I agree. You also want to check you local zoning laws. I know some places will not allow a business out of the home that includes customers unless you have a bathroom that is not part of the regular house. Basically, you might need a bathroom that is specific for your "business area." For some reason the state (or whoever is in charge of the zoning laws) doesn't like customers using the family bathroom in the main part of the house. You'll have to check and see what the rules are for your specific area.

I used to hang out at my LQS so much people thought I worked there. I would help customers pick out fabric and find all sorts of things. The only thing I didn't do was cut fabric. I guess I could have but since I didn't work there I didn't feel I had the right to do it. Every once in awhile someone still comes up and says "Didn't you used to work at the quilt shop that closed?" I just have to laugh. Most gals who work in a quilt shop are very friendly and they can be fun places to hang around. And quilt shop owners love it when someone drags in their hand quilting and/or applique and just sits there sewing away. It draws in others and usually results in better sales for the quilt store. :wink:

We are blessed to have a fabric store that offers quilting classes only 7 miles away. Prices are better than Joanne's too. Our walmarts around CT stopped selling fabric early this year. I was told they are all going out.
The fabric store owner said VIP fabric was a big line at Walmart and were the only American made fabric left. Now that their biggest customer (Walmart) is gone, they are going to china with their fabric.
If our little fabric store can make it, so can you. Don't try to be too big and do too much at once. Hold classes that others teach and give them the course fee. Hopefully the students will purchase the fabric for the classes from you, and expose them to your other goods.
She has no other employees, just herself, so that cuts down on overhead too.
Carol :mrgreen:

My LQS Ericas.com is open thursday evening , Saturday & Sundays :lol: I try to watch for the sale fabric, but they also have an incentive club and most of the employees know me :oops: I also have two WalMarts that have fabric , Joannes and Hancocks. lately I have been finding the fabric at Hancocks appears to be very flimsy , my Joannes has remodeled and it seems the fabric is a smaller section. I love the coziness of the LQS it is a small store but packs a big punch :lol: :shock:

LLC Is Limited Liabilty Corporation..
Talk to an attorny and accountant before making a final decision because of the tax consequenes. LLCs Pay taxes through "your" personal taxes, so if you lose money you save money on taxes, but when the LLC makes money you have to claim it on your personal taxes , not always a good thing.

GOOD LUCK !

I am facing the same dilemma but I am not as brave as you!!! If I opened a fabric store I woul keep all the fabric for myself!!!

this got me thinking. if there are guilds in your area, how about quilting 'parties'? like old tupperware parties? you would visit the guild on their meeting night, show them what you have to sell, talk about new trends in quilting, maybe show some notions and/or patterns, maybe suggest a new project such as a bom or a challenge or mystery. you can sell the kits needed for the mysteries or the boms after putting them together yourself. boms are easy if you stay with old, un-copyrighted patterns. provide the needed fabrics and the instructions in a ziploc bag. print out a color print of the pattern to show on the front of the bag. many guilds will buy in order to keep you in business. provide refreshments (lemonade and cookies) and a few quilting quiz games (free on the internet) with tiny prizes for the winners. give out gc for a % off on their first purchase. if you can visit a few such guilds, you'll get known pretty well in your immediate area. if you can work out of your home while you do this, you'll get a head start on a rent-paying business. you won't know until you try, but i wouldn't bet more than i could afford to lose, so i would go by degrees.

absolutely. i used to love those parties. tupperware, jewelry, makeup, all kinds of stuff. but i never heard of a quilting/fabric party. that would be too cool.

I just read through all the good suggestions. Just remember, that there are lots of hours involved in running your own business! Make sure you have good accounting /tax help, and a good attorney to help with any leasing you need to do. If at all possible, it is best to own your own building. Rent can kill you! Overhead does not bring in $$$$ Research! And help from the SBA is available. There are classes to help and one on one help is available in many areas. Ask lots of questions!