Susanne Skelton tells unLTD how support from Launchpad helped her turn her innovative ideas into a clear plan for her business.
Tell us about your company?
Image & Style Plus was created to help plus size women embrace their bodies and feel confident in who they are without having to diet or restrict themselves.
With the fashion industry still not catering to the plus size woman over a size 16, I help women to dress the body they have, shop with confidence and feel fabulous every day. I offer online personal coaching services and have just launched my first digital magazine that covers fashion, beauty, wellness and lifestyle catered for the plus size woman.
When did you first decide to start up on your own and what inspired you?
I first started in business back in 2015. I was a stay-at-home mum and wanted to work so I opened my own dress agency and trained as an image consultant. I closed the dress agency at the end of 2018 and continued to work from home, but it wasn’t until lockdown that I made the decision to bring my services completely online.
I started to notice so many women struggling with weight gain and lack of confidence and I wanted to build my business on helping these women. Many women focus on weight loss, but that is an end goal so I show women how they can feel confident in themselves and their body today.
How has Launchpad helped you?
Launchpad helped me gain focus and structure my business. Before I had so many ideas that I was all over the place, I had no structure and no plan. Launchpad helped me understand my audience, how I wanted to help them, how to market myself and be clear on my goals and how to execute them.
What are your hopes and aims for the business?
I’d like to launch a published magazine that women can buy on the high street. I want to design a stylish capsule clothing line for plus size women and to launch a styling academy so I can train others who may wish to forge a career as a stylist and work alongside me so we can help even more women feel confident and look fabulous.
Launchpad advisor Christina Lima Trindade said: “We have been able to figure out what matters to Susanne and what she wants to contribute to others through her business model by creating income streams that support her and the desire to help others. We have worked together on planning, pricing, marketing and all areas of the business.
“Starting and growing a business is not easy and that’s why the Launchpad programme was created. Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and our partners means there is no cost to the entrepreneur, so we can get straight to work on turning those dreams into reality.
“Stop dreaming and do it. Contact us for information now on 03330 00 00 39 or email growthhub@sheffieldcityregion.org.uk.”
