A BRIDAL shop is celebrating a successful first year in business, having made a significant contribution to the high street by helping other independent retailers.
Amy King Bridal was launched in Kirkcaldy, Fife, by former quantity surveyor Amy King in January last year, fulfilling her dream of owning a dress shop.
Offering unique designer dresses for brides and bridesmaids, as well as prom and evening dresses, King has served more than 250 customers, hosted bridal open days, supplied gowns for photoshoots and run a pop-up shop.
To help launch her new business, she approached Business Gateway Fife for support. In addition to one-to-one sessions from a business adviser, she received help in developing her business plan, setting financial forecasts, and implementing a marketing strategy.
The advice service also helped King identify potential sources of funding and supported successful applications to the Business Gateway Fife Young Person’s Start Up Grant and the Prince’s Trust.
With the combined £1100 in funding, she was able to purchase essential IT equipment and expand her business to include other services. To provide a complete customer experience, and to support other local entrepreneurs, King recruited four beauty businesses to operate from her premises.
Make-up artist Jennifer McLachlan, nail technician Ellen Brown, lash and brow expert Laura Voinci and Pamela Wallace, who provides non-surgical aesthetics and advanced skincare, are all self-employed but offer beauty services on the ground floor of the shop.
King said: “Launching my own shop was a complete career change after five years as a quantity surveyor but Business Gateway has guided me through every step of the process.
“The support has given me the financial and marketing skills I need to grow the business, and my adviser has opened my eyes to potential funding and business development opportunities I didn’t know existed.”
Business Gateway Fife business adviser Marissa Yassen said: “By focusing on the importance of customer experience and collaborating with other local retailers, Amy King Bridal is a fantastic example of how small shops can continue to thrive.”
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