the business plan and whatnot

I've always hated writing anything that resembles a report. Despite the fact that, in the end, I usually do well. It's that confidence thing poking at me, again.

I'm trying not to view the business plan as something unpleasant and painful - though I suspect I am not alone. It was so much easier to get the ideas and concepts out of my head when sitting and chatting with the business counselor. Still, I have managed to get a good deal down and it's a relief. I think I have enough to warrant some feedback, in which case I'll email this first rough draft tomorrow. I know how important it is to have a business plan and that such documents tend to evolve over time, so I shouldn't fret about it at this stage, really.

Oh, yes - and I registered my business name - ninapatina - on Friday! Very exciting. Though I keep wondering if I should feel any different. You know - more serious? Less humorous and optimistic? Hmpf. Anyway, I plan to ask the business guy a lot about taxes and what I need to do to stay out of trouble. I'll be working with an accountant, as well, which will take a weight off my mind. I don't want to wake in the middle of the night with a large question mark burned on my retinas. My dreams are strange enough as it is, thank you very much!

Small Business Counseling Pt.I

Today I met with a small business counselor at the Chamber of Commerce. It was really good! I've gained confidence in myself and my ideas for my business. Before meeting with the counselor, I would have said that I don't have much of a mind for business and that I had no idea what to put in a business plan.

However, just talking with this man and answering his questions helped me to verbalize and sort out my ideas. They made sense! Not only to me, but to the counselor, too. He said that I know more than I think I know - and, I know that part of my problem is a lack of confidence. I often don't give myself credit and tend to second guess myself.

And this has got to stop.

In order to start a small business and get out there and sell myself as well as my wares, I have got to believe in my talents and ideas unfailingly. Not blindly, mind you. But certainly unfailingly.

That said, tomorrow I will begin writing my business plan. Also on my list is to begin looking for a seamstress contractor. And I need to price out the services of a pattern drafter. Thank goodness I already have leads in both these areas, so I have a point at which to begin.

I'll meet with Mr. Business Counselor in two or three weeks. Perhaps sooner, if I manage to get ahead of myself.

Another good note in the very New Year

So, this year has started out well [*knocks on wood*] in many ways, mostly pertaining to my efforts toward starting a business. I made a really great contact while perusing hits on Google when researching digital textile printing, custom fabric, etc. She is the woman behind Daisy Janie and Seam Allowances.

After perusing both Jan's website and her blog, I left a comment and asked if she'd be willing to chat with me about the textile business. She was kind enough to not only answer, but to take a look at my online portfolio first, where she saw that I am serious about this textile design thing. Jan's work is very nice and I am thrilled to have had the good fortune to hook up with her. I think we are going to have a lot to email about - including possibly attending a Print Source show together!

I've already sent Jan an email filled with questions and am looking forward to hearing what she has to say.

yay for me!

it's funny, but it just hit me this morning
that my surface design work is going to be
represented at one of the largest textile and surface design
expos in the USA - Print Source!

yep. i have an agent - it's a really small company -
a start up, actually. based in Italy and the US.
but anyway, the rep goes to these
great shows, so this means I have a chance to see
my work out there in the marketplace!

cool.

textile printing

So, I've been doing a fair amount of research to identify digital textile companies in this hemisphere and, thus far, have come up with a list of six. [I know, I know - there are more! Give me time.] Silly me, I began calling between Christmas and New Year's Day and, well, I got lots and lots of voice mail. Which was ok. It provided me more time to do look into silk screen printing.

Most screen printers print what? T-shirts. Yep. Most were on vacation, too, but I spoke to a few and I have to give them credit. They were willing to entertain the idea of printing on yardage, though we had to think of it as printing on t-shirts. "Lessee, that would be 5 imprints across and 10 up, so that works out to....".

Granted, the chances I'll have a t-shirt printer produce silk screened fabric for me is very, very slim. All right, it ain't gonna happen. But I needed to see who could do what and at what cost. I have a contact who owns a small screen printing company and they print on yardage and have done so for years. The problem is I won't be able to get over to their shop to check the place out, show the owner my art work and get a clear idea of the cost until mid to late January. So, I'm antsy, what can I say? Also, I didn't think it wise to sit around and wait until said meeting/visitation came to pass without exploring other options and other suppliers.

Thus far, I am leaning heavily toward digital printing. The color range, the fabric widths, the fabric choices, the turn around time - and the cost per yard - are all very appealing. I received an informational packet from one company complete with a printed sample on oatmeal linen, fabric swatches, cost per yard and general company information. It got me very excited!

I am getting closer to my goal of seeing my designs on fabric. From there I will have items such as handbags sewn up as samples and go about selling them to local boutiques, as well as online. I think I'll hold a trunk show at some point - though I'm not sure where yet. I'll also use fabric swatches as part of my design portfolio when approaching textile manufacturers and home furnishings companies.

So, it's all good. And it's all part of making this year, this brand new year, as good as I possibly can.