Questions

[DDGoods]

I am new to this site. I think this may be the place that I have been looking for. My purpose for being here is that I want to start a new business. I have had this idea in my head for approx. 10 years. I have seen many others go ahead and promote such an idea and I am still enthusiastic but need a lot of advice.



THE IDEA: Cottage Industry Broker



I would like to set up a shop and perhaps a website to sell cottage industry items. Primarily it would / can benefit stay at home moms, senior/nursing homes, artists, foster homes, not-for-profit orgs...



Of course I would be making money, however I would like to be able to sell fine quality "home-made" items to the public without an outrageous price tag. My hope is to stock a great variety from the practical to the whimsical, from the essential to the frivolous.

I am not sure of where to begin and would like to know if anyone else has such an operation in their area and could give me some start up advice.

Thanks,

[Serendipity]

I read your post and I definately think idea has potential.

There are a couple of websites that come to mind.

The first is http://www.etsy.com. This is a rather hi-tech approach to craft selling. Elizabeth and I have a number of our roducts listed there in addition to our own site.

They act as a host/broker for crafters. There mantra is they want to be the ebay of the craft world.

Here is another link. http://www.rainbowceramics.com/

This is a website for a sheltered community that creates and sells bisqueware as a commercial venture.

Who knows they might even be a future client of yours.

Just a some ideas.

Best of Luck
Hugh

[DDGoods]

Thanks, I will follow up and look into it. I appreciate your help. Good Luck on your art as well,
Doreen

[Jenny]

Hi Doreen: It's good to meet you. I agree with Hugh, that your idea certainly has merit -- never under-estimate the value of a good broker/agent. Marketing is as much the nuts and bolts of the business as the product itself -- if folks don't know ya got it, they don't know how bad they need it.

If somebody else did all my marketing for me I could crank out a lot more product... ah me. (Actually I am enjoying learning the marketing end of business, but some artists and crafters really neglect that end of it -- I'm not sure how they manage, but maybe that's from where the term starving artist derives.

This site http://www.victoriasshabbycottage.com/ is where I have some of my things placed. Victoria is so smart and so helpful -- I'm pretty sure she'd welcome your questions -- that is if I understood you correctly and that her site is similar enough to what you have in mind....

Oh, and my only piece of advice "Just Do It".

[DDGoods]

Thanks for the encouragement Jenny. I am in the research part of my business, but it is and has been alive in my mind and heart for quite awhile. Replies like yours are a tremendous help to me.
:cool: Thanks again and good luck in your enterprise.
Doreen