Kick-start at-home business

photo by afewsquarefeet
DEAR SARA: I’m thinking of starting my own small, at-home business. For now, it will be supplemental income. Hopefully, it will turn into something that I can do for extra money when I quit work. I was wondering what type of advertising works best. Also, is there a resource for finding craft fairs to join? — Miranda, Oregon

DEAR MIRANDA: Many crafters have had success selling on Etsy (www.etsy.com) and eBay. You can find craft-show listings on Craft Lister (www.craftlister.com) by contacting your local chamber of commerce or by subscribing to Craftmaster News (www.craftmasternews.com), which covers your state.

As far as advertising goes, word of mouth can get your home business off to a great start. I first started with home parties hosted by family members. You can either sell what you have made or take custom orders. If you’re taking orders, consider requiring a deposit. I also gave my crafts as gifts, and that helped get the word out.

You can start out small and rent space at local high-school craft shows or consignment shops. Try hanging flyers on bulletin boards at the grocery store, and have plenty of business cards to hand out. Be sure to attach tags onto all of your crafts so people have your contact information. Don’t forget to find out local regulations in your city and what licenses or permits are required.

DEAR SARA: I go through this a few days before I do any major entertaining, and I do a lot, between work and home, but I am in serious panic mode right now. I keep feeling as if I have totally forgotten a major thing, and it is making me crazy! I’m having a housewarming party. I expect approximately 60 adults and 15 kids. Food, drink, ice and centerpieces are covered. Tent and tables and chairs will be delivered. Musician is scheduled. Purchased goodies for the kids’ table and all paper products. What am I missing? — Kellie, New Jersey

DEAR KELLIE: You mentioned goodies for the kids, but what about outdoor play? Keep a first-aid kit handy. Don’t forget your less social guests. You can set out games and photo albums for them. They’re more comfortable with a smaller group of people they already know, so set up a small seating area for them. A housewarming is a good way to meet your new neighbors, too. You can invite them and let them know you’re having a large party. This prepares them for traffic and noise levels. Put away any treasured breakables. Lastly, don’t forget the toilet paper. Funny, I know, but many people forget how quickly it’s used when there’s a large gathering.

DEAR SARA: I would have a lot more space if I had an alternate location for out-of-season clothes. Do you switch your clothes around in your closets due to the seasons? I have all of my clothes for all seasons in my closet and my drawers. I may try to pull out totally out-of-season stuff (like summer dresses, etc.) and put them elsewhere just to make it less cluttered. So, I guess the question is, do you switch around your closet with the seasons? — Amy B., New Jersey

DEAR AMY: I don’t switch out seasonal clothes because I’ve pared down. Try to go through and purge what you can, starting with winter and fall clothing because it’s the bulkiest. People tend to hang onto clothing they don’t wear. Afterward, if closet space is still an issue, look into installing a tiered closet organizer. Many people have used under-the-bed organizers with success. If you have to store clothes elsewhere, avoid storing in the basement or attic because mold and mildew thrive in darkness and humidity. If you get into the habit of moving excess around, it often creates clutter elsewhere. Ideally, you want everything to have its own place.

Posted by Sara Noel on February 4 2008. Filed under Question & Answer.
Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with United Media. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook.