E-commerce & products
Tailoring & alterations
Hem, alter and repair clothing, or make custom pieces.
- Start-up cost
- $500–$3k
- First revenue
- ~1 month
- Time needed
- 10+ hrs/week
- Where
- Local
Rough estimates. Costs and timelines vary a lot by location and niche.
Who thrives at this
- People who like working with your hands
- People who are organized and follow through
- People who have a strong creative streak
- People who like routines and clear processes
- People who recharge with focused solo time
Involves face-to-face work with customers.
Skills that help
Don't have them yet? Tap one to find beginner courses.
Your starter kit
The tools and steps most people need to get a tailoring & alterations business off the ground.
1. Test the idea
2. Launch
- Register your business FreeChoose a structure (sole prop, LLC…) and register with your state. The SBA explains every option.
- Get an EIN from the IRS FreeYour business tax ID. Free and takes about 10 minutes online. Never pay a third party for this.
- Licenses & permits FreeFind out which local, state and federal licenses your business needs.
- Business insurance basics FreeWhat coverage small businesses typically need, and how to shop for it.
- Open a business bank account FreeKeep business money separate from day one. The SBA covers what to look for.
- Wave FreeFree accounting and invoicing for small businesses.
- Canva FreeMake a logo, flyers, social posts and business cards without hiring a designer.
- Google Business Profile FreeFree listing so local customers find you on Google Search and Maps. The single best free marketing for a local business.
- Square Take card payments in person with a phone, plus invoices and simple booking.
- Shopify The standard platform for running your own online store.
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