From $0 to Ka-ching! (Bonus Giveaway + Dance Inside)

That was a really funny dance Mayi You have done quite a lot things at once – but with as greatly organized person as you, it could not have been a problem! In my case, my journey from $0 to ka-ching started with just showing my work to others. And, actually, it’s one of the hardest steps, because we rarely ever feel 100% sure of our works’ amazingness (don’t tell me there is no word like that) especially when we’re awaiting others’ people opinion. I’ve made that step and it all started rolling. Of course constant practice, trying new techniques and finding your own path in creating are also important. Incredibly important! But nothing will happen if you don’t make that first step from your secret drawer to a public showcase. My cute Etsy shop is working right, of course it could do better!, but commissioned illustrations are my thing and that part of my business plan is going just great And when it comes to precious pennies – my only big investments are in the quality of my works. I’m in love with heavy (and expensive ;_; ) watercolour paper – but all my watercolour pieces are worth it and none of the clients said otherwise! Wow, that’s a long comment

Mayi, you always make me giggle! Thank you! As far as how I started by biz and how it continues, I find that other handmade artists are great to team up with. By collaborating and sharing ideas we can all help others and ourselves at the same time. This is not always on the making part but the promotion part. The first year I used project wonderful, I deposited $20 in my acct and made it last all year by doing both paid and free ads. This increased my traffic and sales and was dirt cheap — five cents a day!

Love it, Mayi! Goodness, I didn’t even have a startup budget when I started on Etsy, I just started listing the stuff I was already making! Yikes! (Your dance reminded me of the cute oompa loompas on Charlie and The Chocolate Factory–hehe!)

No better way to start a Friday than with a one-woman dance party! So much fun! I’m still pinching pennies a year in. Taking on alterations and other sewing jobs to cover the cost of trainings… Thinking long and hard and trying to calculate about when the right time to add a shopping cart to my website will be. Loving that my husbie is a coding genius and my bestie a gifted writer… I’ve made some mistakes, and I’m definitely working to not repeat them!

The number of low-cost and no cost resources available now is incredible. I have always wanted to be the editor of my own magazine and now with issuu and magcloud I can make that possible without a several thousand dollar investment. Whenever I needed an expensive something for my business, I would ask for it for my birthday or Christmas (or all combined). It was a sacrifice because I would have loved to get new clothes or a massage or something. It gave me what I needed for my biz w/o feeling like I was borrowing from the family budget.

Hey Mayi, Here’s my story. When I started I was spending much more money buying materials than I was making selling my work. So I said to myself: “Andreia, this must stop now, that’s not how you run a business young girl!”. So, I challenged myself to create using what I already had. I started painting my own fabric so I would resist buying every new printed fabric I’d see. I ended up with a more unique and original product. And I stopped seeing other people work made with the same fabric I had used which I used to find very annoying. It also makes my work harder to copy. Tcharammmm trying to save dollars has been a win win situation. Beijinhos

You’re too cute, Mayi! One thing I do is try to put my crafty skills to work. I put together custom listings in my shop for surprise packages where the customer gets some of my product along with extra goodies. I buy extra goodies along the way when I find them at a good price so I will always have some on hand when someone buys one of those listings. I also add items I make myself (aside from my usual inventory) to the packages to cut costs and add an extra touch of originality to each one. It’s a win-win for me and for my customer!

I started my blog almost a year ago with no money. From there, I ended up knowing I wanted to start an etsy shop, so I took a part-time job (doing something I really LOVE- timing races) & paid off my student loans completely, then started saving for an etsy business! It’s “extra” income, & we had never had that income in our budget (since it just went to my loan) so it became “etsy investment money”. Once I had $400, I purchased supplies & got to work! I sell handbound books & embroidered necklaces. I have opened shop & had my first sale! Super excited to see where this takes me.

Loved reading and checking out everyone’s sites, so much talent, creativity and advice. Like Mayi said I started with what I had, hundreds of patterns, vintage and collectibles. Opened an Artfire and Etsy shop and started selling. The joy is also in the hunt and find. I am also learning what folks are buying and what is a hot item to list. My day job paid the bills, plus allowed me to invest a small amount of cash for bushiness supplies, camera, mannequin, and buying a bit more ‘stuff’. My business now pays for itself plus extra vacation money. Love what I do and also love so many other things in my life that my business does not consume me as it did in the beginning, I’m learning to strike a good balance at a slow and steady pace.

Ahhh!!! Love this Friday video time Mayi! I just opened my Etsy shop (like yesterday, although the planning started weeks before) where I sell printable whimsical nursery art. My ultimate goal is to sell art prints that I can mail to my customers with my love note and packaging ideas. But I do not have that money right now – to invest on a SUPER NICE printer and amazing papers. So I am testing the waters with “Printable Art” (digital files – no start-up cost – other than a Mac and bamboo pen and a free program that came with it, which was gifted to me by husband last year). My hope is to build some revenue through this (for now) and then move on to the next phase. My blog (http://www.ohmystarart.blogspot.ca/) is a DIY endeavor. But I’m proud of it. I learned a little css and html through google search – “how to create a side bar button” etc etc. I read articles and tips on blog design from various blogs. The main thing I learned – Keep it simple and consistent! Also got my social media on (free to sign up! woohoo!) – got a Facebook fan page, twitter account, rss button on my blog…. in the hopes of getting acquainted with these platforms more and using it to promote my baby biz. Was a little scary to be honest, putting myself out there (I’m shy!), but I’m hoping in time I’ll be a natural :p. Also surprised myself how supportive and nice people are. I also made a small investment on knowledge and learning. I figured, this is something that won’t go to waste if things don’t work out. I signed up for e-courses (marketing, starting a biz) from people I looked up to. For example, took advantage of Blackburgs Belle’s Bday sale and A Beautiful Mess E-course summer sale. Atlhough I have been tempted to spend more (on a more “professional” logo and website) – your post gave me a good reality check Mayi. Perhaps another time for all that. Thanks!

I do what probably many creatives do … I try to do alot myself. I have made my own logo, header, blog layout … at the moment I am preparing to rebrand and move everything to wordpress. I will start with a free theme and right now am learning ALOT of new stuff about wordpress instead of just hiring a designer to put my site together which I could simply not afford right now. I did start out on blogger. I sell on dawanda – but am planning to have my own online-shop on my own site. I use free programs like GIMP and Inkscape, sometimes even things like picmonkey. I think the most important thing is to figure out what is really important to you – and just do that as well as possible in the beginning. I easily get caught up in trying to make everything I do perfect – which would lead to it never being done. Ever! Even though I know this now – took me some time! – I still sometimes slip into that crazy land where “It just has to be a dashed line, nothing else. And I need to figure out how this works NOW!!!!” … *lol* The books sounds amazing! xox, Ursula

I have a shop on “Artfire” and started a blog which I am having trouble understanding how to set it up properly. I love making the things I do, from OOAK purses,totes and jewellery. I am hoping to basically start fresh at a slow rate because of a tight budget, but I’d like to have my own website and learn how to manage my time better so that I can create and blog. I just love all the creative blogs I see and even have trouble with properly linking to ones I want to join. I feel lost when it comes to the technical aspect of business but know it could really help me grow my Handcrafted business. I desperately need guidance so that I’m not so overwhelmed because I don’t like that it interferes with me creating. I would love for someone to give me advice on what I’m doing wrong and how to do things right. My shop is, http://laurabelle.artfire.com, and I will put my blog in the URL option you have here. I love your blog and you have a great sense of humour. I am glad I found you. Thanks for all the freebies you sent out. hugs

After 3 years of having my shop, I’ve finally learned how to budget and have a chart for it! Keeping costs low and at only a percentage of your revenue is key! Like you said Mayi, use your resources that you already have on hand! Love the dancing at the end of the video! ;D

Mayi, With your sweet, sweet energy you put a smile on my face and in my heart. May you be blessed in all areas of your life. I love your willingness to share!

Bahhh, hhaaa, haa! I loved the entire video, but I totally loved the end! Fabulous! Thanks for the laugh!

Hi Mayi, I am still in my pre-start up phase! I am reading, reading, reading and trying to take in as much wisdom as I possibly can. And, great end to your video, totally made me giggle!

