Business ideas (sorry, asking a lot here)

[Charlene1]

Hello all, I'm fairly new at this, so please be kind to me!
Basically, I am forever trying to dream up ways to make money (who doesn't) as a sahm. I would like my own business. I have thought of (in order of preference):
Pre-filled party bags (people choose content)
Wedding "favours" - the more unusual the better
Staging events as fundraisers (shopping nights, coffee/chocolate mornings/fashion shows etc)
Making unusual and/or personalised wooden plaques or clocks
Gemstone/silver/unusual jewellery

What I want to know is:
Has anybody else done these successfully?
What restrictions/legislation applies to any of these e.g making jewellery, providing edible favours/sweets in party bags etc
Would anyone actually buy these products/services?
Has anyone used a wedding planner - do they have set suppliers e.g. I could sell direct to them. I don't know how a wedding planner with their own business differs from a planner who works say, in a hotel that offers a package.

I have done loads of searching, but have got swamped with useless info, and can't actually find facts, as nobody will "give anything away" iyswim.
Thought this might be the best place, as there's bound to be loads of people who've got ideas/knowledge etc.
I need to know what people think is good and bad for each idea - e.g is a party bag filled with plastic toys and sweets for 30p each good, as you have to spend loads on parties anyway, or would you rather have quality to "impress competitive mums"?
Please reply!!

Sorry, just realised this might be better in "going back to work section". Apologies if in wrong place - can it be moved?

Hi, I do party bags as well as pocket money toys. If you are including sweets it should be Ok if they are pre wrapped but it is best to consulte yout local Environmental Health Dept and take their advice. I am doubtful that you could have a decent bag for 30p, hopefully you can prove me wrong. I haven't sold any yet but I only have them advertised on my website which has been somewhat negleted since before christmas.

Ebay may be a good place for you to sell a selection of things you mention. I have sold more on EBAY in the past few weeks than I ever have on my own site.

I also sell at Gala Days, Fun Days and school fairs, it is a bit of a hassle getting details for these events and getting a stall before they are all taken as it is mostly word of mouth and advertised at the last minute in their local shop.

I looked into wedding favours but after sussing out the competition at a Wedding show I thought better of it. There is money to be made if you can produce exceptional original favours.

Not sure how you would make money from orgainising fundraisers, perhaps similar events but don't describe as fundraisers if it is purely a business. You could go into all kinds of event orgainising if you are good at that kind of thing, as you suggest shopping nights, wedding fairs, indoor carboots, baby fairs (not something I have seen apart from the big Baby Shows, just thought of that one, could get lots of local retailers and even crafters involved from Mothercare to local kniters). Indeed doing fundraisers could get you further paid work orgainising other events for people.

The wall plaques and jewelery could be things to sell on Ebay, gals days anf craft fairs. Check with Trading Standards which regulations you may have to comply with i.e. describing metal content. As with all crafts you will have to take in to consideration your time that it takes to produce items and your profit margin. People don't seem to have the same respct and love for handmade and hand crafted items now and are less willing to pay more.

Happy to chat about all this I know many don't like to give anything away .

Hi Skribble, thanks.
How much do you have to pay roughly for a stall at a fair? Interested both for me to sell on or how much I could charge others. Do you pay a set fee or pay commission on sales?
Do you know if I could organise an event and pay myself the costs and minimum wage on the night etc. or if I'd have to use my own money? Wouldn't want to get accused of taking from a charity event if you're not allowed to do that.
If I could it would make a business plan easier to do. I read that Cherie Blair got thousands for appearing at a charity lunch.

Just been asked to do a stall for playgroup at Easter fair, too short notice to do anything spectacular though, as would have to order stuff, make it and pay for it myself with ne refund, as it's raising money for school.
I have lots of thing like beads and jewellery findings already that I'm planning to use. How do you cost your items say, if you already have some things, or have free items sent by supplier etc.?
As per party bags, would I have to have insurance in case the contents injure someone?
Also, I am living in rented house, lease says no businesses to be run from here. Can't afford to get an office. If I was "self employed offering a product and/or service under a business name", would I be able to use this address? Also, don't want to set up anything unless I was 150% it would work as A)can't afford it, B)I would screw up the tax credits by earning occasional income and would have to fill in tax returns/lose my HRP and have to pay NI.
Bet you wish you'd never offered to tell me things now :0
Like the idea of wedding favours - excuse to go round the bridal fairs - have you seen really unusual ones? Hobbycraft have bits for traditional ones apparently, and Tesco do basic ones.
I have dreams of becoming a female "Richard Branson" as he started from nothing and didn't give up.

Stalls at School fairs usually cost about £10, a few ask for 10%. Lots of school ones on the run up to christmas and some easter/ spring. Gala days can vary from £10 for small community ones to £94 for a 2 day hospice one. Beware some fairs are rubbish and not well suppoted by parents, teachers or pupils. I did one where I took £13.40 and paid £10 for the stall. But at others I have taken over £100.

As for what you sell at fairs, people don't go with loads of money to buy gifts etc. They usually have a tenner at most and will hit the schools own stalls/ charity ones first. Make sure you have lots of cheaper items to sell even if you use it as a show case to advertise more expensive items. Take advertising leaflets and cards, offer ways to buy more expensive items after the event.

As for oragainising these kind of events I don't see much opportunities other than as volunteer. Most will have a commitee or PTA that take care of these kinds of things can't see tham paying a fee.

I managed to get a table at a privatly run indoor carboot sale. You pay approx £15 for table and she has a huge waiting list she has them once a month. They charge 30p entry for the public coming in and it was fairly busy. 50% regular traders, 50% genuine carbooters. I think she was making a fair profit condidering there was 50+ stalls and council/ community halls are fairly cheap to rent. The expensive part is getting a lisence from the council and your public liability insurance.

I suppose technically you should have public liability. If you join the market traders association or the showmans one, they provide this cover.

As for costing I would work out what it would cost and your time as you will have to replenish supplies and no point selling for £1 if it will cost £1.50 in the future. Different for doing your books though, but thats another subject.

Not sure about the legalities of working from home with relation to leases. I am registered for tax and have to do a tax return but not earned any on papaer profits yet so paid no extra tax. It may affect tax credits etc. I would suggest if selling anything to try it very small scale at first to test the market before going public as such . Don't worry about Vat yet the threasehold is approx £55,000.

I didn't enjoy the wedding fair much instead I came out cowering realising my amatuer attempts wouldn't stand up.

Have you found out about your local Business Gateway (Scotland), business advice place. I did a free short course that went through business plans, accounting, market research legalities etc. Great advise and some support. They will be able to point you in the right dirrection for further advice and info.

Don't worry ask away, I am no expert, just tried a lot of things .

Hi Charlene ...
One of my closest friends is a wedding planner. If you want to CAT me (contact another talker) I can give you her details. Are you in the UK?

ghosty I am in the UK, how do I CAT?
Skribble, just found a site that offers 350 types of wedding favours. Hmm, think I'll forget that, unless I could buy in wholesale and sell them on at fairs etc, with something else like party bags or jewellery. had an idea for jewellery of 3 rings, with chains dangling down your hand, attached to a bracelet. Just found some "slave bracelets" on web - same as my idea, must have been one in a past life!
What sort of licence do you need from the council to stage an event/fair? We have a huge sports hall/community centre I was thinking of hiring. They hold a lot of events there. But what if no one came??? :( Or what if loads of people came and couldn't all fit in?
Ebay sounds good, apart from the payment systems - would have to look at that more closely.
I would go to Business Link but they weren't much help years ago, when I wanted to buy an existing business. I gave up on the idea.
I just want to work for myself, make a living that fits around the kids, and have fun doing it!
Need some sleep now, posting ramblings now. Night all!

Hi, yes business link can be a hit and miss from other peoples experiences, I think you just has to use them for what you need. I too found they were good at talking the talk but when it got to the nitty gritty they were just that all talk. Find out if they have any free courses on the go.

