How I helped Blue Eyes Bow Ties outsource production to free up time

Helen King Blue Eyes Bow Ties
Helen King is the founder of Blue Eyes Bow Ties

The challenge of scaling a handmade brand

Helen, the founder of Blue Eyes Bow Ties, had spent 7 years growing her business, offering a constantly changing collection of smart, quirky, sophisticated and funky bow tie designs, all of which are made from quality natural fabrics including 100% cotton, silk, and velvet. However, as her brand gained popularity worldwide, she reached a breaking point where she could no longer keep up with production on her own.

"All of my time was spent at the sewing machine, and everything else – admin, social media, marketing – got left behind. I knew I needed help to make my products, but the thought of finding a manufacturer was beyond daunting. I had no contacts, no tech pack and no idea what to do next." Helen King, Blue Eyes Bow Ties

Struggling to keep up with demand and on the verge of giving up

With a loyal customer base, Helen was keen to grow her sales, but her inability to scale production because she was making everything herself, was holding her back. The constant demand meant she was stretched thin, leaving her feeling overwhelmed and unable to focus on other crucial areas of her business like marketing and sales.

Helen says: "I found myself at a point where I was unable to keep up with demand, especially during periods of high sales volume. As a small business with limited resources, there were times when the influx of orders pushed me to the limits of my production capacity.

All of my time was spent at the sewing machine and everything else - admin, social media, marketing etc. – got left behind. Ultimately, until I got control of production, I couldn’t actively grow sales any further. I had got to the point where I needed to make a decision – go for it or give up. And there was no question, this was my business that’d I’d work hard on for 6 years, and I wasn’t giving up! I knew I needed to seek support in moving forwards and luckily that’s when I found Kate’s British Brand Accelerator".

The turning point: joining the British Brand Accelerator

Helen decided to join the British Brand Accelerator (BBA) programme to find the guidance and resources needed to take her business to the next level. She was initially nervous about finding the right manufacturer and unsure how to identify her true target audience, but the structured learning and support from BBA gave her the clarity she needed.

"Kate helped me immeasurably by introducing me to a programme of resource-based learning and real-world contacts," says Helen. "I now work with a small manufacturer who really understands and cares about my product."

Overcoming manufacturing challenges

The process of finding a manufacturer wasn’t without its challenges. Helen experienced a couple of false starts, but with my support she was able to navigate the process without feeling lost or discouraged.

"Fortunately, Kate was there to guide me through and offer new suggestions. She made introductions and smoothed out what could have otherwise been a very intimidating process."

Now, with a reliable manufacturer in place, Helen has the breathing room she desperately needed to focus on growing her brand, improving her marketing, and expanding her product range.

Helen says: "I can hardly put into words the pressure this has taken off my shoulders (and my fingers!)."

Helen King is the maker of the Thirteenth Doctor's bow tie!
Helen King is the maker of the Thirteenth Doctor's bow tie!

Gaining clarity on her audience and market position

In addition to solving her manufacturing problem, Helen also gained insights into her target audience and business positioning through the BBA programme. By conducting a customer questionnaire and competitor analysis, she was able to refine her Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and adjust her marketing to better resonate with her audience.

"I quickly got to grips with who my actual target audience is. Suddenly, I felt like I really knew them and what they wanted."

Helen also worked on her pricing and ensured her business was financially viable moving forward, something that she had been uncertain about before she joined BBA.

"I feel like I understand my business better now too. It was really eye-opening!" says Helen.

No longer feeling overwhelmed by the demands of production

Six months after joining the British Brand Accelerator, Helen’s business has transformed. She no longer feels overwhelmed by the demands of production, and she has the tools and confidence to move her business forward.

She highlights the value of having the ongoing 1-2-1 support and access to a wealth of resources within the programme, from manufacturing contacts to marketing guides.

"Having Kate to bounce ideas off and answer questions throughout the day is a huge bonus. If there’s something I come unstuck with, she’s there to offer one-to-one guidance and support."

Helen King Blue Eyes Bowties

Helen King

Blue Eyes Bow Ties

"Joining British Brand Accelerator was a turning point for me. As soon as I made the decision to sign up, everything started moving forward quickly and for the better. The best thing about BBA is how it has helped me focus on key aspects of my business so now I feel truly in control. I know what I’m doing and where I’m going rather than floundering in the dark."

Want help to find a manufacturer and grow your brand confidently?

For business owners like Helen, who are at the limit of what they can produce on their own, the British Brand Accelerator provides a lifeline. It offers not only the practical steps to scale production but also the strategic guidance to grow a brand confidently.

If you're feeling overwhelmed and ready to take the next step in scaling your product-based business, Helen’s story shows that with the right support, it’s possible to transition from feeling totally overwhelmed by making everything yourself, to having the supply chain that allows you to grow your brand.