Marketing is my gift and I only realised that when I opened my shop. I started with Facebook by having a well written post and plopping down a budget of 75 bucks that is charged by number of contacts. But that is not all, a shop web site that is smartphone optimized and then finally ensure good keywords are properly tagged on your website. Where you live "Upholstery Shop" may not be the first entry into a search engine. Be glad to help on any level of the subject. i had done upholstery on the side for several years after I retired from the Navy. My day job was offshore, I hated it. But it paid vulgar money. However, I eventually ended up in rehab and the day I walked out I did two things: I got my cell phone and told my boss that although there were some high points in helping you build your dream, it's your dream, not mine. I turned to my bride and said, "both feet?" Ok here comes the advice, and some brothers and sisters in this forum will agree: It's not your imagination, the only customers that ever give you grief are all from the same zip code. Want to take on an apprentice, brace yourself: they are on disability and want you to pay cash, ever seen a drug withdrawal enduced seizure at the sewing machine (not in my shop but a friend's across the lake. Or my favorite, "Do all these staples have to come out."

Deadlines. They may forkover 2000 bucks as a deposit with starry looks in their eyes while you explained the details of the project, they heard one thing: "We should be done by next Friday." Welcome to one of the loneliest to area on the planet, at first set one day a week as a day to get to know your market. And get out there and press business cards into people's hands. Anybody you see associated with upholstery, lady getting out of a car with a saggy headliner or torn upholstery. The staff at a yacht club, thrift shops, leave your cards. Important never down a car no matter what condition it is in. Say something like, "Your not the original owner, you know your cars, she's in good shape." Avoid or at least be forewarned, people that insist on acquiring the fabric themselves, calls for a quote and does not make an appointment but calls every other day comparing your price to someone elses oh and to gauge a client, when they call for a ballpark price on something, think of the most extravagant price, double it and drop it in them, you either hear a hang up or the person say, "When can I bring it in." Even in a rural area, they can't buy you at Wal-Mart now can they. Oh most helpfull for me, the people that move around a rural area are law enforcement and fire services, I see patches on their new shirts or fix their web gear for free. Why do I do that? A wise man told me in rehab, "If a business owner focuses on servicing his/her communities needs, he/she will be taken care of."

Guess I spoiled myself. I've been in a few shops and most machines I see are as old as 70 years. The day I turned from hobbiest to business owner, I powered up a brand new servo driven Juki DNU-1541. So easy to use, very smooth operation and the tensioning system keeps a steady strain with no drift at all. So far, i guess I'm a juki man, looking at thier LU-1510N Top Stitcher