Crafter to CEO: Ready to turn your hobby into a business?

So you have been honing your craft and now you are ready for customer exposure. Congratulations -- you ARE ready, and this confidence is the hardest step. Next items of business: get informed, get organized, and get started.

Research the various vehicles for reaching an audience. Ecommerce is still holding on, and while visibility may be a challenge, access online is a great start. You will need to consider 1.) how your potential customers can view your business and 2.) how you can outreach to an increased audience. Etsey.com is an example of showcasing handcrafted products - you can create your own weblink from their site (i.e. potential customers can access your business via a link you provide) and you can post your business for access to general Etsey viewers. Zibbet.com is another option.  Ebay is another avenue to sell your merchandise for low overhead costs, although bare in mind your competition maybe vast. There are also sites that showcase various artists, such as experiencenations.com,  for increased exposure. Classifieds may also work for you, such as Craig's List -- you will need to incorporate photos of your work, however, this tool will have a short shelf-life. And of course, a blog is your best bet to continually engage with your fan base.  Once you get your business more established, creating your own ecommerce website will be most beneficial to manage the look and feel for your business and garner a steadfast reputation. There are several web developers that can provide templates and recommend Merchant account providers that will allow you to set up a shopping cart. The monthly fees can add up, which is why leveraging an existing network first might be more economical.

Another outlet to research is face-to-face exposure. As widely as ecommerce is growing, some customers still need to touch and feel your product in person. Craft fairs are an excellent opportunity to reach new audiences and build your client base. Sites such as craftlister.com can help identify shows in your area, as well as contacting local city halls or a Google search. Holiday fairs are huge, and in warm weather outdoor fairs and farmer's markets attract heavy traffic. Space gets filled up, so you will need to do your research and apply several months in advance. With a few supplies such as a tent (suggest a $90 investment at Wal-Mart) a couple of tables (for example $40 6 foot tables at Staples), and customized marketing materials (from vendors such as vistaprint.com) you are well on your way to making it happen. Once you get into the circuit, speak to your fellow vendors about other shows they are familiar with, as they are essentially your greatest resource. Bring a sign up sheet to develop a mailing list and continue to be visible with your now interested audience. Vendors who can accept credit cards will at an advantage (you can check with your bank for options, such as merchant accounts with Citizens or Bank of America). You may also tap into local restaurants and stores (i.e. consignment shops) who would be willing to let you temporarily set up a display or event for a targeted audience.

When you are ready to establish your business, be sure to research your state laws. You will need verify a unique name and have it registered with your city hall. You may wish to consider a tax id and set up a separate business account. You should investigate what sales taxes you will need to pay and how best to transfer this per each transaction. There are many steps once you get started, which is why spending some time upfront to gather information and get organized will be well worth your time. I recommed the BizExpress Toolbar for a one-stop-shop set of links to get you started, particularly in California, provided by the Guided Business Plan. This will help avoid being overwhelmed and give you more energy to the one aspect that can get overlooked: enjoying the activity that kept you relaxed and creative originally. Give in to your innovative spirit, but be sure to enjoy the benefits of today's entrepreneurs at the same time. Good luck, and keep at it!