| Dear Fred & Lyna: | | | | impossible to make it all herself. As her business |
| I am tired of working for someone else. After | | | | grows, she would need more of a sales force- either |
| reading your article on accessing your entrepreneur | | | | in the store or on the road selling to others. |
| level, I feel confident that I have what it takes to | | | | Fred: E-bay is always an option- but again, how would |
| own my own business. But I’m not sure what | | | | she keep up with the demand? |
| type to start. I love making candles; but don’t | | | | Lyna: I would recommend to anyone; to find other |
| know if this would support me. Help. | | | | people who are doing what you feel you might want |
| Ann- Montgomery | | | | to do. For an art or craft like candle making, check |
| Fred: This reminds me of a couple I knew who | | | | art associations, galleries or artist studios. The |
| traveled for years staying in bed and breakfast inns | | | | Internet is also a valuable source of information. Find |
| across the country. They absolutely loved the bed | | | | someone who is doing what you want to and talk to |
| and breakfast business. So, one day they both quit | | | | them; get the pros and cons of this type of business. |
| their jobs and bought a B&B in Northern California . | | | | Fred: Or why not offer to intern with them for a |
| Lyna: Was it successful? | | | | few months? Not only would they learn the business |
| Fred: It might have been, but about a year later they | | | | first hand, but they could also see if they truly have |
| were miserable. All they did was complain about how | | | | a passion for that kind of work before they spend a |
| much work it took to run the B&B and how they | | | | dime on. |
| had to be there 24/7. They felt like prisoners. | | | | Lyna: Another avenue to look into would be to write |
| Lyna: Which is why before Ann gets serious about | | | | books on candle making and give workshops on it. |
| having a candle business, she should do some | | | | This is a great way to start establishing yourself as |
| research. What have other people done to sell | | | | an expert in your field and the only other person you |
| candles? | | | | may want to consider hiring as you become |
| Fred: She could have a storefront and work as a | | | | successful is an assistant. |
| retailer. Or if this doesn’t appeal to her; selling | | | | Fred: The best advice I feel we can give is - |
| her candles wholesale may be the way to go. | | | | don’t quit your day job until your new endeavor |
| Lyna: Of course with both of these choices she | | | | is well under way. Although it may not be easy, start |
| needs to ask herself if she wants to eventually hire | | | | part time and that way you won’t have the |
| employees. After all- to be successful she would | | | | added stress that would come when your bills are |
| need to sell a lot of her product and it would be | | | | due. |