If you were gonna open a LQS how would you go about it?

Thinking out loud, so to speak.... Is the quilting "boom" about to bust, or
what do you think?

L

--
L. P. Skeen, Summerfield NC
Get your 2006 Clay Lover's Calendar at
http://www.living-tree.net/calendar.htm

First thing I would do is check out the availability of work shop/classes
for people thinking about starting a small business.

--
Mary (Idaho to Oregon via Montana)
http://community.webshots.com/user/mardor1948

"lisa skeen" wrote in message
ink.net...
: Thinking out loud, so to speak.... Is the quilting "boom" about to bust,
or
: what do you think?
:
: L
:
: --
: L. P. Skeen, Summerfield NC
: Get your 2006 Clay Lover's Calendar at
: http://www.living-tree.net/calendar.htm
:
:
:

I would gather some statistics first. How many local quilt shops are in
your area?
How many quilt guilds are within a 30-45 mile radius of where you might
locate your shop?
How many members do these folks have?
What/Who would your competition be? Are they shops that have been around
forever and have a very true and loyal clientele -- that you would have to
challenge to "shop elsewhere"?
Would you have a niche? What could you offer that is NOT available at other
shops in your area?

I'm sure there are statistics somewhere about how many shops have closed
within the past year or two? how many have opened? How much competition
would you have? Generally speaking, quilting is not an inexpensive
"hobby" -- so what is the economic status of your area? Do you have other
businesses (like major employers) closing or expanding?

Realistically -- how many $$$ would it take to open the doors: buy enough
fabrics to get started, notions, supplies, patterns, do up samples, rent /
renovate space, utilities, insurance.... you would probably need a bank
account that would cover you for at least 3 - 6 months MINIMALLY before you
would even begin to be self supporting (this doesn't include paying off
start up costs -- just bringing in what you pay out each month...) How much
do you need to earn each month to cover your overhead (rent/utilities...) --
how many yards or FQ's does that equate to?

Quilt shops are an inventory intensive business -- so you need customers to
come in to keep your inventory moving and to expand it -- where a "service"
industry has much less overhead? Could you start with a small local
"internet" business -- or maybe start doing long-arm quilting or classes to
get yourself known in your area before you venture out on your own.

I'm rambling now... but I'm certain that there are hundreds of other
questions I haven't even come close to thinking of yet....
Would it be fun... probably. Although most people I know who went this
route spend most of their time running the business -- not quilting. So
depends on what you want to do.

Good Luck

Kate in MI





"lisa skeen" wrote in message
ink.net...
Thinking out loud, so to speak.... Is the quilting "boom" about to bust,
or what do you think?

L

--
L. P. Skeen, Summerfield NC
Get your 2006 Clay Lover's Calendar at
http://www.living-tree.net/calendar.htm

Second thing would be get a job in a quilt store.
I doubt quilting will be a bust for a good while but
if I was looking to make money through the quilting
industry a shop would probably
not be the angle I would go at.
Taria

maryd wrote:

First thing I would do is check out the availability of work shop/classes
for people thinking about starting a small business.

Are you just going to have fabric and quilting supplies, or are you going to
also sell sewing machines? I agree with all the things everyone else has
said. I have a friend who opened a quilt shop about 3-4 years ago. She and
her DH really had to go through quite a bit. They also sell sewing machines
in their shop. None of the fabric companies would talk to her until they
knew the size of the shop, what classes she was going to offer, hours of
operation, and they had to have a financial statement from her. I don't
think the quilting boom is about to bust, but it is an expensive
hobby/habit. The area must be able to support such a shop.

Sherry Starr

"lisa skeen" wrote in message
ink.net...
Thinking out loud, so to speak.... Is the quilting "boom" about to bust,
or what do you think?

L

--
L. P. Skeen, Summerfield NC
Get your 2006 Clay Lover's Calendar at
http://www.living-tree.net/calendar.htm

The LQS here lasted about 8 months or so. She sold sewing machines and
notions also but the problem was (a) lack of fabric and variety, (b) the
price of (a) for the quality (you could get the same at the other LQS which
was about 5 minute drive cheaper and with better service- this one was a 2
min walk), (c) the service or lack of, and (d) no atmosphere.

