Do you love the stuff you sell?

[Spacekids]

I was wondering if all of us online retailers really love the stuff we sell or whether it is just a business?

I love our stuff because ds wants to be an astronaut when he grows up, so everytime I package up a suit or a rocket I have a little smile, because I think that somewhere out there, there is another little boy possibly with the same dream! Sad I know, but it makes me really happy!:D

[MissMountshaft]

I really love the stuff I sell. It's a pretty self-indulgent project for me to be honest, and I tend to keep one of alot of the things I buy (not everything, I promise!). The business took off after Bea was born - I'd been hunting for pretty things for her bedroom. Now she's got some cute things in her room! I like finding different things for my home, I just wish I had more to spend as I see so much stuff I like! I love the fact that I can be really enthusiastic about the products I buy as it makes the boring aspects of the job more bearable, and I think it's important to try and enjoy what you do!

[partybabe]

Yes!
I think you have to, otherwise you would give up when times got tough. I love the idea that out there somewhere is a child who is over the moon coz mum got his fave character for his party, and with the balloon gifts I try to make them special to the occasion (so the valentines ones had red wooden roses in).

[blush]

I have four daughters so yes! My youngest two are only six and dance so they are in heaven.My oldest thinks its great as I make all the funky flo tutus her friends want and I MAKE ONE OFF DESIGNS TOO, each one is different too, with proper waistbands too unlike some.I haven't had the chance to put these on my site yet as they sell straightaway in the shop, but I will!
And they will be getting quite a bit of my stock as xmas pressies too

[lajlaj]

Yes absolutely. Although I do tend to fall out of love with some styles and when that happens I take it as my cue to move on - that's probably why I keep changing things - the range offerings, the website, new ideas etc.

[Candeez]

I truly love the stuff I sell. I make everything by hand and whilst I occasionally get requests for specific orders the rest is up to me.

My website does not really reflect my current jewellery, because most of the jewellery sells locally and does not make it as far as the website. I'm plan to up production, but it is a labour of love and I'm a perfectionist, so attention to detail is important and I refuse to be rushed.

I'm trying to get my act together to finally get my current creations on the site for Christmas.

[funkydorydawn]

Oh yes, of course!

I used to have to work very hard for companies, selling printed carrier bags, photocopiers, lining fabric......I didn't necessarily love the products, but became very knowledgable....:cheesy:.

I think like most here, I started my business out of necessity (as in too many young kids for an employer to look twice at :cheesy:), so I followed the general rule of choosing something I knew well - which I did, through my kids.

I started off buying in and selling stuff that I liked, my kids liked, and other peoples' kids liked etc. I had a big vision of how it would be (no plastic tat, for example :tcwozerek).....

Now I embrace the items I steered clear of to begin with, and love it just the same (if not more!) because it sells well and my target market like it!

I think your space website is brilliant because it was born from a passion of your son's which you have recognised and found the niche for - how embarrassed will he be though, when in 20 years' time, you'll be very successful and you force him to become "the 9th man to walk on the moon" like the guy on Little Britain in the US :hysterica

dawn
xx

p.s. I'm joking about the last bit :cheesy:

[lajlaj]

Following on from my post earlier, many people start their businesses based around a stage in life their kids are at but once their kids move on they find their passion moves on too.

[*Nic*]

Yes definately, I handcraft all my products one of my most favourite bits is coming up with new designs. I like to change my Christmas decorations every couple of years, these are what I'm currently working on I spend so long deciding what to make though. I need to spend more time making and less time thinking, LOL. Its all part of the fun for me though.

[friendlybaby]

I'm sure all cloth nappy users love their nappies, so a big YES from me too. I also stock other eco baby bits that I've fallen in love with too.

[Bag Crazy]

I absolutely love the products we stock. I become quite passionate about some brands. There are others that I'm nt so passionate about but unless I was passionate I don't think I'd be nearly so determined to make a success of the business. I wouldn't feel happy selling something I wouldn't use or didn't like myself.

Caroline

www.bagcrazy.co.uk

[Olive_Oil]

oooooh yes yes yes! i love the majority of stuff - i have my personal favourites...which are things that i would love for myself, and then i have my business favourites which are the sellers! :cheesy:. Im not only pasionate about my products but im also very passionate about the concept my my site too.

[funkydorydawn]

Following on from my post earlier, many people start their businesses based around a stage in life their kids are at but once their kids move on they find their passion moves on too.

