Advice on how to start a gift basket business?

My wife and her sister had a good idea-- to start some sort of gift basket business. We're looking for options and/or advice on what would be the best and most proven way to go about creating this or a similar biz.

Advice on how to start a gift basket business?
The above makes a good point, We too have tried simular interest and agree.


There are all kinds of ideas that can branch out from your idea. Crafts can make a woderful small business.


Remember you can add other items on a website along with your baskets, just offer the baskets local and offer other items via mail.


If you are interested in something like that i would be happy to share a source with you:


www.stockmysite.com





Good luck, keep us up dated if you start a site.


D
Reply:I thought about this type of business long and hard. I have been in at least 8 businesses in my lifetime.


I decided against this one because of several reasons at stated below:





Too Hard to Ship


Too Costly to Ship


Not enough of a Profit (hard to cover cost of doing business like location, utilites, advertising, items for baskets etc)


Items that go into baskets are costly and you can not skimp on amount you put into the baskets or you will not get repeat business. You have to buy in BULK and then you have to sell many baskets to cover it.


People are Pickey with these Gift Baskets


Cost Money to deliver (gas, time, car wear and tear) and most people want them delivered.


Location is the most important and so is Much advertising.





When you realize you only get $10-$50 for most baskets it is hard to make a decent profit to cover business costs and make money too.


Most people who start these shops have a sideline with it like candy, flowers, toys.


Of course, you have to like it and make an attractive basket set up. I have been doing that for years and enjoy that part but it is time consuming too.





Other ideas for businesses that are similar:





Balloon Bouquet Business (much money from parties, car lots, and such) very little cost involved.





Candy grams (very little overhead, pure profit)





Good Luck
Reply:1. get a website and a brand (www.web.com)


2. price out your costs and make sure to pay for yourself and your supplies while allowing your business to grow


3. market locally


4. use your contacts (www.linkedin.com)