If you are thinking of starting a gift basket business "Baskets, Boxes & Bows - Gift Basket Beginners Guide & Workbook" is an excellent resource. It also contains a separate telephone directory of 2,000 suppliers and places for information. Definitely worth the cost! visit: www.fantastic-baskets.com for all the info.

I am a small home based business. I am literally just starting out. I don't advertise. Most of it has been word of mouth.
I have been dealing with wholesalers through their catalogs and shopping at Odd Jobs and Price club, also T.J Maxx.
I am the only one creating and selling this from my home. My question is that I may want to do a catalog and website. Right now I custom make the baskets to peoples budget and needs. I ask them what they want to spend and for what occassion, then I simply go from there.
How much merchandise would I have to invest in? If I show a photo of one of my baskets would I have to sell that same exact one? How do other people do this. Please let me know?

YOu are presetnly going about it the correct way---as for the website----you don't need to set up like a retail store----you could have sample of possible baskets and wait for people to place orders. Persoanlly I believe you could create more business doing home parties and using these as fudnraisers. You need to start creating different theme baskets that no-one else has. One of my clients sels scented candles wholesale and retail and he has sold $8000 through home parties and word of mouth alone. He is now working with me to increase the sales as he wants to get into it full time over the next year. We are working towrds getting people doing baskets to do some around aromatherapy for example and going for the fundraisers ---- al this means that you can sell more at once even if the profit is lower per item---the end result is that monay more peopel will know about your service----since you'll be putting your little name tag on each item (which I hope you are doing)~~~~~~do you use candles right now? These are really big sellers along with relaxation tapes-----yes in baskets these work fantastic-----then you have another audience to go after~~~~~~~~~~~and this is something they cannot get at the stores. Get in touch if you'd like info on the folks who have the candles and I also have a cleint who produces relation tapes~~~~~~SANTINA;consultant/coach/trainer;leapfrogocnsulting@direct-internet.net

Marcy,
I, too, operate a home-based gift basket business. I established my prices based on the cost of supplies (purchased wholesale, of course) + labor + the appropriate markup; I market to an upscale clientele, and offer gift certificates as an incentive for first-time buyers. My price structure is firm and non-negotiable. The only complaints that I have received were from friends and relatives who thought that I should "cut them slack," and offer them steeply discounted products.

I don't know what type of products you make and sell, but you will probably need a minimum of $500 in startup funds.

Regarding the photo: No, the finished product does not have to look exactly like the photo, but you should probably include some sort of written explanation in your marketing materials. Here is what I use:
"Simply Elegant gift baskets are tastefully and uniquely designed. Let us choose the baskets, containers and decorations for you."
Good luck in your new endeavor!
e-mail responses to simplyelegant@msn.com
Jeanine

This is a great business for our times
and what advice Jeanie from SImply Elegant offers can be taken very seriously, she does a great job. I would like to offer you a free ad for 30 days at my NorthEast Free Classifieds site. I don't know where you are located physically but this site does focus on the northeastern USA so it might not be good shipping wise for you. But check it out and while you're there take a look at banner prices and web creation prices under Photo and Business ad pricing and the Alpha-Gizmo site. Good luck; and be prepared because Christmas is coming! Jamie
http://www.nefreeclassifieds.com

Jamie,

Thanks for the "plug." As a satisfied customer and colleague, your endorsement of my company and its products is invaluable. I will be in touch via e-mail because I do want to place a classified ad on your site. By the way, will you be at the Boston Health & Beauty Days consumer show in Boston on October 15-17? I will have a booth there (#425) and would love to meet you or any other individuals who frequent this forum and will be at the show (as either a consumer or a vendor). I will feature a demo on how to make your own natural skin cream and will also raffle off a gift basket.
I'll be in touch,
Jeanine

Gifts Baskets are a great biz to be into.
I make the too, and I love it!
Another good addition are balloons. Especially for kids, I make a special hot Air Balloon Basket for them and They Love it.
And about the pic, no 2 Baskets are ever alike, that's what makes them unique.
Just let customers know that the actual basket may be different then the pic.
Good luck and happy basket making
Maggie

One of the things I make (mostly for friends) that is really popular are the balloons with gifts inside. Generally, I have them supply the main present(s), then for $15-$30 I customize it stickers, confetti, party favors, or whatever suits the theme. My costs generally run around $5-$10 a balloon, so it is a nice profit. If anyone already has a gift basket business, you may want to try adding on balloons.

Melody
http://www.myss.net/sellinghandcrafts.html