How to Start a Bag Business

[@HollyOak]

You covered a lot of areas really well. One thing I'll add, when working out the cost of fabric, hardware etc that you use in the bag, add in the cost of shipping it to you. If you buy $30 of fabric and it cost $10 to ship to you, you've spent $40 getting it. Divide the $40 by however many bags it will make. Getting materials to you is a cost of doing business that needs to be covered.

[@tielewis1856]

I found your channel a few weeks ago and I literally love everything about it...... especially that you dont spend alot of time talking about unnecessary things, you get straight to the point. im kinda new into bag making and you give great information and tips... im a fan

[@ramonjason2479]

i know im randomly asking but does any of you know of a method to log back into an instagram account..? I was dumb lost the account password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me!

[@hehasrizenful]

Thank you so much for this video I am starting a bag business not knowing where to start and every thing was so help.

[@jeanettechappell1112]

Thank you for this video. I would love to start selling bags and zipper pouches, but it is all so very intimidating. I can't even decide on a brand name at this point. I love that you've helped us to know the order of things and how to cover our butts. I'd love to hear more in depth of you decide to do that. The separate bank account suggestion was also very helpful.

[@naturegirl2110]

Have you come up with a name yet?

[@ellenhofer3343]

I agree. Once I start selling things, for me it vecomes a chore, deadlines, etc. Ehat if 20 orders come in at once and you promse a 2 werk delivery I tried selling once, and it just got overwhelming.

[@LAKatKreations]

This was very helpful. I’m at the beginning stage of bagmaking for a business, and you’ve given me a lot of good information to consider!

[@Papillon_2010]

I think the cost is more than cost of material and time to make it. It, in theory, should include the cost of the pattern, the time it took you to master the pattern, lights, heat, your mortgage, cost and maintenance of your sewing machine, your expertise, value of a handmade vs commercially made item, etc. These are all the costs that a business has to take into account. Obviously, you have to deal with competitor prices but I think you definitely don't want to sell yourself short. It seems daunting to me so for now I will just keep it as a hobby! Great Video, BTW.

[@nora22000]

Papillon 2010 Yes. People who don't have a cost analysis background do well to figure out the cost of material, an hourly rate, a price per hour, add all those together--then double it. Future marketing campaigns, saving for upgraded equipment, hiring people, researching and experimenting to create new products and insurance for business interruption plus a fund for unexpected emergencies takes money, too.

[@ellenhofer3343]

I agree except charging for a pattern each time a bag is purchased. Patterns are part of the budiness and if its being used multiple times, it becomes part of your supplies, just like your machines and scissors.

[@exceptionaltalentspc4954]

At this point, I still call mine a self-sustaining business.

[@phyllisgeorge1448]

I don't make bags but I am thinking of starting a business and your insight is very helpful. Thank you for doing this video, very informative.

[@RobAndrews18]

Exactly what I need. A video from a hands on business person. One good takeaway I got is setting up a business bank account. Didn't think of this at all. Thanks! Great video!

[@daniellejones460]

Thank you so much for this video! I am new to the bag business and trying to get mine off the ground. This was extremely helpful! 🥰

[@QueenB1066]

This is some great information. I stumbled on your channel today and .I love that you get straight to the point. I'll keep watching.

[@Kate98755]

getting straight into the video is my preference

[@Dina2866]

Great, great info!! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge with us newbies! It was extremely helpful. I'm glad to know that I've been on the right path as I have done half to 3/4 of what you said. Glad to be able to piece that last 1/4 of what you said to solidify my new business venture.

[@LittleBoSleepASMR]

love your energy. thank you for taking the time

[@svingysvingy]

Thank you for freely sharing your experience and advice. It is very very helpful and clear.

[@sharonandrews4910]

Tremendously good info. Perhaps you rambled a wee bit toward the end, but you have a good speaking voice that does not annoy like some people’s do. Plus, you’re natural on camera; you do you. I like that, so I subscribed. Thanks for the input and for making me think.

[@rainierodlsc]

You covered all the bases. Excellent job. Thank you.

