How to Start a Gift Basket Business

You've seen them in department stores, boutiques and gift shops. or possibly sent and received them yourself. They are beautiful and brimming with unique gifts and tasty treats. They are a more personalized gift than balloons, and more practical than sending flowers.

Click Here to Discover How to Become a Gift Basket Business Owner

Of course we're talking about gift baskets, a hot trend in gift-giving these days. And behind the scenes, another major trend is emerging - people who choose to start a gift basket business are launching one of the fastest-growing types of businesses today.

Gift basket businesses are starting up all over the country, and with good reason. Not only is the work fun and creative, but you can also start a gift basket business easily from home, by setting up a small space where you design and build your gift baskets.

You also have unlimited potential to grow when you start a gift basket business. "I launched my [gift basket] business selling $20,000 in baskets that first holiday season. The business doubled year after year, and has continued to grow substantially," says gift basket business owner Cherie Reagor, twice named Designer of the Year by the gift basket industry.

The process for starting a gift basket business is not complicated, but you do have some important steps to follow. Here's some advice from the FabJob Guide to Become a Gift Basket Business Owner to help you take your idea to start a gift basket business from concept to reality.

1. Plan and Prepare

To start a gift basket business, you first need to learn about the gift basket industry. Study other gift basket businesses, and see what they have to offer. How many types of gift baskets do they have for sale? What items are included in them? When you know what other gift basket businesses are offering, then you can plan how your business will be similar, and what you will do differently to be unique.

To build your gift basket making skills, you can take some classes at a local craft store, buy some good how-to books, and practice making as many baskets as you can for friends and family.

2. Buy Supplies and Equipment

You don't need a large amount of supplies and equipment to start a gift basket business, but you will need some basics. A few pairs of sharp scissors will be essential, and you may also need a glue gun and wire cutters. You'll also need to purchase some cello or shrink wrap, baskets or other containers, ribbon, bows, and some decorative shred, and you'll be ready to start filling your gift baskets with goodies. Don't forget to buy shipping supplies (i.e. boxes and tape) if you will be sending your gift baskets by courier.

3. Set up Your Work Space

Decide where you will create your gift baskets, and ensure that you have adequate lighting, as well as storage for the supplies and inventory required to start a gift basket business. You'll also want to invest in a workbench or table when you can spread out supplies and make gift baskets at a comfortable height.

If you will include food items in your gift baskets, they should be stored in airtight containers with the expiration dates marked. Depending on where you live, local laws may also regulate how food items for your gift baskets must be handled and stored.

4. Buy Gift Basket Items

You'll want to purchase a nice variety of gift items to start a gift basket business. Keep your purchases versatile if you can, meaning that they can be used in more than one style of gift basket. When you first start a gift basket business, stay away from buying too many gift items that won't sell after a certain season (e.g., candy Santas), or whose shelf life may expire before you can use them up. You can order wholesale gift items at a deep discount.

Gift basket business insiders know that there are reputable businesses that will make and ship gift baskets on your behalf. All you have to do is land the orders! If your time or start-up money is limited, this can help you start a gift basket business easily and economically.

5. Market Your Gift Basket Business

When you are ready to start selling gift baskets, you'll want to let the public know. You can advertise your gift basket business, although ads may be too expensive when you first start a gift basket business. Instead, consider press releases and other low-cost marketing strategies such as referrals. Online directories and a website for your gift basket business will also help generate and increase sales. In fact, many gift basket businesses allow their clients to browse and buy gift baskets directly online.

This article is based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Gift Basket Business Owner by Jennifer James. The complete guide offers detailed step-by-step information about how you can start a gift basket business and sell gift baskets. It is available online - click here.

Business Consulting- Home Based Business

Could You Have a Career in Consulting?

Click Here to Discover How to Become a Business Consultant

Most people have no difficulty noticing problems in their workplace. When faced with something that makes their jobs more difficult or costs the company money, typical workers shake their heads, grumble to co-workers, and hope that "someone" will do something to fix the problems.

If you're the type of person who not only notices problems, but you can also come up with solutions to those problems, you may have what it takes to become a business consultant.

Business consultants are respected and relied upon in every industry in every country. As a business consultant, also known as a management consultant, you could have a high paying career where executives turn to you for direction in running their businesses.

What specific types of problems do business consultants recommend solutions for? The answer is any type of business problem. Some business consultant, somewhere, right now, is probably working on a business challenge in almost any area of business you can imagine. If it is part of running a business, sooner or later, it will need a consultant to fix it.

