Which Gift Basket Products Do I Buy?

Ashley asks:

“I’m trying to decide what products to buy for my business, and I can’t make up my mind. There are so many choices. How can I choose the best products to offer my customers?”

Before you buy one product, you must thoroughly understand the people who will be buying your gift baskets. What are their likes and dislikes? Popcorn, nuts and chocolates are products that regularly appear in baskets, but plush animals are a specialty item.

If customers aren’t the plush-loving type, the decision to buy such a product will be a waste of your inventory money.

Many designers start their businesses by buying enough inventory to make 12 designs. Your decision will depend on the amount of investment money available and the initial size of your business.

Try not to buy products that you think are cute. Chances are that if it’s too unique, customers won’t want it in their baskets, and that case of product will become yours alone. Good luck!

Gift Baskets are Stressing Me Out. What Do I Do?

Wholesalers are as close as your backyardMaria asks:

“I’m having a tough time not feeling overwhelmed. I’m trying to take baby steps, but it seems that everything I do rolls over into another task (design a brochure, take pictures, make baskets, buy products, etc.). It’s all jumbled together, and I can’t focus. Any suggestions?”

All new designers experience similar stress, and experienced designers also go through this situation.

The best way to control it is to find a quiet spot and conduct your own, no-rush brainstorming session. Have paper and pen with you to create a list of steps required to accomplishing your goals.

Don’t worry about the order; you’ll be able to re-structure the steps after listing the most-important tasks.

If working on a computer is better, do that. The technology’s not important; completing the project is.

The steps include a timetable for completion, similar to the business plan shown in How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Each task becomes manageable when you separate everything into small steps. Yes, there’s lots to do, but you’d also complete this mission for someone else who would keep all the profits while you make a small salary.

Many designers have faced and conquered this challenge. So will you.

Unemployed and Starting a Gift Basket Business

Give each of your gift baskets a namePenny asks:

“I’ve just lost my job and want to start a gift basket business. I have a mortgage to pay and children to feed. Tell me how to get up and running quickly.”

No matter how much a business wants to push their fee-based books and materials on you, it would be cruel of that business owner, including me, to encourage you to start a business in your present circumstances.

The decision to make and sell gift baskets is best done when you have access to monies not set aside for food, clothing, and shelter, especially where the well being of families is concerned.

This business requires products, equipment, and training to ensure that your gift baskets sell steadily and at the highest possible profit.

Starting your business now will be frustrating and unwise. Investment money, concentration, and persistence are required to succeed. You’ll find more information about the traits of highly-successful gift basket designers in the frequently-asked questions section of GiftBasketBusiness.com.

When you’re truly ready, financially and otherwise, the gift basket industry will be here for you.

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