How do you start?

[MeandMyShadow]

My question is how do I start the business. What was the first step after the business name, license, etc... Did most of you start with a web-based business? Did you quit your regular jobs? When did you start making enough money to quit you regualr jobs? How much start up money did you need? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Kathy Ann]

I know it's different for everyone. Here's mine:

Did most of you start with a web-based business? No, I started by making quilts for friends and co-workers. It ended up on the internet because I love playing with computers and I wanted to reach a wider audience, plus get the customer out of my face. Sounds mean but it's true!:p

Did you quit your regular jobs? Eventually I did, but ours is an unusual circumstance. Steve and I decided that we could earn more money and satisfaction if I took over all errands, yard, pet, car and household (including renovation) duties so that he could write books as well as teaching. If you are working only on the internet, you can do a fulltime job plus your internet business, because you are not committed to being on-site like you have to be with a storefront. Paypal or other shopping cart functionality gives your customer an instant, friendly response so they feel as though you are right there.


When did you start making enough money to quit your regular jobs? At the time I quit, my business was not yet paying for itself. It has taken about 5 years to pay for itself, with a few thousand left over. If I had to support a family with this, I would have borrowed money for the patent process on my draft stopper, then started manufacturing. Or I would write books on how to do the quilts & dolls, then go around the country to teach classes.

How much start up money did you need? Zero. The first quilts cost about $20.00 to make, and it came out of money I would have been spending on craft supplies anyway. My website was on a free hosting service for the first two years. After that, my first investment (besides craft supplies) was $15.00 a year for my own dot-com name.

[zuzus_garden]

Hi MeandMyShadow,

Everyone's story is different. Here's mine...

What was the first step after the business name, license, etc... Actually, deciding what I would do was the first step - and that was to do what I love...mix art and nature together to create handmade garden-inspired home accents.

Did most of you start with a web-based business? I did. I do not do craft shows, sell wholesale or consignment, or have a brick-and-mortar store. I'm online only.

Did you quit your regular jobs? No, my regular job quit me. Software Development was hit hard in this recession. Businesses went bankrupt, and those that were hanging by a thread hired contractors from India to try to stay in business. A lot of us had to go out and find something else to do, so I started a business and hired myself.

When did you start making enough money to quit you regualr jobs? This is my regular job. Life is frugal, but wonderful.

How much start up money did you need? Zero. I already had art supplies. My husband had already started a corporation to pursue multiple business opportunities, and his first small biz was already online. So I designed my site, started making products that I couldn't find easily anywhere else, took a bizillion pics to get a few good ones, worked on writing copy that includes keywords, researched on improving my website, and started meeting other women in business by joining a few forums.

Your story will be different, but you'll find your way if you really want to do this, one day at a time.

:)
Zuzu

[MeandMyShadow]

Thanks for the replies. I tell myself everyday to go for it. I work in retail right now and hate it! I have a million ideas and I'm not sure how to get started. I appreciate people taking the time out of their own day to try to help. If anyone else has any suggestions or words of wisdom, please let me know, I need all the help I can get.

[Kathy Ann]

What are you planning to do? There will probably be different strategies depending whether you are going to be a retailer of catalog items; antique & used item dealer; artist; crafter... the possibilities are endless, and require different levels of investment. I get the feeling most people already have the "bones" on hand before they start. Artists & crafters already have supplies, retailers already know their favorite suppliers, and antique sellers already have a large collection bursting at the seams.

[greenoak]

to me you have to start with deciding if you have something people want.... you have to get your thing out on the marketplace somehow..meet those customers face to face!!!.

in the retail world im in lots of people start at craft shows, or other kinds of shows, or home parties or mall booths.... that exposure tells them if their product is viable....and helps work out the bugs....and tells them what their best thing is...they get lots of feedback...

as i surf the internert , and ebay stores, and all kinds of sites i see many many internet stores who arent there anymore...

and im on a retail chat room and lots of them have internet stores with little or no activity...

we started at home in the barn seling antiques to other dealers... when we got to 6000 we figured we better get all the paperwork done.....we grew slow and steady and now have 8000 sq ft in 3 buildings ..and about 10 employees... a lot of our neatest stuff goes to real high end cottage stores and other retailers and companies.. especially the big things made out of great old parts...like porch posts or victorian beds... our stuff has been in books and catalogs but with no credit...

even if you go internet i think meeting the customers will help a lot...

ann of greenoak


www.greenoakantiques.com

[Kathy Ann]

Cost for your customer is another issue. In my opinion you won't do well online with large furniture items such as Ann's, because your customer will be unhappy with shipping charges.

[Lynzee]

Hi MeandMyShadow:

I probably won't be of much help to you as far as the process goes because I am just starting out myself but, as someone who thought about starting my own business for years and just couldn't bring myself to take the first step, I couldn't help but add my two cents.

Creating wreaths, swags, floral arrangements, centerpieces, etc. had been a hobby of mine for years. I knew I had a marketable product because several local businesses came calling everytime the seasons changed and ask me to create seasonal accents for their businesses or to decorate their reception halls for weddings or parties. Immobilized by the thought of business paperwork, permits, taxes, etc., I would agree, shop for supplies with their money and donate my time and energy. This past year, when I ended up taking time off from my real job to complete their projects, I decided it might be time to revisit the business issue.

I had a business plan I had created some years ago, so I dusted if off (literally), re-worked it here and there and took the plunge. Without giving myself time to think about it twice, I applied for my DBA and tax resale certificate, took on zoning, and opened a bank account. Once I had all of the paperwork in my hand saying it was official and the junk mail started rolling in addressed to my business, it all became real and I knew it was up to me to make it work--or not.

