LINK
1 year later
The past year was a year of plans slowly being unfolded. The Safe Silver business plan developed to a bigger plan called LINK. LINK is a brand, not only for silver jewellery, but for fashion accessories in general. The products are produced in developmental countries in a sustainable way.
with:
| Country | Nepal, India |
|---|---|
| Total investment | No investments yet, will start Sept. 2006 Expectation is € 200.000,- will be needed for year 1 and 2. |
| Turnover | expected after start Sept. 2006 |
| Contribution to Millennium Goals | expected after start Sept. 2006 |
| Direct employment | expected after start Sept. 2006 |
| Indirect employment | expected after start Sept. 2006 |
Achievements
- Suppliers: still strong relations with the silver factory, a volunteer will leave for Nepal in September to support the factory to become more professional, visit to India for women empowerment project, exploring opportunities for embroidered shawls, bags
- I revised the business plan to a plan with a broader scope, not only covering jewellery but more products, meaning more partners to work with in development
*I quit my job! From September I will be full time entrepreneur carrying out the business plan I developed during the year. It appeared that it is not possible to set up a business next to a full time job. In this year I gained enough confidence to make the big leap
- Contacts: broader developed network for financing, designing, sales, production etc.
Plans for 2007
- Financial coverage of the plan
- 3 product ranges launched (silver jewellery + 2 other categories), 3 supplying partners on board (Nepal, potential India and …)
- Distribution throughout The Netherlands, starting with boutiques
- Website launched
"This was a year of discovering my passion and my path for career in life. Also thanks to Utz Kapeh, my current employer I learned a lot and I experienced a enormous growth as a person. It made me confident enough to make a choice for following the spark which started with the BiD Challenge plan Safe Silver.
I am looking forward to be an entrepreneur and start the business with partners in development. I see it as a great challenge and a personal learning adventure."
