Archive for July, 2008
« Previous EntriesSell Your Gift Baskets to the People Who Have Money
Thursday, July 31st, 2008Most gift basket designers begin with great enthusiasm and hope. They create a business plan, gather inventory, set up a studio, create beautiful designs and maybe even start a website. Soon they’re ready for business.
Sadly, the majority of these startups go out of business within the first year. There are many reasons that businesses [...]
Bags Make Great Gift Basket Containers
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008The handwriting is on the wall.
Grocery stores are phasing out plastic bags.
In the future, if you choose to have your groceries put in paper bags you’ll pay for those bags. What better time than now to promote eco-friendly bags as containers for your gift basket designs?
A number of companies are offering eco-friendly bags that are not [...]
Spark New Profits for Your Gift Basket Business
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008During an economic downturn some businesses not only survive, but actually thrive. Direct sales is one type of business that continues to enjoy profits in all economies.
Tupperware, Avon and Mary Kay are some of the best known direct sales companies. They discovered long ago that taking the product to the consumer in the form of [...]
Girlfriend Getaways are Hot Gift Basket Idea
Monday, July 28th, 2008Not long ago bachelorette parties were the main occasion when girlfriends got together for a big dose of fun and frolic. Now girlfriends are extending their relationships beyond bachelorette parties and shopping therapy to weekend getaways.
During girlfriend getaways ladies leave behind their husbands, kids and careers to prance around in novelty pajamas, cruise on sailboats, splurge on [...]
Your Website is Your Business
Thursday, July 24th, 2008Last week I attended Shirley Frazier’s seminar, “Create Your Website” at the California Gift Show. An attendee sitting next to me leaned over and whispered, “Could you recommend a webmaster to design my gift basket website? I don’t to have to think about such things.”
While there are many webmasters available, it’s a big mistake to [...]
Gift Basket Business Hindsight Can Give Us Foresight
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008During my recent interview series, gift basket designers freely shared what they would do differently if they started their businesses over. It’s easy, of course, to have hindsight, but looking back is not a waste of time. It’s tremendously helpful to learn from experienced business owners.
When asked what she would do differently, Cindy Lowery, owner [...]
Is It Time to Leave Your Job for Your Gift Basket Business?
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008Many business owners start their companies while still working on their day jobs. At some point it becomes increasingly difficult to grow your business without suffering on your job.
This is what subscriber, Doe, would do differently if starting over.
I know right up front what I would do. I would give up my other job right [...]
Select Gift Basket Inventory with Care
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008It’s not too long after you begin your gift basket business when you realize that products come in varying quality levels.
A great buy on containers can turn into a disaster if they fall apart when you load them with products.
The packaging on a chocolate bar may display the theme you want, but the chocolate may [...]
Increase Gift Basket Profits by Shopping Smarter
Monday, July 14th, 2008One key objective of every business is to earn profits. In the gift basket business we often sabotage our own earning efforts by making poor buying decisions. That’s one of the changes many gift basket retailers would make if they started over.
Read what Trena Jones, owner of Gifts by Daydreams, would change.
As I’m relatively new in the [...]
Research Before Starting Your Gift Basket Business
Friday, July 11th, 2008Many basketeers start their gift basket businesses to use their creativity. Later they discover that they would have benefitted from having spent more time researching, taking classes and learning about the business.
Here are responses from subscribers to Gift Basket Business World Newsletter sharing what they would do if they started over:
Kim King said
If I had [...]