There’s an old saying: “Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Most people dream of supporting themselves and their families by doing something they absolutely love. The problem is… how do they make that happen?
A Hobby Transformed
My boyfriend is extremely “crafty.” I’m sure he would cringe at my describing him that way, but that is the truth. He can turn two worn, cheap side tables into an upscale desk. He can rig up anything with a motor and make it go faster than it should (and I would like). He can whip up a delicious sauce on a whim with only a few ingredients we had hiding in the fridge. He can paint perfectly striped walls in 20 minutes. The stripes are so exact you’d do a double take, thinking it was wallpaper.
Lately, I have been dragging him to a few furniture stores and consignment shops. He has the truck and lifting power; I have the money and good taste. When we got home one night, he said, “I can’t believe you spent $80 on a wooden bench. I could make that for nothing.” I shrugged, murmuring, “But you never will.”
Well, lesson learned. I returned home from a business trip a few weeks after that conversation to find the basement full of furniture he had built! Beautiful coffee tables up cycled from forklift pallets, bar tables made from old barrels, wine racks, shelves and more.
Now, I am a lot less crafty. I have about 10 bottles of wine stored in the cabinets ready and waiting for the day I commit to a Pinterest project (I’m much better at committing to drinking the wine!). What I am good at (besides drinking wine) is marketing and developing businesses.
I immediately thought, “We have to sell this stuff!” The consignment shops are overcharging, and people are buying. This is definitely a viable market.
Small Steps to Growth
So here we are with an idea and a passion. This is where most people get stuck. Your husband or friend mentions you should start selling those homemade candles or jewelry or you should open that bakery or you should start a website or blog. You have the idea, but you don’t know how to go about the execution.
- Inform Yourself
When we first started selling our furniture, I did my homework. I looked at what things were selling for online on Craigslist or in Facebook groups. I also reached out to many local consignment shops. I think you’d be surprised at how willing people are to give you advice if you ask with open ears.
- Start Small
We immediately opened an Etsy account, joined every relevant Facebook group and listed things on Craigslist. We took offers for custom work too! This was all great, but we found our home fully packed with furniture and had little time to devote to every piece and correspondence. Know your limits. It is exciting to get a little traction, but don’t let that excitement overpower your better judgment.
- Be Crafty
I mentioned creating an Etsy account and joining Facebook groups. Find the sites that match your product and get yourself out there. Post some work on Pinterest and Instagram. Take advantage of “hashtags” (buzzwords or phrases preceded by “#”). List things on Etsy and be an active user. “Like” other pages and you’ll start to get a few likes back. Talk to local shops and see if they will let you consign or have some space in their stores. Local businesses like to support other local businesses in some way, and you’ll never know unless you ask.
- Be Clever
The furniture market is vast. We have begun to brand our things in clever ways. A table made from pallets might be listed as “handcrafted table made from upcycled wood.” The difference in the wood grain will be listed as “unique” and adding “character.” Be positive, and you’ll end up being persuasive.
By following these steps, you’ll be on the right path to turning what you love doing into income. And I’ll toast your success with a glass of wine!
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