If you are creative and like to make gifts for others, then a work at home gift basket business might be right for you. Making gift baskets to sell is rewarding and fun. Many people like the idea of giving personalized baskets for holidays, birthdays and special events but dont have the time to put them together. When you start a gift basket business, you will be supplying them with something they need and getting the opportunity to put your talents to work.
Before you start your life as a gift basket Wahm, make sure that this business is something that you really want to do. If you have never made gift baskets, but like the idea, try making one or several for your next gift-giving event. This will also be an opportunity to show off your gift basket making skills to your friends and family. While you are planning and making your gift baskets ask yourself if this is something you can see yourself doing on a regular basis.
Making some sample gift baskets will also give you an idea of how much your supplies will cost and how much time it will take you to complete each basket. This will help you gauge pricing when you start your business. However, keep in mind that when you get a business license you will be able to buy craft supplies for wholesale prices.
Getting a business license is an important step in making yourself into an official Wahm. The process is simple and there are many tax benefits to becoming a legal businessperson. You will also get your supplies at wholesale and be able to get discounts on other business related expenses.
Once you have decided that making gift baskets is right for you, it is time to develop your catalog of basket options and prices. Think up a few prototypes for different situations. Although gift baskets are popular during the holiday season, you can also create them for graduations, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Valentines Day and other events. Create a few different gift basket ideas and then ask your friends and family for their opinions. Make sure your choices of design and gift basket items are popular with many people before you make them part of your catalog.
Have your prices ready for both standard baskets and custom baskets, and then make your business cards and start advertising. By now, your friends and family will know about your business and you can tell them to spread the word on your new venture. Network with other local businesses, like nail salons and florist shops, to get your name in front of more people. Targeting businesses that are frequented by women is a good tactic because women are more likely to purchase your baskets.
Around the holidays, corporate companies are looking to buy gifts for their clients and suppliers. This can lead to a lucrative seasonal business for you. You should start marketing your corporate gift business in October at the latest. Network with your husbands employers and the employers of your friends and family.
Being a gift basket Wahm is a great way to show of your creativity and provide a valuable service at the same time. The rewards are many and with planning and initiative, it can be a very profitable business venture for you.
Karl Glantschnig
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/gift-basket-work-at-home-moms-business-122201.html
#1 by Rebecca S on November 26th, 2009
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stay at home mom needs advice on starting a gift basket business for xtra income?
#2 by JABA 1 on November 26th, 2009
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#3 by Carrie-Lee H on November 26th, 2009
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There is a book called 101 or 1001 businesses for women, and one of the jobs in there is doing gift baskets. And it has alot of information, so if you can find the book and buy it, or get it from the library that might help.
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#4 by rojackcommunications on November 26th, 2009
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First, do not use an outside resource. Anything you do for your own home based business is best when your working to put money in your pocket rather than someone elses.
First, you will want to obtain a business licence. Contact your city hall for more information on this. The cost is generally about $15 to $20
Next, you will want to create your product. By doing gift baskets, I would contact local businesses and tell them who you are and what your doing. Ask them if they would like to donate small, company branded items to place in your gift baskets as advertising for their business.
This will give you content for your baskets at no cost to you. You can even earn extra by charging a small fee for companies to place items in your basket.
Next you will want to find a client base. Who are these baskets aimed towards? Since you would be getting your basket items from local businesses, try to target new home owners or renters in your area. Also find out about new and expectant mothers.
If you have another source for the items going into your gift baskets lined up, then you will need to find out who would most benefit from the items you’re providing and market to them.
Posting classifieds and ad posters in your local area is a good place to start. Personal telemarketing is also effective. All you need to do telemarketing is a local phone directory and a telephone.
Call people at random, keeping track of who you call so as not to call the same home or business twice. You will soon build a good client base.
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#5 by purplegirl911 on November 26th, 2009
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Me and my mother have a gift basket business and it’s going great, what area are you in? If you want some tips you can e-mail me.
Getting your product out there and known is the biggest factor.
Hope that helps
JaimeD
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#6 by Gene and Allum on November 26th, 2009
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The best way to get started is to check out other online gift basket businesses to get ideas. Read all material on this specifically. Visit your local craft store and price the items you’ll need to get started so you can figure out what is necessary to start your business. All businesses are going to need some capital.
Once you get started, try selling them on eBay to get your feet wet and an idea of how they sell. Also, sell them to friends and families and offer custom baskets. However, pricing is the key.
However, first step would be get a book on starting a gift basket business. That will give you step by step on how to start this business.
