EMBROIDERY BUSINESS Q & A | Running an Embroidery Business | Custom Apparel Business Questions

[@shouldbefine55]

I wanted to thank you for spreading the word on using 65/9 needles. I discovered this trick last year and use them on just about anything.

[@KaylaKrische]

No problem! I'm always surprised how many people are shocked when I say 65/9.

[@drinaceballos8888]

Loved the video! Thank you for sharing. I'm working on a corporate exit strategy. I'm no longer interested in climbing the corporate ladder and would very much prefer to work for myself. I have a flatbed Janome and I've been practicing. I'll be converting my garage into my shop. Saving up for a Bai. Excited!

[@KaylaKrische]

That's great!!! Hoping so badly to convert my garage this year.

[@ponchotj1904]

Yeah, I know what you mean, it's hard! I'm new to embrodeiry so I don't know if I am ready to do customs designs, it makes me feel nervous! Another thing that I am planning is to do Arts and Crafts fairs to see if I have better luck there:) Thank you for all your tips!

[@KaylaKrische]

I find custom designs easier! I just take the customers logo, get it digitized, and stitch it out. No running the rat race of trying to stand out with the same Etsy designs as everyone else :)

[@roosgramma9125]

Thank you for answering my question. I will be changing my policy to include payment in full.

[@KaylaKrische]

You're welcome! Yes, definitely don't take the chance of a non paying customer.

[@RCUDesignsLLC]

I’m attending Decosummit.

[@KaylaKrische]

Yay!!!! Hope to meet you!

[@thecraftypuertorican]

I'll see you at Deco Summit!😊

[@KaylaKrische]

Can't wait!!!

[@missthready]

I would love to be a full service shop! But first I need a cap press and a decent cutter!

[@KaylaKrische]

The Grapthec cutters from Heat Press nation start at a decent price! Honestly, I still just have a Cricut for a cutter. I barely use it, but that's what I have lol I do have a vevor hat press from amazon, but I'm learning more about how important that lower heat platent is for adhering leather patches. The Hotronix IQ from Stahls is PRICEY, but seems to be the best on the market. That's what I'm currently saving up for.

[@missthready]

@@KaylaKrische all my extra funds are going into savings for the the Stahls cap press.

[@TrinityWon-j3m]

What is the best method of excepting payment from customers and which is the preferred method of shipping to customers? ❤

[@KaylaKrische]

I do all payments through quickbooks. Shipping is a hard one, all my customers are local so that's not something I have to deal with. When I do have to ship something, I always get my labels through pirate ship.com. It's cheaper than the post office.

[@TrinityWon-j3m]

@@KaylaKrische Thx Kayla! I’m not sure what quickbooks is, but will check in to it. 🤔🤓🥰

[@matc6320]

Good video! What are you using to keep track of sales?

[@KaylaKrische]

Thank you! I send all invoices through Quickbooks! I love having everything in one place. I know a lot of people use Square though.

[@xlrationmarine]

When I started looking at embroidery machines I spent hours watching KZbin videos. Weeding through the paid promotions reviews. I had my eye on the 850 because of the movable hoop. My searching went on, Husqvarna, holy cow!!! Night sights kept going up, bigger brother on a stand, next multi needle. Ended up with a Happy Japan. A $500.00 machine turned into thousands of dollars.

[@KaylaKrische]

They get expensive that's for sure! Both of my machines total $25,000

[@christensmith5454]

What silk screen printing machines are you looking in to?

[@KaylaKrische]

I really want the Riley Hopkins 360.

[@miladyx5613]

Hi Kayla! I had a question. Since you are working out of your house, do you have people come to your home to pick up/drop off, or do you ship/deliver only? How do you set that dynamic?

[@KaylaKrische]

Great question! Sometimes I do have people come to my house but only if I personally know them somehow. i.e., actually know them or they're a friend of a friend. I live in a small town so that's pretty easy. If it's someone I don't know, I meet them in town somewhere. I know it's not as "professional", but that's just the nature of not having a storefront and most people don't care. Also, I live on the outskirts of my town and often times people don't want to drive all the way out here so 9/10 times we just meet in town. Walmart parking lot, Tractor Supply parking lot, etc.

