Many entrepreneurs looking to make money in the very competitive world of home furniture have decided to make an impact in this business sector by turning their hand to crafting unique upcycled furniture items. The profession of upcycling old worn-out objects offers a high return on investment, and quickly. All over the world, aspiring entrepreneurs are adapting old tables, unappreciated chairs, and damaged cabinets into one-of-a-kind unusual artworks intended for new homes, where once again, they will become much-loved furniture pieces.
If you have developed a passion for recycling, here is how you can turn your hobby into a profitable upcycling business:
Get Trained
If you have already transformed a couple of everyday household items into upcycled masterpieces, then you might believe you have a natural talent for the craft. But no matter how much knack and at-home experience you have, it is well worth thinking about taking a few courses to sharpen your abilities. There are issues to consider, such as making sure any items you sell are sturdy and won’t break if used by a heavier than average person.
You also need to make certain that the finishes used on the items are of the very best quality. To know about these topics, you need to learn from an experienced instructor who knows his craft well. In the market of upcycled furniture, your income is reliant on your reputation. Just one flawed furniture piece could lead to the failure of an otherwise flourishing start-up.
The costs of starting out
The first and possibly most important asset to the smooth running of your business will be either a large car or a van, preferably the latter. If you do not already own such a vehicle, then it will be your highest cost of starting your new venture. You do not need to buy a new vehicle; a suitable second-hand van will do fine. Once the business is expanding, you can upgrade to a newer car or van. Or, you could use local delivery companies operating in your area. Another short-term option is to rent. This would save you on the possibly high cost of buying your own vehicle.
There are, of course, other initial costs, but these you should be able to keep to a minimum. For example, you do not need to hire someone to run your social media; you just need to learn to be social media smart to get off the ground. As for your starter website, you can use one of the many platforms which make building an eCommerce store a breeze; there is no need to hire a website designer.
Next, you need to look into the cost of the furniture you’ll need to get your business started. If you already have some pieces to get started with, excellent! If this is not the case, you will need to get some money together to buy stock.
Finally, you will need to think about which materials you’ll use. Starting small and working your way up is the best way to go. The beginning will sometimes be challenging, but if you make a sound plan and stick with it, you are sure to create a successful upcycling business.
Finding the Best Pieces
Finding the appropriate furniture to upcycle for your own home is straightforward. You know exactly what you will use it for, and you know where you will place it. But, finding pieces ideal for reselling to others is somewhat more challenging. If you find that concentrating on just one type of furniture is not generating the number of sales you would like to see, you need to contemplate increasing the range of your goods. But when broadening your stock, make sure you do it in a way that won’t compromise quality and your unique style.
To cut down on delivery charges, it’s always a good idea to try to source your products locally. Check social media posts selling affordable second-hand items in your town or search online classified ads for good deals.
Marketing your merchandise
If you want people to see your work and hopefully like it enough to buy, the fastest way is to get onto social media. Make full use of the free platforms accessible to you by posting photos and videos of your work and sharing on sites where you can showcase your work. These include Facebook pages, stories on Instagram, and Pinterest. By displaying your work frequently, you will soon get interested customers online. Word will spread, and it won’t be long before you have followers who like and engage with your post. When done correctly, social media is a fabulous tool to increase sales.
For a more personal touch, you can book into craft fairs and local exhibitions. Share your business cards as often as possible. Update your website regularly to show visitors your latest offerings.