Advices Needed to Go Full Time
 

Hi all,
I've been doing freelance online handmade items for parties and weddings for the past 3 years. Due to time constraint, it was more like a hobby then a business.

I've decided to go full time into it though for this year and hope to hear some sharings from those into retail selling. If I have 30 to 50K of startup capital, but need time flexibility and lack of experience, should I 'grow' from my online status to :

1) Get an office and go for non-permanent stalls like flea and bazaar.
To build up more awareness on the current business model and expand on it. I get to retain my flexible schedules and and I guess, easier to absorb wrong decisions made for the initial part.

2) Get a retail shop in less popular areas.
I guess it is a dump all in and prays it works out situation. And I thought can get other handmade online shops to consign their products while the shop earns commission from the sale?

Re: Advices Needed to Go Full Time
 

Hi ,

I am planning to go for Full Time after CNY..I will go for flea & bazaar 1st...

anyone can advise...

Re: Advices Needed to Go Full Time
 

I am basically doing my business for full time after I had attended a course on online business and I find that it really helped me a lot.. I can able to quit my full time job and concentrate my dream to business..
I will not suggest to get a shop because everything you sell it will go to rental and you dun even earn and even cover the cost..

Re: Advices Needed to Go Full Time
 

If you have handmade accessories targeting the youths, you may want to consider consigning at my friend's shop.

Re: Advices Needed to Go Full Time
 

To Brendali,

Choice 1 for a start would be good! Less risk involvement and meanwhile if you are afraid can take up part time job, so you still get some salary!

Choice 2 would means more risk and capital involved, you got to do your calculations properly to see if you are able to retrieve back your investment or not! Does the less popular area have your target audience?

Just my thoughts.

To Xavieral Lin,

Can share which online course you went to? Interested to learn more about it!

Re: Advices Needed to Go Full Time
 

To Brendali,

What is the main reason you need a shop/office space?
Like what XavieraLin says, all your profits will go into the rental.
However, if you are saying that you really need a space to store all your products or a space where potential customers can visit and view your products then office also can.
If can secure steady stream of businesses will be best, can help cover your rental costs.

XavieraLin, i also wanna know what online course. Pls share :)

Re: Advices Needed to Go Full Time
 

wonderlulu,

You can easily find those courses on online business available on the net. They may even have videos about it. You only need 10-20% of your time maintaining your online store while the rest will be to get traffic coming to your online store.

Re: Advices Needed to Go Full Time
 

Sorry... MIA for a while.

Re: Advices Needed to Go Full Time
 

I'm also looking at a online business course... but that one is more of building the website instead of the biz itself.

yah.. no matter how i calculate i dun really understand how do shops survive.. but there must be a tactic or reason that is beyond our understanding.

Re: Advices Needed to Go Full Time
 

Thanks for your offer but mine not for youth.. my customers so far are normally adults