I am considering opening a retail paper crafting store. Where do I begin?
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I work at setting up small businesses, and I need to let you know that what your listed (inventory, wholesales, etc) are not the things you need to do first. \n\nFirst, you need to come up with a business name and open up a business entity. This will tell the government that you're opening a business, make you legal, guarantee that no one else can have your name, and give you an EIN/tax number. \n\nOnce you've done that, go open a bank account under the name of your business. Once of the biggest mistakes small business owners do is to use their personal money to start the business. Open the bank account, get a business credit card, and a business loan. (You will probably need a business plan to qualify for the loan.) \n\nOnce that is all done, find out the specifics of where you'll get your supplies from.
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Craft stores... Michael's maybe?
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If you want to know everything, then I suggest you read books on the topic. Here are some suggested readings\n\n \n- Retail in Detail : How to Start and Manage a Small Retail Business (2nd Edition) (Psi Successful Business Library) by Ronald L. Bond \n- Successful Retail Business by Entrepreneur Press\n- Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business (Start & Run a) by Jim Dion and Ted Topping\n- The Guide to Retail Business Planning: The Complete Handbook for Creating a Winning Plan for Any Retail Business by Warren G. Purdy \n- Success in Store: How to Start or Buy a Retail Business, Enjoy Running It and Make Money by Geoffrey Heard and Gordon Woolf \n- Retail Success! by George Whalin\n\nYou may also want to read the information and researches of the National Retail Federation \nhttp://www.nrf.com/content/default.asp?folder=home&file=main.htm
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Firts approach the hall where you want to have it. Find out the cost of hire. Playgroups are usually non-profit but you will need to charge a couple of dollars to cover expensenses.Until recently I was a treasurer for a playgroup. We had adults morning tea on a roster system-someone differant bought something each week. The same with a craft.We did raffles in our group.Eg Easter time we all bought an item or two to raffle off in hampers to raise some money for things like new toys coffee etc. You can ask local schools to put ads in newsletter for unwanted toys, and also new members. Start with a few friends, and if you have to advertise in the local paper. The important thing is you need donations to start with. In QLD Australia we have a state wide Playgroup Association who have good ideas, and starting points, but I have no idea if these things are world-wide. You could approach local business for your basics...coffee, tea etc until the funds started coming in. For the kids morning tea each parent would bring a piece of fruit, and we'd cut it up and share it
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These are questions only you can really answer especially the first one! you seam to already know you are interested in a Beading business.  You would need to reaserch how popular it is in your area and how can you make it a better atraction so people would buy from you not some big chain store that sells beads \n\nthe next two questions. R&D here look at the Trend for such a business and demographics. is it plausable you will still be in busioness and thein thing in 3-5-10 years from now??? lots of data out there on this. \n\nMarketing is marketing no matter what way you go, how do you intent to reach your demographic??? adds on TV, Radio, Magazines, Web page. etc...... are you going local only in your com,munity or do you dream larger.   \n\nAS for the fourth question thereare LOTS og placves that help starting businesses you need to have a VALID and workable Business plan and proposal for presentation to these potential funders Look into Start up loans or grants from teh Government. ther eare books you can look in to at the local library that willlist these  places..\n\nStarting a business takeas a LOT of time and PErsonal investment. you need to be prepared to make it suceed. it will be taking and hard on you and you MUST give it your all even when thigns ar tough to be sucessful
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You should submit the URL to search engines, join discussion groups where you can mention your store, include links as part of your email signature, even pass out flyers at local craft stores and shows. Always include a business card with the URL with every order you sell and offer discounts for repeat business or referrals.
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The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.\n\nI recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.\n\nAssociations may be a good avenue to explore as well. 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. \n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* Start and Run a Profitable Retail Business by Jim Dion, Ted Topping\n* Retail Business Kit for Dummies by Rick Segel \n* Specialty Shop Retailing: How to Run Your Own Store Revised by Carol L. Schroeder\n* So You Want To Own The Store: Secrets to Running a Successful Retail Operation by Mort Brown\n* Starting an Online Business For Dummies, 4th Edition by Greg Holden\n* How to Start and Maintain A Successful Online Business by Kelly Thornton\n* The Complete E-Commerce Book: Design, Build, and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business by Janice Reynolds\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
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advertise it locally, publish flyers and post them around town. advertise in the local paper and also outside your shop...who knows, one of your own customers may be interested in buying it!!
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I suggest going to Michaels Arts and Crafts store.
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First , your company should have a website with the list of products and details.\n\nSecond, search the google for directories of the European and American retailers who sells handicraft products. Then contact them with email and the list images of your products.
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You can start at Yahoo Shopping. I guess you can set up a small online store there with minimum effort. Once your business grows, you may move it your own site and buy some custom built website.
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I would start by doing lots of research on opening a business and jotting down just off the top of your head what you'll need to get started before you even try to figure out costs - listing everything will give you a place to start.  Here are some things I would think about:\n\n1) where and how big do you want this shop to be?\n2) what space is available in the area where you want the location\n3) will you need to do your own renovating/remodeling to the space\n4) do you plan to buy or rent the space?\n5) location is really, really important; are there other businesses in the area that draw people and might promote walk-in business for your shop?\n6) how close is your nearest competition? don't even try to compete with starbucks if they're anywhere near unless there's something so unique about your shop that you'll have your own niche following\n7) how will you advertise?\n8) will you need to hire employees\n9) who will handle the legal work? the accounting? \n10) how much insurance will you need - property insurance, insurance against loss of inventory, liability insurance in case a customer or an employee gets hurt in the store\n11)how much inventory do you need to get started?\n12) how much money do you need not just for upfront costs but to keep the shop going in the beginning before the business takes off\n13) have either of you worked at the kind of coffee/tea shop you'd like to own - are you willing to do that for awhile to really learn the ins and outs of the business?
