How to start a Small Craft business--Monique Bockmann

How to start a Small Craft business

By: Monique Bockmann

Hello future Entrepreneurs:

First off “Go You” for the interest in wanting to start a business. Making your own schedule, own product and OWN MONEY! Sounds good so far? Yes, that is what I like about having my own business. I often get asked how I started my business, and if I have tips on how they can too. Most who ask are stay at home mother's , ambitious teens, or very crafty people, wanting to turn their hobby into a way to make money.

10 helpful tips to start you on your way:

1. Find a little niche you enjoy doing (something unique) this makes business making so much more fun. If it is something that takes a lot of time and is not enjoyable to make your desire will fizz out fast
2. Name your self! Think up a fun (something unique) with a cool logo that you can use to identify your self. Order business cards, banners and labels to tag your items
3. Make inventory: Now you got all of that set up “Start working” make enough inventory to be ready to ship. Once your inventory is stocked up now LET’S SELL! You want to have ready to ship items before advertising
4. Start selling: For small craft businesses it is good to start selling on ETSY.COM, EBAY.COM or any other routes of selling your products. Also, talk to other vendors!  This is a great way to see what is working for them, and where they have had the best results from.
5. Pricing: Pricing can be a bit tricky sometimes. Look on social media sites, and see what people are selling similar items to yours for. But just to start out: Write down how much it cost to make and double that and then some. 
6. Set up Social media: Suggested social media Facebook, Instagram and others. Create an account with your business name and start posting!! 
7. Getting the word out: Start telling friends, family, neighbors EVERYONE! Word of mouth is the most powerful advertisement.
8. Giveaways: Look on social media for brand reps that will model your product to send you GOOD pictures. Give them FREE products! They will help you get followers. Do it as much as you can. Send out items to people that will tell about your product and help you get the word out about your awesome product
9. You are starting out with this business as just a Hobby. There are next steps you need to take for selling when you sell at local market nights or any city events. Business license, city license. That is for the next blog :)

Just a few tips on how to start a craft business or whatever it is you would like to do and turn it into a business. Be awesome and let me know if this was helpful for to you.

About me

Shopping in Los Angeles Garment Distric

For most of you that don't know me I LOVE TO SHOP! All though I do admit since having Lincoln that has deterred me from the shops. Buuttt thank goodness for web shopping. :) When I get the chance to have business trip to LA I always take my Bff Wendy to help me not to spend so much. She really is just there for my husbands protection (lol)
When we first get there we hit up our favorite shops, then head over too the Alley area. We then like to shop at the little fabric shops around Michael Levines to get odds and ends. Michael Levines if you haven't been there YOU MUST GO! They have all the amazing prints, but they are much pricier than other fabric shops of course. I wish I would have taken more pictures of my trip but, I was too busy shopping. Fabric is my addiction and I need counseling according to some people. But who cares right? All you ladies like cool new prints all the time. (So I always tell myself)

Also I have to add in about my blogging. I am not a writer at all (my typing is Oribble without an H because H's are EW!) Jimmy Fallon Soo I basically type how I talk Ha! Anyway thanks for dropping in see you next time.
xoxo
Monique

 (I did ask this guy if I could take a pic...he understood me  little)

La Monique in Guatemala

La Monique in GuatemalaApril 25, 2015 12:20

One of the most rewarding thing to me is to be able to Give. I have always been notorious for giving

from my wardrobe or what ever I had, when someone commented they liked it. Even if they were my favorite Ugg pair of boots ha! 

Gina Lee from Gina Lee Photography Redlands, CA. Asked if I would donate to their stash of goodies

they were going to take to a Village in Guatemala. I felt honored to be able to participate in their mission. 

Just wish I could have gone myself. A few Photographers went out there for business and were able to open their hearts to give a little piece of the US to them. Hats off to those ladies that blessed the Villagers of Guatemala

Below is just a few shots of some happy little princesses that received our gifts.

Job well done!

Monique B.

SALE in RANCHO CUCAMONGA!!

Hello Ladies!!

I will be at the Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga in the CULTURAL CENTER.

Their will be an abundance for ruffle rompers for a SALE price for GYPSY's ONLY!!

I am only doing 2 local shows this year. So take advantage of these events. There are so many amazing vendors. I hope to see you and meet you personally :)

Here are some pictures of some of the last show vendors. There are going to be some new vendors as well. Don't miss out!!!

XOXOX

MONIQUE 

SPRING IS COMING!!

