Looking For A Recession Proof Business Venture? Consider Starting An Arts And Crafts Business!


Next time you go to the mall, take a look at the shops which are busy with customers and notice which one are not. When times get tough, people stop paying $5 for a fancy cup of coffee. The expensive department stores are certainly not crowded. Even the grocery stores are feeling the pinch, with shoppers spending less. So where's business good? Shoppers are looking for bargains and are willing to search out stores that save them money. For example, the bakery thrift shops are enjoying a spike in sales. The (gently) used clothing shops are doing well. The factory outlet malls are doing much better than their department store competitors.

With people being laid off in record numbers, many are discovering that they might be better off and more secure if they go into business for themselves. The trick is to come up with a profitable business idea that allows you to make a living in a niche business that saves your customers money. An arts and crafts business may be the way to go.

More and more, the consumer is opting to make gifts or goods that they were accustomed to buying ready made in better times. Another advantage to the arts and crafts business is that your customers get entertainment value and personal satisfaction, as well as saving money. You needn't even be proficient in arts and crafts to make this arts and crafts business model work! If you are a skilled artisan or crafter, so much the better.

Let's say you're not the artistic type. Your arts and crafts business could be online, as a distributor for supplies. You locate a wholesaler who will drop ship your orders. It may take a bit of searching, but they're out there. When your customer places an order, the distributor ships and you receive a hefty commission. This type of arts and crafts business is as close to passive income as you might get. This model requires very little investment on your part, although you'll be kept busy with marketing your site.

Even if you have the means to open a small brick and mortar shop to attract local customers, a website is essential. In fact, it may be a good idea to begin with a website business before you quit your day job. Once you're earning some money, you can set aside some of your profits to open your brick and mortar arts and crafts business. This allows you to gain online credibility and publicity, so that when you open your shop at a strip mall, customers will feel confident and privileged to have your thriving business open in their town. As part of your web marketing efforts, this also means by the time you open your shop, you'll be able to offer added value to your customers, with a free monthly newsletter, coupon offers, marketing pieces and informational sheets from your content articles or blog entries, all of which you developed for the website. All of these are signatures of established businesses.

If you're the crafty type, in addition to selling kits and supplies on your website, you can also sell your ready made craft items, such as holiday wreaths, decorated baskets or whatever your specialty might be. You'll also find a good market at the arts and crafts fairs, as well as local specialty shops. You can give classes locally and develop email courses for your website.

An arts and crafts business is a highly scalable business model. You can start on a shoestring, if necessary and build from there. By the time the economy starts looking better, you'll have a devoted customer base, who will not be willing to give up their satisfying and pleasurable hobbies they discovered at your shop!