Bluphrog

When the new LQS opened (about 3 years ago), I asked the ladies if they could stay open ;ater a couple nights a week. I said if they opened at noon on those days, they could stay open until 8 p.m. rather than being open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Their argument was that they had families (read husbands) that wanted them home at a reasonable hour in the evenings. I told them that I understood their reasoning, but if they were going to service their commuting customers, they needed to be open when we could come to the shop. Well, after 2-1/2 years, they have finally started staying open later on Thursday nights. They usually have a class scheduled for women who cannot take a daytime class.

I respect the fact that neither of the LQSs stay open on Sunday. That is a day set aside for worship and family. Hobby Lobby and Chik-Fil-A both also do not open on Sunday.

Lostn51

The reason for the Limited license corporation (LLC) is to protect your assets and everything you own so if you get sued they cant take you to the cleaners.

Figure in at least 30K to start up a business and have enough money on hand to be able to run the business for a year without any income coming in. It would be best if you could run it out of a room in your house then you can deduct that from your taxes along with the new computer, sewing machines, cell phone, partial of your utilities, etc to be able to run the business.

You also have to pay yourself a salary and if you use a room in your home you can pay yourself for the use of the room. And if you offer delivery or go to shows you can either lease your car to the business or buy another one for it and that would be another deduction along with mileage.

Also make sure you find yourself a good accountant and a tax attorney!!!

Billy

earthwalker

All great advice, and starting from home may well be the way to go. I have spent many years managing and working with small business owners, those who fared the best, put in the hours 24/7, live, eat, breath "the business". The ones who couldn't commit...well, some of them are no longer trading, and some separated and went back to working for someone else. It's a hard road, it can be done, but research, research, research!

pam_biswas

Yep Elizabeth, that is an excellent point. I have the same trouble since I work and my LQS is open 10-5 daily and Saturday...My only hope would be to get there at lunch on a weekday since I also work 8-5. :-)

CindyBee

Another one bites the dust. I keep hearing of all these WalMarts closing their fabric departments, but my local Super WalMart has added fat quarters lately and still has a small but decent fabric selection. The fat quarters are really cute. I've used some of them as backing for my monogrammed baby burp cloths.

Lostn51

If I was you I would do it this way, buy up some stock that you think that would sell and start a word of mouth kinda thing about you having some fabric for sale. Do cash only and have a "Quilting Bee" ever so often and you could make a lot more money and have no overhead, less of a headache than it would be trying to run a business.

This might would be better because you would have more time to enjoy the hobby and network more.

Billy

cka

We have a lady in town who also sells fabric from her home. She got her tax ID number and went to market and voila', she had a small business. She has expanded and now has a small shop with notions and stuff. But it is not a big money maker. She brings fabric to local quilt guilds and offers special shopping days through the year. She loves it.

penski

i dont have any ideas other than the ones posted but i do want to add this Good luck and i hope you have success with your store

Darlene loves Chocolates

KEEP DREAMING AND DO IT!!!!!

write a business plan....write a serious business plan

dizzy

You could get a first time buness loan or grant there are grants out there that you don't have to pay back but i don't know just where to look into them.