Permanant sales shop (do you have your buisness locally?)

[Ragingstallion]

A thought crossed my mind, as I am sure a lot of you have thought about setting up a shop and just doing nothing but work with leather and sell your products and living off your hobby. I was curious how many of you have an actual shop set up in your area that customers can come in and see your work?

besides for Tandy's, I have only seen two shops around, one only lasted for about four months, and the other, they seem to never really be open. But with getting some new land near a small town, was day dreaming of the possibility of starting up a small sales/workshop.

If you have done this, lets see those pictures of your area. if you have just thought about it, keep dreaming, maybe some of us will actually do it in our life.

but as for the rest, what do you think the pro's and cons are of doing this? I know, I know, the internet is where it is at. but I am one of those people that likes to feel and see in person things that im going to buy, so its a huge plus to have shops like this pop up.

[RockyAussie]

1 hour ago, Ragingstallion said:

and the other, they seem to never really be open

They are probably trying to get their work done. It is difficult to find time to serve customers and design and make and deal with all of the other things that business let alone personal needs require you to do. I don't think the internet is as you say "where it is at" but having a web page of your products can be like having a catalogue that can show off your wares and save a little time before they show up or occasionally order online. I am 20 minutes out of town and have no advertising signs here and nor do I advertise in any local way yet I still get people track me down too regularly. Speaking for myself I would be embarrassed to say how long it takes for me to get to any special customer orders and nearly as much time is spent talking about a product as the time to make it. When I had a shop in town and sold leather craft gear and tools it generally cost me more in labour than the sales ever made. Nowdays 95% of the work I do is contact making for a few brands that do their own advertising and marketing. This is my place in the picture below.

[fredk]

I've dreamt of it. Even found a few places which would have been my ideal, they are old Georgian shops, very Dickensian. Also looked at more modern small shop units. But I'd need to sell about £1000 per week to afford any of them, and thats before I took any wages.

Any saddlers I knew worked in old converted stables at a riding school. Some even had places in several riding schools and spent a month or so in each. They sold new saddles and tack through the riding school tack shop.

There is a tack shop in a town near me but its been closed up for about 10 years. All the tack and outdoor clothing still in there. They used to have a leatherworker who worked their about 4 days per week, on and off. Casual enquires seem to indicate he died.

[fredk]

I'll add, what Rocky says about time to do work vrs dealing with customers.

I've been asked (too frequently) to make leather 'life style' items - you know what I mean. I don't make that stuff and never will so I refuse. Here in the UK if I was a proper business I cannot refuse to do so, It is illegal*. I've been threatened with court action but because I'm only a 'hobbyist' the legal action fell at the first hurdle. Thus I'm safer not having a shop.

* In the UK it is illegal to refuse to supply or make anything for anyone based on their colour, ethinicity, disablement or sexuality - even if I tell them I don't make that item its seen as a refusal

[sinpac]

Like Fred I am a hobbist. I have no desire to open a shop as long as I sell enough to buy my supplies and a few bucks(well a little more then a few bucks) in my pocket, I am good. Like in the U.K. I fear here in the U.S.A this is starting to gain traction. I will not make or design anything I don't want too.

[Handstitched]

G'Day, I do have a small business and I work from home ( I do markets as well)  , both leather & horse rug repairs .The only down side is that I don't  always have enough time to make stuff for myself, I'm mostly filling orders.   I'm just a short drive from the town   and even without any advertising, my customers still find me  quite easily, word of mouth works best for me that and the  markets . I had thought about having a shop in the town  but all the shops in our town are over 100 years old  and not worth the rent they are asking. And besides, even when no business is coming through the doors you still have to pay the rent and all other expenses .  So many '"businesses" have come & gone over the years .  They may last a year at best. ( except the bakery that does lovely hot meat  pies) 

 

HS

[chiefjason]

Does my garage count?  I have locals coming by semi regularly to talk to me or see what I do and place an order.  About half of them are folks that I know already though.  Would I like to do this full time?  Sure.  But the thoughts of having to quadruple my income at this is a bit daunting to say the least.  It would take at least that to replace most of my real job income and some of the benefits.  It might even take more than that.  Not sure I could push it that far.  And it's too much of a risk with a family and I'm the sole income already.  

[chuck123wapati]

On 1/26/2020 at 4:03 PM, Ragingstallion said:

A thought crossed my mind, as I am sure a lot of you have thought about setting up a shop and just doing nothing but work with leather and sell your products and living off your hobby. I was curious how many of you have an actual shop set up in your area that customers can come in and see your work?

besides for Tandy's, I have only seen two shops around, one only lasted for about four months, and the other, they seem to never really be open. But with getting some new land near a small town, was day dreaming of the possibility of starting up a small sales/workshop.

If you have done this, lets see those pictures of your area. if you have just thought about it, keep dreaming, maybe some of us will actually do it in our life.

but as for the rest, what do you think the pro's and cons are of doing this? I know, I know, the internet is where it is at. but I am one of those people that likes to feel and see in person things that im going to buy, so its a huge plus to have shops like this pop up.

In my town two things hamper this, rent is friggin crazy for a business 2 k a month+ and just to small of town. Right now most of my work comes from word of mouth, FB, or online. I do plan on expanding this year as my kids are now old enough to help but the storefront is still a no go, most will be going north to the touristy folk in consignment shops and such my basement gets an overhaul for leather and my garage for knives lol.

[JLSleather]

I do not have a shop, and tomorrow I'm going to not have one again.  For what a lease would cost here, you could BUILD, and then they'd kick your teeth in on the property tax

But I have more than enough "down time" just talking to people on the phone, without people coming in to hang out.  And they do - if you've ever been in any store you know that they do.  Don't even really do "shows".  I did set up at one about this time last year - again lots of "lookers".. and a few fellas that would have bought IF I had a holster for their model ready to go.  Basically curbed that a few years back - more time and trouble than it's worth.  A weekend show means 30-40 hours of NOT making goods.

As for refusing orders, it's my party and I'll snub who I want to.  Wife says "you can't just make what YOU want to make".. but she's been barking that for well over a decade

I have business cards and a phone.  Pics on the web site and IG.  If somebody wants to see something, I can make that happen, but just too many issues to have people coming in just to "look".

[Handstitched]

One advantage I have is that my business / workshop is on my property ( approved by the local council ), I work from home,  theres no rent and no  mortgage   .And its taken years to develop the goodwill from the locals , you can't buy that. No fancy advertising, just word-of-mouth, and its worked.    My workshop isn't a 'shop shop', like a shop front  .And like you, I wouldn't have time to just chat  all day ( although my Mum would  ha !!  I've nick named her ' Pringles' because ' once she pops she can't stop'   shhhh   )   

Anyway....

My market stall is my "shop front'" at regular venues where orders are placed,  sell stock, and its a chance to show off my wares  a bit .  I have picked & chosen which ones are worth while and financially viable . 

HS