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Most people feel that draperies are a very important design feature in their home. Draperies are also considered an important aspect of designing offices, hotels, motels, private buildings and public buildings.
Many people prefer to invest in custom made draperies, which are cut and designed to their specifications in regards to privacy, material, style and fabric.
If you have a talent for designing and making draperies, and would enjoy making custom made draperies, you could start your own small business from home by starting a drapery business.
How to Get Into the Drapery Business
When starting your own drapery business you will want to ensure that you have a proper work space set up in your home with reliable sewing machines and materials. Having good connections with material suppliers will allow you to get your hands on yards of material as needed, in the styles and fabrics that your customers prefer.
There should also be an area in you home set aside for an office space. It will be important to keep track of appointments, customer information, and a schedule that will allow you to complete drapery jobs when expected.
You will also want to give some thought to marketing your drapery business. Provide a comfortable area in your home for customers to come and see samples of your draperies, materials and styles. If you plan to go to the customer, then prepare a portfolio of drapery samples with price ranges in order to assist your customer in deciding the style and fabric that's right for their space.
Skills Needed:
You will need to be skilled in preparing, cutting, assembling and sewing draperies in order to run a successful drapery business from home. You should also have great fashion and design skills so that you can provide your customers with helpful suggestions in the design of their custom-made draperies.
Draperies need to be precise in measurement. You will need to be skilled in measuring a variety of windows and doors, and precise in cutting materials so that your custom made draperies fit perfectly.
It will also be important to have strong communication skills when running a home based drapery business. You will need to effectively get your fashion ideas across to your customer, as well as be in tune to what your customer is looking for.
Time management skills will also be important. You will be committing to a schedule for your clients, and you will want to complete drapery projects when promised.
Experience Needed:
You will want to have a great deal of experience in making draperies before you start your own drapery business. Offer your services to family and friends, so that you can get experience in not only making draperies, but also producing the draperies your customer has in mind.
Experience in business management will be very useful in starting your own drapery business. If you lack business experience, consider attending business seminars prior to starting your drapery business.
Startup Requirements:
Your initial start up cost for your home based drapery business will be in acquiring reliable quality made sewing machines and tools that will enable you to make beautiful custom made draperies.
You will also want to invest in a marketing campaign to spread the word about the drapery services you are providing. Once your draperies are seen hung in windows, your best advertising will be word of mouth.
Resources:
Window Coverings Association of America
American Society of Interior Designers: Commercial and Home
Be Sure to visit our Business Start Up Guide for information on starting your business
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