contended with.
Maria explains again,” I was asked at very short notice to do a fashion parade for the race course wedding expo. The presenter had things wrong so my models were cut short on one of their cat walks and had to be called out again to continue their parade. There is nothing more challenging than being announced as the next model wearing such and such when you are still out there with the last outfit!”
But some funny moments too. “My cat Meao became attached to one of my party plan bags and would not get off it. We discovered one of the vibrators had been left on. He was sitting on it and thought it was great!”
Development plans include renovating the website and signing up additional people to be able to run party plan events.
The internet base ensures the market base is larger than just Coffs Harbour. The party plan options means the business is always directly in touch with customers for new ideas and feedback. Girls sure are doing it for themselves.
Local Rainfall
