Start my own business

I read this book about how to start a creative business and I have not done some of the paperwork-y things in there, like all the official stuff with the state, making sure I didn’t steal someone’s business name, etc. So while I chose a username on Etsy.com and started building that up, now I’m panicked that I am going to get in trouble somehow. So I suppose even if I don’t plan on growing this business all huge-like, I should do it right. Plus, I figure it’s good practice if I were to launch a bigger business later on. So I have kind of started up and kind of not.

I also want to experiment with more products for myself so that I can refine them for sale, and post some flyers around the neighborhood, and make a gallery on my blog (which I’m sure no one has visited, but maybe I’ll get some if I update it).

So there is still some stuff to do before I can really check this off, even though I sold one item.

I sold a doggie bed! Yippeee! Shipped it today.

Have also made a flyer I can print off and hang up around the neighborhood. Just have to tweak and print and hang. Fun!

Also have to make more stuff. Right now I only have one thing up!

at SavingGreen

I need to make more items, and once that’s done I need to put up some flyers and send out some e-mails. But I want people to have a decent amount to choose from before directing them to my shop. Yippeeeeeeee!

I think I have made an attractive logo and banner for my etsy site, considering I have no graphic design experience. I learned after hours of playing around with istockphoto.com that you are not allowed to use their images in logos, though they can be in any other kind of advertising. So since this business will be a side business and I don’t have the capital to sink into a graphic designer, I figured something out myself. If it were to really grow I could change it later. For now, as long as I have a professional looking website banner, I’m happy. On to more products this week! And I need to find a good place to photograph them.

because I am really working actively on getting it going. In the next two weeks, I would like to:

1. Finish a logo and banner
2. Make cards and flyers
3. Produce and list 10 products
4. Advertise around the neighborhood, on Craig’s List, and with my family and friends. Still haven’t decided about advertising at work . . . this is decidedly a side business, but I don’t want to annoy people. Though I do work in a school and all the women are always having parties of some kind or another, and this isn’t really different.

Once the products are up, I’ll unveil the site here!!!

I started an inventory spreadsheet where I can track what supplies I have and also it will be ready for custom orders, since I will be dealing in secondhand supplies and will always have different fabrics/trims. I have only cataloged the ones that would be used for my first product and not for other ideas I have. I figure I can add them in later. But at least I have a start so I can be somewhat organized as I grow my supplies. I should probably add a column where I figure the cost per unit so I know what I paid for my different supplies, or I could just do an average cost, say, per yard of fabric or trim.

and it WORKED! Very excited. There are definitely things I can improve as far as quality and speed, but as I practice, I will figure out the little tricks to turn out the products faster and more smoothly. This was my first time putting in a zipper, too – ever. So, it took me about an hour and a half. Also, the first time using the new technique/pattern. Like I said, practice will make perfect (it has to – because products that take me an hour and a half are going to be tooooooo expensive!)

today at the thrift store. Some supplies are cute, others are plain. Once I actually get some products made and put online I will post the site here for you :) I’m proud of my progress – and actually, of my restraint. I’m really excited to get this going and but have to keep my eye on the prize of finishing up my last course for my Master’s. Once that’s done, I can really dig in. This is just dribs and drabs – I want to make marketing materials, design a logo, make the products, make them supa-cute. Just playing around gets my creative juices flowing, so that’s good. I’ve always been of the mind that it’s better to take your time and do things well than just to jump in.

on Etsy.com and started a blog to tell more about myself and my products. Now just have to make some products . . .

I’m thinking of more ideas and getting geared up to obtain some supplies and making up some of my ideas.