Category: Thrifty Business Tips

If you want to start your own home jewelry business, knowing how to make beautiful and original jewelry is not enough to be successful, but it’s a great start. While creating jewelry is an art form few people have the ability or passion to master, starting your own business is something anyone is capable of doing.

However, simply wanting to be your own boss is not easy. Keep reading to find out what you need to do to start a successful home jewelry business.

1. Build Your Brand

You might not think that a small home jewelry business would need to build a brand. But nowadays, branding is an important part of any successful business big and small.

A large part of branding is choosing a name for your business. This needs to be memorable, unique and reflective of your jewelry.

Remember the brand name needs to be able to be used on business cards, online as well as on any official documents.

You’ll also need a logo to promote your brand online and in your marketing materials. For more information on how to design a dazzling jewelry company logo, view here.

2. Become Legit

The next part of your journey towards becoming a home jewelry business is registering your LLC with your state. This makes you an official business recognized under the law.

It might be that you want to have your jewelry trademarked. This can be achieved through the United States’ Patent and Trademark Office.

It’s essential to carry out all of the bureaucratic and legal procedures to make sure you set yourself up as a legal business.

3. Get a Business Plan

Of course, the business plan might be as simple as – making jewelry. But without a clear and detailed business plan, you could find yourself in trouble.

After all, the finances of your business are really important. You need to consider various outgoings, such as the costs of registering your LLC and sourcing the raw materials to create your jewelry.

But also, it’s important to set business goals for your business. This includes – how many pieces of jewelry do you hope to sell this year? How much profit do you hope to make in your first year?

4. Set Up Your Workshop

You might have been making jewelry for many years as a hobby. If this is the case, you might have a workshop already.

But if you’ve been making jewelry at the kitchen table until now. It might be time to invest in setting yourself up with a quiet workshop so you can concentrate and store your materials and products.

5. Websites and Social Media

Nowadays even the smallest businesses have a website and social media accounts. These are essential and cost-effective media and marketing tools.

Make sure you at least have a Facebook and Twitter account. But because jewelry is so well-suited to Instagram, you should also have an account on this social network. Make sure you include contact details and many sample pictures of your jewelry.

You can also use your website to sell your products. Other online platforms to sell your jewelry include Etsy, Artfire, Amazon, and eBay.

On your website, you should also include a blog. This will not only help you become an influencer within your niche of home-made jewelry but also boost your SEO (search engine optimization). SEO helps you rank highly on search engines such as Google.

6. Set Your Prices

Setting your prices is one of the most difficult steps in setting up your own home jewelry business.

There certainly isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule for pricing your jewelry. But you have to consider the material and labor costs of producing the products. While you need to make sure you’re making a profit on your jewelry, don’t overcharge or you’ll struggle to sell anything.

If you’re selling your jewelry through a variety of mediums and markets, then it’s important to keep your prices consistent. This means it should cost the same whether it’s at a arts and craft market in a local town or on your website.

7. Be Patient

Many people who set up their own businesses from home are impatient for success. This is especially the case if you’ve risked everything and give up the stability of a 9-5 grind.

However, the trick to a successful business is to be patient. There are lots of new things to learn about running your own business. It can take many years to really build your home jewelry business.

If you’re struggling to make a profit or find new customers for your product, adjust what you’re doing. This might involve making a different kind of jewelry or driving your social media strategy in a different direction.

8. Do What You Love

What makes you different to someone else making jewelry? It’s not price or the quality of your jewelry, it’s that you love doing what you do.

Making jewelry is a creative process that requires a lot of time, effort and passion.

That’s why if you’re making jewelry you believe is beautiful and wonderful, the chances are, other people will too. There’s always a market for it.

Starting Your Own Home Jewelry Business

Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of entrepreneurship, or you’re an experienced player in business, starting your own home jewelry business can be daunting.

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to success with your passion project! If you’ve set up your own home jewelry business, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s us know in the comments.

Otherwise, if you want to know more about becoming your own boss, explore our blog or get in touch.

Spring is here, which means that graduation season is, too! Across the country, people are getting ready to walk across a stage and celebrate their academic accomplishments.

It can seem like everything has already been done when it comes to unique designs at graduation, but there’s always a way to get creative. If you’re looking to stand out, we’ve got the perfect design tips for you.

Whether you’re decorating your graduation cap or designing graduation announcements, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn more.

1. Make It Personal

Looking to make your own graduation announcements? It’s easy to be overwhelmed with options, especially if you’re new to graphic design.

