Plan the work and work the plan

My big task at the moment to help move my business forward is to create a business plan. I've made a few attempts on my own but it goes back in a folder and hasn't been completed. Luckily in Laois we have a great Local Enterprise Office and they recently gave me a session with a mentor so talked me through the process and gave me a template to work from.  It was a very positive experience and I would definitely recommend you see if the same is available in your area through your Enterprise Office.

Definition of a Business Plan: A business plan is a formal statement of business goals, reasons they are attainable, and plans for reaching them. It may also contain background information about the organization or team attempting to reach those goals.

This formal definition can be a bit daunting. To myself a business plan is a guide—a roadmap for your business that outlines goals and details how you plan to achieve those goals. I am not going to write mine like a school essay, I would rather you pick it up and see a little of me from it. So for me a business plan is just a plan for how your business is going to work, and how you’re going to make it succeed.

I understand it is an important document and a very useful resource. I will use it in the future to help look for funding or a loan to further my business and to get my items stocked in shops.

I think the proces will also help me see where my time is spent and how to manage it better. From research, making items, buying stock, social media, interaction with my Facebook page audience and also keeping proper financial records to see how my business is running.

My Little Doll

While i was pregnant my only misfortune thank god was my low blood pressure which lead to severe boredom and watching the clock to see was another day over. But i thought ahead of all those nice walks in the crisp weather and then a baby blanket was born. Not happy with that of course there had to be a scarf and hat made to match.

As every girl knows you can never have enough clothes, so Isobel’s collection of hats is a work in progress and definitely a labour of love. Isobel loves her fashion (even back at 21 months old) and if the hat and outfit aren’t working I get the words “no like” and its back to the drawing board. I can’t wait till she is big enough to come up with her own ideas and designs, could be quite the little partnership I reckon. 

Who is Little Lids Siobhan

I am a mammy, a wife, a full time worker and a crafter. I guess I am a lot of things to a lot of people, but becoming a mother made me start my business. I originally started making items for Isobel when I was pregnant, I wanted her to have pretty things and not all shop bought.  Also I suffered from low blood pressure while I was pregnant and found myself bound to the couch at times. So from here a crafty business began.

I am a mammy to the gorgeous Isobel who is five and started school last year. She is the inspiration behind the hats and now is at the age where she has her own ideas and opinions and is only too happy to share them with me.

I am a wife, I married Barry in 2014 and we live in Mountmellick with Isobel. Even on my wedding day I had the personal touch using many items which I made myself including my own bouquet.

I also work full time in Laois County Council for the past 15 years. At present I work in the Environment Section, a lot of my work is with the Tidy Towns. I am lucky to be able to say I love that job, its very rewarding and it's nice to work with the Tidy Towns Groups and feel that I can make a difference.

And finally when I have any spare time between work, homework, lunches, dinners and other tasks, I LOVE to craft. From making things for Isobel and family, I have grown my craft into a business and am always looking for ways to expand. If you want to see some of my creations check out my Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/littlelidssiobhan

I can also be found on the following social media sites:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/littlelids1
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/littlelidssiobhan
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/littlelidssd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlelidssiobhan

Charity Haircut Update and Competition !!!!

Firstly thanks so much for the great response to our hair cut and charity collection on the 18th March 2016.


Donations can be made online at: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11258419_siobhan-and-isobel-duff-s-fundraising-page.html


Donation boxes are also in McElwee Pharmacies in Mountmellick and Christle Hair Company.


Christle Hair Company have been very generous and are running a great competition to help raise funds.

If you donate online and are on Facebook; after you donate visit their page to let them know you donated and guess the length of my hair to win an intensive hour long treatment with massage.

Their Facebook Page is:  https://www.facebook.com/chchair


Thanks again

Siobhan & Isobel

Etsy Trial

Like every craft business I am trying to make my mark and get my items out there for sale. There is nothing like that little burst of pride when you hear the cha-ching of a sale on Etsy. Literally that's the noise it makes, letting you know someone has fallen in love with one of your creations.

If you want to give it a try please use this link for 40 free listings:   http://etsy.me/1QFKDoj

My Shop is not long up and running but I am learning as I go. So far a few tips I have picked up are:

Creating your page

Profile pic: 400 x 400
Shop Icon: 500 x 500
Banner Size:Your banner will need to be exactly 760 pixels by 100 pixels in size. Save your banner image as a .jpg, .png, or .gif file format.




Item Listing photo: 800-1000 pixels wide.


Postage rates: check them out with your local post office or online and add a shipping profile to your account. This will help you go international.

Policies: Read through other shops policies and make yours tailored to your page, include returns policy etc.


Setting up your shop you might feel daunting and hardwork, but personally now that I have it done that was the easy bit. The items are not going to sell themselves, it takes a lot of active work on your page and promoting your items to get them noticed and increase your sales.


Getting Noticed!!!!
Getting your items noticed in listings takes time and effort, you may have to tweak your tags and words. If you google or research this it will come up as SEO - search engine optimisation or keywords.

An example here is my penguin lens buddy and the keywords I have attached to this listing.

Etsy’s search bar can give you a leg up on tracking what customers are searching? Start typing what you sell in the search bar. The words that appear are popular customer search terms. This will give you the exact keywords and phrases shoppers are searching, so be sure to use ones that are relevant to your product in your titles, tags and description.


 Networking and Social Media

Use all available platforms open to you, there normally free and have a good exposure. I myself have the following and try share on them as much as possible. If you wish to leave any of your links in the comments below I will be glad to check out your pages.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlelidssiobhan  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/littlelids1
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/littlelidssiobhan
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/littlelidssd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlelidssiobhan

While time consuming, using social media is quite cost effective and you will find many apps help you share. For instance if I put a picture on Instagram it gives me the options to share to Facebook, Twitter and Flickr directly without me having to replicate my work.