I totally agree with this.

As soon as the item you sell starts to return, and literally demands attention, it becomes a job like any other - stock control is the same, despite the nature of it - ordering beautiful things is equally boring as ordering something mundane like batteries or nuts and bolts.

The excitement comes from seeing the business grow, seeking new stock and more importantly, planning the next phase! :clapping:

[antonia]

I think a passion for what you do helps so much. I know I don't sell gods in quite the same way as most of you, but I do write/create things I am passionately interested in and that's what keeps me going.

[Chiggs]

oh yes, definitely- and I still make them all, too, which I find very satisfying -I love seeing them all lined up ready to be posted out to a shop :D and its still a huge thrill to see them for sale in a shop or on a website!

[Katiequiggle]

I absolutely love the whole thing. I feel very priviliged to be able to make money out of my hobby. I am totally addicted to glass and melting it into new and different patterns and shapes and I'm always on the look out for a new and beautiful colour. I don't sell an awful lot through my website though over the nearly 2 years its been up and running it has done very well and I'm totally amazed that people buy my stuff. I get an absolute rush and buzz when I see someone wearing a piece I've made, even if it is only in the school playground or at church. I love all my pieces and I would rather give them away than see them go to a home where they wont be loved too.

[babybiz]

Yes how could I not, I get to play with toys :) This baby is going to be the most spoilt baby in the world I think lol I have a passion for quality, I just love things that are a bit different and really nice and I love toys. My dream would be eventually to be the main buyer for the business while someone else runs it (if I haven't sold it for my millions ;)).

It really helps a LOT if you love what you are selling (service or goods), you can't get passionate about something you don't like not for years and you can't sell things you're not passionate about it just doesn't work.

Tashxx

[samigail]

I defintiely love what I do. It's so fab personalising something for someone.
Once at a school fair someone wanted a bedroom door plaque but didn't really want any of the designs on offer and said his son was mad about rockets /space etc! so I drew a rocket on. And one of my angel heart plaques, someone wanted as a bridesmaid gift and asked for the dress to be coloured certain colours and if I could shorten the hair on the angel picture - I loved doing that one, so unique
and one the other night - I felt very honoured, someone asked me if I;d do a memorial decoration to remember her grandaughter at christmas time. I was really touched with that and as I say felt very honoured to create something that would be so special and meaningful to someone.

[Arianna]

I love the jewellery we sell on Delicate Dreams. I agonise over every single order of stock as I want to make sure it's right. If a piece doesn't make me notice it first off - I don't generally get it in unless I think it suits the market.

As for bookkeeping I do enjoy it - I enjoy putting a puzzle together. I also enjoy the web design work but in a different way.

Arianna

[Spacekids]

I think it is great that we are all so passionate about the things we sell. It's good to be excited about the job we do, as it makes the hard days not so tough!!

Do you think that for those of us that sell baby/kids stuff, that we will eventually "grow out" of our businesses when our children grow out of the sort of stuff we sell. I can't see it happening to me, but I suppose you never know!

[saraeden]

I love everything i sell , i make everything myself and just couldn't do it if i didn't enjoy it !!
I do have some things i love to make more than others especially the things that allow me a bit more free rain with my creativity gd12

I love the response i get from people who are thrilled with what i make them .

[baby-bean]

If I don't love a product, I just don't sell it. I think from a customer's point of view that's what sets me (and other WAHM shops) apart from bigger companies.

[partybabe]

Do you think that for those of us that sell baby/kids stuff, that we will eventually "grow out" of our businesses when our children grow out of the sort of stuff we sell. I can't see it happening to me, but I suppose you never know!

I don't think so, I am a big kid at heart and get excited about the products myself, a lot more than my children do. I will however have to adapt as I won't have the connections with other mums that I have now, so may well find I am advertising an awful lot more as a result.

[soapnutter]

If I don't love a product, I just don't sell it. I think from a customer's point of view that's what sets me (and other WAHM shops) apart from bigger companies.

Absolutely - same here. I love and use everything I sell, when I go off something I change the range. As WAHM's we use and are familiar with each of our products so we love them, can talk about them all the time and can provide the very best customer service.

Originally Posted by acoady
Do you think that for those of us that sell baby/kids stuff, that we will eventually "grow out" of our businesses when our children grow out of the sort of stuff we sell. I can't see it happening to me, but I suppose you never know!

I did. I guess it depends on you.