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From: MaryW
Date: 09-04-2003, 09:57 AM (1 of 5)
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I am posting this for a lady who contacted me. Please help her if you can, thanks. HELLO MARY: I AM BEVERLY JOHNSON I NEED HELP I HAVE MY NAME FOR MY SEWING BUSINESS, I WILL BE SEWING MEDICAL CLOTHING FOR PLUS SIZE WOMEN, I HAVE BEEN SEWING FOR 20YRS NOW THAT I HAVE TIME NOW IN MY LIFE TO GO FOR IT AND I FIND MYSELF SOME WHAT STUCK. IT IS SO MANY WEBSITES ON FREE GRANTS, UNTIL YOU DON’T KNOW WHICH TO CHOOSE FROM, DO YOU KNOW OF ANY RELIABLE ONES, THANK YOU MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Aimee S
Date: 09-06-2003, 12:19 AM (2 of 5)
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Go down to your small business office and they will help with grants and licences. I will tell you this there is a hold on Big figure grants right now cause of the war and the economy. I am a VET and I have been approved for a 6 figure grant and I cant get it cause of the war and the problems in Cal. See half of most grants come federal and state. The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!
http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29 |
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 488 
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From: lou-dezynz
Date: 09-13-2003, 10:35 PM (3 of 5)
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To Beverly via Mary: I think what you're referring to is websites offering grants of start-up business monies. If I am correct of what you are in need, then the best starting point is NOT the internet- not websites offering free monies anyway. [If that were the case, we'd all be there in line; ie... there's no free lunch.] The starting point you seem to need is a direction to the SBA. The Small Business Association probably has a website by now. But you need to either download or request an information packet regarding small business start-up. which will include financing sources and options. In order to be financed, you need to write up a business plan, which is outlined fairly well in SBA print literature [possibly online in pdf by now]. The SBA offers excellent loan packages for women-owned/ operated businesses and those of other "minorities" [as we are looked upon, tho in this case, fortunately so.] They also offer former, retired business people to assist in setting up and going through the necessary steps. As for licensing, you can register your business in your town. The very best reference source for you in this respect is your town/ city Chamber of Commerce or Business association. Often grants are available, but typically loans are more practical. However, your COC and village/ city hall generally welcomes new business, as new businesses/ revenues mean taxes and hopefully, assistance for other businesses by mere location. Once deciding on the "type" of business [corp, assumed name, et al..], make sure to first do the research on your city's ordinances regarding operating home-businesses in your home [if applicable], since zoning is vital to this. The best starting point in this venture is to narrow down your sewing business operation, figure start-up operational costs and determine the type of business you wish to begin [assumed name, corporation, et al...] Each has benefits and disadvantages, and the determining factor is usually whether you- as Beverly- wish to take financial responsibility, or whether you need/ desire to seperate your personal finances from those of business. Incorporation is actually my personal preference for several reasons, including minimized personal risk, financially. Your state business office [Secretary of State] generally offers packets on these matters, type of business, and the steps or protocol of each. None require a lawyer to intercede, tho some people are more comfortable in hiring one for assurances. Basically, Beverly, you need to begin doing research of available assets that YOU have to offer. Your business plan will organize these accordingly, but you really need to narrow down whether you are thinking of personal sewing, organizatioinal embroidery offerings, creating garments or using patterns [which involves copyrights, that are addressed on SWN.com, I believe, or on GetCreative.com] ... For ex: couture- independent patteneers often include a notation that the purchaser of the pattern MAY use the design for duplication and profit [as does dana of Purrfection]. While the "Big 3" do not give such permission. [If you pattern your own designs, you may wish to copyright them, a relatively simple process.] Once deciding upon your business and having gone through the steps in preparation of the type of business, make certain tio join your local COC; I can't stress this enough. From there, you can get leads on great ad deals- like those in a community business directory, on placemats at scouting pancake breakfasts, et al... Printing business cards/ literature should only follow afterward, since [once narrowing down the sewing business and deciding on the type of busniess] you'll need to find a market for your product or services... In doing so, your first order of business is cost setting [pricing]. There are EXCELLENT books on this [go to clotilde.com]. THIS is an area requiring a great deal of reserach since you'll need to find comparables so as to set your own pricing, and in so doing, you need consider several factors, your time, overhead among them. If offering hospital garments, then hospitals, nursing homes, etc... are a great starting point. Is there a senior citizen association in yoiur community? Do they have a newsletter, sponsored events where you can place an ad in their pages??? LAST is determining how much start-up capital you really NEED vs WANT... are you looking at a storefront, cottage [in-home], the back roo of a fabric shoppe or laundry mat? This will depend mostly on whether you are offering one design or several, one or several fiber options, trims, et al... Your business plan will narrow all this down for you on black and white. So, following all your research, make sure thast you are in compliance with local ordinances, file your necessary state paperwork, obtain a local license and join your local business assn/ COC. Basically, Beverly, starting a business requires a good deal of prep time doing all the research. So, if you're true to what you say, then research and resourciung will BE your JOB for the next several months. Lastly, as to money, no one likes to take out loans, due to risk, but the government does offer business start-up loans and always has. Other facets of the economy are well "covered" by taxation. Pres Bush has had a simultaneous push on edging up the economy since 9/11. As a result, new business incentives ARE there, including loan package and tax incentives. This is long, I realize, but actually, I've abbreviated it considerably so as to skim over the important facets you need to consider. Some find the paperwork and regulatory protocol too tedious and a bit pricey, and in such cases, perhaps networking with local fabric shoppes so as to have your services posted within the store may be more in line with what you desire. I've incorporated businesses in the past [privately- legal services; non-for-profit's for dying kids and their families needing monies to offset extraordinary costs]. While no expert, if I can help direct you elsewhere, please feel free to email me or post a reply here. I don't check the boards as frequently as I should [due to medical disabilities], tho WILL respond ASAP. If emailing, note something of the subject in the RE so that I open it first. I hope this helps somewhat. Good luck in your decisions and venture, Beverly. Sew forth, LouAnn Lou-Dezynze <<email address removed for privacy>> 
Take life as it comes; there's always someone in a worse situation!
