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Name | Claire Locke |
Pitching | Smarty Pants |
Investment Required | £150,000 for 25% |
Investment Secured | No investment |
When in the Den | November 2005 |
Brief Description | A range of personalised children's underwear |
Claire's experience in the Den was emotional but has she found people to proudly wear her personalised pants since?
Claire left the den without investment and when we last saw her she had moved to new premises to accommodate her stock. The children's range of Smarty Pants sold well at country shows and Claire took the business to the next level, opening a shop in Sheffield's Meadowhall centre. Claire declares "the whole of Sheffield's got their name on their pants!"
Unfortunately Smarty Pants were caught in 2007's floods but Claire has a positive outlook for the future. Having successfully delivered small print runs for large companies in Yorkshire she has opened a second shop in Doncaster, hoping for a third in time to make the most of Christmas trade.
Claire's been busy expanding her personalised printing business and has seen a steady growth in turnover despite the recession. Keeping her prices low and service high, Claire has been welcoming return custom, particularly from students. With the mantra "pennies make pounds" Claire continues to work towards her ultimate goal of a concession stand in Topshop's flagship store.
Claire was interviewed for this article on 2009
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