Jacqueline Moran, a mum and entrepreneur based in Wirral, used her Start Up Loan to set up The Sewing Room, which offers expert clothes fitting and alterations.
Having trained as an apprentice in alterations with George Henry Lee (now John Lewis) for seven years Jacqueline chose to move into other jobs, but continued to sew and alter garments for her friends and family. Always in the back of her mind was the desire to set up her own business but she was nervous of the risks involved. When both Jacqueline and her husband were made redundant around the same time, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to realise her dream.
With some help from Wirral Biz she tried one venture but when this did not work out Jacqueline put together a new business plan and after being rejected from banks decided to approach MSIF for a Start Up Loan. She was given a £5,000 loan and with a little research and knowledge of her local area, she quickly identified a great location for her business – Heswall, Wirral. Using her loan to fit her shop, decorate, create signage and buy all the necessary equipment, Jacqueline had customers before she was even open.
Jacqueline already has one full time employee and two freelancers who help out during extra busy periods at the Heswall store, and has now gone on to open a successful second shop in West Kirby, also in the Wirral. Both stores have multiple five star reviews from local customers, showing that Jacqueline has proven her business to plug a real gap in the market in her area.