You can start by making everything personal, even the colors. Did you know that each discipline has a color associated with it?

Law grads traditionally wear purple, for example, while someone who graduated in the fine arts would wear brown. You can incorporate your discipline’s colors into your design.

Who says that you just have to use your school colors on your grad announcement?

2. Embrace The Minimal

Whether you’re picking an outfit to wear under your graduation robes or designing an invitation to a graduation party, minimal is the way to go. You can almost never go wrong with doing more with less.

When it comes to graphic design, minimalism is a big trend right now. Images that are clean and understated are ironically what get the most attention.

As far as your clothes go, it’s generally considered a good idea not to wear anything that takes attention away from your robe. You want people to focus on your achievements, not your bright pink shoes.

3. Use Photography

A good photograph might mean that you don’t even have to design anything. A great photo can be used for anything from a personal website to a greeting card.

With how good phone cameras are getting, you don’t need to invest in an expensive camera to get high-quality pictures. You might not have to look farther than your Instagram feed to find the perfect picture to include in a graduation announcement.

Instead of a staged graduation photo in a cap and gown, use a great photo of you and your friends, or find a photo where you think you look happiest. It will create a final product that’s way more personal.

4. Throw It Back

It might not be the eighties or nineties anymore, but that doesn’t mean that our design has to look like it. In fact, trends from those decades — like pastel colors and bright geometric shapes — are making a comeback today.

No matter what you’re working on, you can add a touch of nostalgia to your project by adding patterns or colors from the eighties and nineties. That’ll also help you stand out from what other people are creating.

Get More Design Tips Here

Looking for more design tips for graduation and beyond? You’ve come to the right place! Along with our deals, giveaways, and coupons, our blog is a great home for design advice for women everywhere.

Check out more of our design advice here.

Are you an avid camper and outdoors enthusiast that is tired of the corporate world?

In 2017, there is more opportunity than ever in the camping industry, especially in luxury camping, also known as “glamping”.The market for a camping company has vastly shifted towards younger generations, who love the idea of closeness to nature without sacrificing comfort or luxury.

There are many different companies emerging in this industry to serve the demand. To make matters more interesting, the U.S. is actually behind other countries in the availability of these opportunities for glampers.

So, what are you waiting for?

The benefits are enormous once this business is off the ground. You are the boss of your own company, and you get to meet people from all over the world.

Read on to learn how you can invest your love of camping into a profitable company.

The Market of the Camping Industry

In planning to enter the camping industry, it is important to research the existing market.

This step will depend on what your niche is, such as an app, product, or campground.

Regardless, the market is on the up, and it does not appear to be going anywhere.

The existing camping companies in the U.S. and other countries do usually have one commonality: they cater to a specific group.

This could be in the form of a church camp, flyfishing camp, fitness camp, wellness camp, or any other number of demands you can identify in the target market.

The statistics support the fact that this is a growing industry full of opportunity, with a 147 million dollar increase predicted for 2018.

No matter which niche your camping company decides on, follow the market trends as you form your business plan.

Different Types of Camping Companys

As mentioned, there are many different types of camping and outdoors companies that are emerging.

One key change in the industry with the influx of technology is the appearance of web-based platforms designed as middle-men for camping experiences, such as Campsited.

The market for apps of this nature is fairly saturated, but that does not mean that there isn’t the opportunity to come out with another platform that offers a different approach.

For example, Fluid Market is one app that has been wildly popular because it is part of the new sharing economy model.

As well, these apps can be utilized by your camping company to reach your target audience.

Additionally, some business models in the camping industry have thrived by doing camping differently.

Instead of traditional log cabins and primitive tent campsites, you could try renting out custom camping vans, yurts, teepees or other unique abodes.

Best yet, let’s not forget about the potential of a quality camping product. Outdoor enthusiasts love to purchase functional items to use during their adventures, from apparel to coolers to outdoor blankets.

Think big or thing small, the camping industry can suit it all.

How to Create a Camping Company Business Plan

So, you read about the basic market for camping as well as some business ideas. Now, you want to know how to start a business plan.

The next four steps include how to begin the plan, as well as making the business profitable.

1. Discover the Goal of the Business

This step may cause an existential crisis because it does require you to look within yourself and ask: “Who am I?”

Not to worry, because this question can be answered by what you like in the camping world.

If you regularly camp, and you are looking for an off-the-grid business, then a campground may be for you.

However, if you prefer the city life with the occasional adventure, considering other options involving technology or a product.

