Things to Know Before You Begin

[@livingbeasts]

I rarely see any advice out there for making a good fursuit business. I feel like this series is going to be very helpful, thank you! :>

[@sourfrog4263]

Yea

[@pinklemonade6386]

Thank you for this help I'm about to start up my business in a month this totally helped thank you 💕

[@emmylewolf293]

Thanks, I wanna start a hobby in fursuit making while I'm young so that when I'm an adult I can actually be good at it and I'm currently saving up for the materials. This was helpful, thanks!

[@justaperson4656]

I'm 16, which is an adult in my country, but I have just made my first head. Thankfully, I have experience in sewing/patterning and sculpting, so it's decent for a first head. I do have a TON of leftovers in terms of foam, buckram, and fleece, but fur (at least the main colour) isn't something I have excess of at the moment, so do keep that in mind when you make your head(s) :D

[@freckledcatcreations]

Hey elk! I think the video was great! I do think it is really important to cover the tax obligations and Terms of service though!! I hope this is gonna be in a future video.

[@CocoasArt]

Ok so if I don't want fursuit making as a business it is ok to have it like a side job Like opening commissions only once in a while?

[@reindeerxtrash68]

Definitely I have a part time job at the moment and I take art commissions too just know the rules before you have to start treating it like a serious thing

[@CocoasArt]

@@reindeerxtrash68 ok thank you

[@frostypaws4897]

Thank you for making this video, it's really helpful to know what to expect/what I need to start my business! In a future video could you cover Terms of Service and what they need to include to avoid any issues with clients? I'm not quite sure where to start with mine.

[@dexyswulfyroo44]

I soo understand the fur suit voice part. I made a head of my sona when I was probably 17, then later when I was able to get new materials and focus a bit more on it to make another I was probably about 19-20. The first looked fine in my opinion, it's just it had a goofy happy type of face. My new one is a bit more sinister looking, which I'm realizing is what I'm wanting. It's like comparing a starter Don't Hug Cacti head to a starter that may have come from Beauty of the Bass or maybe Albino Topaz.

[@dexyswulfyroo44]

Funny thing about my second head that it has that insane sinister grin like Beauty does, but I didn't even know anything about her when I was making the base. I didn't realize it until I finished most of the furring.

[@yamaguchisyams7813]

I started one and people always asked me for heads for like 10 bucks PLUS paws smh

[@opossumontheinternet9864]

Wow, i've never been this early. Also, your fursuits are amazing!

[@realtracosplay]

I’ve had a briskness running since 2015 ish, and the falling behind tip is super important. Make sure you can handle anything that comes up. I was on top of my commissions but early this year I broke my wrist and now my Clients are backed all the way through November. I feel terrible but I was unable to work for two months due to my surgery.

[@akushibluepawscreations]

I made a premade suit (my 3rd) to get rid of older, mid quality fur. Therefore it was pretty low priced for a mini partial, but I got some money for new material and someone now has a nice fursuit for relatively little money ^^ 💙 Also I’m currently working on a commission for a friend, but I’m not planning to make it a business until I finished school ✨

[@krevduhy]

About the material and costs of better fur, foam, etc. - Your clients will pay for it, because that how this works. Your prices should not be lower than cost of material. If you are just starting, your prices could be like this: Cost of material + half of the time that you will spend on that fursuit or at least some hours. I am sorry for my English, I am not native speaker, but I tried my best.

[@dexyswulfyroo44]

I follow you on Instagram and I've seen the art and suits, but I just now am seeing your videos here and I just love the way you make them. What gets me the most is the puffy fluffy face. 😸 I fucking love it, especially for this character.

[@skoopy4090]

I love your fursuit :3

[@mindfulpawsitivity]

Ah thank you! I just recently started setting up my prices for commissions and it means a lot that you are giving advice for this.

[@wolfgamer2028]

Im almost done with time first head. I think I nailed the expression almost perfectly for my first time, I did notice some technical errors that i can fix next time though. After im done with this one my friend wanted me to make theirs so at least I know what i need to differently.

[@MOTHHMAN]

Brooo I've been thinking about making a business when I get good at fursuit making, so thank you for making this! I can't wait for the next episodes in this series. 💕

[@RayngoMango]

I plan to sell pre-made mini partials, but most of the first suits I’m planning to make are personal ones. And that seems to be a better choice than just selling my first ones lol.

[@UnboxingAlyss]

Yet another awesome vid! To be quite honest, I appreciate your more mature approach in your videos, particularly regarding topics like this. I've seen WAY too many furs that want to start selling art, or suits, but clearly don't know the first thing about running a business. It's a lot more than taking people's money and drawing. There is a lot to juggle and it's extremely important that people understand this. The biggest mistake I generally see is people taking on more orders than they can handle, which leads to falling behind and pissed off customers. It's extremely difficult salvaging a reputation after that. :-/ I've never had much of a business, but as a 33-year-old fur, I know what it takes. ;-) Don't pull punches. Tell it like it is!

