I Love this Website, it is so neat. All the ideas are wonderful and my kids love the activities. For a few years now I have had the idea to have my own business with talents like crafting, sewing, etc. I need suggestions on what customers would like to buy from a small town business. I want my talents to help those around me to live, love and learn about life. Please can anyone help me? Thank You very much in advance.
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Michelle,
I have gotten a lot of satisfaction out of teaching other people how to do the crafts that I enjoy so much - I teach at local school Continuing Education programs - rubber stamping, bead work, quilting, tote bag making, stenciling - it is great fun and lower overhead than making items for sale. You also get your name out there if you do custom work to order.
Good luck!
I've moved 22 times from coast to coast, lived in many states, and Hawaii, and find that although people are basically the same, their talents, interests, goals, and values are widely variable.
It makes sense to me that several Garden Centers might not be needed in a colder area. That if the community is a farming community, it would be interested in country crafts, farming, animal husbandry, things that appeal to their heritage and occupations? That they might not be so interested in say, fashion, or hair styles, but more interested in "natural" things? On the other hand, I've lived where the folks are very vain, and all they can think about is the "grass being greener on the other side of the fence", never satisfied with what they have near by, always wanting what is in the nearest big city. You must get to know these folks around you, if you do not. Look in the phone directory, if there is one, to see what is lacking. Check with the chamber of commerce there to see if they can suggest a type of business that's needed most. Of course, it makes sense, also, that you should do what you KNOW HOW to do, or have an interest in, that ALSO agrees with what is needed.
For example, if one doesn't like to cook, or manage
records and money well, a small restaurant would be hard to succeed in. But, a bed and breakfast home
might be easy to manage if you are willing to deal with strangers overnight who travel and expect something for their money, AND if you are a friendly domestic type.
Do you have training in anything? Do you do crafts, quilting, painting, sculpting, or silk screening? Can
you teach any of these things? Education in simple
basic crafts seems to be in demand by those who
are not taught at home. Is your community artsy, or crafty? Do they have fairs, craft shows? What is the
pulse of the majority of who lives there? Does it offer any sort of attraction for those from other communities?
In Hawaii, it was all about flowers, fruit, and perfumes in everyting from paper to shoes
In Connecticut, it was all about marine items, antiques, oil painting and traditions.
In San Francisco, it was all about ethnic diversity, art,
food, tourism, and earthquakes/history.
In MInnesota, it was so cold, no one ever came outside so they were scholars and tough athletes.
In Houston, they were about oil, money, travel, and
importing items.
In Tennessee, it was all about scouting, camping,
mountain themes, church, and getting to meet others.
IN Maine, it was art and museums, lighthouses, beachfront property and farms.
IN Vancouver, BC, it was about islands, natives, variety, travel, and museums/unusual attractions,
botanical gardens, lawn sports, and British culture
mixed with Canadian/French/American, with an overtone of Native heritage and wild animals.
Hope this helps you to choose wisely and do your homework? Good luck and God bless you. : )
I like the previous posts. I hope they give you some good ideas.
I think people love to learn about themselves. How about digging up some local history and using that in your business, maybe teaching local history and crafts to children or local groups?
First: Lynda...You rock. Thank you for your words of wisdom. And sign in!! We need members like you.
second: Teaching people to make crafts is very profitable. More so than making them. There is a place that teaches sewing nearby and they get $16 to teach a class on how to make pajama pants(these are really easy to make). You need to bring your own fabric and sewing machine! If you get ten to sign up, thats $160 for 2-3 hours.
Sometimes your clients have no idea what goes into a craft...the cost, the time, the engery, also the love.
starting small is good,,,,
i started by decorating my own place with some of the most greatest crafts, that i did myself...
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