How to Start Your Own
Highly Profitable Gift Basket Business

What Is The Gift Basket Business?

Gift Baskets are a multi-million dollar industry. You can sell gift baskets for all different occasions and themes. Gift Baskets can be sold to individuals, to businesses and for fundraisers, to name just a few ideas.

They are a gift with that personal touch that people are willing to pay a little extra for.

Creating gift baskets for customers looking for that 'perfect gift' is one of the fastest growing types of businesses in North America.

You can be as creative as your desire; the more creative you are, the more you will tend to  prosper.

Gift Baskets are a gift option available that personalizes any occasion for anyone. Gift baskets have become the 'problem solver' regarding gift giving in businesses for people who are sick, being promoted, or employees who have reached a milestone in their career.

They could well be the closest thing to the perfect gift because they can be totally customized to suit the giver, the recipient, the occasion and the desired price. For some people, creating them is the perfect business: an opportunity to be artistic, creative and entrepreneurial.

Certainly it's an industry with incredible "fun" potential. You get to buy lots of cute, clever gift items; you get to pull those items together in an attractive container and create a charming presentation; and you get to provide a product that delivers infinite pleasure to the recipient.

Both givers and receivers of gift baskets appreciate the creativity and uniqueness of the concept.

There's also a respectable profit potential. As popular as they are, the market for gift baskets is still wide open and the sales opportunities are virtually limitless.

But this isn't a game; it's a serious business. It doesn't require a great deal of startup capital many successful gift basket businesses were started with just a few hundred dollars.

What it does require is thoughtful planning, preparation and commitment fueled by a strong dose of excitement and enthusiasm.

Start Up Costs Varies Greatly

As with any new business, you will have to make a number of decisions. What types of baskets will you offer? If you are working from home do you have enough space for creating your baskets?

What is your target market? And most of all, how will you reach them? If you plan to start on a shoestring budget, start slow and work from home. running your business from home will allow you to save on overhead expenses.

As for myself, I started small, maybe $2,000.  I needed to buy inventory to make baskets: containers, fill, cell, ribbon, products to go in the baskets. Had to buy office stuff: paper, printer, labels, business cards.

Earning potential $1,000,000 is not unheard of in the Gift Basket business, but as you might think - it takes a lot of work.

Skills that are required include: Creativity, design, marketing. Also, you have to be able to sell yourself and your product. Business skills are important. If you don't have them, get them.

Your income potential depends on how hard you work and market your business. Earning potential $1,000,000 is not unheard of in the Gift Basket business, but as you might think - that takes a lot of work!

A Couple Of Tips

Don't be shy (like me,) tell everyone who will listen to you about your new venture. Don't bore them to tears with the details; keep it short & to the point. Your answer to "Hi, how are you?" is "I started my own gift basket business, here's my card. If you need anything, call me!" If they want to know more they'll ask.

Think of the gifts in terms of what you would like to receive. What would you rather have, a large extravagant basket with only a few products in it or an inexpensive basket overflowing with beautiful products?

A little creativity and a lot of hard work greatly increase the success of your new home business.

As To Your Gift Baskets

You can either offer a wide selection of gift baskets, or focus on a smaller market. Some of the common gift baskets being offered include:

Gourmet/Food Gift Baskets. These are the most popular gift baskets businesses give to their clients, friends and family.

Bath And Body Gift Baskets. These are very popular! Ingredients of these baskets include toiletries like scented soaps, fragrances, oils, lotions, and aromatherapy products. These are just a few selections of gift baskets offered, the list goes on.

As For Inventory

Your inventory level should always grow as your sales grow. Start small, keeping inventory at a realistic level. You can purchase inventory for your gift baskets either wholesale or retail. I would advise buying at wholesale price, because you may buy in quantities.

Learning by making mistakes can help you make your business grow. Start slow and invest your time into research The more you know beforehand, the better equipped you will be when facing your own challenges and obstacles.

An Overview

In order to begin a profitable venture in the gift basket business you must be well prepared. If the business is to be, at least initially, home-based, several basic steps need to be taken.

(A) Find the appropriate inventory at affordable prices.

(B) Create gift baskets that are not only marketable, but more pleasing and affordable than those of the competition.

(C) Develop an efficient system of delivery as well as selling retail for customer pickup.

(D) Price your gift baskets for the highest profit.

(E) Promote the business at a minimal expense.

These initial steps are not all that difficult. They will require time, a small monetary investment, and even a little experimentation. Once you develop a system for making gift baskets, you can begin to be more creative, making specialized "theme" baskets filled with exotic treats that will increase demand by your market.

It's a good idea to test your ability to create marketable gift baskets before you get into the business. You can do this by purchasing some baskets and basic materials such as gourmet foods, fragrant soaps, colorful ribbons, exotic teas or baby-care items for a "new baby" basket.

Operating a home-based gift basket service can be a highly rewarding venture. By following several key steps, an enterprising individual can turn creativity into profit.

Lillie Louise

( Lillie Louise is the Gift Basket author of the step-by-step guide "Start Your Own Highly Profitable Gift Basket Business"  a how-to course that could change your life.)