[@crazycats9774]

Also, something INCREDIBLY important to keep in mind for ANY business that I haven't seen anyone talk about is paying taxes. Check your country's laws around self-employment and where the income bracket is where you would have to start paying tax and follow it. This goes for those only making pre-mades too. Of course if you're only selling a few tails and some paws every now and then, you might not reach that bracket. But if you're making large partials or even fullsuits, the income will add up very quickly. So check your country's laws, register yourself as a business if you need to (and at this point I should specify that this is a point of no return so to speak as you need to be dedicated to your business once you register), and start making a record of everything you buy, how much for, etc (Cool tip for uk makers: you can get the tax back on any materials you buy/use for your business.) Do some research on how others in your country do it - even business owners who aren't furries - and learn what you need to do and to record so that you're prepared. There can be serious reprocussions if you don't follow the law so always be aware of what you need to do as a self employed business. So tl:dr: check your country's laws on self employment and pay your taxes kids

[@ascareddetective1831]

Thanks for the amazing tips and advice! Love your videos!

[@ravenpotter3]

I finished my first suit last week (it’s a good first try I guess but still not the greatest) and I don’t think I’m going to make a fursuit business ever (I might be making one for my sister soon)

[@ambermathiasen7831]

I’m asking my parents for a shed like place in our back yard and I’ll practice when I get all of the supplies then I’ll ask to make a bisnuess

[@redjaycreations1494]

I've been making suits for 3 years now and I feel like I'm finally ready to start selling premades and maybe open my first commissions. The biggest thing in my way right now is my mom, since I'd have to use her paypal (I'm 16 so I can't get one). We've been talking it over for a few months now and she is still a bit reluctant, however she said that she'd help me as long as most profits go to college tuition, a car or something else that I would need to become independent.

[@moxthecat787]

Yeah, I'm even younger, though I'm totally considering that later, and I really wish that there was a way to sell stuff easier. And to be on social media.

[@justaperson4656]

You can have a personal PayPal at 16, just not a business one. You can sell premades using a personal PayPal on sites like ebay (similar to how lavafox operates)

[@Lynx-cq1eg]

i want to start a fursuit business in the future because i love making them i make them as a hobby for now and i have 2 foam heads and they're not bad they look a bit better then other peoples first fursuits

[@AlteredBuzzard]

Making my first suit head was kinda stressful (I wanted it for a con which as fast approaching) I didn't know what or how to do stuff fairly often. other makers are SUPER helpful, I could ping them a quick message if I wasn't too sure about how to do something or where to get something specific. Now I'm making a second because I want to learn and develop more.

[@justaperson4656]

The title is so ominous. How to begin? Life? Making? Who knows?

[@crepethepancake]

Just want to say, i think you can very much have your own small business even if you don't have the best (or typical) materials, skill or time, just as long as you disclose that. Make sure your customers know what they're getting into! The lack of HQ materials/time/lots of skill can actually be attractive to some buyers who want to take risks, and it will also tend to be cheaper! Just remember that you, as a maker, don't leave any nasty surprises for your customer!

[@TheObletop]

Don't forget legally proper vendors licensing per your state or country if you plan to make it a buisness.

[@kittydoescosplay2416]

I actually opened for 500 dollar partials a few weeks ago! It’s hard but very rewarding. I have an almost full queue already. ^__^

[@Manda_Kat]

Also: if you aren't able to handle a business- such as being bad with money, communication or deadlines- you can also work to Hone those skills through classes, self help or just practicing. Then you can reevaluate whether you want a business

[@apo3005]

This was very helpful. I plan on starting commissions after i have made maybe 2 or 3 more suits. I have made a head and im working on a mini partial at the moment and this video helped alot. I already have a name for it 😅😅

[@princerovan876]

Thank you so much for this, I plan on starting a business in the future and this is more than helpful, thank you

[@Shy9195-x8v]

These are very useful tips! Especially on the last 4 also I love your first suit it's all rainbow and colory I love it !

[@azurithewilddog4237]

I had tried to sell my friend a fursuit once. She paid me 8 dollars for a head (I was extremely bad at making heads) and I started on it. Someone had gone into my room one day and left the door open. Her fursuit head was in my room, too. One of my four dogs had gone in and done their business on her fursuit head. I can’t contact that friend at the moment, but I want to tell her that I can’t get it to her. :(

[@hehehorf782]

Thanks for this video! I've been thinking about starting commissions soon, so this came at a great time.

