We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Patrana Saulter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Patrana , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

If I had the power to turn back the hands of time, I absolutely would have started my business sooner. I launched a little over a year ago while in my career as an educator, and it has been challenging to say the least. On top of that, I’m married with two young daughters, so it’s imperative that I find a healthy work-life balance. Had I launched my business prior to starting my career or a family, I could dedicate 100% of my time to my business, giving it the consistency it needs to flourish.

Patrana , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I began Simply Clutched out of necessity. After becoming a mother, I quickly ditched the shoulder bags for the convenience of a clutch I could easily toss into a diaper bag. Not to mention women mostly carry clutches for social events, and dining out. Simply Clutched was created to add a touch of elegance to women’s wardrobes by providing affordable luxury handbags, jewelry, and clothing without breaking the bank!

I pride myself on providing quality products that are also functional, while offering the best in customer satisfaction.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

From the beginning, I never wanted to accumulate any outstanding debt for my business, so every penny I’ve invested so far was funded from my full time job and savings. As a small business, it’s challenging to scale and make a profit. As a result, I didn’t want to take out business loans I couldn’t afford to repay. I am always researching grant opportunities as I continue to grow my business.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I am up against many competitors in the fashion accessory field. My best source of securing new clients has been vending at markets and pop up shops. Doing so allows me to connect with my customers in person, give them the opportunity to see and feel the quality of my products, and gives them a sense of comfort in knowing affordable doesn’t mean cheap. Family and friends have also been helpful in getting the word out about my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.simplyclutched.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyclutched/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplyclutched