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The new age of fashion cycling

Up-tote
Online Store
Phone number: +505 7706 5271
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Executive Summary

The business name is Up-Tote, we are a business who focuses solely on making recyclable totes bags
that we will recycle from donated/ old clothes. We want to solve the overconsumption of clothes, and
also recycle them to make more unique tote bags which all have different styles making them unique.
They will also help reduce plastic bags pollution, and use of raw materials. This business has a green
solution. Up Tote targets the conscious young, mindful individuals (mainly women) who care about
the planet and make thoughtful choices in what they buy, wear, and support. Our customers should
seek stylish yet sustainable alternatives, value simplicity and authenticity, and be drawn to brands that
align with their eco-friendly lifestyle.

This business differs from the others because we use the clothes and fabrics others see as garbage or
waste to make our products giving us a sustainable source of materials, this helps to reduce waste and
pollution. We as a socially responsible business will offer fair wages, we will provide safe and healthy
conditions for our employees supporting them.

We will use different methods to determine pricing. Each tote is unique to our customers, as we use a
variety of recycled fabrics for every piece. Prices will vary depending on whether the tote is made
from denim, cotton, or a mix of materials. This way, we can offer our customers a range of price
points so they can choose the one that suits them best. Additionally, we will offer a direct recycling
method with our clients where they can bring their own fabrics (clothes, bags or any type of fabric),
and we will evaluate the best way to turn them into stylish recycled fashion where we will only charge
for the handwork. We also have a loyalty program where everyone can inscribe after their first
purchase and over time earn different types of discounts in the store. Such as 10% - 20% depending
on their lever in the loyalty program.

Our startup cost will be around 790 which includes the basic materials such as tools, packaging labels,
sewing machines and more. Each bag will have a cost of 25$ with any additional personalized design
will be an extra 2-5$. Our main goal is to sell around 42 tote bags, this way we regained what we have
invested. Our brand will start as an online shop (main source) where we will grow slowly towards
recognition , we would also participate in fairs, collabs, and fashion events.

Business description
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Business name:
Up-Tote

Business description:
We are a sustainable fashion startup based in Managua, Nicaragua, that specializes in creating eco-
friendly, stylish tote bags from recycled fabrics. Our brand distinguishes itself through ethical
sourcing, transparency in its supply chain, and an innovative approach that allows customers to
contribute their own fabrics for personalized tote creations. We ensure accessibility while maintaining
its commitment to environmental impact reduction through carbon footprint minimization, water-
saving practices, and consumer education.

Our story:
When we saw the amount of wastes that the fashion industry makes a year (over 92 million tons a
year) and we started thinking on a way to solve this problem that's how we came up with Up-Tote,
this way we will make an impact on the environment (even if its small is a great start).

Mission and vision:

Our mission is to create stylish, eco-friendly tote bags using recycled fabrics, reducing textile waste
and promoting conscious consumer choices—one tote at a time.
To lead the shift toward a circular fashion industry by making sustainability accessible, inspiring a
global community to carry with purpose and tread lightly on the planet.

Philosophy:
At Up-tote, we believe fashion should not cost the Earth. Our philosophy is rooted in the conviction
that sustainability and style can and must coexist. Every product we create is a statement against
waste, a commitment to circular design, and a celebration of mindful living. We see discarded textiles
not as trash, but as raw potential, ready to be reborn into something beautiful and useful. We don’t
just sell tote bags, we promote a lifestyle that values purpose over excess, individuality over mass
production, and quality over quantity. Through transparency, ethical practices, and community
engagement, we aim to inspire a movement of conscious consumers who choose to carry with
intention and tread lightly on the planet.

Fashion is powerful. At Up-tote, we’re using that power to make a difference one recycled tote at a
time.

Name and location of the business:

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Up-tote.We are in Managua, Nicaragua making us a local brand that supports the environment.

Management and organizational structure:

Principal owners:
There are three owners of this business, though all three of us take up a role in the business as
mentioned before.

Legal structure:
This small business is a co-op of the students Valeska, Sarah and Sabina. Who together came
up with an idea of making tote-bags which are made of recycled materials, and personalized
and unique styles.

Environmental management system

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Assess environmental impacts of your business project:

The fashion industry produces a significant amount of textile waste each year. Synthetic fabrics take a
long time to break down, releasing harmful substances such as methane and toxic chemicals into the
environment. This negatively affects wildlife, ecosystems and pollutes water through its chemical-
heavy dyeing processes.

Activities to mitigate each impact:

As social media campaigns we will use social media as our sales method, specifically Instagram,
Facebook, and TikTok, where we are going to show the versatility of our pieces, how to take care of
them and various activities to make a big community, we will have paid advertising and use
influencers such as Regina Argüello, Gabriela Coca, Lindsay Mena, Leylani Leyton to boost our
brand recognition. We will participate in school and university fairs, as well as events at the
Intercontinental Hotel and local mini markets.

Social plan:
Up-tote’s social plan is rooted in the principles of people, planet, and profit. The business empowers
local communities (especially women) by creating fair job opportunities in Managua and educating
the public on sustainable fashion through workshops and social media. Environmentally, Up-tote
reduces textile waste by upcycling discarded fabrics, conserving water, and minimizing carbon
emissions through local production and eco-friendly packaging. Economically, it sustains itself
through a loyalty program, flexible pricing based on materials, and direct-to-consumer sales via social
media. This model ensures profitability while promoting fairness, environmental responsibility, and
community engagement.

Marketing plan:
1.1.-Product or service description:
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Industry overview:
This business seeks for sustainable products and ecological fashion. We want to increase
environmental awareness, shift consumers preferences and be the one that represents a convergence of
sustainability, functionality and style. As a business our goal is to create environmental awareness,
plastic bans specially in Nicaragua, create a sustainable fashion and socially responsible companies
around us.
Samples:

Logo and slogan:

The new age of fashion cycling

Package design:
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We will use recycled paper as a package for our recycled tote-bags following our principles of
recycling raw materials as much as possible.

SWOT analysis:

Factor Details

Strengths -There's a growing demand for sustainable

choices for fashion.
-Unique way of looking at old clothes and
designs.
-Opportunities for local artists to design for us.

Weaknesses -Difficulty to get the recycling material due to

the mindset of the general population.
-Low production capacity due to short staff and
handmade products.

Opportunities -Partnering with local art fairs.

-Raise awareness about the environment.
-Social media and online shopping.
-Tourism national and international.

Threats -The imports from China are cheaper options of

our products that represent a big threat.
-Low interest or knowledge about recyclable
accessories like tote bags.
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1.2.-Market research and analysis: industry trends, target market, competition, and key
highlights.
Target markets:
Up Tote targets the conscious young, mindful individuals (mainly women) who care about the planet
and make thoughtful choices in what they buy, wear, and support. They seek stylish yet sustainable
alternatives, value simplicity and authenticity, and are drawn to brands that align with their eco-
friendly lifestyle.

Competitors:
Chureca Chic: they sell fashion accessories (bags, wallets, jewelry) made from recycled materials,
they use waste to create unique products, with a social and ecological focus similar to that of Up Tote.

Best Brand Pacas + Nicaragua Diseña (sustainable fashion store): they sell clothing and accessories
made from recycled materials, including products designed by local creatives, although they offer
more variety, they also focus on recycled fashion and could include similar bags.

Ekoglam: they sell Eco-friendly and sustainable garments and accessories, they share the focus on
sustainability and conscious design, including repurposed pieces.

Process of production:
The first step is to obtain our materials which would be recycled fabrics and clothing, they would be
classified by color, size, texture and condition, they will all be washed and disinfected, the ones in
good conditions would be set apart to be cut and assembled in sewing workstation (as you can see
everything is handmade) and it will be decorated according to what the customers want or in
collaboration with local artist.

