12 (82) Ex. 3 p. 98 — Module 5

Exercise 3, page 98.0:01

Good morning, listeners.0:15

I'm Simon Shadwell, and welcome to this week's edition of Business Today.0:16

We just love hearing about people who have come up with innovative ideas that they turn into a successful business.0:23

So, today in the studio, I have with me Alice Gibson, a businesswoman in her 20s.0:30

Now, Alice not only used her imagination to make a good profit, but is also making a difference by helping children with autism.0:37

Hello, Alice.0:46

Alice, how did this all start?0:47

Hi, Simon.0:50

Well, I did a degree in art and design, And our teachers always encouraged us to find something that hadn't been done before and do it.0:51

They taught us the process of coming up with a new idea, of doing research on it, and most importantly of all, how to go about applying the things we learnt.0:59

All that really gave me the confidence to believe I could succeed.1:09

So you decided to start a business of your own?1:13

Well, yes, but not immediately.1:17

For about a year after leaving university, I simply painted, and I believe created some of my best work.1:19

Anyway, I tried selling the paintings to some local art galleries, but without too much luck.1:27

I sold one or two, but I wasn't making enough to live on.1:33

That's when I decided to try something a bit different.1:37

OK, tell us all about it, Alice.1:40

Well, I had always enjoyed fabric design at university, So I decided to try printing my own designs on beautiful fabrics, like silk, and then making them into bags.1:43

Of course, I have to mention here that I couldn't have got started so easily without the amazing encouragement and involvement of others.1:55

Two friends from my university course gave me a hand making the bags, and they are now my business partners.2:03

Then my uncle helped us design our website and blog.2:10

One of my old art teachers advised us where to find good quality fabric at a low price, and so on.2:14

I'm really grateful to them all.2:20

You mentioned that you set up a blog too.2:22

Yes, that's right.2:25

We blogged about the way we made the bags and posted photos of the process and of our designs.2:27

We also set up a Facebook page linked to our website and paid for Facebook advertising, and even set up a Twitter account.2:33

We did everything we could to get our name out there and attract customers.2:41

At first, just family and friends were buying our bags, but then I was astounded by how things just seemed to take off.2:45

Sales jumped from just a few a week to more than 100 in just a few months.2:53

We had been warned that we might have to be very patient before seeing results, and we were told more than once that most new businesses fail.2:59

We were really amazed.3:07

And then what happened after that?3:10

Well, before long, a well-known chain store offered to stock our bags.3:11

We agreed, and before we knew it, our creations were hanging on the racks of several shops.3:16

At first, it all seemed really strange, and I wasn't sure if we had made the right decision.3:22

It felt almost like we had lost control and handed over the business to someone else.3:28

But I soon relaxed when I saw how much our sales rocketed.3:33

At that point, we started to employ more people.3:37

And the rest, as they say, is history.3:40

But your company is not all about making money, is it?3:43

Don't some of your profits go towards funding a good cause?3:47

Yes, 10% of the money we make from our sales goes towards research to help find a cure for autism.3:50

It's an issue I feel really strongly about because my nephew is autistic.3:57

And I've seen the effect it's had on the family.4:01

I feel very fortunate that my business has been so successful, so it's a pleasure to be able to help in something worthwhile like that.4:04

That's great, Alice.4:12

And finally, what are your plans for the future?4:14

To tell you the truth, I'm still trying to get used to all the changes that have happened in my life during the past couple of years.4:17

It has all been a bit overwhelming, I guess.4:24

So I'm just going to sit back and enjoy it, and then continue working on our new designs for next season.4:27

Well, thank you for sharing your success story with us.4:34

I hope it continues to go well, Alice.4:37

Thank you very much.4:39