Expert Advice

This is where you can ask Eileen any career change, home business start up, small business marketing or any other home based business question you have.  Please send your questions to: info@TrueCallingCareers.com. 

Craft Fair blues

Question:

Eileen,

I need help myself.

I am told that I am a talented teddy bear and doll artist, but I am really struggling with the notion that I can turn it into a successful business.

Call it a lack of self-confidence, mixed with strong self-knowledge . . . I am an artist, not a saleswoman. I am getting ready for a craft fair and sale over the Fourth of July weekend in my husband's small hometown, and I am dreading it. I had a bad experience last November when I tried to sell my bears at a large local craft show. It wasn't just that I didn't have many sales . . . virtually none of the vendors did well, because there were few customers!!!! I got positive feedback and encouragement from other vendors (I was the only one selling bears, but that was the most positive thing I took away from that event.

Got any ideas?

Thanks
Jill

Answer: 

Hi Jill!

Firstly, thank you for sharing your experience with me. You have already proven that you have what it takes to succeed. You were disappointed with the results from your previous “craft show” attempt but are determined enough to try again.

Here are some thoughts for you to consider:
It is very difficult to sell your special bears when there are “few customers”. It takes lots of people looking at your product to produce lots of sales. Try to keep it in prospective, “none of the vendors did well”. After all you were the only one selling bears, that is fantastic! Of the few people who did attend the craft show your bears were selling! The other vendors were positive and encouraging - your experience was actually very positive.

The number of people who see your product is directly related to the number of sales you will have. Your 4th of July event may be in a small town but there may be many more prospects that can view your bears. People are attracted to bright, colorful, fun looking booths. So consider using bright colors and tablecloths to decorate your booth or tables with. Make sure your bears are displayed in an interesting and creative way.

I might also suggest that you consider a drawing for a pre-selected bear that would be the “Grand Prize”. Make a special display corner with a large sign “FREE Drawing” - this will attract many more people to your table and will increase your sales. Groups of people attract more curious people and it creates interest in your products. The idea is to have potential customers fill out a short entry form so you can follow-up with a call, brochure or other marketing piece. You can even put a few questions on the back of the entry form about the bears, like “what kind of bears would you like to see?” . You may find that customers want Christmas themed bears more than others. Also, these folks can be the start of your mailing list or special bears newsletter.

People who like bears, like to buy more than one bear. Perhaps you might consider a “bear-of-the-month” club.

Warmly,
Eileen

Eileen,
Thank you so much. I really appreciate your encouragement and suggestions. I really needed that. This is going to be a busy weekend and week ahead, as I have many many bears to construct. I have them all stitched, now I just have to stuff and assemble them. DH even offered to help! (yes, he is truly a gem!).

I will definitely let you know how the sale went!

Jill

Any Ideas?

Question:

Eileen, 

I would like to do something artistic from home but I'm having trouble coming up with a fresh new idea. I like to draw and paint. I'd like to be my own boss and come up with something that people would really go for. It's been suggested to me to paint and sell furniture on the net. But, shipping costs would be way too high. I need something much smaller. Any ideas or thoughts?

Answer:

Hi Anne,

After reading your question I had an idea for you.
Have you ever considered selling your painting talent on a per project basis? For example: How about offering a mural painting service? Especially for children's
bedroom walls? You could combine your "story" talent with your painting talent
and charge a high fee for your mural painting talent. People are willing to pay very good money to have a unique mural painted to suit a theme. I know this is a very lucrative business first hand. I have also seen homeowners pay to have murals painted on their wine cellar walls and other rooms reflecting wine grapes, vineyards, nautical maps etc. I too live in a small town with a weekly art walk so I know this business will work in your town. If you like the children's bedroom idea you could have business cards or flyers placed in children's clothing stores or local newspapers. Take before and after photos and build your portfolio. Just a thought.
;>)

Eileen

Hi Eileen,

What a great idea! It's fresh and new and definitely has a lot of potential. I've never heard of anyone doing anything like that. And my husband could help me with the business cards as we have a computer program for that. Yes, I would definitely have to get a portfolio put together. Hmmm......there are a lot of possibilities with this idea. Thanks so much for the suggestion. I will definitely think about it. :-)

Anne

Recycled Building Material Business

Question:

Okay, Ladies, who here has ever stuck their neck out in a non-traditional business venture? 'Fess up! My closest friend, a VERY non-traditional female is burned out from her 20+ years management career and considering a new path into ......(drum roll, plesase)......ta dah!..an architectural salvage business. You know, home remodeling/building deconstruction left-over parts. Due to the challenge of the economy, she believes the market is right to 'recycle the past' but is concerned how home owners and contractors will accept her (as opposed to a man). So, what do ya say? Any advice out there from someone who has gone non-traditional before?

Thanks

Ms Sam

Answer:

Hi Ms Sam,

Thanks for asking a great question! 

First let me congratulate both you and Cindy for taking things slowly and doing market research to insure that you do in fact have a profitable business idea.  I believe that the construction material "recycle" business is a profitable venture however it would, of course be wise to test the market first.

In my experience there would be no problem with finding free materials from folks who are remodeling.  They are just looking to find a way to "unload" these items.  I'm sure you have seen items sitting out by the side of the road with free signs on them just to get rid of them.  Many garage sales also have lighting or plumbing fixtures tools and other construction type materials in their mix of items for sale.   Now I'm not suggesting that you purchase these items for re-sale but just that there is an excess of these types of items that people are trying to get rid of.  You can get these some of these items for free simply by offering to remove them from the site.

Here are some ideas of how you may want to try out your business idea to see if will be profitable in your area. 

You could place a small classified ad in your small town paper (Nickel Saver, Little Nickel etc.) offering to come and pick-up used construction fixtures or materials.  You must stipulate that you will not accept debris.  Accept only usable materials. You may need a Truck or Van to do this. 

Plan to store these initial items in your own garage or yard.  Add anything that is related to construction and building from your own homes.  Then plan to have a yard or garage sale.  The trick here is to only have items related to building and construction at your sale.  You do not want to have a regular garage sale.  You will want to post flyers and advertise both the collection and the "Contractor's Sale" or "Builder's Surplus" sale in places that people who are remodeling or building will be found.  Make sure to advertise that your sale as a very special “construction event” catering to builders, homeowners and investors who are looking for construction materials.  You will attract a completely different crowd than otherwise. 

Here are a few ideas of where you might consider advertising for collection pick-up and the “Builder’s Surplus” sale.  You could post flyers with tear off tabs.

1.  Craig’s List (post ads)
2. Local Builders Association (inserts in monthly mailer)
3. Chamber of Commerce (Welcome Pack’s, monthly mailer, flyer)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
4. Lowes, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Sebo’s, etc.  (flyers)
5. Contact Door, Window, Lumber, Plumbing, Lighting, and flooring stores for surplus, returns and leads for collection pick-up.  These stores a very well connected with contractors who may need your services.
6. Realtors, a gold mine of contacts for pick-up collection.  Easy to contact by email, check your State Licensing records (online) or Realtor websites for email contact info.
7.   Call on other peoples Garage Sales and offer to pick-up unsold construction related materials.
    

 Here are some tips for your sale:

1.         Make sure to clean up the items, this is very important.  You will command a much higher price if the items are cleaned up.

2.       Group like things together.  Keep the plumbing fixtures gathered on one area, sort the lighting items so that all the switches are in one box, all window casings together etc.  

3.       Sort items by size.  Separate the inside doors by those that match, put window casings in upright stacks by size. 

4.       Label by size.  Tiles should be clearly marked (box of 24 ~ 12” unbroken tiles), 18” X 36” bathroom vanity top.

5.       Tools are extremely popular; they should be laid out on a special table for better viewing.

6.       Have your contact information (cards) available for visitors to your sale for future needs. 

7.       Have all items clearly priced with easy to read tags.

8.       Accept any reasonable offers.

9.       Have tape measures available.

10.   Have power cords available for any power tools to be tested.

11.   Separate any antique fixtures out of your “test” sale.  If you come across any antique glass door knobs, cabinet knobs or anything collectable pull it from your sale and save it for later. 

12.   Have cookies and coffee available.

13.   Listen to your customers and ask what they are looking for.  You will gain valuable insight so you can watch for these items in the future.  

You will find out very quickly if your idea is a winner.  At the very least you will make a few bucks on a week-end and have some fun!  You will only be out the cost of a couple of classified ads; some well placed flyers and the gas to collect the materials.

If things go well you can repeat the process or move on to a larger event. 

Good luck and let me know how it goes if you decide to move forward, okay? 

Hope this helps,

Eileen
http:///www.TrueCallingCareers.com