Help Advice Needed

Fattyonamoped

Like any other business you want to start, takes passion, hard work and even a little luck. If you want to buy a machine I suggest a single brother or tajima. I started with 1 machine 5 years ago in my house and grew into a 2500 sq ft warehouse and 8 machines. Not gigantic but bigger than I imagined especially in such a roller coaster economy. Be careful with growing pains, exciting but can hurt, growing to fast can burn you out. I agree with finding a digitizer you can trust. When I started I gave the same design to 4 different digitizers so I could compare apples with apples. After reviewing the finished designs (because they all claim to be the best lol) I picked one and use him for everything. Expensive but American and top quality. I posted a thread here awhile back titled "Digitizing Challenge" might give you an idea how so many people can interpret the same design so differently.

Anyway i say go for it, even though I got burned out and slightly agree with Negative Nancy that money could be invested somewhere better, you'll never know until you try. Just make sure you stay focused on your business plan and keep a high level of passion. Good luck.

xxyybeth

Sound Advice, love the list!

Note: Market Trends, forms of embellishments that Large Organizations are buying (Embroidery versus Screen, Dye Sub, Direct To Garment, Appliques, Holister Look, etc.).
I still highly suggest you seek employment in a shop to gain experience and/or see all that is involved, even if you have to work for free, sweep floors, etc.

Treat it like a business from the Get-Go!