Comments on: Where and how do you start a design business?

By: laura mcgrew

laura mcgrew — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 14:07:23 +0000

I’m a 3, although I don’t really pay myself, just support my employees, which sometimes makes me feel like a 0. But aspiring to be a 4.
Sophia, I have a small retail shop, where I sell my own product, which is stiched up in the back. I’m wanting to transition into manufacturing my line at contractors and selling wholesale. So I also am interested in posts on that boutique to manufacturer transition.

By: Deb Gilliam

Deb Gilliam — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:19:04 +0000

If I were a 1,with my sewing skills, I wouldn’t make any money. I would be sooo frustrated with each finished product, the seam ripper outer would be my best friend. When I get my business up and rolling I aspire to be a 2, with help, luck and success I would love to be in the 3 category. Kathleen, setting a path, compartmentalizing and knowing my market has been very valuable information which at this point in my journey I needed to hear. Thank you

By: Don Pezzano

Don Pezzano — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 22:54:57 +0000

Happily a Number 1 due to circumstances- still, 2 is looking good. A challenge is always good. Very nice that there is a place for everyone and their goals.

By: LisaB

LisaB — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 20:41:43 +0000

Nothing yet. Would like at least to be a 2 (which will take a while) but would love to be a 3 or 4. I’m more of a project manager / engineer / salesperson with an idea of where I’d like a company to go, but not a specific artistic vision. I think I’m more of a problem solver than anything else and that’s the focus of the company I’d like to build.

By: Sofia Pinelli

Sofia Pinelli — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 16:20:30 +0000

That is a helpful follow up article. I was wondering where I fit, or how it is what I want to do fits. I am curious to think that starting as a 1 could hurt, if I decided to go into 2 up to 4. I have less connections than I can count on one hand, but I love working hard. So it is possible to grow to a 3 or 4, but my short term goal is #2 via a boutique (meaning small retail shop). I will look for something on here for retail shops moving into manufacturing. Thank for the insight!

By: Taja

Taja — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 17:19:04 +0000

Currently a 2, focused on becoming a 3. At this point in my life (AARP recognized me a few birthdays ago–eek!) and with a global marketplace, I don’t believe reaching a 4 is feasible. Could be wrong–one never knows!

Previously was a 4 in two different businesses when the world was a different place (70s through early 90s). Even with that scenario, I’m not sure I would have the energy to develop a business to that level again. But it certainly would be fun!

By: Sarah_H.

Sarah_H. — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 02:45:42 +0000

I’m a 1. Do not aspire to be more. I have spent many many years in this industry, and earned a fair living. Now I am retired and I am an artist (aspiring) and a dilettante. I’ve earned it. I also do a little selling that has nothing to do with my artistic endeavors, but I am even a dilettante at that.

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:48:00 +0000

I am focused on being a #4-Corporate. I started my business an an LLC Company. I launched my clothing line in October 2012 and hope to be selling online in the next month or so.

By: Randi Gordon

Randi Gordon — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 03:07:58 +0000

I’m a 1-and-a-half shooting for 2… with a husband who wants me to be a 4. (Never gonna happen, babe.) I was struck by the statement about pragmatism and limiting options in order to run a more profitable business, and have scribbled it on an index card for prominent display over my work table. *crumples up latest batch of goofy sketches* :^D

By: theresa riess

theresa riess — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 22:36:11 +0000

I’m a 1 bordering on a 2 but not in the needle trades. On the sewing side I am very definitely a 1 as I sew for no one but myself and family but everything I’ve learned here and on the forum applies to my housebuilding. Sewing things for people is very similar to building for them; it’s all about relationships, learning the craft and knowing when to bring in the experts. And again I’m a 1 since I build only for myself, keep the property and rent it out thus becoming almost a 2. I say almost a 2 as we are approaching income replacement rather than income augmentation. And we may ramp up to a 3 if the offspring and the younger brother decide to put things on turbo power. Keeping things small and deciding who you want as customers is a good thing.