There are many advantages to being your own boss and running your own business, but one of the disadvantages is how you spend your time; the more time you spend on the business, the less time you have for yourself. If you’re looking to strike a balance between personal and professional life, one way to do so might be to start your own jewelry business.
Do your research
Before you set out on your entrepreneurial journey, it’s important to understand everything that goes into running a successful jewelry business. The best way to learn is by starting small and taking things one step at a time. If you’re looking for something simple that won’t require too much capital or overhead costs, starting with Etsy is an excellent option.
It’s easy to get up and running on Etsy with its no-cost seller account, and if you do happen to have an established presence there, then you have another opportunity for revenue streams (re-selling inventory you already own). There are many ways for newer sellers on Etsy to make money from their products. Some of these include
What is the best way to start a jewelry business?
Starting your own jewelry business can be challenging. It’s not as simple as making jewelry and selling it. You have to think about things like: How do I get customers? Do I sell online or at craft fairs? What type of insurance do I need? This guide will answer all those questions and more. It’ll help you figure out what type of jewelry you want to make, how much money you should set aside for your business, and how to promote yourself once you start selling.
After reading through it, if you feel like starting a jewelry business is right for you, click here for some ideas on where to start. If not, there are still plenty of businesses that require less investment than a jewelry company—read on for some great alternatives!
Set up shop
Whether you’re just starting out or already have a thriving business, it’s important to make sure your equipment is up-to-date. Even if you’re a hobbyist, taking care of your tools will help guarantee that they last and that you get everything out of them that you want. For example, making sure you’ve got anti-tarnish strips on every chain is one way to avoid getting sick and tired of your jewelry.
Or, if you wear earrings every day, having some on hand with multiple pairs in different gauges can help ensure that no matter what happens (or what earlobe holes get stretched), there are always some options left.
Build relationships
Once you’ve established that you have a skill worth sharing and an audience willing to learn from it, it’s time to start building relationships. The way you go about doing that will differ depending on your personal network—are you part of local industry meetups? Are there Facebook groups dedicated to your niche? Is there an existing community of jewelry makers or people who aspire to become jewelry makers nearby? Reach out!
Chances are, they’re eager for someone who shares their interests and values with whom they can share knowledge, questions, and advice. Don’t be shy; ask them what they want and need out of an online community and find ways that you can give it to them. Remember: no one knows your skills better than you do.
How do I get started?
If you want to open your own jewelry store, you need a business plan that covers everything from hiring an accountant and figuring out pricing, to buying display cases and learning about taxes. Having such details written down will help you stay organized as you start your business and allow potential investors or loan officers to easily review what’s needed for a launch. Answering these questions should help get your creative juices flowing:
What kind of jewelry do I want my shop to sell? Do I have any connections with wholesalers or manufacturers? Will my shop be online-only or will I have an actual storefront? How much money do I need upfront before opening doors? Knowing that these are just some of things you’ll have to address helps keep fear at bay, too.
How much money do I need to start a jewelry business?
If you are starting a jewelry business, one of your first questions will be how much money you’ll need to get started. The great news is that with e-commerce, it is possible to start a jewelry business for relatively little cost. As long as you’re comfortable using Facebook and Instagram, starting an online jewelry business can be pretty affordable.
If you want to open your own brick-and-mortar store, however, it is going to take more capital. Starting your own jewelry business can require between $50,000 and $200,000—and that’s just for inventory and supplies; if you also want an office space or other overhead costs added in, that figure could climb even higher.
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How do I promote my business?
The question of how do I promote my business? is frequently asked by new entrepreneurs who are trying to find their target audience. While having some sort of promotion plan is crucial, before you can figure out how to promote your business, you need to first know what you want from your business. Do you want it for passive income or do you hope that it will become your full-time job?
The reason for starting a jewelry business is important as it will determine where and how you promote your business. If you’re looking for passive income and don’t care much about finding lots of customers, then advertising on social media sites like Facebook will be sufficient.
What are some of the best styles?
After reading through what I’ve written, it’s clear that many people ask me about starting a jewelry business and my response is always pick something you enjoy making. Earrings and necklaces are popular pieces, but rings and bracelets can also be very successful businesses. Once you have an idea of what type of jewelry you want to make, focus on which styles are most popular with your target market.
This can help immensely when designing new pieces for customers. If your target market is middle-aged women, for example, then you will likely do well with chunky earrings or classic necklaces; if it’s tweens and teens, perhaps bracelets or colorful pieces in fun shapes are best.
What jewelry accessories do people use?
After you have an idea for a product, ask your friends and family what jewelry accessories they currently use. Do they want something different? Does your idea solve any problems that already exist in an under-served market? Make notes of what everyone says and take it into consideration as you research how to start a jewelry business. You can learn more about pricing, distribution channels, marketing techniques and more by visiting our comprehensive guide on starting your own small business.
How to deal with customer demand
One of the best ways to make money with your jewelry is to sell directly to customers; whether that’s through Etsy, at craft fairs or another venue. But before you start selling, know how much demand there is for your product and what price people are willing to pay.
Find out by doing some basic market research, including asking around online (e.g., on Twitter or Facebook) and see what other sellers are charging for similar products. Also, think about how you want customers to buy from you — do you want them to shop online? Or at a physical store? — and keep that in mind as you build your sales channels.
How do you sell jewelry online?
Before getting started with selling jewelry online, there are some things you need to know. First, be honest about whether or not you’re actually an expert at making jewelry. If so, great! But if not, you may want to consider hiring an outside designer and then handling all of your sales yourself. With that decision out of the way, it’s time to think about shipping methods and packaging materials.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an easy way to get started, make sure you have a great selection of accessories and supplies. While starting your own business may seem intimidating at first, don’t let it scare you away from making money in your free time. In fact, starting your own business is quite doable. Find out how with the above guide that details how to start a jewelry business!
