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Entrepreneurship:  Gift Basket Business  |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 15 2007 : 2:30:05 PM
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| I've been thinking for a long time about starting a gift basket business from home. Does anyone have experience with this? I've read some good books from the library on it, but wondered if this really is profitable, how to find suppliers, estimated start up costs...etc. Any input would be greatly appreciated even from those of you who have ordered baskets. Were you pleased and why, displeased and why? Since selling my house I have some extra money on hand that I can put into this, so now's the best time for me to do this. I just need a push!! Maybe I could find some suppliers here, soaps, candles, etc...Thanks |
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Lizabeth
True Blue Farmgirl
560 Posts
Washington
560 Posts |
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Buttercup
True Blue Farmgirl
1433 Posts
Talitha
Vermont
USA
1433 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2007 : 11:17:18 PM
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Jan,
First off, I wish you the very best and I hope it works out wonderfully for you!!
As for suppliers, I do not have my suppliers list with me but there are quiet a few. If you can afford it, I would strongly suggest you go to a trade show. I know of a great gift trade show in Minn, MN. right close to the Mall of Americas. This is their website.
http://www.mplsgiftmart.com/
and for a list of all gift trade show websites (please note they are not all the greatest nor the same size thus not as helpful, but most are awsome!)
http://www.nsgaonline.com/events/
Look at the websites to see what you have to have to go. Usally you have to have a tax or wholesale #/bussiness linc., a bussiness card and or letter head to go. But it varies from show to show a little so check. Going is a little overwhelming for some but if you like to shop...this is heaven!!  The first time gather a lot of catalogs and bussiness cards and dont buy till you are 100% sure. Some companies will take credit cards some wont, some will give you a 30 or 60 day grace period (called net 30 or net 60) to pay right off the bat, with others you must earn that by establishing credit and or buying with them a few times. But it is honestly the very best way to get a concentrated scope of the suppliers, trends, and ideas that are out there. So this would be my first choice.
IF you cant not do that now, no worries. Subscribe to a trade only magazine (anyone can) and if you would like I will be happy to help you find sources for anything you need! For neat tins and such I know there is a darling co in NY (will look it up for you)
http://www.tinboxco.com/
now I have not seen their product line for a while but they use to have wonderful tin containers that you could use for your bussiness. For baskets this company use to have a huge variety
http://www.thebasketworld.com/
but there are many other companies (these are just the ones I remember off the top of my head) Like I said I would be thrilled to help you and hope this information is of some help to you now!
If you plan to provide the gifts for the baskets you will need a variety of gift items as well...let me know what themed baskets you will provide and I can help you locate providers of those items.
Hope this helps!
Hugz!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2007 : 10:38:53 AM
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| Thanks ladies for the websites. I appreciate any help I can get. |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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babs
True Blue Farmgirl
226 Posts
Babette
MN
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2007 : 09:48:00 AM
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Jan...
There was a gal who did this in Minnesota, I'm trying to find her link.... but she started it out of her house, and now has a contract with HSN or QVC and has had to move the operation to a warehouse.
I think if she can do it you can. :) |
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owwlady
True Blue Farmgirl
899 Posts
Jan
Tomahawk
WI
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2007 : 09:56:10 AM
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Thanks Tina...I'll check these out
Babs, wow, I'd like to see what she does...sounds like she sure hit it big! |
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Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - Mar 23 2007 : 06:22:47 AM
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My mom just had surgery and her office sent her a gift basket. So many times I think that there should be really elegant/gourmet products in a gift basket. This one was not gourmet, but packed full with items. 8 peices of fruit, a bottle of iced tea, a can of cherry coke, fiddle faddle, tin of peanuts, 2 cheese sticks, pringles chips, a snack bag of Famous Amos cookies, a little lunch size container of apple sauce. It was interesting and fun for her to open. Just regular (not necessarily healthy) items that you would pick up at the store - not elegant, just nice.
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com |
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Entrepreneurship: Gift Basket Business |
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Gift Basket Business
