Socks Business

How Much Does It Cost To Start A Socks Business? (In 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: September 13th, 2024

Looking to start a socks business?

But curious about:

how much it costs to start a socks business?
what are the typical socks business startup costs?
or the actual cost of starting socks businesses?

Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real socks businesses and how much they actually cost to start.

Let's go over it.

What is the average cost of starting a socks business?

Based on our data reported by actual socks business founders, the average cost of starting a socks business is between $5,000 and $100,000.

Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for a socks business are around $23K.

Remember, though, not all socks businesses are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of socks businesses

Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start a socks business?

We asked real socks business founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?

Here is what they said:

Taylor Offer

Founder of FEAT Socks ($100K/month)

"That day, we bought 200 pairs of plain white socks from Ross and pressed designs on them in our dorm room with a heat press."

Taylor Offer is the co-founder of FEAT Socks, a custom sock business that started with a minimal investment and has since grown significantly.

Read this case study

Read by 16,607 founders

Dane Jensen

Founder of Sock Club ($1M/month)

"Sock Club was completely bootstrapped and has always been profitable (excluding the cost of our time). We did everything we could ourselves."

Dane Jensen is the founder of Sock Club, a custom socks business that generates over $12M in annual revenue.

Read this case study

Read by 22,516 founders

Mari & Matt McNamara

Founder of No Cold Feet LLC ($20K/month)

"Our first bulk order was for about 7,000 pairs of socks. Between the socks, shipping, customs fees, forming our company, and a number of other miscellaneous costs we started the company for about $16k."

Matt McNamara is the co-founder of No Cold Feet, a groomsmen gifts company that started in 2017 and generated over $213k in revenue by 2019.

Read this case study

Read by 10,665 founders

Michael Mader

Founder of Hippy Feet ($88K/month)

"While $22,500 sounded like a lot of money at the time, my new business partner and Co-Founder, Sam Harper, realized very quickly that we were the definition of a lean business."

Michael Mader is the founder of Hippy Feet, a sock and apparel company that supports the homeless community by providing employment opportunities.

Read this case study

Read by 6,259 founders

Darshan M

Founder of Deivee ($11K/month)

"We called for a press conference and invited our seed investor Allu Sirish, who is also a celebrity, along with the celebrity Co-founder Milind Soman. The media was in full force and we got some huge media coverage nationally. And the investors started moving forward and we finalized on a very good family office for our first formal fundraise of $260K USD."*

Darshan M is the founder of Deivee, an organic sustainable yoga lifestyle brand that offers yoga-inspired clothing, mats, and accessories.

Read this case study

Read by 5,693 founders

Rami Nasr

Founder of From The Ground Up Socks ($2.5K/month)

"This included the initial batch order of the cascade socks costing around $2,500, packaging (~ $750), signing up with a Squarespace account ($30/month) ... All this from a $4,000 investment from my savings when I graduated college."

Rami Nasr is the founder of From The Ground Up, a sustainable gear brand that started 2.5 years ago and has since achieved over $170k in sales.

Read this case study

Read by 8,286 founders

Enjoyed reading these real world examples?

Our platform is full of case studies of successful socks businesses that you can learn from.

Starting a socks business - what you should know:

Starting a socks business comes with various nuances that can significantly impact your budget.

Initial Inventory Costs

One of the most significant expenses will be your initial inventory. Depending on the type of materials you choose, costs can vary widely. For example, cotton socks might cost between $3 to $6 per pair to produce, whereas specialty materials like merino wool could range from $8 to $12 per pair. Ordering in bulk can often reduce these costs, but consider starting with smaller quantities to minimize initial expenditures.

Manufacturing and Design

The complexity of your sock designs will also affect your budget. Custom designs often require higher setup fees, which can range from $500 to $1,500 depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, intricate designs and custom patterns typically incur higher production costs. If you're looking to save money, opting for simpler designs and fewer color combinations can help keep costs down.

Marketing and Branding

Marketing is essential to getting your brand noticed, and costs can add up quickly. Basic digital marketing strategies, like social media advertising and Google Ads, can range from $500 to $2,000 per month. On the other hand, if you decide to go for a more comprehensive marketing campaign, including influencer partnerships and email marketing, you could be looking at an investment of $3,000 to $10,000 per month.

Logistics and Shipping

Shipping costs are another important factor. Domestic shipping rates per pair within the United States generally range from $2 to $5, depending on the carrier and shipping speed. If you plan to ship internationally, those costs can increase to $10 to $20 per pair. Some companies offset these costs by incorporating them into the product price or by offering free shipping on bulk orders.

By understanding these key nuances, you can better prepare yourself for the financial aspects of starting a socks business, ultimately ensuring a smoother and more cost-effective launch.

Potential Costs of Starting a Socks Business

Starting a socks business involves various startup costs, ranging from raw materials to marketing expenses. Below is a detailed breakdown of potential costs you might encounter in the process:

Cost Category	Description	Estimated Cost
Raw Materials
Yarn and Fabrics	High-quality cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers	$1,000 - $2,500 initial
Dye and Chemicals	For customizing sock colors	$200 - $500 initial
Packaging	Boxes, labels, and tags	$300 - $1,000 initial
Equipment and Tools
Knitting Machines	Industrial or semi-industrial knitting machines	$5,000 - $20,000
Sewing Machines	For finishing touches	$1,000 - $3,000
Dyeing Equipment	Needed if customizing socks	$500 - $3,000
Website and Hosting
Domain Name	Annual cost	$10 - $50 per year
Web Hosting	Monthly or annual hosting fees	$100 - $500 per year
Website Development	Cost of building an e-commerce site	$2,000 - $10,000
Legal and Licensing
Business License	Required for operation	$50 - $500
Trademark Registration	Protecting your brand	$225 - $400
Legal Fees	For contracts and advice	$500 - $3,000
Marketing and Sales
Digital Marketing	Social media ads, SEO, and email campaigns	$500 - $5,000 monthly
Printed Marketing	Flyers, posters, and catalogs	$200 - $1,000 initial
Trade Shows	Booth rental, travel, and materials	$1,000 - $3,000 per event
Labor Costs
Hiring Staff	Salaries for workers and administrative staff	$25,000 - $50,000 annually
Freelance Designers	Cost of hiring designers for custom sock patterns	$20 - $100 per hour
Miscellaneous
Rent	Cost of leasing a manufacturing or storage space	$500 - $2,000 monthly
Utilities	Electricity, water, and internet	$200 - $1,000 monthly
Insurance	Business insurance to protect against liabilities	$500 - $2,000 annually