Advice on Expanding Business

sydney.fedesna · June 1st, 2012, 02:28 PM

Hi All,

I quit my corporate job in January to start my home-based embroidery business, and have since been working full-time at a $8/hr job to have my nights free to get my business going. Well, they fired me today for being "insubordinate" after I called them out on some unfair/illegal employment practices.

Long story short, I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason, and that maybe this is my sign telling me it is time to pursue my own gig full-time. I only have a single-head Barudan, but 24 hours in a day...

I would love any advice that you guys could provide on how to start expanding my business and any tips on how to be as profitable as possible with a single-head machine. I am meeting with a Small Business Advisor on Monday to help me as well, but I know that they majority of you have likely been in a situation somewhat like mine at some point, and could share your perspective.

As always, I appreciate this forum so much and am very grateful for all of the help that I have received in the past.

Very best,

Sydney

minimalist · June 1st, 2012, 06:36 PM

Better skip the small business advisor meeting and hit the pavement selling your embroidery services instead. I'd start with small independent restaurants. Have a book of your work to give the customer an idea of what you can do. Price your stuff so that you can make what you need to pay your salary and expenses. If you go cheap, you lose both of the above. Contrary to what others do, offer to do their shirts instead of providing the shirts. Some say that's a killer but I do a local bank and roofing company with their bring in's whereas the wholesalers (really retailers) price and shipping would kill the deal.

You will need to have a short pitch emphasizing that you are a small business owner and would like to provide your services at a reasonable price. Image is everything so do a design on a shirt to show what is possible. Be prepared for a lot of turn downs but when you get a hit do what you say and deliver before expectation and you'll slowly build a following.

Having one head is going to limit what you can produce so selling a few hours a day and then spending the rest of the time on production is going to get old but if you've got to start somewhere.

megrisoft · June 2nd, 2012, 04:06 AM

I see you offer digitizing as well, only digitizing can make you profitable as well if you market it well in your area to embroidery companies....

Robert Young · June 3rd, 2012, 10:40 AM

to me you already have chosen a great niche... are there inexpensive shows where you can have a table to sell to that group?? Print off your own glossy brochures and mail direct to the members of the groups? (publisher is simple and easy to use for this purpose) Offer a customized product (s) to allow current client's to pick from if they send you a referral? Thank you gift is dependent on how much money the referral spent, etc. Loyalty program type of thing?
Put together a "kit" that shows off your work... something you would use at the table top shows as well as personal sales calls... the items in this kit would also be in the brochure... consistent messaging.

I agree with skipping the consultant.. sorry, unless they know this industry they are just trying to sell you something and they believe one size fits all... we are in a unique market... sorry, but I have paid WAY too much to advertising agencies and consultants so am just a bit jaded on this subject. lol

Also we do need to find a solution to sewing on the thick quilted items in your offering.

lastly, attend the ISS show in Ft Worth the last weekend of Sept.... google ISS SHOWS and you can read about it. THERE you can attend classes that are industry specific... on sales, marketing, running a business, machine maintenance, digitizing, etc... and you can see all the amazing advances in machinery on the floor.... well worth the trip!

sydney.fedesna · June 3rd, 2012, 11:39 AM

Thank you so much, everyone. I am meeting with a mentor from the local chapter of SCORE, so at least it is free advice

No money in the budget for any fancy consultants! I just really want someone to help me polish up my sales presentation more than anything.

Robert, you are exactly right. These saddlepads are proving to be a continual thorn in my side. But others out there do them successfully, so I know it can be done.

I am doing my first show as a vendor next month. It is a small show, so I can work out the kinks. I plan to do a lot more in the fall, as I truly think that will be a great opportunity in my niche. There just isn't a whole lot going on in the summer here in south Texas because of the heat.

In the meantime, I'd really like to try and get some more corporate logo work to help supplement the equine aspect. Doing some more polo shirts and hats would be like a breath of fresh air after all of these saddle blankets!

EnMartian · June 4th, 2012, 11:42 AM

Do you have a Facebook page and a Twitter feed? I didn't see any mention of either on your site. A Facebook page, if you friend strategically can be a great way to build publicity and recruit new clients. Since you have a niche already established, that makes it better. You might also think about creating an account on Pinterest and showcasing some of your work on different boards.

If you're strategic about who you friend and follow and keep in mind the market you want to attract, you'll find that Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest can be very useful methods. Just make sure you respond to those who comment and that you keep new content on the pages on a regular basis.

Robert Young · June 6th, 2012, 08:43 AM

good advice EnMartian.. am going to take it myself! Went to Amazon and ordered books today on Social Media Marketing.... I made sure I only got books that were printed in the last 6 months as I am sure a book from 2010 would already be too old to be current.

EnMartian · June 7th, 2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Young

good advice EnMartian.. am going to take it myself! Went to Amazon and ordered books today on Social Media Marketing.... I made sure I only got books that were printed in the last 6 months as I am sure a book from 2010 would already be too old to be current.

Glad to hear it Robert. It's definitely always a good thing to get the latest information.

Not that I want to toot my own horn, but I write a blog for Stitches Magazine and I write quite a bit about social media and marketing. You might find some of what's there helpful.