Hi,
I'm not in the upholstery profession (yet), but my wife is. She is very skilled, her business is doing well and has been doing re-upholstery for a few years. She was trained by a real professional for a few years prior to that. Around Oct 2015 she rented a shop and started getting her name out there -so far so good.
I'd like to get any feedback from the forum about what skill set I would benefit by learning. Granted, growth takes time but I'm trying to find a niche (if there is one) in my area that I could develop a skill set in, in order to help her grow.
I perceive a plateau as a one person shop unless you have someone working with you.
Question:
If there was one thing a newbie should focus on (sewing not an option) that could help expand services offered, what would that be? Are you seeing trends that certain services are being requested more often then previously, etc?
Thanks in advance for your time.
Strip furniture and give out business cards - make dinner - do the dishes and tell your Wife how much you appreciate her !
SA
Yes start by stripping the furniture. You will learn more about how things are done.
My husband is a huge help to me. He's the best salesperson I could want, talks to customers if I'm not around, fills out sales tickets, tries to answer questions to the best of his knowledge. He's incredible at doing tear-out. When I was working on a large bar/grill, he did most of the tear-out and saved me a TON of time! Also, just to be supportive when your spouse is having a bad day or struggling with a project is invaluable!
Virginia
Thanks Paul & Steve.
I should have mentioned I already help her strip the furniture, pick projects up and deliver as much as I can while working full time at my job. Nice one on the appreciation Steve, but I can check those off already:).
I should have expanded a little more on the long term goal. Paying someone to strip and/or even help her sew are potential options. I'm considering what I could do to make it a full time career change for me too -build a business so to speak. The marketing part won't be a problem as that is what I do in my career (digital marketing). She already has great word of mouth and referrals which can be difficult to get from the start.
Do you seasoned professionals feel a 75K-100K business is realistic as a one person shop? Granted assistance would be needed with stripping, pickup/delivery etc. I assumed that expansion of services (diversify income streams) would be the best scenario if I were to help her grow. I have no want to sew, but everything else from the creative side to learning a new trade are of interest to me.
Regards,
Thanks Virgina! All great points.
You are well beyond any learning curve - I wasn't sure from the initial post.
You're talking 100 after taxes ? That seems steep to me in a one person shop. I don't believe anyone here goes into a craft business if the first intention is the level of earning. Time accrued doesn't guarantee more profits either. As your knowledge grows and you master your trade your physical strength doesn't necessarily follow suit. Either you run a business or you are the business - but you'll never deny you love what you do -
SA
When I had my own shop I really wished that the other half had been comfortable learning the "business" side of the business. We established early on that she would never get along with an industrial sewing machine no matter how many years she had sewn on a domestic machine. We didn't do well with a tape measure or scissors either. If I could have trained her to do the estimates,order the material, do the bookkeeping, etc... and let me use those hours for billable work it would have been a god send. My advice would be to "clock" your wife for a few days. Out off a normal day how many hours were billable time and how much time did she spend on the phone, or showing fabric samples,etc...Don't forget to include filling out ledgers, stroking cheques to suppliers, and all that time. The answer may be right in front of you.
QuoteI assumed that expansion of services (diversify income streams) would be the best scenario if I were to help her grow.
What services is she currently offering? What type's of work is she turning away that the competition may be taking on? What do you see as a viable market in your area that is not being satisfied and that the two of you are set up to tackle with minimum start up capital? Don't take up boat tops if her shop is on the third floor, kinda thing LOL.I'll await your answer before I post more.
Quote from: SteveA on March 14, 2016, 03:14:57 pm
You are well beyond any learning curve - I wasn't sure from the initial post.
You're talking 100 after taxes ? That seems steep to me in a one person shop. I don't believe anyone here goes into a craft business if the first intention is the level of earning.
I'm aiming for 75-100K -after taxes, but I'm realistic. My wife jumped into it for the love of it so I understand that part of it. I'm looking at it as a career change that would have the potential to offset existing income or come close. I'm a creative person at heart so building or restoring furniture intrigues me.