[@ceriacho8560]

Thank you for this video, you were great with giving the info, straight to the point. You didn't stumble on your words and gave just the facts viewers should be informed of. I like the fact that you are honest and pleasant, not everyone shares the knowledge for earning a good income, and thank you for doing so, along with others who share the skills and business knowledge with viewers. That in itself shows that you all will be a great business owners. I am a new subscriber as of now.

[@fiercekittenz]

You're welcome! I stumbled a lot more, but I deleted those takes ;)

[@delorisbledsoe2959]

Thanks for this very informative video, Everytime I catch a video of yours I have enjoyed. TFS a great video!

[@SlytigerSurvival]

Great channel. You are the only sewing channel that I’ve seen so far that helps show me the ropes

[@raymihigo1069]

It's my first time to comment on a video on KZbin. That mean am really impressed, thanks for this am pretty sure that my business will boom from what I learnt .

[@lyndahargis2495]

I loved this information. Funny thing is, I have your pattern for the messenger bag which I love btw....and I have been planning to make a few of them and I came across this video! This is very helpful information. I will be subscribing to your channel. Thank you so much for this 😊

[@thesparrowsnest8343]

Good information. Thanks for sharing.

[@cynthiacatnott9012]

Considering a bag business.Thanks for useful info.

[@staxtyjme81]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@hallucination2127]

I love the fact that you just give us everything we need to look for and all the "titles" in a plate, great inspiring and informative video 🖤

[@carnationluhman4980]

i came across this by chance. This is very informative. Thank you.

[@cherryT55555]

I appreciate this information so much. You have answered so many questions. Thank you for this tutorial

[@Kim.Artman]

Great information, thanks so much. I'm new to bag making and this advice is priceless

[@royalcoachclassics7818]

Thank you. Even though I'm new to bag making and just starting my 3rd year with Etsy, I found that I'm actually doing many things right!! Can you believe it?? LOL. But you definitely filled in some corners where I needed help. So thanks again.

[@shirleyscott4427]

Hello from Arlington Tx, I just found your station and I am a newbie with you and wanting to do the bags. Great information

[@Jana-TheCraftyGambler]

I’m a Real Estate business and I agree that you need a totally separate address than your home business. I use my offices address for my R.E. Business. But I don’t use that for anything else. A P.O. Box is a great idea.

[@Michael_Midget1808]

Thank you for that information really helpful

[@dianedecoster2092]

Thank you for everyone of your videos I’ve watched them all and it has helped me very very much I want to thank you for your help in starting a business❤

[@rrjohn5]

Great info!! Thanks!!

[@angeliabaker2760]

Thank you for the information about starting a bag business. I do make bags and wallets but only if someone asks me about one that I have made for my self and they have seen it. My son tells me to incorporate my embroidery into my bag making. I mostly do it as a hobby as well as sewing and embroidering.

[@jackiejack2031]

I agree with your son, you should go for it!

[@pristinabread]

Take a look at Crochetpreneur pricing video. She says steer away from materials x3 and explains why. She also have a pricing document she shares. Also not all items on ETSY is handmade. - They do not police it.

[@fiercekittenz]

If she's pricing based on something like Crochet and Knitting (purely assuming based on the channel name), I can TOTALLY see that. I don't have the patience to knit or crochet, so I'd probably charge an arm and a leg for anything I'd make in either craft HAHA! I remember when Etsy was all handmade :( I helped beta test it way back when they first opened the site. Such a shame.

[@AvyScottandFlower]

What a great, informative video! I wasn't expecting SO much helpful information into just one take, subbed!

[@fiercekittenz]

Twitch really prepared me to talk endlessly about a topic for hours. LITERAL HOURS :P

[@Mr_Oof5]

You're video was very helpful I thankyou as I am trying to start up my crochet bag business. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

[@sallywasinack3565]

Thank you so much for this video as well as all the rest of your bag making wisdom! I am in the process of putting together my business plan and your knowledge has been enormously helpful! You. Da. Bomb.

