“What can businesses deduct?” Kelly Phillips Erb, from Taxgirl, says is one of the most frequent inquiries she receives.

Kelly has answered this in a guest post at Problogger, 46 Tax Deductions that Bloggers Often Overlook.  Even though this post is directed at bloggers (one type of home business), most of the deductions are applicable for any small business…whether you’re operating solely on the Internet, utilizing a walk-in shop, or combining the two.

Your business may have added deductions…or may not be able to use all of these.  However, take a look and begin thinking about those that could apply to you.  Kelly also offers excellent advice at her Taxgirl blog.

Post from: Blisstree

Tax Tips for Quilting, Fabric Art & Other Craft Businesses

*What if you live in a no tax state but sell to customers in a state where there is a sales tax?

*What if you have a sales tax in your state and sell to someone in another sales tax state?

*What happens when you and your customer both live in the same state that has a sales tax?  Sometimes, too, sales tax will vary from town to town, city to city, county to county within the same state.

*Do you collect sales tax if you visit another state to teach a workshop or give presentations and sell items while there?

These and other scenarios raise questions.

So….visit Kelly, the Taxgirl.  She has a great post about this topic, Ask the Taxgirl: Internet Sales.  Here Kelly will answer some of the questions you may have about the sales tax issue. 

Post from: Blisstree

Sales Tax & the Quilt Business Owner

Of course, with a business that’s entirely operated on the Internet, like Dorothy Thompson’s,  with no inventory, or one like Mark Allen’s business with CafePress taking orders and handling shipping, there’s no question about continuing if you move.  However, what about the business where you do have inventory and physically ship out orders?

If this business depends mainly on orders received from customers visiting your site and ordering or sending orders in via postal mail rather than stopping by your shop, you can continue wherever you move, as long as zoning regulations at your new home don’t interfere.

Recently I learned about a quilt/fabric art supply business operated from the owner’s home.  She and her family are moving to another city in another state.  She notified her customers that there will be a lapse of a few days, while her fabric and quilting supplies, along with household goods and personal belongings are in transit.  However, she plans to be set up to ship orders in a few days from her new home.  Also, fabric from her suppliers will be shipped to the new address.

If she operated a business that depended entirely or mostly on customers stopping at her shop, she’d have great difficulty and a lapse in business and income.   

These might be factors to consider when you’re thinking about developing a quilting related or fabric business.

If you’ve ever had to move your business, how have you managed it?  What difficulties did you encounter?  Was yours an Internet based or entirely dependent on customers/clients coming by? Was yours operated from your home or from an outside location?  I’d enjoy hearing from you and having you share your story.

Post from: Blisstree

Moving Your Quilting Business

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.

           “It’s basically a book that teaches the business person how to create an effective business plan,” Laura says.  She also mentions, in her review,  reasons why a business is never too small to develop a business plan and how this book might help you.

(Although Laura writes a column basically for writers, her business information has application for any small business, including a quilting or fabric arts business, a quilt fabric shop, or related venture.)

Post from: Blisstree

A Book to Help You Develop a Quilting Business Plan

You might like to learn more about this, the nature of business owners…whether they’ll take risks or remain in a rut…on my home business blog, Home Biz Notes, where I wrote about this topic , Home Business Owners are Risk Takers.

Also, Darlene McDaniel wrote about this topic,  Are You A Risk Taker? at Small Business Boomers blog.   “Risk taking is a prerequisite for any entrepreneur.  No matter how you slice it, there is never a guarantee with any business.”                                     

 Also, by setting up and operating your own business, you’re taking risks with something you enjoy doing.

Post from: Blisstree

Are Quilt Business Owners Risk Takers?

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 first place.

We forget to stop, if only for a half hour, to do something purely enjoyable that will refresh us.   Take a day off to get away and come back with new enthusiasm.  Visit a quilt show…take a workshop…teach a class.

I recall getting so caught up in deadlines, especially when a quilting project took longer than anticipated, a family crisis arose, or a customer wanted it finished earlier than agreed.  The pressure mounted and I wondered, “Is this worth it?”  So I had to learn to get through those times.

Find ways to have fun while working at your quilting/fabric arts business, enjoy what you’re doing and the people you’re working with.   Also, make a list of what you consider the advantages or rewards of operating your quilting business, either parttime or full time, and keep them in front of you.  You might make changes, too, that will cut down on the stress and eliminate some of the disadvantages.

