When you are starting a gift basket business, it can be tempting to continue to work full-time. The problem is- a business can not grow that does not have your full attention.

Serious gift basket designers work their business full-time and seek other employment part-time. If you don't have the time to build your business, you will never have a solid customer base.

Customers know the difference between those who run a professional full-time business oppose to those that sell baskets in their spare time. Remaining employed full-time does not allow the time a gift basket business needs.

Think about it...

To get a corporate client, you have to meet them during normal business hours. You can't because you will be at work.

You get off work late at night. There's a meeting scheduled for the next morning. You miss it because you're too exhausted.

Do you see where I'm going?

Seek sufficient capital to sustain your business until it’s profitable. If you still have to work full-time, than this may not be the time to start a gift basket business.

Tags: advice corporate gift baskets gift basket business gift industry consultant

Labels: advice selling gift baskets full time

                     

Is most of your inventory purchased from Sam's or Costco? Do you only buy inventory when an order is placed? Or do you have inventory on hand at all times?

These are the questions smart shoppers are asking. When the occasion arises for gift baskets, customers don't like to wait a long time.

Gift baskets full of products purchased from retail stores are typically over priced. If you are making purchases from a gift basket company filled with store bought things, why do you need them?

Impress the recipient with a unique gift basket that includes items that can't be found at a local store.

Tags: advice gift baskets inventory

Labels: advice, gift baskets, inventory

                     

Using tulle to wrap gift baskets is a costly alternative to cellophane. Not only is it more expensive, it does not give a professional look, and the products in the basket can not be seen through it.

To get the best use from tulle, use it in place of shred. Tulle softens the look of the gift. It's great for baby, wedding, or bath and pamper gift baskets.

With this method, a spool of tulle should last a long time. However, if you're wrapping baskets with it, it's sure to break the bank.

Tags: advice wrapping gift baskets gifts baskets gift baskets

Labels: advice, baskets, gifts, wrapping gift baskets

                     

The goal for every business is to secure a thriving corporate account. Acquiring a couple of good paying corporate accounts can sustain a business through out the year.

Corporate clients expect you to work around their budget and offer impressive designs. Most budgets can be accommodated. But some won't like the options they are given for the amount of money they are willing to spend. Now what do you do?

Getting more than one corporate account is achievable with a little planning. Here are some things to help you out:

Weigh your options if…

This is your first corporate account and you think it will be worth you absorbing the cost to meet their needs.

You have many good paying corporate accounts already- The profit you make off them will afford you the extra cost.

Put your company’s best interest first if you plan on staying in business. When you're out of business that corporate account will be someone else’s.

Tags: advice corporate gift basket business gift baskets

Labels: advice, corporate, gift basket, gift basket business

                     

When I started my gift basket business, I thought all I had to do was create a website and the sales would come pouring in. Boy was I wrong!

After 6 months of being online and wasting $600 on a web designer, I still had zero traffic. Desperate for an online presence, I decided to educate myself on owning an online business.

Yes! When you decided to create a website where customers can make purchases, you are now the proud owner of an online business. To avoid the mistakes I did...

DON'T
Use free websites- search engines will ignore you.

Use too many graphics- they do not add value to your website and search engine spiders can not recognize them.

Hire a web designer before you have basic website knowledge.

Use music- music does not mix with all websites. People seeking to send a gift do not want to hear music.

Allow popups- they quickly annoy website visitors.

DO'S
Register your own domain name.

Choose a web hosting company.

Write good content for your website.

Build your own site with some type of web software.

Hire a web designer- caution: If your site requires constant updates, make sure you have complete control over your site. Having access to your website files helps you avoid calling the web designer to do updates and paying maintenance fees.

Tags: online gift basket business advice sales news

Labels: advice, gift basket business, news, online, sales

                     

The key to meeting new business associates is the 30 second introduction.

The more unique it is the more likely it will grab the attention of the intended audience.

I have gone to networking events and was asked to give a 30 second introduction of my business without giving any thought to its effectiveness.

Now I've took a little time to revise my 30 second introduction when meeting new business associates. I started with these basics.

Unique selling proposition

This is what makes your business different from the competition.

What’s in it for me?