[@maddylopez7386]

Wow what a wonderful and informative tutorial; thank you so much. You covered every topic we all have wondered at one point when contemplating a start up LLC business. Thank you very much 🙏🏼

[@ceciliaohman185]

Thanks for this video. It gives me confidence to know that some of the things I have been doing to start a bag business are in line with what you are saying! You have a great deal of experience to share and I appreciate it very much! A few examples of things I've gotten right so far include the packaging and starting with just a few patterns ( I knew immediately I'd be overwhelmed with patterns that I liked so I knew I had to narrow it down to four or five patterns only and surprisingly was able to do that! ) Also the tips you gave about the marketplace whether it be online or face to face, my ideas and thoughts have lined up with those as well. It's great to know that I'm on the right track because I really want to do this but I don't want to go crazy! LOL Finally the points about profit margin and making sure that I get paid and I'm not losing money on my work or materials invested is extremely important. I need to figure out how to do the calculation on a spreadsheet. I'm wondering if you do consulting. Thanks again for this excellent video! The initials of your business are hilarious! I imagine on a license plate looks great haha. The name of my business coincides with my first and last initial which was not planned! So that's kind of exciting in a simple way. Also with a huge community of sewists, seamstresses and quilters, Im glad to find the niche as a bag maker!

[@sandieshort2531]

Thank you so much for all this information it is so helpful to me right now.

[@kimwright8009]

Incredibly helpful, thank you!

[@jkat6880]

Thanks!

[@fiercekittenz]

Wow! Thank YOU!!!

[@cheryldavis2655]

Excellent info/tips. I plan to start a crochet doll business very soon and your info is truly helpful. Thanks

[@cheryldavis2655]

I have a few questions... When opening a business based out of your home, do you have a business address, lets say, as a P.O.Box at postal USPS or UPS store or do you use my house address? I don't plan on sharing my address on business cards, social sites, web page or should I, if I'm planning on using ETSY, FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM to drive my business activities? Thanks.

[@mycozygardencottage]

Thank you for bringing this subject down to earth. You make me feel like I can do it. :)

[@maryquinn9189]

Hi I found you just by luck love watching your vlogs. You are one of my favourites now. Thank you for your informative info very much appreciated.

[@fiercekittenz]

Thank you!!

[@BrightAsAButton]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience and knowledge.

[@misstorresivette]

Very informative!!! Thanks for sharing.

[@laurawieking]

This was incredibly helpful, thank you!! Love all your practical and open sharing!

[@fiercekittenz]

You're very welcome! I was worried about this video being too long >_< but I figured people would rather have me spill my heart out than to cut out some helpful info.

[@Lana.Created]

Actually as someone in supply chain as a day job. The fault lies with the shipper if it's lost. It's up to you to file the claim. Fedex/Ups won't even talk to the customer. They just tell them to talk to the shipped. On average it takes 30 days to process a claim, right now in the time of covid it's 45 - 60 days. But thank you for all the other information. ❤️

[@fiercekittenz]

Thanks for the clarification!

[@GypsiesandInk]

I think it depends on the shipper. I had purchased some items from Tandy Leather and they utilized UPS for shipping. They mis-delivered my package 2x and Tandy made me file the claim with UPS both times. Super frustrating to say the least.

[@Lana.Created]

@@GypsiesandInk I'm surprised UPS worked with you. They normally make the reciever work with the shipper not the carrier. Shame on Tandy.

[@GypsiesandInk]

@@Lana.Created They didn't work with me, they refunded Tandy. Tandy had to send me the replacement package twice. I had to work with their corporate office to get my items replaced because the local store kept shipping incorrectly and they were being jerks about their problem. It was so frustrating.

[@Lana.Created]

@@GypsiesandInk and this is exactly why the shipper is supposed to work with the carrier. They are the ones who pay for the insurance. Soooo dumb and I'm sorry you had to go through that. This is part of the service you are paying for when you pay for shipping. And if it's "free shipping" it's really not. They added the cost into the price of the item.

