According to the US Census Bureau, in 2004 there were over 5 million businesses with fewer than 20 employees, over two million with fewer than 5 employees.  That’s a pretty impressive number for small businesses.  Hard working entrepreneurs working to ensure they make payroll as well as make a profit themselves at the end of the day.

One of the fastest growing sectors of business, however, is the non-employer; those stalwart individuals who are working by themselves, either as a self-contractor, or a self-employed businessperson filing 1099s every year. Working hard to ensure they have a paycheck for themselves and can account for every penny spent on their business.  They span the service, construction, agriculture and medical industries and, as almost always has been, the fashion industry.

Small business owners and the self-employed work long hours, sacrificing significantly to maintain their positions.  Overtime and holiday pay aren’t in the vocabulary of these individuals.  And if you sit down and have a discussion with any of these individuals you’ll either discuss the weather or more likely how their business is doing.  It’s a subject that is always on their mind. 

In the fashion industry, specifically, you’ll find designers, seamstresses and seamsters, models, photographers and a cadre of event planners, freelance writers and freelance marketers; each one learning the profession of the other to spread the word about their business.With the advent of Ebay, Etsy, Yahoo Shops, Artfire, Model Mayhem, DeviantArt and hundreds of other websites these folks are finally being seen.  It’s time, now, for them to start being recognized as the driving force behind the fashion industry.

While we would all love to shop for the latest Giorgio Armani, it is important to remember that he too started out as an assistant designer for Nino Cerruti.  The top fashion designers worked hard and exploded into the world with determination, drive and creativity but they did not all start out working in the fashion houses of Europe. They might have enjoyed the opportunity of the selected few like Jay McCarroll, Chloe Dao, Jeffrey Sebelia, Christian Siriano and Leanne Marshall or they may have laid out a large amount of cash for an opportunity to be seen on runway during one of the numerous fashion weeks, be it New York, Detroit, Chicago, or LA.  The thing is they now appear in fashion shows located in Kalamzoo, Madison, and Akron.

Support these fabulous folks, these small business owners and non-employers, working in the small boutiques and basement shops all around our country making our country beautiful.

Thank you for reading,

http://www.pinklabelcorsets.com

Posted: March 28th, 2009 under News.
Comments: none

I guess you could compare our fashion with the movie theater escapism they always talk about. The second hand store and the discount clothing store are looking better and better. In addition to that, we’re trying to save the almighty dollar or at least make it stretch as far as possible.

Now lets look at woman’s fashion. Beyond going to the club or an evening on the town, imagine having to fork out the dough for a prom dress, bridesmaid dress, or evening gown. Now that can send shivers to any purse, wallet or money clip. The price of evening gowns, prom dresses, and bridesmaid dresses… ouch! Surely it would hurt a $250 outfit budget to spend $200 of it on a corset… even if you were going to use it multiple times.

I remember when Tuley first mentioned making corsets and my first thought was, “Wow, $300 a pop and if we sell two or three a week we could be doing okay.” But she came back at me and said, “No, I want something affordable, efficient to make, and something that looks great with out skimping on quality.” Okay, fair enough. Now this was back in 2001 and things weren’t near as grim as they are now in our economy.

So here we are in 2009 and I’m thinking it was a good thing she made that call back then. I get to see how a customized corset at an affordable price is going to survive in times like this. Today Pink Label Corsets is the top fetish fashion club-wear designer in the entire mid-west. [Thank you for helping the PLC Designers get there and stay there, by the way]

Here’s where the movie theater escapism comes in. I’m talking about having spring colors, flowing skirts bouncing on a petticoat, and bare shoulders. The winter is over and we have the chance to really bring out what the summer will soon bring us. An affordable, comfortable, corset that’s just right to reduce a little of the winter we’ve put on our waist. It’s better then seeing your first spring robin sing. It’s all about feeling sexy and slim in the moment without calling the loan company.

Brighten your colors, brighten your spirit and look good doing it.

Thank you for reading,
Sturty

Posted: March 20th, 2009 under News.
Comments: 1

It’s a pretty typical situation and many examples exist where the boyfriend, husband or partner is placed with the every frightening instant when he’s asked, “Do I look okay in this?”  Sweat starts to bead on the brow and heart rate increases to dangerous proportions.  It’s the question that brings fear to the heart.  Facing and enemy in battle, spinning out on the ice, or receiving a foreclosure notice pale in comparison to the very minute.  It’s a make or break moment; the next few words can make your evening soar or cause it to spiral down in horrific flames.

Whether it’s the blouse and slacks or the basic black dress, we have to be prepared to face the question.  Thankfully there are real men who can answer the question.  And no, they are not all flaming “fashionistas” speaking in lilting tones and limp wrists. They don’t have million dollar bank accounts and wear $5000 suits. They mustn’t always live in the big city, and they occasionally drive pickup trucks.

Back to our question, “Do I look okay in this?”  The question, while frightening, is really a simple one.  The woman is not asking the man to do an on the spot mini-makeover with her wardrobe.  What she is hoping for is honesty, and men would love to give her that.  The problem is like deciding between a Minneola, a Tangelo, and Satsuma; all the guy can do is blink. There is a pretty simple reason men’s fashion hasn’t changed much beyond the width and shape of the necktie. We’d be happy to tell you the miniskirt isn’t good for the restaurant we’re going to and we’d even tell you that sweat pants are not the best choice to the show we’re going to see.

We, too, want you to look your best.  We really do.  We seen you in several of your outfits and liked them.  To choose between them is not easy. So as a guy and as one of the lucky few that can make an amateurish attempt at answering the question, I’m going to give my pearls of wisdom.

1)     What she wore last week may not look good this week.

2)     If she feels you honestly believe she is pretty in those clothes she will feel better.

3)     Its okay to say you prefer one to the other once and a while. Just be honest.

4)     Don’t bother with “whatever you’d like to wear;” she asked you for your opinion, give it to her.

5)     Glance at the color sample wall when you pass one at your local paint center it helps.

6)     Pay attention, it doesn’t mean you have to give up your life, just a few moments.

Thank you for reading,

Posted: March 14th, 2009 under News.
Comments: none

In a workplace culture of women and fashion, occasionally the need for a male’s opinion is needed.   I’m not the business owner or the lead anything.  I set grommets, I help insert boning, and I help package and ship.  I don’t design; I don’t sew (although I can sew a straight line) and I don’t model. I am the Male Opinionator of Pink Label Corsets.

When Tuley began Pink Label Corsets so long ago I was off working the 9 to 5, occasionally popping in to see the amazing things happening in the shop.  And then one day I was needed and it all went from there.

I hope to be adding my opinions here with Tuley  and together we’ll both be off to an exciting change of pace for the PLC Blog.

Thank you for reading,

Posted: March 14th, 2009 under News.
Comments: none