Entrepreneurs4Change

Mika’s Place – “Where Size Matters”

Developed by: Gloria McKinney
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ABOUT THIS BUSINESS

There are many women who cannot find jewelry they like in their size. Many jewelry stores only carry average size jewelry and direct women with larger size requirements to the men’s jewelry section. Through my online store, Mika’s Place, I will provide these women with another option. I will sell quality silver jewelry at reasonable price in every size, because every woman deserves to look beautiful. At Mika’s Place we understand that “size matters.”

Vision
To create an international jewelry brand whose products are recognized for their quality, craftsmanship, and innovation.

Mission
To serve the needs of shoppers who are looking for designer jewelry in larger sizes at a reasonable price.

Objectives

Open an online store by June 1, 2011.
Have multiple “pop up” locations at farmer’s markets and swap meets in the greater Los Angeles are by December 2011.
Attend at least three trade shows in 2011.
Maintain a 50% profit margin per item.
Bring in enough revenue to support myself by December 2011.

Strategies

Work with jewelry wholesalers with whom I already have a business relationship to acquire quality items in specific sizes at a low price.
Use my pre-existing business relationships to meet other wholesalers to create a larger business network.
Connect with old friends and business partners to cultivate an initial client base.
Provide jewelry designs and sizes that are not provided by any other retailer.
Create multiple jewelry lines to provide multiple stylistic options.

ABOUT THIS ENTREPRENEUR

I didn’t change my life, my life changed on me. I was working full time and enjoying every aspect of my life when a turn of events threatened to steal everything I had worked for in an instant.

One night, after a long day of work I went to bed and when I woke up in the morning I was almost totally paralyzed. While I was sleeping I had a stroke. I was told I would never walk again and that because I lived alone I would have to be placed in a convalescent home. Although a majority of my body was paralyzed I was lucky to have a voice that worked, and I refused over and over again to be put in a home. Finally I was transferred to a rehabilitation center and after only two months of therapy I was back on my feet.

I learned from this experience never to take anything for granted again. Every day was a constant struggle, a constant trial, from combing my hair to tying my shoes - things I took for granted every day of my life before that. Now that I have been blessed with another opportunity to support myself, I can donate all my energy to making a successful business without having to focus on learning how to walk again.

I have always believed that hard work and passion can bring you success. I have worked hard my entire life and now my passion is creating my own business, not just to support myself, but to help the men and woman at the Union Rescue Mission who are struggling with their own series of life’s unfortunate circumstances.

INVEST or CONTRIBUTE

E4C focuses on three primary populations of entrepreneurs: Veterans, Green and Social Businesses, and those who find themselves operating within marginalized communities.

If you are interested and can find a way to contribute to their success, we would love for you to contact us directly and we will connect you to them.

These are an amazing group of dedicated and hardworking entrepreneurs, and we think each and every one of them is certain to succeed, especially with your help.