Mooloo's little tapestry of life, 2016

dktreesea

Could you maybe do a bit of both, possibly open the shop with reduced hours, say, Tuesday to Saturday, and then if people need fittings or to pick things up after work, they could come to the house by prior arrangement, i.e. they would need to make an appointment?


There's a lot to be said about enjoying your life now rather than fretting about the longer term picture. Our fishmonger, who sells expensive fish that tastes wonderful (so it should at his prices), is closing this Friday until Jan the 23rd. He's also off to warmer climes. At least you are doing something similar, taking time out to go on holiday.


My Mum, who isn't nearly as supportive as yours sounds, bangs on about when we had two houses and were "better off". My first thought on the houses was "thank goodness for that". There was always something that "needed doing". If I want to see some lawn the Botanical Gardens is just up the road.

dktreesea

Slinky wrote: »

I think you need to be realistic about selling your 'business', when you would need to sell it to somebody with sewing skills as otherwise there is no business. What's stopping them just setting up their own business without paying you a premium for it? It's hard when the owner IS the business to realise a value from it. I have the same issue with my own business.

We couldn't sell our business now because it's run from home, but when we had premises, we did have a couple of customers asking us how much it would take to set up a business like ours and would we be interested in selling it.


There does seem to be a market for sewing alterations shops. For example:
http://www.daltonsbusiness.com/clothing-alterations-for-sale/clothing-alteration-repair-sewing-servic-manchester-greater-manchester-uk/408864
Plus location is everything. Mooloo's location is great.


Setting up a bricks and mortar shop from scratch is just so hard. I can understand why people would buy an established business instead. People are paying to be able to walk into their newly acquired shop and have revenue from the first day because the shop already has an established clientele.

Slinky

dktreesea wrote: »

We couldn't sell our business now because it's run from home, but when we had premises, we did have a couple of customers asking us how much it would take to set up a business like ours and would we be interested in selling it.


There does seem to be a market for sewing alterations shops. For example:
http://www.daltonsbusiness.com/clothing-alterations-for-sale/clothing-alteration-repair-sewing-servic-manchester-greater-manchester-uk/408864
Plus location is everything. Mooloo's location is great.


Setting up a bricks and mortar shop from scratch is just so hard. I can understand why people would buy an established business instead. People are paying to be able to walk into their newly acquired shop and have revenue from the first day because the shop already has an established clientele.

Oh yes I agree that it's hard just setting up from scratch, but Mooloo will need to find a buyer who has sewing skills as there aren't staff who are capable of generating revenue other than herself, so the market will be limited, which is frustrating but true.

*max*

Slinky wrote: »

I think you need to be realistic about selling your 'business', when you would need to sell it to somebody with sewing skills as otherwise there is no business. What's stopping them just setting up their own business without paying you a premium for it? It's hard when the owner IS the business to realise a value from it. I have the same issue with my own business.

Yes. I am absolutely no expert, but wouldn't potential buyers look at the profit realised before even thinking of buying?

In Mooloo's case, there doesn't seem to be any profit made from the business. All the money made is put straight back into it in the form of staff pay/rent/materials, etc.

I don't think she has made any sort of viable income out of it in the few years it's been going. So why would anyone buy it? Just being realistic.

Savvy_sewing

The business has now bought all the equipment it needs, from large embroidery machine, industrial sewing machines, shop fittings and some 12 machines and 2 overlockers, a cover stitch and a blind hem machine.
I no longer need to buy such items, certainly not for several years.
I am now taking home £100 a week, and so actually the shop is now showing a profit this year of £13,000. The reason I don't have that cash is because it wipes out the previous two years decefits ( spelling).
So there would be a viable business to sell.
If the staff is replaced with a sewer, and there is a little more investment in advertising and better use of the workshop etc.
Personally I just don't think my personal life is worth sacrificing for it, at the moment.
my Mum and Dgd need more of my time so the shop gets less.
I could expand the staffing levels and invest more money etc, but it would mean several years of hard work and little return if I continue to invest.
I am just not sure that I am able to do it as I am exhausted.

Savvy_sewing

Road rage!! Well drive rage.
Inconsiderate huge Range Rover type vehicle parking over my driveway as I got home tonight. I have not had a good day, I just want to get my car on my driveway. Personally I don't care if you want to pop to the doctor and your too stupid a driver to be able to use the car park provided. I ended up causing a traffic jam waiting to get on the drive!
Feeling very very stressed and barrrrr humbug!!!!
I need wine, music and a goo book NOW!!!!

dktreesea

Mooloo wrote: »

The business has now bought all the equipment it needs, from large embroidery machine, industrial sewing machines, shop fittings and some 12 machines and 2 overlockers, a cover stitch and a blind hem machine.
I no longer need to buy such items, certainly not for several years.
I am now taking home £100 a week, and so actually the shop is now showing a profit this year of £13,000. The reason I don't have that cash is because it wipes out the previous two years decefits ( spelling).
So there would be a viable business to sell.
If the staff is replaced with a sewer, and there is a little more investment in advertising and better use of the workshop etc.
Personally I just don't think my personal life is worth sacrificing for it, at the moment.
my Mum and Dgd need more of my time so the shop gets less.
I could expand the staffing levels and invest more money etc, but it would mean several years of hard work and little return if I continue to invest.
I am just not sure that I am able to do it as I am exhausted.

Do you need to invest any more? You have your machines now, presumably paid for by the business.


Would you consider a four day week going forward if you decide to keep the business? Business is all about pacing yourself. And having premises that you can close the door on, and hopefully train yourself to get out of work mode the moment you leave the shop, - well, that's one aspect of having premises that I definitely miss.


One way of valuing a business is a multiple of profits. Plus you get to sell the equipment at valuation on top of the sale of the business. And sure, someone who was interested in your business would likely be passionate about sewing and want to go into business for themselves.

Savvy_sewing

I can't think about it anymore at the moment.
I am just struggling to focus on anything at the moment.
I had the day off yesterday and unfortunately so did the ex, so it was a day of fruitless texting between us.
I tried to get some sleep after I had seen my Mum, and after the school pick up I just sat and read my book until I had finished it.
I did nothing of the jobs on my list.
My Sister goes back to France tomorrow and leaves Mum's today.
I have promised Mum I will get over with the suitcase etc on Sunday
Just made my usual cup of tea beside the bed and the milk has gone off.
I better get up and go start again then.
I am an emotional wreck and have got to just deal with the work load I have in to do and try not to get into another day of pointless communication with ex.

thorsoak

Mooloo - your ex is that - an ex! Stop messaging him, block his messages to you and leave him in the past, love!

Death by a hundred cuts is far more painful than a clean cut-off xxxxxx

Concentrate on finalising orders in your PROFITABLE shop, on getting DGD to her mum's, to handing out the Christmas presents to the rest of the family, on your forthcoming holiday - and let the rest go hang!

It will still be there when you come home - and you can look at things with a clearer view then. In the meantime - B-R-E-A-T-H-E!!! xxxx

greenbee

thorsoak is right Mooloo. Block his number too. You need to have some time with no contact at all to allow yourself space from the relationship.