Some consultants specialize in working with businesses in particular industries, such as health care or manufacturing. Others work with clients in a variety of industries, but specialize in particular business functions, such as marketing, human resources, or information technology. Others specialize in helping small businesses achieve success.

With all the demand for their services, it's no wonder there's an old saying that if you become a business consultant you'll only work half days - 12-hour days, that is.

Even with potentially long working hours, consulting is a hot career. A recent poll conducted by Harris Interactive for The Wall Street Journal's executive career site CareerJournal.com, named consulting one of the eight "best careers."

One reason is because it is among the highest paid professions. A 2006 survey by the Association of Management Consulting Firms found entry-level consultants earn an average of $65,000 annually while senior partners earn an average of over $300,000 (including bonuses and profit sharing).

While many consultants are hired by large consulting firms, it is an attractive career choice for those who want to have their own business.

You can operate a consulting business from home, without large start-up costs. In fact, you probably already own the equipment needed -- a computer and phone - and much of your business is likely to come through low-cost marketing such as networking.

You can also start on a part-time basis, while keeping your current job as your primary source of income. Then as the demand for your services grows, you can commit to consulting full time.

Unlike some other professions, there are no specific educational requirements to become a business consultant. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 28% of consultants do not have a degree of any kind.

However, that doesn't mean it's easy for someone with no credentials to become a successful business consultant. Those who are most likely to succeed usually have either a formal business education or a wealth of business experience.

They also have the skills needed to solve problems and work with senior management.

To see if consulting is the career for you, here are some questions from the FabJob Guide to Become a Business Consultant. Note all that are a "yes" for you.

1.		Do people frequently ask for your advice?
2.		Do you enjoy finding solutions to problems?
3.		Are you a critical thinker?
4.		Do you know a variety of problem-solving techniques?
5.		Do you enjoy doing research?
6.		Do you have a good vocabulary?
7.		Do you avoid using jargon or technical terms that others may not understand?
8.		Do people consider you to be a good listener?
9.		Do you understand non-verbal communication such as body language?
10.		Do you have excellent written communication skills?
11.		Are you comfortable speaking in front of a group?
12.		Do you have project management experience?
13.		Can you see the big picture and break it down into manageable components?
14.		Are you well organized?
15.		Do you meet deadlines?
16.		Do you have experience leading teams?
17.		Are you ethical in all your business practices?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, you already have qualities found in successful business consultants.

Now look at any you answered "no." Questions 1 to 5 relate to problem-solving skills, questions 6-11 relate to communication skills, questions 12-16 relate to management skills, and question 17 concerns business ethics. Fortunately, many of these skills can be learned through business courses, books, and experience.

So the next time you notice something that's a problem at work, try coming up with a solution.

Click Here to Discover How to Become a Business Consultant

This article is based on the FabJob Guide to Become a Business Consultant. The complete guide gives detailed advice on how you can get hired as a consultant or start your own consulting business.

Work At Home Entrepreneur Since 1985

This article discusses the success an individual who has worked from home since 1985. As a pioneer in 'work at home' jobs she discusses how she achieved success as a Virtual Assistant.

Your Success Is Our Success

Toni
TelecommutingPro.com

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Entrepreneur Captures Attention in Family Circle Magazine

Diana Ennen knows what it takes to work at home, having done so since 1985. Ennen was among the pioneers in the work-at-home industry when starting a word processing business, but back in those days, it wasn’t as easy to get started. The Internet wasn’t as commonplace and work-at-home moms (and dads) had to learn from trial and error. Research on how to start a business also had to be done at a local library and bookstore, and not from the convenience of a home computer. My how times have changed.

Earn a Very Respectable Income From the Comfort of Your Own Home.

Toni, here.

There's never a day when I'm sorry that I work at home. There are times, though, when I wish I could earn a little more income working from home. In this article find a new resource to learn how to work from home and make a respectable income.

Toni
TelecommutingPro

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Work At Home

Like many people who have been a part of an office workforce for most of their working lives, you will come to a point where you want something more. This is one of the reasons why people who have built their careers around the corporate world start to consider work at home options.

There are many possibilities to start a home based business. Here are some suggestions to start with. Visit my website for informative articles, research, and online classes. Sign up for my '3 Minute Read' newsletter and receive specific ideas to start your home based business.

Your Success Is Our Success

Toni
TelecommutingPro

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How To Successfully Start A Home Based Business

A successful home business doesn't happen overnight. The old saying "Work at home in your pajama's", is a bad example. You have to treat it like a real job to succeed at it. The mental aspect of working at home needs to be the same mind framework as you would working for someone else.