STITCHES-QUILTS-FABRICS-GIFTS
BUSINESS PLAN & QUESTIONS

VISION -

Create a quilt shop featuring my own creations as well as hard-to-find, artisan quilter accessories, notions & patterns. Stock upper end, quality products for the seamstress and collector, as well as unique gift products appealing to that clientele.

PLAN FOR 2006 - 

- Phase out clothing
- Cut back on art shows - continue local presence of 2 shows per year.
- Automate process more fully - online postage, auction service, email responses
- Phase out fabric - consider unique hand-dyes, batik panels
- Set up more dedicated, useful workspace
- Possibly hire assistant - 2nd half of year
- Attend E-bay Live
- Prepare better advertising materials - business cards, flyers, post cards
- Utilize Terapeak more fully in research
- Get website running and linked to ebay store

FINANCIAL GOALS -

- Short term - Powerseller status by end of April
- $3000 monthly sales by August
- $4000-$5000 monthly sales by December
- Show profit after inventory purchases for month.

Develop a profitable Ebay business which will produce a comfortable living income. This will allow husband to retire from his job and pursue his own self-employed artistic endeavors. Enough $ to travel regularly!

PERSONAL -

- Set aside time for fitness program/better diet
- Take care of assets - car maintenance, etc.
- Relax with family - keep business from taking over!

BACK BURNER - TO WORK ON -

- Professional logo and store appearance
- Learn HTML for more professional listings
- Add/Subscribe to helpful services as finances permit
- Purchase laptop
- Consider consulting service for new Ebayer’s - maybe in a year
- Restructure business from sole proprietorship to corporation
- Set up Quick Books for inventory management
- Take accounting class

CHALLENGES -

Financial - Grow business without risking family security
Family Expectations - When will you make money at this?
Quilt Art business vs. Ebay sales business - Reality of trying to do both - No time to sew!
Family Life - Keep everyone happy - errands, kids, husband, parents, housework!
Physical Space - Store inventory, photo, packing - Need set up that has dedicated space
Kids - Supporting & tutoring - educational needs

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP -

1. If you’ve taken a look at my store, do you have suggestions?

2. People find it difficult to find my store - should I shorten the name? Is that possible?

3. How many auctions a week should I run to promote store listings of approx. 400? 
I try to list about 30-40 weekly across all categories. I worry about extra fees.

4. I’m not sure that I’m getting picked up by search engines. Someone suggested that I 
Not use commas in description. Should I focus on key brand names? Suggestions?

5. I’m not using my 5 free extra store pages. Not sure what they are for or how they 
Show up - comments?

6. Has anyone switched from sole proprietorship to corporation? Complicated?

7. Turbo Lister - I have growing inventory list - Do I manually go in and delete as sold?

8. Online postal service - Anyone using Stamps.com, Endicia or Ebay’s service?
Comments on best, easiest, or least expensive? Do you buy special labels to print?
Does post office charge for daily pickup? Do you set up regular stop or call daily?


THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP!