How to Start a Silk Floral Businesses
If you're skilled at creating beautiful floral arrangements, you jump at the opportunity to assist others in planning their wedding or special event, or you've ever thought about selling your work, starting a silk floral business may be an option worth exploring. Silk flowers don't require the maintenance and space that real flowers do, and it's possible to operate a silk floral business from your home.
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Things You'll Need
- Silk flowers
- Liability insurance
- Sales tax permit
- Workshop or storefront
Instructions
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Evaluate your finances to determine how much you can afford to put into your floral business. You may want to work part-time from your home or establish a storefront and operate on a full-time basis. Even if you find a retail space with low rent, establishing a location will cost significantly more than operating from your garage. Consider working from your home at first. You can always expand once you draw a profit. Consider drawing up a simple business plan that details how you intend to get customers, how much you are willing to spend on supplies, and a list of your start-up costs, such as permit fees, liability insurance and advertising costs.
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Obtain a sales tax permit. You will need this in order to sell your goods and you will need to collect sales tax on those goods. Consider registering your business and obtaining a federal tax ID. This isn't necessary for a one-woman, home-based business, but it can give your business legitimacy. If you will have a physical location, you will need a business license.
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Visit wholesale suppliers or local craft stores and look for clearance items and closeouts. In addition to your silk flowers, you may need baskets, glitter, ribbons, wrapping materials, teddy bears, candy, ceramics and shipping supplies. Use caution when purchasing your supplies and don't exceed your budget. Start small to ensure that you can sell your products in a timely manner. Once you have an idea of how many arrangements you can sell per week, adjust your spending accordingly.
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Find your location or revamp a portion of your home to create a workstation for your business. You will need shelves, a work table and a well-lit area or lighted studio where you can take pictures of your floral arrangements to post on your website or with your advertisements.
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Build your floral arrangements. Design themed arrangements for holidays, weddings, baby showers and other special events. You might make wreaths, garland, corsages, wind chimes or bouquets. Search online for ideas.
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Purchase a website for your business. Include an About Me page with your photo, background and experience. Put up clear, quality images of your best work. If you can't afford a website, start a blog. You can even add a PayPal button to your blog so that you can sell your goods. Blog about things related to crafts, flowers and holidays. Consider selling your goods on Etsy.com.
Sell your arrangements at fairs, festivals, farmers markets, and flea markets.
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Visit your Chamber of Commerce to begin networking with local businesses, and take advantage of resources geared for small businesses.
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Tips & Warnings
Visit the IRS website to ascertain your tax obligations as a sole proprietor or business owner.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit
