Custom Slipcovers Business

Use your sewing background and interest in interior decoration to start a custom slipcovers business.

Your business can be quite lucrative, even in times of a poor economy, since people always buy quality custom made items such as slipcovers.

Custom slipcovers are popular as they are economically feasible for most people - especially people who may not be able to replace their whole furniture sets.

Keys To A Successful Custom Slipcovers Business

Quality is always very important when making slipcovers. Always use high quality fabrics and stitching to ensure they hold up to heavy traffic.

Visit the customer's home and take precise measurements of the item she wants covered, and make sure the fit is perfect. When making custom slipcovers, always measure each part of the piece of furniture individually. This should include the back and arms of the chair for chair covers, and individual cushions for cushion covers.

The ordering process should be easy and straightforward the simpler it is for the customer to order through you, the better chance you will have of gaining a customer and perhaps a repeat customer.

Expanding And Advertising

In addition to slipcovers, consider adding other similar products to your business. For example, you could leverage your skills to produce and sell custom draperies and window treatments, decorative comforters and pillows, or patio furniture cushions.

Always listen to your customer. She may not know exactly what she wants, but you may discover consistent interests that will uncover additional product expansion ideas.

As with any business, you will need to advertise your products. More advertising brings in more sales. Do not count on the web to do your advertising for you. Set aside an advertising budget and start by advertising locally.

If you do a great job for your first customer, more customers will come. Word of mouth is the best advertising you can get for free. Budget enough money to advertise at least once every couple of weeks.

Insurance, Training, And Experience

All businesses should have insurance to cover unexpected circumstances. You never know when someone will come up with a lawsuit bogus or not. Insurance is also a legal requirement if you have a storefront. If someone should slip and fall in your store, you could easily lose your business to that person if you do not have insurance coverage.

You do not need any specific training to open a business in this sector so long as you know how to sew a quality product and how to choose quality materials. You must especially know how to treat customers as well. Customer service is, next to the quality of the products, the most important part of this business.

Expense Averages

Average expenses include a one-time purchase of a high-end sewing machine, yearly renewal of any city, county or state licenses for operating a small business, and material costs.

If you are not working out of your home, you will also have rental or mortgage expense for a shop, utilities for that shop, and potentially also payroll expenses. If you decide to start out with a storefront, you will also have costs for inventory. This will include materials, threads and other accessories such as zippers or Velcro necessary for your custom slipcovers.

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