As the title says, I’m really struggling mentally with my business.
I run a made-to-measure clothing brand where I make everything by hand. I’ve been in business for 3 years and I’m still not making ends meet. It’s so prohibitively expensive to run this business, and I’ve set standards for my clothing that are way higher than my prices.
People keep messing up their measurements and I have to remake the clothing for them. I’ve tried to factor this into the cost of my pieces but I still just can’t seem to turn a profit.
I’m exhausted, I’m burnt out of social media/emails, I’m burnt out of sewing 60 hours a week, I’m burnt out of not making money.
The kicker is, I started this job because I have a disability and mental health issues that make it so I can’t work a regular 9-5. I don’t have a degree (just a diploma from a fashion design college), I have nothing to fall back on. I have no money, my family has no money, I’m flat broke.
I have no idea what to do. I’ve thought about switching to making digital PDF patterns but the idea of building up a whole new brand and having to kill myself posting on social media all over again is really getting to me.
I love sewing, I would love to teach sewing and pattern making but my disability would prevent me from doing it in-person. Just feel stuck between a rock and hard place.
I know I need to pivot I just feel like I don’t have any support.
Posted by MoreShoe2
11 Comments
Raise your prices
If you’ve been doing it for 3 years and you see the business model isn’t profitable you need to alter some variables, the business plan, or move on.
If you charge significantly more does the demand go too low to be sustainable? Are there opportunities to offload some of the work while you drive demand?
If not, it sounds like you do have a valuable skill set and could likely pivot to alterations and tailoring?
If you aren’t having fun by now that’s a problem. If you aren’t making ends meet by now that’s a problem. Custom, made-to-measure, made by hand says to me that your clientele don’t have a problem with your price no matter how much you charge.
I’m reminded of the wedding dress industry where the designers have dresses that brides try on and make notes about adjustments that need to be made. Is this similar?
The cost of everything has gone up and your prices need to adjust accordingly.
Can u record sewing classes , can you record any content to monetize , like ASMR sewing, obviously itd take time to make money but shoot 3 yrs of content has gon by, dont give up, can u consult fashion designers on fiver , can h charge a feee for remakes , if u take switch the quality a bit would newcomers really notice? At least so u can start making profit or charge more … also share your story , everyone loves and supports stories , flaunt your disability and make it your superpower …. U can inspire others,,, 🫂
I can empathize: when a business (or a job) isn’t providing for us (and is burning us out) it’s time to make a change.
You’re definitely not alone: others have been in this place before. It’s possible to make it through this: there’s hope.
You’ve already recognized that the business isn’t working for you. The fundamentals of the business aren’t working.
I think you already recognize what you need to do: it’s time to move on from this business. If you’re burnt out, and out of money, it’s time to move on and get yourself healthy again.
And that’s ok. The best entrepreneurs in the world have had multiple ventures that didn’t work out. It’s better to get off a ship that’s sinking instead of going down with the boat.
The challenge (as you’ve identified it) is: what next? What could you do to make a living?
The key is not to jump into something else out of desperation. If your gas tank is empty, this isn’t the time to jump into another cross-country road trip.
Slow down. Take care of yourself. Be mindful.
You’re in a hard spot, but you can get through this.
1. Take care of yourself the best you can. Eat as nutritiously as you can. Get a good night’s rest. Exercise the best you can.
2. Don’t think about the business or your predicament all the time. Do things that are life giving (a walk, talking with a friend, going to a movie) that give your mind a rest.
3. Reach out to friends and people in your community. Ask for help and support. Cities often have agencies and nonprofits who can help you make a plan, find temporary work, etc. Connecting with people and opening yourself up to other opportunities is your best bet.
4. Your goal over the next little while is to get yourself out of desperation mode. If you can find temporary employment or income assistance, it will help you reduce the pressure you feel.
5. In the future, once you’re feeling stable, you might decide to start a business again. To start a business, you should feel like your “gas tank” is pretty full. Starting a business requires a lot of resources; you can’t do it on an empty tank.
Start a sub brand under your clothing brand to teach sewing and pattern making , get someone with a good smartphone to make few videos and start a YouTube channel + market those videos to teach people and also take personalised orders for your parent brand. And then pivot on this to fix the price of your parent brand. Also start drawing revenue from your tutorials.
