I've been thinking about starting a business making hand carved signs and small pieces of furniture, but I'm not quite sure how to get it off the ground. I have a full time job in an unrelated field, so the woodworking business would be a part time thing. Does anyone have suggestions about how to get started?
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Starting a business
- Thread starter Rae
- Start date
You might start by putting out a few business cards or flyers on bulletin boards throughout your area. I see these things at restaurants, in laundromats, and other places all the time. Find a customer, create a product and word-of-mouth will help get you there. Demos and samples help, too.
You could also try advertising on Craig's list in your local area. I find that many people review the list on a regular basis and I have acquired a number of clients that way. The nice thing about Craig's List is it is free.
Sidekick
New Member
I would start by brainstorming and making a list of everyone I could think of who might possibly buy one of these signs. Then I would figure out how to reach the relevant persons and get my service or product in front of him. For example, I have a friend who runs a campground. I'd make a cool looking sign with attachable hanging signs and place it somewhere on his campground. Offer a commission or affiliate program, too, to help increase sales. You could even sell your patterns.
- Thread starter
- #7
Wow, thanks for all the responses, everyone! These are all really great ideas and I'm going to put together a game plan this weekend. I'm sure my wife could help with the computer related ideas and I'll sit down and make a list of everyone who can help me promote the business. Thanks again!
These are great ideas and I will definitely keep them in mind because I hope to start my own small business for my woodwork creations. I hope you have great success Rae. Keep us up to date to let us know how you do. If you could let us know how you work up your business plan that would be great too.
Keep in mind that the idea of running a business in woodworking sounds more glamorous than the reality of it. You can't just work it when you feel like it, as you can in the hobby. You also have to deal with estimates, plans, hard-to-please customers, regulations, safety and OSHA issues and so much more. When I have to do it every day, then it becomes a job. I'll stick to just loving to do it.
contractor
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It is do-able as long as you do great work and are prepared for a slow start. Word of mouth is a good way to build up clientele for this kind of work. A friend of mine has a workshop and he's always as busy as he wants to be, but it didn't happen overnight.
