Hi there,
long time lurker but rare poster here!
I've been dreaming of starting my own business for years but only just got the nerve to finally look into this.
In a nut shell I'd love to open my own fabric store selling all kinds of yummy fabrics, alongside patterns and haberdashery bits. I've been sewing for a number of years now, and where I live, save for a cheap department store (I'm in the North-East), there are very few fabric stores here, and most of which are a good 30 min journey away from here.
I want to open a modest size shop for now, looking to expand into offering classes (and maybe an small on site cafe, but I realise that's a whole different ball game).
However, I have no idea whether this could be a good idea, or whether I'm just living on fantasy island. I have no capital, No mortgage or property (currently trying to save for one at the moment but I don't want my personal finances linked in with shop) and basically no idea how to go about it. I do have sales and shop work experience, and I have a close network of family and friends who have already offered help (with finances and book keeping and management). I don't think I would be looking at hiring staff for a while (unless business boomed and very quickly!) but I do have family willing to 'volunteer' in the shop to help out to get me started.
I've seen numerous adverts for business start up programs and mentors an courses, none seem to give a price and I am unsure if they are worth using or precisely what they do?
Clearly, I would need some form of loan to get going (to cover stock, initial rent and capitol until business starts to pick up), but would that be even possible in my situation?
Can anybody be so kind as to point me in the right direction? Or has anyone here set up there own shop from scratch, would you be so kind as to give me pointers?
As you can see, I am clearly very early on in the while planning stage, so any advise would be greatly appreciated!
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Wanting to open my own shop...fantasy or reality?
25 replies
OdinsServant · 28/05/2016 19:32
OP posts:
agemeyoung ·
17/06/2016 22:03
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