Christopher Forte Boston is a small boutique catering to a clientele with a unique sense of style and an understanding of fine craftsmanship and fabrics. This store carries a handful of carefully curated designer collections from the US, Europe and Japan.
2. BOUTIQUE WITH PROVEN TRACK RECORD
AND
HIGH END CLIENTELE
MARCH 2012 – Opened a ten-day pop-up boutique in a Boston hotel
suite. All merchandise for the event was supplied on a consignment
basis by vendors I currently work with.
OCTOBER 2012 – Second successful pop-up opened, in partnership
with an established jewelry designer at her boutique in the heart of
Boston’s historic Beacon Hill. The merchandise for this venture was a
mix of orders and consigned merchandise.
JANUARY 2013 – As the second pop-up was a success for both parties
sharing the space, a store-in-store stylistic collaboration began, and the
pop-up became a full-time boutique space.
3. N I C H E & C O M P E T I T I O N
I’m unquestionably a niche market in the
retail world, particularly in Boston. I cater
to women who seek to dress with a certain
edge, who eschew trends and logos in favor
of unique design and an esoteric,
intellectual approach to fashion.
While many boutiques do a wonderful job
of attracting a youthful clientele with the
desire to fit into the latest trend or of-the-moment
brand, my clientele seeks the
opposite: the desire to be unique.
Where other fashion businesses have the
problem of losing clients as soon as a label
or trend is no longer ‘hot’, my clients have
had a loyalty to me and the designers I
carry for many seasons, because they know
there will always be something for them
that is fresh, yet can be built into their
existing wardrobe.
5. M A R K E T
Creative, dynamic,
successful women,
Ages 30 to 65
Experienced, established
professionals who seek
to dress with
a certain edge
Educated, seasoned,
well-traveled
individuals with a
singular sense of style
6. MARKET PLACEMENT – CLIENT DEMOGRAPHIC BY BUYING POWER & PRICE POINT
For those who shop
predominantly lower-end,
I provide a few cutting edge
focal pieces
MOST OF MY CLIENTS PURCHASE
THE MAJORITY OF THEIR
WARDROBE WITH ME EACH
SEASON
For those who shop at luxury
price levels, I round out their
seasonal purchases into a
complete wardrobe
7. 41% INCREASE IN SALES
FROM
FIRST & SECOND QUARTERS -- 2013
TO
FIRST & SECOND QUARTERS -- 2014
January through June 2013 EXPENSES
January through June 2014
SALES
8. T H R E E Y E A R P R O J E C T I O N*
YEAR I YEAR II YEAR III
Profit
Overhead
* SPECIFIC DATA & FIGURES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
9. B A C K G R O U N D
• TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF RETAIL EXPERIENCE,
SPECIALIZING IN SMALL BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT, WOMENSWEAR, MENSWEAR
AND HOME GOODS BUYING
• SIX-YEAR ADJUNCT FACULTY INSTRUCTOR AT BAY
STATE COLLEGE IN BOSTON, MA., TEACHING
VISUAL MERCHANDISING & DISPLAY DESIGN,
ADVERTISING & PROMOTION, CONTEMPORARY
TRENDS IN FASHION, FASHION HISTORY AND
CONSUMER BEHAVIOR
• EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN VISUAL
MERCHANDISING, DISPLAY DESIGN, PATTERN
CUTTING AND TAILORING
10. T E S T I M O N I A L S
“Chris knows the art of making people look good. Color, fabric, drape, texture, heft -- he has an eye like no other.
He is ahead of trends in introducing European design to the American client. He develops relationships
with his clients and creates trust over the long term, thoughtfully building their wardrobes with an
insurmountable amount of knowledge about the fashion industry as a business. “
-- Debra Bertocci, Owner and Creative Director,
Pilates at Damonmill East, Concord, MA
“Things that you buy from Chris are classic -- they work with previous purchases, and they never go out of style.
He pulls things together to give you a total look, and has the uncanny ability to know what works for each individual.
There are no stores in Boston that offer such a personal approach to each individual client.”
-- Louise Riemer, Nurse Practitioner, Boston, MA
“On just two racks, Christopher presented an amazing collection of stylish clothing from favorite companies that are
not easily available in Boston. He has the ability to guide customers in selecting pieces that are especially
suitable to their lifestyle.
It is time for this little pop-up boutique to realize its potential.”
-- Sylvia Scholnick, Williamsburg, VA and Boston, MA
“I worked with Christopher Forte for almost two years while he operated a capsule shop within my retail location on
Charles Street. I saw firsthand how he was able to grow his business and clientele rapidly through excellent
customer service, solid business practices and with almost no marketing budget.
I have no doubt that in his own space, with room to really showcase his merchandise and talent,
he would be a great success.”
-- Tracey Chareas, Owner & Jewelry Designer,
The Ruby Door, Boston MA
11. I AM REQUESTING
30K
IN FINANCING
TO ALLOW THIS BUSINESS TO MEET
ITS TRUE POTENTIAL
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO VIEW MY PROPOSAL
