A sock shop will sell a variety of socks to customers. Owners may sell novelty socks at a premium or bulk socks for a discount.
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DIY: How to Start an LLC
Start a sock shop by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Sock Shop
- Form your Sock Shop into a Legal Entity
- Register your Sock Shop for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Sock Shop
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Sock Shop
- Get Sock Shop Insurance
- Define your Sock Shop Brand
- Create your Sock Shop Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your sock shop. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Sock Shop Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a sock shop?
A sock shop will need the following in order to function:
- Retail space
- Inventory
- Employees
- Infrastructure (e.g., display racks, etc.)
- Commercial insurance
- Website
What are the ongoing expenses for a sock shop?
Ongoing expenses include the cost of inventory, employee salaries and benefits, rent/mortgage, and the cost of maintaining your website. Another ongoing expense will be business insurance, and owners are strongly encouraged to purchase a good plan. While a sock shop isn’t typically considered a hazardous place, you may have people trying on inventory in the store. If they slip at any point, they may hold you responsible for their injuries.
Who is the target market?
The target market can be anyone who wants a pair of socks. Realistically, if you’re selling novelty socks, the market is more likely to be young women in their teens and 20s. However, the demographic can be as wide as you make. For example, you can sell matching socks for parents and children, or men’s dress socks in new designs.
How does a sock shop make money?
Owners will set a profit margin on all socks sold. They may choose to make small margins off large orders or sell smaller quantities of novelty socks at a higher margin.
How much can you charge customers?
Luxury knitwear socks can sell for well more than $1,000 per sock. However, you likely won’t get very far if you price your socks that high. Novelty socks can sell for about $15 a pair and regular bulk socks can sell for about $2 per pair. Research sock prices in your area before setting your own retail price list.
How much profit can a sock shop make?
Average profit for a sock shop can be as high as $10 a pair. If you sell 50 pairs a day at a profit average of $5, you would make $250 per day.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Consider selling additional accessories, such as ankle bracelets or simple pairs of shoes. These items can help customers complete their look before they walk out of the store.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your sock shop is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your sock shop were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
More than 84% of our readers opt to collaborate with a professional LLC formation service to kickstart their venture. We’ve negotiated a tailored discount for our readers, bringing the total down to just $29.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a sock shop
Sock shop owners may want to begin selling both online and in a retail store. This can help people in all locations get to know more about the brand. Consider throwing a grand opening party to drive excitement. Have guests wear their favorite socks and give out prizes for the best ones.
When it comes to marketing, you’ll need a strong online presence to help people find you and learn more about what you have to offer. Create social media campaigns that get people talking about the kinds of socks they love, and use that feedback to drive what you advertise to certain groups. Paint the store in bright colors so people want to check out your inventory. Finally, consider partnering with shoe stores for cross-promotional events.
How to keep customers coming back
Attracting customers can be as easy as having a sale on the day you open or inviting local fashion influencers to attend the opening party. Retaining customers starts with selling a quality sock that can stand up to a variety of activities (and multiple washings). People should feel comfortable browsing your store. Employees should feel comfortable selling the products without making anyone feel pressured to purchase. Consider offering a loyalty program for customers, so they’ll want to earn rewards.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
People who love unconventional fashion. Socks are normally seen as a practical garment to wear, but they can be fashionable when they’re dressed up in the right colors and materials.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a sock shop?
Owners may perform the following tasks on a regular day:
- Helping customers
- Stocking inventory
- Researching new designs
- Setting prices
- Managing website
- Scheduling employees
- Creating new marketing campaigns
- Fulfilling large orders
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful sock shop?
You should have some experience in fashion. Owners will need to know the styles and sizes (e.g., knee socks, no-shows, etc.) that will best appeal to your audience. You’ll also need excellent people skills, as you’ll need to handle both customers and employees.
What is the growth potential for a sock shop?
Many people will purchase their socks at big box stores or online, so the growth potential may not be readily apparent for your business. However, the more intriguing your designs are, the more likely it is your sock shop will thrive. Many people buy cheap socks only to find that they need to throw them away because they fall apart after only a few wears. If you can give people quality socks that last, you’ll be more likely to make a name for yourself.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a sock shop?
A sock shop is a really fun idea for many owners, but the reality isn’t always as glamorous. Most people already have their own preferred way of buying socks, and it’s often done for practicality reasons rather than for fashion. You’ll first need to recognize the inherent challenges of standing out in a crowded market before searching for ways to enter the industry.
Successful sock entrepreneurs carve out a niche by looking at what’s missing in their industry as opposed to what’s popular. Most people need to wear socks when they’re at work or due to the weather, so you’ll always have customers who need your services. If you hear complaints from people that low socks tend to slip off their feet, you may want to sell a premium brand that’s guaranteed not to sag. Or you may want to sell more crew socks so customers don’t have to worry about their socks bunching up mid-way through the day.
Owners should also think about what people are wearing beyond socks. So if the latest fashion trend in your area is miniskirts, you can start marketing your socks as the perfect accessory to the skirts. Or if you find that combat boots are starting to come back in style, you can start selling matching socks to complete the trend.
When you’re first getting started, you’ll want to be stingy with your money and overly generous on customer service. Social media can be a good way to get free marketing, especially considering that bright and colorful socks are already an eye-catcher. Everyone who interacts with your business should feel special, even if they just came into your shop because their friend asked them to.
How and when to build a team
You should ideally be hiring at least one employee if you’re planning to offer typical retail hours. Look for people who are friendly and experienced in sales. Ideally, they should also have some insights into the fashion market. This can help you keep your ideas fresh as you change out your inventory for the upcoming season.