RESEARCH YOUR
CUSTOMER BASE
The first and most important part of
starting a business is understanding
your customer base. What kind of
embroidery do you want to do? Art
prints? Custom fashion? Do you want
to create a unique style as an artist, or
promote yourself as a reliable source
for customized corporate clothes and
logos? What type of embroidery do
you want to specialize in? What thread
type will you use? Will you use custom
embroidery designs, or start with
existing designs?Once you’ve answered some of these
questions, try to identify your ideal
customer base. Are they millennials
looking for fun art prints or young
mothers looking for custom baby
clothes? It’s best to start with a
perfect customer in mind. As your
skills grow, you can mix it up and add
new products and patterns. It might
seem tempting to create products
for every type of customer, but it is
usually much more profitable to focus
on a specific niche and become the
go-to specialist for that audience.GET THE RIGHT
EQUIPMENT
Research a good embroidery machine
before you buy. Each machine brand
works a little differently, so you’ll
want to read any instruction materials
when you buy. Make sure to practice
a few times before you use a new ma-
chine in your business, so you know
all the ins and outs of that particular
machine.Check with your local craft stores,
or research online for the best
embroidery machines for a home
business. You’ll need something
that is durable and high functioning,
able to work quickly, and ideally
allows you to make edits as you go.
Mistakes happen, especially when
you're learning. Many embroidery
machines also come with digitizing
software that can help you make your
custom designs. Spend time with the
software, and take the opportunity to
learn. It will make your life a lot easier.KNOW WHEN TO EXPAND
The trick to running a successful
business is knowing when to expand.As your business grows, it might be a
good idea to hire other embroiderers.
If you are the most skilled person you
know in that area, you can always hire
someone else to work phones, take
orders or even help you with social
media and other kinds of marketing.
If you’re looking to keep things small,
this can be done in a home-based
office or remotely, by Skype and email.STAY ON TOP OF TRENDS
The fashion and art industries are
always changing. Join mailing
lists, pick up magazines and follow
fellow embroidery entrepreneurs
on social media to stay on top of
trends. Joining groups, either onlineYou might be surprised
how manageable it is to
run your own business.
“
”
CMEMAG.COM 5352-54_CME_F19_Embroidery Business.indd 5352-54_CME_F19_Embroidery Business.indd 53 6/28/19 10:23 AM6/28/19 10:23 AMRESEARCH YOUR
CUSTOMER BASE
The first and most important part of
starting a business is understanding
your customer base. What kind of
embroidery do you want to do? Art
prints? Custom fashion? Do you want
to create a unique style as an artist, or
promote yourself as a reliable source
for customized corporate clothes and
logos? What type of embroidery do
you want to specialize in? What thread
type will you use? Will you use custom
embroidery designs, or start with
existing designs?
Once you’ve answered some of these
questions, try to identify your ideal
customer base. Are they millennials
looking for fun art prints or young
mothers looking for custom baby
clothes? It’s best to start with a
perfect customer in mind. As your
skills grow, you can mix it up and add
new products and patterns. It might
seem tempting to create products
for every type of customer, but it is
usually much more profitable to focus
on a specific niche and become the
go-to specialist for that audience.
GET THE RIGHT
EQUIPMENT
Research a good embroidery machine
before you buy. Each machine brand
works a little differently, so you’ll
want to read any instruction materials
when you buy. Make sure to practice
a few times before you use a new ma-
chine in your business, so you know
all the ins and outs of that particular
machine.
Check with your local craft stores,
or research online for the best
embroidery machines for a home
business. You’ll need something
that is durable and high functioning,
able to work quickly, and ideally
allows you to make edits as you go.
Mistakes happen, especially when
you're learning. Many embroidery
machines also come with digitizing
software that can help you make your
custom designs. Spend time with the
software, and take the opportunity to
learn. It will make your life a lot easier.KNOW WHEN TO EXPAND
The trick to running a successful
business is knowing when to expand.As your business grows, it might be a
good idea to hire other embroiderers.
If you are the most skilled person you
know in that area, you can always hire
someone else to work phones, take
orders or even help you with social
media and other kinds of marketing.
If you’re looking to keep things small,
this can be done in a home-based
office or remotely, by Skype and email.STAY ON TOP OF TRENDS
The fashion and art industries are
always changing. Join mailing
lists, pick up magazines and follow
fellow embroidery entrepreneurs
on social media to stay on top of
trends. Joining groups, either onlineYou might be surprised
how manageable it is to
run your own business.
“
”
CMEMAG.COM 53