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The fastest and easiest way is to search using www.google.com and using precise statements on what your wanting. The next best thing is to call a business that maybe similar to the one your starting and find out which local manufactures they get their materials from.
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Any place that sells printer paper usually carries business card paper as well. You can design them on the computer and just print them out on your printer.\n\nPlaces that sell computer software may carry kits for making business cards.
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There are several things that you can do to check this out and verify what you think that you are learning:\n\n* First and easiest, are there any competitors near by?  If so, go to those stores and just ask some questions.  They may be curious about why you are asking such questions, so you can tell them that you are working on a class project or something.  You are NOT asking them to compete with them, but for information about the industry.\n\n* Check the Internet to see if there is a "Retailers Association" in your state (most states do have one or more).  Contact those groups and ask them.  They will have contact information that you can look into.\n\n* Go to the local library and find a set of books called the "Encyclopedia of Associations' - this is usually found in the reference section (the web version costs money).  Look up any name or contact information in the first book (i.e. clothing retail, small business, clothing store, etc.).  There will be some code numbers that you can then look up in the other two books.  This will give you contact information for many specialized groups around the country who will also have information that you are looking for.\n\n* Another things to do in starting to learn this field - as you go around to other stores in the area, write down what clothing lines they are carrying.  This will help you identify what is currently how and possible lead you to identify where things are coming from.  You should also search out who are the major (or even minor) clothing distribution centers.  They will also have some information for you and you might even find a new source of clothing for your targeted specialty store that you want to talk with.\n\n** Things to consider:\n - based on what other stores are carrying, you will get an idea of what is currently selling in your area\n - look for information on demographics in your area, this will give you information about income levels, education levels, possible religion preferences, etc which all go into the buying habits of individuals and groups of people\n - maybe take a psychology class from a local college, this will help understand why people buy what they buy\n - how large are the local high schools in the area, depending on the type of specialty shop you are looking at, who would be the type of people that would buy from this store.  The real question that you should ask yourself before you interview there would be ‘How can we position this store to attract even the people who do not typically purchase here?”  Example: if this specialty store is targeted to teens and early twenties – then what could you do to attract the parents of these potential buyers to come into the store and say buy gift cards for their kids?\n - Sit outside the store as much as you can (especially at different times of the day) and watch people as they pass the store to see who goes in.  This will give you a tremendous advantage even over the store manager as you can actually track the people who are going in versus the same type of person who may be passing by but not stopping.  If this is happening, then ask yourself why they are going by.  If this store is in a mall of some sort, you might even consider approaching the perceived target clients who pass by why they did not stop to look or what would it take to at least go into the store to look around.  This would be tremendous marketing analysis information for this specialty store.\n\n\nHopefully you are getting the idea.  There is any number of other things that you could do from reading books on marketing to actually talking with as many potential buyers as you can to see what people think.  If the store is not in a major mall in your area, you could even go to that mall and walk around asking people what they are looking for in what the specialty shop you are look at is offering.\n\nGood Luck.
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My advice is for you to read more of the business, so you can determine what you think you want and can given your present resources. \n\nYou can start by reading the article "Starting a Janitorial and Cleaning Service Business" at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol95/janitorial.htm  The article contains information on startup strategies, operational considerations (prices, manpower, finding suppliers), and marketing the business. \n\nFrom the article, here are some tips to help market your business:\n\n1. The first step to marketing your business is deciding who your potential customers are and determining the types of services you could offer. \n\n2. The best way to market this business is through cold calling. Drive through the area and put your flyers in their mailboxes. Or if you see the homeowner, approach them and introduce yourself. It may seem scary at first, but the worst thing they can do is to say No.\n\n3. Draw up a better and more professional proposal by learning firsthand the needs of the potential customer, as well as the layout of the house (e.g. type of carpeting, etc.)\n\n4. Networking is another effective strategy to get ahead in the cleaning business. \n\n5. Word of mouth is another effective form of advertising a janitorial service. It can be generated through favorable feedback from your existing clients that will hopefully filter to other home owners in your area. Ask your existing clients to refer you to their friends or acquiantances who may need cleaning services.\n\n6. If you decide to embark on advertising, you can try placing an ad in newspapers or trade journals in your area. Flyers in locations where many home owners congregate -- e.g. libraries (ask permission first), or even schools\n\n7. You can also try direct mailing to potential customers, sending them information and brochures about your business.\n\nFor more in-depth information about the business, we have compiled a list of books on the topic and you can either purchase the book or borrow them from your library. The list of recommended books on starting a cleaning business can be found at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/bookstore/homecleaning.htm\n\n- How to Start a Home-Based Housecleaning Business (Author: Melinda Morse)\n- Start and Run a Home Cleaning Business (Author: Susan Bewsey) \n- Start Your Own Cleaning Service (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Ups)  Author: Jacquelyn Lynn\n- Start and Run a Profitable Home Cleaning Business \nAuthor: Susan Bewsey\n\nYou may also want to check the following associations:\nAssociation of Specialists in Cleaning & Restoration http://www.ascr.org/ \nBuilding Service Contractors Association International\nhttp://www.bscai.org   \nInternational Sanitary Supply Association http://www.issa.com/
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Get involved in a direct sales business like creative memories or Stampin UP, they both are creative outlets and just about everyone scrapbooks. I have been selling StampinUp now for a year and I love it. You make 20% of your sales and you get to have a great time being creative.\n\nThere are other companies, like Avon, Pamered Chef, Party Lite, etc... that you can get involved with as well.\n\nlet me know if you have any questions...\n\nlissa7903@yahoo.com