You could always keep it under the table and not worry about taxes. Most likely illegal, but simpler, until you get arrested But I think it's a good idea, the sellings things part not the tax evasion part. My mom used to make and sell wreaths, she would go to craft shows and such. Maybe you should look into nearby craft shows? They might be able to answer your questions, as well as give you a venue for selling your product. In any case, I wish you well in your undertaking

I remember when I was working for the soulless software corporation, we sold a couple different small business packages that would help you start up, keep your books, and help you with your taxes as well. That was a while ago, but I bet such a thing still exists, and may be even better with the leaps in technology that have been mad since then.

oooooooooooh I wanna knitted beanie I will pay you whatever you ask...oooooooooooooooooooooooh

I would be happy to put a little capital behind this, of course I would have to take much of the profit (if you can prove to me you can eventually turn a profit).

oooooooooooh I wanna knitted beanie I will pay you whatever you ask...oooooooooooooooooooooooh

Yes my sweet, I know that you do.  Don't worry, I have one in mind for you.

I would be happy to put a little capital behind this, of course I would have to take much of the profit (if you can prove to me you can eventually turn a profit).

Thank you for the generous offer, Sir Peter, but I'm still testing the waters at the moment.  If I do it on my own and I fail, then I have no-one to blame but myself.  If I involve anyone else and I fail...well, I really din;t want to let anyone else down. 

You being the savvy businessman that you are though, I might come to you for advice from time to time....if that's okay?

 

Starting small is a good idea dear girl, if you can survive on your own, come to me and we shall have small peasants in Thailand knitting your clothing range. They will need a way to earn now that their parents have all been washed up.

We can use you as a marketing gimmick, a local housewife knitting because she loves to do it, not just for a profit. The peasants would rather buy from a 'caring' housewife than a faceless clothing company. Together we can make much money, and you shall become rather wealthy indeed.

We can use you as a marketing gimmick, a local housewife knitting because she loves to do it, not just for a profit.

Exactly.  Home grown, a cottage industry, each garment made with love.

Thanks, Sir Peter!

"Home grown, a cottage industry, each garment made with love."

And once the peasants swallow that we can move production to a cheaper foreign market and simply take in the profits, you will never have to knit again and I will have yet another business success under my large belt.

Yes my sweet

this phrase makes me feel so fuzzy....

Dharma, don't throw ebay away so quickly.  They have "Ebay stores" which basically self advertise and show up in the search engines quite well.

Starting a business isn't as hard as it seems, and taxes aren't really that scary, either.  You only pay sales tax on sales in the state that you are in.  You can file for State income tax and just be a dba (register at your county) or you can file for state taxes and set yourself up as an LLC.  Too bad you're not in Michigan or I could walk you through the whole thing.

My weekend photography business is an LLC that runs on a calendar year, so I file taxes along with my personal.  I do all the paperwork for my own business as well as work with the attorneys on the corporate books for here, so if you have any questions I can try to help.

if you have any questions I can try to help.

Oooooh, thank you!  That'd be wonderful!

I'm knitting like a fiend this week, trying to build up a nice varity of hats and stuff.  I've added some new patterns, I'm making earmuffs and headbands now as well, and I've picked up speed - I can turn out a simple beanie in 2 hours if I don't have any interruptions.

Thanks agin for the offer, I'm sure I'll be picking your brains sometime in the future!

dharma,

I am doing some hunting to see if I can find a few people who can help you where you are (Illinois, or Indiana?) I have friends who live in the south side of Chicago, the wife of whom started up a craft business oriented towards women crafters, and might be a good resource; or, in Indiana, I have cousins who may be of help to you in orienting you towards the laws there.

At any rate, I will do anything I can to help (I am working towards setting up a flea market in our town over the summer, and might be interested in purchasing products for resale; will give you more info as events develop). Please keep us updated; you have my email (the gmail one is preferred, as I am keeping that one as spam free as possible).

Gideon:

I'm in Illinois, and thank you so much for the offer of help...that would be wonderful!  My gmail address is: dharmagirl69@gmail.com ; I'm using that one as instead of yahoo now. 

I think this is a wonderful idea!  I have a friend in Texas from Mexico, and her English is very poor (we're working on it).  She makes the most amazing jewelry, but is self-conscious about her accent and therefore doesn't sell much.  So now, we're a partnership.  She makes the jewelry, I sell it.  (I'm a social butterfly, lol).   The profit I get is unlimited free earrings.  It's awesome!

I have no advice for you on your newfound business, but I would be a loyal customer.  I, too, would like a beanie.  Please email me at triny152000@yahoo.com and let me know if that would possible.

Trinitie

If I had more time, I would make a "Crafters Depot" business and sell everyone's stuff (including my own) on a consignment basis. So many ideas....so little time.  Of course, if I were to sleep only 3 hours instead of 5 a night, I'd have a bit more time......

I'll let my brain churn on some ideas, though.  You never know what it will turn up.