Case Study : Saucy Minx - Dianne Brown

Dianne Brown, 40, from Willington, County Durham has set up the only dedicated glamour wear, lingerie, and adult interest outlet in the district - Saucy Minx.

Dianne said: “I have a lot of business experience and owning my own business is something that I have always wanted to do. After discussing the idea with my husband and daughter, we all put our heads together and went for it.”

Dianne and her husband Kevin received a grant from Be Enterprising, County Durham’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI). Dianne said: “Be Enterprising have been great, we received a grant that helped us to do an initial marketing blitz, it was also used to helped set up the website.”

Saucy Minx is located on Hutton Terrace and was developed and decorated by Dianne and her husband Kevin. It stocks fancy dress outfits, lingerie, footwear, corsets and basques and adult interest accessories.

Since opening this summer the business has been going from strength to strength. Dianne said: “We have had loads of interest in the shop, we have lots of customer orders, business is going really well.
“Our website should be up and running in the next few weeks, so people can view and order our products online.”

Dianne’s Be Enterprising coach Michael Smith said: “Be Enterprising is committed to helping people in County Durham to start their own business and encouraging enterprise.
“Dianne is very experienced in retail having worked for other companies all her life. The business model is excellent and I can see the business really taking off.
“She is totally committed, motivated and driven for it to be a success. We wish her luck for the future.”

The budding entrepreneur does not just have one business, but two. Dianne also runs an adult party service, Saucy Minx Parties.

She said: “In the future we will be looking to recruit staff who will assist us in running the parties."

“Everything is going great. Be Enterprising has been fantastic, the support and guidance we received has been second to none. I can’t praise them enough. They would be fantastic for any business start up.”