I am kicking around the idea of starting a partnership in an upholstery business. The main focus would be automotive, but other areas would also be included. Currently, I'm doing a bit of Market research to see what the demand would be for the business in the St. Louis area. I have talked with a few small rod builders and there is a consensus that an upholsterer qualified to do traditional and street rod style work would be more than welcomed in the area. The builders I have talked with said that there are a couple upholstery shops in the area but none that are "all around knowledgeable" as far as being able to do different types of work (mainly sculpturing, [street rod stuff]). It seems most shops focus on a specific area in upholstery. The gentleman I am considering going into the partnership with is a well established business man who restores cars in his free time. He has been messing a bit with the upholstery work but told me that he isn't able to teach himself everything that he wants to know in order to do all of his own cars. This is where I come in, he has offered a partnership that includes his building, machines, tools in exchange for the information I have gained and hands on experience thru my training. So what do you all think? Is there a steady market in St. Louis? Do any of you have any stories of local shops that have done things for you that you weren't happy with? That you were happy with? What would you like to see in an upholstery shop that would keep you coming back for years? Any advice, answers, or side notes are greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance! MERGE
i'm in st louis and i' am going to need some work done on the 55. but i 've never delt with any other shops so i can't really answer you question sorry.nuke em
Hey Merge. I think another upholstery shop could do very well around here. My friend down the street does upholestery. his name is Denny Paynik. Hes been doing upholstery on only old cars for a long time and hes ALWAYS booked up at least a year ahead of time. Everyone likes a good interior guy. From what i have seen if you are good, customers always seem to keep coming back. Next time you come back home, call me and ill take you over to Dennys shop. He does Amazing work. I dont know how to sew, but i know how to do alot neat interior stuff. Do good work, Advertise, Stay Honest, Your Customers are your best friend, and cut me a good deal. That right there is a recipe for a succesfull business. Nick
Nick, you crack me up!!! BUT you make some excellent points............. I believe that with quality work and honesty at a fair price......the advertising will be free via word of mouth!
Actually, you answered one of my questions, you're a prime example of the market I am thinking about targeting. Thanks for your response!
I think you could do well in St Louis. I am from that area--been in Chicago a couple of years. I am moving to St Louis the end of this summer. As far as I know there is not a whole lot of compe***ion. Good luck. Keep us posted and we'll help spread the word.
are you at wyotech now? who's the benefactor? there is a shop here, in st charles county that does high-end stuff, did some of kurt mccormick's cars and some other 'feature' cars, but (supposedly) has a long waiting list. the other places in town are iffy... me, i'm too cheap for custom work, and my cars have good upholstery already. i may consider new stuff for my 60, if the price and quality were what i wanted.
Thanks to all that have responded. I really appreciate it! Yes, I'm currently in school at Wyotech and will be graduating in June. Hopefully, I will find an upholsterer job so I can get some experience under my belt for a few years and do other jobs on the side before going fulltime in my own shop. As far as the "high end" work, Im more interested in the customer who is looking for a quality job at a fair price. I really am not into it to make a killing on the work I do, but i wont give it away either. Anyway, thank you all once again for your input.
I know a St. Louis guy whose kid is at Wyotech right now, named Alan. Anyway, I only know of a local who teaches upholstery cl***es here in town. He seems to keep busy with his own projects and doesn't really advertise or anything. If you do good work and don't narrow your scope too much (traditional only might hurt you), you should do fine.
Do you have a number or name of the local who teaches cl***es in St. Louis? I'm always looking to get more education. I guess I need to restate my focus on customers, I didnt mean to say that I would want to do only traditional cars, I just don't want to be the type that will except only high end work and consider no one else. I believe that would extremely narrow the work that would be available and a negative reputation would follow as well.
The Jalopy Journal
