Is the Sanfrancisco, Oakland area a good place to start a small business? (San Francisco: real estate, consignment)

[sport69]

I'm a drapery and curtain maker living in Florida I do a bit of upholstery for small chairs. Can a small business such as this thrive in the Bay area? I posted the same question in the NYC forum as I'm considering there also. All info appreciated. Thank you.

[ccm123]

I don't know the market here for such as business, but your (profit) margins should be high enough for you to cover your COG's (cost of goods sold) and make a profit, because the COL is very high here.

[jade408]

There should definitely be space. Although there are more options here in Oakland and SF than the more suburban parts. 3 of my friends have reupholstered in the past year or so. There are lots of used furniture/consignment places that you could "partner" with. I'd go that route. But people around here like to "reuse" so there are high and low end options for that sort of service.

There are also several districts that have a home decor slant all over the Bay Area suitable for a storefront. If also recommend setting up an etsy shop to supplement your income.

[shooting4life]

I don't know anything about your business, but do you use any chemicals? That can really add costs via regulations in California.

[arleigh]

California is not business friendly.
But there are plenty of welfare folk moving in ,be sure and be set up to process the EBT cards.

[Eman91]

Originally Posted by arleigh

California is not business friendly.
But there are plenty of welfare folk moving in ,be sure and be set up to process the EBT cards.

You realize San Francisco has one of the strongest job markets in the country, right?

Or do you get all of your information on California from anecdotes and stereotypes?

[sport69]

The only chemical I use is glue for tassles. I use Eco friendly linen for curtains. My curtains are not reused. Do the Bay residents use curtains and drapes?

[jade408]

Originally Posted by sport69

The only chemical I use is glue for tassles. I use Eco friendly linen for curtains. My curtains are not reused. Do the Bay residents use curtains and drapes?

Reuse meaning repurpose existing materials. I.e. an old couch or perhaps fabrics from other uses. But remember the cost of living is likely 2-3x of your current costs, particularly for housing. You'll want to expand to other channels besides just a storefront.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by jade408

Reuse meaning repurpose existing materials. I.e. an old couch or perhaps fabrics from other uses. But remember the cost of living is likely 2-3x of your current costs, particularly for housing. You'll want to expand to other channels besides just a storefront.

Now wait just a minute. I don't want to encourage ANYBODY to come to California. I want at least half the people already here to leave.

But, fair is fair. Where on earth do you get COL "is likely 2 - 3x of current costs except for housing"?

What in California is 2 - 3x higher than anywhere else, EXCEPT housing? And even housing isn't 2 - 3x compared to lots of places in the nation. Gas is a little higher than most other states - amounts to about $20 - $25 a month more than cheaper states for average driving habits. Food? Fresh produce is cheaper in CA. Most other foods are roughly the same. Consumer goods, from clothes to tv's? Same. Taxes? For millionaires, yes, higher - still not 2 - 3x higher. And for an upholsterer, like most mid-lower income groups, income tax is quite low in those brackets. Real estate taxes are low. Utilities? Varies widely all over the nation - but in coastal California we don't use much heat or AC so costs are really quite low. Etc.

2- 3x is nuts. Real estate is expensive in the coastal cities. Yep. The rest? Nickel and dime differences for the most part. Give the guy a break. If he can solve housing, he'll be fine.

[shooting4life]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Now wait just a minute. I don't want to encourage ANYBODY to come to California. I want at least half the people already here to leave.

But, fair is fair. Where on earth do you get COL "is likely 2 - 3x of current costs except for housing"?

What in California is 2 - 3x higher than anywhere else, EXCEPT housing? And even housing isn't 2 - 3x compared to lots of places in the nation. Gas is a little higher than most other states - amounts to about $20 - $25 a month more than cheaper states for average driving habits. Food? Fresh produce is cheaper in CA. Most other foods are roughly the same. Consumer goods, from clothes to tv's? Same. Taxes? For millionaires, yes, higher - still not 2 - 3x higher. And for an upholsterer, like most mid-lower income groups, income tax is quite low in those brackets. Real estate taxes are low. Utilities? Varies widely all over the nation - but in coastal California we don't use much heat or AC so costs are really quite low. Etc.

2- 3x is nuts. Real estate is expensive in the coastal cities. Yep. The rest? Nickel and dime differences for the most part. Give the guy a break. If he can solve housing, he'll be fine.

Housing makes everything more expensive, the person who runs an auto body shop has to pay more for his workers so they can afford to live in the area so the owner has to charge more for the work. Just about everything is more expensive because it costs the business owner more to sell it here than in other states.