Case Study : Marion's Lingerie & Fancy Dress - Marion Topping

After working for years in more traditional fancy dress manufacture Marion was encouraged to start up her own business by her former employer and now business mentor, Christine Watt of Krazy Kapers.  Marion could see a market for more risqué outfits for the clubbing scene, hen nights and fancy dress parties and Christine believed that her friend had the perfect personality to carry this off.

So with some funding and business advice from her Be Enterprising Coach, Dave Collett and extra help from East Durham Business Service Marketing Adviser, Katie Kiddle, the business opened in December.  Marion commented, “Never in a million years would I have imagined I could own my own business, of course I had talked about it in the past but now it is a reality and I’m over the moon”. 

‘Marion’s Lingerie & Fancy Dress’ stocks a wide variety of costumes and accessories. Marion also offers home parties, for those organising events such as hen nights and has plans to sell online in the future as the business grows.

Marion freely admits it was not all plain sailing: “I seemed to come up against every hurdle imaginable, but once I had suppliers in place and stock ordered I really felt I was getting somewhere. I think we have a good selection of stock that is fairly priced, which should appeal to our target market. Dave helped me every step of the way and helped me turn my dream into reality”.
For more information about Marion’s Lingerie & Fancy Dress or to book a home party, call Marion Topping on 07825 021972.