The forum

Nobody figures it out alone.

Groups of owners at the same stage, answering each other. The questions that feel too small to bother a consultant with, and too big to work out on your own.

Food businesses Elena R. ·La Reina Panadería ·12 days ago

Cottage food law in Orange County — what's actually allowed?

Getting conflicting answers about where I can sell. Has anyone been through the permit process recently?

24 replies Save Share

Your first year in business Dani R. ·13 days ago

Do I need an LLC before my first market?

Doing my first pop-up in three weeks and I keep reading opposite things. Did any of you just start as a sole proprietor and switch later?

14 replies Save Share

Marketing without a budget Renée K. ·13 days ago

Instagram stopped working for me — what now?

Reach dropped off a cliff in August and sales followed. Where is everyone else finding customers?

31 replies Save Share

Handmaking your products Maya T. ·Vela Pequeña ·14 days ago

Scaling up without losing the handmade part

I'm at the point where I can't pour every candle myself anymore. Did hiring change how people saw the product?

16 replies Save Share

Finding wholesale and stockists Marisol T. ·Marisol Joyería ·14 days ago

First wholesale order — what terms did you agree to?

A boutique wants 30 pieces at 50% off retail and net 60. Is that standard or am I being taken?

21 replies Save Share

Clothing businesses Luz M. ·Segunda Vuelta ·15 days ago

Sizing beyond the standard run

Adding extended sizes and my pattern maker quoted more than I expected. Worth it?

13 replies Save Share

Your first year in business Marisol T. ·Marisol Joyería ·16 days ago

What did you actually spend in month one?

Trying to budget and every article says something different. Looking for real numbers, not a course.

22 replies Save Share

Handmaking your products Ana G. ·Taller Verde ·17 days ago

Where are you all sourcing packaging in small runs?

Everyone has 1000-unit minimums. Anyone found someone who'll do 50?

27 replies Save Share

Marketing without a budget Nina O. ·Tinta Press ·18 days ago

Does anyone actually get sales from email?

Everyone says build a list. I have 200 people on mine and hear nothing back.

17 replies Save Share

Your first year in business Priya N. ·19 days ago

How do you price when you're brand new?

I keep undercharging because I'm scared nobody will buy. How did you get over that?

19 replies Save Share

Clothing businesses Carmen V. ·20 days ago

Secondhand sellers — how do you photograph a one-off?

Every piece is unique so I can't batch shoot. It's eating my whole week.

18 replies Save Share

Food businesses Tomás S. ·Nieve y Sal ·21 days ago

Farmers market booth fees — what's normal?

Quoted $85 a weekend. Is that in line with what everyone else is paying around here?

9 replies Save Share

Handmaking your products Rosa D. ·Hilo Craft Supply ·22 days ago

Tracking cost per unit when everything is handmade

My materials cost changes every batch. How are you keeping track without losing a day to spreadsheets?

11 replies Save Share

Collaborations and pop-ups Ana G. ·Taller Verde ·23 days ago

Splitting a booth — how do you divide the cost fairly?

Two of us want to share a market stall but we sell at very different price points.

8 replies Save Share