One Step At A Time

I’m frequently asked how I started my business and my response is usually “by pure ignorance”. How many of us really knew what we were getting ourselves in to when we started up a new project? Six years ago, I started cutting and sewing helmet covers in my basement. I developed 5 designs (Red Devil, Raccoon, Beaver, Bunny Rabbit and Shark) and then approached a few retailers in Collingwood. My first wholesale order was Skiis & Biikes and, 6 years later, they are still one of my retailers.

I’d never been a business owner previously and I had certainly never manufactured on a large scale. Of course I’ve made mistakes along the way but, overall, Tail Wags Helmet Covers has been a huge success.

What’s my advice to potential new entrepreneurs? One baby step at a time. Keep in mind that Rome was not built in a day and your business will be the same. I remember someone offering me congratulations when I started my business but also commenting, “don’t expect overnight success”, and he was right. I was in the fortunate position that my husband was working full time and his income covered our basic monthly expenses. But there was no money left over for vacations and we weren’t able to put enough money away to save for our retirement. It took 3 ½ years before I was finally able to draw an income but it was worth the hard work because Tail Wags Helmet Covers has become a success story.

Are you considering starting your own business? It’s certainly a growing trend these days especially with women entrepreneurs. What’s your biggest stumbling block to taking the plunge in to entrepreneurship?

Related posts:

1. Women Entrepreneurs: A Growing Phenomenon
2. The Secret is Out!
3. Small Business & New Year’s Resolutions
4. Building My Business One Helmet Cover At A Time
5. Marketing Tail Wags: The Keys to My Success