No matter what, this is obviously a crucial first step in the business planning process.

2. Decide on a Demographic

Once you determine the goal of the business, the next step is to decide who your target demographic will be.

This will be reflective of the type of interests and life situation you have. Examples of target demographics could include families, couples, international travelers, or fitness gurus.

You can further refine the target by catering to specific interests. A luxury campground could be eco-friendly, with local, organic foods or a spiritual one that is dedicated to those looking to be in touch with a higher power.

Regardless, it is better to try and be specific with your demographic, as this will make it easier to market and cater to them.

3.Take into Account Your Resources

In the beginning stages of planning, it is important to think about your current life situation and resources.

This includes how much money you may have to invest in the company, or the availability of land.

If you have a family member that owns a large bit of land that they are not using, now is the time to reach out to them about your idea.

This also applies to any outdoors-related idea. It can be difficult to know how to start a business without the means or knowledge of how to do so.

Therefore, explored your networks, as well as supplementing with internet research.

Location is everything in the event that you decide to invest in a campground, it cannot be overstated enough.

The best and most profitable campgrounds are often in an amazing area with an existing tourism industry.

4. Get the Business off the Ground

At first, as with any business, it can be a struggle to get started. There is a lot that goes into a camping business, and you should expect to dedicate time and money to this endeavor.

Remember that it’s the little things that can help your business stand out in a crowd. Cultivate a campground that people would know is different, somehow or someway.

Moreover, marketing is the best way to grow your business, especially online. Branch out and explore different advertisement options, and don’t forget the importance of SEO.

Follow Your Dreams

The truth is, most of us dream of escaping the monotony of the work world. Many people are unhappy with their careers, and yearn to follow their passions.

Better yet, no matter if your business is a camping company or something else, entrepreneurship is truly the only way to be your own boss.

So, if you are passionate about the outdoors, don’t let life hold you back. Explore your dreams, and be the master of your own destiny.

Check out our blog post on tips for hiking with kids if you love the outdoors, but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into owning a business today.

As a mom, you’re always on the lookout for a way to work from home, grow your home-based business, or plotting your triumphant return to the workforce.

However, no matter what your next step is, you need to make sure to familiarize yourself with common practices in the workplace.

Doing this will help you know what to expect when you head into that interview. It will also ensure that, if you’re running your own business, you’re not missing out on anything important.

One of the most crucial things you should do as an employer and expect as an employee?

Pre-employment screenings are more commonly known as background checks. However, today’s screenings are a little more complicated — and thorough — than those of the past.

Read on to learn what pre-employment screening is, why you need it, and how to prepare for it.

What is Pre-Employment Screening?

Before we discuss just a few of the many benefits of pre-employment screening, let’s first make sure you’re clear on exactly what it is.

In a nutshell, it’s designed to help you to ensure that everything a potential employee has claimed on their application, resume, and even in their interview, is truthful.

Additionally, pre-employment screening may also help you to uncover things that candidates intentionally withheld from you — things like criminal records.

You might even uncover moral issues, inappropriate posts, or beliefs that are inconsistent with your company’s values.

This screening helps you to feel confident in your hiring decisions and means that you won’t be faced with any unpleasant surprises down the road.

Common types of screening include:

• Employment/Education Verification
• Contacting References
• DMV Record Checks
• Sex Offender Registry Checks
• Drug Testing
• Criminal Background Checks
• Skill Assessments

Now that you’re clear on what the process entails, let’s take a look at some of the main benefits it offers to employers.

1. You’ll Lower Your Employee Turnover Rate

A recent study found that 78% of businesses are especially concerned with the current high employee turnover rate.

They certainly have good reason to be.

After all, the average cost-per-hire is over $4,000.

In addition to the financial side of things, you’ll also lose valuable work time when you have to interview and train countless employees.

While you can’t always prevent employees from leaving, you can ensure you’re hiring ones who want to stay — and ones who you won’t have to let go.

Pre-employment screening also helps you to lower your average cost-per-hire. You can be certain that you’ve hired an employee that has the proper training, great productivity levels, and one that won’t cause an imbalance in your office environment.

2. It’s Often A Regulatory Requirement

Especially if you work in the financial, education, or home improvement industries, you’ll likely have strict regulatory requirements in place when it comes to screening potential employees.

If you disregard this rule, you risk heavy fines, potential loss of licenses, and most of all, a serious loss of trust when it comes to your relationship with your clients.

But even if conducting a pre-employment screening is a regulatory requirement in your industry, it’s still a wonderful idea. After all, it’s a great selling point when it comes to securing future clients.

