Despite what’s being shown in the media, there’s still a thriving community of people keeping the world of arts and crafts alive. Understandably, more people are leaning towards digital media, drawing tablets, and other mediums to create their art, but traditional arts and crafts still exist.
So if this is something that you’re truly passionate about, then don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. There’s nothing wrong with pursuing a passion—you just have to be smart and resourceful with the choices you make moving forwards. That said, just because you’re passionate about something doesn’t make establishing a business from the ground up easier.
Fortunately, there are solutions to your growing problems. If you have no clue about where to begin your entrepreneurial journey, consider starting your line of crafting supplies and materials. Here are three aspects that you’ll need to focus on if you decide to pursue this path:
Suppliers
There may always be a demand for craft materials, but that doesn’t automatically mean that you’re going to dominate the market niche. Keep in mind that you’re not the only one in business; there are hundreds of craft brands that have been in the industry longer than you, so you have to make yourself stand out.
It’s a good thing that one of the biggest deciding factors for craft materials is the quality. If you truly want avid crafters to recognize your brand and prefer it over others, then you’ll have to give them high-quality materials at reasonable prices. And that means scouring the market for the best suppliers.
You can also be smart about the suppliers you choose because you may be able to score high-quality materials at a discount, especially if you’re buying in bulk. How you choose your suppliers is entirely up to you, but make sure that these people are worthy of your trust because you’re going to be working with them for a long time.
Equipment
It would be impossible to create anything without the right tools and equipment by your side. For instance, since you’re going to make a lot of cutouts, colored paper, and other kinds of crafting materials, you’ll need rotary die-cutting machines to streamline the process. Plus, it reduces the need for human intervention, which can then minimize errors and inaccurate end products.
But don’t buy the first machine you find on the market. Don’t be afraid to take your time and shop around to see what other brands are offered in the market. You can also ask for suggestions from industry players or check out reviews on the internet. This way, you’ll be making an informed decision.
Aside from the quality of the end products, you should also consider the durability and longevity of the equipment you’re going to buy. Of course, most equipment will last for a long time with maintenance and upkeep, but it might also help if you know how easy it is to find spare parts for emergency repairs.
Marketing
Once you know where to source your raw materials and how you’re going to make your products, the next thing you have to figure it is how you’re going to sell them. One of the most traditional marketing methods for craft materials is finding retailers or distributors that can sell your products for you.
You can partner with craft shops or local bookstores to sell your craft supplies. But you can also take the more modern approach and open an online shop for your products. For example, you can use e-commerce platforms like Etsy or Amazon to sell your craft supplies and make them more accessible to your customers.
Another way to market your products is by creating your website where people can easily place their orders for the products they want to buy. Of course, this means that you’ll have to figure out the logistics of your online shop—couriers, transportation, packaging, and the different payment methods.
If you’re not too keen on reaching such a wide audience from the get-go, you can just focus on one method first and work your way from there. This means you should start with an online or a physical store, but not at the same time. Doing so will make it easier for you to adjust to your operational setup.
There will be many more aspects that you’ll have to take care of before your business can get off the ground. For instance, you’ll need to create a feasible business plan, file your paperwork, and get your funding, to name a few. But once you’ve settled everything, it will all be smooth flowing from there.
