This section of the forum is for discussing the business and finance issues of the t-shirt industry. Which business structure to use (sole proprietor, LLC, S Corp, etc), how to handle billing, where to register your business and get the proper licensing, etc.
OK Im satarting to get my prints looking pretty good but Im drowning in business. Billing, invoices, profit margins, pricing materiel cost verses profit can someone point me to an easy button. I really want this business to work but Im barely treading water.
I had to hire an accountant to keep track of this stuff. Butt until you find one, make sure you keep good records of everything so it is easier for the accountant you hire.
__________________ Daniel Slatkin, SBE Multi-Media, LLC Fulfilling Fulfillment with free web store included. SlightlySick University The polar opposite of Higher Education!!
There is no easy button friend, sorry! You need to buckle down and learn! As a business owner I am constantly learning everywhere I can, which is one reason why I joined this forum. Go to Amazon.com and start buying books that can help you learn about the areas where you are weak. Ask specific questions on this forum and get suggestions, but DO NOT expect those of us on the forum who have "paid the price" of learning to be your easy button. Your competitors who know how to learn will always be one step ahead of you if you do. I am constantly reading books in area that I am weak. Some of the day to day stuff like invoicing is very boring to me, and that's why I have people hired to do it, but I know how to do it if I ever need to. Even though I have had as many as 20 employees, I take pride in the fact that if I have to, I can do any job in the shop better than anyone else because I'm constantly learning and improving the systems. I probably micromanage too much because of this, and I'm trying to improve that too.
Just because you can print does not mean that you can run a business. Sorry, no Easy Button!
Want an easy button??? Hire someone to help you out with the admin stuff, bookkeeping, etc.. If you are so bogged down with billing and invoices and such, then you must be making some decent money with your printing to have all that extra work. Hire a college kid/H.S. kid to come in a few times a week at an hourly rate and organize this stuff for you. This way, you can concentrate on what matters most... perfecting your printing! Because, in the end, if your printing blows, you won't make as much profits.
I do agree with screenprinter1, there is not easy button. I have to learn to do everything.
Stock control, invoicing, clean up the squeegees, keep organized my basement/shop, try to create cool things to print and people want to wear.
Some days it is overwhelming, and it seems it is easier just to have someone telling me what to do, and at the end of the week get my paycheck.
But hey if I don't keep trying I would never really know if it worth it .
I was leaning more towards a program to help organize me. this is a part time job for me geez I guess the easy button thing hit a nerve. It was a manner of speach. tThinks for chimming though.
__________________ Daniel Slatkin, SBE Multi-Media, LLC Fulfilling Fulfillment with free web store included. SlightlySick University The polar opposite of Higher Education!!
I was leaning more towards a program to help organize me. this is a part time job for me geez I guess the easy button thing hit a nerve. It was a manner of speach. tThinks for chimming though.
People may have misunderstood your post, but that's because you weren't specific.
Anyway, a program is still not an easy button. Programs assist the user, and you cannot depend on a program to know what YOU want it to do. A computer is dumb as rocks, it's the user who takes advantage of its ability and uses for their purpose.
So if you are just asking for a program, check out quickbooks. They have several different versions, cheapy, cheap. and expensive. We use Quickbooks Pro which was about $300 for one user. Not bad.. If you just need a simple invoicing program, they have a Quickbooks cheapy version for $45 I think. Also check out Quickbooks website, they should have a free version for simple introductory stuff.
Thicker skin......Too funny, you have no idea I'll check into quick books, I've been toying with the idea of it. If it will help with organization, it will be worth it. Thanks again.
lawdog,
YOu will love quick books it makes the monthly taxes, invoices and stuff very easy, I run 4 Business's and I make all of our tees, and hoodies, myself, and create the artwork,.
The paper work is the boring, but very important part of our Buisness's as I would love to just make garments all day and discover new tecniques.
I really dont want to hand all the paper work over to others, so keep control of it all with Quickbooks.
If you have any questions about it please ask.
sandy Jo
Hi. Business isn't so much about having a special button, it is about keeping your finger on the pulse of your business.
There are a lot of low cost accounting packages which may help in your business. Most will offer a free trial download, for you to evaluate them. This will allow you to assess their suitability for your business, before parting with any money.
The success of any accounting package is wholly dependant on it being fed the correct information, in a timely manner.
Needing some serious business help 
Daniel Slatkin, 
.
I'll check into quick books, I've been toying with the idea of it. If it will help with organization, it will be worth it. Thanks again.