It proves to your customers that you’ve done your due diligence throughout the hiring process. It also shows that you’re serious about keeping your clients — and their personal information — safe.

3. You’ll Keep Your Employees Safe

You do a lot to keep your home safe. But what about your workplace?

As a boss, you also have a responsibility when it comes to keeping your employees safe.

Especially with all the recent news regarding sexual harassment in the workforce, it’s up to you to make sure you’re not putting your employees at risk by hiring a sex offender, someone with a criminal record, or someone who was fired from their last job for inappropriate (and even illegal) behavior.

You also need to conduct drug and alcohol testing to ensure your workplace isn’t safe, but also free from temptations that won’t just ruin your office, but could potentially ruin lives.

Companies like Rapid Detect INC sell quick and easy saliva test strips that can offer you results in as little as two minutes. This means you can even test potential employees before they leave their interview.

4. You’ll Uncover Lies

Today’s workforce is an incredibly competitive place, with 118 applicants competing for a single position.

This means that, unfortunately, lying on a resume or even in an interview has become a far more common practice than it was in the past.

Luckily, pre-employment screening makes it easy to figure out who really has the goods, and who is making it all up out of thin air. Today, you can get in contact with universities and access attendance records online.

You can also contact previous bosses to confirm employment records. If an employee is unwilling to provide you with these references or records of employment, then it’s likely that they’re lying about them.

What Else Do You Need to Know?

If you’re a mom who is thinking about getting back into the workforce, or if you’re looking to hire employees for your own business, it’s time to seriously think about the importance of pre-employment screening.

If you’re in the process of filling out applications for yourself, you can be certain that potential employees will screen you. Google yourself, take a look at your current and past social media profiles and see what comes up.

If there’s anything remotely unsavory, it’s time to take it out.

Looking to learn more about today’s workforce? Looking for more tips and tricks on how you can save and earn money while you wait to get that dream job?

We’ve got you covered.

Spend some time on our website and blog to learn everything you need to know about scoring awesome deals, finding a side hustle, and much more.

It takes less than 10 seconds for people to form an opinion of you. Can you afford to make a less-than-stellar impression in the place where you need it most – at work?

As a mother, working from home is probably your ideal situation. But if you count yourself among the almost 74 million moms that work outside the home, you know how important personal presentation is.

Here’s the big question – can you keep up with your kids and still stay stylish? Once you read our guide to office attire, your answer will be YES!

Suit Up

If there’s one thing every woman needs in her closet, it’s one great suit. The ensemble – a blazer and either suit pants or a skirt – seems easy enough, but there are ways to do it wrong.

First, splurge a little and make sure it’s good quality. You’ll pay a high price now but high-quality outfits last a long time.

Second, make sure it fits perfectly. You don’t want pants that are too long or a blazer that bunches in weird places. Getting it tailored makes a big difference.

The Perfect Ratio

You most likely will work for a place that has a “business casual” office attire policy. This allows you a bit more flexibility in your look.

With more formal offices, you will be stuck with stuffy button-downs and blouses. With business casual, you have more options.

Having more options, though, might make you feel overwhelmed. Don’t fret – there’s a formula for keeping your wardrobe in check.

Have a small set number of neutral bottoms and double that number for your tops. So if you have five pants and skirts, you’ll need 10 tops.

That way you can easily mix and match and create multiple outfit possibilities.

Sounds expensive? It doesn’t have to be. Keep this 6PM promo code handy and start building an amazing work wardrobe.

Office Attire Accessories

If you’re stuck in a conservative office, you can let your personality shine through accessories! Here’s a chance to get creative and add some sparkle to the workplace.

Have a certain passion or hobby? Consider a charm necklace with little symbols of what you love dangling off of it. Think how amazing a pair of bright pink heels would look peeking out from the hem of a charcoal suit.

While simple dangling earrings bring a bit of bling to your look, leave the giant hoop earrings for the weekend.

Bonus Tips

Don’t forget one of the working woman’s best friends – a fantastic attache or work bag. It should be neutral to go with all of your outfits and large enough to fit your work essentials.

As a busy mom who also brings home the bacon, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. Your skin will show your exhaustion – take a few minutes to lavish it with some simple TLC.

Love perfume? Not everyone does. You sometimes spend more time with coworkers than you do with family. Don’t overwhelm them with a super strong scent.

Do you have a surefire strategy for showing your best side at the office? We want to hear it! Leave a reply and start a conversation!