Virgin Start Up Of the week: Treasure on the Wall
Our latest #VirginStartUp of the week creates art from your favourite photos. We put co-founder of Treasure on the Wall, Leah-Dior, in a (imaginary) lift with Sir Richard Branson. 12 floors, 12 questions about her business - it’s time for the ultimate elevator pitch.
Ground to floor 1 - explain what your business does?
Treasure on the Wall is an online art boutique where you can get truly unique and quirky gifts, personalised, commissioned and delivered.
We give the opportunity for customers to purchase from our consistently updated and on trend collections of high quality bespoke artwork and gifts at an affordable mid value price.
Floor 1 to 2 – where are you based?
Treasure on the wall is based in Hampton Court, Surrey, we manufacture, package and design our products from our home studio workshop.
Floor 2 to 3 – what’s the business model?
Sitting between the high priced designers and the main stream mass produced cheap collages within the personalised art sector we are finding that we supply high quality personalised on trend artwork at a very competitive affordable price. We want to bring our gifts to the in-store boutiques; trade shows as well as being more widely available online.
Floor 3 to 4 – who are your competitors?
Our competitors would include snapfish.com, Tesco photo, Snappy Snapps for the lower priced art, also there are a wide range of smaller design companies that produce bespoke personalised artwork for the higher priced work. Most collages, including the more pricey ones are generated by a computer, they are produced using an algorithm which can place the photos carelessly in the collage, We spend time and use our creative input putting collages together; we ensure each one is manually create giving something which is genuinely unique and special.
Floor 5 to 6 – where did the idea come from?
Living in an era where no one is without a phone and where our lives are being constantly recorded via photographs means that our memories are often left floating in a digital dimension. We need something to show for it. Say no to computer generated montages and mass-produced generic collages! This is the dawn of a new era where your most treasured moments and everything you love about life can be captured in a new stunning and spectacular way… roll on the good times!
Floor 6 to 7 – how much funding did you receive from Virgin StartUp?
We received £9,000!
Floor 7 to 8 – how are you going to use it to grow your business?
We intend to use this money to significantly increase sales, revenue and presence both online and across the uk, Funding us in all the local high streets with the soul mission to decorate homes across the land with our artwork and create mass smiles on the faces of many with our quirky gifts.
To achieve this we will be focusing on our marketing, recruitment and getting our product visible to all by also attending Trade / Retail Shows.
Floor 8 to 9 – who’s your mentor?
Alexis Liming from Virgin.
Floor 9 to 10 - how has he helped you so far?
Helped amazingly with my business plan and figures, Alexis is an excel wizard.
Floor 10 to 11 - what’s your workspace like?
Our workspace is Chic and creative, we have managed to keep organised as well as having a little arty area for our two small children. Its chaotic but full of love.
Floor 11 to 12 – where will your business be in 12 months time?
In 12 months time Treasure on the wall wants to be in the high streets and widely available online with an employed passionate team to help fill the homes of many with beautiful bespoke art.
For more information about Treasure on the Wall like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
