Dawn asks:

“I’m ready to start making gift baskets. Is there one thing to do before I start that’s more important than anything else?”

The one thing to do before you buy a basket or bag of shred is to know if making gift baskets will be your hobby or a profession.

That one decision will determine how much you buy, if you’ll set up a workspace, and whether or not marketing will be part of your overall plan.

Going the hobby or profession route will also let you decide how much money you’ll invest.

If this is a hobby, you’ll make gift baskets for special occasions and buy products from retailers to create each design.

If this is a profession, setting up a dedicated workspace is the encouraged along with buying products from wholesale sources.

Click this link for tips on making gift baskets as a business.

Making gift baskets as a hobby or profession is a talent. Both options helps you to decide how far with that talent you’re willing to go.

© 2008-2010 Shirley George Frazier. All rights reserved. Shirley George Frazier is recognized as the leading authority on the gift basket industry. She is author of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, The Gift Basket Design Book, and Marketing Strategies for the Home-Based Business. Visit GiftBasketBusiness.com for videos, CDs, reports, tips, online newsletter, and much more to learn, grow, and profit with gift baskets.

Related posts:

1. Which Gift Basket Products Do I Buy?
2. How Do I Get Gift Basket Sales?
3. How to Not Let Criticism Stop You from Making Gift Baskets

Millie asks:

How can I store gift basket-making items if I live in a small apartment with limited space?

You need to look at the space you have and ask yourself, “Where can I make sacrifices in order to successfully start my business?”

That means stacking and/or purging home items together to make space in closets and on shelves where home products are stored now.

Since I cannot see your space, as I can with clients who speak with me through Skype, you’ll have to decide which areas in your home can be converted to hold products and supplies. Also, look up and down for storage space above cabinets and beneath furniture.

Your passion for this creative business will lead you to find space where you didn’t know it exists.

© 2008-2010 Shirley George Frazier. All rights reserved. Shirley George Frazier is recognized as the leading authority on the gift basket industry. She is author of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, The Gift Basket Design Book, and Marketing Strategies for the Home-Based Business. Visit GiftBasketBusiness.com for videos, CDs, reports, tips, online newsletter, and much more to learn, grow, and profit with gift baskets.

Related posts:

1. Which Gift Basket Products Do I Buy?
2. How Do I Get Gift Basket Sales?
3. Is There a Better Place than Retail Stores to Buy Enhancements?

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.

© 2008-2010 Shirley George Frazier. All rights reserved. Shirley George Frazier is recognized as the leading authority on the gift basket industry. She is author of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, The Gift Basket Design Book, and Marketing Strategies for the Home-Based Business. Visit GiftBasketBusiness.com for videos, CDs, reports, tips, online newsletter, and much more to learn, grow, and profit with gift baskets.

Related posts:

1. Which Gift Basket Products Do I Buy?
2. What’s the First Step Before Making a Gift Basket?
3. Is There a Better Place than Retail Stores to Buy Enhancements?

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!

© 2008-2010 Shirley George Frazier. All rights reserved. Shirley George Frazier is recognized as the leading authority on the gift basket industry. She is author of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, The Gift Basket Design Book, and Marketing Strategies for the Home-Based Business. Visit GiftBasketBusiness.com for videos, CDs, reports, tips, online newsletter, and much more to learn, grow, and profit with gift baskets.

Related posts:

1. What Should I Buy to Make Gift Baskets?
2. How to Find Space to Store Gift Basket Products
3. Can I Put “Not for Individual Sale” Products in My Gift Baskets?

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.

© 2008-2010 Shirley George Frazier. All rights reserved. Shirley George Frazier is recognized as the leading authority on the gift basket industry. She is author of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, The Gift Basket Design Book, and Marketing Strategies for the Home-Based Business. Visit GiftBasketBusiness.com for videos, CDs, reports, tips, online newsletter, and much more to learn, grow, and profit with gift baskets.

Related posts:

1. Which Gift Basket Products Do I Buy?
2. How to Pack the Inside of a Gift Basket