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Start Your Own Gift Basket Service (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start up Series) » (First Edition)

Book cover image of Start Your Own Gift Basket Service (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start up Series) by Jacquelyn Lynn

Authors: Jacquelyn Lynn, Entrepreneur Press Staff
ISBN-13: 9781891984884, ISBN-10: 1891984888
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Entrepreneur Press
Date Published: August 2003
Edition: First Edition

Author Biography: Jacquelyn Lynn

McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

Book Synopsis

This book tells everything a person needs to know to start a successful gift basket business, including how to identify target markets, develop an effective marketing plan, find and build relationships with suppliers, and keep good business records.

	Preface	vii
Chapter 1	More than One Basket: A Look at the Gift Basket Business	1
	It's All in the Presentation	3
	From Amateur to Pro	4
	What Do You Need to Get Started?	5
	Start-Up Stories	5
Chapter 2	Operations: It's Not Brain Surgery, but It Takes Some Skill	7
	Marketing	8
	General Management and Administration	8
	Production	9
	Taking Orders	9
	Purchasing	9
	Billing	11
	The Outsourcing Resource	11
	You'll Design More than Baskets	12
Chapter 3	Defining Your Market	15
	Market Research	16
	Individual Buyers	16
	Business Customers	17
	Choosing a Niche	17
	Developing a Product Line	18
	Types of Baskets	20
	Know Thy Enemy	21
	Are You on a Mission?	22
Chapter 4	Structuring Your Business	25
	Naming Your Company	26
	Trademarks	27
	Protect Your Mark	28
	Legal Structure	28
	Licenses and Permits	30
	Business Insurance	32
	Professional Services	33
	Create Your Own Advisory Board	35
	Shipping and Receiving	36
Chapter 5	Finances: Keep the Cash Flowing	39
	Sources of Start-Up Funds	40
	How Much Do You Need?	41
	Turning Pro	41
Chapter 6	Where Will You Start? Locating and Setting Up Your Business	49
	Going Retail	50
	Additional Retail Options	55
	Playing and Working Fair	56
	The Home Advantage	57
	Mail Order	58
	Your Primary Sales Tool	58
	The All-Important Mailing List	59
	Packing and Shipping Tips	60
	Nonretail Commercial	60
	Consignment Sales	60
	Displaying Merchandise	61
	Getting Ready to Work	62
	Should You Buy an Existing Operation?	63
	Business Opportunity or Franchise	64
	What Is a Franchise?	64
	What Is a Business Opportunity?	66
Chapter 7	Human Resources: The People Side of Your Company	67
	Look in the Right Places	70
	Evaluating Applicants	70
	Once They're on Board	71
	Employee Benefits	73
Chapter 8	Equipping Your Business	75
	Basic Office Equipment	76
	Telecommunications	79
	Other Equipment	80
	Basket-Related Equipment	81
	Inventory	84
	Inventory Control	88
	Basic Stock	88
	Lead Times	89
	Excess Inventory	89
	Tracking Inventory	89
	Vehicles	90
	Security	90
Chapter 9	Marketing Your Business	91
	Make Customer Service a Marketing Tool	92
	Get Lost	92
	Give Baskets Away	93
	Reward Referrals	93
	Cold Call	94
	Market to Basket Recipients	95
	Make Yourself Visible	96
	Target Lesser-Known Holidays	96
	Advertising	97
	Trade Shows	97
	Selling in Cyberspace	100
	Public Relations and Promotions	101
Chapter 10	Financial Management	103
	Billing	104
	Setting Credit Policies	105
	Red Flags	106
	Accepting Credit and Debit Cards	107
	Dealing with Your Own Creditors	108
Chapter 11	Tales from the Trenches	111
	Take Yourself and Your Business Seriously	112
	Give Yourself a Boost When You Need It	112
	Keep Learning	112
	Be Accessible	113
	Take Their Breath Away	113
	Market Your Business Constantly	114
	Don't Market by Price	114
	Stay Focused and Organized	114
	Enhance Your Gift Basket Service with Extras	114
	Guarantee Your Work	114
	Get Feedback	114
	Establish and Maintain Flawless Credit	114
	Trade and Barter Whenever Possible	115
	Play by the Rules	115
Appendix	Gift Basket Resources	117
	Glossary	121
	Index	123