IWCYC Challenge Update: Michelle Taylor

IWCYC Challenge Update: Michelle Taylor

Having her own business was something Michelle Taylor had been passionate about for a number of years. After gaining vast amounts of experience in her role as Head of Design at Playboy Intimates, she confided in her parents about her dream of running her own successful lingerie brand.

Her parents had seen the If we can, you can campaign featured in the local press, and gave Michelle the website address. Michelle says, “I went online and starting reading all the stories of people just like me, and I started to think, maybe I could do this too, maybe I can take this idea and make it real. I found the site so inspirational, and entering the ‘If We Can, You can Challenge’ was honestly the catalyst I needed to make a start. I know it sounds mad but I thought if I tell someone else in the outside world about my idea I’ll have to do it!”

It was clear from the get go that Michelle had a real passion for entrepreneurship. She’ll no doubt not thank me for this, but to quote her from her original ‘IWCYC Challenge’ entry form, Michelle said, “My reason for entering the competition, though I am quite nervous about it, is the fact that I am so passionate about the North East that I want to try and bring my skills back to the area and eventually provide a platform for young designers to flourish without having to take their talents away to the South.”

A strong statement indeed. So after Michelle re-located back to her home town of Hartlepool and handed her notice into Playboy, what happened next?

“It was an incredibly apprehensive time,” says Michelle. “I first tried to get my freelance business up and running to provide a steady stream of income whilst I designed my own brand, but it was still a leap of faith. I wasn’t sure how much work I was going to get.

I managed to get a few clients in America and have gradually built my freelance contacts up, but I have to be honest and say it was a tough summer. I did a project for one lady who even though she loved what I’d done, ignored all of my invoices. When you rely on people paying you promptly so that you can pay your council tax, it can be a nerve-wracking time.

I’ve learnt so much from that experience though. I’m now taking on bigger projects and I always negotiate to be paid 50% upfront. I’m also doing some consultancy work for people who want to source Far East manufacturing, so my freelance business has definitely built up.

My own brand has gone through quite a number of significant changes. Originally I was planning to do a range for the DD+ market, but after conversations with my business mentor I decided that as a result of the current economic climate, I would perhaps struggle to compete with the big names for a mid-market priced lingerie brand.

I know what I can compete with is high level design and luxury fabrics, and so I’ve recently been working on my own lingerie brand ‘Tallulah Love’, with the aim of selling it in shops like Fenwicks, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Harrods. It’s just about finished and I’m about to send it across to Hong Kong with specifications for it to be manufactured with my contractor there.

I’m also just starting to work on a new range called ‘Conflict’ which is inspired by my lovely new fella who has a very good eye for style. It’s for men and women and it’s quite an edgy urban-wear brand.

There's loads going on at the moment. I've been in touch with a lawyer who's helped me to believe I really can reach for the stars. I'd been looking at grants and he said, "Michelle with your experience I really think you should apply for some of the bigger grants available " I kept asking, "Are you sure?" but he seemed to display a lot of confidence in me which I'm so grateful for.

Bizarrely, I’ve also just done an interview with Radio Tees. Someone had seen me in the Hartlepool Mail in connection with’ If we can, you can’ and said she thought I was an inspiration as an entrepreneur particularly in this current climate, and would I come on the show and talk about my journey and perhaps shell out a few hints and tips for any aspiring designers?

I was baffled but said I’d love to, and happened to mention that my mam always listened to the show, to which she said, “Bring her on too!” They had a microphone all set up for her, and we’d been sat down ten seconds before we were live so it was a bit hectic but really good fun. I feel like everything’s taking off and although it can be stressful and I work long hours, I’m having the time of my life at the moment.”

To see Michelle’s new branding, click on her holding pages www.tallulahlove.com and www.designbyconflict.com, and read her inspirational story by clicking www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk/entrepreneurs/michelle-taylor

Michelle is also one of the featured entrepreneurs in our new documentary, ‘Tears and Triumphs’ alongside Matt Scott and Ken Fryer. The second episode will be released shortly (including Michelle and her mam’s radio stint) but you can see the first episode by clicking http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=govFNk3KDOk&feature=channel_page