Stitchwitch
Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire

Making it up the eCommerce ladder, one stitch at a time

Julie Parry had worked part-time as a seamstress, making clothing, soft furnishings and alterations, for several years when she decided to open a small shop in Haverfordwest.

Previous to opening Stitchwitch, Julie had undertaken all of her business administration by hand, and did not own a computer or have access to the Internet. However, with trade at the shop increasing steadily, Julie realised this would have to change, and contacted Opportunity Wales for support.

With the help of Julie’s eCommerce Adviser, Matthew Jenkins, they found a number of administration processes which could be improved by using a computer, and developed both short and long term goals for introducing the use of technology into the business.

Julie realised that eMail and Internet access were very important for communicating with both buyers and suppliers.  She also wanted to use a computer to manage her customer database, job details and accounting.

With Mathew’s help a computer system was purchased, and software suitable for the current and future business needs. Matthew also helped establish eMail and Internet access up-and-running.

With the business growing quickly, Julie took on extra staff who work from home, and communicate with Julie through eMail.  By using the Internet to source suppliers, Julie has been able to cut the cost of raw materials, by as much as 50% in some cases. Without access to the Internet, she would not have been able to do this.

Julie has also used her computer to design literature and brochures for the business, and is successfully maintaining both her accounting and customer information using the machine. With the computer, Julie feels she is now in more control of her growing business.  Suppliers are happy to communicate with her using eMail, and if a client has a specific requirement, by quickly searching on the Internet, she is able to source any materials needed.

Without the help of her eCommerce adviser, Julie would not have been able to make informed decisions about how she could make best use of technology in her business, and would not have had the knowledge she needed to purchase products that were most suitable for her. Julie has plans to increase her use of eCommerce, but is taking it one stitch at a time.

Julie said “I wasn’t aware of the impact that IT and eCommerce has had on the business, I am cautious about too much technology rolling out across the business at anyone time. I try and take an objective look at my business and decide what I am capable of doing now and establish realistic aims for the future.”

This company is one of the many Opportunity Wales clients that have taken up our Implementation Support package, offering high-value, advanced eCommerce support at a very attractive price. Implementation Support is available to all new and existing Opportunity Wales clients. Further information is available on our Implementation Support page, or Contact us for further information.

Leaflet

A leaflet of the success story of Stitchwitch is available. You can download it as a PDF (48k), or for a printed version of this or any other Opportunity Wales literature, please contact us.