Terrified to take the plunge.

**mommy4ever** · 07-12-2007, 10:37 AM

I've been dabbling with a home business for a couple years. At 1 craftsale a year, I make about $1500. Booth rental was $125.

So, here I am. I'm going to do 2 this year, maybe 3. I need to get dates and see what I can do. I've lots of things ready.

I've done the numbers, and a comparable business in a neighboring city makes $1000-2000 a DAY during the Christmas season at a mall seasonal kiosk.

I would LOVe to do this. NOw it would be hard. I don't have everything set up yet. I'll have most of the required equipment in the next month. I can't do it this year, or next, until my dd3 is in school fulltime. I WILL NOT pay child care. BUT, I wouldn't have time to train anyone to work with me for such a short time. It's all custom works, which would mean 6 weeks of 6 days a week 10-9 and 1 12-5. During the rest of the year, I'd plan to promote my website, and grow that way too. But really, instant hands on is what sells.

But I'm SCARED! To do this, I'd have to let go of my home daycare. That is pretty stable income, but it's 12 hours days 5 days a week year round. I make about 15K a year. The kiosk offers the potential of $35K+ and then residual sales through the year from the website. I'd be free the other46 weeks of the year to essentially just be a SAHM.

I don't know. I have some time. This is something we want to build for the family too. There are many malls hear, so as my family gets older, they could work with me so the hours aren't quite as long, but that is at least 5 years away before my oldest can do that. But since I'm looking at 2 years from now, it's only 3 years of flying solo....

Am I crazy?

**Dancing Lotus** · 07-12-2007, 10:44 AM

Can I ask what your craft is? Im thinking about going into the gift basket biz. I already make professional quality unique baskets for freinds and family so why not give it a try.

**Mom23boys** · 07-12-2007, 10:58 AM

I would be scared of losing the stable income too, but if you can make twice as much during one season of the year I would go for it!! The rest of the year you can be a SAHM and work on your crafts for the next year.

Do you already have your website up and running or do you just work at craft fairs?

Good luck with your decision.

**mommy4ever** · 07-12-2007, 11:05 AM

My website is just starting. I'll be starting add product now.

I do custom embroidery and printing)t-shirts, puzzles, mousepads, etc. Not doing mugs or plates yet, too expensive to set up at this point, but if I do a kiosk I would.

**PB&J** · 07-12-2007, 11:50 AM

Do you have any craft malls near you? I had some of my things that I make in a craft mall for a while. It was $52 a month for a small corner and the mall got something like 5% of everything I sold. It was nice because I just stocked my corner a few times a week and left. They did everything else and sent me a check once a month.

**mommy4ever** · 07-12-2007, 12:15 PM

We do, and I'm waiting to hear back from them. The problem with that is most of my stuff is customized for the person.

An example:

While I do have other generic items, the reason I've had success is the personalization factor. From ornaments, to baby gifts, to print t-shirts, to embroidery shirts, Valentines, Christmas, etc, it all gets personalized. I do primarily personalized. I've done sport apparel embroidery as well, some business, family reunions, birthdays, and more.

**Emjo** · 07-12-2007, 12:15 PM

If I were you, I'd do it. I mean, you already know that your product is popular, due to the success you have at the 1 craft fair. It might be a rough transition, but I think it will be worth it!

**Katybird** · 07-12-2007, 12:23 PM

I would weigh the cost of renting the kiosk at the mall and the cost of your supplies against the amount of money that you would make. If the cost of the kiosk is outrageous, it would definately cut into your profit margin. I would have to weigh all the pros vs the cons and go from there. Whatever you decide to do, we are all here cheering you on

.

**mommy4ever** · 07-12-2007, 12:37 PM

Ok, so I just put in inquiries at 2 locations, to see what is involved, costs, kiosk specifications etc. One is close to home, where the younger 2 would be able to join me for 20 minutes until the oldest gets off school. The other is accross the street from the eldest school, where he'd be able to hop over, pick up the car and pick up his sisters from school. The latter is the busier mall but older clientele. If I remember it's $400-600/mo for rental. So the cost isn't that prohibitive in comparison to what I could make....

Considering I have $150 for a weekend craft sale.

**themartins903** · 07-13-2007, 08:04 AM

Go for it sister. The potential is there and just think ..... NO MORE 12 hour days!!!!

You can do it.

Phillipians 4:13 (smile)

**mommy4ever** · 07-13-2007, 09:56 AM

Well, took another step!

More of my equipment will arrive next week. It means spending, but I have a pretty positive feeling that it will pay for itself within 3 months, with any luck MUCh sooner! And THEN it's Christmas season and there will be a few busy weekends of sales and turning PROFIT!

I'm currently re-organizing my work space to accomodate. Purging junk that tends to be tossed in there, then move furniture. in a few years I'll have a different space, the playroom will be converted to my workspace. I wont need it for dayhome! So it's coming! It's coming!

I'd love to have free time. Being a SAHM with 4 kids plus childcare for that last 12 years is taking it's toll. I have a goal, formulating a plan and GOING FOR IT!

**ktsmama** · 07-13-2007, 10:06 AM

It will take lots of work, but I am sure you can do it. Please let us know when you get your website going. These are the types of things that I like to buy for Christmas and birthday gifts.

Good Luck.

**mommy4ever** · 07-13-2007, 04:58 PM

Thanks! I'll be sure to post the site when I'm ready to go "live" I should have a good portion done by next week. I hope to "open doors" for August 1, well, after the long weekend, I'm on holidays August 1...lol

**banana** · 07-14-2007, 07:41 AM

Good for you!!! Best of luck!

**mommy4ever** · 07-16-2007, 09:19 AM

Well, looks like most of my items are on their way today

I have taken a major step toward doing this.

I did just find out that the one family that I was stuck on quitting childcare for as I love their little girl, may be leaving due to mom's illness. I would have held on until she went to school. Now mom isn't working anymore, and they are tight $$-wise so the little one may be leaving. They may stay on as casual, which would be ok, not matter what. But now I'm not attached to anyone. So when the time comes, it won't be so hard. SO, I'm going to focus on building a good base NOW, so that when the time comes, the loss of the monthly income won't hurt so much.

I have about another $200 in expenses and then this will start to all earn money for me and pay itself off. I hate spending, but to get ahead, sometimes you need to INVEST, not spend.