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4 Replies Last post: Jun 25, 2008 12:36 PM by Adducent

Teen looking for advise on T-Shirt business.

Sep 6, 2008 5:09 PM

Click to view smartgirl793's profile Start-up smartgirl793 1 posts since
Sep 6, 2008

Hello and thank you for looking at my question.

I am a 14 year old, sophmore in high school planning to start a T-shirt business. I've noticed in my school that many students create t-shirts for school activities and spirit week. So i've used that idea to start a business creating more advanced T-shirts for my classmates. There are many printing/fabric companies in my area, but they are expensive and require you to buy shirts in bulk. I feel that my business would be geared towards people who only wanted a small amount of customized shirts for a low price.

The only problem with my idea is the start-up cost. I do not come from a wealthy family, ahd they will not be able to help me with the cost. The printer i need is $200, and the special fabric paper i need is $15/12 sheets. For me, this is VERY expensive and i need ideas for the start-up cost. Another problem i have is that i also have to raise money for my trip to this year's presidential inaugaration. I was selected to go as a People to People student leader, and the cost of that trip is over 2k. I'm very excited at the oppurtunity, but i am financially challenged.

If you can, please help me with my problems. I will be glad to listen to any advice and comment back to what you post. THANK YOU
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Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 7,938 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
1. Re: Teen looking for advise on T-Shirt business. Sep 6, 2008 5:29 PM
in response to: smartgirl793
Teen looking for advise on T-Shirt business, Welcome 793 from *Hamilton,
New Jersey.*

If I had a 14 year old, sophmore in high school planning to start a T-shirt business, and she
*also have to raise money for a trip to this year's presidential
inauguration., I would suggest*
*that she (my daughter) work on raising the monet for this year's presidential
inauguration and*
put the T-shirt on the back burner for now.
Get involved with the inauguration. Work on a Business and Marketing plan for later.

Do you know about SCORE?? SCORE is FREE and can help with the Bus Plan.

Good luck, LUCKIEST
Click to view DJboutit's profile Professional DJboutit 4 posts since
Jul 8, 2008
2. Re: Teen looking for advise on T-Shirt business. Sep 6, 2008 5:57 PM
in response to: smartgirl793
Try http://www.printfection.com/ you can open your own t shirt store for free you get a cut of each shirt you sell you set the price of each shirt lets say it cost $15 to print then you sell the shirt for $20 you make $5 for each shirt. Other web sites make you buy like 25 shirts first then you sell them for the price you want. I have looked at & read the reviews of many online t shirt shops printfection is the best I have a shop with them only sold I few shirts I have not pushed my shirts hard enough.
Click to view twintwo3's profile Professional twintwo3 5 posts since
Sep 3, 2008
3. Re: Teen looking for advise on T-Shirt business. Sep 7, 2008 11:10 PM
in response to: smartgirl793
try this, http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/sell/ you can make and sell your own t-shirts, hats, bookbags, mouse pads and more. You can even make a webpage to sell all your stuff. Its just like that other site someone mentioned, you sell some shirts cafepress makes some money, you make some money too.

Then its not a matter of making the shirts, its just a matter of getting your word out so people can buy them online. Then on the other hand you can just do it the old fashion way and silk screen shirts its cheap but difficult.
Click to view puzzleman's profile Mogul puzzleman 293 posts since
Oct 11, 2007
4. Re: Teen looking for advise on T-Shirt business. Sep 8, 2008 7:32 AM
in response to: smartgirl793
I think the t-shirt idea is great. You will have a market that you know very well and can change what you make on a dime.

As far as the money, I think that you should start out doing jobs that require little investment to earn your starting money for your t-shirt business. Ideas like washing cars, detailing cars, washing windows, dog walking, baby sitting, etc. do not cost much to get started and have a great profit level due to small expenses.

Next get with SCORE or a business teacher in your school to help direct your plans for the t-shirts.

Jim
Click to view Buffalo's profile Mogul Buffalo 171 posts since
Oct 17, 2007
5. Re: Teen looking for advise on T-Shirt business. Sep 8, 2008 8:49 AM
in response to: smartgirl793
Check out this forum: http://www.t-shirtforums.com

It's a great place to get advice on all aspects of the T-shirt business.

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