This time of year, throughout the month of August, the “back-to-school” idea is in many people’s minds….students who will be going back to school of some type and parents will be involved in getting them ready.  How will this affect your quilting and your quilting business, if you have one?
For some, with all your children in school,  it will mean more time for quilting projects, taking workshops, teaching workshops, and venturing into areas you haven’t explored before.
If you have a quilting business, either in your home or online, it may mean more moms with time to take classes, …read more

Juggling a quilting business or an outside-the-home job with family presents a challenge to any mom,   However, when one has triplets, the challenge may present even more situations to cope with. Although Mary Beth Stevenson, doesn’t have a quilting business, we all might take an example from her if we want something that will enable us to be an at-home mom (or dad).  She already had her home business up and running when her triplets arrived.  Working from home at her designing business appears to have worked well for her.  This wasn’t simply a whim, “What do I do now?” when she found she was …read more

If you’re thinking of starting a quilting/fabric arts business, whether solely on the Internet or a shop in your home where customers stop by, it’s a good idea to develop a business plan. Even if you’ve started your quilting business and don’t have a business plan, you could benefit by developing one for future direction and growth.  If you’re considering going to a bank for a loan or start-up capital, you’ll definitely need to show you have a plan.
Laura Spencer at Writing Thoughts has reviewed a book, The Ernst & Young Business Plan Guide, that’s worthwhile to consider when you’re developing your business plan.
       …read more

                   When I wrote the meme post,  Simply Successful Secrets for a home business, I mentioned having fun.  Comments I’ve received let me know that others feel this is important, too.   Whether you have a quilting, fabric art, or related business, you can have fun while you earn an income.
Often we get so caught up into the challenges of our quilting business, the busyness,  the pressure of meeting deadlines, and the balancing act between business and family  that we forget to have fun.  We forget why we decided to develop our quilting/fabric art hobby or interest into a home business in the …read more

Satisfying customers, an important aspect of a successful quilting or fabric art business, often relies on small details.  No matter what your business, you need customers/clients who will return for your products and services and pass positive, enthusiastic words about you to others.  
         “Focusing on the little details is where the key to successful business and brands lies,” mentions Ron Elizondo, in his b5media Brand Curve blog post, “Marketing the small things…”Ron is talking about any business, but this applies to quilting businesses, too.  He emphasizes “the need to offer superb service in order to create and maintain customer loyalty.”
So to do …read more

If you operate a quilting/fabric arts business, developing a rapport with your customers so they’ll remain loyal and continue returning for your products and services is important.  Some call this branding…others regard it as developing customer/client loyalty.
So….how does a business generate such loyalty in their customers?  How will you develop your business so customers return repeatedly, whether to your shop, your online ordering site, your booth at shows, or your workshops.
*Produce a quality product; never shortcut on quality.
*Always meet deadlines; if you can’t, let your customer know and have a good reason.  Then let them know when you will complete the job.  Sometimes …read more

Developing a business plan for your quilting/fabric arts business becomes important …for keeping your own goals before you and for letting the IRS (in the United States) know you’re seriously involved in a business not a hobby making spasmatic earnings.  I attended two home business workshops recently.  At both the necessity for developing a home business plan was mentioned.
Also, if you go to a bank for any type of loan for your business, they generally will want to see that you have a busiiness plan.  This lets the bank/lending institution know you’re serious about what you’re doing.  For some, this …read more