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From: Karalynn904
Date: 05-11-2006, 01:53 PM (1 of 7)
| I've been thinking about starting a small home business for a while. I already design and make clothes for my sisters and myself. I wanted to sell dresses and maybe purses for mostly teenagers(I'm 18), I get a lot of compliments on my stuff from them. I don't know where to start though. Is it even possible to have a business like that with just me doing everything? Would I need a license? How could I make myself known so I can get customers? Any help would be appreciated. |
User: Karalynn904
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 11 
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From: kameline
Date: 05-11-2006, 09:24 PM (2 of 7)
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way to go!!!! I am only 22 and have owned my own business for several years now... it is a BIG job! I am really hoping to get into design and custom tailoring myself, but have chosen to begin by altering garments for now since I am still in college. This may be an option for you! You will learn much about garment construction and customer relations... without as much of a time requirement on your part. For me, I have not had to do anything with "business setup" other than the purchase of a sewing machine, since I don't actually have people coming to my house. I don 't think you'd need a license... i went through the hassel of getting a "home-based business permit" for another business in the past only to find out I wouldn't have had to pay the $150 if I hadn't asked, since my neighbors would never have been disturbed by my business... that's really all the permit is for... nosey neighbors. Alot of those "requirements" are really just ways for your state/county to make more money off your business, but are not needed for work you are doing in your home. One thing to always remember, stick to it! I have run into problem upon problem with customers being dissatisfied with my work, to not wanting to pay my prices (which are very low!)... but there are always those who really appreciate what I do for them and that makes it all worth while! Never forget to have fun with it!!! Always remember why you got started in the first place... because you love to sew! 
Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41 
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From: Karalynn904
Date: 05-12-2006, 06:18 PM (3 of 7)
| Thanx for the advice Kameline! It's great to know that someone else so young has started a business too. How do you advertise to get customers? |
User: Karalynn904
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 11
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From: kameline
Date: 05-14-2006, 08:34 PM (4 of 7)
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I have found that word-of-mouth is extremely helpful. I attend a Bible college here, and I have gotten more work than I can handle because so and so told so and so that I do such and such... it really works... so in reality, I haven't even had to advertise. If you are willing to invest a small amount... a couple newspaper ads would probably be sufficient to get you started. I have even heard that some towns have welcoming services were newcomers receive information on local businesses seeking new customers. I don't have one in my town, but that sounded interesting if you could get your name to anyone who does that in your area. Because your customers will always be your best billboards, be sure to offer them the best quality work possible. I have wasted too many opportunities to gain new customers by working too quickly on the clothes that I have and making simple mistakes. Make sure you take your time!!! Another thing you can try is offering your services to local dress shops (if you're doing alterations)... this can be tricky, they aren't always willing to take the risk of an independant seamstress, but that was how I got started. It was an AMAZING experience... really stretched me! well, just let me know if you have any more questions, I'd be happy to help! Kameline 
Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41
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From: Karalynn904
Date: 05-14-2006, 10:19 PM (5 of 7)
Thank you..I appreciate all of your help. I'm sure i will have many questions as I move along. 
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User: Karalynn904
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 11
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From: MrsSnuggly
Date: 05-25-2006, 01:22 PM (6 of 7)
| These suggestions are great. Are there any special tax things you would have to worry about? I thought if you made over $1,000 a year you have to claim it or some such. How are you doing with your business? |
User: MrsSnuggly
Member since: 05-21-2006 Total posts: 104 |
From: kameline
Date: 05-26-2006, 10:56 AM (7 of 7)
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That's where it can get tricky... state tax will always be different, you need to find out your state's requirements on home-based businesses and sole-proprietors. Federal tax is a little easier... there are alot of websites that will fill out the paperwork for you for free for Federal taxes... they can even e-file them for you (such as Turbo Tax). Thy way it works is: because you never know how much you are goiong to be making as a business in any given week, mo9nth, etc. you MUST keep track of how much yoiu are making! a general ledger works great. anthing to keep track of how much money you are taking in and in what year/ quater/ month you are taking it in. The best thing to do is to open a business account at a bank or credit union (probably know as a DBA (doing business as) account) I work at a Credit Union part-time and we see these all the time. All the money you make should be initially deposited into this checking/savings account... then you can withdraw, or write out a check to pay yourself. Doing it this way will keep you from paying out of pocket for business expenses... because you are not incorporated, the amount you make over the amount you spend really doesn't matter too much. This will also give you a way for providing to pay your taxes. The best way for you to find out all you need to is by going to the IRS website: www.irs.gov in the past, this website was rather confusing, but they have updated it and it seems much easier to follow. There are several forms that I have to fill out and by the time I get to the bottm, i realize that I don 't have to file that form... honestly, taxes aren't that scary... you'll be just fine! any more questions??? let me know! 
Do all to the glory of God!
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User: kameline
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 41
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