Savvy
Bowtique was started in October of 2009. When I say started I guess I should say I purchased a few
kufi caps,clips, ribbon, flowers and headbands. I made
korkers and spike bows and went to my first craft show. It was a $20.00 show here in
Hudsonville. I thought it was going to be great!! My aunt and I got there and set up the table we found in the garage. Put a vinyl cover on the table and laid out the very few items I had to do my first show. I did not have a clue how these things went. I actually had never even been to a craft show before that day.
Once everything was set up I walked around to see what other items were there. Boy was I shocked to see that there were about 5 hair bow type people there. All of which had more stuff then I did!! I was
afraid to talk to anybody the first day because I did not want them to think I was trying to take their ideas or anything like that. The
Internet has more then enough ideas to go from. Day one I probably sold 20 bucks in products and spoke to only 2 other vendors. Day two was Sunday, I left on Sunday with much information from the seasonal vendors, another 20 bucks and a new friend named Amy!! I finally started talking to people and I did not care if they were selling hair clips too. Amy was one of those "bow" people at the show. Come to find out it was her first ever show as well. How funny is that? It has been over a year and Amy and I are still friends throwing ideas back and forth even though we sell the same stuff and live in the same small city.
My second show was so much better!! and the third was even better then that. Goes to show you can't base all craft shows on the first one.
2009 was over and here in Michigan the best craft shows are the ones between October and December. So if you want to make money year round you have to hit the
Internet. I started working on the website in January. It was allot of work and
allot of pictures to be taken. I got it up and running by March. With a website comes advertising to get your website found which is where
FaceBook came in. Savvy
Bowtique on
FaceBook came in around March/April of 2010.
Facebook has been great!! Many of my best customers found me on
FaceBook. I would recommend a
FaceBook page to any
crafter trying to turn into a business!!
All of 2010 I have worked on new products trying to add to my existing line. I started making woven headbands and actual bows. I also tried to do dresses for a little while but sewing has never been my favorite thing to do. I will however pick it back up spring of 2011. I have tried to find new customers. Crochet was the next step. Crochet flowers are beautiful in person but not so beautiful in pictures. But man crochet animal and character hats were a HUGE hit.
Unfortunately to big of a hit!! In less then two weeks about 150 hats sold, then trailing there after another 50 hats sold. Trying to make that many hats before the holidays has been stressful!! But almost done with that stress and ready to move onto the new.
Now 2010 is gone and 2011 is here. 1 year of
business under my belt and very excited about what will and can happen
during 2011. I have many goals and dreams for Savvy
Bowtique!
My dream of owning an actual store here in
Hudsonville is the biggest goal for 2011!! I have been researching and coming up with a plan for 2 months now. I am certain it will happen. I have a bigger plan then just a boutique store. If I can find an affordable location here in town that I can fit all of my dreams under one roof I will do it. I don't want to tell you the entire plan but will tell in time. GOAL #1 Open a boutique right here in my home town in August
I also hope to double my current product line which is also in the works. New items being made quickly to go to a photo shoot and be added to the website. GOAL #2 New items added regularly!!
And the biggest goal of all that I personally struggle with. Stay on track and keep motivated!! I fall of course when the craft room gets
unorganized. That is when I no longer want to go down there and create. But that is GOAL #3. stay
organized and
on track to reach all goals!!
I will start blogging all the steps to the BIG GOAL. So many
licences and moneys to be raised before that dream can happen!!
Keep in mind I am not a writter:-)
