The Cost of Doing Business

I just paid my largest Etsy bill, to date. It's a good thing, it means I am selling stuff and it makes me think about the cost of doing business. I don't think a lot of moms who are looking to contribute to their household incomes take these costs into consideration when they decide to go into business.

There are two adages in the business world that could not be truer.

The first is; "You've got to spend money to make money." 
The second is; "You get what you pay for." (I cheaped out on several things in the beginning, which has resulted in my spending more money down the road on repeat items -ahem Etsy "graphic designers.")

Here is a list of some of the things that I spend money on:
Business licenses
Business Education
Credit card fees
Banking fees
Website fees
Shipping to me
Packaging
Electricity
Printer ink paper
Machines
Hot glue and staples
Product photography equipment
Professional association fees
Graphic design for online and print materials
Software for accounting and design
Supplies for products

I could probably write a blog post about each item in this list. Suffice it to say, each of them is an investment in making my business.

I did not take out a loan to start my business. I worked two jobs and one of them was to fund the start up of my business, while the other one paid bills. My official two year anniversary is in February, my business now pays for itself. One of my goals is for Central Texas Spirit Wear to be the job that pays my bills.