Post from: Blisstree

Having Fun With Your Quilting Business

When you consider a name for your quilting/fabric art business, decide what you want to achieve, the customers you desire to attract, and the products/services you’ll be offering.  You want something that will catch attention and will be something people will remember.

When I operated a dressmaking/alteration business from my home (that evolved into my quiltmaking business), I used part of my sewing room for displaying and selling readymade original clothing and accessories.  What should I use for a name that incorporated all aspects of my business?

I chose MEA’s Boutique, utilizing my initials.  I didn’t realize at the time how well this captivated customers and stuck in their minds for years…even after we moved from that location to another home.  When this became a quilt business at the new home, I automatically called it, MEA’s Quilts.  (Later, for my home publishing company, MEA Productions, I’ve used my initials again. )

*A unique name will catch attention.  However, if it’s too far out, it may have the adverse effect.  If it’s mundane, it won’t capture your customer’s imagination.

*In addition to being unique, will your name adequately describe your business, give your customers a clear idea what it’s about? 

*Is someone else using that same name?  If your business name is exactly the same as someone else’s, you may be asked to stop using it.  This can be costly if you have signs, business cards, advertising, web site, etc. designed and printed with this name. 

*Do some research. You could start by checking the phone book and Better Business Bureau, then your state agency for registering business names.  Generally if the name reflects your name (particularly your surname) and/or initials, you can use it.  Those are “yours.”

*Sometimes you can use a play of words that will catch attention, such as Fabric Fantasia, Fabric Fantasy, Patchwork Potpourri, Quilters’ Quest.  (Just make sure they’re not already in use.)

What name can or have you come up with for your business that catches attention?

Post from: Blisstree

Naming Your Quilt or Fabric Art Business

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 situations crop up that keep us from getting things done exactly as planned.  Be sure you let your customer know.  Usually they’re understanding, as long it doesn’t mix up their plans.

*Have return policies and guarantees stated from the very beginning, in your shop, online, or in a contract.  Then there is less chance of misunderstanding and miscommunication.

*Have a payment policy stated beforehand. This leads to less misunderstandings. (For instance, when I made quilts, I asked for one half upon starting the item…this gave me most of what I needed to purchase supplies…and the remainder before mailing it or when the customer picked it up.)  If you’re selling online or by mail order, it’s very important to have payment agreed upon.

*Decide beforehand how you’ll handle difficult customers.  You can’t anticipate every situation, but have a good idea how you will do this. 

*Become a good communicator.  Lack of communication often leads to dissatisfaction and thus displeased customers.

*Smile…even when you aren’t face to face with your customers.  It comes across in your voice.

Customer loyalty is an important factor when you’re developing a business from your quilting and fabric art.  Building friendships, common interests, and a reputation for good work and integrity goes a long way toward developing customer loyalty.

Post from: Blisstree

Developing & Maintaining Quilting Customer Loyalty

The post about bookkeeping at my blog, HomeBizNotes, will give you a place to start with this topic. ( If you have employees, you may be interested in the post on minimum wage.)

Some of these topics seem far afield from quiltmaking and artistic creations.  However, if you have developed a business, whether small or larger, you must be concerned about keeping good records. 

Post from: Blisstree

Bookkeeping – Important for a Quilting Business

Sometimes this is a conscious decision and an outgrowth of one’s hobby.  Other times, as in my case, it’s accidental.  (Always be open to opportunities!)

I was doing dressmaking and alterations at the time, as well as sewing little girls’ dresses to sell in a local shop.  And I was a “clothaholic”. 

During America’s Bicentennial years, quilts became popular.  My mom, who operated a small general store in another state began to sell quilts that a friend made.  The demand became more than her quilting friend could handle. 

“Mary Emma, you’ve got all that fabric around from your dressmaking.  And you made quilts with your grandmother.  Could you make me some quilts to sell?”

Mother persisted, so I looked at my fabric and decided to give it a try.  My first quilts were very simple and tied, not quilted.  These were easier for me to make, and by requiring less labor could be sold at a reasonable price.  Mother’s popularity as the “quilt lady” grew, so she needed more quilts.  Thus, my dressmaking business transitioned into a quiltmaking business.  Eventually I developed a children’s vest line as well.

From there, I began to include quiltmaking and quilt history into my writing, interviewed other quilters, and attended quilt shows as a writer, speaker, workshop teacher, and judge. 

Also, I could justify all that fabric I was tempted to buy!   

Look at what you are doing or like to do with your quiltmaking and fiber art, determine where there is a need for your items, and begin testing the market. 

Post from: Blisstree

Getting Started in a Quilt/Fiber Arts Business