[@cleopatrasterling-colquhou9123]

I find your video absolutely helpful. I thank you so much for your experience and knowledge.. much ❤ 😍 from Jamaica 🇯🇲...

[@yutubl]

Do you also offer diaper bag or diaper bag packs or a baby sling (bag pack to carry a baby) ? I think those special bags and bag packs are also a nice market for hand crafted bags or bag packs. As a father of 3 children I've had expierience using a baby sling and a much easier to handle baby bag pack for carrying the baby. When grew up to an already on their own walking small children, we carried a diaper bag pack which was a normal sized bag pack (bottle side pouch, main compartement for childrens food, clothes and hygiene things) with a foldable sheet as baby changing pad to lay down the baby when diaper or replacing its pampers. For bicycling parents a hook to hook the bag pack at the bicycle would also make a difference when choosing a baby diaper bag pack.

[@Noskipstitch]

I'm very grateful for this video, Thank you so much. Only 8 minutes into the video and already so many great tips...amazing. Great job 👏 Thank you again 💗 Stay safe

[@oceanbreeze6113]

Thank you so much for this video. I love your presentation! This is exactly what I needed to get my small business off the ground. You didn't touch on discounts! Do you give discounts to repeat customers, bulk orders and family and friends? I'm just starting my business and I'm giving items as gifts to friends and family.

[@nora22000]

Ocean Breeze Samples are different than discounts. A really cute key fob makes a great sample, and it can be done in the hoop. Discounts are a way to go out of business, unless you're charging 4x the amount of materials plus hourly rate, then discounting 5% on rare occasions.

[@margaretizzard445]

Thank you your information can be applied to any business. Great video

[@fiercekittenz]

It can! Though to be fair, there are some crafts that simply don't work well with the simplified "3x material cost" rules. Knitting and crochet are two biiiig examples of this.

[@edithdaodu5932]

Thanks alot 🙏 I heard you say reputation that we should try as possible to protect our reputation

[@sharissebrooks3202]

The best video EVER!!

[@lizbee726]

Am a bag lady from way back but don't sell them just make for friends & family. Good info for those wishing to set up a business though. Thanks! 🙏👍👌

[@lilianbarros9845]

Fantastic video! I’m an intermediate bag maker if that makes sense 😅 but I have to say, if I add up the time I spend cutting the fabric my bags will cost 800€!! It’s soooo time consuming!!! Thanks for your help ❤

[@katkerz70]

Thanks for this valuable info!! You made me LOL with the license plate faux pas 😂

[@fiercekittenz]

I've had to resist the urge to change my brand name for the past 8 years. Every time I think about it, I consider how hard it would be to change EVERYTHING like the domain, business registration, bag tags, etc.

[@nikkid1814]

Great video, very informative. Thank you.

[@wyndstar2000]

totally late to the party but thanks so much for this video! I still haven't registered my business because I still consider it a hobby but... I think registering is a fantastic idea and will probably help motivate me to make more of a go at it. I did finally create a new bank account that has zero dollars cause I still spend way more on supplies than I get for profit.... lol

[@tammystiletto]

You can easily set up an Etsy even if it’s a hobby, and you can pick how long customers are to expect a product. Like I give myself a two week period to make a pair of shoes, and the customer can see that. I think they call it made to order or made upon order. It doesn’t scare customers away, and if they are looking for a last minute gift they can ask you if you can rush a product. I look at my Etsy as a seasonal thing, it’s popular with holidays and certain seasons when school plays/theater are running. So it’s like a side hobby or side hustle 💁🏼‍♀️ I’ll add other products on the side if I feel like I want to be creative some other way.

[@Dria121960]

Thanks for your wealth of information ❤

[@peggybachler5952]

My daughter has her own business doing sort of the same thing and it’s fun for her and she does pretty good with her sales.

[@RogueStitches]

I can attest to the shop website being a more nuclear option. I had mine up for 1 year after leaving Etsy. My website is now closed. I just wasn't getting enough exposure to make enough sales to even cover the $400+ a year that the website cost. 10/10 do not recommend when starting out. As to recycling boxes! I do that too. I even made a sticker that says "We recycle packaging materials!"