Because customers ask this all the time, let them know how your company can help their company.

Make them remember you

Leave something with them that makes you stand out from the crowd.

Tags: gift basket business advice

Labels: advice, gift basket business

                     

Administrative Professionals Week is April 20th-26th. It has become one of the largest workplace observances.

This is the week for corporations to show appreciation to their Secretaries, Receptionists and other support staff. Show them why giving a gift basket offers an alternative to the normal flowers and candy.

Present appreciation baskets based on some of the things the staff likes. We offer specialty shopping complementary for items that are not readily available. Or order a gift basket that can be shared by the entire office with a theme based on your type of business.

If your employee morale has been suffering, this is the perfect opportunity to reward them and breathe new life into your business.

Tags: Administrative Day employee gifts advice corporate gift baskets

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Labels: Administrative Day, advice, corporate gift baskets, employee gifts

                     

It's travel season. With Spring break here and Summer around the corner, now is the time to wish those many travelers Bon Voyage.

Bon Voyage gift baskets make great travel gifts. Once they were only purchased through travel agents and cruise lines.

Now you can order a gift basket based on the destination of the traveler. Here’s an idea: for a trip to the beach include sunscreen and for a ski trip; throw in some hot chocolate and a chapstick.

New Seasons brings new ideas. Because some occasions are not as popular, we forget about them. However, at The Gourmet Gift Shop, our goal is to create custom gifts that are a welcome acknowledgement for any person, for any occasion at anytime. Place your order today.

Tags: gift basket business travel gifts advice

Labels: advice, gift basket business, travel gifts

                     

What a great way to make a living- by making a gift that sells itself. You can start your own gift basket business from scratch or choose a franchise or a business opportunity.

There is no rulebook that you can follow to avoid mistakes when starting a new gift basket business from scratch. But you can play by your own rules. You get to run the business the way you want and sell in any area you choose.

To limit the hassle of researching how to begin your new venture, there are business opportunities and franchises. A business opportunity is an operating system based on setting the company up for operation. However, just like starting a company from scratch, you get to run the business the way you want. A franchise works a little bit different. With a franchise, it’s required by the franchisor that you operate the company under their name and use their operating system. You are only allowed to do business in a defined area chosen by the franchisor and required to pay on going franchise fees or royalties.

Because investing in a new business is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, take your time and research the best strategy for your personal goals.

Tags: gift basket business advice gift baskets

Labels: advice, gift basket business, gift baskets

                     

Who says the economy is bad? My sales have been at an all time high. If you think nobody is buying gift baskets, you have better think again.

My customer's budgets are limited but not to the point were they can't spend anything. During these times they are not buying $40 baskets- not even $30 baskets. So I had to think like my customers. Here are some questions I asked myself:

1. Will they be recognizing a lot of people?

2. How can I give them the most for their money?

3. How can I meet their needs and keep my own expenses low?

I had to tweak my marketing plan. In addition to my regular line of baskets, now I offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets that range from $2.50 to $20. They don't cost me a lot of money, they don't take a lot of time to make, and I still make a profit. This has been a hit with my customers. My last order was for 161 $2.50 gifts. Because they are now purchasing in volume, it averages more than selling one or two baskets at $40 or $50.

Keeping sales up in a bad economy can easily be achieved by implementing small changes. This is a great way to maintain your budget and market your business too.

P.S. If you have tried this and it has helped you, send us an email and let us know. Or if you have done something different that is working for you, we would love to hear about it.

Tags: sales gift baskets advice news

Labels: advice, gift baskets, news, sales

                     

You're probably asked by customers who make your basket deliveries. The type of delivery method you choose ultimately depends on preference and sales volume.

Your choice of delivery includes, but is not limited to, delivering your baskets yourself, hiring a contractor, a delivery service or courier.

Because no one can represent your company like you, delivering your own baskets is the obvious choice. As sales increase, time will not permit self delivery and outsourcing will be needed.

Consider a contractors agreement when hiring contractors for your protection and theirs. Because delivery services charge different rates for different area codes, price the deliveries competitively to cover the costs.

Tags: advice baskets sales gift baskets

Labels: advice, baskets, sales