How to Turn Wool Into a Cottage Industry
- 1). Research business licenses, tax and zoning requirements. Contact local government agencies to determine if you will need a business license, or a tax identification number, such as a sales tax exemption number. Verify that your cottage industry will meet your location's zoning requirements.
- 2). Research the market for wool in your area. Check with local specialty knitting shops to see if they might be interested in buying your wool, how much and what types. Contact your local county extension office for other potential wool buyers and follow up with them. Look for online forums and message boards to find information on the interest in various types of wool.
- 3). Secure a supply of desirable types of wool. If you have a farm, you can raise your own sheep, goats or other wool-bearing animals. If you don’t have a farm, contact farmers who may be able to supply you with wool.
- 4). Plan how you will process the wool. If you are raising your own livestock, you will need care for the animals and to have them sheared. Whether you raise your own livestock or purchase your wool, you will need to decide how much processing you’d like to do. For example, you can choose to wash, card, die and spin the wool or you may choose to only wash and card, and then sell the wool to spinners.
- 5). Market your wool. You can promote your wool to your target market by setting up booths at industry events and farmers markets or by selling to specialty wool shops. You may also wish to set up a website for promoting and selling your wool.