[@fiercekittenz]

That’s right! Yeah totally the nuclear option. Love the sticker idea!

[@KM-yw2yb]

Tremendous help. Thank you 🙏🏿

[@fiercekittenz]

You're welcome!

[@craigharlow2271]

Thank You, you really answered so many questions I’ve had. BTW your designs are beautiful.

[@aprildamski8365]

Thank you somuch for this video! So helpful!

[@melissadix2097]

I also just found your channel a few days ago. I am considering starting my own sewing business. This video was perfect. I the video you mentioned a spread sheet to help you with pricing. Can I ask is that something you purchased or made yourself!

[@fiercekittenz]

I made it myself, and when I did the video it sounded like a good idea to share, then I realized that it was too specific to my business, market, and suppliers. I've actually been thinking of writing a very quick web app/calculator to help people track their suppliers and manage sewing resources. Not sure if it's desirable or not though!

[@melissadix2097]

@@fiercekittenz a friend and I are both considering sewing businesses. So for us it would be great.

[@joanalfred1390]

Thank you for sharing.👊🏾

[@daniellepierson8821]

Thank you for this video and your honesty

[@noraarmstrong]

There I already subscribed to your channel. Honestly, I love everything about it. And how open and straight forward you are. Very interesting and informative videos you are sharing every time. Thank you so much! BTW I just started my channel on making bag tutorials, about four months ago. I’m not selling them. But after watching this video, now I am thinking about selling some day… maybe 😊

[@tennesseegirl5539]

Great tips!

[@Purple_Lady71]

Absolutely the video I needed to watch. I currently only make bags for friends and family but they all say I need to expand. The thought terrifies me! Your video answers questions I haven't even thought of. Thanks for taking the time and sharing.

[@mrj2526]

2:55 greatest marketing strategy

[@seattleigirl]

Thanks for the great video! Super informative as I am getting started. Question: What do you use for your NAICS code? Manufacturer? Or Retailer? and do you spend the time to get your fabric and findings tax free from your vendors?

[@LesleyDT6227]

All good info but would love to know about the machines I can see behind you - any info on those?

[@fiercekittenz]

Sorry for the delayed response. So the big one on a stand is a Brother single-needle dedicated embroidery machine. I now have a 10-needle Brother PR1055X - pricey, but highly recommend if you love embroidery! I LOATHE changing thread. The other is a Janome M7 Continental. I primarily use that one for clothing, lightweight fabrics, or smaller items that don't require industrial power.

[@flaviaroman3204]

Thank you very much for this very informative and well said and clear information, I do make bags and I sell them but I really under priced them. you has opened my eyes to a lot of stuff... I'm a little bit intimidated though. thank you so much, God bless you.

[@brendamartinez3068]

Great information, thank you for taking the time to offer us this information.

[@luisaalfani8588]

Very helpful thank you! Waiting for some more

[@stellaaustria6421]

Thank you for the video❤👍

[@Jaded6911]

Very informative and much needed. Do you allow your customers to send you fabric for custom orders or do you allow them to buy all the items for the custom order?

[@fiercekittenz]

I do!

[@jeanettechappell1112]

@@fiercekittenz I would love to know how you charge for that scenario. Do you simply knock down the cost by your average fabric cost or since it's a custom order, is the charge the same still?

[@fiercekittenz]

@@jeanettechappell1112 I knock down the price based on how much fabric they sent me. Sometimes a customer wants something from a very specific line and we can't find it anywhere locally, so they grab it at Joanns and ship to me.

[@debravanzant1962]

I’m wondering if you’d be interested in doing a more in-depth pricing video that showcases your spreadsheet

[@hollyward549]

Great information 👍 👌

[@geridine1]

Your videos are Great! VERY informative and to the point! You cover all aspects and points I haven't thought about. I have been watching your videos for about 3 months now and have learned so much from you. You are very professional and knowledgeable! Off the course a little, what kind of light is that attached to your desk? I need more light in the room I sew and have not found one that give off enough light. Or can you suggest any? Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge with everyone!

