Good morning folks. I hope all the mommies had a beautiful Mother's Day full of fun, family and food. I did!
As of late, I have received several emails and even a few phone calls, from adoring fans seeking business advice.
In the past, I have posted my thoughts on a variety of topics related to business. Those who are interested, can scroll through the archives. Below, I have compiled the most frequently asked questions, so that I can respond to future in queries in a timely fashion.
I am always honored to hear from others who admire my work and appreciate your interest. I hope the information below is helpful. While there is not one "magic" tip, my advice to any budding entrepreneur is to follow your heart. Do what you love and the rest will fall into place.
Approximately have much did you invest to start up?
I believe we started with a $5,000 budget. The bulk of which was spent on graphic design services to establish www.watermelonwishes.com and the remainder on raw materials.
Where do you find the best advertisement (print, online, blogs, google adwords, business cards at locations, networking, word of mouth, etc)?
Extremely fortunate, most of my sales are the result of word of mouth and repeat business. As a result, I spend very little money marketing my products outside of the Etsy community. I enjoy blogging and frequently update my Facebook page.
How many hours do you put in each week?
Honestly, you and I would probably both be shocked if I clocked my hours. I love what I do and because of that it is easy to work a lot. It is not unusual for me to work 7 days a week, 14 hours a day, weeks on end. Such is the life of an entrepreneur.
How do you balance having kids and managing a business?
Family first. No exceptions. Striking a balance between work and home is something every parent struggles with. There is no one size fits all answer to this question. I have an amazing family who supports my dreams. That is a blessing --- indeed.
How quickly were you able to get going?
Initially I got started selling on eBay. Lucky, maybe, I had sales right away. At the time, on eBay, there was a steady market for custom goods. Now, with forums like Etsy and Artfire, there is an even greater appreciation for the term handmade.
