Michael
If you are going to have a business do your self a favor and run it like one. I'm new to the leather business but not new to being self employed. In fact I've been self employed almost all my adult life, and at 61 I'm no spring chicken.
Most people who have a hobby they love and try to turn it into a business fail. It can ruin something you love if not properly run.
First, don't be afraid to ask for money!! Rememer you don't need the work you need the money. If the money is not important to you give your work away and do all of the rest of us a favor and don't start a business.
Second, know your cost!! Most people could not tell you what it truly cost to produce what they make. Materials, equipment, hand tools , lights etc. If you ever hope to make a full time job or have a business to sell, you have to know what it costs to operate.
Third, know what your competion is doing and how much they get. Not hard, just ask they will tell you. We all want affirmation and acceptance but that dosen't pay the bills. A bird in hand is wirth two in the bush!! I would rather turn inventory over than sit around looking at something and wondering why it won't sell. This is hard to do when you have poured your blood and sweat into something ( I usually bleed when working in my shop, or anywhere else!! ). You will need the money to be able to have more inventory of something that you know will sell.
Fouth, time is money!! Keep track of how long it take to make something. Takes less time to make twenty than one. We all would love to have that job were we could take all the time we wanted and people would be willing to pay large sums of cash for our work, doen't work that way in the real world, for 99.9 percent of us anyway. We make tack for a couple of companys. They embelish and resale it. We handle alot of material, I've learned alot about leather in a short period of time. We also do custom work and have some products we sell. I've learned to do the stuff thats not to fun FAST!! Gives more time for the fun stuff. All of us who have livved long enough have learned to take the good with the bad and be ok with it. I think they call that maturity. Really I love it all. My shop is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Can't beat that.
I know this sounds kind of harsh, hey what do they say about good intentions and going to Hell!! Don't ever give up on your dreams but when you've left the table at the end of the day, count the money!! Hope this helps, it not just ignore this old geazer!!
Best to you, Jim
