Virgin StartUp of the week: I Dream of These
Clarissa Renee is the founder of I Dream of These, a lifestyle blog aimed at stylish thirty-something women which aims to inspire, and which also sells beautiful jewellery and other products. I Dream of These is our StartUp of the Week - let's find out more!
We choose one Virgin StartUp company to be featured on Virginstartup.org each week. We ask our startups of the week to deliver the ultimate elevator pitch. What would they say if they had one minute in a lift with Sir Richard Branson? Please answer the questions below, keeping each answer to five sentences max.
Ground to floor 1 – Explain what your business does
Inspiring lifestyle choices of the modern-day woman with blogs and carefully selected products.
Floor 1 to 2 - Where are you based?
Based by the Kent seaside.
Floor 2 to 3 – What’s the business model?
Lifestyle blogs from myself and guest writers, complemented by products and social media content provided through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Floor 3 to 4 – Who are your competitors?
Other UK lifestyle bloggers.
Floor 4 to 5 – What’s your USP?
My blog articles and products are mostly aimed at the 30-40 something readers and customer. My signature bespoke Create© Bracelets are a new concept in jewellery. A cross between a charm bracelet and rosary, yet non-religious & much more personal.
Floor 5 to 6 – Where did the idea come from?
I identified a niche in the blogger world for a website for women over 30 that focuses solely on being a stylish woman, rather than a mother, a wife, or both.
Floor 6 to 7 – How much funding did you receive from Virgin StartUp?
I received £6,000.
Floor 7 to 8 – How are you going to use it to grow your business?
I used the money to buy equipment, build a website, buy stock, and to pay for advertising and promotional material.
Floor 8 to 9 – Who’s your Virgin StartUp Mentor?
My Mentor is Damian King - serial entrepreneur, Podcaster, owner of Skint Entrepreneur and PBI Consulting. I call him Yoda!
Floor 9 to 10 – What’s your workspace like?
I work from my home office, which is very convenient as I’m a single mum of a two year old. We get to hang together when he’s not at nursery.
Floor 10 to 11 – Where will your business be in 12 month’s time?
I’m optimistic and excited for the future. The business is getting more and more recognition, followers and subscribers. Attending the TV Choice Awards on 7th September and presenting my Create© Bracelets to the guests, winners and nominees looks set to be the highlight of the year so far!