1.3.-Branding and marketing strategy:

Price and pricing strategy:

We will use different methods to determine pricing. Each tote is unique to our customers, as we use a
variety of recycled fabrics for every piece. Prices will vary depending on whether the tote is made
from denim, cotton, or a mix of materials. This way, we can offer our customers a range of price
points so they can choose the one that suits them best. We have an estimate where the tote-bags have
a cost of approximately 25$ (selling for unit price) each bag has a total unit cost of 6.30$.
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Promotion:

We will offer a direct recycling method with our clients where they can bring their own fabrics
(clothes, bags or any type of fabric), and we will evaluate the best way to turn them into stylish
recycled fashion where we will only charge for the handwork. We also have a loyalty program where
everyone can inscribe after their first purchase and over time earn different types of discounts in the
store. Such as 10% - 20% depending on their lever in the loyalty program.

Customer engagement and retention:

Through active social media campaigns on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, the brand connects with
its audience by showcasing behind-the-scenes content, styling tips, care instructions, and interactive
Q&A sessions. And more things such as the loyalty program and we will also use surveys to better
understand how to improve our products and service quality. Additionally, we will conduct polls and Q&A
sessions on Instagram to engage with our audience. We will also analyze customer behavior to identify what
attracts them most and determine which actions we can stop taking without affecting sales, ultimately increasing
our profits.

Financial plan:
2.1.-Projected financial statements:
Start-up cost:
This business wouldn't start in an office because of the mayor's risk this one involves and the high
costs to get the licenses from the government to operate as we want to, so it will only be available (for
starters) as an online shop. Our start up cost will be approximately of 790$ for everything we need
such as materials and machinery.

Revenue model:
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Our main source of income is the direct sale of tote bags via social media, local markets, or custom
orders. Therefore we would need an average price of 10$ per bag, we will demand 2-5$ extra if the
customer would like

Operating costs: For our monthly operating costs, the total would be around 350$

Pricing strategy:
We will use different methods to determine pricing. Each tote is unique to our customers, as
we use a variety of recycled fabrics for every piece. Prices will vary depending on whether
the tote is made from denim, cotton, or a mix of materials. This way, we can offer our
customers a range of price points so they can choose the one that suits them best. If the
consumer would like any additional or personalized designs there would be an extra cost of
2-5$.

Break-even analysis:
Startup Cost=790, Profit per unit=18.70

Break-even units=790/18.70=42 bags

We would break even after selling just 42 tote bags

Profit projection:
● Selling price per bag: $25
● Bags sold per day (average): 5
● Days of operation per month: 30
● Total unit cost per bag: $6.30
● Startup costs: already paid (not included in monthly cost)
● Monthly fixed costs: already included in $6.30 (or minimal)
Funding plan:
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Funding options to cover startup costs that are available to us considering our situation as students and
minors: Personal savings (ideally 50% or more) and family founding.

Financial risks and mitigation:

Risks: Low initial demand, Inflation or rising supply costs, inventory not selling fast enough,
overdependence on social media traffic, and cash flow shortages.
Mitigation: Awareness campaigns, eco-education, promotional offers, source stable local suppliers,
buy materials in bulk, produce on-demand or in small batches, diversify channels: in-person markets,
retail partners, and keep emergency funds, reinvest profits wisely.

Conclusions:
Up-tote represents more than just a business, it's a movement toward sustainable, conscious fashion.
We transform discarded clothing into beautiful stylish and eco-friendly tote bags, we address critical
environmental issues like textile waste and plastic pollution, while empowering local communities
through fair labor practices.Our unique model not only promotes individuality and creativity but also
fosters a circular economy by inviting customers to participate directly in the recycling process.

With a solid financial strategy, a clear target and strong commitment to environmental and social
values. Up-Tote is poised to thrive in an increasingly sustainability-driven world. By starting small
and growing organically through online platforms, local markets, and collaborations, we aim to make
a measurable impact one recycled tote at a time.

The new age of fashion cycling

Bibliography:

● https://www.managua.gob.ni/acerca-de-alcaldia-de-managua/servicios/recaudacion/
apertura-de-negocio/

● https://delepesoasuspesos.com/negocios/17570-cuota-fija-en-nicaragua

● https://www.zarla.com/es/gu%C3%ADas/c%C3%B3mo-emprender-un-negocio-en-
nicaragua
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● https://chatgpt.com/c/682deb5c-aee0-800c-9d51-439cf3500013