charmainejensenvoisine Jaming With Elvis
Number of posts : 2539 Age : 64 Location : Ajax, Ontario CANADA (TORONTO) Registration date : 2007-11-13
| Subject: Seamstress set for 'Dragon's Den' Tue May 05, 2009 3:28 am | |
| Article Source: http://www.canada.com/Seamstress Dragon/1561374/story.html
May 4, 2009 By Darrell Bellaart, Daily News
Eleanor von Boetticher says she's ready to enter the Dragon's Den.
The seamstress, who has built a name for herself producing custom costumes for Elvis impersonators, was recently picked for the Canadian franchise of the Sony series for would-be venture capitalists.
If she is successful, she'll end up with a partner who would provide capital needed for her to expand her fledgling company. She would give up some ownership and control by selling equity shares in the her company.
"It's huge exposure," says von Boetticher, whose company, Pro Elvis Jumpsuits, ships product around the world to a surprisingly large and growing clientele. She can produce about one costume a week, which she sells for between $900 and $3,100, depending on style and accessories.
At last count, there are 85,000 Elvis impersonators working around the globe. That fact and the enthusiasm of her family outfitted in her colourful suits, caught the attention of show producer Mike Armitage when CBC held an audition in Campbell River on April 1.
"When her husband and family came in Elvis suits, I immediately thought, 'What is that?'" Armitage recalls. "I thought: 'What a unique little niche business, I would never expect to find that in Campbell River.' Also, she was really nice and her husband was really into it, and bringing their kids. What a great story."
When they heard about the audition, von Boetticher said they had little time to put their pitch together.
"I went to Dragon's Den website and found out what they're interested in finding out from companies and put together a concept for a business plan to expand.
"I keep getting requests from customers for costumes they can have quickly, and costumes that are a little less expensive, so I've come up with ready-to-wear jumpsuits. They're going to be simpler than custom-made, but also less expensive."
They would come in sizes ranging from small to extra large and would be made in Nanaimo.
Van Boetticher, who occasionally stutters, admits she's nervous about going on camera.
"I think this is going to be one of the toughest things I've ever done," she said.
If all goes as well as the von Boetticher's hope, Nanaimo could benefit, too.
"If I get the money from Dragon's Den, it would be used to set up manufacturing locally," von Boetticher said. | |
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