A Very Tiny Business is a business that runs with only a couple people, or only one person in this case, has a super low to nonexistent overhead and mostly doesn’t make very much money. They can! But generally don’t.
The Sweatshop of Love is a great example of a Very Tiny Business. It’s a one woman show (me!) and I make WELL well WELL well WELL below the poverty level.
I talked a bit about my lifestyle when I paid off my student loans in May. I don’t spend a lot of money so I don’t have to make a lot of money. I tried that whole corporate thing and it just isn’t for me. Now I work a part time freelance admin job where I make between $800-1,000 a month. My income from The Sweatshop, teaching classes and selling kits and patterns and completing custom orders, varies greatly from month to month. I’d say on average I make between $300-700 per month from The Sweatshop.
My expenses, however, are minimal. My personal monthly expenses (rent and utilities, phone) are around $450 per month. Add $75 for groceries and $100 for going out to dinner and drinks a couple times a month, and I spend between $600-700 a month to live.
I live below the poverty line and I’m saving money because I don’t have a car, don’t buy myself bullshit I don’t need, make most of my own food, pack my lunch, and bike myself around.
Because I work mostly for myself and live such a thrifty lifestyle I can take my business wherever I want to go. And this summer I’m going all over!
From July 30-Aug 4th I’ll be hanging in Allendale MI with my new nephew I haven’t met yet!
From Aug 4th-Aug 29th I’ll be in NYC for the first time ever hanging with PT and knitting my little fingers off for my fall class schedule and winter ebook.
From Aug 29th-Sept 2nd I’ll be in Minnesota with PT for the MINNESOTA STATE FAIR!
On Sept 2nd PT and I will be renting a car and driving from Minneapolis to Allendale. That is 11 hours, baby. Midweastern road trip!
Sept 6th I’ll be heading back to Chicago to get ready for Renegade on Sept 11th and 12th.
Pretty sweet, right?
Who takes 6 weeks off work to travel around? No one. But who travels around bringing their work with them? Me!
Stay tuned. I’ve got LOTS planned for New York City.
How truly awesome!
I think this post will give us all some inspiration (I know it did for me!)
And when you get to NYC, give it a little hug from me. I’ve never been, but I’d like to be it’s friend.
Heh.
Safe travels you!
Comment by Jeanna — July 13, 2010 @ 8:55 am
LOVE IT.
If I was single and had no one but myself to provide for I would do it JUST LIKE YOU CHICA!
you put a fat ole smile on my face! So glad you are getting some time with PT. and NY???
so jealous.
Some day I want to start a very tiny business; just not sure whent he boss is gonna let me “retire” haha
enjoy your life Allyson! it’s sweet!
xoxox
Cindy´s last [type] ..Randomness
Comment by Cindy — July 13, 2010 @ 9:53 am
Woohoo! I love a good road trip. Have fun!
Daisy
Rainy Daisy´s last [type] ..Visual Inspiration for a Monday
Comment by Rainy Daisy — July 13, 2010 @ 10:18 am
Sounds like an awesome way to enjoy a Summer Alyson! If you have some time while in NYC, take the train up to the Hudson Valley. I would love to meet you after all this time of reading your blog and being so inspired by all that you create! Have a fabulous time and safe travels!
Comment by julie — July 13, 2010 @ 5:45 pm