You might not need a licence for certain events, some like indoor carboots may come under "markets" which is over £400 pound a year here. For insurance purposes you will have to have completed a risk assesment and have a record of this.

As to worrying about if people will come thats down to you. What kind of events are popular and what has been a flop. Look at other event and see how you would improve on patron numbers. How do other events do at this venue, is there parking, is it easy to find, will people travel from other areas. Do loads of research, but be careful with how you ask things. Asking expectant and new mums if they like the idea of a baby show is one thing but asking if they will jump on the number 57 bus and travel for 15 mins, then pay £1.50 to get in, is another thing.

Sometimes its all down to advertising. This needn't be expensive it might be flyers in local hairdressers or small posters in the newsagents. Word of mouth gets going once you have had your first event, but before your first one tell everyone you meet carry flyers and don't be shy from the window cleaner to the mums at the gate they are all potential paying punters. Look out for free advertising, such as editorials in the local paper.

If you are lucky and your event is going well it is up to you as the orgainisers to look after the whole event, which may include delegating certain duties.

Think about the point of entry how will you collect money, do you need tickets, who will look after this if you need to attend to something else.

What is the venues limits on numbers, if you are reaching capacity simple get someone to stand at the door and start a 1 out 1 in system, If you are over capacity just don't let any more in until enough people leave.

Make friends with the caretaker/ duty manager. You will have to ensure the exits remain un blocked and fire doors aren't propped open. Ailse are kept clear and other matters of public safety are considered.

At larger events or where parking is involved you may even need to hire stewards. They can do all sorts of duties form directing cars, taking door money and welcoming guests as well as safety duties like manning exits.

I know this is perhaps a bit in the future but its all things to consider.

As for Ebay I always look to see what similar items to mine sell for, if you tick completed items (on the left hand side) you see how much items actually sell for and items that haven't sold. Some of my items are selling quite well and once you list things once it is easy to keep it ticking over as you can "sell similar" and it will relist it exactly the same.

You pay a listing fee and a final selling price fee. I only deal through paypal, you can just accept payments from other paypal accounts into your Paypal for free or also accept card payments into your Paypal for a fee. I found many people want to pay with credit cards so had to upgrade to accept card payments, this does mean Paypal charge a small fee on all your transaction even if it is from another paypal. It is a pain but I add a little onto the postage fee to cover this.

Get a postal fees leaflets from the post office and a decent set of scales (kitchen will do), weigh everything and allow for packaging, its suprising how much paper and sellotape weigh . Allow for the cost of packaging too when working how much to charge for postage.

I always pay the 15p for "gallery" so that the picture comes up when people are searching for items on Ebay. I list the 2nd class postage first so that is what comes up in the listing summary (i.e. its cheaper then first class and high postage puts people off) its up to them if they want first class.

FGS don't I go on a bit . Just tell me to shut up .

No, keep going, I am really pleased to have someone to give me "real live" advice on this. Never thought about customers and how they get there etc. Good one that, certainly helps to pick a venue.

Some venues don't seem all that handy but if there are other regular events there then people will go there. There is a venue in town near us that isn't near the bus or train station but has well attended antique and craft fairs. People don't seem to mid walking tho the other end of the town even though there is a much under used hall right in the middle of the high street.

Have you thought about craft fairs, we seem to have a few here but some areas don't. Perhaps get in touch with the local craft association and see if their members are interested in a local perhaps bi-monthly fair. You might want to see examples of goods before hiring out stalls and limit it to hand made or you will have all sorts of traders trying to sell tat.

If you want to organise parties why not contact www.mumsincontrol.co.uk or .com not sure which and they run a franchise

If you want to organise parties why not contact www.mumsincontrol.co.uk or .com not sure which and they run a franchise

I got info from a company that does parties for mums, I thought it was a job they were offering but it turned out to be a franchise, and far to high a start up cost for me. Franchises do suit some people but not me, I feel you don't get a lot for your money. But it might be worth a nose even if only to see how others do things.