Oh boy things have been crazy GOOD around here. We have been bombarded with orders and my favorite WHOLESALE orders. And wholesale orders mean is that our brand is in some NEW BOUTIQUES!! We are circling California and some other states. Quite exciting, but the demand can get quite stressful. We are going to be manufacturing again HERE IN CALIFORNIA! YEA!!! We do like that our product is made in our home state. I am waiting on all of our spring fabrics to come in and there are some super cute fabrics!! New product spring like will be out in about 2 weeks. So keep your eyes peeled.

xoxox 

Monique

La Monique + Freshly Picked

GIVEAWAY STARTS NOW!

 3 days only +++++

Win a pair of FRESHLY PICKED Moccasins+La Monique romper. Easy steps                              

1. Follow @lamoniqueclothing & @freshlypicked.

2.Share this photo, tag & #lamoniqueclothing & #freshlypicked  on INSTAGRAM                                           3. Comment tagging 4 people on INSTAGRAM.                              

4.Like both pages on FB: La Monique Boutique & Freshly Picked (we will check to see if you have followed😁)       

                                                        

 Please do all steps the winners will be chosen at random we will carefully make sure all steps were done.                                                      

Also SURPRISE!! The more ENTREES we have the more rompers I will give away so SHARE SHARE

GIVEAWAY COMING!!!

We are excited to collaborate with FRESHLY PICKED!! We will be giving away a FREE pair of Moccasins $60 value. Along with a FREE La Monique Romper! This is going to be a GOOD GIVEAWAY..dont' miss out! GIVEAWAY starts this SUNDAY March 8th-10th. Details coming this week.  The more entrees the more rompers we will giveaway! 

FOR every 50 entrees we will give away a FREE romper. So Share with your friends! 

Ahh Gear up for SUNDAY. Will post later this week for details. Check BACK!

xoxox 

Monique

I don't know what about Thursdays that I love. One more day until the weekend. Yea! Got a shipment in of some fabrics and waiting patiently for the UPS truck with the BIG shipment of fabric! eeee That means New Rompers coming out soon!!! I will post a sneak peek of some fabrics when they come in. My seamstress's are going to be thrilled (not) ha! Good day for now!

xoxoxo

Monique

MODEL SEARCH UPDATE: Congrats to Klohe Dickerson for being one of our new models along with her twin 9 mo sisters. We are excited to work with her and her little cuteness. Thank  you for all your entrees...seriously it was so hard! But don't freight I have all entrees in a folder, so if you get a random email to model from me don't be alarmed. :) Thank you thank you for all your love.

Chloe...Oh Chloe....
Wow check out one of our new Chloe romper...it's it simply divine?! The colors are right one and the color combos POP! Just listed online and we have sold quite a few to all you lovely ladies. (thank you) It is a gorgeous day here is southern California the high is supposed to be 73 YEA!! Can't beat this Cali weather. Sorry for making all you southeners jealous. :( We are still a little under the weather over here. Hoping to get out into the sun here in a few days and get back on the skinny train. A couple more pounds to lose!:)

Chloe Romper
Photo Credit: Gina Lee Photography
Modle: Princess Willow

Goodness!!! This cold has been going around and around like a merry-go-round. We have been hit again :( I am packing up all orders from the weekend and just may have to snag an expresso to keep my energy up. We are happy to announce so awesome things coming up soon here in a few days. (can't tell yet) New Spring fabrics are coming out here also in a few days and can't wait to show you all the new prints and combos. Well better get down to business and get out all these fabulous orders. Thank again for your continuous support on keeping my awesome business rocking. 

(Our featured romper today is the Rosenburg romper) Midnight blue print with florals go hand in hand. We love it!!

Yes! We are looking for a little GIRL to become our little model. We looking for a little one with lots of character, happy, cute and unique. But MOST of all photogenic!! We are located in Yucaipa, CA and looking for someone local. You will receive images of your little one & a free outfit. 

Please send your info to us via email: lamonique@me.com

Waiting for Spring!!

We are having such a wonderful and successful start of 2015. We are over joyed with lots of orders coming in and keeping this train rolling. Blogging is not my strong area but will do my best to keep track of our foot steps weekly. Our weekly favorite romper is the "Aurora" This romper is so colorful and is quite eye catching :) Please feel free to comment on what you look for in this upcoming year. 

Also don't forget to follow us on INSTAGRAM: LAMONIQUECLOTHING 

xoxox

Monique