deliriumcrow (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
deliriumcrow) wrote2006-08-29 01:55 pm
deliriumcrow) wrote2006-08-29 01:55 pm
Entry tags:
Running One's Own Business
is a colossal pain in the arse.
I really should have taken business classes, instead of just learning how to sew. Granted that knowledge is pretty much tha main focus of said business, but I know next to nothing about contract law, organizational practices (aside from the fact that file cabinets are Wonderfully Useful Objects. Somehow.), or anything more useful that the running and maintenance of a demonically posessed sewing machine. This is especially bothersome when I don't really want to depend on other people. When I am half the company (as I seem to have taken on a partner of sorts, who makes pretty web pages and knows how to talk to other businessy-types, and makes pretty pictures of dresses that will be an utter nightmare to put together) I do feel that I aught to be able to function as something other than strictly the manufacturing branch. No. I give myself too little credit here. I did write the contract with a little help, and while I have done nearly nothing on the website (www.threecrowstextiles.com) (geekery is mildly less confusing that running businesses but not by much) I did at least try to figure out how to do the designs that ended up in the corners. Err, that will end up in the corners, when there's something up other than the filler page. He says this will require lots of work, and I'd rather like him to teach me. But is there really time enough to learn another dubiously useful skill, just so as not to have to depend on other people? independence is one thing, so is self sufficiency, but to take it to an absurd degree like this .... Either way. I'm not completely inept. Though, I think I'd rather just stay happily in the manufacturing department. This, of course, means that the Partner is a permanent fixture, which is probably not quite what he expected. Or likely wanted, as he was surprised enough to have found himself working (if only occasionally) as a designer. Heh.
In other news, I have designs coming practically out my ears. Made a set of shirts for the Basement on roughly Edwardian lines (or not, they started that way in any case) and then they didn't want them after all. Fine. They go in the Convergence Box, so it's the very first part of my inventory. So I can vend there, and have pretty things to sell ... there will also be, I think, a portable sewing machine coming with me, so I can do alterations.
Why am I planning this when it's not even September, and I still have Halloween projects to work on? Seriously. There's something really not right with me.
To do, for orders as they stand:
~Dick's shirt. Today and tomorrow, perhaps I shall try to abduct Diana for the purpose. Serger and all that.
~Muslin for under-dress for sample one, assembly of both layers. I think I shall use all apppropriate layers of lining for this ... just so I know how long it really takes.
~Muslin for sample two, assembly. Many prayers/offerings/whatever that the store decided that they have imaginations good ehough to figure out what the dress will look like in silk when the sample itself is cotton. because there's an immense difference between many yards at 50c a yard, and the same quantity at $5 a yard. Do the math. They don't pay me for the samples, but they want to see what they'll look like. Sorry, can't have both, not unless money is given up front for the custom jobs, not once a month. Seeing as i seem to actually be getting a few of those orders.
~Call basement, see if Custom Girl has set up a new appointment.
~Call Diana, drink LOTS OF COFFEE while sketching patterns. Or soemthing. coffee, at any rate, must happen.
~Patterns for my halloween costume, Darzon's costumes (both of them)
~Measure Nikai and start working on patterns for her corset and possibly the weird pants-suit thing. At very least calculate the amount and cost of fabric and labour that might go into it. Work on colour matching.
~Place silk order. Figure out what goes into silk order.
~Scream a lot. Drive into the desert and scream my fool head off at the moon, because she's used to that sort of foolishness.
So out of order. Really.
I really should have taken business classes, instead of just learning how to sew. Granted that knowledge is pretty much tha main focus of said business, but I know next to nothing about contract law, organizational practices (aside from the fact that file cabinets are Wonderfully Useful Objects. Somehow.), or anything more useful that the running and maintenance of a demonically posessed sewing machine. This is especially bothersome when I don't really want to depend on other people. When I am half the company (as I seem to have taken on a partner of sorts, who makes pretty web pages and knows how to talk to other businessy-types, and makes pretty pictures of dresses that will be an utter nightmare to put together) I do feel that I aught to be able to function as something other than strictly the manufacturing branch. No. I give myself too little credit here. I did write the contract with a little help, and while I have done nearly nothing on the website (www.threecrowstextiles.com) (geekery is mildly less confusing that running businesses but not by much) I did at least try to figure out how to do the designs that ended up in the corners. Err, that will end up in the corners, when there's something up other than the filler page. He says this will require lots of work, and I'd rather like him to teach me. But is there really time enough to learn another dubiously useful skill, just so as not to have to depend on other people? independence is one thing, so is self sufficiency, but to take it to an absurd degree like this .... Either way. I'm not completely inept. Though, I think I'd rather just stay happily in the manufacturing department. This, of course, means that the Partner is a permanent fixture, which is probably not quite what he expected. Or likely wanted, as he was surprised enough to have found himself working (if only occasionally) as a designer. Heh.
In other news, I have designs coming practically out my ears. Made a set of shirts for the Basement on roughly Edwardian lines (or not, they started that way in any case) and then they didn't want them after all. Fine. They go in the Convergence Box, so it's the very first part of my inventory. So I can vend there, and have pretty things to sell ... there will also be, I think, a portable sewing machine coming with me, so I can do alterations.
Why am I planning this when it's not even September, and I still have Halloween projects to work on? Seriously. There's something really not right with me.
To do, for orders as they stand:
~Dick's shirt. Today and tomorrow, perhaps I shall try to abduct Diana for the purpose. Serger and all that.
~Muslin for under-dress for sample one, assembly of both layers. I think I shall use all apppropriate layers of lining for this ... just so I know how long it really takes.
~Muslin for sample two, assembly. Many prayers/offerings/whatever that the store decided that they have imaginations good ehough to figure out what the dress will look like in silk when the sample itself is cotton. because there's an immense difference between many yards at 50c a yard, and the same quantity at $5 a yard. Do the math. They don't pay me for the samples, but they want to see what they'll look like. Sorry, can't have both, not unless money is given up front for the custom jobs, not once a month. Seeing as i seem to actually be getting a few of those orders.
~Call basement, see if Custom Girl has set up a new appointment.
~Call Diana, drink LOTS OF COFFEE while sketching patterns. Or soemthing. coffee, at any rate, must happen.
~Patterns for my halloween costume, Darzon's costumes (both of them)
~Measure Nikai and start working on patterns for her corset and possibly the weird pants-suit thing. At very least calculate the amount and cost of fabric and labour that might go into it. Work on colour matching.
~Place silk order. Figure out what goes into silk order.
~Scream a lot. Drive into the desert and scream my fool head off at the moon, because she's used to that sort of foolishness.
So out of order. Really.
no subject
glad to hear things are going well.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
I love this site. It's where a good deal of my research begins, though not always where it ends.
no subject
no subject
http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/wsnlinks/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=320
Have fun, sis. I think you'll like what you find.
no subject
no subject
As long as the commissions keep you interested an challenged, is all that matters.
no subject
Just an idea, from one businesswoman to another.
no subject
no subject
From the business point of view, I would say that the reason a good web developer is a good web developer is because they specialize in web development. A designer is a good designer because they specialize in design. A database administrator is a good database administrator because they specializes in that.
A good business owner cannot micromanage. Sure at the start, you need to wear many hats, but as the business grows, you hire people (contract out, whatever) who can do what you need done. Learn what you need to - do what needs to be done, but if you have the available resources to get someone else to do it, you shouldn't feel bad about it. Your specialty is the design and manufacture.
no subject
And yes, I am still very much alive and well.