1. How long have you been in Business?
I have had an Etsy shop for a little over 3 years, but I have been selling my spiders for 15 years.
2. How did you get started in this Business?
Every year, my Mom gives each one of us a new Christmas Ornament. One year Mom gave me a blown Glass Spider ornament from Germany. It also had an abbreviated copy of the Christmas Spider legend with it. At the time, I was custom making jewelry for folks and just started playing around trying to make a spider. Believe me, my first ones were pitiful! I took some with my jewelry to a local craft show and they were a hit! The rest is history!! I work on coming up with new ideas for my spiders all the time.
3. Can you provide me with a description of your Business?
I make Beaded Christmas Spider Ornaments from the best quality glass and crystal beads that I can find. This year, I am also dabbling in dragonflies and some other things too. My sales are mostly concentrated around the Holidays, but last year, I sold spiders in all 12 months of the year.
4. How did you come up with the Name of your Business?
That one is easy! I did a few shows locally, selling both jewelry and my spiders. At the time, my business was called "Reflections of Light" - my last name is Light. When I was out and about around town people would recognize me from the shows that I did and say things like "Hey, aren't you the Spider Lady?" or "weren't you the spider lady at that craft show?". At that point, that was how I knew I would be known, so I changed my business name.
5. Is this your only Job?
I WISH! No, I am a Data Quality Analyst for an International Consumer Research Company.
6. Favorite Part of owning your own Business?
I would have to say that my favorite part is the creative aspect. I am only limited by what I can create! I love coming up with new ideas for not only my spiders, but other things that I think people may like!
7. Least Favorite Part?
Hands down, I would have to say, the administrative parts. If I could afford to hire somebody to pack and ship, inventory, list items, and leave me to create, I would be in Heaven!
8. What has proven to be the best way to market your Business?
I am very active in the Etsy Community and I think that helps a lot. I also get business from Pinterest and Facebook. I have a website, but I have scaled it down and link it to my Etsy show now as having both was too overwhelming last year. I think the biggest marketing tool that I have is simply my business cards. I include one with Every spider that I sell. When people give them as gifts they usually keep the business card with the spider and many, many times, I have gotten business from folks who have received a spider as a gift.
9. Your advice to someone just starting out?
Perseverance. You will make mistakes, but you learn from those mistakes. Believe me, I still make a lot, but I don't give up. I learn and move on. Always be looking for ways to improve your product or business. A stagnant business will die. Be open to constructive criticism. Remember, that a successful business takes time and effort. You can't just hang a shingle, say "here I am" and expect to do well in business. Finally, provide excellent customer service. I can't stress that last point enough - it can make or break your business.
10. I love my business. The day I stop loving what I do, is the day that I think I should move on to something else.
Thank you to Kimberly for taking the time to answer my questions today. I just love her designs, make sure to stop in and check out more of her creations at: The Spider Lady
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.