Quote from: Darren Henry on March 14, 2016, 03:45:05 pm
What services is she currently offering? What type's of work is she turning away that the competition may be taking on? What do you see as a viable market in your area that is not being satisfied and that the two of you are set up to tackle with minimum start up capital? Don't take up boat tops if her shop is on the third floor, kinda thing LOL.I'll await your answer before I post more.
At present she does re-upholstery, custom cushions and pillows, the occasional commercial job, and is dabbling in wood refinishing. She set out in Oct 2015 to try and build a business and so far so good on word of mouth, referrals and repeat business.
She turns away leather items, marine and auto, recliners and over stuffed furniture.
I'm just jumping into the market research but here in our part of FL marine would be a viable market. But, from what I understand marine can be difficult to master.
Thanks again for your time.
My answer to your question about business potential is yes, those goals and more are realistic.
You are already into marketing, nothing different in this business.
The key to success, at anything, is goal setting, then staying focused, grow with all dimensions of the business (furniture, auto, marine, commercial, and even aviation) that fit your situation and markets. Your decisions regarding these dimension possibilities will depend on location, market, and the business owners abilities. Simply set your goal(s) and don't stop.
I have been in this business a long time, love it but am still learning because technology
of produced items in all dimensions continues to change and one changes with it.
I literally enjoy my work, business, and the rewards.
You sound interesting, you and the wife, should give your ideas serious thought.
My background in all dimensions of the work is long with respect to trade skills and management of a business.
Formally academics include technical studies at the Masters level in technical studies (math/physics, statistics/computer (actually programming) and earth sciences plus more). The reason to express this is I have never had a job that I didn't like, enjoy it all - this background marries the technical with the practical - the technical give theoretical uderstanding to the practical.
The reason to expose this background is to assure you that the goals you set and are committed to will be the direction you end up.
I wish to add that with strong background/skills in marketing, that you have are a major asset for business ownership. Don't limit yourself to a small operation - just do the smart things.
There is a member on this board who can add significance to the dimension of marketing - Mojo (board name). Read his previous post and talk - his understanding and experiences plus record is one to read/hear and enjoy - it is an inspiration.
Keep the board posted and keep growing that market background is paramount for success at least tantamount to all the rest that we talk.
Remember goal setting, execution, and understanding is what it is all about,
Welcome, and hopefully Mojo will have plenty to say to your questions (he can tell you his official name).
Doyle
ballanrk,
All this is wonderful to hear. New people in the business and all. The figures your shooting for does happen to some. Not many. If you are a one man (woman) shop you may never see that outcome. If you build the business to the point of 100k profit you will not be doing it with one or two people. I have worked this trade for 47+ years and never came close to this in income. I am doing better than the first 30 because of the area I'm in now and the fact I have employees. Without them I couldn't make much. I know of one person that became well off and he was an Upholsterer. He won the Lottery. This business is not one to make a lot of money. A good honest living is what its about. Enjoyment in a trade and making customers smile.
I wish you well in your endeavors. I hope you learn the trade and enjoy it. Help your wife however you can.
Oh I have had strippers work for me. 2 so far. They were good people, after the last one left I found my other bench man and myself can run rings around either of the strippers and do a much better job. It is very helpful to have pieces ready for the bench person but payroll for an inexperienced position just doesn't help really.
Good luck.
Quote from: ballanrk on March 14, 2016, 05:36:21 pm
I'm just jumping into the market research but here in our part of FL marine would be a viable market. But, from what I understand marine can be difficult to master.
Yes, marine can be difficult to master. And even when you do master it, the competition can be fierce. Marine is a difficult sector of upholstery to just "dabble in" as a sideline to other sectors.
Commercial re-upholstery has been a Godsend to my career. Restaurants, beauty shops, medical exam tables, etc. For me, way more profitable than residential furniture.
Furniture repairs, foam replacement practically pay the bills while consuming very little of my time.
Even though residential furniture re-upholstery is the basic core of my business, it's actually my least favorite.
Unless you plan to dedicate a separate space to refinishing, I'd sub that out if I were you.
Hard to comment on your financial goals for the business without openly divulging TMI.
