Need Advice on Starting New Business

You should try a website called etsy...it is geared toward people who make home made items.

B.

I would recommend using Ebay as a selling option. Go trolling for "botique" items or M2M (made to match). Lots of moms out there are looking to have M2M items for their girls Gymboree, Jack & Jill, Chasing Fireflies, H&M, etc. lines of clothes.

Also, if you buy a cute shirt from Gymboree or one of the other lines and buy a pair of jeans or a skirt at Target, Gap, Old Navy and dress it up with coordinating ribbons they will sell like HOTCAKES on ebay! Everyone likes to dress their girls up so they have something special...

Other things I have seen done were fancy diaper bags, carseat covers, baby carrier covers (because kids always puke in those things and you need to change & wash them). Custom crib sets are always popular with new moms.

I would also recommend making a web site and banner ads that you can put on other people's sites or facebook/Twitter. ALWAYS give a business card/attach one to whatever she completes to let the person pass on her information if she knows someone who would like something.

Another great place to go would be to advertise at the schools...if you can do school logos on polos or teacher's names, etc. you have an even greater base there...I know our parochial school allows us to wear embroidered or silkscreened items with the school logo on it. You could also offer to to cool shirts/sweatshirts for sports teams that would include each kids name...our soccer club did this last year so the boys would each have a sweatshirt at the games...they all thought it was "cool".

As for selling the purses...I'd ramp up for the Christmas bazaars and Relays for Life and set up tables as vendors there. Especially, if she gears any purses or items towards breast cancer survivors (pink ribbon, etc.) they will sell like hotcakes. Good luck!

Wow that sounds awesome! I'm no expert, but I have started my own business as well as helped my own mom out with hers, so I've been there before as well. ;) I think the first thing you'll probably want to do is make a website so that your business has a storefront, so to speak. A place where they can go, view samples of your mom's work and find out basics like pricing and availablity. Make a bunch of cool business cards (you can get some free ones from vistaprint.com if you like) and then market the business. Are there any local schools that need donations? Your mom could make a bunch cool embroidery with a schools name/logo on it and donate it for their next auction. Make sure to put something that says your Mom's business name somewhere on each piece. It's a great way to get your name out there and the school will probably love the idea!

I'd start with a business plan with all the details. Figure out a budget for expenses and a proposed income forecast.
Then I would find someone to display a sampling of your items for certain amount of time. Decide in advance how long and what makes it a success. Will you take orders? have stock available? "J."

I would start with a website, then send out fliers to your neighborhood, the bulletin at the grocery stores. If the price is right, and she is good, it will catch on. I can tell you, I love things personalized, my kids pillow cases, sheets, towels, anything, I love it! I wish she did have a website because I would check her out. Also on Mamasource you can advetise your business. I have found a lot of businesses on here. Good luck! Maybe if you guys live close, I could get her to do stuff for me!!

i agree! ebay is an awesome place to sell! just open an ebay store! if you have an e-mail or website or anything, let me know. i have a few friends that are into cloth diapering and they may want some cute ones or something.