I think you need an idiot proof way to get customers to do their measurements. Could you create something that lets the dumbest person you know accurately take measurements. Like the plastic gauge people can put around their finger to measure ring size. Also charge more money, custom clothes are like alcohol people can’t measure value effectively so they just go by the price.
2 things. Have a generic, ready to wear or – no customization version. And a second “made to order”. Make made to order more expensive to justify your time, and do not offer refunds or the option of remaking clothes if people mess up the measurements. Make a simple video on how to measure, and make people watch it (make them say they watched it, before hitting checkout. otherwise don’t allow a way to accept the order.) Love your customers but don’t let them abuse you.
I’m gonna go ahead and skip the emotional support part and hop straight to advice that could help.
Not making enough profit. As far as I know as a 5 year long business owner is either because of.
1. To high unnecessary expenses => Luxury car, high end building instead of basic , …
2. To high personel cost compared to profit. Some people higher staff while 1 staff causes increased revenue but less profit compared to the cost
3. To low revenue. Simply said you sell too little
4. To low margins. You have the high revenue but you ask to little causing you to not make any money out of it.
Considering you said you work 60 hours a week i’m going to guess you’re not 1,2,3 but you’re nr 4.
You ask to little causing high hours but low profit.
If a company making 1 million revenue goes up 10% they make an extra 100k
This might just be 55 instead of 50 per shirt or 550 instead of 500.
Then you should ask yourself the question
Will people stop purchasing because I increased 10%
In your case you don’t even have to ask the question because it’s do or not make enough to keep going.
I hope I could have been of help and good luck
You can always private message me if you’d like
Hey! Would you be happy to share your page in the DM’s- I can take a look and see why this is happening and what you can do to help it 🙂
It sounds like you’re in an incredibly tough spot, trying to balance a passion for what you do with the overwhelming stress of running a business, especially when your circumstances make it even harder to keep up. What you’re going through—burnout, financial strain, and the feeling of being trapped—is something a lot of entrepreneurs can relate to, but that doesn’t make it any less heavy.
Since you’re passionate about sewing but the current business model is draining you, it may indeed be time to pivot, but in a way that feels manageable and aligned with your strengths. Here are a few potential paths to explore that might allow you to still engage in what you love without burning out further:
1. Digital Patterns or Online Classes (without the social media overload): You mentioned considering digital PDF patterns but dreading the effort of rebuilding a brand. Could you take smaller, more manageable steps? For example, instead of fully switching to patterns, you might start by offering a few select patterns on platforms that already have a built-in audience, like Etsy or Gumroad. That way, you’re not starting from scratch or relying solely on social media.
2. Shift Focus to Limited Custom Work: Could you reduce your workload by offering a smaller range of made-to-measure pieces that don’t involve as much time-intensive customization? For example, sticking to a few core designs with more straightforward sizing might help reduce errors and production time.
3. Raise Your Prices: It sounds like your pricing might not reflect the true value of the work you’re putting in. It can be incredibly hard to raise prices, especially when money is tight, but undervaluing your labor is part of what’s driving you toward burnout. Some customers will appreciate the craftsmanship and be willing to pay more for it, especially if you make it clear why your products are priced the way they are.
4. Teach or Offer Remote Services: Since you enjoy teaching but can’t do in-person classes, have you thought about offering online workshops or consultations? These could range from basic sewing tutorials to more advanced techniques. You could do this at your own pace and avoid relying heavily on social media by listing services on established platforms.
5. Collaborate or Delegate Where Possible: If you’re overwhelmed by social media and marketing, is there anyone in your network who could help with those aspects, even part-time or as a trade? Similarly, if there’s a way to outsource certain parts of production (e.g., hiring part-time help for specific tasks), it might free up your energy.
6. Community Support: If you don’t already have one, finding or joining a community of like-minded creatives (even online) can be a source of support, both mentally and in terms of practical advice.
These are all just suggestions, but the main idea is to figure out how to scale down the things that are burning you out while still tapping into your skills. It’s not about giving up your dream—just finding a way to make it sustainable. I know it’s hard when you feel isolated, but sometimes even small shifts in how you approach the business can bring relief.
What do you think about these ideas? Would any of them feel manageable to try?