You’re self employed with your business, now what?

Mon, Jun 21, 2010

Starting Out

In the beginning I worked as hard as I could to do everything. I wanted to make it and be able to live off of the clothing company I started. This made me work long hours with little sleep to try and get everything done. T-shirts were everything for me for a little while. I eventually realized that my business isn’t everything, it is just what I do to make money. Although I love what I do it doesn’t define me as a person and there is more to life than just working.

Recently I have been working on my business system. How do I keep on generating sales and income without doing all the work? The answer was very simple, get other people to do it (read my post on delegation for more info). Every successful business is run on the simple concept of get bigger checks and write smaller checks. So once you’ve got that business system down and don’t have to do work all the time what do you do then?

ANYTHING YOU WANT!

It’s awesome. I’ve been reading tons of books, hanging out with friends more and working on personal projects that I always put off because I was too busy. Once you’ve found a way to work only a couple hours a week and still make money you’ll be able to work and do things that are more important to you.

This isn’t the easiest thing to let go of your business. The best clothing companies I see have been built by people that are perfectionists and do everything themselves. These people usually find it very hard to let go because they are use to being in control of everything. What this usually means is a lot of stress and them finding out that their dream job wasn’t everything it was cracked up to be.

threadsnotdead Youre self employed with your business, now what?

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Thanks,
Jon Kruse

This post was written by:

- who has written 135 posts on How to start a Clothing Company.

Besides running this blog I also own two clothing companies, Mediocore Clothing and SHRED. I also run Double Dragon Studios with a partner and we do a lot of work for clothing companies making stores, blogs, and myspace layouts. Please send me an email if you have any questions, want to hire me for work, or just want to say thanks.

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  • http://jenoloclothing.wordpress.com JenoLo

    Love your stuff Jon. Very Insightful articles, and I've learned alot from them while trying to start my own tee shirt line. Thanks!

  • srtr4k

    Great stuff! – I wish I could share my experiences related to starting a successful clothing line, but right now I'm trying to get my clothing line off the ground. Basically, I have the name, a few concept designs, trademark filed, and that's it. I don't have anything to sale or market at this point, but have found your articles extremely beneficial. – One thing I like to read more about is how to market my line of clothing line, tradeshows, social media that works, etc… – Keep up the great work!!!! –

    Later

  • http://www.maintenanceclothing.com Tara

    I enjoyed your perspective on this one. I have been developing my clothing company for over a year now, trying to work out all think kinks and have been extremely hands on with every single decision. This post came at the perfect time, to be honest. I need to stop being so micromanaging while Im in the beginning stage, i suppose.

    I've read just about every article on this site, some 3-4 times && i thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/MAINTENANCECLOTHI…

    <3 tara

  • CameronScott

    My friend has recently started a clothing and bags business. As most small businesses will do, she borrowed money from an international small business loans institution. They lent her money because she has a good credit history and a reliable business plan. She used the money for the raw materials. She also hired highly skilled workers to work on her products. Her business is continually growing and her products are even exported worldwide. Definitely, outsourcing is great decision move for small businesses because not only is it cost effective; you can get access to specialized services, too!

  • http://www.hellodestroyers.com Hello Destroyers

    Jon, I was surprised to read an article meant to encourage me to learn to let go of my company a little. I'll be honest its been hard with my partners when I'm trying to do everything from shirt design to folding the shirts. Thanks for the reminder to chill out.

  • Marc Coley

    Im just starting out as well and I am working a full time job – I love the creative partr of doing a clothing line. What did you do for start up captial?

  • jonkruse

    I started out with next to nothing. I designed the first shirt built a printing press and made the website. It only took a couple hundred. Just get the ball moving and figure out everything along the way.

  • Steve A

    Great Post its always good to here stuff like this, a lot of times your so immersed in your business and designs that you forget about everything els but this is a good reality check.

  • http://twitter.com/BaronPollak Baron Pollak

    yeah so for these have been super informative, I am loving the information a lot, you should really write one on patience…I think that is one of my biggest problems waiting for things to happen.

  • Emily

    For the DIY-ers out there, do you have any recommendations as to how to go about building your own multicolor printing press?

  • Steve A

    Hey Ive used this website before and order a set of blueprints to build my own screen press it helped me when i was starting out but they guys there are mad cool and they respond pretty quick if you have a question about screen printing. They also add in top to bottom videos of how to screen print using plastisol inks, and they cover everything from how to coat screens to reclaiming them. Its really underground basement type t shirt screen printing but its a great way to start and get some practice in. Especially if you want to become a full fledged printer.
    Hope it helps!!!

    http://diyteeshirts.com/

  • jonkruse

    Patience is important but I don't think you should ever wait for things to happen. Be in charge of your own future and make the decisions that will take you to the next level.

  • Scr8shot

    my name is tony scr8 shot and i am also in the process of starting a clothing line and up until today i thought my issues were just my own. im 1 of those perfectionist that do it all my self. my thing is changing people just liking what i do to them spending money withouty expecting somethin for free! i understand promotion is important but if they already like it y should just give it toem?

  • http://twitter.com/Frhetorictweets Saïd

    How do you cope with your partners when you feel they're not carrying on the same dedication as you are?

  • ChrisVAPORZ

    this is very true, good post!

  • http://www.hammyhavoc.com Hammy Havoc

    You find other people to work with. Only take the best.

  • pkunze

    Honestly Tihs is right on the money!!! I have recently started a Surf clothing company, and I have BIG dreams to expend it! unfortunately, I am the sole proprieter and I am doing all the work MYSELF!!! I get the shirts, place and ship orders, and I am even doing ALL the screen printing and labeling myself, I built and maintain the web site and monitor social network pages, AND I am trying to come up with a business plan for expansion… Honestly, I can't WAIT to let some of the business go!!! I am planning on having another company do the screen printing and shiping, I am working on hiring a sales staff to sell to surf and skate shops, and I cannot wait until I can hire an administrator, (Probably gonna be my own wife, cuz she keeps me in line anyways!) Seriously, think about what you want out of your business! I agree with Jon and Hope to be where he is soon, so that I can continue to grow my business and not hold myself back anymore!

  • jonkruse

    You sound like you are on the right track.

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