I'm making my own jewelry as small business for the summer as an entreprenuer and I need to ask something!

Question

I read in Seventeen's June 2005 (last year) issue [covergirl: Hilary Duff] in a summer job section that if you want to be a jewlery maker and make bracelets, necklaces, etc., you can sell them in local salons and boutiques. My only question is that do I just go inside a local boutique or salon and ask an employee, manager, or owner, "Hi my name is this, can I please sell my jewelry here for this much and this local salon/boutique recieves this much of the profits?"

*Please give me all the details you can! Thank you!

Answer 1

Ideally, what you need to do is think of yourself as a salesman. Know as much about the business before going in as you can, so you can speak knowledgeably.

Remember, in the back of their mind, the most important question is, 'What's in it for me?' But, the answer to that is almost always more complex than $$. Unless your designs are a runaway hit, they can't expect a huge cash influx, anyway. What you offer (hopefully) is something to complement the salon experience for their customers. Something that matches their customer's style.

AND, ideally, your work will visually enhance the decor of the salon, as well! This may actually be your biggest hurdle; or, if you can creatively overcome it, your biggest strength! How will your fashions be displayed in their space? Have some ideas before you go in, but don't be afraid to ask the owner/manager if he/she has any ideas on how your creations could enhance the visual experience for their customers.

I tried to cram a lot of thought into a quickly-typed response; feel free to contact me directly if you'd like to converse more. Good luck!

Answer 2

You have hit on the most direct approach there is, personal contact. not an employee, unless they are the only ones there. You can get their opinion. You must speak only to the person who can do the buying, else all is a waste of time.
If your jewlery is unique and unlike anything they stock, and you can price it right, you may find an interest. Keep in mind that the store will expect to make 50-60 % of the retail price, leaving you about 40-50%. You will find it difficult to sell your product outright. Remember, even if one agrees to purchase them, they will expect 30 day terms, meaning to pay your invoice in 30 days.
Also, bear in mind, before you spit out the cost, you may be pressured for a discount if paid on time in the 30 day period. This could be 2-5% depending on negotiations. Consignment is another option.
There may be tax consequences and/or licenses to consider.

Have you considered a stall in a flea market? Lots of successful people there. You also may find more willing buyers/entrepreneurs there.. Cash only. A flea market would be my first choice.

This is a PS. When you approach a prospective buyer, try this,
"LOOKEE WHAT I GOT", and then pull out your most flashy item. No joke, a top salesman used that.

Answer 3

I suggest you first make you some brochures about you and your products. Then call the business you want to sell to and ask for the name of the owner and tell them you would like to send them some information. You then send the brochure and maybe a sample piece.

Call back the day after you expect your mail to arrive and follow up asking for an appointment.

Doing it this way could save you lots of time and miles on your car.

If this is what you want to do, sell your jewelry, then do it with all your might. Make the decision to succeed. It's a choice.

Answer 4

Getting a retailer to handle your merchandise is the goal every manufacture. Your not only trying to sell your product to them but your also selling your self. A business owner is not only going to want to feel confident your product(in this case jewelery) will sell, but also fee confident your going to deliver on your end with quality products, timely delivery, and reliable service.

Things the business owner is likely going to ask and you need to be prepared to answer are the following.

1) How will your product appeal to my clients? Do some foot work. Find out who shops at the boutique? You can do so by visiting their boutique and their competitiors. Are they young girls, housewives? What income level are your products targeting? You dont want to walk into a trendy boutique and try to get them to buy charm braclets worn by Junoir high girls. Make sure your presenting a line of jewelry that fits in with there customers or be prepared to offer compeling reason and evidence that they will be able to attract a new, desireable customer base.

2) How much are you going to charge them and what is your suggested retail price? Provide some sales history for them. Perhaps you sell your goods on EBAY, to friends, crafts fairs. Give them as much information as you can that will let them know how much profit the will likely see if the carry your products.

3) Know what payment terms your want. The more flexible you are the more willing they may be to give you a try. If you demand payment upfront for any merchandise you leave that day you may have troulbe finding anyone willing to take a chance. Offer 7, 14, 21, 30 even 60 days for them to pay for the goods. This gives them a chance to move some of the merchandise and have it pay for itself. You may even want to consider a buy back guarantee on any goods not sold, discount products not sold after X number of days or even start out on a pure consignement bases where you come in once a month and take inventory of what they sold and only charge them for that.

Business is all about risk. These boutique owners want to make sure they are not going to get stuck with a bunch of inventory they cant sell. Your job is to convince them that they are going to improve their sales with little to no risk and little to no addition work or effort. Your selling your self, your product as a win win for them.

Answer 5

ignore about all the canned informations given thus far, all philosophy which promisses miracles. you're flying over the Atlantic, you got a ruptured tank, on the speed you're despersing gas, you won't be able to make it to the nearest touchdown strip. This are the circumstances of many small agencies properly this second in this downturn. treatment One, jettison all unnecessary more advantageous prices, consisting of firing crew which couldn't damage the sale dept. 2, make optimistic you confirm a coverage that no matter how unfair is a shopper in his demands make optimistic he lives your save continually with a grin, even at the same time as a transaction will bring about a internet loss for the save. 3, get your customer DPT. to get busy and make optimistic they are going to procure the least expensive high quality merchandise in the market, incentivy them with more advantageous bonuses, even once you need to get your merchandise from Timbuctu, and bypass on the diminished costs on to the shoppers. 4, Incentivie your shoppers to deliver a buddy through providing him a coupon, and pamper his buddy to boot, possibly with a small contemporary? 5, If obtainable stay an more advantageous our or 2 open each day. Six, decrease down on your application expenditures Seven, have a crew assembly enable them do not ignore that the priority is serious, and they ought to take exstra care that no longer a unmarried shopper be enable out of the save except he's thoroughly chuffed of the mind-blowing provider received, and to make optimistic that whatever, they ought to save those shoppers chuffed in any respect cases, recognising that the in uncomplicated phrases resources they extremely have are the chuffed shoppers, and tell the workers that any relation of theirs that they are going to deliver for your employer, they receives a coupon, to boot as incomes the workers paid holliday credit ( to be discovered) 8, have yet another look at you advertising budget, make optimistic the grants are bringing employer, if no longer reconsider a more low priced and a miles extra agressive style of commercials. 9, you're doing the very perfect you could, yet without His help it would want to no longer be sufficient, so bypass down on your knees each day and ask for His help. Ten, you've finished each little thing obtainable for your employer to achieve fulfillment, do not difficulty any more, stay comfortable, cordial and smile to anybody, fortunately.

Answer 6

Yes, that is exactly what you do. Make sure you dress for success, and have samples of the jewelry that you are wanting to sell. They will usually want to be able to put a markup on the pieces, or will be willing to "consign" the piece.

Answer 7

What you can do is start selling your jewelry at a small scale such as to individuals and then once that is established you would have a better chance to sell your product to big stores and organizations.

What you could do is advertise your skill and let people get hold of you. Visit http://marketingdreamz.tripod.com/ and we could help you if you wish.

Good Luck!