Business type question NOT herp related

[RetiredJedi]

I was going to ask this in the Business forum but my question isn't about the herp business just more about business in general and I hope it's not a stupid question. I currently run and coach at a non-profit Crossfit affiliate (they call the a "Box"). I didn't start the Box but I saved it from going down the drain. We went from 6 people and being open two days a week to 40 people and being open 5 days a week and trying to get some evening open gym times. My dilema is I want to sell Box t-shirts and have been asked many times by the people that workout there if I have t-shirts they can buy. I was wondering if any of you have an idea and have been in business long enough to know if I can sell t-shirts and make a small profit off of the sales and not cause any problems for the non-profit status of the gym. I presonally won't be selling them , my wife works at a t-shirt shop and can get them pretty easily and I would adjust the price from there. She has nothing to do with the gym other than working out there. I came up with the design of the shirts and wouldn't mind getting a few bucks from the sales. Please don't think I'm trying to take advantage of anyone because I'm not but a few bucks profit just for the time I and effort I put into the place to make it stay on track.

Thanks for the help.

[wilomn]

I know the Southwestern Herpetological Society, which is a 501C3 sells T:cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:s and hats at shows and to members. I don't know what they have to do to claim that income, but I could put you in touch with the book keeper there. I can't think off the top of my head who it is, but I could find out later today if that's any help.

[RetiredJedi]

I know the Southwestern Herpetological Society, which is a 501C3 sells T:cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:s and hats at shows and to members. I don't know what they have to do to claim that income, but I could put you in touch with the book keeper there. I can't think off the top of my head who it is, but I could find out later today if that's any help.

That would be great, thank you for your response.

[Kodieh]

It's tricky, the business could sue you if there is any rights infringement. However, if you make a subtle "you have to be thinking about it" reference in the shirt; I don't see why not.

The tricky part about non-profits, is they would just have to dole it out in bonuses or reinvest in the company.

[alykoz]

I work at a printing shop in Vista, Ca actually and we do printing for a pretty good price. The bigger companies won't give you that kind of price so my suggestion is to find your local print shop, if you have one. you can google search screen printing and your zip code or whatever. We work with our customers on making the best decisions for their order, including any non-profits. I'm sure if there is a good one by you, they will help you and work with you. For us, depending on the type of printing and colors, type of shirts, etc., the price should be about $6-8/unit.
Good luck!

[alykoz]

Oh and people usually resell for about $15 so it's a x2 profit margin

[bcr229]

I came up with the design of the shirts and wouldn't mind getting a few bucks from the sales. Please don't think I'm trying to take advantage of anyone because I'm not but a few bucks profit just for the time I and effort I put into the place to make it stay on track.

The cleanest way to do this would be for you to sell/license the artwork you produced to the business, and the business would then use it to purchase and resell the shirts. You could either sell the logo for a one-time fee and the business could use it forever, or you could charge a rate per item sold, e.g. 50 cents per shirt, 25 cents per hat, etc.

[RetiredJedi]

Thanks for the input everyone.