The American Dream: Starting A New Business

The American dream is achieved when someone finds something that they love and learns how to make money with it. These days, more and more people are doing just that. Leaving their regular 9 to 5 jobs and setting out to turn their hobby into a full time business is the ultimate goal for many entrepreneurs. While many people open an actual store, others are finding success with their own virtual store on the Internet. Even those individuals with an actual storefront presence are finding it difficult to deny the global reach that only the internet can provide.

Individuals who are creative and enjoy making things often find success in the production of handmade products of all kinds. Handmade soap, candles, greeting cards, virtually any type of well made hand crafted product will sell. As with any crafting business, creating handmade crafts involves time, patience and an eye for detail. In order to turn your hobby business into your day job, you must possess all of these qualities and more.

What type of product will you be selling and how do you plan to present the merchandise? If you decide to make handmade soap, for example, you will want the presentation to be just as creative as the soap itself.
Do you want to sell a hot product such as soy candles. Sometimes a finding hot product is the

How will you promote your product and how will consumers learn about your new business? Many new businesses begin at local craft fairs and local distribution to specialty stores. Typically, there are craft fairs to celebrate the seasons. Check with your local chamber of commerce or tourism center about the upcoming community calendar. If attending craft fairs, be sure to print business cards with your information. Have plenty on hand and sit them on your table for customers and passers by to pick up. If you have a website, be sure to print the information on your business cards and give one to every customer who purchases from