Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction xii
01 So You're Thinking about Starting a Home-based Quilting Business 1
What Kind of Business Are You Starting? 2
The Whos, Whats, Whens, Wheres, and Whys of a Quilting Business 2
Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Quilting Business Owner? 3
A Day in the Life of a Quilting Business Owner 7
What Kind of Work Can the Quilting Business Owner Find? 11
Moving from Amateur to Professional 19
On-the-Job Training 20
Seminars, Conferences, and Workshops 20
Self-Study 21
Finding and Attending Degree Programs and Classes 21
Business Education 23
02 Getting a Clear View of Your Business 25
Investing in an Established Business 25
Starting from Scratch 28
Going It Alone versus Adding a Partner 28
How Do You Want to Run Your Business? 32
03 Necessary Quilting Equipment 38
Investing in Quilting Tools and Equipment 38
Organizing and Maintaining Your Work Tools 52
04 Getting Started 53
Choosing Your Business Name 53
Zoning, Licenses, and Permits 54
Separating Your Home Life from Your Work Life 56
Finding Your Business Space 57
Setting Up Your Space 58
The Indispensible Office Engine: Your Computer 59
What Type of Computer Is Best for You? 63
Software and Accessories 65
Internet Connections and Power Supply Protection 66
Small Office Supplies 66
Business Bank Account 67
Insurance Needs 68
Your First Commissioned Work 69
05 Building a Team 73
Your Internal Team 73
Your External Team 77
Where to Find Help 79
What You Need to Know about Employee Rights 80
What Your Employees Need to Know 81
Hiring and Firing 82
06 Writing a Business Plan 85
Defining the Business Plan 87
Business Plan Components 87
Storing Your Work 100
07 Tracking Your Business 102
General Business Records 103
Keeping the Books 112
Looking at the Nitty-Gritty 117
Income 118
Expenses 119
Tracking What's Coming to You 124
Tracking What You Pay Out 127
Summing Things Up 129
08 Marketing Your Business 130
Know Your Competition 132
Where to Start Marketing 134
Building a Website 135
Marketing Your Website Online 142
Social Networking 146
Networking Face to Face 150
Publicity 156
Photos 158
Advertising 159
Tracking What Works and What Doesn't 163
09 Expanding Your Business 164
Are You Ready to Expand? 165
Reasons for Growing Your Business 167
Knowing When It's Time to Move On 170
Appendix A General Resources 172
Appendix B Marketing Resources 179
Appendix C Organizations and Guilds 181
Appendix D Festivals and Shows 184
Appendix E Books You Might Find Helpful 185
Index 187
About the Author 192