[@ohthatnicki4162]

Great information! You answered so many of my questions! I'm currently in the process of starting my own bag business but the process is going slowly due to lack of capitol funds. 😕 But I have my name and logo! I've looked into Etsy and all of the fees...fees suck. But I'll probably have to go the Etsy route to start off. Can you talk more about invoicing and shipping? Like, the whole process and/or systems you've used? That would be super!

[@fiercekittenz]

I used Etsy for their invoicing and shipping in the past. It's integrated well with PayPal (or was at the time?). Now I use Shopify for my shop site (shop.fiercekitten.com) and it is fabulous! It's so easy to handle shipping. Invoicing for a custom order I still do through Paypal directly but that's only because I don't take on as many of those as I used to.

[@ohthatnicki4162]

@@fiercekittenz so, just starting out, you would recommend Etsy over Shopify?

[@fiercekittenz]

@@ohthatnicki4162 DEFINITELY Etsy if you're just starting out. Don't go for the nuclear option with Shopify if you are new. You'll need the discoverability that Etsy offers.

[@AcapRoseknightDrummer]

Yo! Thanks for sharing all these juicy infos! I'm starting a business making handmade leather wallets. Your video appeared on my recommendations so it's definitely a sign for me to watch it right? haha That's a lot of insights for me to digest. Really appreciate it FKS 😉😉

[@bethserran]

Great advise!! Well organized material. Thank you!! Where did you order your business logo tag?

[@fiercekittenz]

Topwin on Alibaba! They even have my tag listed as an example.

[@paulinebennett-tamati3556]

Another great video - thank you. It was definitely helpful and I got so much from it.

[@FleurdeLinda.Stitches]

Thank you for this. So generous and very informative.

[@GypsiesandInk]

Very helpful video tfs. I have a few questions in regards to shipping labels. How exactly are you printing your shipping labels/return labels? Do you have an account set up with the shipper? And then you print from home?

[@fiercekittenz]

I use my Shopify e-commerce solution to make and print labels. I print them normally on paper and slip them into little clear envelopes with tape backing. Sped up the packing process quite a bit!

[@GypsiesandInk]

@@fiercekittenz Thank you for your response. I currently don't have shopify, I did but don't now, I have an Etsy shop. I will go into usps and see about their options for labeling/mailing etc.

[@maggiewilson1601]

That was a lot of information! Thank you so much, I am rethinking my future plans post retirement. Maybe I’ll just make for myself and gifts. 🤣

[@debl1020]

You're fun to listen to! Thank you for the great info!

[@muhammeddimmamawejje1680]

Is there a possibility of getting a template of a bag business according to your experience please?!

[@MindfullyMindy]

This was great! Thank you.

[@Denise11Schultz]

Hi, I’m a new viewer, thank you for thorough start-up info. For future questions: I am very comfortable and experienced with in-person sales, but don’t have the stamina now. I am disabled and have to stay away from screens as much as possible. Any suggestions for a different model? I would like to hire someone to do ads, and sales and fulfillment via Shopify. I figure it would be a big %, but it looks like a good fit. Do you know of anyone else in the bag-making community who has a similar situation? I’m looking forward to more videos on these business subjects. P.S. very glad to get your recommendation for the heat press. I blew out my elbow trying too hard, and that heat press looks like a really good upgrade from my iron. 👌

[@belenasturgill4303]

I love your video and how you talked about the steps for beginning. Do you show videos on making the bags? I will be looking forward to more of your videos. Thankyou

[@fiercekittenz]

I do, but they are longer videos to make. I have to plan out a whole Saturday or Sunday to record.

[@pgreene62]

Very good information. Thank you 🌺

[@bsbncandey]

Thank you so much for this! This was so helpful!

[@odusanyaiyanuoluwa2099]

Hi, I like your videos but if you can make a video on particular machines used for bags, their uses and basic information we need to know about them,I'll really appreciate! I'll add, the tools you use for bag making too.. thanks I'm advance