After hours of shifting through receipts, here are a few things I’ve learned this past year as a really small home business entrepreneur...in no particular order.
1. Buy bulk, it’s easier and more cost effective.
My first few orders were shipped via bubble mailers purchased from the local post office. The cost was approximately $1.49 plus San Francisco sales tax each. Now, I purchase from www.royalmailers.com. Free shipping, great prices, and great service. Current cost is now approximately $0.25 per mailer.
2. Document receipts every few months.
Going through a year’s worth of receipts is not my cup of tea. My goal this year (key word: goal) is to document my receipts every 3-4 months on Excel. That way I still remember what it is I purchased and get a sense of my budget.
3. Google those international addresses. Good ol’ Google.
Take that extra step to validate each and every international address. Paypal shipping does not allow one to create first class international shipping labels, therefore each has to be handwritten. This search checks that great handmade items are shipped to the right person, especially when the address is five lines long.
4. Samples. Test. Revise.
I get these amazing ideas for novel jewelry pieces. I’ll run to the store, purchase the supplies, and attempt to manifest my ideas. Sometimes I fail, miserably. Then I’m left with these useless supplies.
Ask for samples from your local brick and mortar stores; few of my suppliers would even gift me a few pieces or snippets of beads, fabric, etc. This way my San Francisco apartment doesn’t look like a cross between a bird cemetery and a S&M boutique.
5. Start small, simple, and slow.
This one is just my opinion. The glitter, sparkle, and glam is addicting, however costly. I am not saying be cheap, because that would be evident to your audience. Spend wisely. Within 6 months of starting piecemaker jewelry, I owned glossy black kraft boxes, colorful tissue paper, colorful ribbons, matte boxes, poly bags, fancy big business cards, fancy SMALL business cards, a logo, domain, website, personalized email address, Etsy website, professional editorial style pictures, etc. Did I need all that so soon? Probably not. Some things can wait.
6. Use those free resources right in front of you.
In the old days (um....4 months ago), I galloped to the post office and waited (almost) patiently in line. Nowadays, I utilize Paypal’s shipping. I print from home, price includes discounted delivery confirmation, and no more waiting in line.
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