Need help on where to start.........very confused newbie!!

[BabyBelles]

 Hey,

Im wondering if you can help me........anyone!!!

I started making some baby clothes whilst on Maternity leave just as something to do (as i cant stand day time tv haha) Now im looking at doing it properly and starting up as a small business. I was ready through posts last night and there is soo much to do and think about etc....... I'm so confused and just don't know where to start or how to go about it all etc......

Someone PLEASE HELP ME....

Thanks xx

[donthidethem]

Hi there,

I remember when I first started its a lot to do, even now I am still learning. I would start by making a list everything you have to do. Here is a rough start to a list.

1. Research your market / see how is already selling what you want to. Also if you need any insurance and are you allowed to work from home? As if you are renting then you more than likely will NOT be able to do so, or double check your mortgage agreement.
2. Research different shopping carts and stores, where you are going to sell your products.
3. Work out a budget. How much is it going to cost to run and how much you can sell your cloths for. Don't forget to include Payment Charges.
4. Register with HMRC that you are going to be self-employed or second job.
5. Sort out a business bank account
6. Then create your store. Making sure that your T&C's and Privacy Policy is top notch.
7. Advertise your store.

Please note I am far from being a expert. But that is some points to look at.

[BabyBelles]

Thanks so much for that. To be honest i dont think there is alot out there that does what i do, i've seen alot of sites that are in the US but none in the uk as of yet. My page on facebook is www.facebook.com/pages/baby-belles-diamantés Also im wondering about copy right as i have been making diamante character's e.g. minnie mouse, winnie the pooh, tigger etc. Where would i stand with copy right?

thanks again

[scotserve]

Where do you stand ?
Up to your neck in the brown stuff

Doing the odd one for friends or family wont matter but stick your head above the line and start selling copyright imagery on your clothes and you are likely to be hit with a cease and desist order, especially Disney characters as they are anal about protecting their copyright.

Setting up sounds a lot harder than it is - however I would be careful on baby clothes and ensure you are abiding by any regulations of compliance and make sure you have product liability insurance

BTW I cant seem to get you link to work

[BabyBelles]

Where do you stand ?
Up to your neck in the brown stuff

Doing the odd one for friends or family wont matter but stick your head above the line and start selling copyright imagery on your clothes and you are likely to be hit with a cease and desist order, especially Disney characters as they are anal about protecting their copyright.

Setting up sounds a lot harder than it is - however I would be careful on baby clothes and ensure you are abiding by any regulations of compliance and make sure you have product liability insurance

BTW I cant seem to get you link to work

i thought as much but thought id double check. ill admit ive sold a few on my page but not loads........ i've been researching the rhinestones etc and rhinestone transfers and ive found alot of sites that are selling the character transfers fro people to put onto garments themselves, im presuming copyright wise this isnt aloud either?? sorry for sounding do thick!! lol Also how do for e.g. market stalls that sell 'disney' character clothing get away with it?? im not saying because they can i can, im just curious.......... i want to do everything prperly so i cant get into any bother as that is the last thing i want. Its a shame really as the characters look really good in rhinestone 

Do you know where i can find out about the regulations etc for babywear?
 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baby-Belles-Diamant%C3%A9s/118497288223713 try this link ill try and get it added to the bottom of my profile

thanks again

[scotserve]

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38073.html#Q5

The above is a good place to start
Just cause someone else does it doesnt mean its legal - its amazing the amount of stuff you see getting chucked in the back of a van when traders hear that trading standards are doing the rounds

[BabyBelles]

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38073.html#Q5

The above is a good place to start
Just cause someone else does it doesnt mean its legal - its amazing the amount of stuff you see getting chucked in the back of a van when traders hear that trading standards are doing the rounds

haha i can imagine....... its a shame as they do look good :0( just have to think of something else to diamante up........lol thanks for your help

[scotserve]

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38073.html#Q5

The above is a good place to start
Just cause someone else does it doesnt mean its legal - its amazing the amount of stuff you see getting chucked in the back of a van when traders hear that trading standards are doing the rounds

haha i can imagine....... its a shame as they do look good :0( just have to think of something else to diamante up........lol thanks for your help

NP - I would hate to see something go wrong, maybe a child being hurt and you paying out for the rest of your life just because you didnt read up on the regulations - I honestly dont know but it is something you should seriously check out before trading.

[BabyBelles]

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38073.html#Q5

The above is a good place to start
Just cause someone else does it doesnt mean its legal - its amazing the amount of stuff you see getting chucked in the back of a van when traders hear that trading standards are doing the rounds

haha i can imagine....... its a shame as they do look good :0( just have to think of something else to diamante up........lol thanks for your help

NP - I would hate to see something go wrong, maybe a child being hurt and you paying out for the rest of your life just because you didnt read up on the regulations - I honestly dont know but it is something you should seriously check out before trading.

Thanks again im looking into it as we speak :O)