Parents frequently joke that young children enjoy the box a gift comes in as much as they like the present. That's true of adults, too, when a gift is beautifully wrapped. If your friends and family members are reluctant to dismantle your gift wrapped creations this may suggest you could be successful in the gift wrapping business. This article will suggest some other things you should consider in starting a gift wrapping business.
Instructions
start a gift wrapping business
1. Develop a business plan. Even a not-quite-up-and-running small business needs a business plan. Your should contain (1) a list of possible customers (friends count but are unlikely to be enough; compile a list of all the stores you're willing to travel to to market your services; (2) a list of suppliers for wrap, tissue, boxes and ribbon and their costs; (3) estimates of your costs and possible profits; (4) a clear picture of how fast you work and how much time you can devote to this; (5) a rough idea of how much you hope to earn from this business; (6) local requirements--are your services taxable? Is there insurance available for your sort of service--no matter how kindly you treated that huge glass bowl, the recipient insists it's broken and has the fragments to prove it; (7) location of your work: in your client's stores or in your home.A very good way to start planning your business is to get the free advice offered by your closest Small Business Administration office and local chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives).
2. Research the market. Are there similar services in your area? How do local businesses handle gift-wrapping? Wrap up some of your empty sample boxes (note how long it takes and what it costs in materials, set some possible prices (or leave your business card and offer to return with prices the next day). Put your wrapped samples in an attractive container (it's all in the presentation) and find your comfortable shoes and your business cards. Expect to spend several days doing "show and tell" at likely merchants. Exchange cards--you're going to need their exact name, phone and contact names as much as they need yours. File this in your notebook with any other useful information. For example, they liked the idea of your creating a distinct "look" for their store and the manager Carmella can look at samples on Wednesday. No matter where you've planned to go, case the street. There may be another business to drop in on. Always leave a card.
3. Follow up. Send the manager or whomever you talked to a thank you card, including a quick message and another one of your business cards. If this seems a bit excessive, remember the business you're trying to start. Everyone who gets a gift is supposed to say thank you. This will make you appear to be a detail-minded carry-through person, just the kind of person other would like to do their gift wrapping.
4. Play the angles. Show up in stores eight to six weeks before any major gift-related holiday and talk. Leave your card and wait for panic to strike. A friend with flu before Christmas? Let somebody else make chicken soup--you'll wrap her kids' presents for free! Offer your services to a charity or at the PTA auction. One successful wrapper worked as a Christmas wrapping volunteer for her favorite cause in a local mall. (If you're going to be an auction item, be sure to set a minimum bid.) If a friend is giving a big party, offer to do her party favors (perhaps she'd pay for your supplies).
5. Share what you know in another way. Teach others to wrap their own gifts. Gift-wrapping makes a popular adult-education course. It can also be a popular demonstration at a community club or philanthropic organization. You'll make a bit as a teacher and perhaps collect a small demonstration fee but your name and your skills will definitely get around. Word-of-mouth advertising is wonderful.
