Starting a Gift Basket Business
I recently received a Google Blog alert entitled “What You Need to Set up a Gift Basket Business”. The short article suggested that what was needed was creativity, design skills, and a desire to learn. The author also suggested that minimal capital was needed to start a home based gift basket business.
As a wholesaler, selling products to gift basket businesses for over 15 years, I feel obligated to state firmly: It’s not that simple! In the years that I’ve been in the gift basket industry, I’ve seen hundreds of home based businesses come and go. While creativity and passion are essential for success in any new business venture, there is lots more to know!
If you’re thinking about starting a home based gift basket business, you need to do a lot of research. The author of the article mentioned above suggested two excellent resources. Check those out along with the links to resources listed on this web site. You’ll find links to industry trade magazines, and educational opportunities for learning more about the gift basket industry.
Access to the internet will offer you even more opportunities to find out about starting a gift basket business. Look at existing gift basket web sites and ask yourself questions about what you see: what are they selling? what are their prices? what delivery services do they use? what other services do they offer? Find a gift basket supply wholesaler and ask them for input about starting your business.
In addition to immersing yourself in information about gift basket businesses, contact your local Small Business Administration to take advantage of the wealth of resources they can offer to help you set up, manage and expand your new business. Talk to other small business owners in your community and pick their brains to find out what issues they encountered when they set up their business.
Starting a new business may sound like a simple proposition. But it requires careful planning. There are great resources available but you must make an effort to find and utilize them.
2 comments April 1st, 2007
