List of applicants

Fund applicants business ideas

denise rawls -

Avatar Image

Seeking £500

Voting is currently switched off, but will be back again very soon when we open Fund101 again!

232 votes

My idea is...

I want to take my cards to the National Greeting Card Show in Islington, London to share the fantastic range (if I say so myself) that have just been chosen by the Mary Portas for House of Fraser buying team, with stores across the UK and beyond. Strange Fruit greeting cards are unique in that they represent Britain’s diverse society, they are brought by people of all background just because the like them not because they are making a political statement. I have found the best way to get stockists is by meeting buyers myself and trade show is the best place to do this. I have funded the business myself since I started in in Oct 2010. I sold my much loved designer shoes to pay for my first print run and I am delighted that the hard work is playing off and Strange Fruit has just made a small profit. This investment would allow me to show the cards to an international audience and invest the profits into launching a new range of cards at the show.

You can see the current range at www.ilovestrangefruit.com – you’ll see on the website that I am just about the open a small shop, thanks to Boris and some investment into Walthamstow. If the trade show goes well I will be able to go from part time staff to full time staff and hopefully give someone a great job that will grow in responsibility as the company does.

97 Comments

  1. February 16, 2012
    Val Woodhouse

    I design cards too so I wish you the very best of luck with your project.

  2. February 16, 2012
    denise rawls

    Ah thanks Val! Your email was the first I knew about this being live – so exciting!! Denise

  3. February 16, 2012
    Tamu Thomas

    Your cards are fab you certainly get my vote!

  4. February 16, 2012
    Nicola wickham

    I’ve got a selection of the StrangeFruit cards and whenever I give them to friends and family they always fall in love with them. I’ve even got one displayed in my living room as artwork!

  5. February 16, 2012
    Joyce

    I love what you do Denise. I hope you can get the funding for your cards. Sacrificing shoes for a woman is a big deal so i hope you get to live your dream x

  6. February 16, 2012
    Amy M

    All the best Denise – we need more diversity and your brand is helping that cause!

  7. February 16, 2012
    dipak amin

    Good luck..

  8. February 16, 2012
    Karen Flint

    You go girl, with you all the way!!

  9. February 16, 2012
    Philip Appleton

    Good luck.

  10. February 17, 2012
    Stacey-Ann Cole

    Good luck Denise!

  11. February 17, 2012
    Julie-Anne Scutt

    I hope you win the fund, and then you can book Top Drawer :)

  12. February 17, 2012
    Jemima Broadbridge

    Denise, that’s fab, that you got a concession in House of Frazer. I hadn’t realised till now. Well done lady! keep it up. Jemima

  13. February 17, 2012
    Sonia Porter

    Good luck Denise :) Your hard work deserves this recognition!

  14. February 17, 2012
    Dangerpuss Designs of Woolthamstow

    Good luck Denise. I love your witty original card designs. A breath of fresh air.

    Have you tried Stoke Newington, Crouch End and Muswell Hill? Perfick for Strange Fruit.

    Cheers, Caitlin xx

  15. February 17, 2012
    Denise Brooks

    Well done for being selected and good luck! @onecirclecomms

  16. February 17, 2012
    Rachel Miller

    Good luck Denise, fingers and toes crossed for you! @theeventsdepot

  17. February 17, 2012
    tola popoola

    All the best Denise!

  18. February 17, 2012
    Nefateri Asantewa

    Hi Denise

    Keep up your good work :-)

  19. February 17, 2012
    Leanne Hewitt

    Good luck Denise.
    Leanne x

  20. February 17, 2012
    Bev O

    Well Done. I wish you all the best .

  21. February 17, 2012
    Gabrielle Smith

    you definitely have my support!

  22. February 19, 2012
    lauren carig

    All the best Denise xx

  23. February 19, 2012
    foluke akinlose

    Good luck hon. I’ll promote via the PRECIOUS network too xx

  24. February 19, 2012
    Catherine Esbester

    Good luck Denise, from one shop owner to another!
    Catherine

  25. February 19, 2012
    Antoinette deLisser

    oh good luck Den
    wishing all the best in your new venture
    Big Mx

  26. February 19, 2012
    abigail lewisohn

    good luck doll x

  27. February 20, 2012
    Ronke Adeyemi

    Great luck, I love what you are doing.

