So you want to start your own arts and craft business? Since you’re having so much fun making your goodies, you might as well sell them, right? Not so fast! There are some things you’ll want to know before turning your passionate hobby into a full time job!

First, you’ll need to think about how much of a time commitment you can realistically make to “crafting” your business. We all know the crafty side of things is fun, but “crafting” a business is much more than just stringing some beads together!

 

Second, as unfortunate as it may seem, you’ll need to think about what your target audience would want – not just what you want. If you don’t put the needs and wants of your customers first, you’re going to be the only one buying your products!

 

Third, take some time to research what owning your own business really looks like – the good, the bad and the ugly – or the crafting, the long hours and the taxes! You’ll also want to think about what is going to set you apart from all the other crafty businesses out there. With thousands of people setting up shops at online art community sites like Art Fire and Etsy, you’ll need to make sure you’re offering something that isn’t already being sold by the hundreds!

 

Fourth, after you’ve done some research take some time to focus on you. You will want to ask yourself some tough questions – and be honest to yourself about the answers! Some of the things you’ll want to ask yourself are:

·      What are your strengths?

·      Can you live within your means while you wait for sales to start pouring in?

·      Can you afford to take the “leap” into full time entrepreneurship?

·      What if you don’t have sales after the first month? Can you continue to work hard and stick with it? Can you afford this turn-around time?

·      Are you someone who is disciplined enough to work without supervision or without a boss in the next cubical?

·      Do you feel comfortable networking with others? Will you be comfortable pitching your product and business to others?

·      Do you really love this hobby enough to turn it into a full time pursuit?

·      Are you ready to tackle things like marketing, promotion, customer service, taxes, networking, budgeting and business registration? (Just to name a few)

·      Would you buy your own products? Do you feel they are of a high enough quality for someone else to want to buy them?

·      Who is your target audience? You can’t please everyone but you can figure out who you can aim to keep happy!

 

You can see that there’s a lot more to think about than just where to place that oh-so-cute ribbon bow on that oh-so-cute Christmas card!

 

Fifth, if you’ve made it through items 1 - 4 and you’re still determined to turn your hobby into a business, congratulations! It is now time to write a business and marketing plan; and get into the real nitty gritty of building a business from the ground up (it’s really not as bad as it sounds)! Watch for my next edition that will start to break down some of the topics we touched on into more manageable pieces. Until then, happy crafting!