[@miladyx5613]

Thank you for answering! I also live in a small town, and I am trying to figure out if it’s okay to just ship everything rather than meet them somewhere. (I haven’t started yet but I am planning on how I will be doing the business) Knowing that you meet people in town makes me feel more confident that I can do that too lol

[@KaylaKrische]

@@miladyx5613 you can absolutely ship! It's hard to know what to charge for shipping though if you don't know how big of a box you'll need and how much it will weigh. Some people might be put off by a shipping charge when they're in the same town. I've had people who live 30-60 minutes away in neighboring towns offer to drive all the way to me so they didn't have to pay for shipping 😂

[@lyndahargis2495]

Hi Kayla, new subscriber here. I have the same machine Ricoma TC1501. Have you had the tie off or start and stop thread at the top not fully cut ? It’s not always, but sometimes I will have a bunch of strings on the top. It’s almost like the blade is not fully cutting or it cuts way late and leaves a long tail. I need to call Ricoma but wondered if you can provide any advice on that. Love your energy. Thank you

[@KaylaKrische]

@@lyndahargis2495 hi Lynda! Thanks for subscribing! Mine does that too. I've heard there's a setting for it and I've been meaning to call Ricoma too but I just haven't yet.

[@lyndahargis2495]

@@KaylaKrische thanks for responding. Ok I need to call Ricoma , it drives me nuts LOL

[@ponchotj1904]

Hi, Kayla! My name is Nisey and I have en Etsy store. I learned from this video that you're not on Etsy anymore. I opened my store more than a month ago and so far, crickets!! Could you help me figure it out what I need to do or what am I doing wrong? I have spent so much money on buying shirts, embroidery designs, a baby lock machine that I will be paying for 4 years, packaging supplies, etc. I still have a full time job but my goals is to be my own boss someday. Love your personality and videos!!

[@KaylaKrische]

Hi Nisey! Thanks for being here and for the kind words. Etsy is definitely a hard game to play! You really really have to have your pictures and descriptions dialed in to perfection. If you're doing the same stock designs AND same mockups as a bunch of other shops, it's going to be really hard to stand out. I would come up with your own spin on those designs and make sure your pictures stand out. I've heard TikTok shops is a good way to drive traffic, but I've never used it myself. I much prefer the custom market where I make items for other businesses instead of the same design as a million others on Etsy.

[@raquelcota1537]

Hi, thank you for this video. I recently purchased a used Ricoma TC1501 and still learning. I tried using your link to amazon for embroidery thread but the link just takes me to the Amazon website. Can you please share what bobbin you use?

[@KaylaKrische]

Sorry about that! I need to go through those and update them. I use these bobbins from allstitch. I think the link to the bobbins i use to have were for the PE800. Here's for the TC. allstitch.com/products/coats-v15-trusew-embroidery-bobbins-size-l-white-1223?ref=gyexojix

[@raquelcota1537]

@@KaylaKrischethank you so much for responding 😊🙏🏼

[@298hicks]

Hi. Thanks for the video. Question - How do you take custom orders? Do you take them through a website or a different way? I also do custom orders and take my orders through IG or word of mouth but want to improve my process. Also, what program do you use for your invoices? Thinks in advance

[@KaylaKrische]

I actually just did a video on taking custom orders. Here's a link! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3PUpp9mib12f9Usi=CSh1mbj6cbSs2Xm8 I am working on my website though to stream line everything. Right now it's mostly just they email me and then I send them an invoice through quickbooks.

[@298hicks]

@@KaylaKrische thank you! I believe I watched that video but will check it out. Thanks again!

[@lindalidstone2399]

Thank you for the info on the 65/9 needle! I used it for the first time with 60 weight thread on fine detail, do you use the 40 weight or 60 weight thread?

[@KaylaKrische]

I use both weights! It just depends on what I'm stitching out. Most of the time I use 40, but use 60 for small lettering and fine details just like you said.