**I have A GREAT DEAL OF sew-quilt-craft FABRIC, PATTERNS, BOOKS, TOOLS for sale, along w/ vintage machines. Must sell off much of the contents of my sewing room due to lost home in divorce, need to downsize re relocating..** CHECK MY PHOTOS OF ITEMS FOR SALE at <http://photos.yahoo.com/<email address removed for privacy>> PAYPAL PREFERRED <<email address removed for privacy>> |
User: lou-dezynz
Member since: 02-02-2002 Total posts: 61 |
From: lou-dezynz
Date: 09-13-2003, 10:45 PM (4 of 5)
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Hi again Mary, As to Beverly's question which you posted: I should have included this and forgot. If looking to see whether you have any government benefit options [re financing a new business or aNYTHING],, try this link: http://www.govbenefits.gov/ Complete the questions [ which include one re whether you are considering/ have a business] and the site generates a personal profile for you as to programs for which yuo MAY qualify based upon your answers. Your profile can then be printed in the form of links to each relative site. No guarantees, but worth looking into. And SEW Forth! Lou- Lou-Dezynz <email address removed for privacy> Take life as it comes; there's always someone in a worse situation!
**I have A GREAT DEAL OF sew-quilt-craft FABRIC, PATTERNS, BOOKS, TOOLS for sale, along w/ vintage machines. Must sell off much of the contents of my sewing room due to lost home in divorce, need to downsize re relocating..** CHECK MY PHOTOS OF ITEMS FOR SALE at <http://photos.yahoo.com/<email address removed for privacy>> PAYPAL PREFERRED <<email address removed for privacy>> |
User: lou-dezynz
Member since: 02-02-2002 Total posts: 61 |
From: Bra Lady
Date: 12-03-2003, 03:27 AM (5 of 5)
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I know some of this info relates to alberta, but its basically universal. The business link is a great resource even if your not from alberta. They have lots of info on their website! Hope this helps  Are there any grants available for small business? A. There are no grants specifically available through the provincial or federal government designed to help small business. However, you may want to check different government departments for granting possibilities. Sometimes funding for non-profits, or for specific industries becomes available. The eligibility criteria is often very specific to that industry. Consider contacting industry associations for information. They may be aware of grants. Local libraries often have various directories, listing government sources of financing, as well as foundations and other granting organizations. For a comprehensive listing of all Federal Government initiatives, obtain the Guide to Government of Canada Services and Support for Small Business. Or, contact The Business Link in Edmonton who will assist you in finding out what is available. The best method is to use the free public InfoFax and the website search capability of Government Programs and Services at www.cbsc.org/alberta. There are more links to other sites with information about Financing and Grants on this site. Click on Resources in the navigator, then click on Links. If you wish to receive additional guidance and information on this topic or another business issue, we suggest you go to the ABOUT AWEIA area of our site to learn how to access service from us or contact AWEIA at 1-800-713-3558 throughout Alberta, (403)777-4250 in Calgary or (780)422-7784 in Edmonton. Additional information and business resources are available at The Business Link Business Service Centre at 1-800-272-9675 or in Edmonton (780)422-7722 or visit www.cbsc.org/alberta. © Alberta Women's Enterprise Initiative Association Free Spirit Bras
We offer women custom bra making services, educational seminars, Bra making classes and supplies. www.freespiritbras.ca |
User: Bra Lady
Member since: 11-28-2003 Total posts: 4 
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