Business Start-Up

[JRS!]

Hi ..

Just came across this forum thanks to a fellow poster on HotukDeals......

As a hobby, a friend of ours designs and makes cards for all ocassions.

Being disabled its hard for her to get out without, unless using the car, so chooses to work from home. However, on a recent visit to hospital (recovering on a main ward, making cards) she found she was getting several requests.....

She has recently been asked to design some sample Wedding stuff.. invites, menu's, order of service etc.... and looking at other companies etc, this is where she thinks she may be able to make a little money (although you won't get a wedding every week!) - if you catch my drift.

Then came all the questions!

Now, I've seen the cards, and they are brilliant, i'm just not sure how much of a task it will be to get it up and running, and whether or not, any funding will be available. What advertising opportunities are there, (websites, leaflets etc) and what will the funding (if any) pay for? It may be that a new PC needed as her current desktop is on the blink!

She doesn't work but does have income, in the form some sort (DLA iirc), but this shouldn't effect her starting her own business, should it?

Im sure she has more questions, but i'll see what comments we get first on the back of this.

[neild]

Hi JRS,

Welcome to the forum. :)

Sounds like a good oppertunity for her and as she makes more customers will spread the word, which is the best form of advertising you can get. Anyway, as for websites, etc... You could be looking at around £400 for a website, you may be better investing in a laptop, new ones cost around £350 for a 17in screen. For leaflets, do a request for a quote in this forum or search on Google and get the best price. To deliver them you could do it yourselfs or get a postal serivce to do it, e.g - The Royal Mail. Again also ask in this forum.

[JRS!]

good start.. some ideas there to think about

[Esk247]

i once did a website for a customer who sold handmade cards and wedding stationery. they've branched out in to wedding dresses and gowns etc these days.

the problem is if you're online you're competing with the likes of Moonpig.com with its tacky and very annoying tv advert but an advert which people remember.

as far as i know there are already 3 people in whitby alone doing handmade cards and wedding stationery so it may be worth a look around your local area in the local papers etc to sniff out the competition first!

with regards to any benefits or income support always telephone the people supplying that support to confirm that you are allowed to work..then go to the likes of Inland Revenue to double check with them about small business tax etc etc and charging VAT at a later date..they will send you all of the required forms and information packs.

[profitxchange]

She should push ahead. Do not rely on just a website. Use existing customers to refer her. Particularly weddings - almost certainly there will be other guests that will be considering, planning or already arranging their weddings. Another more sensitive but potential area are the deceased. Try and look at niche opportunities.
Good luck.

[RLD Plastering and Tiling Services]

Hi JRS my wife does very much the same sort of thing but has branched out into imprinting images onto candles at the moment and also a thing called nappy cakes (sound weird I know but proving to be very popular) and we would dearly like to set this up as a fully functional business as she only does it at the moment on request part time. The only thing holding her back at the moment is me as I am trying to get a business up off the ground and we need her income from work at the moment so she can't devote full time to it but I know from the wife it is something she enjoys immensely and if you can get enjoyment out of your chosen living as well as making yourself some money than that is half the battle. I agree with an earlier post though that she should check waht she is allowed to earn before affecting her DLA or other entitlements.

Thanks Jason

[florenceij]

Hi

Welcome to the forum. Its great that she is thinking of taking this idea forward. Pls encourage her.

With regards to DLA its best to contact the services earlier and ask because I know a young girl that ran into issues while she was on this and was making extra money teaching kids how to play an instrument. They have a certain threshold and above which it may result in a cut in her allowance and sometimes it may depend on her illness etc so they are the best people to contact. She should have a key worker, support worker etc that she could mention this to and request for more information.

For website designs, I know some local business support services, offer discounts sometimes up to 70% off website design when you use design services registered with them. She should contact business link, there may be some existing funds that she might be eligible for. Other ways of raising fund is through friends or family. Some region run competitions for submitting business ideas or a business plan.

I think she should invest in a laptop as its more mobile. I can offer her a good quote for a leaflet and flyer design. Check the forum special offer sections for deals on print etc. I am happy to set up a FREE 3 page professionally looking website to display her products, including a page about her services and a contact form for clients to submit a request, I can also include a page for listing out her pricing scheme if needed. However, If she prefers an ecommerce website to sell the cards online as well, this can be done for a small fee.

You would need to obtain the following:

1. domain name
2. Web hosting: can be provided by me for as little as £2/month
3. Logo design

In terms of advertising there are so may advenues, the web, blog, forums, article submssion, press release, networking, exhibitions, leaflet distribution, community centres, local shops etc. The best way for her to advertise effectively is to focus on her target auidence and find out how best to reach them.

My advise to her is to write a business plan which would include a marketing plan it will help structure her idea and the exercise will teach her a lot.

I wish her the very best.

Ij