  28. February 20, 2012
    Wendy Griffith

    Best of luck to you x

  29. February 20, 2012
    sophia jackson

    Good luck, honey!! xx

  30. February 20, 2012
    Veronica, Your Small Business Coach

    Good luck Denise.

    Hope you get the nod and Best Wishes with growing your business.

  31. February 20, 2012
    cory rawls

    good luck mrs rawls

  32. February 20, 2012
    grace and flava grace and flava

    Best of luck from the Buying team at Grace and Flava – we love your cards!!

  33. February 21, 2012
    Susi Koch

    good luck with your funding..

  34. February 21, 2012
    Meghan Correia

    Go get em’ !!! and Good luck!

  35. February 22, 2012
    Tracey Ford

    Your a winner D!
    :-) keep smiling x

  36. February 22, 2012
    Alexia Lenoir

    Good luck Denise! :)

  37. February 22, 2012
    Jennifer Williams-Baffoe

    Very best of luck! Love your style! Remember MAP in Archway they would love you! Fingers and everything crossed will be in touch x

  38. February 22, 2012
    Jessica Huie

    Wishing you all the luck in the world Denise. The world needs Strange Fruit! X

  39. February 23, 2012
    Elisa McGarry

    Top idea – I’m sure selling your designer shoes will be well worth it. Good luck. Elisa x

  40. February 23, 2012
    Stacey Galfskiy

    You have our votes here at Chillicious!!

  41. February 23, 2012
    Robert Rose

    Voted – good luck!

  42. February 23, 2012
    Melanie Poleson

    Good luck! Melanie

  43. February 23, 2012
    Rebecca Holder

    Such a fab business – have a vote from me at The Handmade Emporium :) xx

  44. February 24, 2012
    Lisa Duggleby

    Good luck hun.xx

    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/atmosphere-venue-dressing/

  45. February 24, 2012
    Adrianne G

    Love your work, I hope you get to shine your like at the greeting card show.

  46. February 24, 2012
    THD

    Denise, good luck, hope you get the much deserved funding. Hope judging panel recognises how committed you are – selling a pair of *your* beloved shoes does illustrate your ambition for Strange Fruit! > Tori

  47. February 24, 2012
    Kirsty Rawlinson

    I voted for you, good luck!
    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/spoonsco/

  48. February 24, 2012
    Will Carbon

    Very Best of Luck! With your passion, enthusiasm and drive I know you will do very well.

  49. February 25, 2012
    Stacey Dyzart

    Great idea – ive voted – hopefully you think the same about mine too – http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/obsession-jewellery/

  50. February 25, 2012
    Iman Ogoo

    Good luck!! Your cards are lovely

  51. February 25, 2012
    andrea charlwood

    Good luck form Andrea @AC Cakes

  52. February 26, 2012
    Leah Samuel

    Good Luck x

  53. February 26, 2012
    Samantha Emmerson

    Voted, thanks for mine http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/cupcaketopia/

  54. February 26, 2012
    Gregor Keenan

    Good luck Denise, I Hope you manage to get the contracts with companies like House of Fraser.

    Drew @ Handy Woodcrafts

  55. February 26, 2012
    Betty Vandy

    Go ‘Strange fruit’! Well done Denise, keep on keepin’ on!

  56. February 27, 2012
    Natalie B

    Good luck and hope you get the funding. I voted for you about 10 days ago but just remembered to comment thanks to your lovely prize giveaway. Got my fingers crossed ????

  57. February 27, 2012
    Natalie B

    Just commented on my phone. Not quite sure what all the question marks are about. Silly thing lol

  58. February 27, 2012
    Lorna Stewart

    Done. Good Luck Denise x

  59. February 29, 2012
    Guido

    Good luck ‘Strange Fruit’!!!

  60. February 29, 2012
    Rose Buahin

    Good luck!

  61. February 29, 2012
    Katty Janneh

    Hey Denise! good luck!

  62. February 29, 2012
    Gill Talbot

    fantastic idea, wish you all the best with it, i’ve voted for you! :)
    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/fantasweets-cupcakes/#comments

  63. March 1, 2012
    lynsey clarke

    Good Luck Honeyx

  64. March 2, 2012
    Lindsay McAvoy

    Good luck. xxx

  65. March 2, 2012
    Michelle Doust

    Good luck! Remember to stay away from the glitter!! icoo xx

  66. March 2, 2012
    kerry mcgaughey

    Hi Denise.
    Best of luck, and I hope to see you at the PG Live show. Im in the process of setting up my own online and stand alone card shop, and would be thrilled to see your cards.

