On 1 October 2015, Kitty Verdel opened Pattern Solutions, a company that makes 3D clothing patterns. During the coronavirus crisis, this entrepreneur refused to give up. Instead, she decided to change course. The Kickstart voucher from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency made this possible.
How to start your business with the SIB programme
As a pattern maker, Kitty had experience creating well-tailored clothing styles for major brands, from ski suits to bikinis. In 2015, she decided to start her own company and turn her designs into digital 3D patterns. Kitty says: “I received requests from other countries. I did not know how to handle them. At that point, I applied for a SIB coaching voucher. Together with the SIB coach, I started my company. We made plans to begin serving international clients. After 5 great years of fun projects for Belgian and German clients, things were going incredibly well.”
The coronavirus crisis
This spring, the coming season was looking promising for Pattern Solutions. But because of the coronavirus crisis, many projects were cancelled. Several clients were having trouble and cancelled their orders. Although Kitty was shocked, she could not afford to spend too much time thinking about it. When the schools closed, Kitty found herself homeschooling her 2 children and running the company at the same time.
Changing course with the Kickstart voucher
This summer, other clothing brands were showing an interest in her 3D patterns. The only thing standing in their way was a lack of advice on how to turn their work processes into a 3D workflow. Kitty: “I wanted to guide and support my clients while they made that transition. To do this, I decided to start a second company alongside Pattern Solutions, but I was not quite sure how to do it. Luckily, the Kickstart voucher offered a solution.”
“This will boost my company”
“Thanks to the Kickstart voucher, I could start working with an advisor. Together, we decided on the right revenue model for my second company. The next steps are a SWOT analysis and a market study. Right now, we are writing a business plan. My second company will give a boost to my existing one, Pattern Solutions.”
Would you like to know more?
Have your international activities been affected by the coronavirus crisis? Would you like some help to boost your company? Find out what the Kickstart voucher can do for you and your business.