How to Not Let Criticism Stop You from Making Gift Baskets
Arlene asks:
“Every time I make a gift basket someone insults it saying it doesn’t look good. What can I do to build my confidence?”
Every new designer goes through this rite of passage, including me when I started. Our minds tell us we’re not good artists. Combine that with friends and family members adding a dose of “you’re not talented,” and it’s enough to make you stop trying.
Here are some suggestions to prepare you for this long and rewarding profession.
1. Don’t listen to anyone’s critique unless they are a person who participates in the industry.
2. Make sure you understand and practice the art of gift basket making by watching and following instructions available through online videos and DVDs offered by mail.
3. Look at gift baskets for sale at local retailers and review their techniques, not to copy but to see similarities in their and your designs.
Take your time developing your gift basket making style, and very soon your confidence will be unshakable.
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?
Maria 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.