Because I'm so new, I can't answer all of your questions but there are a couple I can address:

Did most of you start with a web-based business? I don't have a website and don't know that I ever will. I like personal contact with customers and I've also found that shipping wreaths is expensive due to their size. Again, I'm new so that may change.

Did you quit your regular jobs? I haven't quit my job. I want to see how the business does before I leave a job I absolutely adore! I will say this though, I have an extremely flexible work schedule so I have the luxury of doing both.

How much start up money did you need? I used $200 of a travel claim check from a business trip to open a bank account but, other than that, the only money I've put out of pocket so far has been the cost of registering my DBA. I had tons of supplies already, so I've been using those to get me started.

I don't know how helpful any of that information will be to you but, having been in almost the same situation a month ago, I thought hearing from a newbie might be helpful too. One thing I will add...the members of this forum are wonderful! There's a wealth of knowledge and experience here and they have been more than willing to help whenever I needed it so, from one new kid on the block to another, I think you've definitely come to the right place!

Best of luck!
Lynzee

[MeandMyShadow]

Thanks again. Many of you brought up topics I wouldn't have thought of before. I envy the people who still have enough patience to deal with the public face to face. I work at a nation-wide retail establishment and I would really like to get away from face-to-face interaction. Maybe that will change once I am working for myself. A co-worker is also hoping to start her own business and we are teaming up to get the leg work done. This way we both have things we have to get done because each of us is counting on the other.
I also wanted to say I've visited so many of the sites you all have and they are wonderful. Thank you again!

[greenoak]

.hopefully your store would be nicer than a big retail thing like you are in now......when your store has a limited focus you really are hoping for customers who love what you love and what you do....its not like target...i love face to face most of the time....

my customers are great and support my whole family and our good lifestyles..some have been coming for 20 yrs...and now bring their married kids...

.. a good goal can be to be a destination store ...so neat that it pulls from miles around...

the worst and hardest thing about a store is the time...you have to be open at whatever hours you post....

but when you are just starting you can pick whatever hours or days you want...our first years we were just open 2 days a week retail and appointment wholesale ....its when you start changing hours that your customers get confused and frustrated...




there are so many ways... is anyone making a living or a good second income on an internet store? is it a good likely goal?



ann of greeneoak

www.greenoakantiqiues.com
..

[Kathy Ann]

I'm doing a good second income online. I could take it to the next level by advertising more and hiring out the sewing. I have several friends begging me to let them sew for me but I think I like things the way they are.

[zuzus_garden]

Ann asked...
is anyone making a living or a good second income on an internet store?

Hubby's handmade pipe biz (http://www.ren-prod-inc.com/random_pipes/index.shtml) is selling worldwide, Zuzu's Garden is blooming, and the web site biz should be rolling out soon. It's all online, babee!

and is it a good likely goal?

We can spend the day doing what we love and step out at night and see the milky way.

Online is growing. My father is 80 and goes online - kids in preschool are online. It takes time to get it going, but my hubby is the best example I know...he started making pipes a year ago, he's now known internationally, and his pipes fly off his site. And as Zuzu would say "It's a Wonderful Life".

:)

Zuzu

P.S. MeandMyShadow - using the buddy system to get your biz started is brilliant. Best of luck!!!

[greenoak]

sounds good zuzu...his pipes must be great..
.and i love your site.

sorry if i sound crassly businesslike to you...thats kind of the question im asking...im just trying to figure out which way to go....



ann of geenoak


www.greenoakantiques.com

[Cottage Collections]

Thanks for the replies. I tell myself everyday to go for it. I work in retail right now and hate it! I have a million ideas and I'm not sure how to get started. I appreciate people taking the time out of their own day to try to help. If anyone else has any suggestions or words of wisdom, please let me know, I need all the help I can get.

Mine started with just a dream... then the rest is history! The only thing I can say is it takes patience, determination and whole lot of stick to it (ivness). Just like any business, there are highs and lows, pro and cons. It really all depends on how badly you want it to work. I was determined that I was not going to stand on my feet 12 hours a day for not so great wages and no end in site. (Thus my determination)

I design web sites for small businesses that don't do any business at all and some that do a fabulous business. It all depends on what you're willing to put into it. Just as with any business, you need to always be marketing your site and promoting your business. If you put your web site up and just wait for it to take off .. it won't. If you don't believe in what you're doing or selling, you can't expect anyone else to.

(ok.. stepping down off of soap box) :D

If you do something you love... it will show. Just look at some of the products and services the girls in the forum have/offer.

Good luck making your decision!

[Cottage Collections]

is anyone making a living or a good second income on an internet store? is it a good likely goal?

ann of greeneoak

www.greenoakantiqiues.com
..


I personally am making a great living. I started out selling on ebay 5 years ago...then opened a small Web Boutique 3 years ago and now have 2 profitable businesses online. One was expected and one was totally unexpected. An opportunity arose from one that I just couldn't ignore. Now the original business is more like my part time job/extra cash and that's only because there are only so many hours in a day. Every single day I question my decision to keep the Boutique because of the time required to run two businesses. Every single day I end up deciding you just don't close a profitable business. So... until I can't stand working 20 hours a day another minute... I'll keep both businesses. If I had the time to constantly purchase new products and take fabulous photos and keep the Boutique stocked it could be my primary income. My sales from the Boutique are steady. I have a very loyal following as well as a constant flow of new customers.

So...I am without a doubt.. making a good living from my internet businesses.

Now of course... it would be nice to have some time to actually enjoy some of the income I make!