santa stockings

The business of making Santa stockings ..

@epiffanie (11326)

Australia

December 3, 2016 5:46am CST

. I accepted a job from a lady who was desperate to have someone sew a couple of large Santa stockings.. I accepted because she burst into tears when I said I can't accept any more work because I am too busy with my big jobs.. I would have charged her $30 each to make them but I only charged her $40 for the two because she cut the patterns herself. And plus she's a lovely lady..

I actually enjoyed making them that I decided to make one each for my 7 grandchildren..

.. So I got busier the last few days.. But I finished them yesterday.. I hope the grandkids like them

.. Anyway, the lady called me this morning proposing a business partnership with me making these stockings ... because her daughter posted a photo of them on Facebook and within 24 hours, hundreds of enquiries were made on where they can buy one.. Some even want one for each members of their families.. It would be cash in hand business she said and we could make more than $11,000 each next Christmas judging by the numbers of people who showed interest.. The "cash in hand" is what bothered me.. as I have always been very transparent with the ATO when it comes to my business income and I would prefer it that way until I decide to quit my business.. My peace of mind is more important to me than any amount of money .. And in my personal experience dealing with people, honesty really is the best policy .. Just the thought of earning that much without paying tax makes my blood pressure jump up and my head spin.. It's not a good sign .. Anyway, what would you do? Would you be tempted to go into business with them?.. Bess .. .

18 people like this

20 responses

@Marilynda1225 (79708)

• United States

3 Dec 16

I would follow your gut instinct and if you feel it's a bad idea then don't do it. Why couldn't you post them on Facebook yourself and not have to go in business with anyone else? Those really are very pretty stockings and I dont' think you'd need a partner for a business venture.

4 people like this

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@bunnybon7 (50973)

• Holiday, Florida

4 Jan 17

see i like Marilyns idea

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

5 Jan 17

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

11 Dec 16

I have a registered business making mostly weddings and other formal outfits ... small jobs like this santa stockings really don't appeal much to me ..

1 person likes this

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@JudyEv (325759)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Dec 16

If you're talking this much money it may be better to keep it above board. The lady might be just as happy to do it and pay tax as to do it underhandedly. The stockings look lovely. No wonder they were such a hit.

3 people like this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

11 Dec 16

I have a registered business and if I ever want to go into business with others, they must be willing to register the business as I don't want to be in trouble...

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325759)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 Dec 16

@epiffanie It wouldn't be worth your while to do things that weren't legal.

@SIMPLYD (90722)

• Philippines

3 Dec 16

I think i would try . However may i ill. declare i for tax purpose. By the way , those Christmas stocking are so nice . We also have those but they are not quilted like yours seems to be .

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@SIMPLYD (90722)

• Philippines

28 Dec 16

@epiffanie I agree .

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

25 Dec 16

I think quilted ones are better because they hang well ..

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@marlina (154166)

• Canada

3 Dec 16

The Christmas stockings shown in the picture are very, very lovely. I would declare the profits to the tax revenue department, for sure.

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

25 Dec 16

Yes indeed .. it's not worth getting into trouble with the taxman..

1 person likes this

@marlina (154166)

• Canada

26 Dec 16

@epiffanie No worth one bit!

1 person likes this

@simone10 (54189)

• Louisville, Kentucky

7 Dec 16

Since the amount is so much, I would do the same thing. What did you tell her? By the way, I love the stockings! You did such a great job!

2 people like this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

11 Dec 16

I won't go into business partnership but I would accept some sewing from her ...

3 people like this

@simone10 (54189)

• Louisville, Kentucky

13 Dec 16

@epiffanie Sounds like a good plan to me.

1 person likes this

@ms1864 (6886)

• Bangalore, India

3 Dec 16

i might.

The stocking sure look amazing.

2 people like this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

25 Dec 16

thank you @ms1864

1 person likes this

@valmnz (17099)

• New Zealand

4 Dec 16

If you're already in business I agree with you, stay honest with the tax department. It does seem an excessive amount of money in a short time and would involve you doing all the work no doubt.

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

25 Dec 16

Yes indeed! ..

