not OT, business will most likely be a reality by the end of the year!!!

OK, y'all know a bit about the lawsuit we are in regarding the house. Well, as most things like this do, it is taking far more in legal fees than we had anticipated, though DH says he knew it would cost a lot, even if we don't recoup any of it. With regards to the financial issues developing because of this, DH announced that, more than likely, I wouldn't be able to stay at home until 8/2009, when DD starts kindergarten full-time, which had been the original plan. He said he felt that I needed to start contributing to the famiy finances ASAP and he would *really* like it if I used my sewing skills to do so.

Ok, we knew this was coming and he has mentioned numerous times that he wished I had more confidence in my sewing abilities. You all also helped me come up with a name for my business and I already have business cards and an email address. So.....all that remains is to go through the tax stuff again (a dear friend is also 100% behind this business idea and helped me with the basic tax stuff I need to know), get a business license and a tax ID and I will be up and running. DH said he would work on developing a website for me (website??!!??? I was only thinking of local work!!!) and dear friend suggested taking out an ad in some sewing/quilting magazines. Also suggested was attending as many craft fairs as possible to get my name/business "out there".

While I completely terrified, I think that, deep down, I'm actually looking forward to this! I have made a list of several things that I like making and will be doing some intensive whittling and such. I do want to keep making the garden flags because they are quick and easy and apparently, people really liked them. To do this, though, I need to get certain information - school colors and mascots of the local schools (thinking outside my immediate area where all 3 schools are burgundy and white and are the cougars...lol). Also thinking that school spirit items - stadium throws, fleece jackets, etc. are a good place to start - the school rivalries around here are more intense than when I was in high school. If I make some for the main high schools, I should pretty much CMA with everyone and hopefully not offend anybody. I can make some jacket prototypes and they can be done by special order (I can test some personalization using my EuroPro, though I think the letters might be too small....looks like I might end up with an embroidery machine after all!!).

The second arm of this would be infant/toddler bedding - COMPLETE sets....flat and fitted sheets, pillowcase, and quilt...which slides right into making larger quilts with matching pillow shams........

of course, I wouldn't be me if I wasn't also considering apparel as well....again, special order, with fittings required, etc. I will be conferring with Kate more on that to get the ins and outs of what is required (if she doesn't mind, that is).

So....what was a dream a year ago should be a reality by the end of this year. LOTS of work for me to get taken care of, but if it ends up working out, I will be able to stay home with my children and still be helping out with the finances WHILE doing something I completely love!!!

Thought I would share the potential good news after the bad news

Larisa

Reply to
larisavann
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You lost me when you said your DH 'announced' what you would or wouldn't do. Finances need to be a thing that couples do together. You come to agreements not declarations.

I wish you luck with your business endeavor with the suggestion that you both sit down and work through your household finances together. Money issues one of the top reasons for divorce. There are some really good books out these days and several radio shows that help with this stuff. Suze Orman and Dave Ramsey come to mind as 2 big names. YOur church might be able to help with the Ramsey debt free classes. Taria

off kilter snipped-for-privacy@somwherequiet.net wrote:

Reply to
Taria

Some of the moms around here with small children take care of 2 or 3 other children to help them with money issues. They usually do this for friends or neighbors and it is done as friends and they do not have a city license. You could check with your town to see how many you could look after before you must meet state regulations. In my town it seems like the regular nurseries stay full and it is hard for mom's with babies to find daycare. HTH Barbara in SC

"off kilter snipped-for-privacy@somwherequiet.net" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@g12g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

Reply to
Bobbie Sews More

How exciting! Don't panic about the website, it's the way to go. Most people seem to be computer literate, and checking a website is a preferred way to investigate what a business offers. Also seems to give it more legitimacy, just like having business cards and letterhead. Just don't forget to schedule some down time to recharge your batteries! Makes me feel tired just thinking about it! Roberta in D

"off kilter snipped-for-privacy@somwherequiet.net" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@g12g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

Reply to
Roberta Zollner

Wishing you all the best and nothing but success, both in your business venture and that legal nastiness.

Reply to
Debi Matlack

Larisa, I'm definitely doing the happy dance for you!! Have confidence and go on loving what you do. That will make you a success! It's wonderful to see that good things do happen to good people. :)

Hugs, Sunny

Reply to
Sunny

Oh, we do work on finances together, and together we had planned that I would be a SAHM until both children were in school full-time, at which point, I would be working during their school hours so that they never left an empty house or came home to an empty house. However, since it was HIS investment that we had to close out to pay for all the legal fees, he has a right to change his view of our finances. I have been wanting to earn money with my sewing, but hadn't thought as big as DH and our friend have been.

Finances are never truly an issue with us...he brings home the paycheck, I pay the bills and we discuss what we have leftover and the short-term and long-term goals that we have then figure out how long it will actually take to reach those goals. If I see something I want, I ask him if it's feasible, and he does the same with me...no major impulse buys are allowed - at least 1 month to think those things over.

It just came as a shock because I didn't think we had reached that point yet....with his retirement savings and other investments, I didn't see how closing one was all that big a deal, but apparently to him, it was.

Anyway, will keep everyone posted as things progress

Larisa

Reply to
larisavann

Well I say go for it and I wish you the best of luck!

Claudia

Reply to
claudia

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