Expert: - 3/15/2010

Question
My main goal is to start my own craft retail store.  Do you recommend that I start selling online first, and then move into commercial space?

Answer
Hi Michelle,

I would most definitely start with a website and sell your products online in the beginning. This allows you to get established without real estate contracts or leases. It also allows you to manage your inventory more carefully and economically.

It's a great way for you to really see how you are going to like the business as well as how to manage a retail store. For any business it is no longer optional to have a wesbsite - so this really (in my opinion) a good way to to begin.

One thing you might also consider is adding classes on crafting. It would be another source of income and you could then get your local community used to buying products from your site. You could make arrangements with a local establishment, church, rec center or some other venue to offer occasional classes.

If you are interested in offering other items through you website - you could create kits for making certain craft projects - and you could also have people sign up for a craft project of the month and made a video to send out.

There are so many possibilities with what you are doing! I wish you the best of luck, if sounds as though you have a vision and love what you do.

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Love & Success,

Jane Button
www.design2marketsuccess.com