1 person likes this

crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39515)

• United States

4 Dec 16

those're adorable! i can see why folks'd wish to purchase 'em. like yerself, i'm most honest with taxes, e'en though i prolly could'a gotten by with some 'grey matter', i chose not to. if'n such's somethin' ya wish to do though, i'd be 'pfront with this gal. i presume y'ave got a business license? 'r ya could 't least claim the income 'n not fret 'bout those 2.

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@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

25 Dec 16

Yes I have a registered business and I make sure I am honest with the taxman ..

1 person likes this

@MarshaMusselman (38652)

• Midland, Michigan

25 Dec 16

Just because that many people showed interest it doesn't mean that they would all order next year or be willing to pay what you all would charge. Also, even if that nice lady is planning on not letting the ATO know about the income she's making doing these, does that mean that you wouldn't be able to put it down as income either? Here, most people wouldn't bother acknowledging income that doesn't have any paper trail, but if they do the government doesn't force them to prove those amounts. I'd think there would be some way for you to pay your taxes on those amounts made if you do decide to do it for the following year.

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

25 Dec 16

I have a registered business .. and I would not go into business partnership with anyone unless they have a written contract of partnership and register the business with ABN (Australian Business Number) .. And yes, I could make it for them and declare the income through my business which means they have to pay me as they collect the finished products .. I don't think that's what she wants ... She proposes that I make them throughout the year and wait for my pay when they are finally sold at the end of the year because as she said, "No one has to know anyway"... but I am not comfortable with idea ... Anyway, I don't think it is worth their time to go into it ... .

1 person likes this

@Lucky15 (37346)

• Philippines

3 Dec 16

peace of mind is indeed more important than money and nope for me :(

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

11 Dec 16

yes indeed .. we shall choose peace of mind

1 person likes this

@acelawrites (19273)

• Philippines

5 Dec 16

It is a good business opportunity, but if you'll have some problems later, you might regret accepting the offer. Go for the less-stressful choice.

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

11 Dec 16

Indeed .. not good stressing out ..

@JustBhem (70555)

• Davao, Philippines

3 Dec 16

If you think you can get more money out of it then why not give it a try. It's still up to you.

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

25 Dec 16

I would accept the job but not the business partnership ..

@tzwrites (4835)

• Romania

4 Dec 16

Those are beautiful stockings. Yeah the cash in hand thing could be sketchy and it's probably best to have a small business for that.

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

11 Dec 16

thank you .. Yes indeed.. it's better to have a proper registered business than doing it cash in hand to avoid paying tax.. ..

@responsiveme (22926)

• India

4 Dec 16

Those stockings are indeed very nice, yet another example of your talent. Can't advise on business, I'm afraid but peace of mind is important to me too.

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

25 Dec 16

Thank you kindly .. yes indeed.. peace of mind is priceless ..

1 person likes this

@bunnybon7 (50973)

• Holiday, Florida

4 Jan 17

long time till next Christmas. gives you time to think on it. besides nasty minded me would be thinking maybe i do it alone. lol

@PatZAnthony (14752)

• Charlotte, North Carolina

28 Dec 16

Here we can report our earnings and pay what is owed. For many of us, these jobs are a good way to earn a 2nd or 3rd income.

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

29 Dec 16

Yes it's good to have those opportunities to earn extra ..

@shshiju (10342)

• Cochin, India

3 Dec 16

That's a lovely product of course and joining the business will make you surely wealthier. But I prefer not to quit the job but take leave if you can or judge the business in one business year . Then you can determine.

@AkoPinay (11544)

• Philippines

3 Dec 16

I will if the lady pay me per pc wether she sold them or not

1 person likes this

@epiffanie (11326)

• Australia

25 Dec 16

Yes, I will take on the job and get paid as I go ..

1 person likes this

@JustBhem (70555)

• Davao, Philippines

3 Dec 16

If you think you can get more money out of it then why not give it a try. It's still up to you.

@sayitnow (424)

•

3 Dec 16

it's best to go with your first mind. i would wait and start my own business and let her go about business. you never know what could happen with this partnership. now if you want to still do it. hire a lawyer and have them to draw up a contract.