Hi Mayi! Thank you so much for this video. I am a jewelry designer on a BUDGET, and I really appreciate your advice. I just spent pretty pennies on courses to add to my skills, and that comes with a materials list ($) too. I’ll spend wisely and think of you!

Zero to kaching, for me, is still in the business plan writing stage. I’m in college, broker than a joke, need a new car, but I still manage to stretch my dollar! I babysit as my job and while the kids are sleeping/resting I can get my research done or crochet some products. My lovely mother gifts my products to get my name out (she has a LOT of friends) and by her doing so it has gotten me a small customer base. I know it is going to take me a while, but my dreams will come true slowly but surely. your videos make me giggle and thanks for all the free info (I’m keeping my costs low ;])!

sweetie…this is different from the other girls because i havent started any bussiness but…planning on doing it (with my 2 sisters) and hearing you speak about quitting your job to star on your own and all made me do it! we are currently stating this new venture(mexican food with a twist) and i must soy you were my inspioration

You are so funny and you sharing your experience is why you are successful.I try to stretch every dollar to get to the next paycheck. If I shop at good will and look for the special at the grocery store. This year I want to label my daughter school supplies with cute labels. My daughter tells me that I don’t have to so we can save money for her school clothes. Gabby is a very understanding 8 year old and I try to give her what she needs and reward her with something special because she is worth every kiss she gives me. Thank you I wish you more success! God Bless!

Mayi!! I loved your dance so much, this is now my current ring tone. Lol! What I do is collect free or very cheap books/magazines, (for my collage paintings) for example 5 books at 2 euros – which in turn helps out people in need… I also clean out my aprtment and sell off anything I don’t need anymore and use that money to buy more supplies. And, I have beads and buttons from when I tried my hand at jewelry, but now find ways to use those when creating my headbands. xo

I know I want to go BIG, but my wallet isn’t there yet. So instead of waiting for my ship to come in, I decided to go ahead with my dream and make it happen now. I researched everything I could about starting my own clothing line without physically building a store or spending thousands of dollars in fashion trade shows or showrooms just to get the word out. I set up an online shop at http://www.ustrendy.com for free, I opened a facebook, twitter, and instagram account to start networking and publishing my work, and now I’m working on a blog for my brand on wordpress for free. I also just got back from Madrid where I did a pop-up store event for my brand in a famous Spanish designer’s flagship store in the heart of Madrid’s most exclusive shopping district because I applied to participate in a program that supports emerging designers. There is no way right now that I could ever get on that street and sell right knowing how incredibly high the store rent is there. And lastly, I’ve used my sisters to model my clothes and myself and for the products themselves, I’ve also incorporated perfectly good recycled fabrics or leftover fabrics from factories to make my clothes. It’s crazy how factories will toss new fabric! These are just some of the ways, I have worked to promote myself without loans and without credit cards because Lord knows that I don’t need to go bankrupt just to follow my dreams

Mayi eres simplemente genial!! I enjoy your videos a lot every week My journey selling handmade (jewelry) started about 5 years ago. I’ve always been a sucker for shyny stuff so I would spent a lot on materials and ended up making tons of pieces which I would never sell basically because I was shy of showing them off :S One day the hubby decided it was enough hahaha and set up a profile on facebook for my brand (decided to call it Akemi), that was long before pages existed on facebook. I would only feel confident enough as to invite a couple of my close friends but he invited all of his contacts, in a day I had already 100 friends, in two weeks I was featured in a local magazine (oh yes! I forgot to tell, all of this happen while we were living in Venezuela), in 6 months I had already done 3 craft fairs and in a year I had already 2000 friends and was selling online only thru facebook, so no expenses were made regarding Marketing, hosting, etc. Right now, the profile has +4000 friends and I am still getting invites everyday, however, the brand is going thru a heavy makeover (change of name, logo, packaging, everything) and this time I am doing it from Barcelona, Spain, so basically its like starting over but I am loving it! During this four years I have learned a lot about advertising, marketing, client management, design, etc., I am still learning. Everyone should now that you do not need loads of money to start a business from scratch, all you need is a push (whether from yourself of from a love one like it happen to me) and really want it. “A vision without a plan is just a dream. A plan without a vision is just drudgery. But a vision with a plan can change the world”.

Great video! Great advice Thanks for the great newsletters!