Many gift basket designers bemoan the fact that they are turned away by major retailers and hotels who employ their own in-house designers. One way to approach this problem is to ask the retailer or hotel how you can become an in-house vendor. Another is to seek out companies who support local entrepreneurs.

If you have a product that’s absolutely fantastic perhaps the store will ask you to create your product in their facility. That’s what happened at Kowalski, a popular Minnesota specialty supermarket, reported in a Specialty Food article. They sold so much of a shortbread from a local company, Bramblewood Cottage, that they asked the owner to make it at their central bakery.

Kowalski is noted for promoting their local food entrepreneurs. They carry locally-produced products in the store, even giving them special signage. The store encourages them to bring their products in for tasting.

Other stores support local entrepreneurs also, such as my local Border’s that displays the work of local writers in a special section.

Search your community for companies who support local entrepreneurs and using low-cost secrets to landing corporate accounts, you will soon enjoy increased profits.