References :
Me. Online bookseller. eBay ID: allumsbooks. http://www.allumsbooks.com.
#7 by parentin5 on November 26th, 2009
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You can become a member of your local chamber of commerce as they send out information to people who are looking for information, and to new people in community. You will get good advertising this way. The best gift baskets I have seen are designed for newborns, and weddings, these are things people will spend money on most often. You can consider other ideas as well. Such as special occasions, such as graduations, etc.
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#8 by the griffin on November 26th, 2009
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Read
References :
The Business School" by Robert Kiyosaki
"Cashflow Quadrant" by Robert Kiyosaki
"Leading the Consumer Rebellion" by Brady/Woodward
"The Next Millionaires" by Paul Zane Pilzer
"Parable of the Pipline" by Burke Hedges
"E-Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber
"Why we want You to be Rich" by Donald Trump/ Robert Kiyosaki
#9 by Mary S on November 26th, 2009
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A great site to check out for this particular kind of business is http://www.mymommybiz.com I will tell you right now that they do charge for the ebook of information for the different at home businesses, but they have really great information. Even if you decide not to buy the ebook there is a ton of information on that site about making your own business. If you are looking for work from home though, check out my source box.
References :
http://www.theathomer.com
#10 by SARA on November 26th, 2009
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YESS!!! and its already proven. you can actually make big money every week without struggling..no meeting people, no phone calls, no presentation, no selling product, its so easy..
try this and you will see the money come..
http://www.moneytolive.cjb.net
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#11 by TM Express™ on November 26th, 2009
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Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you’ll inevitably have as well as many you haven’t anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.
Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:
* How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, Third Edition by Shirley George Frazier
* Start Your Own Gift Basket Service by Entrepreneur Press
* Start and Run a Gift Basket Business by Mardi Foster-Walker
There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
References :
Associations:
http://www.nsgaonline.com/ — National Specialty Gift Association
http://www.gbpn.citymax.com – Gift Basket Professional Network
http://www.giftassn.com/ — Gift Association of America
Articles:
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,287009-7,00.html – Entrepreneur’s How to Start a Gift Basket Service
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Do-I-Start-a-Home-Based-Gift-Basket-Business?&id=102258 – How do I Start a Home Based Gift Basket Business? by Charles Fuchs
http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Gift-Basket-Business-is-an-Easy-Way-to-Wrap-Up-Profits&id=46592 – A Gift Basket Business is an Easy Way to Wrap up Profits by Randy Wilson
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Start-A-Home-Based-Gift-Basket-Business&id=17668 – How to Start a Home Based Gift Basket Business by LaTunya Sifford
#12 by lisalisarussell on November 26th, 2009
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I would photograph several different ideas for baskets, and put them in gift shops. Around November, tour through retirement homes and villages (they often can’t go many places to shop) , and speak to them as a group, with ready-made order forms, so they can just order like a tupperware party for their holiday gifts. Have a few themed baskets all ready to whip up (dinner and a movie, hot cocoa and slippers, scrapbooking, learn to knit, coloring for kids, golf lover, gardening fan, new baby boy, new baby girl, new baby unknown, wedding, get well soon, birthday over the hill…) so people can choose what they want with a set and standard price. Have shipping calculated and ready ahead of time. Bring a friend who can help you take orders. Offer free local delivery. On each basket, make sure you have your company information, because the people who receive these gift baskets are likely to become future customers. Place postcard-sized ads in local gift shops (offer a coupon code in order to track where customers are picking up the cards, and possibly to give a little kickback to the business who hosted your cards. Hospital waiting rooms are a great place to advertise also. If there are large office buildings near you, ask the management if you can set up a card table in the lobby from 4-5:30 pm any weekday evening. People will be in a hurry, just pass out flyers, letting them know you’ll be there for the next 3 days. Put a "date of delivery" on your order form, in case they want to order months in advance.
Good luck, have fun- great business idea.
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#13 by Julie Taylor on November 30th, 2009
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You hit upon an especially good point — gift baskets for businesses. I would suggest targeting small (or very small) companies. They are always looking for cost-effective, attractive ways to say “thank you” to clients.
Julie
http://www.jadcc.com
#14 by Sienna Taylor on December 4th, 2009
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Marketing is the key to success with gift baskets.
To develop a strategy look at your strengths. If you can sell face to face go after corporate clients. If you are net savvy then go for online sales. If you are pretty clueless about marketing and lacking in confidence in this area then look at drop shipping and have others handle your sales for you.
Check out http://www.startagiftbasketcompany.com/articles for more info