--
Sharon from Melbourne Australia (Queen of Down Under)
http://www.geocities.com/shazrules/craft.html (takes a while to load)
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/shazrules/my_photos (same as website but
quicker)

"maryd" wrote in message
...
First thing I would do is check out the availability of work shop/classes
for people thinking about starting a small business.

--
Mary (Idaho to Oregon via Montana)
http://community.webshots.com/user/mardor1948

"lisa skeen" wrote in message
ink.net...
: Thinking out loud, so to speak.... Is the quilting "boom" about to
bust,
or
: what do you think?
:
: L
:
: --
: L. P. Skeen, Summerfield NC
: Get your 2006 Clay Lover's Calendar at
: http://www.living-tree.net/calendar.htm
:
:
:

I think the quilting "fad" ebbs and flows but will always remain
constant at the core of it. As long as there are major quilt shows
with large monetary prizes, quality fabrics, tools, books, etc.
available it will continue, especially with the internet for shopping,
support g, information, etc. I do prefer shopping in person and
discussing face-to-face, but still rely heavily on my internet quilting
connections and friends. Everyone everywhere can be a quilter without
having to rely on a relative, friend, neighbor to teach and share. We
can have anything we want any time we want...... well, if you have the
inclination, time and money, that is.

As far as the store itself goes the biggest draws for me are quality,
selection, support, advice and atmoshere- as in pleasant, well lit,
nicely displayed, arranged and spaced so I can see what is there plus
helpful, knowledgable employees who do NOT hover over you but are
available to answer questions or make suggestions. When I shop for
fabrics I never look at the prices. I buy what I want in the amounts I
want. I won't buy fabrics that "don't feel nice" no matter how great a
bargain it might be. My time and talent deserves quality tools and
materials.

That said, I worked up a plan for a lady who thought she might want to
open a quilt shop- with a nice inventory and some cash cushion she
would have needed about $100K to get going. She didn't want to make
that kind of committment. My reply to her was that a half-hearted
effort with a poor selection would be a futile investment. A quilter
may buy off only 2 or 3 bolts, but she wants to see, compare and choose
between 3,000 bolts!

JMNSHO

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Lisa,

In addition to the market research that people have already suggested, I'd
go to the library and check out books about "how to start a business" and
"how to write a business plan." The reference librarian can provide much
other information. I'd also find the local small business advisory
center--often it will be at the community college--and take advantage of
their expertise.

Nann
Official Librarian of RCTQ





"lisa skeen" wrote in message
ink.net...
Thinking out loud, so to speak.... Is the quilting "boom" about to bust,
or
what do you think?

L

--
L. P. Skeen, Summerfield NC
Get your 2006 Clay Lover's Calendar at
http://www.living-tree.net/calendar.htm

Lisa, you probably don't want to hear this, but retail is not a whole
lot of fun if you need to make a living from it--especially in these
times. I don't have any advice about the quilting "boom," but DO make
sure you do the market studies and get all the financial info you
can--and then be very, very careful that you're thinking very clearly
and hard-headedly. Being the least bit starry-eyed can get you in a heap
of trouble. (Don't ask how I know this...)

Even people who are already in business and well beyond the startup
phase are being cautious now. Just to take one example, the fuel prices
have caused the shipping rates to skyrocket, and manufacturers are all
raising their prices because of the increases they've had in getting raw
materials. That alone has caused two well-established shops I know of to
feel pressured into changing the way they do business.

See if you can talk with quilt shop owners in areas that are similar to
yours but far enough away so they won't feel threatened and can talk
openly.


--Heidi

Plattsburgh (UPstate) NY

http://community.webshots.com/user/rabbit2b

===








lisa skeen wrote:
Thinking out loud, so to speak.... Is the quilting "boom" about to bust, or
what do you think?

L

We don't have a LQS, just a Jo-Ann's and two Hobby Lobbies. That being
said, we've got at least 3 guilds in the area, and if one is reasonable, our
area quilters are STARVING for classes and stimulation.

"lisa skeen" wrote in message
ink.net...
: Thinking out loud, so to speak.... Is the quilting "boom" about to bust,
or
: what do you think?
:
: L
:
: --
: L. P. Skeen, Summerfield NC
: Get your 2006 Clay Lover's Calendar at
: http://www.living-tree.net/calendar.htm
:
:
: