Larry McCullough
A Gift Basket
Home Business is an
easy way to Wrap up
Profit
By: Randy Wilson
You want to know
more about making
money with your own
gift basket home
business. You are a
creative person and
want a career that
you can control and
find rewarding at
the same time. What
better way to do
this then to start a
gift basket business
in your own home.
Many people decide
to breakaway from
jobs outside the
home. Some want more
time with their
family, and friends.
Others are just
tired of working for
an unappreciative
boss. Whatever the
reason, you have
decided you want to
start a gift basket
home business.
A gift basket home
business is a
creative and
rewarding industry
that has unlimited
potential. It allows
you to design, plan,
decorate and bring
happiness to those
who receive your
baskets. You can
create theme
baskets, special
order baskets, or
both. Your
opportunities are
endless for a home
based gift basket
business.
The first thing to
consider is creating
a gift basket home
business plan.
Although you may
feel you do not need
one, it is always
good to create one.
It helps you to
ensure you have
answered all
questions about
running the business
and running it from
your home. It will
also make you think
about things you
have not previously
considered. You can
go to the Small
Business
Administration web
site and download
template for all the
information you need
to complete your
gift basket home
business plan.
Many people do not
think about the cost
of a business phone
line, office
equipment,
accounting
professional or
software, and
insurance for the
business when they
consider starting a
gift basket home
business or any
business. These are
just a few of the
extra costs that are
just as important as
inventory.
Something else many
people do not
consider are the
local, county and
State regulations
regarding a gift
basket business. You
should always
contact your local
government and ask
about any
requirements for
your business. They
can also give you
information about
county and State
regulations. You
should find out as
much as possible
about the rules in
your area so you
don’t get a surprise
later on. By knowing
the gift basket
business
regulations, you are
protecting yourself,
your business and
your customers.
The next step to
consider is
marketing. How will
you advertise your
gift basket
business? To get
your name out into
the community,
whether it is your
local or online
community, and build
your clientele, you
have to advertise.
This can include
sending letters to
corporations and
households, via
regular mail or
email, linking your
web site to other
web sites, creating
a press release for
newspapers and radio
stations, and
getting your
business in a
mailer, such as
Money Mailer. The
best source of
advertisement will
always be word of
mouth from your
happy customers.
Now that you know
some of the
essentials of how to
start a gift basket
business it may seem
like a lot of work,
even before you have
put any money into
it. However, most of
this can be done in
the span of a few
days, and many items
you may decide you
need, may already be
in your home. The
main thing is to be
prepared and know
what you are doing,
before doing it.
Usually a home based
gift basket business
can start out with
very little
overhead. You buy
the items, as you
need them. There is
no need to keep a
large inventory at
first. You need to
find a retailer or
wholesales that will
work with you until
your gift basket
business grows, and
your order needs
grow. It is best to
work with
wholesalers, but you
may have to start
with a retailer
until your company
grows and your
orders are larger.
The next item is
pricing your gift
baskets. Check out
some web sites and
call some of your
local competition.
See what they offer
in their baskets and
at what price. This
will give you a
better idea about
how to price your
baskets.
The hardest part of
working at home is
dedication. You need
to dedicate your
time, space, and
some money to your
gift basket
business. You have
to remind yourself,
your family, and
your friends that
certain hours each
day will be devoted
to your business.
Always include in
your work hours, the
time it will take
you to update your
accounting, and
market your gift
basket business.
There are many
resources out there
to help you with
your business. There
are industry
magazines, websites,
and books. Check
them all
periodically to keep
on top of the
trends. This is your
gift basket business
and you want it to
be the best, so do
your homework and
stay informed.
© Copyright Randy
Wilson, All Rights
Reserved.
About the Author
Randy is owner of
Profitable Home
Businesses.
Randy owned and
operated a very
successful
storefront/mailorder
business from 1988
to 2003. Currently
full time
owner/operator of
several online
businesses
