I am asking this business question for my sister.?

Question

She wants to start a candy and cookie bouquet? She wants to know would anyone buy these things? She is offering baskets, truffles, fudge, specialty candies, and the bouquets. She is trying to find a small store to get started in. She wants to know how to go about getting started? She thinks that this is the business for her because she has a background in florist work and has been told that her arrangements are beautiful. I don't know what to tell her because my business is in the health consulting field. I know the basics but I don't know what to tell her as far as the gift industry is concerned. Any help please?

Answer 1

There are companies that sell "cookie" bouquets as well as "fresh fruit" arrangements. Go work at one of them- you will find out if this is the job for you. You may end up being interested in running the spot as a manager not an owner.
Second, there is a huge group that holds a meeting every year on gift baskets. Their trade magazine is called Gift Basket Review. You can often find the latest issues at the library. Get a subscription and read it cover to cover. Go to their national trade and association meeting. Well worth the money and you get to meet lots of people in this industry. Most people start out from home so they can save the rent. Many never go the retail store route because your overhead goes way up. Also, your inventory costs are pretty high because you have to have in stock or you don't sell. So that means you have to know what to buy that will sell. And you need to find suppliers that inti tally will sell in low quantities because you'll have to maintain a large variety of items. Perish-ability is a big issue - and many States require food handling training and licenses and storage and work areas and water sources- and the list is endless.
So in the long run, it takes patience, research and a passion to do this. Good luck.

Answer 2

Start with a business plan and a trip to either COSE (Council of Small Enterprise) or SBA (Small Business Administration) which offers FREE counseling to entrepreneurs. The most important question in a business is more of what people want to buy than what your sister wants to sell. I'd say to have her do a local survey of consumers, check out the local industry competition and their profitability, and to maybe start offering her products through an established business in which she can test the market for her products without having to pay rent, utilities, and such.

Answer 3

Turn Your Hobby Into A Worldwide Success With The Internet
By: Lori Osterberg

You'll find articles that you can use right now! Sounds like a great idea...go for it! Use this web site as a reference tool...visit the ad links to see how it is done.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

The first thing she might do is go to a bookstore, where she'll find many books on starting your own business. After reading up on the topic, she should feel a little clearer about how to get started.

Answer 5

she needs promotions and advertisement, she might want to start offering her goods to her friends, ask her to display it on some shops, she doesn't need to have her own store yet unless she has ready market for that...if she's really good at it she would get more orders. successful business usually starts as a hobby and get bigger through word of mouth... she must stand out from the rest... these kind of products are usually seasonal...

Answer 6

food is always a good option because ppl eat right, but the number one seller for these products would be the gift idea. more tips and articles on small business and marketing on this site

Answer 7

I think this question is really for you. I think it's a cover up. Admit it, you're a mail Florist

Answer 8

Start a theme and go from there...