Just wondering

[cryerelizabeth]

I don't know if this is the right forum for posting about this but...

I was wondering... How does one go about creating a business out of kilt making?

[Woodsman]

Make them and they will come.

[KiltedKnome]

I think the answer will somewhat depend upon whether you wish to open a brick and mortar store and create kilts as a full time occupation, or you are hoping to work out of your home and have a business on the side.

[chrisupyonder]

I started and ran my own computer assembly and repair business for over 10 years until I retired.
First make a business plan. Write down everything you can think of on what and how you want your business to run. Decide who you want as customers and advertise. Local papers, flyers, web site etc. Get the paperwork sorted right from the start. Invoicing, book keeping, stock control, profit and loss, records of all your suppliers and customers. Do credit checks on customers and suppliers. I lost £1000.00 once with a supplier who went bust. If doing stuff made to order, get a deposit. Use Paypal wherever possible for mail order, you need to open a business account. Have separate bank and credit card accounts for business only. Set up as a limited company rather than just self employed. Don't expect much in earnings in the first year or two. Find out if grants are available for new business's. Show your business plan to your business bank manager, you will need finance. Read, take advice and learn as much as you can. It's not as easy as you think and be prepared to work 16 hours a day.
I retired on a nice pension and was much happier than working for someone else.

Good luck.

Chris.

[CopperNGold]

You couldn't have said it better, Chris! You've covered the basics of small business, but I would like to add that if this is to be your only job, make certain that you have a minimum of two years of reserve cash while you get your business going.

Good luck, and I am wishing you great success!

Cheers,
Jocelyn

[Chas]

Have a second string to your bow. Burns night and St Andrew's Day don't happen every month. What happens in the months when nobody wants a kilt made? Being an alteration tailor is in the same field and might give you bread and butter work in the mean time.

Regards

Chas

[Pleater]

Don't try learning on the job - be sure that you can create kilts just about in your sleep - some weeks you might be doing that.

Whilst you are working up to a business make kilts and keep records of exactly how long it took to get everything together for the kilt - not just the construction of the kilt but any and all preparations for it. Cost everything needed. I have known people who expected to make a good living from knitting, but having made the thing there was the lable, the swing ticket, care instructions, the plastic bag, the cardboard box and the delivery costs, which took just about all the profit.

Take photos of each stage and the final outcome - you might need the evidence to discover where you went wrong, or to show that something was done a particular way. If you can get a photograph of the kilt being worn so much the better.

Do reserch the laws governing businesses in your state, and if you plan to work from home check that there is no covenant on the house or area preventing that, plus what the rules are if you intend to work with or employ anyone to assist.

If you do decide to go ahead, I wish you the best of luck.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[piperdbh]

I wonder if you might try contacting kiltmakers you know of and ask if they could "job out" some of their work to you.

[Riverkilt]

My kiltmaker enrolled in the Keith Kilt School in Scotland, went over there, graduated, and came back to the states and opened up shop. Don't know if there are any kiltmaking schools still in operation.

Others apprentice with a skilled kiltmaker.

[davidg]

Some good advice so far, although I'm not 100% sure I agree with the advice to use PayPal. That can also work against you with disputes but that is a minor observation

What appears to have been missed so far is the need to make yourself unique so that you can sell your product and the related need to advertise, advertise, advertise. Perhaps that is better expressed as market, market, market

There are a lot of highland outfitters out there. Not only do the customers need to find you they also need to have a reason to buy from you. Quality and service from you are a must

As a general recommendation though I would say choose a different career. There are a lot of small businesses struggling to make a go of it and a lot of cheap competition from the likes of ebay