The kids have all finally reached an age to start school, and in those years when you were at home as a stay-at-home mom you dreamed of what you’d do when you went back to work. The only problem with going back into the workforce, however, is the fact that in the 9 to 5 corporate world there is no room for flexible scheduling. If the kids are home sick, have a doctor’s appointment or are simply out of school for the holidays, you can’t just tell your boss you are sorry that you won’t be in next week. This is where for many, the dream of being their own boss is born.If you are considering ways to start up on your own, why not rent a pop up retail space at a local mall? Companies like Westfield Pop have a complete line of malls around the country where you can start to follow your dream.
Do Something You Are Passionate About
One of the best pieces of advice young entrepreneurs are given is that they should only consider a startup in a field they are passionate about. If you are into custom made jewelry, but feel it wouldn’t sell at your local mall, why not consider custom made niche jewelry?For example, let’s say you live in a town on the coast of Alaska and few fishermen and their wives go out clubbing or fine dining. There are few places in which you’d want to wear trendy jewelry so you don’t bother investing in it. On the other hand, eclectic jewelry made from sea shells is huge in your vicinity. You could follow your passion to sell custom designed fine jewelry, but with a focus on natural shells and stones. It serves both purposes passion and demand.
Find a Suitable Location for Your Niche
While you know that there is pop up rental space available at your local mall, that particular location may not be the most suitable place for your niche. The mall in the next town over may be a better choice and for the extra ten or fifteen minutes it takes to drive the greater distance, you could get so much more of a return on your investment that it just makes good business sense.
Research Suppliers and Pricing
Whether you are going to craft your own products or are going to source them at wholesale, you need a solid list of suppliers that are reputable and provide the quality you need. One general rule that you should live by is that not all suppliers are created equal.’ You might get a good deal on quality supplies and then again you might get what appears to be a good deal on sub-standard supplies. Take the time to do comparison shopping among suppliers, check out references and ask for a trial run. That means no service contracts until you are satisfied with the quality and service you receive.On a final note, you can’t always expect to only open during the hours your kids are at school. Customers stopping by to find you closed’ will soon get tired of looking for you and will shop elsewhere. Yes, you need to keep your startup costs low, but you do need help if you are subject to the schedule of others in your family. This is your dream and your big chance to live it. Start small with a pop up kiosk and from there, who knows? You could just be the next big retail chain. It’s a dream worth dreaming.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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