Labour of love into a product

[ChrisManc]

Having made a few wooden toys for my daughter I’m looking at how to turn what has been a labour of love into something others can enjoy within a bit of a niche market (pint sized equestrian lovers).

Short of setting up on Etsy and hand making several more - I’ve not much of an idea on how to begin and wondered if anyone could point me in the right direction of a guide or past experiences etc.

They’re fairly bulky items, so ideally would be looking to post flat packed, with instructions for self build by the buyer - guessing some form of CAD drawing/plans I can hand over to a manufactured who can cut the pieces, packaging etc etc.

 

[Socio South West]

Oh dear!!!! The L word....

It's one thing making a few for pleasure for friends and family: It's a big leap to make the move to doing this for remuneration.....

You need to step back and forget the fun you had creating the couple you have built and put together a business plan to consider all aspects of the business, including production, administration, marketing, accounting and distribution. (and don't forget the necessary Liability insurances in this market)

Your big problem with a small scale business is to get a price point low enough to make the product attractive whilst paying all the above AND leaving you some reward for your enterprise. The latter is the thing that so many new enterprises completely forget.

 

[fisicx]

You would be competing with factories churning out similar products at a fraction of the price.

Stick with your current plan of selling on Etsy. But even then the competition is fierce.

 

[ChrisManc]

You would be competing with factories churning out similar products at a fraction of the price.

Stick with your current plan of selling on Etsy. But even then the competition is fierce.

The reason I set about making them in the first place was not being able to find a similar product

Maybe I’ll give Etsy a whirl in the first instance and see where it lands before investing any additional time in the above!

Thanks both!