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Some of the lower priced dyers are hobbyists, but others are actual companies with employees. I'm thinking Sweet Georgia, Zen Yarn Garden, Madelinetosh. I know Madelinetosh's yarns are from Peru and South Africa. The other two are based in Canada, but Felicia Lo of Sweet Georgia has relatives in Taiwan and speaks Chinese. Roxanne Yeun and her…[Read more]

Riin, Tanja is always a good source for sorting things out. I think you could add $4 to $5 to your prices and still be within the pricing scheme of a lot of dyers. Madeline Tosh is purportedly always behind on orders, so maybe that is the secret? I know that Malabrigo doesn't even try to stay current.

I think you need to add to your list of…[Read more]

Oh Patti, we should talk! I am such a rebel. I saw your other post and hadn't gotten around to responding to it. I am such a rebel that I will resist things I want to do just as much as those I don't. Habits work for me. Basically, I take the argument opportunity out of everything I can.

Some things I don't fully recommend: Giving up the planner…[Read more]

Kudos to you that you face the nasty numbers!

I know it is not the best thing to compare yourself with others – but how do you think they can manage their low prices? Are they all housewives who don't need the income anyway?

More to your numbers: Where can you tweak them? One thing is to raise prices (and you should definitely do that, at least…[Read more]

I ran the numbers. I feel ill.

I recalculated overhead with what I'm actually paying for wages, calculated how many skeins we can dye per month, plugged in the current yarn and fiber costs, and figured out what the new prices should be.

OMG.

My most popular yarn would have to go from $29/skein to $37. All of the yarn prices would have to go up,…[Read more]

Thanks so much for helping me think through this, everyone!!

I've got the course set up on pre-order status right now, so it comes with a free download of a mini-course packet and then I will send out the actual e-mail course starting on March 14 (I'm going out of town next week so I don't want to start the course when I'm trying to avoid e-mail…[Read more]

They work with my skeining equipment in the comfort of their own home, at the time of their choosing. I do have return deadlines, but other than that, it's really casual and works well. I'm never surprised by the cost and they get to watch movies while they work!

Thanks, Amy! That's a very good point – the price itself is kind of a weed-out for whether you need the course.

Hmm. Yeah, Des Moines might work. The non-Hispanic white population was 70.5% according to the 2010 census, but it's been dropping for decades. It looks like they have good restaurants. Which makes me hungry…which reminds me I should eat lunch!

@katie-franceschi, you are wise. And yes, I am stressed. When I'm able to think, I'll figure out the stuff you suggested.

Do you have subcontract people work at your place or at theirs?

I think $149 is good — it sounded high to me, but I'm also certain I can't afford a VA, which is the perfect filter for your course. You don't want people to get the course, do week 2 (or whichver) to figure out if they can afford it, and come to the big fat no (and then ask for their money back). Plus, you're an amazing VA, and have a lot of…[Read more]

Thank you so much, Jill!! I was just thinking of the $25/week breakdown while I was in the shower, haha! It made me realize – if you can't afford $25/week then you can't afford a VA.

And thank you for referring me to Deb! For my inner spinning/yarn geek, working for her is like getting to sit at the feet of a master. It's awesome!

I might consider adding a specific note to your recurring payment purchase page saying something to the effect of: “If you no longer need your subscription, we are only able to offer a refund for the current month.”

Since it sounds like a membership payment, it's up to her to use the access. The payment gives her access, not the guarantee she…[Read more]

I'm with Karen. At $149 it is just less than $25/week for the six weeks. I would also emphasize that doing it over time will give users some breathing space to figure out just what works for them!

P.S. Deb Robson cannot ever speak highly enough of the collaboration with you Jess!

Riin – I live in Iowa, and really apart from the winter weather, it's wonderful. I live in a tiny town just west of Des Moines so we have a small town feel with all the benefits of the bigger town near by. I wouldn't recommend my town for you since you need public transit, but central Des Moines would work just fine with busses running. I have a…[Read more]

Riin – I live in Iowa, and really apart from the winter weather, it's wonderful. I live in a tiny town just west of Des Moines so we have a small town feel with all the benefits of the bigger town near by. I wouldn't recommend my town for you since you need public transit, but central Des Moines would work just fine with busses running. I have a…[Read more]

Riin – I live in Iowa, and really apart from the winter weather, it's wonderful. I live in a tiny town just west of Des Moines so we have a small town feel with all the benefits of the bigger town near by. I wouldn't recommend my town for you since you need public transit, but central Des Moines would work just fine with busses running. I have a…[Read more]

Even though it stings, you need to make a change. Your sales aren't covering your costs, and that leaves you just a couple choices – raise prices or lower costs. It's hard, but there are creative things you can do to achieve your goal. Also remember that raw wool prices have been rising steeply the past two years and all wool product prices are…[Read more]

Tanja, That is such a great way to look at it! And Congratulations.