Frenchie may share the same name as the girl from Grease, but by looking at her creations it’s easy to see why she is a success. Her Frenchie Skirts are made for each individual woman. Whether they’re looking for a skirt that is made for a fancy night out on the town or just for every day wear. Women of all shapes and sizes can benefit from her skills.
Frenchie’s business has come a long way from the days when she was first getting started. To share some information about her growth over time and where she hopes to go, Frenchie was kind enough to take the time to do an interview with us.
What are Frenchie Skirts? How long have you been making them?
Frenchieskirts are custom-made skirts – one of a kind by state. We do cocktail and we do run-to-the-grocery. We do nine year-olds and ninety year-olds.
The business is almost 4 years old.
How many styles do they come in?
In the beginning, we did pencil, a-line and circle. At this point in the game – we do anything and everything – from high-waist tapers to pleats of every shape and size. We also have added maternity skirts. For in-town clients (or those willing to travel) – we have also added dresses and tops. The styles on those are some-what limited still but we are growing them everyday. We currently have 5 wedding dresses in-process and do many bridesmaids.
Do you have a specific skirt-making process you go through? How long on average does it take for you to make one of your creations?
In-town clients are by-appointment. They come in and we design their skirt and take their measurements. They come back a week later for a fitting. The skirt is then ready for pick-up two weeks later. Should the skirt need any nips or tucks – they are done at this time and then they are ready for wear!
For out-of-town clients via the contact form on my website – we then send digital swatches of fabric and design the skirt on-line. The client is sent a measurement sheet and asked to be professionally measured. We then send the finished skirt within 3 weeks and any nips or tucks needed are the responsibility of the client with plenty of seam allowance guaranteed.
What inspired you to start making these skirts as a business?
have always loved skirts. I am not a size 2 and skirts have always been more flattering on me than pants. I took a sewing class, learned the basics and the business created itself.
What sets you apart from your competition?
My work speaks for itself. I am 100% devoted to doing my very best to please the client and my seamstresses are extremely talented. We run an organized, timely business with clients returning each season.
How much planning went into the building process? What were some of
those steps?
I was working a full-time job as a paralegal when I began and tried, each day, to do one small thing to make the business happen. That entailed things like sketching skirt patterns, figuring out sizing ratios, ordering labels, and pricing hangers. I met with a business center and got assistance in assembling my business plan. I also got a grant to work with a business consultant who helped me tremendously in getting organized to launch a real-working business that, one-day, could actually see a profit.
What kind of investment did you need to make to be able to get started?
never got a business loan. I continued to work full-time as a paralegal even after I had hired seamstresses to work the business. Thereby, I was funding it with what I was able to spare from each pay-check from my own employer. I was always on a very tight budget and could only afford to buy 12 small pieces of fabric and 12 hangers on my first buying trip. Now, buy hundreds of pieces of fabric and large boxes of hangers!
Where do you see Frenchie Skirts in 5 years?
I started doing trunk-shows last year and have added a city to the trunk-show list each season – thereby growing my out-of-town clientele tremendously. This is a definite area for growth. For now, we only offer skirts at trunk-shows. In 5 years, I would like to say we are doing wide-spread trunk-shows and offering dresses and tops, as well.
If you were to take one thing from this, what would be the most important lesson you have learned while building your own business?
That no one is going to work as hard or care as much about the business itself as I do so. When something needs to be done – I’m the one who has to do it. I did not realize how much of my life prior to the business was spent relying on others to do things for me. The independence is mandatory and rewarding.
What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?
As an entrepreneur – it is very easy to work too much “in” your business instead of “on” it. I am still trying to conquer this!
esclub on July 31st, 2008 at 1:11 am
good in life.
sally on July 31st, 2008 at 11:19 am
Frenchie is the bomb dot com! Go buy a skirt.
cassy on July 31st, 2008 at 10:48 pm
With her determination, i know her business will doing good.
Her designs are very nice.