Quote from: sofadoc on March 14, 2016, 06:53:18 pm
Yes, marine can be difficult to master. And even when you do master it, the competition can be fierce. Marine is a difficult sector of upholstery to just "dabble in" as a sideline to other sectors.
Commercial re-upholstery has been a Godsend to my career. Restaurants, beauty shops, medical exam tables, etc. For me, way more profitable than residential furniture.
Furniture repairs, foam replacement practically pay the bills while consuming very little of my time.
Thanks for the insights.
Quote from: MinUph on March 14, 2016, 06:35:30 pm
I wish you well in your endeavors. I hope you learn the trade and enjoy it. Help your wife however you can.
Thank You
Quote from: DB on March 14, 2016, 06:13:19 pm
There is a member on this board who can add significance to the dimension of marketing - Mojo (board name). Read his previous post and talk - his understanding and experiences plus record is one to read/hear and enjoy - it is an inspiration.
Thank You Doyle
Quote from: MinUph on March 14, 2016, 06:35:30 pm
......... after the last one left I found my other bench man and myself can run rings around either of the strippers and do a much better job.
You're preachin' to the choir!
I've always said that stripping isn't equivalent to brain surgery in degree of difficulty. See a staple.....take it out. Sounds simple enough. But apparently, there are a lot of people that just don't get the concept.
Back to the original topic.
ballanrk: Some of the easiest sewing in the world is sewing plain seams on a walking foot machine.
My step-dad had no upholstery skills whatsoever. He was retired from the aerospace industry.
He started out sewing long runs of single welt just for practice. He gradually moved up to doing more advanced prep work, such as sewing zipper panels, double welt, etc. He could sew most any plain seam panels together. He never graduated up to sewing full cushions, but his "prep work" did help expedite a lot of jobs. Of course, this is only a benefit if you have an extra machine set-up. Otherwise, it would just be a hindrance.
Don't sell yourself short. Sewing on a walking foot machine is probably the least technical of all sewing. An experienced garment sewer could walk into an upholstery shop, and catch on pretty quickly. But an experienced upholstery sewer wouldn't fair nearly as well if they suddenly took up garment tailoring.
If you have an extra machine and won't be in the way, try your hand at some simple upholstery sewing. Sure, your wife will have to help you untangle your thread every few minutes for the first day. But you'll master some basics pretty quickly.
Another sideline that can be very profitable is building and installing cornices. Only problem is that most cornice work comes from decorators, and they probably already have someone who does them in conjunction with other soft furnishings.
Quote from: sofadoc on March 15, 2016, 08:29:15 am
Another sideline that can be very profitable is building and installing cornices. Only problem is that most cornice work comes from decorators, and they probably already have someone who does them in conjunction with other soft furnishings.
Excellent suggestions. My wife already had to sub contract out a custom cornice. She is working with a few decorators as well which I see as a good income stream, if I market her services to more decorators.
QuoteYes, marine can be difficult to master. And even when you do master it, the competition can be fierce. Marine is a difficult sector of upholstery to just "dabble in" as a sideline to other sectors.
Commercial re-upholstery has been a Godsend to my career. Restaurants, beauty shops, medical exam tables, etc. For me, way more profitable than residential furniture.
Furniture repairs, foam replacement practically pay the bills while consuming very little of my time.
I've got to agree whole heatedly with "Doc. Marine would be tough where you are. If you were just doing travel covers for 14' fishing boats in Stump Farm Saskatchewan ---maybe. Commercial and repairs are a large part of my work load. Restaurants are usually straight forward with a minimal amount of sewing for her to do to keep you busy applying the new skins. It is most usually the seats only. The vast majority of the repair work I do is for retailers (either their warranty or the manufacturer's) and I seldom have to sew. It is more economical for them to order pre-cut and sewn assemblies from the manufacturer than for me to try to match material and then have to pattern the new assembly, especially where so much of the stuff out there ( at least around here) is "marshmallow furniture" with semi attached arms and semi attached backs in 4-6 sections etc...It's generally open it up, fix the frame/replace the foam/replace any torn covers, put it back together. It's not glamourus work, but it is quick turn around to help level out your cash flow/ introduces you and your work to a large audience quickly, and you will be making the company $$$ in months, not years. That will allow you to spend more time in the shop to move on to what ever excites you creatively, whether that is custom auto, or draperies, or ????
