It is FAR from complete, and the proportions are not correct, and the fabric is just my sample canvas. So, essentially, it doesn't really look anything like what my actual bags will look like.
But here's a photo anyway:
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Business Sense: First Bag Sample
So after getting warmed up on my new machine, I made my first bag sample.
It is FAR from complete, and the proportions are not correct, and the fabric is just my sample canvas. So, essentially, it doesn't really look anything like what my actual bags will look like.
But here's a photo anyway:
It is FAR from complete, and the proportions are not correct, and the fabric is just my sample canvas. So, essentially, it doesn't really look anything like what my actual bags will look like.
But here's a photo anyway:
Friday, April 6, 2012
Business Sense: Work Space
I've been really busy this past week. And the biggest sign of that productivity is....
My new sewing machine that I set up in my new workspace!
I'm renting some square feet in a shared workspace from a friend, and I couldn't be happier. It works out great for me since I'm not generating piles of money just yet. I was nervous to rent a place out all by myself and be responsible for all of the rent and lease, etc.
And the machine. The glorious, glorious machine. I did a bunch of internet research combined with my school and professional knowledge of industrial sewing machines, and determined that I needed to buy a Juki 8700. It's the industry standard and most versatile single-needle sewing machine. I can sew silk chiffon and I can sew leather; all I have to do is change out the thickness of the needle.
I contacted a company in New Jersey called Civit. They were so nice on the phone, but as wholesalers, they referred me to the closest retailer, SewMark, since I was only interested in purchasing one machine.
I got all of my ducks in a row to haggle for the best price on this machine. I don't particularly like to haggle but every now and then it can be a fun way to do things. The prices I found on the internet were between $800 and $850 for used machines, so I was prepared to spend $900 on the machine but hopefully use my charm to get the price down to $800.
Walking into the place, the automatic electronic door sensor rang about eight times while I located the machine I'd want. It was right next to the door and had an inspection tag hanging from a knob near the needle. The salesman greeted me. I started just talking to him telling him what I intended to use the machine for but how I'd like the option to use lighter or heavier materials. He assured me that this was the machine I wanted. Then I asked, "How much?" And I was so ready to talk him down in price.
His response, "$650." I had no idea what to say. It was already $250 less than I had expected to pay, and $150 less than my target price. "Sounds good to me," I responded and handed over my credit card. I had it loaded into the back of the SUV and away I drove, with my beautiful new Juki machine!
My new sewing machine that I set up in my new workspace!
I'm renting some square feet in a shared workspace from a friend, and I couldn't be happier. It works out great for me since I'm not generating piles of money just yet. I was nervous to rent a place out all by myself and be responsible for all of the rent and lease, etc.
And the machine. The glorious, glorious machine. I did a bunch of internet research combined with my school and professional knowledge of industrial sewing machines, and determined that I needed to buy a Juki 8700. It's the industry standard and most versatile single-needle sewing machine. I can sew silk chiffon and I can sew leather; all I have to do is change out the thickness of the needle.
I contacted a company in New Jersey called Civit. They were so nice on the phone, but as wholesalers, they referred me to the closest retailer, SewMark, since I was only interested in purchasing one machine.
I got all of my ducks in a row to haggle for the best price on this machine. I don't particularly like to haggle but every now and then it can be a fun way to do things. The prices I found on the internet were between $800 and $850 for used machines, so I was prepared to spend $900 on the machine but hopefully use my charm to get the price down to $800.
Walking into the place, the automatic electronic door sensor rang about eight times while I located the machine I'd want. It was right next to the door and had an inspection tag hanging from a knob near the needle. The salesman greeted me. I started just talking to him telling him what I intended to use the machine for but how I'd like the option to use lighter or heavier materials. He assured me that this was the machine I wanted. Then I asked, "How much?" And I was so ready to talk him down in price.
His response, "$650." I had no idea what to say. It was already $250 less than I had expected to pay, and $150 less than my target price. "Sounds good to me," I responded and handed over my credit card. I had it loaded into the back of the SUV and away I drove, with my beautiful new Juki machine!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Business Sense: Domain Name
After a two week vacation and a trip to Florida to visit Jim's family, I'm back at work on my Scotty bag project.
I had almost forgotten to register a domain name, but then my friend mentioned domain names in a conversation about something completely unrelated, and I panicked. I came straight home, asked a couple of questions of another friend, and registered my domains. Phew!
This process has been made absurdly easy. And although their Super Bowl commercials are highly suspect, I went with GoDaddy.com because that was the site recommended to me.
You just do a simple search on the website to find out if your desired names are already registered, and then you choose a few different options for how long and how protected you want your domains to be.
And voila! (when I was a kid I always thought this expression was "Wa La" and I spelled it as such) I have registered the following domains:
www.scottybags.com
www.scotty-bags.com
www.scottyfashion.com
www.scotty-fashion.com
www.scottysurf.com
There is nothing on any of those pages, so I didn't bother to link them on here, but I will defintely make a big deal out of it when I do launch my site!
Grand total spent: $342.92 for 5 domains for 3 years + 5 email addresses at one of these domains.
I had almost forgotten to register a domain name, but then my friend mentioned domain names in a conversation about something completely unrelated, and I panicked. I came straight home, asked a couple of questions of another friend, and registered my domains. Phew!
This process has been made absurdly easy. And although their Super Bowl commercials are highly suspect, I went with GoDaddy.com because that was the site recommended to me.
You just do a simple search on the website to find out if your desired names are already registered, and then you choose a few different options for how long and how protected you want your domains to be.
And voila! (when I was a kid I always thought this expression was "Wa La" and I spelled it as such) I have registered the following domains:
www.scottybags.com
www.scotty-bags.com
www.scottyfashion.com
www.scotty-fashion.com
www.scottysurf.com
There is nothing on any of those pages, so I didn't bother to link them on here, but I will defintely make a big deal out of it when I do launch my site!
Grand total spent: $342.92 for 5 domains for 3 years + 5 email addresses at one of these domains.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Business Sense: Applying for a Trademark
Business Progress Report:
Today I submitted my Initial Application Form for registering
the trademark of my company name.
Upon some extremely kind legal advice from a Trademark and
Patent lawyer friend of mine, I filed with the “Intent to Use,” which means
that I can reserve the trademark until I am able to register it by proving that
I have used it in a business transaction.
The fee was $325, and I have to wait approximately 90 days
(I am not sure how much leeway the US Patent and Trademark Office is giving
itself, but I’m going to go ahead and assume it will be closer to 120 days) for
the examining attorney to even look at it. So, I will be proceeding as planned,
and wait until I get final approval from the USPTO to affix labels and tags to
all of my bags.
Essentially, the office has to determine if my product will
not cause confusion with any other trademarks of the same or similar names
(Scotty Fishing Supplies, for example). If they determine that a handbag
company won’t be likely confused with fishing gear or golf apparel, then
hopefully they will let me register the trademark, and it can be mine to use on
handbags to my heart’s content.
So, now, the waiting game begins for the trademark paperwork
to be processed. But in the
meantime, I’ll be making progress on the design and manufacturing processes
that I’m so excited about.
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