A Business not a Hobby
Sewing and all things textiles is a delightful hobby, however if you are setting out to take a slice of the very large cake that is the textiles industry you better know that you are a business and not a hobbyist! I often wonder if it is a female thing…we have for so long been told sewing is a thing women and girls do at home, a minor, insignificant, trifling thing, if you will. Something that does not take skill or intelligence and as such is not distinguished enough to garner praise.
As a job it has always been classed as low skill, low pay and largely associated with women’s work. That is one valid way to look at things and for many is a reality. However there is another reality to fashion, textiles and sewing. It is a multibillion currency that spans the globe, is relevant to anyone who wraps fabric round their body, is in the top 10 biggest global industries, fashion alone accounts for over 2% of global GDP and generates profits at the top of the pyramid to contradict the notion sewing is a frippery of any kind.
So, when someone tells me they are interested in starting a business in this industry and the first thing they are going to do is give their work away for free, I have a reaction! It is not uncommon to hear experts tell you giving something for free is a way to gain a following, a foothold or to get traction for yourself. Well let’s look at free for a new business in textiles. Free will add to your market awareness to the extent it will tell you if you give your work away for nothing, people will take it. Not necessarily want or respect it; but take it.
As everyone is so obsessed with social media and followers, you may gain many; but they will not add to your self esteem, your bank account or your business success, other than to let you know people are waiting to hear about your next free offering. Following you like a seagull follows a trawler (EC philosophy).
Today was not the first day I had this conversation with someone about to embark on their journey but it is exactly why THE DESIGN & SEWING STUDIO is offering courses in ‘How to Start A Successful Textiles Business’.
For example, if you intend to make a living from creating original patterns and selling them online, the first commercial act you undertake should not be to produce an original pattern and give it away free online. You have already incurred costs; the domain name cost you something, the hosting will cost you more, the workspace is an expense as is commuting there, lighting and heating it. There are the costs of the software to produce the pattern, the paper and materials to test it. Presumably you have a phone. Let’s not mention the time you have already invested, the research, setting up social media, talking about your idea…all expenses. I can see where some may think this is a good first step. But a good first step to where. As I said to this person today. You have put a lot of work into that first step and you want to get some valuable data from the response to it. You will learn nothing of value to your business if you give it away for free. However if you sell it and give away an online video to ‘make along with me’, or offer a free pattern once someone has bought 3 at full price, you will learn if anyone will give you some money for your patterns. That will actually be useful information, gain you engagement with people who will be customers, as well as followers, and will begin your personal relationship with your customers.
Decide if you are a hobbyist or a business, BEFORE you start on this journey.
If you are considering embarking on a business in the textile industry but have not yet stress-tested your idea, sign up for your Introduction to Business course. Fashion design, garment manufacture, surface pattern, pattern design and development, fashion blogging, retail, influencer, personal shopper, vintage clothes retail, costume design, tailoring, teaching sewing skills. Whatever area of textiles you want to base your business in, this course is designed to lead you on a wonderful path of investigation and discovery ensuring that first step is meaningful and in the right direction. If you have already completed our ‘Introduction to Business Course’ or completed your stress-test independently why not sign up for our ‘Business Course’ and launch your business with our support, encouragement and insight.
