B
Branding
Having spent a whole module researching branding, I became aware of the importance of not only the product, price…… but also of the brand image, because of the associations with “old-fashioned” that textiles can sometimes have, I wanted a fresh modern image. Partly because I feel so uncomfortable with self-promotion I decided to use my humour as part of my brand. I have painfully excised as much of the self deprecating as I can, and find that I am able to demand attention by being tongue in cheek, e.g. My Twitter strapline is “World Domination one cushion at a time” –I couldn’t say this seriously.
Business
I have opened a Sole Trader Business account and registered with VAT. I have struggled with the accounting side of the business as I am paying for my materials and promotion and other outgoings from my regular income as a nurse and have yet to gain clarity on paying tax on any income I have had or that is to be gained in the future.
I will have to find a bookkeeper but would prefer to use someone that is recommended. This is an area for further development.