Sending off my information to my Accountant this week...got me thinking:  Is pad making viable PT work to help put food on the table?  My answer is:  "Yes!"

In 2025, my pad making was PT.  Mostly at my age FT is too taxing on my body, plus I'd rather be outside enjoying other aspects of my life.  Mind you, I still do work outside my home two full days/week.  My age bracket may enjoy some additional income benefits, but I take my sales from making pads very seriously and aggressively as possible.  In 2025, pad making contributed greatly to my bottom dollar.  

I certainly don't always do things right.  I'm coming from the  "what works for me" approach.  My expenses are predominantly on a specific credit card that offers not only airline perks/points, but a yearend report.  "Manual" or simple tracking is painstakingly slow, but the most accurate for what I do.  And, yes, I (still) use a Columnar pad!  Saddle Pads play a major role in my collective indeavors.  

Tracking income is cross referenced to a designated account for sales.   Expenses include:  (all) materials; website support/domain registrations; show exspenses (booth fee's, motels, eating out); all pertaining travel mileage (a log with totals, dates, events.  I recently learned of an app. for tracking and I'm anxious to learn more); pad-production area and office is 30% of my home making square footage and a portion of utilities deductable; any fee's associated with the card I use; and packaging materials and shipping costs.  

What is your best approach for tracking inc/exp from your homebased business?  This is a genuine guestion.  If you have a program that makes your life easier for tracking, I would love to hear about successes and challenges you face with it.    

The event I attended this past weekend was an amazing show for foot traffic, target customer base, and overall experience level.  I felt visability and market reach was perfect!  However, I didn't reach my sale goals!  My inventory offered three available;  I took seven total (the additional four were prior sells and/or custom made orders).  With so many questions that swirl in my head, I narrowed it down to two I felt most applicable:  Questions this weeks' blog: 
1) Reality of making pads;  2) cashflow pressure?

1)  What is considered Reality?  Making what I call "spec-pads" for an event is a flock-shoot every time!  We step out and make what we feel is a quality, useable, desireable product.  The "Encouraging Truth" is a) investing time in educating the public in these pads; b) story telling about craftsmenship, personal history and connection with our pads; c) direct connection with horse and riders!  In my case this weekend, I nailed it on the "Reality" perspective!  [All three of those points are "wins" in my book!  After three days of visting with a pluthora of people, I've lost my voice this a.m.>>>well worth it!]
2)  Is there cashlfow pressure?  Typically all PWSP makers use quality wool/products, invest our time, and I consider us all as "skilled laborers."  When sales goals fall short:  a) Inventory sits around longer than planned; b) material costs typically aren't recovered timely; c) and as a result of "b" working capitol for the next wave of supplies isn't at hand.   What is your best approach to cashflow pressure?   [Mine:  sit it out and the sale(s) will come eventurally.  Not smart, but pressure builds diamonds!  It's all I got!]

As always, your thoughts shared are appreciated!  Spring is here and brandings have begun!  Let's get our pads to those who need them most!  
​~Diane

There are so many questions!  Every individual is either developing, or perfecting their work-at-home regimen.  
1.    If there's a routine?  Proactive or reactive to productivity?  Disciplined, or hit and miss?
2.    Do you strive for full time, part time, while relaxing, or seasonal?   A mix of all?
3.    Is your work space separate from you living space?  (If so, I have pad-maker envy!)
4.    Do you strive to make-show-sell, or custom orders, or both?  Custom orders are flattering, but do they slow production?
5.    Is photographing and marketing best when it's fresh?  
6.    Regularly update marketing platforms, correspond with email, communicate?

With such an age variation amongst pad makers these days (young perhaps with toddlers, middle age with distractions, or older with more time) I really appreciate your thoughts on these questions.  Even let us know if you are a stay at home mom, work outside plus inside the home as a balance act, or close to an age where setting our own schedule is achievable.

Thank you!  I look forward to your sharing of thoughts!
~Diane 

Young makers today are social media Guru's!  I fall terribly short in this area as my birthdate is prior to President Kennedy being elected Nov. of 1960!   So what is working and what isn't?
What is working for Makers to sell their Pulled Wool Saddle Pads? 

1. If attending Events, what is the scale of your involvement?   Big/small events?   Avoid certain types of events?  Drawn to Ranch type events?
2. Word of Mouth?  
3. Running sale-specials, donation of a pad for  certain causes?
4. Social media?
5. Combo of all? 
6. If you have a website, and own your email list, do you email contact?  

What is working, and what can be improved on? Genuine questions I get asked regulary.  My advantage is my three decades building pads.   Thanks for contributing and building a base for better sales for us all!
~Diane