Toying with an idea

[Alan H]

I'm not ready to do this, yet. firstof all,I need to make a few more kilts. I have enough light gray tartan to make a machine-sewn 6- yarder and then I'll do the X Marks kilt by hand ,and then maybe I'll bang out another machine-sewn tartan kilt and THEN I wil know if I've got it in me to really do this.

But I'm *THINKING*..... about doing a half-time kilt-making business.

Every business has to have a niche, and I don't want to compete with the guys on this board who've supported me so much so...

No PV kilts, not poly/cotton, no acrylic...
No "contemporary" kilts, except possibly black and charcoal
No leather kilts, or hemp
No box-pleated kilts
No four-yard kilts

What would I do?

I'd specialize in USA regional tartan kilts, particularly California, Oregon and Washington State Tartans, but stocking other states tartans as well, and the USA tartan. They'd be:

5-6 yard
machine-sewn,
hand pleated sett/stripe as the buyer requests
lined with cottom

They'd be 13 ounce wool, or wool-polyester blend if the tartan is available..

Price for a 6-yard mostly-machine sewn, to your measurements would be right around $300 or a bit less for wool, and $250 for wool/poly. Five yarders would be about $250 for wool $220 for wool/poly. Hand-sewn 6 yard kilts would be around $450, but I doubt I'll sell many of those, since that's what you'd pay for an 8 yard kilt online, from Scotland.

I wouldn't have a retail store, this would get run out of the most basic, 200 square foot, cheap workshop I could find, locally. I wouldn't make a big to-do over this. No Pay Pal, for example. I'd just have a simple website with a mail-in form, and have a booth at the local games. And of course I'd advertise on X Marks!

I think I can handle 2-3 kilts a week working half time, once I get in practice. By my estimate, that will bring in around $1600 a month, above the cost of the fabric if I can stay busy. I'm guessing that I'll be sewing four hours a day and answering e-mail or working on the web site or packaging up stuff or paying bills another hour a day.

Startup costs are probably in the $3,000 range, for a refurbed industrial sewing machine, a stock of Californa, Oregon and Washington tartan, and some furniture like a pleating table. I think I can get space around here for about $300 a month. I'd do it out of my house if I could, but I don't have the room. I can do the website in my sleep. I'd keep my waiting list down to under 60 days...I simply wouldn't take orders any further out than that.

OK, what do you all think? You think I can actually get orders for ten kilts a month at those prices, in that niche market, with that wait time?

[Alan H]

Oh, and the OTHER thing I'm thinking about doing is offering a "make a casual tartan kilt" class through the local adult education center.

Do high schools still have Home Ec rooms with sewing machines?

[GlassMan]

As the owner of a business that was a start-up way back in 1998, the very beginning is the hardest. If you've determined that you need about 10 orders a month to make it a going concern then assume that you'll get less than that for the first few months and budget in enough money to cover losses for at least the first quarter of your business life.

That way, you'll already assume the worst. If initially orders aren't large enough to cover your expenses, then you'll already be expecting it and have enough money in reserve to keep the business afloat. And if orders do reach the minimum level immediately then you are ahead of the game. But if your business plan does not include a reserve fund to keep you alive during a startup phase while you get your name out and build order volume, than you are most likely dooming yourself to failure.

Just my cautious words of advice.

[Alan H]

As the owner of a business that was a start-up way back in 1998, the very beginning is the hardest. If you've determined that you need about 10 orders a month to make it a going concern then assume that you'll get less than that for the first few months and budget in enough money to cover losses for at least the first quarter of your business life.

Just my cautious words of advice.

I'd be doing this half-time precisely for that reason. The OTHER half-time would be doing IT support, which pays well,is generally available and is reliable.

In fact I'm concerned that "dabbling" and not committing to a business like this is, in itself, a recipe for failure. I'd welcome comments on that, as well.

[Schultz]

I'm thinking precisely what you just posted, that "dabbling" may very well be a recipe for failure. If you could somehow come up with a business partner or two with similar ideas, the "dabbling" might seem more feasible, as you could share the cost of overhead as well as share the "work". If and when I finally get out of Baltimore and buy that alpaca farm my wife and I dream of owning in Arizona or New Mexico, I planned on using my time to "dabble" in kilt making myself. I'd certainly be interested in any and all results you experience.

[bubba]

I've made a few kilts for myself, but I have no intention of going into business. The commitment is more than I care to take on. If someone local wanted me to make one for them I'd probably do it but not on a commercial basis. I just don't need the headaches that go with that.

[longshadows]

Alan, it's hard to know what to say, except, "good luck." You are the second--maybe third member in the last month to announce that he was going into kilt making. It's a noble undertaking (and I'm sure it can be fun and interesting), but is there enough of a market at this time for more kilt makers. (I'm sure Rocky, Steve and Matt--to name only three--could answer that one.)

Since you are working mostly online and will have to await "word of mouth" to promote you. Most people aren't going to lay down $300 for an unknown kilt maker's work. In time, I'm sure that can be overcome, when your reputation is established.

Of course, competition is good, and we can all benefit from more options and lower prices in good kilts.

So, as I said, "good luck."

Michael

[Alan H]

Alan, it's hard to know what to say, except, "good luck." You are the second--maybe third member in the last month to announce that he was going into kilt making.

So, as I said, "good luck."

Michael

Not announcing....*THINKING*... big difference. I'm not even sticking my toe in, here, to test the waters. I'm just thinking about maybe, possibly taking my socks off at this point.

grinning

[longshadows]

Not announcing....*THINKING*... big difference. I'm not even sticking my toe in, here, to test the waters. I'm just thinking about maybe, possibly taking my socks off at this point.

grinning

Sorry, I stand corrected.

MP

[Mike1]

Alan, let me play the devil's advocate here.

If you can make considerably more money doing the IT, why would you not want to apply your full effort to it? Unless you don't need to additional income that it would provide (in which case I congratulate you!).

If it were me, I'd be looking to make hay while the sun was shining.