If you’ve been thinking of starting your own handmade business and haven’t done it yet, I bet at least one these reasons is standing in your way.
The number of dreams about having a business probably number the stars in the sky. Many of those never come true because the dreamer is never able to get past the obstacles standing in their way.
Negative thoughts can become so strong that the dream stay just a dream and never reality. Here are three reasons that keep people from starting their own business.
What’s keeping you from starting your handmade business?
Fear
This small four letter word carries a big punch. It is often partnered with another nasty F word: failure. Fear of failure.
There I said it! How many times do we let that thought make its home in our heads? If fear is getting in your way then decide what is giving this fear strength.
Make a list of why you feel afraid of starting a business, then write down a solution for each reason. Don’t know how to market your business?
Then learn; there are oodles of free materials online! Don’t feel talented enough to design products that will sale? Make some samples and get feedback. Take classes. Practice what you make and you continue to improve.
Money
Ever hear the phrase it takes money to make money? If you are thinking that a lack of money is going to keep you from making your handmade business a reality, then think again. There are many ways you can fund a new business. First of all, you don’t have to start big.
Many handmade businesses have been started on a small budget. I’ve been the owner of three handmade businesses; all were started with under $200 of investment. It’s good to start to small anyway, it let’s you experiment with product ideas without investing a lot.
Think creatively about how to come up with your startup cash. Have a garage sale, sell unwanted items on eBay or Craigslist.
Make samples of your products and list them as made to order items. When you get a sale then you get more supplies to create the item (just make sure you can get the supplies in time). Get a temporary part time job or a service you can offer on the side (pet sitting, babysitting, cleaning, etc…) to save up for your investment.
Time
This is especially a challenge if you have young children and/or work outside the home. Starting small, just a few hours a week, will allow you to still get products made.
After a few weeks you will have enough for your first show or to open your store. Find times when the kids are busy, napping, or after their bedtime that you can concentrate. Think of tasks you can do while they are playing.
I used to do this while my daughter was doing her home school. If you work outside the home, think of creative ways you can make more time at home: plan and make meals ahead of time, give chores out to family members, do the same type of chores together to be more efficient.
Cut down on TV and Internet time. Just don’t work every waking minute. You don’t want to burnout so take breaks to relax and spend time with family. There are many ways you can apply good time management to your life and gain more time to pursue your passions.
There are more reasons, which I may talk about in a later post, but regardless the of the number reasons you tell yourself, it all comes down to conquering self-doubt and overcoming the obstacles that are in your path. Once you gain that determination then you are on your way to having a rewarding handmade business!
For more information on starting your own handmade business check out these great books. I’ve read all of these and personally recommend them!
Fear has always been a factor for me. I had a business but shut it down because of fear. Why would anyone want to buy from me?
Fear of failing and no family support have stopped me from a lot of things.