Name: Amy Nielsen

Email Address: the_nielsens2000@earthlink.net

What kind of Business do you run? Custom Photo Greeting Cards

When did you start it? October 2009

Why did you start it? I wanted a way, like many moms, to make money while at home with my kids. I love to design things (like scrapbook pages) with Photoshop and so it was a perfect fit!

What was your inspiration? I made a Halloween party invitation for my daughter and it was so fun and easy that I thought, "I could totally sell these!" It was all a breeze from there!

How much capital in terms of resources did you invest to start up your business? 
About $100.

Do you have a website for your business? If yes please provide it. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5778577

Who are your main customers? What demographic are they mostly from? My target audience are people who are too busy or lack the knowledge to make custom photo greeting cards themselves, don't like the ones offered by The Big Box but love the look. These is probably working women who also have the $$ to spend on "extras."

What do you feel are the basic goals that a business such as yours should reach in
the first year? My primary goal right now is to increase the traffic to my website. So far I've
sold very few but I can't be discouraged. Most of my time right now is caught up in
marketing and in the few weeks I've spent working on traffic, I've noticed a good
increase in both my Etsy shop and also in my blog, where there are direct links to
my shop. I think it's reasonable for me to expect perhaps 100 sales the first year
which would be so great!

For anyone who wishes to start their own WAH business in the same industry as yours,
what are your top 3 pieces of advice? 

1) Really look around to see what's selling and do your best to design things that match the growing style. 

2) Be realistic about how much time you'll be creating vs. marketing. 

3) Don't get stuck with just the Internet. I had business cards made up and I pass them around to a lot of "real" people and businesses.

Has this business venture allowed you to spend more time or less time with your
family? Less right now, but hopefully I'll be able to quit my part-time job and then it
will be more. That's my goal.

What are the top three marketing strategies that you employed to achieve success for
your business? 

1) Social media
2) Working with "real" vendors who will utilize my services
3) My blog (www.youareaflyonmywall.blogspot.com)

What goals are next for your business? 

1) Round out my inventory with at least 100 options.
2) Access as much social media as I can.
3) Make an impact during the Christmas season by getting my designs in front of as many people as I can.

Where do you see your business in another 10 years? Virtually running itself. I imagine I'll still have to market some but hopefully it will be on its feet and selling itself. Perhaps I will have employees to do my mailings for me. I see it contributing a good amount to our household income.

Name the top 3 products and/or services your business provides and their respective
benefits to the customer/consumer. At the present time, I only offer custom photo greeting cards such as those for Christmas, baby announcements, graduation announcements, party invitations, moving notices, etc. I may add customized jewelry to my site at some point if I feel like diversifying. I've had a lot of people ask about my jewelry and it's a no brainer to list it on my Etsy shop when I'm getting a ton of traffic.

Has your business been recognized in any way by the media or any awards organization? If so please state how you were chosen and what kind of recognition your business has achieved. Not yet. I'm still pretty new.

How many times a year do you offer special discounts on your products or services?
When? So far I've offered one special promo and it's related to Christmas. I want people to pay attention to the fact that Christmas is coming up and getting your cards done early is SO MUCH EASIER! I'm currently offering 50 cards for the price of 25 ($15) and that includes printing and of course envelopes. The offer is good through mid-November. I plan to offer promotions frequently, possibly always having something going on. It's good for business!

Share with us two positive feedback comments your customers have said about your product and/or service. I've had two sales so far and they both have told me that they received exactly what they expected and that the cards were high quality. One said they were excited to send them out to their friends/families.