A whole lot of people are always on the look-out for homemade decorations, that is one of the things that makes this business one of the very right ones to start, if you want to start a crafts business. It is pertinent to note that this business could to a great extent make your interest in crafting lucrative.
How to Start Basket Weaving Business
To start a profitable basket-weaving business one requires thoughtful planning and a high level of creative mind having flair for design. Using a wide range of raw material an entrepreneur can initiate customized basket-weaving business from home location with moderate capital investment.
The market potential of the gift industry is increasing day-by-day and people are more intending to have personalized charming gifts and home décor items. Basket-weaving business is a profitable venture one can start from any location, by taking the minimum risk. Market and product line are huge and one should do research properly before getting into the business. You need to understand the market demand properly. Success in the basket-weaving business depends on managing the operating procedure and your networking capability.
Entrepreneurship attitude of working with people and getting to understand what they want is the crucial issue in getting success in the basket-weaving business. You need to concentrate on having climate-controlled storage for raw materials and finished goods both.
1. Learn the Skills & Techniques of Basket Weaving
It is the most essential part for anyone looking forward to starting a basket weaving business. There are various techniques for weaving baskets. The most popular are coiled basketry, plaiting basketry, twining basketry, wicker, and splint basketry. It is advised to learn the methods and work for some period as an intern and master the art weaving baskets.
Additionally, in starting the basket-weaving business you will need to have to create design ability. You need to learn how to create an attractive gift basket with which component. To learn this, you can have the online tutorial or attend the workshop focusing on basket-weaving design and production.
2. Business Plan
One should craft a detail business plan before initiating the basket-weaving business. Determine the products. Who will be your target niche and how best to approach them. Learn about your competitors and how you will create a competitive edge. Where from you will be sourcing raw material. What will be your marketing and selling strategy? You will be selling from your own retail location or from other’s stores or from online etc. Calculate your startup cost. The business plan will help you to attract investors as well as to check the feasibility part of the business.
3. Products of Basket Weaving Business
You will need to be a little bit creative in selecting the products. The product range may include a variety of products like bath and body gift basket, personal care gift basket, food basket, baby product gift basket, and customized corporate gift basket.
Apart from these, you can focus on celebration oriented gift baskets like for Valentine’s Day, Fathers Day, Mothers day, wedding gift baskets, Christmas gift basket, etc. Basket-weaving business has another large market in home décor segment also.
4. Compliances for Basket Weaving Business
In starting the basket-weaving business you will need to register your business. Talk to an attorney, and get licenses and permits as required in your locality to operate a weaving business. It is advisable to apply for Trade Mark Registration for your business name and logo.
5. Business Location
While you are initiating this business from home location, you need not be worried about work-space. Apart from this, you will need to consider the business location where you will be selling your products or will be interacting with your potential clients. You can consider the idea of establishing a retail store. Also, you can set up a small kiosk inside of a shopping mall or retail center. Your business location should be in a place where you can attract both residential and commercial traffic.
Equipment for Basket Weaving Business
According to your products, you will need to gather equipment and raw material. For weaving baskets, you will need to have supplies such as needles, yarn, ribbon, scissors, glue gun, glue and other items you need.
To turn the baskets into a gift you will need to have Wraps, Ribbon, Adornment/decorative items, Wrapping papers, Filler items, Thin wire and wire cutter, Stickers, Paints, Fabric pieces/scraps, linen, Paints, Gift cards, glue and glue gun, Hole puncher, Adhesive tapes, etc. Also, you will need to have your own tag crafted with your brand name.
You can source the material from the local wholesale shop or from online wholesalers. Compare the price, minimum order quantity, and testimonials before furnishing the order. For online purchase, you can ask for samples prior.
6. Manpower for Basket-Weaving Business
According to your plan hire manpower. In hiring manpower both for production and sales consider skills, expertise, and experience. The most important is getting the right person for creating a theme and design for your basket-weaving business.
7. Promote your Basket-Weaving Business
There are several low-cost ways of promoting basket weaving business. Listed below some of the popular methods:
- You can start selling from your own retail store or kiosk.
- You can establish business accounts with other retailers who are in the field of the gift store, boutique store; baby store, office supplies stores, etc.
- Create a business website with a blog of your own. Update your product there on a regular basis to generate sales leads. Offer an online order system.
- You can also generate an online sale from Amazon, eBay, etc. Register your product with the craft-specialty online marketplaces.
- Hosting home parties that feature the complete basket product line for sale, is one of the effective ways of selling.
- Concentrate on institutional sales by having corporate clients. Every small and big business have the requirement of customized gift solutions.
- Promote your products and brand by attending craft fairs.
- Use social media as an effective medium to promote your products. Generate referral traffic to your website with Facebook Like, Google Plus, Twitter and LinkedIn buttons, and put customer testimonials on your site.
- Concentrate on the inexpensive on-time delivery system.
