stay at home mom needs advice on starting a gift basket business for xtra income?

Answer 1

I would photograph several different ideas for baskets, and put them in gift shops. Around November, tour through retirement homes and villages (they often can't go many places to shop) , and speak to them as a group, with ready-made order forms, so they can just order like a tupperware party for their holiday gifts. Have a few themed baskets all ready to whip up (dinner and a movie, hot cocoa and slippers, scrapbooking, learn to knit, coloring for kids, golf lover, gardening fan, new baby boy, new baby girl, new baby unknown, wedding, get well soon, birthday over the hill...) so people can choose what they want with a set and standard price. Have shipping calculated and ready ahead of time. Bring a friend who can help you take orders. Offer free local delivery. On each basket, make sure you have your company information, because the people who receive these gift baskets are likely to become future customers. Place postcard-sized ads in local gift shops (offer a coupon code in order to track where customers are picking up the cards, and possibly to give a little kickback to the business who hosted your cards. Hospital waiting rooms are a great place to advertise also. If there are large office buildings near you, ask the management if you can set up a card table in the lobby from 4-5:30 pm any weekday evening. People will be in a hurry, just pass out flyers, letting them know you'll be there for the next 3 days. Put a "date of delivery" on your order form, in case they want to order months in advance.

Good luck, have fun- great business idea.

Answer 2

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. 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.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, Third Edition by Shirley George Frazier
* Start Your Own Gift Basket Service by Entrepreneur Press
* Start and Run a Gift Basket Business by Mardi Foster-Walker

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

First, do not use an outside resource. Anything you do for your own home based business is best when your working to put money in your pocket rather than someone elses.

First, you will want to obtain a business licence. Contact your city hall for more information on this. The cost is generally about $15 to $20

Next, you will want to create your product. By doing gift baskets, I would contact local businesses and tell them who you are and what your doing. Ask them if they would like to donate small, company branded items to place in your gift baskets as advertising for their business.

This will give you content for your baskets at no cost to you. You can even earn extra by charging a small fee for companies to place items in your basket.

Next you will want to find a client base. Who are these baskets aimed towards? Since you would be getting your basket items from local businesses, try to target new home owners or renters in your area. Also find out about new and expectant mothers.

If you have another source for the items going into your gift baskets lined up, then you will need to find out who would most benefit from the items you're providing and market to them.

Posting classifieds and ad posters in your local area is a good place to start. Personal telemarketing is also effective. All you need to do telemarketing is a local phone directory and a telephone.

Call people at random, keeping track of who you call so as not to call the same home or business twice. You will soon build a good client base.

Answer 4

The best way to get started is to check out other online gift basket businesses to get ideas. Read all material on this specifically. Visit your local craft store and price the items you'll need to get started so you can figure out what is necessary to start your business. All businesses are going to need some capital.

Once you get started, try selling them on eBay to get your feet wet and an idea of how they sell. Also, sell them to friends and families and offer custom baskets. However, pricing is the key.

However, first step would be get a book on starting a gift basket business. That will give you step by step on how to start this business.

Answer 5

Post your question on Mylot's many forums, too.
You will be surprised at the number of answers you'll get.

A little about Mylot:

Mylot is a networking site where you get LOADS of information about which are, and which are not, good sites to earn from.
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'Make extra money' is an excellent forum, under the interest called 'Things I'd like to do in my life'.

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Though the rate per post is not high, if you make many posts, you do get to earn somewhat.
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Please join using this URL link, so I get some benefit, too, for having answered your question.

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Thank You and Good Luck!

Answer 6

There is a book called 101 or 1001 businesses for women, and one of the jobs in there is doing gift baskets. And it has alot of information, so if you can find the book and buy it, or get it from the library that might help.

Answer 7

Me and my mother have a gift basket business and it's going great, what area are you in? If you want some tips you can e-mail me.
Getting your product out there and known is the biggest factor.
Hope that helps
JaimeD

Answer 8

A great site to check out for this particular kind of business is www.mymommybiz.com I will tell you right now that they do charge for the ebook of information for the different at home businesses, but they have really great information. Even if you decide not to buy the ebook there is a ton of information on that site about making your own business. If you are looking for work from home though, check out my source box.

Answer 9

You can become a member of your local chamber of commerce as they send out information to people who are looking for information, and to new people in community. You will get good advertising this way. The best gift baskets I have seen are designed for newborns, and weddings, these are things people will spend money on most often. You can consider other ideas as well. Such as special occasions, such as graduations, etc.

Answer 10

If you want to get into a business that does not cost alot, sells like hotcakes, is good for you and your family please email me at [e-mail]. I would love to introduce you to the newest, healthiest product on the planet.