Here on the Cutting for Business blog, I share a lot of advice for both new and seasoned Silhouette Cameo and Cricut Explore small business owners. Recently, I asked members of the Cutting for Business Insider’s Club what advice they had for new or soon-to-be small business owners. I was blown away with both the genuineness and the quality of the advice they shared; so today, I’m sharing it with you.
Question: What one piece of advice do you have for a new owner of a Silhouette or Cricut who wants to start a business?
Advice given:
Shanel from Shanel’s Creations: “Take time to learn your craft and find out what you like and are good at making before starting a business.”
Sabine from Sprotty Design: “Be passionate about what you do … means drive into passion even if there are unpleasant things that accompany your work.”
Lenise from Neese’s Creations: “Be patient – if you’re selling on an online platform take time in the beginning to understand the ins and outs before you jump right in, then be patient with your expectations.”
Beau from Beau Lindsly Designs: “Others doing what you do aren’t your enemy. Friendly competition, is what pushes us to innovate, be creative in a different way, grow as artisans and do our best. Don’t be afraid to talk to, know, befriend your competition. Each others’ successes will encourage both, and their comradery spurs growth and you’ll have someone talk to when sales fluctuate. There is room for everyone.”
Gina from Re-Find and Design: “Have fun…”
Cassie from Purple Pixie Creations: “Learn the program and materials you are working with BEFORE you start selling.”
Erica Long Gordon Erica from Trudy’s Vinyl Creations: After learning your machine and capabilities, find what YOU are good at! Doesn’t matter what the market it like if your skills don’t match, but finding your niche will serve you well.
Cindy says: “Research, practice, find your niche, keep your bought fonts and files organized and separate from everything else. Emphasis on the latter because you can do that even while you are learning. The one thing I waited too long to do.”
Linda from Paper Home & Garden: “Many of us have moved from personal hobby to business. There are significant shifts in how you’ll approach every step of whatever you’re creating when you stop doing something just for fun and start doing it for a living. Be prepared for that. There have been some things in my life that I loved doing as a personal hobby and would never try to do for a living – it would wreck it for me. With my current business, I actually enjoy the work more now than when it was just a personal hobby – surprise! (To me at least!) That’s how I knew it was a good fit for the long run.”
Catharine from Authentically Beautiful Creations: “Be sure to make everything yourself first before selling to know that you can do it…then start posting pictures of what you can sell…not everything you make will work for your market.”
NJ says: “Research “starting a business” and make a checklist of everything you need to do to start/have a business and keep the checklist indefinitely. And everything that you cross off the checklist should have a paper trail, either digitally or printed. Years down the road, you’ll be glad you did.”
Becky Davenport Grattan Becky from ColorLove Studio: “…find out how to legally start a business in your area. Become registered, learn about collecting sales tax, etc. There are plenty of resources available to help!”
Andrea from The Personalized Peacock: “Be original!”
Are you an experienced Silhouette or Cricut small business owner? Share your advice in the comments?
Looking for a Facebook discussion group for meaningful, daily craft and business talk? Join us in the Cutting for Business Insider’s Club.
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My biggest piece of advice would be to keep a good record of your inventory, how much each thing costs to create, and keep your business and personal expenses separate!!! Only use one PayPal account or one credit card for the business. Don’t mix!! I made this mistake 🙂 Finding a great accountant to help you prepare for tax time is crucial.
Thanks for sharing!
+It’s also important to know who your customer is and what it is they need and want so you can focus on products that will sell and build your brand. Drawing on my marketing advisory days, we have a customer persona collage hanging prominently so that before and during product development we can ask ourselves – would our customer really buy that?
+If you haven’t already, incorporate!! You will not only protect yourself and your family’s assets, but will also 1. think of yourself as a business, not a hobby and 2. give your business credibility.
+Pay yourself first. It doesn’t matter if it’s $5/week, you must pay yourself first or you will get into the habit of working for free – which is hobby thinking, not viable business thinking!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much !
Valuable information.
My pleasure!