[@BlackBitsBananas]

I have made several bases of the same pattern and each one looks so different. The funny part is they look like something I would draw vs what it’s supposed to look like. Either way it looks like a cat so I’m happy lol

[@galactikittyy]

what about like,, taxes and legality and etc? is that anything one should worry about (I'm in the US)?

[@taxton7583]

Yes, these are things to worry about, especially in the US. Elk may not be legally qualified to really give much public advice on that, though, plus laws tend to vary by state and even county and city. It's best to just lookup what you can online for your unique situation and ask for further information from the appropriate parties.

[@SPANIMATIONS4114]

This is the most knowledgable rainbow pupper ever

[@tokoyami_mha3232]

If you are a fursuit maker could u help me and my friend make fursuits we're 10

[@topazmaymemory2982]

4.13 what was that...string like thing?

[@hethey66]

Your fursuit is sooooooooo adorable! And kidcore.

[@ColorfullCute]

I hate the internet present is the only thing am lacking on. Thanks for the tips!

[@StrangerThingsFurry8]

I wanna do commissions for dino masks, tails, paws, badges, and pins. Although i would most likely start with pins, badges, tails and paws. Just to get some money until i have a decent amount of money to do masks. Also is amazon a good place to get fur and foam?

[@bread9173]

I started fursuits after what 8 years of drawing lol? But yeah got my first commission for paws and omg I think I handled it well. But ye two years before the commission I was practicing making fursuits and made my full fursuit (idk he’s a derg but no floofy) and I guess people liked my suit and style I was told by many. But yeah might plan to do it as a hobby on the side and make a twitter and other stuff later when I am ready.

[@NaomiRomeroArt]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention anything about the taxes. Way too many makers forget they are a legitimate business that needs to pay taxes, then they panic and scramble when tax season comes around. The amount of “emergency fursuit commissions!!!” made during tax season. Too many makers also know nothing about inventory keeping or book keeping for tax write offs.

[@addisons1185]

I love your channel! It has helped me so much! Thank you 😊

[@fxmint]

Wow I've never been this early to a Vidoe! Your suits are so beautiful elk! I hope to commission you one day!

[@supashiba886]

Wow that was a good reality check

[@teamgodenir3009]

Elk Dragon, I love you so much! You're amazing!! Thank you! I might try making my own suit!

[@cloudyskies4934]

Ooh this is really helpful, do you have any advice for someone who wants to take commissions only occasionally? Somewhat like a seasonal thing since I'm in college! I absolutely love making suits and I want to share that with others ^-^

[@justaperson4656]

Most of the tips still apply, but clarify whether or not you're open for commission

[@alvile-lps3393]

I love you vids!!!And your videos are very helpful for me cuz I'm making my third fursuit.Sooooooo..... thanks for being there :-)

[@elysmelly8414]

I'd really like to know more about how full time fursuit makers do their taxes during that time of the year. Do you know the tax rate of personal income? And do you save money each suit you make as well for taxes?

[@sadboiiiiihours5662]

Can you do a tutorial how too do feetpaws

[@leon6691]

hewooo fellow furry here, thanks for the informational video!!!

[@Dumb_Anml]

Amazing!

[@cassidyb195]

Thanks! This was totally helpful!~

[@princerovan876]

Unrelated to the video but- where did you get your GF zodiac wall art? 👀

[@moldyegg8969]

You mean the tapestry?

[@princerovan876]

@@moldyegg8969 yeah! My apologies, I forgot what it was called when I wrote the comment haha

[@moldyegg8969]

Ah, no worries, I'm just a critique, I'm sure you can find one on eBay or amazon, maybe a Hot Topic but I'm not sure

[@ctricac1d608]

Elk Dragon: Fursuit business captions: for soup business

[@chipmunkdreamstudios3210]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've been making premeds since 2017 and I really wanna open for commissions in 2020!

[@finch8703]

Have you opened commisions?

[@-honey._clovers-3977]

❤️

[@OMNIDADofficial]

I really love your videos and they always have very important information i love to learn but please I think your videos would be even better if you started working on cutting down some of your circumlocution, it is admittedly getting a little frustrating

[@Conifer_kestrel]

I love your suit

[@critter_core]

its at this moment I realize there is a Dorito behind her

[@grrp00pbutt51]

only 494 views wtf you diserve wayyyy more

[@violetfantasy2537]

Why am I here, I’m 13 and I haven’t even made my first fursuit yet

[@leohereezz3434]

I love your fursuit oh yeah I'm a young furry so when I said your my fursuit crush i meant I really love your fursuit

[@raveworms]

14th

[@jordanclark353]

7th comment!!