Why it's a Terrible Time to Start a Business

I read once, back in college, that millennials are the most entrepreneurial generation to date. In fact, over half would quit their job and start a business in the next six months if they had what they needed to pull it off. As a bonafide elderly (geriatric?) millennial myself... yes. Absolutely. In fact, back in 2007, I had plans to do exactly that – a couture house-inspired boutique in cute little downtown shop. Then that whole once-in-a-lifetime recession thing hit and I put it on the back burner in favor of making sure there was food on the table and the lights stayed on.

2020 was rough on everyone. Isolation in quarantine, an unstable economy, skyrocketing unemployment, civil unrest, and housing uncertainty all took their toll. So obviously, it's a terrible time to start a business. How can you expect to get a business loan if you're unemployed? How can you afford rent for office space when you can't pay rent for your apartment?

While I was lucky to keep my job throughout the pandemic, I was less lucky in other ways. In April, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I was sort-of-kind-of able to take time off for treatment and recovery thanks to a short-term disability insurance policy, but it eventually ran out. As Halloween approached and I finished my last round of chemo, I was taking unpaid leave. Then the next blow came: I had breast cancer and needed a mastectomy and at least a month off work. At this point, I had emptied my savings and investment accounts. A gofundme for my medical bills had been spent on, well, medical bills. I had no money left; by January, I wouldn't be able to afford rent.

So, I made a terrible decision: I started a business.

I reached way back in time to that idea I had in college in 2007 and revamped it - made it more appropriate for this day and age, took a deep breath and dove in.

SidetrackedArt.com opened just before Thanksgiving.

The state of Maryland has made starting a business significantly easier than it was in 2007. This, more than anything else, made me feel like not only was this doable, but it would be successful, too. I registered my business name, registered with the IRS, opened a bank account, got my sales use and tax license... all the things you need set up shop.

My first sale was to my mother who wanted to help me out (thanks Mom! You’re the best!). I offered drop-shipped gifts of the stationery variety - desk accessories and the like. I used drop shippers that didn't require a membership fee and that let me stick to US-based suppliers. I handmade gift tags and greeting cards. I plotted.

I work for a software company now, but since those college days, I've wanted to be a fashion designer. I dreamt of a catwalk show at New York's Fashion Week and of being featured by the CFDA. I made costumes for friends and family. Now, I make bespoke fashion.

I spent the first quarter of the year deciding exactly what I wanted to make. I sourced fabric and notions from other small businesses. I illustrated my designs, drafted flatlines, and finally launched my Summer '21 micro-collection. It's inspired by life around rural southern Maryland - the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers, the farmers' markets, the open fields, the wineries, the wharf in Leonardtown. Things are slower here, more relaxed. It's a vibe and I wanted my clothes to reflect that.

It may seem counterintuitive to start a bespoke fashion company in this day and age of fast fashion. Instead of two and a half seasons a year, most designers can agree there are about 52 micro-seasons. In the US, garments are worn an average of just seven times before they are discarded. With stagnating wages it’s hardly a surprise that cheap, trendy items are so popular.

To pay myself a fair wage, prices for items in my line are pretty steep. Why would I do that? Why not find a cheap manufacturer instead and sell my designs en masse?

Remember how I said I have no money? Designing bespoke means I have very little up-front investment. I don’t need 300 of every design in every size plus stores willing to buy it all. I just need enough fabric to make one of each garment. Local customers can even swing by for fittings throughout the construction process so they get a truly custom fit.

By constructing bespoke I’m limiting my waste and environmental impact, too. Garment manufacturing requires a huge amount of water and produces an insane amount of carbon emissions. Transforming my living room into a design studio means I’m using exactly the same energy as I would be if I was just sitting on my couch eating popcorn and re-watching Pride and Prejudice for the 100th time. Plus, these garments aren’t going to end up in the dump after seven wears. High quality, skilled construction means they’ll last for years and will be worn over and over and over again.

I am happiest at my sewing machine or with a needle and thread in my hand. Is it scary starting a business? Absolutely. Is this really bad timing? Probably. Am I excited to do it anyway? Hell yeah.