It is important to be active on these platforms once you have them set up. Its good to network and comment on other peoples page and profiles. Its a win win situation as you will gain followers and contacts for future business.

Keeping Love Alive

When the honeymoon period is over and your back to the daily routine, its nice to have a few reminders of your special day.


I start mine by seeing my handmade bouquet on display in the hall each morning and it doesn't stop there.

I made some cute little penguins to be part of the wedding day. There were two on my husbands motorbike on the day and I have upcycled  them into an air freshner for the car. So every morning on my way to work I am surrounded by memories of that special day.

Craft Fairs

There is great nerves and anticipation for Craft Fairs. Its a great time to showcase your work but can be nervewracking meeting new people and having them stand and examine your works. I have taken part in a few over the last few years and along the way I have picked up some tips which might help other crafters out.

As I make crochet items most of my fairs are Winter / Christmas period.

Promote:

• When booking ask the event organisers if they have any advertising budget and plans. I have gone to a few  fairs where the organisers had done no advertising or promotion of the event and I in return didn't even make enough money to cover the price of the stall.
• Create events on your page for the upcoming fairs and invite people. Make sure and let them know all the details and website / Facebook page if available.   https://www.facebook.com/littlelidssiobhan
• Promote yourself on selling pages / local pages for that area so people will know you are there.

Location Location:

• Is your event inside or outside, make sure and dress for the occasion and the weather. I find for outdoor fairs (which I usually do in around the Winter / Christmas period) that layers are best. That way if you get hot or cold you can work accordingly.
• Bring a spare pair of socks in your bag, they will help if you get cold or you can change during the day to freshen up. 
• Research the area if possible and ensure you have parking space and change for if it has to be paid for.

Essentials

• Scissors
• Markers
• Business Cards
• Sellotape
• Bags - I usually keep any shopping bags / gift bags I get during the year and reuse if anyone asks for a bag.
• Banner
• Chair / Stool
• Food / Snack and a drink
• A project to work on. I always try and make some items if it is quite. Also I find people like to see you at work and it helps engage them into your stall and products.
• an essential for me is a mirror for people to see the hats on themselves.

Don't :

• Don't chew gum, its just bad manners when people are speaking to you.
• Don't ever argue with a potential customer, even if you don't agree with their comments or opinion try end the conversation on a positive note. 
• Don't leave any litter or belongings behind when you leave.

Do:

• I know it can be a long day but I do find it better to be standing at your table. It is easier to see people and greet them.
• Say hello and interact with as many people as possible.
• Make sure you are clean and presentable, exercise hygiene where appropriate i.e handling food and money. 
• Say hello to other stall holders, swap business cards and later check on their website, facebook etc and make connections. That way you can build a network and help promote other businesses. You will also find out from other stall holders other events they have attended and if they were successful or not.
• I encourage people to try on my hats or feel the wool. I find its easier to make a sale with someone who is holding your item and engaged with your products.

Don't be afraid to give that personal touch or attention to detail, this is exactly what will make the difference and help boost your sales.

A Crafty Business

As with every little girl at some stage all those pretty dolls end up with their clothes lost or washed and shrunk, but thankfully I had my Nanny to crochet them their own little outfits and bonnets. I always thought they were so pretty and no one else’s dolls had them. Even then my little fashionista was bursting out of me.

Then there was the interest in my mam who makes beautiful bed spreads and does lacework as well but she never thought my patience would stick the crochet. So out of pure stubbornness and about 2 years of giving up and getting back at it, i produced a bag of granny squares to her one day to put together and low and behold my first bedspread was born.

Then more important stuff came along like playstations, boys, going out and it was put in the back of the press again. But on the news that I was going to have a beautiful little doll of my own, my idea of having her own blankets and hats and clothes came floating back so I got busy again. From there friends asked me to make items, then people who had received the items asked me to make more and my little business has grown from there.

I have often been told I could charge more or use other quality items. But as a parent and in the current economic climate, I like to think that I am being fair and leaving something affordable and to a standard that will last. Each item is handmade and where possible I like to keep items unique. When I don’t have the needle or glue gun in my hand, I can be found with a pencil sketching new designs or online doing some research. 

Now my own daughter who is only five is ever so eager to help out. While learning to crochet is taking time she is quite handy and happy with the pom pom maker. When her cousins come to play, they don't want to play with any of the toys they want to have a wool party. 

Bringing home the bacon

As much as I love my craft I love that light bulb moment that will lead to sales. One of my best selling hats to this day was my Peppa Pig creation.

I originally made the Peppa Pig hat for my own daughter as she was obsessed with the cartoon. Once she started wearing it out and about people genuinely stopped me on the street and while we were shopping to ask where I got it. One of my top tips from this experience is to always carry your business cards with you, be it in your jacket pocket or purse.

I decided to post the picture of the Peppa Pig hat on my Little Lids Siobhan Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/littlelidssiobhan and from here sales rocketed.

Peppa Pig while was one of my best sellers but also challenging makes. Making the hat itself was a relatively easy task. The time and labour coming in adding the details such as the ears, eyes and nose. It takes almost as long to make these and assemble the complete Peppa Pig as it takes me to make the hat base. Its a long process and quite time consuming so that's why some hats are dearer because they do take more time and effort to get the finished product.

Autumn Time

The clocks are changing, the evenings are getting darker. Its time to get those Winter woolies out and wrap up. But there is no need to hibernate or hide just yet.

I am working on a range of  adult accessories which  as well as being functional are full of the colours of Autumn, you will be able to match your accessories with the Season at hand.

The selection of warm colours and wool will keep you toasty over the Winter period.

Check out my collection and as always I welcome comments and suggestions.