Im seriously thinking about openning my own fabric store. The 2 wal-mart stores that are 20 miles away from me here in Oklahoma are cutting there fabrics down to a minimum, like one shelf, to make room for more electronics. The better fabric stores that are in tulsa are an hour and a half from where i live. any information as to how to get started would be greatly appreciated.

Oh how exciting! I don't have any info for you on starting a fabric shop but I sure would like to know where you are going to have this store. I heard there is a huge store somewhere in OKC. I haven't located it yet. Tulsa is only an hour and a half from me so I hope you are more centrally located. Best of luck to you!

Here's what you need to get started:

1-an Oklahoma Sales Tax ID. You can get that from here: Application for Oklahoma Sales Tax Identification Number

2-research and deside on what fabric lines you wish to carry. I have a huge list of them, I can put that together and send it your way. One way is to get the manufacturer info from the edge of fabrics you like, and check them out that way. As a wholesaler, you can set up a buying account for the manufacturer. Since you are new without established credit you will likely have to pay cash for your first couple of orders until you are an established account for them.

3. Develop a business plan. This is what you will need if you are planning to take out a small business loan. They want to see a full business plan from start to finish. I can help you with that as well if you need. I've done them before

4. Decide on a name, logo, etc. and how you plan to staff your shop. Make a list of any office/business supplies you might need before you apply for any loan so you know what kind of start up capital you will be needing. Items from furniture/displays down to cash register.

5. Research merchant accounts to decide who you want to use to process credit card transactions. Depending upon what kind of volume you anticipate, you may want to go with one company over another. Some charge by the transaction, others a flat fee, etc.

Thats a good start. There's alot more, if you'd like some help, by all means let me know. I've been operating my own small business for awhile, and I've done all the research to opening up a shop, I just dont have the ability to qualify for a start up loan just yet.

Im in Welch Jenell. Jenn thanks alot for the info, send me anything ya can. Im gonna look into it. Have you ever applied for a grant?

I have not yet. I believe I have some info on it though. If you wanna send me an email I can help you as much as possible. send it to the email addy in my profile.

Where is Welch. I can't believe there's a town in Oklahoma I haven't heard of or been to! I grew up in Bartlesville, then Tulsa (I'm a Golden Hurricane!) but I travelled all over the state when I was performing with Oklahoma Kids. I thought I'd pretty much been everywhere there was to go!

stitch_one, I sent you a private message

I looked you up and you are on the other side of Tulsa from me. But......... I bet I could be coaxed to drive up if a quilt show comes to town!!! I wish you very good luck on your adventure into business too!

what area are you from? I'm gonna have to remember you guys are nearby next time I come up there. It's been so long since I lived in Tulsa, I don't even know where any good shops are there.

I didn't really care alot for Tulsa when I lived there. Now that I'm older and have a family, I appreciate the kind of place it is much better

I live in the top north east corner of the state just 9 miles from the Kan. border. Nothing but cows all around me, let alone a fabric shop

how in the world do I not know where you are?! I grew up in Bartlesville, only 20 miles from Kansas, straight up 75. We used to go up to Caney all the time when I was in high school.

Keep me informed of how this works for you. If you open up, I'll be sure to stop in whenever we are up there!