It's hard to believe that we are already almost half way through the first month of 2019! The Christmas decorations are finally away and as the kids are back in school so it's time to think about what the year ahead holds for Kawartha Beads!
I am happy with the regrowth of my business in 2018. After taking time off to get life in order it was great to get back to creating and reinforced that for this year I want Kawartha Beads to grow to the next level so here are my goals....hopefully my loyal fans will help keep me accountable!
1) My Etsy Shop
I have been a part of Etsy since 2010 and while it has grown and changed a lot it continues to be a great selling platform. Over the past decade I typically hover around the 100 listings mark. That's a pretty good variety of items but to take it to the next level I would like to challenge myself to get to AT LEAST 200 items although closer to 500 would be ideal.
2) Retail Opportunities
I have had the pleasure of working with many great businesses over the years selling wholesale, through commissioned opportunities and through renting booth space. I'm exploring all 3 options for the current calendar year.
I have had the pleasure of working with many great businesses over the years selling wholesale, through commissioned opportunities and through renting booth space. I'm exploring all 3 options for the current calendar year.
3) Craft Shows/Markets
The craft show scene is one area I have never quite mastered. The shows I choose just never seem to be well attended and while I usually cover my table fee and expenses for the day they do not tend to be a great money maker. I do however, try to use each show as a learning opportunity. It is a great chance to actually get my products out on display, interact with people and see what they are looking at and interested in in person and to make other contacts in the craft business. I am going to try and do several shows in 2019 and hopefully I land on afew that are a good fit for Kawartha Beads.
The craft show scene is one area I have never quite mastered. The shows I choose just never seem to be well attended and while I usually cover my table fee and expenses for the day they do not tend to be a great money maker. I do however, try to use each show as a learning opportunity. It is a great chance to actually get my products out on display, interact with people and see what they are looking at and interested in in person and to make other contacts in the craft business. I am going to try and do several shows in 2019 and hopefully I land on afew that are a good fit for Kawartha Beads.
4) Amazon Handmade
Amazon launched its handmade category in 2015 on its .com and has expanded in recent years to include other marketplaces...such as .ca. Amazon handmade is juried, meaning not everyone can join, you have to apply with your products and be accepted. Kawartha Beads was lucky enough to be involved very early in the process and while I didn't have a huge response with the .com since the Canadian version has launched it is an area that deserves more focus. I am currently working on sending all of my items to FBA meaning that Amazon will fulfill my orders for me and they can be part of Prime, etc. I will delve more into this in a future post.
Amazon launched its handmade category in 2015 on its .com and has expanded in recent years to include other marketplaces...such as .ca. Amazon handmade is juried, meaning not everyone can join, you have to apply with your products and be accepted. Kawartha Beads was lucky enough to be involved very early in the process and while I didn't have a huge response with the .com since the Canadian version has launched it is an area that deserves more focus. I am currently working on sending all of my items to FBA meaning that Amazon will fulfill my orders for me and they can be part of Prime, etc. I will delve more into this in a future post.
5) Home Parties
In the very early days of Kawartha Beads I did a ton of home parties and it is an aspect of my business that I greatly miss. Home parties are intimate and a great opportunity to truly interact with your customers. I have done lunch hour parties where I set up in the break room, porch parties where I set up on a beautiful after on the porch and evening parties. For the year ahead I definitely want to relaunch home parties. If you would like to be a hostess feel free to message me on Facebook to discuss!
6) Blogging
Last but not least this blog! I want to commit to write at least one post a week for the remainder of the year sharing with you not only my journey but a breakdown of all of the above topics in greater detail, new products, crafty business tips, ways to organize your workspace, some of my favourite crafty things and more! What would you like me to write more about? Stop by the Kawartha Beads Facebook page and leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!
In the very early days of Kawartha Beads I did a ton of home parties and it is an aspect of my business that I greatly miss. Home parties are intimate and a great opportunity to truly interact with your customers. I have done lunch hour parties where I set up in the break room, porch parties where I set up on a beautiful after on the porch and evening parties. For the year ahead I definitely want to relaunch home parties. If you would like to be a hostess feel free to message me on Facebook to discuss!
6) Blogging
Last but not least this blog! I want to commit to write at least one post a week for the remainder of the year sharing with you not only my journey but a breakdown of all of the above topics in greater detail, new products, crafty business tips, ways to organize your workspace, some of my favourite crafty things and more! What would you like me to write more about? Stop by the Kawartha Beads Facebook page and leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!
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