  67. March 3, 2012
    Jodie McCrystal

    hi I have voted for you good luck please vote for me too thanks http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/jmcrafts/

  68. March 3, 2012
    louise halsall

    good luck xx

    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/best-celebrations-co-uk/

  69. March 3, 2012
    Lucy Fenech / Wong

    Voted! x x
    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/lulas/

  70. March 4, 2012
    Frederick Roll

    You have my vote too, Denise. Love your product, love your style.

  71. March 4, 2012
    Pam Harrow

    Cool, well done on making a profit after sacrificing your designer shoes! Oh I hope you manage to go full time in your shop soon, best of luck! x

    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/loves-a-good-yarn/#comment-50930

  72. March 4, 2012
    Kayta Hackman

    Good luck Denise!

  73. March 4, 2012
    L Dias

    good luck – fingers crossed for ya
    sofro

  74. March 4, 2012
    Lyn Slater

    I have just voted for you good luck :) http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/sinful-boutique/

  75. March 4, 2012
    Kane Dodgson - Teapot Therapies

    love art and creativity big vote from me hope you do well x

    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/teapot-therapies-umbrella/

  76. March 4, 2012
    Tayo Adetola

    Vote in. Can you please do likewise?
    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/his-presence-clothing

  77. March 4, 2012
    Emma @ My Vintage (@emmabphilosophy)

    I vote YOU!! x

  78. March 5, 2012
    hayley jenkins

    i love this idea i have voted for you, please see if you would like to vote for me http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/making-mini-memories/

  79. March 6, 2012
    Faye Bainbridge

    Great idea Good luck if u have time please look at mine :) http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/hamsterley-art/#comment-56167

  80. March 6, 2012
    Suki Singh

    Hey- lovely idea!
    Please vote for me as well!
    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/mattress-angels/

  81. March 6, 2012
    Graeme Jordan

    Sounds like its going well – get in front of lots of buyers and you’ll be fine

    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/graemejordan-co-uk-career-coaching-and-cv-writing

  82. March 6, 2012
    Melody Dahlin

    I think you are a person with full of many great ideas(just like this 1!).Your cards are unique and absolutely fantastic!Good luck

  83. March 6, 2012
    Mark Wheeler

    Great news on the profit front, Denise! Good luck for 2012: I hope my vote helps in some small way.

  84. March 7, 2012
    carly dyson

    good luck to you, you have my vote, would really appreciate if you could vote for me too :)

    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/make-me-bake-me-decorate-me/

  85. March 7, 2012
    Amanda Gurney

    voted ! :) Hope you will return the favour! :) http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/darling-belle-events/

  86. March 7, 2012
    Stephen Martin

    Voted. Good luck!

    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/stafnmar-photography

  87. March 12, 2012
    Shaz Wiles

    Good luck hun! Xxxx

  88. April 2, 2012
    Gina Gordon

    So glad to have found your web site and have cast my vote for your lovely card idea! That would be a dream job!

  89. April 2, 2012
    Victoria Isaac

    just voted, it sounds like you really deserve it, it would be great if you could vote for me too please

    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/happy-plants/

  90. April 2, 2012
    Vickie Christian

    Good luck

    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/vickiesbeads/

  91. April 2, 2012
    Rebecca Vincent

    All the best x
    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/the-craft-parlour/

  92. April 2, 2012
    Kelly Johnson

    good luck denise x
    http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/kokokelli/

  93. April 30, 2012
    Deirdre Morrison

    Good for you, I hope you get it! Good luck!

  94. April 30, 2012
    Deirdre Morrison

    huh…voting seems to be closed?

  95. May 1, 2012
    Caroline

    Good Luck, see you at CG Live
    Leah and Caroline
    Licorice

  96. May 1, 2012
    Emma Skelton

    Wishing you every success for your ventures, will def be worth your shoe sacrifice I am sure!!

  97. May 1, 2012
    Rebecca Mccarthy

    Lots of luck!!
    Rebecca
    Vanilla b.

Add your comment