Personalised Money - opportunity knocks!

Firstly, let me say thank you for reading my post!

Secondly, this post is about my “venture” into the world of gift cards. 

Let me be clear, I don't mean MoonPig/Funky pigeon paper “greeting cards”, I mean the gift cards and vouchers that you buy for a retailer (JL, M&S, Amazon, Waterstons, Pizza Express, etc).

If you’re reading this, and you:

1. have never bought or intend to buy a gift card; or
2. have never received a gift card,

then this post isn't for you, as I’m not out to convert you! 

Instead I’m trying to speak to those that already buy gift cards and vouchers, I know you exist and I know there are plenty of you, because I’m reliably informed (by UK Gift Card and Voucher Association - “UKGCVA”) that around ￡5bn was put on cards/vouchers in 2013 alone, so all of you please keep reading!

I believe you inherently understand the product. You might be an individual or represent a corporate entity, but you understand the importance that gift cards have in our world today.

So let’s look at the current “usual” consumer journey in trying to buy gift cards:

• converting hard earned money you can use anywhere to vouchers for only one/a few places;
• putting your money at risk with retailer insolvency so abundant;
• wasting time queuing at the checkout to make the purchase and then risk losing your money if the card/voucher is subsequently lost in the post; or
• buying an impersonal e-card that your intended can only use on-line (and with only that retailer); and
• fundamentally encourage the recipient to spend on average 40% more in the retailer you have now given them a gift card for!  

By the way - they may not even like that retailer!

What I want to do is highlight there is another (and in my opinion) more superior gift card offering than the one you might be currently used to.

The beginning

It took a lot to leave the corporate world that I had so become accustomed to. The familiarity of it, the network and goodwill I had built up over the years and the expense account! That I miss a lot!!

10years on from the original idea and the realisation that one is not going to live forever, an idea goes from concept to reality. Hearing how massive (and growing) the gift card market is, is impetus enough to realise there’s a gap in the market!

And frankly, whilst on the face of it, I have a lot to lose (reputation, trust, money) I do genuinely believe if YOU believe in something strongly enough, you owe it to yourself to give it your best shot. How does it go “you don't really regret the things you do, you regret the things you don't do……”.

By the way, to get this far hasn't been easy. In truth, those on the inside, know how bloody tough it has been. To quote a favourite film character of mine (Jerry McGuire) it’s been a “soul swallowing siege”. Starting something with little money, little resource and in a completely alien industry is not for the faint hearted! Entrepreneur beware!

The Product

The product is simple, a “personalised”, “Spend anywhere” and “Secure” gift card gives both the purchaser and the recipient exactly what they are after!

Our cards run on the MasterCard rails and carries their logo and marks. We even have a direct link off their main UK website (thank you MasterCard - you total legends!).

You can only purchase the card over the internet and we deliver it anywhere in (mainly) the UK (and other territories we are permitted), giving convenience.

Only the recipient can activate it - security. And they can spend it anywhere in the world they see the MasterCard logo of acceptance - choice!

Very soon, you’ll be able to upload an image (and video) to play off the plastic card itself giving true personalisation. For now it’s in the “paper” greeting card format that acts as the card carrier. Even then, we’re seeking to give the consumer even more choice here also.

Simple!

(But unbelievably difficult to get thus far)!!

We are launched, we are live and we sell ￡thousands every month!

www.theirperfectgift.co.uk

The Opportunity

We now launch our Crowd Funding campaign through the SEEDRS platform. We have a window of opportunity to raise our target of ￡350k by finding those people that buy these retailer gift cards!

Come on - give us a go. Join us. Be involved. Lets try it another way!

The business is EIS pre-approved, so as long as you are a UK tax payer you should also receive 30% of your investment back through your tax.

More importantly, I’d love for you to be part of this, because it needs people that believe in the product and not just people who are investing because they expect a return! Don’t get me wrong, this isn't a charity and I highly intend to deliver very decent returns on your trust.

But I do need a hand. I want advocates to join us. What I don't need is scepticism and criticism coming from people that never buy this kind of product (I assume you haven't read down this far)!

We aren't anywhere near the finished article I’d like us to be. We continue to improve our offering and we have and will continue to ride the “waves of business”. There are still a tonne more aspects I would like to bolt on and develop into our venture, but I can only do so much without re-enforcement. 

Concept proved, market penetration established and some very key relationships developed. But now’s the time to ask for help!

The market characteristics (as per “UKGCVA”) in the UK alone are:

• ￡5bn as quoted in 2013;
• ￡25 average gift card amount;
• Equates to c20k of cards/vouchers sold on average every hour;
• But we know c50% of the whole market is in the last quarter of each year (so gearing up for Christmas and end of year perks is imperative); and
• Roughly the market is split 50/50 Consumer and Corporate.

Our regular clients now include: booking.com, Travelodge, Santander, Dunlop tyres, Adstream and Kelloggs. We even supplied cards for Priceless London winners at The Brits. 

So if you believe in the product, if you think you can take a chance on us, please take a closer look at our campaign at https://www.seedrs.com/love-from-me.

Or get in touch with me direct at:

[email protected].

Thanks for reading. 

Have a great day.

Thish.