More and more unemployed people will start home-based businesses in the next few years. With the help of tools like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and many other networking sites, it has become easier to take on what used to be such a daunting and risky task.
As an employee of Coastal Business Supplies for 15 years, I’ve seen a lot of trends come and go. I’ve seen items and strategies fizzle out over time and have also seen the silliest little items become our biggest sellers. So, I’ve put together a little list of ideas that I think can get your name out there, get new customers to help you grow, and get you some money in your newly founded business. And, if you’re anything like me, you think money is a “good thing”!!
Let’s start out with schools. Every state has them and every school has to get their specialty items from somewhere, right? Schools offer “spirit wear” in their school stores and often require their teachers and students wear personalized identification badges year-round. Start by going to the school websites. Most will have a purchasing department listing which will often allow you to sign up on their bid lists. Since most schools are state-paid agencies you will need to be an approved vendor to even get your foot in the door. Coastal has been on several bid lists over the years and this has always been the way I’ve started that process.
Also, look into college campus stores. Every college has one. Another major part of college is sororities and fraternities. These institutions may have a different set of rules to get onto their buying lists. If their members are anything like my daughter Meagen, a sophomore at Southeast Missouri State and a very proud member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority, they will want as many bright colored Greek shirts as possible. She has hundreds of the shirts promoting her sorority scattered from one end of the house to the other – one for everyday of the year in fact. It’s a great thing because, as she says, “it’s like I never REALLY have to do laundry.”
Another great idea for profit making is weddings. Take it from someone who is planning her own right now. I have used more ink cartridges the past few months than I would care to discuss. But I’ve also used tons of heat transfer rhinestones, our new line of glossy Folex photo papers (which I may become a spokesperson for – I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stuff). I’ve done my own personalized Save-The-Dates, invitations, and have even blinged out tank tops for all of my girlfriends to wear to the bachelorette baseball game we have planned (GO CARDS!!)
Holiday gifts are another great addition to this list. Everyone loves to get gadgets and receive the latest and greatest electronics, but keep Grandma and Grandpa in mind. They would probably much rather have that personalized picture frame or coffee mug made especially for them. For those college kids that already have more electronics than one person should – take all of those university and sorority t-shirts, cut them up and turn them into a patchwork quilt. Add some rhinestones, zebra print, glitter or metallic vinyl, and you now have a one of a kind idea that they will use everyday.
- My dog, Chloe.
Now, let’s move on to another completely different market. Pets!!! Pet lovers (like me) adore their pets and will do whatever it takes to make sure they are happy, healthy and very stylish. Dog shows and pet specialty boutiques are great places to start. From personalized pet tags, dog bowls, personalized carryall tote bags (which, yes, I do have) to the cute little sweaters that you can bling out with rhinestones – everybody loves to pamper Fido!
My last addition to this list – I hope you’re all still with me here – is babies. Who doesn’t love babies? Have you ever received a baby announcement in the mail and think “What should I get this time?” Instead of buying the same old gift that you’ve purchased a million times, make a personalized gift basket and add your homemade gifts mixed in with some necessities. You can personalize baby blankets, add a teddy bear that’s wearing his own personalized “I belong to _____” t-shirt, and even add a couple of travel mugs for the proud parents for those mornings where they have to take that coffee to-go.
With new, ever-evolving items like heat transfer papers, sign and heat transfer vinyls, dye sublimation systems and rhinestone templates, you can open up a one-stop shop business and easily become successful.
I hope everyone has found some new, creative ways to use Coastal’s products. Stay tuned for more ideas!