|
MAKING IT BIG MULTI-CHANNEL RETAILER CHOSEN FOR STRATEGIC
BUSINESS ANALYSIS BY GOLDEN GATE UNIVERSITY MBA PROGRAM
Making it Big filling niche in Plus Size Women’s Clothing Market for 25 Years
(Cotati, California - March 18, 2009) Making it Big, a multi-channel retailer for Plus Size Women’s clothing, has been chosen as a company model for strategic business analysis by Golden Gate University’s Executive MBA Program. Making it Big was selected from hundreds of businesses to be one of the three companies chosen, and the only one that is a for profit business. Throughout 2009 EMBA students from GGU will work to develop detailed strategic business plans and identify numerous business scenarios determining various financial ramifications for MiB. This year-long study will assess current MiB business practices, processes, products, markets and business environments. Seeking growth in 2009, North Bay business Making it Big is looking forward to partnership with the GGU EMBA program and embraces possible cutting edge business ideas to advance MiB through the current national economic challenges.
Making it Big’s customers have a difficult time finding top quality, natural fiber, great looking clothing that fits properly for their Plus Size and Super Plus Size frame. Patterns are traditionally modeled around the smallest size and then inches are added for the larger frame creating a guessing game for the Plus Size woman to find proper garment fit. MiB uniquely understands the fashion needs of Plus Size women and only employs true-to-size Plus Size models in the design process, catalogs and website. Making it Big has developed distinctive size specifications for Plus Size women and offers garment sizing for women ranging from sizes 2X to 8X. MiB is a catalog and web company shipping both nationally and internationally as well as a direct-to-consumer retailer through their Cotati, CA showroom.
Making it Big is no stranger to collegiate study as a business model having been featured in the college textbook “Crafting and Executing Strategy” by Arthur Thompson, Jr. Since her purchase of MiB in 2003, current president Tracy Amiral, MBA in Finance from San Francisco State University has succeeded in doubling the customer base. From a tri-fold single sheet flyer at MiB’s inception to the current 48 page catalog with 13 annual mail drops and website, the business continues to find growth opportunities amidst a shaky economy due to it’s optimization of it’s niche Plus Size and Super Plus Size market.
With more than 62% of American women size 14 or larger, the Plus Size woman’s apparel industry offers a unique source of business study for the Executive MBA students at GGU. Through collaborative programs such as that occurring with Making it Big, these students will have the opportunity to blend theoretical knowledge with professional practice. Golden Gate University has educated over 60,000 of our nation’s business professionals since 1901 and five of these future business leaders will be assisting Making it Big in developing several detailed business plans throughout 2009.
For 25 years, Making it Big has discovered that the Plus Size woman’s apparel needs have been all too often ignored, and MiB has done an excellent job listening to their customers providing for the Plus Size and Super Plus Size woman’s professional and casual apparel needs. As businesses seek multiple avenues to make it through the 2009 recession, Amiral, as well as the rest of the MiB team, look forward to the strategic business analysis and insights provided by the GGU EMBA students to help their North Bay business evolve and not retreat in 2009.
|
