Things You'll Need:
- Baskets Business plan Candy Digital camera Flowers Fruit Packing supplies Plastic shrinkwrap Ribbons
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Step 1
Decide on the type of basket and bouquet you wish to sell. Will you specialize in certain designs and certain fruit? Or will your business allow people to customize the baskets and bouquets for themselves? Perhaps you speak Spanish and understand the Hispanic market well. Then consider designing items that may appeal to a Hispanic customer celebrating Cinco de Mayo or a quinceanera.
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Step 2
Practice creating the baskets and bouquets. Any potential customers will expect the best possible product. All gift baskets should be free of nicks and scratches. Any candy used should be appealing to look at from every angle. Have a friend come over and critique your work.
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Step 3
Create several sample baskets and bouquets to show to potential customers. Take pictures of the items and put them in a catalogue. This can be printed at minimal cost. Consider having your best examples shellacked for long term demonstration purposes.
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Step 4
Decide where you want to sell the finished product. Are you interested in working with an established business? Gift baskets and candy bouquets can be a valuable addition to stores that don't specialize in these items such as bookstores and greeting card retailers. Talk to the owner and show him your creations.
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Step 5
Open your own business. A small rental space can work just fine. Think about a store with large windows to show off your work. If you open such a store, think about what other services you can offer customers. Offer classes demonstrating to others how to make their own individual candy bouquets and gift baskets. Consider selling basket and bouquet making supplies such as ribbon and baskets in your store.
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Step 6
Sell online. Open up an ebay or etsy store. Ebay.com lets customers bid on items. Etsy.com is a site crafters can sell their wares on. Etsy can be an ideal marketplace for those who want to sell an original creation. Buy a digital camera so you can download pictures of your bouquets and baskets. Make sure any fruit you use will keep without turning unusable since the fruit will be shipped at least overnight. Good packing supplies are essential and can be purchased from a local post office.
