starting own business??? sewing or diesel?

[4x4country]

gals- i need some advice! -----LONG-----

i have always wanted to start my own some business- sell stuff on ebay-- make money on the side type other then nursing. Fiance parents own a catering business that is very popular, but want my own thing. I am very crafty adding personal touch to everything. SO I have been thinking of things I can invest in to make/sell. I know for something to sell that it needs its own unique factor. I thought about making name tags chains with beads and charms (I make a few for myself), name tag pins (read a few thread and people spend $$ on these, esp if they are personallized) (sp). Newest idea and proabably the biggest investment with good outcome --- embroidery machine, clothes and blankets. International tractor designs are hard to find unless they are custom or embroidery so I know I could start with designs like that --- only problem no clue how to sew or anything. Promised self that i would take sewing classes, a few local people offer them but they are expensive. Any ideas?

what embroidery machines are good to start with that would last a few yrs. Probably start online and move to local fairs or festivals??

Also my fiance dream job is to own a diesel performance parts shop. This is a big investment b/c he says he needs the parts in stock. This type of shop are rare in our area so they are in demand, obviously to certain type of customer. My ideas to start this was to start online, he really didnt buy that. He wants to start in town but how?? Any advice . We need to start small but he does not see that. I want to help fullfill his dream, too.

THX

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Moved to Entrepreneurs in Nursing - hopefully more responses here. :)

[RN1989]

You can find easy "how to" books to learn to sew. I learned to sew as a kid and taught my husband when we first met. Obviously you won't be a whiz when you first start, but it gets better.

There are a zillion embroidery machines on the market. Personally my favorite, that I cannot afford, is the Janome Memorycraft 11000 - it has very wide range of capabilities and a large embroidery area.

Having an embroidery machine doesn't require much sewing knowledge because the machines use the patterns and "sew" by themselves. There are more affordable machines. You can usually go to sewing stores that carry machines and will let you try them out. There are a ton of brands.

Online would definitely be the way to go to start both your business and parts business. Overhead is MUCH cheaper. And let me tell you, if you design the website right, people will find you. Living in the country, I use the internet to find nearly everything. Even going into the city, I often cannot find what I need and look to small business owners with an internet presence to ship me what I need.

The Small Business Association www.sba.gov has LOTs of online courses, etc to help you learn about starting a business and all the resources and options that are available. They also give free online seminars, inperson seminars, and counseling. Your local/state Small Business Development Center usually works in conjuction with the SBA and they are a great resource also. You can take great online business prep courses from other state's SBDC websites.

PM me if you want to talk more. Am crafty myself and there are other avenues to explore besides Ebay as well.

[HolisticNP]

I've done my share of sewing, jewelry making and other crafty things. I find it good for my spirit. I learned to sew in high school, but I know that in many areas there are great community classes through recreation centers, local colleges and even park districts. This is a great place to start, because if you are creative, you might just need some beginning basics to get you going. I kind of need some demonstration first, and then I can take off the training wheels. The how to books and website out there are helpful, also. Pattern companies have basic patterns and directions. Your local library or fabric store will have a nice selection of books. My biggest problem is focus! There are so many fun things out there to make. Sorry, but I don't know much about the emobroidery machines. I thought about it myself years ago. One good idea with regard to finding your niche are golf and tennis clubs, country clubs... They often have events and like to have shirts, towels and so on made up.

I started making rosaries and prayerbeads a year ago for family & friends when my son was in Iraq and I couldn't sleep. Now, I'm busy making them for people, so you never know what wonderful opportunities will land in your lap.

Good luck! I would to hear how you do.