Making your own candy can quickly turn into a small booming business.
Small home based businesses have increased in number. More and more people are taking the plunge and becoming small business owners. Not all businesses start out successful. Many start out small, then continue to increase in size through the next few years. Choosing a type of business to start is usually the number one question for most newbies. A simple idea is to start a small candy and small gift business from your home.
Instructions
Making the Candy and Gifts
1. Decide on a select number of candy items you wish to sell. Once you decide on the best items to sell, search for the recipes. Allrecipes.com and Cooksrecipes.com have several free recipes available. Candy such as fudges, bonbons, nut brittle, divinity and lollipops are some ideas for choices.
2. Decide on the non-edible items you wish to sell. Popular but easy to make gifts include bookmarks, key chains and candles. Gather the materials necessary to make these items. Make bookmarks using card stock, wood, metal or ribbon. Buy basic key chains then add decoration. Beaded strings, ribbons and charms are easy to add to any key chain. Candles are a bit more difficult to make since they require more time and patience. You need a double boiler, hard wax, glass containers and cotton wicks to make candles.
3. Make a small inventory of items. If you sell lollipops, make a dozen and prepare and package them. If you sell key chains, make five or six and have them ready for customers to purchase. Make the packaging clean and tidy. Use candy tins and wax paper to adequately store candy. Add decorative tags to all your items so customers know the items were made by you.
Selling Candy and Gifts
4. Create a website. This does not have to be complicated. In fact, you can use a website creator through Google or Yahoo for free. Webs.com also offers free website services. Sign up and choose a domain name. You may need to purchase a domain name in order to have a website address secured. This prevents other people from stealing your address and using it for themselves. The site you choose to do business with will guide you through the process of purchasing a domain name. With a domain name, you can have your own personalized email address for your business.
5. Create some business cards. Many sites offer customized business cards, with a theme that matches your particular business. Choose business cards that are bright and eye catching. Include information such as the business name, phone number, fax, email address and web address. Leave your business cards wherever you can.
6. Check with an insurance agent and tax expert. Your business needs to be protected. Paying your taxes will fall on you completely. Keep record of how much you sell and work closely with a tax expert.
7. Advertise in local papers, magazines or online. Use social networking sites to your benefit. Sites like Facebook or Twitter is a tech savvy way to spread word about your business.
Tags: business cards, domain name, Candy Gifts, email address, items sell