I got starved out of hand crafting orthopaedic shoes etc... back around 94 so took up upholstery in 95. I don't see why some people are reluctant to work in leather. There are some very good links on this site to great tutorials on the subject. I did a project as a 3rd or 4th year apprentice in a fabric the lady bought in India because it was only $275 USD/yd as opposed to $350 in New York. Measure twice, cut once !!!
Another area that I would suggest you invest some time etc.. is patterning. I have had a number of people work with me that I was responsible for over the years and that always seamed to be a short suit for many. Even if they made the pieces fit, they'd fight the stretch or waste material by not laying their panels out to avoid waste etc...If she is sewing something "involved" , she could use someone to prep the pieces and just keep her focused on the machine.
PSSST. I need a Y'all=Canuck translation for "cornice" please.
Cornice board: a window treatment covering made of wood that often has padding, and then a face fabric. It's used to cover the window treatment hardware at the top of a window. There are soft cornice boards that do not use wood, only fabric.
My 2.34 cents:
1. Learn to sew. There are too many advantages to learning and too many disadvantages to not learning.
2. Read the book The E Myth Revisited.
3. If you have a local SCORE, go to their Saturday meeting with your wife. Find a mentor that has run a small business with a partner, it you can.
4. Put together a partnership agreement with your business partner. The folks at SCORE can help you with this.
5. Buy, learn, and use Quickbooks.
6. Decide which business entity will be best for your company. Make sure you protect your personal assets.
7. Pay your taxes. Learn which taxes you owe and when they are due. Fed, state, local, sales tax, self employment taxes. I have a customer who was not paying sales tax and owes the state over $25,000 in back taxes. She is an extremely honest person and simply did not know that she was required to collect and remit sale tax.
8. Fnd ways not to get too depressed when you realize how much of your money is taken away from you in taxes and government fees.
9. Don't forget that Hillary believes that all the money belongs to the government and that the government is being way too kind in letting us keep what we have.
10. Have fun when possible.
Best regards,
gene
8. Fnd ways not to get too depressed when you realize how much of your money is taken away from you in taxes and government fees.
The deal is they take taxes and provide services - not entirely a crazy concept if only they didn't carelessly spend our hard earned income -
I used to get worked up when sending in a state or fed check. You learn to block it out ! What a system the leadership has created.
SA
QuoteCornice board: a window treatment covering made of wood that often has padding, and then a face fabric.
Thanks Gene. I've always heard them called valences around here. I assumed that's what everyone was talking about but didn't want to comment until I was sure.
That would certainly fit it quiet well the business plan at a very minimal investment of time and re-tooling ( he might need to buy a ladder LOL). The knee jerk thought I have is how do you sell just the cornice boards? Personally I'd want to offer the window treatments as well and include that in my presentation when I went to talk about the upholstery, cushions etc... I would not sell custom made drapes unless I had an outsource for them, I mean pleated shades, verticals, Venetian blinds etc...One of our major suppliers around here is a distributor for " Levelor Blinds" which are a quality product and have a good reputation. The shop I apprenticed in sold a lot of blinds while they were quoting on the furniture etc... and made a very healthy margin plus the install cost. Because all the blinds were custom order we carried $000 in stock or inventory. If we need a pink vertical blind X by Y with a right hand control we ordered it, the supplier put it together and sent it with the fabric for the rest of the project. If that kind of thing were available to them it would be a great service to add. And yes; we did get pretty "artistic" with some of the
valences we made [wink]
Not all IDs use the same terms. Most seem say a valance is fabric at the top of the window that is covering the hardware and is held up by a rod. A cornice, soft or hard, is usually 3 dimensional. It has sides on it where a valance is 2 dimensional without any sides.
The only window treatments I make are cornice boards, and I make a lot of them. In addition to IDs, there are women who make window treatments who work out of their basement and they cannot make big cornice boards or do not have the help to make them, so they have me make them.
42 feet long, with two piano hinges to help it fold up a bit for transportation and insertion into the house, is my record.
gene